Patent ID: 6266501
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image-forming apparatus comprising:an image-bearing device configured to hold thereon an electrostatic latent image and a toner image;a density sensor configured to detect an optical density of a surface of the image-bearing device and a toner image on the image-bearing device;a developer container configured to hold a developer therein and agitate the developer, said developer having at least a toner, said developer container having,a developer-bearing device configured to carry the developer thereon and develop the electrostatic latent image on the image-bearing device, anda developer seal configured to seal the developer in the developer container, wherein the seal is disposed between the developer container and the developer-bearing device;an actuator configured to actuate the developer-bearing device in the developer container; anda control device configured to determine whether the developer seal is removed according to information regarding the optical density of the toner image output by the density sensor.