Abstract: In a development apparatus of the present invention, a guide member is provided which extends through the toner receiving opening located above the agitation/transfer device to surround the pathway of the toner falling from the toner container to guide the same to the agitation/transfer device, the guide member is formed to be broaden toward the agitation/transfer device, and the bottom edge part of the guide member facing the agitation/transfer device is shaped to run along the rotational circumference of the agitation/transfer device, so that the piling up of toner between the agitation/transfer device and inner wall of the developing apparatus is prevented.

Abstract: In the prior developing apparatus in an image forming apparatus composed such that, the developing apparatus has an agitation/transfer means for supplying the developer while agitating the same to a developing roller for developing the latent image to be formed on a photo conductor, a toner container is mounted detachably above said agitation/transfer means, and toner is allowed to freely fall onto the same, there have happened the phenomenon that the toner piles or cakes between the inner wall of the developing apparatus and toner receiving opening or agitation/transfer means and as a result the supply of toner to the agitation/transfer means is obstructed, inducing the shortage in toner supply to the developing roller and occurrence of irregular image formation.