Patent ID: 7039344
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing apparatus comprising: a first chamber for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a developer including a toner and a carrier; a second chamber constituting a circulation route for the developer between said first chamber and said second chamber, said second chamber having a spiral developer feeding member for feeding the developer, a receiving port for receiving therein the supplied developer including the toner and the carrier, and a discharging port provided downstream of said receiving port with respect to a developer feeding direction for discharging an excess developer therethrough with the supply of the developer, wherein said developer feeding member has a plurality of agitating fins disposed so that a level of the developer near said receiving port may be lower than a level of the developer near said discharging port, and wherein the level of the developer at a location opposed to said receiving port is lower than a rotary shaft of said developer feeding member.