Patent ID: 7702261

Claim:
A development device, comprising: a developer bearing member including a plurality of magnetic poles for bearing a developer including a magnetic carrier and toner, wherein the developer bearing member rotates so that the toner is supplied to an electrostatic latent image formed in a position facing the developer bearing member on a surface of a latent image bearing member; a developer supply and conveyance path including a developer supply and conveyance member configured to convey the developer in a first direction parallel to an axial direction of the developer bearing member and to supply the developer directly to the developer bearing member; a developer regulation member configured to regulate the developer on the developer bearing member; a developer collection and conveyance path including a developer collection and conveyance member configured to convey the developer in a second direction parallel to the first direction, arranged directly below the development bearing member and at a substantially same height as a height of the developer supply and conveyance path wherein at least a portion of the developer collection and conveyance member lies on a vertical line that crosses the development bearing member; a developer agitation and conveyance path including a developer agitation and conveyance member configured to convey the developer in a third direction opposite to the first direction, arranged at a substantially same height as the height of the developer collection and conveyance path; and partition members partitioning the developer supply and conveyance path, the developer collection and conveyance path, and the developer agitation and conveyance path.