Patent ID: 8913926

Claim:
A developer collecting method of a developing device configured to be detachably attached to an image forming device main body, wherein the developing device includes a developing device main unit configured to develop a latent image formed on an image supporting body; and a developer container configured to be detachably attached to an upper portion of the developing device main unit attached to the image forming device main body, wherein the developer container is configured to store developer to be supplied to the developing device main unit, wherein the developing device main unit includes a developer supporting body disposed to face the image supporting body in a state in which the developing device main unit is attached to the image forming device main body and configured to support the developer; plural conveyance members configured to convey the developer stored inside the developing device main unit in a longitudinal direction and configured to form a circulation path in the state in which the developing device main unit is attached to the image forming device main body, the plural conveyance members being arranged in parallel in a vertical direction through a partition member; and a main unit side supply port configured to communicate with a container side supply port of the developer container at an upper portion of the developing device main unit in the state in which the developing device main unit is attached to the image forming device main body, wherein the main unit side supply port is configured to supply the developer from the developer container to the developing device main unit, and the developer collecting method comprising: when the developer remaining inside the developing device main unit being removed from the image forming device main body is collected, attaching the developing device main unit to the developer container in a first arrangement that is different from a second arrangement between the developing device main unit and the developer container in a state in which the developing device main unit and the developer container are attached to the image forming device main body; and discharging the developer from the developing device main body and collecting the developer inside the developer container by driving the plural conveyance members similar to a case where the developing device main unit is attached to the image forming device main body.