A device for transferring toner along a flow path extending sequentially
through an upstream stirring chamber(s) and a downstream stirring
chamber(s). Toner transfer control apparatus controls toner transfer into
the flow path, and a transfer of a developer including toner and a
carrier between and from the upstream stirring chamber(s) to and between
the downstream stirring chamber(s) to the latent image carrier whereby
toner density along the flow path is controlled such that (i) a weight
percentage of toner relative to developer in the upstream stirring
chamber(s) is equal to or less than a first threshold value governing a
time required to uniformly charge the toner; and (ii) the weight
percentage of the toner to developer in the downstream stirring
chamber(s) is greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less
than a second threshold value necessary for the avoidance of uncharged
toner.