Method of refilling used developing cartridge

A method of refilling a used developing device with developing agent for developing electrostatic latent images, the used developing device including a holding chamber for holding developing agent, a port for accessing the holding chamber from outside the used developing device, and a developing agent bearing member that bears developing agent from the holding chamber to an image developing position for developing electrostatic latent images, the method comprising the steps of:

• opening the port to access the holding chamber;
• determining a type of previously-used developing agent that remains in the holding chamber from a preceding developing operation usage;
• designating a type of developing agent that has a lower melting characteristic than the previously-used developing agent, the melting characteristic representing ease at which the developing agent melts;
• refilling the holding chamber with the type of developing agent that has the lower melting characteristic;
• and
• closing the port.

A method of reusing a used developing device, the used developing device including a holding chamber for holding developing agent, a port for accessing the holding chamber from outside the used developing device, and an axially-elongated developing agent bearing member that bears developing agent from the holding chamber to an image developing position for developing electrostatic latent images, the developing agent bearing member having an axial length in a direction in which the developing agent bearing member is axially elongated, the method comprising the step of:

• opening the port to access the holding chamber;
• removing previously-used developing agent from a preceding developing operation usage of the used developing device to an amount of 1.2 g or less per centimeter of the axial length of the developing agent bearing member;
• refilling the holding chamber with developing agent;
• and
• closing the port.

A developing device for developing electrostatic latent images at an image developing position, the developing device comprising:

• a holding chamber for holding developing agent for developing the electrostatic latent images;
• a port for accessing the holding chamber from outside the used developing device;
• and
• a developing agent bearing member that bears developing agent from the holding chamber to the image developing position for developing the electrostatic latent images, wherein the holding chamber holds developing agent refilled by opening the port to access the holding chamber, determining a type of previously-used developing agent that remains in the holding chamber from a preceding developing operation usage, designating a type of developing agent that has a lower fluidity characteristic than the previously-used developing agent, the fluidity characteristic representing fluidity of the developing agent, refilling the holding chamber with the type of developing agent that has the lower fluidity characteristic, and closing the port.

A developing device for developing electrostatic latent images at an image developing position, the developing device comprising:

• a holding chamber for holding developing agent for developing the electrostatic latent images;
• a port for accessing the holding chamber from outside the used developing device;
• and
• a developing agent bearing member that bears developing agent from the holding chamber to the image developing position for developing the electrostatic latent images, wherein the holding chamber holds developing agent refilled by opening the port to access the holding chamber, determining a type of previously-used developing agent that remains in the holding chamber from a preceding developing operation usage, designating a type of developing agent that has a lower melting characteristic than the previously-used developing agent, the melting characteristic representing ease at which the developing agent melts, refilling the holding chamber with the type of developing agent that has the lower melting characteristic, and closing the port.

A developing device for developing electrostatic latent images at an image developing position, the developing device comprising:

• a holding chamber for holding developing agent for developing the electrostatic latent images;
• a port for accessing the holding chamber from outside the used developing device;
• and
• a developing agent bearing member that bears developing agent from the holding chamber to the image developing position for developing the electrostatic latent images, the developing agent bearing member having an axial length in a direction in which the developing agent bearing member is axially elongated, wherein the holding chamber holds developing agent refilled by opening the port to access the holding chamber, removing previously-used developing agent from a preceding developing operation usage of the used developing device to an amount of 1.2 g or less per centimeter of the axial length of the developing agent bearing member, refilling the holding chamber with developing agent, and closing the port.