US 12,449,747 B2
Developing device and image forming apparatus therewith
Masahiro Ueno, Osaka (JP); and Hirofumi Tsuji, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed by KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/599,732.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-040523 (JP), filed on Mar. 15, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0310756 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0889 (2013.01) [G03G 2215/0822 (2013.01); G03G 2215/0827 (2013.01); G03G 2215/085 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
3. A developing device comprising:
a developer container that stores developer containing toner;
a developer carrier that is rotatably supported in the developer container, the developer carrier carrying the developer on an outer circumferential face thereof;
a stirring/conveying member that is rotatably supported in the developer container to stir and convey the developer stored in the developer container,
wherein
the developer container includes:
a lower housing having
a first accommodating portion that is concave so as to be open at a top thereof, and
a first edge portion formed in a top end portion of the first accommodating portion; and
an upper housing arranged above the lower housing, the upper housing having
a second accommodating portion that is concave so as to be open at a bottom thereof, and
a second edge portion that is formed in a bottom end portion of the second accommodating portion and that is placed on the first edge portion,
the first edge portion has
a depression that extends along the first edge portion and that is open at a top thereof,
a first contact face that is formed inward of the depression, and
a first opposite face that is formed outward of the depression,
the second edge portion has
an elevation that is inserted in the depression,
a second contact face that makes contact with the first contact face, and
a second opposite face that faces the first opposite face,
at least the depression and the elevation are bonded together with adhesive, and
when the first and second contact faces are in contact with each other,
the first and second opposite faces are in contact with each other, and
the elevation and the depression are out of contact with each other, and
a space between the depression and the elevation is larger outward of the elevation than inward of the elevation.