Patent ID: 7167668
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A development device comprising: a developer accommodation vessel in which developers having magnetism are accommodated; a development unit for developing electrostatic images on an image bearing member with the developers; a developer replenishment path for establishing communication between the developer accommodation vessel and the development unit and supplying the developers to the development unit from a discharge port; a transport member rotatably disposed in the developer replenishment path to transport the developers to the development unit; drive means for driving the transport member; a movement body for holding and moving the developer accommodation vessel, the development unit, and the developer replenishment path; a shield member movable integrally with the transport member and capable of shielding the discharge port; a magnetic seal member disposed in the developer replenishment path to hold the developers by a magnetic field formed between the magnetic seal member and the shield member when the shield member is located at a position confronting the magnetic seal member; and control means for controlling the drive means such that the shield member stops at the confronting position when the transport member is stopped.