Patent ID: 7821527
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner carrier for carrying toner; recording medium means to which the toner is made to adhere; and toner controlling means which is disposed between the toner carrier and the recording medium means, and which has a plurality of toner passage holes, wherein a control electrode for controlling the passage of the toner is disposed at least in either an area around the toner passage hole or on an inner wall of the hole on the surface of the toner carrier side of the toner controlling means, and bias voltage applying means for bias voltage application is disposed on the recording medium means side of the toner controlling means so that the toner, which has passed through the toner controlling means, is made to adhere to the recording medium means, the image forming apparatus further comprising: liquid applying means for applying to the recording medium means an application liquid containing a softening agent for softening the toner by either dissolving or swelling a resin in the toner prior to forming a toner image on the recording medium means.