Patent ID: 8275294

Claim:
A developing device comprising: a container that contains a developer including toner; a partition that forms a plurality of chambers by partitioning an interior space of the container; an agitation mechanism that agitates the developer in the interior space and moves the developer between the plurality of chambers; a transport section that is supplied with the developer from the container, and transports the developer to a surface of an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image such that the transported developer is close to or contacts the surface of the image carrier, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image; and a driving mechanism that moves at least the partition; wherein, the partition is formed by a fixed portion and a plurality of movable portions, the plurality of movable portions being provided on both sides of the fixed portion; the fixed portion being integrated with the container and fixed on a bottom surface of the container; the plurality of movable portions being configured to swing from the sides of the fixed portion; and the driving mechanism being configured to cause the movable portions to move.