IMAGE FORMING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate an operation of exchanging a developer, to miniaturize a developer housing means and to form an image of high quality by providing the developer housing means detachably attached to the opening part of a developing tank and a developer circulating path formed in the developer housing means. SOLUTION: The developer housing means 8 for making the developer 4 exchangeable is detachably attached to the front side opening part 7 of the developing tank 6. The developer circulating path 9 is formed in the developer housing means 8 and the developer 4 is circulated while being stirred. The opening part 7 to/from which the developer housing means 8 is attached/ detached is provided in a part nearer to a front side than a developing region 2 where the surface 1a of a latent image carrier 1 faces a developer carrier 3, to form a nip, in the axial direction of the shaft 1b of the latent image carrier 1 of the developing tank 6. Another opening part communicated with space where developer carrying means 5a and 5b exist, when the means 8 is attached to the opening part 7 of the developing tank 6 is provided and the developer circulating path 9 for performing the receipt and delivery of the developer 4 between the developer carrying means 5a and 5b is formed.