Developing device having a photosensitive element carrier recovery unit

A developing device, comprising:

• a developing unit which is in proximity to and opposes a surface of a photosensitive element, and which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of said photosensitive element using a developer containing carriers which is made of a magnetic material;
• and
• a recovery unit which is in proximity to and opposes the surface of said photosensitive element, which is juxtaposed with said developing unit along a transportation direction of said photosensitive element, and which recovers carriers which adhere to the surface of said photosensitive element as a result of a development conducted by said developing unit,
• wherein said recovery unit includes:
• an outer cylinder which is made of non-magnetic material, and which rotates about an axis which is substantially parallel to the surface of said photosensitive element;
• a recovery magnet which is fixed inside said outer cylinder, one magnetic pole thereof being directed to the side opposing said photosensitive element;
• means for obstructing a magnetic field generated by the other magnetic pole of said recovery magnet;
• and
• transport means for transporting carriers caught on the outer peripheral face of said outer cylinder by a magnetic force of said one magnetic pole, along a peripheral direction in accordance with the rotation of said outer cylinder, wherein said transport means is a rugged face with particles sprayed on an entire peripheral face of said outer cylinder, and wherein characteristics of said particles sprayed on said peripheral face of said outer cylinder are dependent on the sizes of said carriers to be caught thereon.