Author: claimsbot

1. A termite indicating device for indicating the presence of termites in a structure, including:
a termite bait element that includes material which is typically eaten by termites, the bait element being capable of being inserted into a wall having a wall frame from one side of the wall, such that when inserted the bait element is accessible to termites moving around on the wall frame, and such that the bait element can be manually withdrawn in a reverse direction by a person on said one side of the wall to inspect the bait element for evidence of termite activity.
2. A termite indicating device according to claim 1, wherein the material is a material that is preferentially eaten by termites in preference to other materials.
3. A termite indicating device according to claim 2, wherein the bait element is made of one or more of mountain, ash, cork or cellulose.
4. A termite indicating device according to claim 1, wherein the wall includes an internal wall sheeting and a said wall frame and the termite bait element comprises a plug which is snugly received within a hole in the wall sheeting and a timber probe comprising said material preferentially eaten by termites which is located in said wall frame in a position where it is accessible to termites.
5. A termite indicating device according to claim 4, wherein said wall frame comprises a plurality of studs and plates, and wherein the probe is positioned resting on a bottom plate of said frame.
6. A termite indicating device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the termite bait element includes a flexible element intermediate the probe and the plug for permitting the probe to rest at a different height to the plug in the wall.
7. A termite indicating device according to claim 6, wherein the flexible element is a short rubber or plastic cord.
8. A termite indicating device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the termite bait element also includes centering means for positioning means for the probe broadly centrally with respect to the hole in the wall when it is drawn in a reverse direction through the hole in the wall.
9. A termite indicating device according to claim 8, wherein the centering means comprises a coupler having one end attached to the timber probe and an opposed end attached to the flexible element.
10. A termite indicating device according to claim 9, wherein said opposed end is rounded to guide it into the hole.
11. A termite indicating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, including a collar which is permanently mounted in the wall defining the hole in the wall element and the plug is snugly received in the collar when the device is mounted in position in a wall.
12. A termite indicating device according to claim 11, wherein the plug is sized to be snugly received within the collar with a small amount of clearance.
13. A termite indicating device according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the plug defines an internal screw thread formation and the plug defines a complementary screw thread formation, whereby said one and complementary screw thread formations engage when the device is mounted in a wall.
14. A termite indicating device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the plug has an end face that defines a formation for receiving the end of a rotating device thereby to facilitate insertion and removal of the plug.
15. A termite indicating device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the probe further includes an active ingredient that is toxic to termites coated on the surface of the probe.
16. A method of monitoring a structure having walls and a timber frame for signs of termite infestation, the method including:
placing a termite indicator device including at least one termite bait element which includes material which is typically eaten by termites inside the structure in proximity to the timber frame; and
periodically inspecting theeach termite bait element for evidence of termite infestation.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the bait element is made of a material that is preferred by termites to other materials namely mountain ash, radiator pine or hoop pine.
18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein a plurality of bait elements are positioned at spaced intervals around the walls of the structure.
19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the timber frame comprises studs and plates and the bait elements are positioned resting on the bottom plates of the structure around the periphery of the structure.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the bait elements are positioned at least every 5 metres along the external wall of the structure.
21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the bait elements are inspected at least every 6 months.
22. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein each bait element comprises a plug and a timber probe connected by a flexible element and the plug is removably mounted to the internal wall panel of a wall and the timber probe is received within the wall frame.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the plug is removably mounted to the internal wall panel by complementary screw thread formations and the device includes a centering means for aligning the probe with the hole to enable it to be withdrawn in a reverse direction through the hole.
24. A wall comprising:
a timber frame providing structural support for the wall comprising a plurality of timber members and having two sides;
a wall lining on one side of said frame spaced away from said frame;
a further wall lining on the other side of said frame spaced away from said frame, wherein said further wall lining also defines a hole through which an element can be removably inserted; and
a termite bait element including material that is typically eaten by termites that is removably inserted into said hole such that it is positioned resting on a member of the frame where it is accessible to termites moving around on the wall frame, and the termite bait element also being capable of being withdrawn through the hole in a reverse direction to inspect the element for evidence of termite activity.
25. A wall according to claim 24, wherein the frame comprises upper and lower horizontally extending plates interconnected at their ends by vertically extending studs, and the bait element rests on the lower plate.
26. A wall according to claim 25, wherein the termite bait element comprises a plug that is snugly received within the hole, a probe comprising a material that is eaten by termites, and a flexible element intermediate the probe and plug for permitting the probe to drop down onto the plate when it is passed through the hole, and the flexible element enables the probe to be pulled in a reverse direction back through the hole when the plug is taken out of the hole.
27. A structure according to claim 26, wherein said one wall lining is a brick veneer and said further wall lining is an internal wall lining made of plasterboard or like material, and wherein the wall has a plurality of said termite indicator devices at spaced intervals along the length of the wall.
