Image forming apparatus and method
US8447215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/105
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that uses a developer carrier to advance to an image carrier a developer including a toner and a carrier and supplies the toner to the image carrier by applying a developing bias between the developer carrier and the image carrier. In the image forming apparatus, the following operation is performed before the developer in the developing device is taken out. The toner is supplied to the image carrier by applying the developing bias between the developer carrier and the image carrier, the developing bias increased in a direction to supply the toner to the image carrier. The toner supplied onto the image carrier is not transferred to a transfer receiving material but is advanced into a toner recovery device for recovery. The recovered toner is prevented from being returned to the developing device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.