Developing device including developing roller that feeds toner to image carrying member and toner feeding roller that feeds toner to developing roller, and image forming apparatus provided therewith

A developing device comprising:

• a developing roller disposed opposite to an image carrying member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, the developing roller being configured to feed toner to the image carrying member in an opposing region where the developing roller and the image carrying member face each other;
• a toner feeding roller disposed opposite to the developing roller, the toner feeding roller being configured to feed toner to the developing roller in an opposing region where the toner feeding roller and the developing roller face each other;
• a thickness regulating member disposed opposite to the toner feeding roller at a predetermined distance from the toner feeding roller, the thickness regulating member being configured to regulate a thickness of toner carried on the toner feeding roller;
• and
• a casing that holds therein the developing roller, the toner feeding roller, and the thickness regulating member,
• wherein
• the thickness regulating member is disposed below the opposing region where the developing roller and the toner feeding roller face each other,
• the thickness regulating member is formed in a roller shape,
• a direction in which the thickness regulating member is rotatable and a direction in which the toner feeding roller rotates during a developing operation are opposite to each other in an opposing region where the toner feeding roller and the thickness regulating member face each other,
• the thickness regulating member rotates while the developing operation is not performed, and
• when the thickness regulating member rotates while the developing operation is not performed, the toner feeding roller rotates, in the opposing region where the toner feeding roller and the thickness regulating member face each other, in a same direction as a direction in which the thickness regulating member rotates.