Developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an image bearing member for forming a developer image;
• and
• a developing device including:
• a developing roller for carrying a developer and for forming the developer image on said image bearing member;
• a supplying roller for supplying the developer to said developing roller, wherein said supplying roller has a foam layer at its surface and forms a nip between itself and said developing roller;
• an accommodating portion, provided below said supplying roller, for accommodating the developer;
• and a feeding member for feeding the developer from said accommodating portion onto the nip by being rotated in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of said supplying roller,
• wherein said supplying roller is rotated in a direction which is from a lower end of the nip to an upper end of the nip, and
• wherein said supplying roller is provided so that its top is higher than a top of said developing roller.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• an image bearing member for forming a developer image;
• and
• a developing device including:
• a developing roller for carrying a developer and for forming the developer image on said image bearing member;
• a supplying roller for supplying the developer to said developing roller, wherein said supplying roller has a foam layer at its surface and forms a nip between itself and said developing roller;
• an accommodating portion, provided below said supplying roller, for accommodating the developer;
• and a feeding member for feeding the developer from said accommodating portion to a location above the nip by being rotated in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of said supplying roller;
• and
• a transferring device for transferring the developer image onto the recording material,
• wherein said supplying roller is rotated in a direction which is from a lower end of the nip to an upper end of the nip, and
• wherein said supplying roller is provided so that its top is higher than a top of said developing roller.