Patent ID: 8326184
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A development device comprising: a developer container, internally substantially divided by a partition into a supply path and a recovery path disposed parallel to the supply path; a developer bearing member housed partially within the developer container and rotated while bearing developer on a surface thereof, to supply toner to a latent image formed on a surface of a latent image carrier within a developing range that is a portion of the developer bearing member disposed opposite the latent image carrier to develop the latent image with the toner; a supply conveyance member disposed within the supply path to apply a force to convey developer through the supply path in an axial direction of the developer bearing member perpendicular to a direction in which the developer bearing member rotates while supplying the developer to a developer retaining space in communication with the supply path within the developer container, the developer retaining space retaining the developer to be conveyed by the developer bearing member as the developer bearing member rotates; a recovery conveyance member disposed within the recovery path to apply a force to convey the developer through the recovery path through which the developer reaching a downstream end of the supply path is returned to an upstream end of the supply path in a direction of conveyance of the developer; a communication pathway defined by a top of the partition and an interior ceiling of the developer container together, provided between the supply path and the developer retaining space, the communication pathway passing the developer from the supply path to the developer retaining space; and a developer softening member to soften the developer that is present above the partition, the developer softening member being provided at a position in the communication pathway between the top of the partition and the interior ceiling of the developer container, wherein the developer softening member provided in the communication pathway comprises a rotary member that rotates around a rotary shaft, wherein the rotary member comprises a paddle member whose fin rotates around the axis of rotation.