Patent ID: 9459559
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A developing device comprising: a developing member that delivers a developer to an image carrier while rotating; a transport-supply member that extends in one direction and that supplies the developer, which contains a toner, to the developing member while transporting the developer from a first side to a second side in the one direction; a transport-stirring member that is disposed along a transport-stirring path, which is inclined in an upward direction with respect to a horizontal direction, the transport-stirring member being configured to receive the developer, which is transported by the transport-supply member, from a portion of the transport-supply member on the second side in the one direction, stir the received developer while transporting the developer upward along the transport-stirring path, and deliver the developer to a portion of the transport-supply member on the first side in the one direction; a transport-supply path in which the transport-supply member is disposed; and a transport-stirring path in which the transport-stirring member is disposed, wherein the transport-supply member is disposed below the developing member and transports the developer along the transport-supply path, and wherein a lowest portion of the transport-stirring path on the second side and a lowest portion of the transport-supply path on the second side are located at a substantially similar level in a top-bottom direction of the developing device.