28. A structure comprising a plurality of walls as defined in claim 24.
29. A structure according to claim 28 which is a house mounted on a concrete slab.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A flywheel having as components a drive transfer element and a rim, the drive transfer element being coupled to the rim by a winding around each, wherein an indicator ring is mounted to the flywheel for rotation therewith, the indicator ring being formed so as to behave differently under rotation than a flywheel component.
2. A flywheel as claimed in claim 1 in which the indicator ring is mounted to the flywheel by an interference fit.
3. A flywheel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the rim comprises a mass element and a circumferential support element at least partially disposed radially outside the mass element.
4. A flywheel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the indicator ring and flywheel component are arranged to deform differently under rotation.
5. The flywheel of claim 3 wherein the ring is supported by the support element.
6. The flywheel of claim 5 wherein the ring is mounted substantially radially outside the support element.
7. The flywheel of claim 6 wherein the ring has a stiffness less than or substantially equal to that of the support element to deform differently under rotation.
8. The flywheel of claim 2 wherein the ring is mounted substantially radially inside the support element.
9. The flywheel of claim 8 wherein the ring has a stiffness greater than or substantially equal to that of the support element to deform differently under rotation.
10. The flywheel of claim 1 wherein the drive transfer element comprises a shaft and the ring is mounted on the shaft.
11. The flywheel of any preceding claim wherein the support element comprises circumferentially wound fibre, and preferably the circumferentially wound fibre is carbon.
12. The flywheel of claim 3 in which the interference fit results in a predetermined pre-load between the ring and its mounting when the flywheel is at rest.
13. The flywheel of any preceding claim in which the interference fit has a non-uniform stress distribution at the interference boundary.
14. The flywheel of claim 11 wherein the flywheel is balanced as an assembly.
15. The flywheel of any preceding claim further comprising a detector for detecting differential behaviour of the ring and flywheel under rotation.
16. The flywheel of claim 15 in which the detector is arranged to detect an imbalance caused by said differential behaviour.
17. A method of constructing a flywheel comprising the steps of providing a winding around a drive transfer element and a rim and mounting an indicator ring to the flywheel for rotation therewith.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 in which the indicator ring is mounted using an interference fit.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the rim comprises a mass element and a circumferential support element at least partially radially disposed outside the mass element and the ring is mounted to the support member.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the ring is mounted substantially radially outside the support element.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the ring is mounted substantially radially inside of the support element.
22. The method of claims 17 to 21 wherein the ring is pressed onto or into the flywheel such that a pre-load results between the ring and its mounting having non-uniform stress distribution results at the interference boundary.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the flywheel is balanced on assembly.
24. The method of claims 17 to 23 wherein the mass element is ductile and wherein both the winding and the support element are pre-loaded by rotating the flywheel in a pre-loading such that centrifugal forces acting on the mass element cause it to yield outwardly.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein in the pre-loading step the flywheel is rotated at a speed greater than normal operating rotational speeds and lower than a speed which would cause the pre-load between the ring and its mounting to be overcome.
26. A method of operating a flywheel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16 andor fabricated or claimed in any of claims 17 to 25 comprising rotating the flywheel and monitoring for an imbalance in the flywheel to indicate overload.
27. A flywheel or method substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. An organic light emitting device comprising
(i) a first electrode;
(ii) a mixed region comprising a mixture of (1) a tertiary aromatic amine, (2) a metal oxinoid, and (3) a green emitting coumarin dye of the Formula
6
wherein X is selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an alkyl imino group and aryl imino group; R1 and R2 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, and carbocyclic; R3 and R4 are individually selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, alkyl, and optionally a branched or unbranched 5 or 6 member substituent ring connecting with R1 and R2, respectively; and R5, R6, R7, and R8 are individually selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group and an alkyl group;
(iii) a second electrode;
(iv) an optional thermal protective element coated on one of the first and second electrodes, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is a hole injecting anode, and one of the first and second electrodes is an electron injecting cathode, and wherein the organic light emitting device further comprises at least one of
(v) a hole transport region interposed or situated between the anode and the mixed region, wherein the hole transport region optionally includes a buffer layer; and
(vi) an electron transport region interposed between the cathode and the mixed region, and wherein said green emitting dye is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent based on the total of said mixed layer components (ii).
2. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the green emitting coumarin dye is 10-2-(benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H, 5H, 11H-(1)benzopyropyrano (6,7,-8-ij) quinolizin-11-one (C545T).
3. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tertiary aromatic amine is a N,N,N,N-tetraaryl benzidine.
4. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the amine is an N,N,N,N-tetraaryl benzidine selected from the group consisting of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) and N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD), and the metal oxinoid is tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3).
5. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is at least one of (i) said hole transport region comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of tertiary aromatic amines, porphyrins, and indolocarbazoles; and (ii) said electron transport region comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal oxinoids, stilbenes, triazines, porphyrins, and quinolines.
6. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mixed region comprises from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of a tertiary aromatic amine; from about 80 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the metal oxinoid; and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of the coumarin dye, and wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region.
7. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mixed region comprises from about 35 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of the tertiary aromatic amine; from about 65 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of the metal oxinoid; and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of the coumarin dye, and wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region.
8. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mixed region comprises from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of the coumarin dye, and wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region.
9. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is at least one of A. the material comprising the hole transport region and the tertiary aromatic amine comprising the mixed region are similar, and B. the material comprising the electron transport region and the metal oxinoid comprising the mixed region are similar.
10. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is at least one of A. the material comprising the hole transport region and the tertiary aromatic amine comprising the mixed region are different materials, and B. the material comprising the electron transport region and the metal oxinoid comprising the mixed region are different materials.
11. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is an electron transport region, and wherein the electron transport region comprises at least two layers.
12. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 11 wherein (1) a first layer of the electron transport region is contacting the mixed region, and which first layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxinoids and quinolines; and (2) a second layer of the electron transport region is contacting the cathode, and which second layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxinoids, phthalocyanines, and triazines.
13. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 12 wherein the first layer comprises a metal oxinoid comprising tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), or a quinoline of 1,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)benzene, 4,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)-1,1-biphenyl (TA); and the second layer comprises a metal oxinoid of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq); a phthalocyanine of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc); or a triazine of 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, or 2,4,6-tris(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,5-triazine.
14. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is a hole transport region, and wherein the hole transport region comprises at least two layers.
15. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 14 wherein (1) a first layer of the hole transport region is contacting the anode, and which first layer comprises a porphyrin; and (2) a second layer of the hole transport region is contacting the mixed region, and which second layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tertiary aromatic amines and indolocarbazoles.
16. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the first layer comprises copper phthalocyanine; and the second layer comprises a tertiary aromatic amine of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) or N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD); or an indolocarbazole comprising 5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo 3,2-bcarbazole, or 2,8-dimethyl-5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo 3,2-bcarbazole.
17. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is present a hole transport region, and wherein the hole transport region comprises a layer comprised of a mixture of (i) from about 25 weight percent to about 99 weight percent of a porphyrin; and (ii) from about 75 weight percent to about 1 weight percent of an aromatic tertiary amine.
18. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is at least one of (1) an anode comprising a layer of indium-tin-oxide, and (2) a cathode comprising a layer selected from the group consisting of (i) Mg and Ag; (ii) Al; (iii) indium-tin-oxide; and (iv) an organic compound, Mg and Ag.
19. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 18 wherein the cathode further comprises an alkaline metal or a compound thereof.
20. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 19 wherein the alkaline metal is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K and Cs.
21. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is a thermal protective element, or layer present, and which thermal protective element comprises a layer of SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof.
22. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mixed region has a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; the hole transport region has a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 250 nanometers; andor the electron transport region has a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers.
23. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 and comprising
(i) an anode of indium-tin-oxide with thickness of from about 30 to about 300 nanometers coated on a substrate, the anode and the substrate being capable of transmitting at least about 70 percent of radiation of wavelength longer than about 400 nanometers;
(ii) a hole transport region on the anode comprised of at least one material selected from the group of materials including copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB), N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD), 5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo 3,2-bcarbazole, and 2,8-dimethyl-5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo 3,2-bcarbazole; and which region has a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers;
(iii) a mixed region situated on the hole transport region comprised of (1) from about 35 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) or N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD); (2) from about 65 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum; and (3) from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of 10-2-(benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H, 5H, 11H-(1) benzopyropyrano (6,7,-8-ij) quinolizin-11-one (C545T), wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region, and wherein the thickness of the mixed region is from about 50 nanometers to about 150 nanometers;
(iv) an electron transport region situated on the mixed region comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), wherein the thickness of the electron transport region is from about 5 nanometers to about 50 nanometers;
(v) a cathode situated on the electron transport region comprised of one of (1) a layer comprised of Mg:Ag alloy or Al of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and (2) a first layer comprised of from about 40 volume percent to about 55 volume percent of Mg; from about 2 volume percent to about 10 volume percent of Ag and from about 55 volume percent to about 40 volume percent of Alq3, wherein the thickness of the first layer is from about 100 nanometers to about 600 nanometers, and coated with a second layer of thickness from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers and comprising a metal or a metal alloy; and
(vi) a thermal protective element situated on the cathode comprised of SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof of a thickness of from about 100 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers.
24. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 and comprising
(i) an anode of indium-tin-oxide with thickness of from about 30 to about 300 nanometers coated on a substrate, the anode and the substrate being capable of transmitting at least 70 percent of radiation of wavelength longer than 400 nanometers;
(ii) a hole transport region on or in contact with the anode comprised of at least one material selected from the group of materials including N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB), N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD), 5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo3,2-bcarbazole, and 2,8-dimethyl-5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo3,2-bcarbazole; and which region further comprises a buffer layer contacting the anode, and comprised of copper phthalocyanine wherein the thickness of the buffer layer is from about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers, and the thickness of the hole transport region is from about 5 nanometers to about 20 nanometers greater than the thickness of the buffer layer;
(iii) a mixed region situated on the hole transport region comprised of (1) from about 35 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) or N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD); (2) from about 65 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum; and (3) from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of 10-2-(benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H, 5H, 11H-(1)benzopyropyrano (6,7,-8-ij) quinolizin-11-one (C545T), wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region, and wherein the thickness of the mixed region is from about 50 nanometers to about 150 nanometers;
(iv) an electron transport region situated on the mixed region comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), wherein the thickness of the electron transport region is from about 5 nanometers to about 50 nanometers;
(v) a cathode situated on the electron transport region comprised of one of (1) a layer comprised of Mg:Ag alloy or Al of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and (2) a first layer comprised of from about 40 volume percent to about 55 volume percent of Mg; from about 2 volume percent to about 10 volume percent of Ag and from about 55 volume percent to about 40 volume percent of Alq3, wherein the thickness of the first layer is from about 100 nanometers to about 600 nanometers; and coated with a second layer of a thickness from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers comprising a metal or a metal alloy; and
(vi) an optional thermal protective element situated on the cathode comprised of SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof of a thickness of from about 100 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers.
25. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 and comprising
(i) an anode of indium-tin-oxide with a thickness of from about 30 to about 300 nanometers coated on a substrate, the anode and the substrate being capable of transmitting at least 70 percent of radiation of wavelength longer than 400 nanometers;
(ii) a hole transport region on the anode comprised of at least one material selected from the group of materials consisting of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB), N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD), 5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo3,2-bcarbazole, and 2,8-dimethyl-5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo 3,2-bcarbazole; and which region has a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers;
(iii) a mixed region situated on the hole transport region comprised of (1) from about 35 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) or N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD); (2) from about 65 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum; and (3) from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of 10-2-(benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H, 5H, 11H-(1) benzopyropyrano (6,7,-8-ij) quinolizin-11-one (C545T), wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region, and wherein the thickness of the mixed region is from about 50 nanometers to about 150 nanometers;
(iv) an electron transport region situated on the mixed region comprising (1) a first layer of a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 25 nanometers contacting the mixed region, wherein this first layer is comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), or 1,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)benzene, 4,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)-1,1-biphenyl (TA); and (2) a second layer of a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 25 nanometers contacting the cathode, wherein the second is comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, or 2,4,6-tris(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,5-triazine;
(v) a cathode situated on the electron transport region comprised of one of (1) a layer comprised of Mg:Ag alloy or Al of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and (2) a first layer comprised of from about 40 volume percent to about 55 volume percent of Mg; from about 2 volume percent to about 10 volume percent of Ag and from about 55 volume percent to about 40 volume percent of Alq3, wherein the thickness of the first layer is from about 100 nanometers to about 600 nanometers; and coated with a second layer of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers comprising a metal or a metal alloy; and
(vi) a thermal protective element situated on the cathode comprised of SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof of a thickness of from about 100 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers.
26. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 and comprising
(i) an anode of indium-tin-oxide with a thickness of from about 30 to about 300 nanometers coated on a substrate, the anode and the substrate being capable of transmitting at least 70 percent of radiation of wavelength longer than 400 nanometers;
(ii) a hole transport region on the anode comprised of a material selected from the group of materials including N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB), N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD), 5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo3,2-bcarbazole, and 8-dimethyl-5,11-di-naphthyl-5,11-dihydroindolo3,2-bcarbazole; and which region further comprises a buffer layer contacting the anode and comprised of copper phthalocyanine, wherein the thickness of the buffer layer is from about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers, and the thickness of the hole transport region is from about 5 nanometers to about 20 nanometers greater than the thickness of the buffer layer;
(iii) a mixed region situated on the hole transport region comprised of (1) from about 35 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of N,N-di(naphthalene-1-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-benzidine (NPB) or N,N-bis(p-biphenyl)-N,N-diphenyl benzidine (biphenyl TPD); (2) from about 65 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum or bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum; and (3) from about 0.2 weight percent to about 2 weight percent of 10-2-(benzothiazolyl)-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-1H, 5H, 11H-(1) benzopyropyrano (6,7,-8-ij) quinolizin-11-one (C545T), wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of materials comprising the mixed region, and wherein the thickness of the mixed region is from about 50 nanometers to about 150 nanometers;
(iv) an electron transport region situated on the mixed region comprising (1) a first layer of a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 25 nanometers contacting the mixed region, wherein this first layer is comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), 1,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)benzene, or 4,4-bis(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl)-1,1-biphenyl (TA); and (2) a second layer of a thickness of from about 5 nanometers to about 25 nanometers contacting the cathode, wherein the second is comprised of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3), bis(8-hydroxyquinolato)-(4-phenylphenolato)aluminum (Balq), copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-tolyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-p-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, 4,4-bis-2-(4,6-di-m-methoxyphenyl-1,3,5-triazinyl)-1,1-biphenyl, or 2,4,6-tris(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,5-triazine;
(v) a cathode situated on the electron transport region comprised of one of (1) a layer comprising of Mg:Ag alloy or Al of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and (2) a first layer comprised of from about 40 volume percent to about 55 volume percent of Mg; from about 2 volume percent to about 10 volume percent of Ag and from about 55 volume percent to about 40 volume percent of Alq3, wherein the thickness of the first layer is from about 100 nanometers to about 600 nanometers, and coated with a second layer of a thickness of from about 50 nanometers to about 500 nanometers comprising a metal or a metal alloy; and
(vi) an optional thermal protective element situated on the cathode comprised of SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof of a thickness of from about 100 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers.
