Patent ID: 9341980
Filing Date: 2016-05-17
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A process unit, comprising: a latent image bearer to bear a latent image on a surface thereof; a charger to charge the surface of the latent image bearer; a developer bearer to supply a developer onto the latent image bearer to make the latent image a visible image; a regulator to regulate a thickness of a layer of the developer on a surface of the developer bearer, the regulator makes contact with the developer bearer; and a supplier to supply the developer to the developer bearer; wherein the developer bearer and the regulator are each to be applied a voltage that is controlled by a controller; wherein the process unit is configured to perform a removal operation to remove a residual developer from the regulator to the developer bearer, and a delivery operation to deliver the residual developer from the developer bearer to the surface of the latent image bearer after the removal operation, in a non-image-formation period; wherein, in the removal operation, the developer bearer rotates in a state that a potential difference between the regulator and the developer bearer is not generated; and wherein, in the delivery operation, the developer bearer rotates with the latent image bearer and delivers the residual developer to the surface of the latent image bearer by a potential difference generated between the developer bearer and the latent image bearer.