Developing device and image-forming apparatus using multiple-component developer

A method of developing an electrostatic latent image in a developing area to make a toner image, comprising:

• transporting a developer housed in a developer tank toward the developing area by using a developer-supporting member, the developer containing a toner, a carrier for charging the toner and reverse polarity particles that are charged with polarity reversed to a charge polarity of the toner;
• separating the reverse polarity particles from the developer supported on the developer-supporting member with the toner and the carrier left on the developer-supporting member, at a position which is on an upstream side of the developing area in a developer-moving direction so that the developer from which the reverse polarity particles have been separated is transported to the developing area and the toner and the carrier remain on the developer supporting member;
• and
• collecting the reverse polarity particles separated into the developer tank.