27. A display comprising at least one organic light emitting device of claim 1.
28. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein X is oxygen or sulfur.
29. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein X is an alkyl amino group wherein alkyl contains from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.
30. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein X is an aryl imino group wherein aryl contains from about 6 to about 36 carbon atoms.
31. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 alkyl contain from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 aryl contain from about 6 to about 36 carbon atoms.
32. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein R3 and R4 alkyl contain from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.
33. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein R5, R6, R7 and R8 alkoxy contain from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and alkyl contains from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.
34. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said protective layer is comprised of a silicon dioxide or a silicon oxide.
35. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hole transport region is present; said electron transport region is present; or said hole transport region and said electron transport region are present.
36. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regions comprise from about 1 to about 20 layers.
37. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regions comprise from about 1 to about 5 layers.
38. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regions are each from about 1 to about 3 layers.
39. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regions are each from about 2 to about 4 layers.
40. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regions are each one layer.
41. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said emitter amount is from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent.
42. An organic light emitting device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said enitter amount is from about 0.2 to about 2 weight percent.
43. A device comprising
(i) a first electrode;
(ii) a mixed region comprising a mixture of (1) a tertiary aromatic amine, (2) a metal oxinoid, and (3) a green emitting coumarin dye of the Formula
7
wherein X is selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an alkyl imino group and an aryl imino group; R1 and R2 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, and carbocyclic; R3 and R4 are individually selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, alkyl, and optionally a branched or unbranched 5 or 6 member substituent ring connecting with R1 and R2, respectively; and R5, R6, R7, and R8 are individually selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group and an alkyl group;
(iii) a second electrode;
(iv) an optional thermal protective element coated on one of the first and second electrodes, wherein one of the first and second electrodes is a hole injecting anode, and one of the first and second electrodes is an electron injecting cathode, and wherein the organic light emitting device further comprises at least one of
(v) a hole transport region interposed or situated between the anode and the mixed region, wherein the hole transport region optionally includes a buffer layer; and
(vi) an electron transport region interposed between the cathode and the mixed region, and wherein said green emitting dye is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent based on the total of said mixed layer components (ii).

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A developing device, comprising:
a developing agent carrying member which faces a latent image carrying member and rotates in a direction such that the portion thereof facing said latent image carrying member rotates in the same direction as said latent image carrying member at that position, while carrying on the surface thereof a developing agent containing magnetic particles;
a casing which forms a developing agent storing space therein for storing developing agent, and has an opening whereby a portion of the surface of said developing agent carrying member in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member is made to face said latent image carrying member;
a developing agent restricting member disposed within said casing, upstream, in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, of a developing region where said developing agent carrying member and said latent image carrying member face one another, such that a gap is formed between said developing agent restricting member and said developing agent carrying member, so as to restrict the amount of developing agent supplied to said developing region; whereby developing is performed by bringing the developing agent on the surface of said developing agent carrying member with said latent image carrying member at said developing region;
magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic filed such that said developing agent is made to form a magnetic brush so as to close off the space between the surface of said developing agent carrying member and the inner wall of said casing at least one time while said developing agent being carried by the surface of said developing agent carrying member is being carried from said gap to said developing region; and
a gas exhaust path for exhausting gas, in an upstream space defined by the surface of said developing agent carrying member and the inner wall of said casing upstream in the rotational direction of said developing agent carrying member from said developing region, into the inner space of a device or member employing a structure whereby developing agent existing therein is prevented from scattering within an image formation apparatus, at a position downstream in the rotational direction of said developing agent carrying member from a brush formation position where said developing agent forms a magnetic brush due to said magnetic field generating means.
2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein an opening of said gas exhaust path is formed in said upstream space so that gas within said upstream space is exhausted from the end portion of said upstream space in the direction of the rotational axis of said developing agent carrying member.
