Patent ID: 7340202
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image support member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a developing unit that houses a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier, and comprises a developer support member that supports the two-component developer at a position opposing the image support member, wherein the gap between the image support member and the developer support member in the opposing position is 0.3±0.1 mm; the carrier has a resin cover layer on the surface of a core material; the resin cover layer comprises conductive particles provided with a conductive covering layer comprising a tin dioxide layer on the surface of base particles, and an indium oxide layer including tin dioxide provided on the tin dioxide layer; the conductive particles are formed so that an oil adsorption thereof is 10 to 300 mL/100 g; the toner is provided with a bonding resin, releasing agent, and coloring agent; and the bonding resin comprises a hybrid resin having a vinyl polymer and a polyester polymer, and is formed such that the amount of the hybrid resin contained in relation to the amount of the releasing agent is in the range of 0.5 to 3.