Abstract: A fixing method of fixing a regulating blade made of a resin to a mounting portion of a developing frame made of a resin so that the regulating blade is in non-contact with a developer carrying member, the fixing method including: imaging the mounting portion; determining a target value of a gap between the developer carrying member and the regulating blade based on characteristic information of a shape of the imaged mounting portion; giving, to the regulating blade, a force for deflecting the regulating blade to adjust a relative position of the regulating blade with respect to the developer carrying member that the gap falls within a predetermined range including the target value over a longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member; and fixing the regulating blade to the mounting portion in a state in which the regulating blade has been deflected and the gap falls within the predetermined range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an insertable developing apparatus having a developer container, a developer discharging portion, and a shutter movably arranged between a closing position and an opening position. A first spring joins with the shutter and urges the shutter in an insertion direction in which the developing apparatus is inserted to the image forming apparatus so the shutter is maintained at the closing position, and a fixing member is detachably attached to the developing apparatus and fixes the shutter at the closing position. An attachment portion in the developing apparatus attaches to the fixing member, an engagement member engages with the shutter, and a second spring joins with the engagement member and urges the engagement member in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

Abstract: A fixing method of fixing a regulating blade made of a resin to a mounting portion of a developing frame made of a resin so that the regulating blade is in non-contact with a developer carrying member, the fixing method including: imaging the mounting portion; determining a target value of a gap between the developer carrying member and the regulating blade based on characteristic information of a shape of the imaged mounting portion; giving, to the regulating blade, a force for deflecting the regulating blade to adjust a relative position of the regulating blade with respect to the developer carrying member that the gap falls within a predetermined range including the target value over a longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member; and fixing the regulating blade to the mounting portion in a state in which the regulating blade has been deflected and the gap falls within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer container with a discharge port through, a shutter, and a shutter urging member configured to urge the shutter so that the shutter is positioned at the closing position. A fixing member is detachably attached to the developing apparatus and configured to fix the shutter at the closing position so that the shutter is positioned at the closing position and a abutment member disposed on an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus is located, by being pushed by the fixed shutter, at a position moved in an insertion direction of the developing apparatus in a state where the developing apparatus is attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A toner container detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus body. The toner container includes a recovery container body in which at least one inflow port is formed for inflow of a toner recovered after image formation, and at least one rotating member that is rotatably provided to convey the recovered toner, which flows from the inflow port into the recovery container body, to a downstream side in a recovery toner conveyance direction. The rotating member includes a screw member and a spiral screw member. A discharge port, which is formed at the downstream side in the recovery toner conveyance direction, discharges the recovered toner in the recovery container body. A cover member, which is arranged to be detachably attachable to the recovery container body and has a bearing portion fitted to a downstream end in the recovery toner conveyance direction of the rotating member, covers the discharge port.