3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein two of said gas exhaust paths are provided, and wherein openings of said gas exhaust paths are each formed in said upstream space so that gas within said upstream space is exhausted, via said gas exhaust paths, from both end portions of said upstream space in the direction of the rotational axis of said developing agent carrying member.
4. The developing device according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a negative pressure space, adjacent to said developing agent restricting member in the downstream direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, is used as said inner space.
5. A developing device comprising:
a latent image carrying member; and
a developing device for developing latent images on said latent image carrying member;
wherein a developing device according to any one of claims 1 through 4 is used as said developing device.
6. A developing device comprising:
a latent image carrying member;
a developing device for developing latent images on said latent image carrying member; and
a cleaning device which recovers developing agent adhering to a member to be cleaned;
wherein a developing device according to any one of claims 1 through 3 is used as said developing device;
and wherein inner space of said cleaning device for storing developing agent collected by said cleaning device is used as said inner space.
7. A developing device, comprising:
a developing agent carrying member which faces a latent image carrying member and rotates in a direction such that the portion thereof facing said latent image carrying member rotates in the same direction as said latent image carrying member at that position, while carrying on the surface thereof a developing agent; and
a casing which forms an inner space therein for storing developing agent, and has an opening whereby a portion of the surface of said developing agent carrying member in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member is made to face said latent image carrying member;
wherein said developing device is configured such that external air is capable of flowing in toward the inner space of said casing, through an inlet gap formed between the edge portion of said opening positioned at the downstream side in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member and the surface of said latent image carrying member;
and further comprising
a second opening, formed at an inner wall portion of said casing, further upstream in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member from the position where developing agent closes off part or all of the channel space between the surface of said developing agent carrying member and the inner wall of said casing, which can serve as a channel for external air flowing into the inner space of said casing through said inlet gap; and
a gas exhaust path connected to said second opening for exhausting gas within said channel space to a developing agent scattering-prevention space through said second opening.
8. The developing device according to claim 7, further comprising suction means for suctioning gas from the end portion of said gas exhaust path of said developing agent scattering-prevention space.
9. The developing device according to claim 8, further comprising a developing agent restricting member for restricting the amount of developing agent carried on the surface of said developing agent carrying member in order to adjust the amount of developing agent transported to said developing region, said developing agent restricting member being positioned facing the surface of said developing agent carrying member with a predetermined gap therebetween at a position further upstream from said developing region in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, wherein a negative pressure space, adjacent to said developing agent restricting member in the downstream direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, is used as said suction means.
10. The developing device according to either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the inner space of said casing is configured so as to be in a generally airtight space, with said inner space being used as said developing agent scattering-prevention space, and with gas within said inner space being suctioned by said suction means.
11. The developing device according to claim 10, further comprising a preventing member disposed in the upstream direction of flow of said developing agent of said opening, for preventing passage of developing agent flowing in said inner space through said opening, around the opening of said gas exhaust path opened into said inner space.
12. A developing device, comprising:
a developing agent carrying member which faces a latent image carrying member and rotates in a direction such that the portion thereof facing said latent image carrying member rotates in the same direction as said latent image carrying member at that position, while carrying on the surface thereof a developing agent; and
a casing which forms an inner space therein for storing developing agent, and has an opening whereby a portion of the surface of said developing agent carrying member in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member is made to face said latent image carrying member;
wherein said developing device is configured such that external air is capable of flowing in toward the inner space of said casing, through an inlet gap formed between the edge portion of said opening positioned at the downstream side in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member and the surface of said latent image carrying member;
and further comprising
a second opening, formed at an inner wall portion of said casing, further upstream in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member from the position where developing agent closes off part or all of the channel space between the surface of said developing agent carrying member and the inner wall of said casing, which can serve as a channel for external air flowing into the inner space of said casing through said inlet gap;
and a gas exhaust path connected to said second opening for exhausting gas within said channel space outside of said developing device through said second opening; and
a filter member disposed in said gas exhaust path.
13. A developing device, comprising:
a developing agent carrying member which faces a latent image carrying member and rotates in a direction such that the portion thereof facing said latent image carrying member rotates in the same direction as said latent image carrying member at that position, while carrying on the surface thereof a developing agent;
a casing which forms an inner space therein for storing developing agent, and has an opening whereby a portion of the surface of said developing agent carrying member in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member is made to face said latent image carrying member; and
a transporting member for transporting developing agent in the inner space of said casing, in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member;
wherein said developing device is configured such that external air is capable of flowing in toward the inner space of said casing, through an inlet gap formed between the edge portion of said opening positioned at the downstream side in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member and the surface of said latent image carrying member, due to an airflow passing through the channel space Between said developing agent carrying member and said transporting member;
and further comprising
a shielding member for shielding developing agent transported by said transporting member, from the airflow passing through said channel gap.
