Appeal No. 2004-0406
Application No. 10/050,173 Page 2
understanding of the invention can be derived from a reading of
exemplary claim 6, which is reproduced below.
6. A developing device comprising a developer
carrying member rotatable in a direction against
gravity at a contacting point with or a point closest
to a photosensitive member adapted to have an
electrostatic latent image carried thereon, and a cover
for sealing a developer to be conveyed by the developer
carrying member in the cover, the developer carrying
member carrying and conveying the developer stored
therein to develop the electrostatic latent image on
the photosensitive member; and further comprising at
least a clearance regulating member provided so as to
be free from contact with a surface of the developer
carrying member, the clearance regulating member
regulating a clearance for an upper side of the
developer carrying member; wherein the clearance
between the developer carrying member and the clearance
regulating member is determined at a size not greater
than a maximum height of the developer projected from
the surface of the developer carrying member.
The sole prior art reference of record relied upon by the
examiner in rejecting the appealed claims is:
Takeda et al. (Takeda) 5,327,339 Jul. 05, 1994
Claims 1-7 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being
anticipated by Takeda.
We refer to the brief and to the answer for a complete
exposition of the opposing viewpoints expressed by appellants and
the examiner concerning the issues before us on this appeal.
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