PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically exchange developer without attaching/detaching a developing device to/from an image forming device by attaching a developer replenishment container to the developing device, rotating the developing device along a rotary shaft in parallel with a developer carrier so as to recover the developer to the developer replenishment container and performing the replenishment of new developer from the developer replenishment container after the developer is recovered plural times. ;SOLUTION: A developing unit holding body 51 is rotated by a driving means, and the developing unit 22K exchanging the developer 57 is rotated and moved to a position opposed to a developing position, that is, a recovering position where the upper part and the lower part of the unit 22K are reversed. A screw auger 106 for recovering the developer inside the developer replenishment container 95 rotates at the same time when a screw auger 59 for supplying toner is driven, so that the developer 57 recovered from the inside of the unit 22K is carried. The developer 57 can be efficiently recovered from a developer tank 61 by repeating the recovering operation. The greater part of the developer 57 is recovered from the unit 22K, then the inside of the tank 61 is replenished with the new developer 57 from the container 95.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1998,JPO
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