Patent ID: 7349655
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device configured to carry out development of an electrostatic image using color toner particles and transparent toner particles, the developing device comprising: a color developing unit configured to store a color developer which contains the color toner particles, first carrier particles, and first additive particles and configured to carry out development of the electrostatic image; a transparent developing unit configured to store a transparent developer which contains the transparent toner particles, second carrier particles, and second additive particles and configured to carry out development of the electrostatic image; a color developer replenishment container configured to store a color replenishment developer including at least the color toner particles and the first carrier particles and configured to replenish the color replenishment developer in the color developing unit; a transparent developer replenishment container configured to store a transparent replenishment developer including at least the transparent toner particles and the second carrier particles and configured to replenish the transparent replenishment developer in the transparent developing unit; a color developer discharge opening provided at the color developing unit and configured to discharge the color developer in the color developing unit outside the color developing unit as the color developer replenishment container replenishes the color developing unit with the color replenishment developer; and a transparent developer discharge opening provided at the transparent developing unit and configured to discharge the transparent developer in the transparent developing unit outside the transparent developing unit as the transparent developer replenishment container replenishes the transparent developing unit with the transparent replenishment developer, wherein a carrier particle weight ratio of the transparent replenishment developer is higher than a carrier particle weight ratio of the color replenishment developer.