Patent ID: 6470164
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals; a plurality of image forming means for forming respective electrostatic latent images on said plurality of image carriers; a plurality of development devices for feeding 2-component type developing solution containing toner of respective different colors and carrier to the respective electrostatic latent images formed on the plurality of image carriers and developing the electrostatic latent images; a transfer device for moving an image receiving member to said image carriers and transferring said developed images on said image carriers sequentially onto said image receiving member in an overlapping fashion to produce a color image; a plurality of cleaners for removing the developing solution remaining on the respective image carriers after the transfer of the developed images; collection mechanisms arranged respectively in said cleaners and adapted to transport and collect the removed developing solution; a supply device for supplying said development devices with 2-component developing solution containing toner and carrier; and a discharge port arranged at least at one of said development devices and adapted to discharge part of the 2-component developing solution already contained in the apparatus at the time of supplying developing solution; the developing solution discharged from said discharge port of said development devices being let to fall and collected in said cleaner located at an upstream position of the development devices along the moving direction of said image receiving member so as to make the developing solution in the cleaner to be collected and removed by said collection mechanisms.