Revolver developing apparatus method, and image forming apparatus avoiding stress against developer

A revolver developing apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of developing devices configured to rotate collectively such that each developing device moves selectively to a developing position in order to develop a latent image on an image bearing member, each developing device comprising,
• a developing unit comprising an opening, and configured to apply developer to the image bearing member,
• a developer storing unit configured to supply the developer to the developing unit,
• a separating member configured to separate a case of the developing unit into a developer storing section configured to store temporarily the developer supplied from the developer storing unit and into a developing section configured to apply the developer to the image bearing member, and
• a communicating opening situated between the developer storing section and the developing section provided at one side portion of the case such that the developer is conveyed from the developer storing section to the developing section through the communicating opening;
• wherein the opening of the developing unit is directed in a direction other than a vertical direction when the communicating opening is directed in the vertical direction.

A revolver developing apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of developing devices configured to rotate collectively such that each developing device moves selectively to a developing position in order to develop a latent image on an image bearing member, each developing device comprising,
• a developing unit configured to apply developer to the image bearing member,
• a developer storing unit configured to supply the developer to the developing unit,
• a separating member configured to separate a case of the developing unit into a developer storing section configured to store temporarily the developer supplied from the developer storing unit and into a developing section configured to apply the developer to the image bearing member, and
• a communicating opening situated between the developer storing section and the developing section provided at one side portion of the case such that the developer is conveyed from the developer storing section to the developing section through the communicating opening;
• wherein the developer storing section and the communicating opening extend in a direction parallel to a widthwise direction of the image bearing member.

A revolver developing apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of developing devices configured to rotate collectively such that each developing device moves selectively to a developing position in order to develop a latent image on an image bearing member, each developing device comprising,
• a developing unit configured to apply developer to the image bearing member,
• a developer storing unit configured to supply the developer to the developing unit,
• a separating member configured to separate a case of the developing unit into a developer storing section configured to store temporarily the developer supplied from the developer storing unit and into a developing section configured to apply the developer to the image bearing member, and
• a communicating opening situated between the developer storing section and the developing section provided at one side portion of the case such that the developer is conveyed from the developer storing section to the developing section through the communicating opening;
• wherein each developing device is configured such that the developer in the developer storing section falls to the developing section due to gravity when each respective developing device is located at the developing position.

A method for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member with a developer into a toner image, comprising the steps of:

• rotating collectively a plurality of developing devices such that each developing device moves selectively to a developing position in order to develop a latent image on an image bearing member, wherein each developing device includes a developing unit and a developer storing unit detachably connected to one another;
• supplying developer to the developing unit such that the developer in the developer storing unit is conveyed longitudinally into the developing unit;
• and
• selectively applying developer to the image bearing member.

A revolver developing apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member into a toner image, comprising:

• a developing device configured to rotate, comprising,
• a developing unit configured to apply a developer to the image bearing member in order to develop the latent image, and
• a developer storing unit provided at an end of the developing unit, and
• configured to supply the developer to the developing unit, wherein
• said developing device rotates such that the developer in the developer storing unit is conveyed longitudinally into the developing unit, and the developing unit and the developing storing unit are detachably connected to one another.

A revolver developing apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of developing devices configured to rotate collectively such that each developing device moves selectively to a developing position in order to develop a latent image on an image bearing member, each developing device comprising,
• a developing unit configured to apply developer to the image bearing member,
• a developer storing unit configured to supply longitudinally the developer to the developing unit,
• a separating member configured to separate a case of the developing unit into a developer storing section configured to store temporarily the developer supplied from the developer storing unit and into a developing section configured to apply the developer to the image bearing member, and
• a communicating opening situated between the developer storing section and the developing section provided at one side portion of the case such that the developer is conveyed from the developer storing section to the developing section through the communicating opening;
• wherein the developing unit and the developer storing unit are detachably connected to one another.