Patent ID: 7046945
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member, said developing apparatus comprising: a developing container containing therein a developer including a toner and a carrier said developing container including a first chamber having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer, a second chamber to which the toner is supplied, a first communicating portion for supplying the developer from one end side in a longitudinal direction of said first chamber to one end side in a longitudinal direction of said second chamber, and a second communicating portion for supplying the developer from the other end side in the longitudinal direction of said second chamber to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of said first chamber, said second chamber being disposed in an inclined manner so that the one end side of said second chamber is disposed in a position lower than the other end side of said second chamber, and a ceiling portion of the one end side of said second chamber being disposed in a position lower than a ceiling portion of the one end side of said first chamber; circulating means for circulating the developer between said first chamber and said second chamber; and a developer supplying screw for supplying the toner to said second chamber through a supply port provided in a bottom of a developer supplying path, wherein said supply port of said developer supplying path is disposed in a position lower than the ceiling portion of the one end side of said first chamber, and wherein said supply port is located at an upper portion on a downstream side of said first communicating portion in a developer conveying direction on the one end side of said second chamber.