Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same

摘要

A developing device (5) including a developing unit (50) configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image bearing member (1Y; 1M; 1C; 1Bk) with a developer comprising a toner and a carrier, and a circulation unit configured to collect the developer from the developing unit (50) and return the developer to the developing unit (50). The circulation unit includes a container (51) including a main body (51a) having an inverted cone shape, a supply opening (69) provided in a top thereof, and a discharge opening (70) provided in a bottom thereof, configured to hold a part of the developer and provided on an upstream side from the developing unit (50) relative to a direction of circulation of the developer. The container (51) includes a plurality of agitation members (71; 72a; 72b; 100; 200) configured to agitate the developer collected from the developing unit (50) and fresh toner so that a plurality of flows of the developer is produced in the container (S1).