A developing device is provided with which the increase in torque of a
supply roller, unevenness of image density, and wear to the supply roller
caused by the formation of an aggregated block of toner in the gap
between the supply roller and the opposing side wall of a supply
developer holding chamber can be suppressed. This developing device
comprises a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent
image supported on a photoconductive member, a supply developer holding
chamber for holding toner to be supplied to the developing roller, a
supply roller for supplying the toner supported on the peripheral face
thereof to the developing roller, a hopper that is disposed above the
supply developer holding chamber and used to hold toner for replenishing
the supply developer holding chamber, and a communication opening for
allowing the hopper to communicate with the supply agent holding chamber,
wherein a canopy member is provided directly above the gap to impede the
advance of the toner on the supply roller into the gap between the supply
roller and the opposing side wall of the supply developer holding
chamber.