Developing device for use in electrophotographic copying machines

Claim 1

In an electronic photographic copying machine, developing means for applying developing agent to an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographically sensitive member comprising: a. a developing chamber; b. a developing agent supply chamber for supplying said developing agent to said developing chamber and for receiving developing agent discharged from said developing chamber. c. a developing agent supply inlet formed at the upper portion of said developing agent supply chamber; d. a developing agent discharge outlet formed at the lower portion of said developing agent supply chamber; e. a developing agent container; f. a moveable member having an opening into which is releasably fitted said developing agent container and which is arranged to coincide alternatively with said developing agent supply inlet thus forming a developing agent supply port or passage between said developing agent container and said developing agent supply chamber, and with said developing agent discharge outlet thus forming a developing agent discharge port or passage between said developing agent container and said developing agent supply chamber; g. means disposed adjacent said developing agent supply inlet for feeding a predetermined amount of developing agent from said deVeloping agent container into said developing agent supply chamber; h. means for selectively transporting developing agent between said developing agent supply chamber and said developing chamber; i. developing agent application means for applying developing agent in said developing chamber to said electrophotographically sensitive member; and j. means for driving said developing agent feeding means, said developing agent transportation means and developing agent application means.