Patent ID: 6167225
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method of electrostatic latent image liquid developing whereby a highly viscous liquid developing agent consisting of charged developing particles in a non-conductive liquid at a high concentration is used to develop electrostatic latent images formed on an image bearing member, said method comprising the steps of:forming a thin layer of the highly viscous liquid developing agent on an elastic cylindrical developing agent bearing member, an inside of said developing agent bearing member being a foam-type material,rotating the developing agent bearing member in the driven direction in relation to said image bearing member and, at the same time, bringing the liquid developing agent layer on said developing agent bearing member into contact with said image bearing member, thereby supplying said liquid developing agent to the surface of the latent image on said image bearing member, wherein rollers with an external diameter slightly smaller than an external diameter of said developing agent bearing member are provided at both ends of and co-axial with said developing agent bearing member such that said rollers contact said image bearing member and thereby regulate a contact force of said developing agent bearing member against said image bearing member.