Patent ID: 7664438
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image by using a two-component developer made up of toner and a carrier, the developing device, comprising: toner transfer means respectively provided between each of one or more upstream side developer stirring chambers and each of one or more downstream side developer stirring chambers, each upstream side developer stirring chamber being provided on an upstream side of a toner transfer means such that toner input into said one or more upstream side developer stirring chambers is stirred into the developer and charged in a process of transferring said input toner from a toner supply section to a latent image carrier, each of the downstream side stirring chambers being provided on a downstream side of a toner transfer means, wherein said respective toner transfer means control a toner density in the developer contained in said upstream and downstream side developer stirring chambers respectively adjacent thereto by transferring only toner from said upstream side developer stirring chamber to said downstream side developer stirring chamber, in order that: a weight percentage of the toner relative to the developer in said upstream side developer stirring chamber is equal to or less than a first threshold value governing time involved in uniformly charging the toner; and a weight percentage of the toner relative to the developer in said downstream side developer stirring chamber is (i) greater than the first threshold value and (ii) equal to or less than a second threshold value necessary for eliminating uncharged toner in said downstream side developer stirring chamber.