14. A developing device according to claim 13, further comprising a developing agent restricting member for restricting the amount of developing agent carried on the surface of said developing agent carrying member in order to adjust the amount of developing agent transported to said developing region, said developing agent restricting member being positioned facing the surface of said developing agent carrying member with a predetermined gap therebetween at a position further upstream from said developing region in the direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, wherein a negative pressure space, adjacent to said developing agent restricting member in the downstream direction of rotation of said developing agent carrying member, and the inner space of said casing, are made to communicate, so as to generate an airflow passing through said channel gap.
15. The developing device according to either of claims 13 or 14, further comprising:
two transporting screws as said transporting member, which transport the developing agent in mutually opposite direction along the rotation axis direction of said developing agent carrying member, by fins fixed on the rotating axes of said transporting screws extending in the rotation axis direction of said developing agent carrying member; and
moving paths provided at both ends regions in the rotation axis direction of said two transporting screws, whereby developing agent which has reached the transportation ending portion of one transporting screw is moved to the transportation starting portion of the other transporting screw;
wherein said shielding member is disposed so as to shield at least the transporting screw at the side closer to said developing agent carrying member from said airflow.
16. The developing device according to claim 15, wherein, the developing agent moving through, of said moving paths, at least the moving path which moves the developing agent to the transportation starting portion of the transporting screw at the side closer to said developing agent carrying member, is shielded from said airflow by said shielding member.
17. The developing device according to either of claims 15 or 16, further comprising, on the face of said shielding member which faces said transporting screw, a flexible member which comes into contact with the perimeter of the fin of said transporting screw.
18. The developing device according to any of the claims 15 through 17, further comprising a suction opening for suction means for suctioning gas, said suction opening provided on the inner wall portion of the casing near to the channel space Between the transporting screw closer to said developing agent carrying member and said developing agent carrying member.
19. The developing device according to any of the claims 15 through 17, further comprising airflow generating means for generating an airflow which passes through the channel space Between the transporting screw closer to said developing agent carrying member and said developing agent carrying member, and passes through the perimeter region of the transporting screw not closer to said developing agent carrying member.
20. The developing device according to any of the claims 7 through 19, further comprising gas supplying means for supplying gas to said inlet gap, for enhancing conditions within the inner space of said casing so as to be suitable for toner charging properties.
21. An image formation apparatus comprising:
a latent image carrying member; and
a developing device for developing latent images on said latent image carrying member;
wherein the developing device according to any of the claims 7 through 20 is used as said developing device.
22. A process cartridge configured so as to be detachable mounted to the main unit of the image formation apparatus according to claim 21, wherein at least said latent image carrying member and said developing agent carrying member are configured integrally.
23. A developing device comprising:
a developing sleeve capable of forming a magnetic brush, disposed facing a latent image carrying member and disposed within housing which is almost airtight except for the portion where said developing sleeve faces said latent image carrying member, in order to effect processing for visualizing electrostatic latent images formed on said latent image carrying member; and
a screw member which transports developing agent toward said developing sleeve while stirring said developing agent;
wherein a communicating portion is provided which has a starting end portion and an ending end portion at a positive pressure portion and a negative pressure portion emerging at the upstream and downstream of the magnetic brush carried by said developing sleeve in the direction of movement thereof, thereby causing airflow between said positive pressure portion and negative pressure portion.
24. The developing device according to claim 23, wherein a starting end opening is formed in the developing agent transporting path at a developing agent drawing-up starting side where the developing agent is drawn up by said screw member toward said developing sleeve, and wherein an ending end opening has an exhaust channel, provided behind a layer thickness restricting member for restricting the thickness of said developing agent in front of a position where said developing sleeve faces said latent image carrying member, as a flowing portion for air.
25. The developing device according to claim 24, wherein said starting end opening has a shape which widens from the upper portion thereof toward the lower portion thereof in the direction in which developing agent drawn up toward the developing sleeve falls, and has an opening formed at the widened portion.
26. The developing device according to either of claims 24 or 25, wherein a plurality of said starting openings are provided in the axial direction of said developing sleeve, with each of said starting end openings being connected with said ending end opening such that pressure distribution in the axial direction of said developing sleeve is uniform.
27. The developing device according to claim 26, wherein said starting end openings positioned at the outer sides in the axial direction of said developing sleeve are connected to an ending end opening positioned at the center side of in the axial direction of said developing sleeve.
28. A developing device comprising:
a developing sleeve capable of forming a magnetic brush, disposed facing a latent image carrying member and disposed within housing which is almost airtight except for the portion where said developing sleeve faces said latent image carrying member, in order to effect processing for visualizing electrostatic latent images formed on said latent image carrying member; and
a screw member which transports developing agent toward said developing sleeve while stirring said developing agent;
wherein a communicating portion is provided which has a starting end portion and an ending end portion at a positive pressure portion and a negative pressure portion emerging at the upstream and downstream of the magnetic brush carried by said developing sleeve in the direction of movement thereof, with said start end portion being provided near a repelling magnetic field formation region for causing developing agent to fall which is provided on said developing sleeve, and with said ending end portion communicating with said starting end portion being provided behind a layer thickness restricting portion for restricting the thickness of said developing agent in front of a position where said developing sleeve facing said latent image carrying member, thereby causing airflow between said positive pressure portion and negative pressure portion.
29. The developing device according to claim 28, wherein a channel whereby said starting end portion and said ending end portion communicate, has the starting end portion thereof connected to the end side in the axial direction of said developing sleeve, and the ending end portion thereof connected to center side in the axial direction of said developing sleeve.
30. The developing device according to either of claim 23 or claim 28, further comprising a channel for communication between
near a repelling magnetic field formation region for causing developing agent to fall which is provided on said developing sleeve, and
the ambient atmosphere,
wherein said channel is configured so as to be capable of opening and closing.
31. The developing device according to any one of claims 23 through 30, wherein the gap as to said latent image carrying member at a position past said developing position in the direction of movement of said developing sleeve in said housing is smaller than the gap at said developing position.
32. The developing device according to either of claim 23 or claim 28, further comprising a circulation chamber for permitting circulation of air at a position past said developing position in the direction of movement of said developing sleeve in said housing.
33. The developing device according to claim 32, wherein said circulation chamber communicates with a channel for communication between
near a repelling magnetic field formation region for causing developing agent to fall which is provided on said developing sleeve, and
the ambient atmosphere,
wherein said channel is configured so as to be capable of opening and closing.
34. A process cartridge using the developing device according to any one of claims 23 through 33.
35. The process cartridge according to claim 34, wherein the channel for communication between near a repelling magnetic field formation region for causing developing agent to fall which is provided on said developing device, and the ambient atmosphere, is closed at the time of mounting or detaching said process cartridge.
36. The process cartridge according to claim 35, wherein the channel for communication between near a repelling magnetic field formation region for causing developing agent to fall which is provided on said developing device, and the ambient atmosphere, is closed at the time of standby for developing processing.
37. An image formation apparatus using the developing device according to any one of the claims 23 through 33 or the progress cartridge according to any one of the claims 34 through 36.
38. A developing device comprising a developing sleeve capable of forming a magnetic brush, disposed facing a latent image carrying member and disposed within housing which is almost airtight except for the portion where said developing sleeve faces said latent image carrying member, in order to effect processing for visualizing electrostatic latent images formed on said latent image carrying member;
wherein an opening, formed in a wall face of said housing facing said developing sleeve, faces the leading edge of the developing agent carried by said developing sleeve following the processing for visualizing the electrostatic latent images.
39. The developing device according to claim 38, wherein said opening is provided between
an entrance of said housing where the developing agent carried by said developing sleeve begins to enter said housing following finishing the processing for visualizing the electrostatic latent images, and
a position where a transporting magnetic pole provided to said developing sleeve is disposed.
40. The developing device according to either of claims 38 or 39, wherein said opening is positioned upstream in the direction of movement of said developing sleeve for a magnetic pole positioned downstream from a developing primary magnetic pole facing said latent image carrying member.
41. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 40, wherein suctioning force acts upon said opening.
42. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 41, wherein said opening communications with the inside of said developing device, or with the outside.
43. The developing device according to claim 42, wherein said opening is positioned at one end of a detour path communicating with a position at which the developing agent carried by said developing sleeve is scraped off of said developing sleeve and flows within said developing device.
44. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 43, wherein said opening has a length in the longitudinal direction set longer than the length of said developing sleeve in the axial direction.
45. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 44, wherein said opening is provided so as to be capable of taking in the developing agent carried by said developing sleeve in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of said developing sleeve.
46. The developing device according to claim 43, wherein said detour path has a greater area at a channel portion communicating with the inside of said developing device, than the area of said opening.
47. The developing device according to either of claims 43 or 46, further comprising a magnetic shield member in a channel portion of said detour path communicating with the inside of said developing device.
48. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 44 or 46, wherein the expression
G2G3
holds, wherein
G2 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position prior to the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve, and
G3 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position following the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve.
49. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 44 or 46, wherein the expression
G1G2t
holds, wherein
G1 represents the gap between the entrance of said housing where the developing agent enters and said latent image carrying member,
G2 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position prior to the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve, and
t represents the thickness of the layer of developing agent carried by said developing sleeve which has passed the developing region.
50. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 45, wherein the expression
G2<G3
holds, wherein
G2 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position prior to the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve, and
G3 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position following the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve.
51. The developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 45, wherein the expression
G1>G2t
holds, wherein
G1 represents the gap between the entrance of said housing where the developing agent enters and said latent image carrying member,
G2 represents the gap between said developing sleeve and the wall face of said housing at a position prior to the developing agent passing said opening facing said developing sleeve, and
t represents the thickness of the layer of developing agent carried by said developing sleeve which has passed the developing region.
52. The image formation apparatus using the developing device according to any one of claims 38 through 50.