Patent ID: 7410742
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming method comprising the steps of: developing an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier with toner to form a toner image, wherein the toner includes toner particles containing a releasing agent having a melting point of 40-75° C., and has a number-based median diameter D50 of 3.0-5.0 μm and a CV value of 12-20% in a number-based particle size distribution defined by the following equation: transferring the toner image; and utilizing ultrasonic vibrations in the developing step or in the transferring step; wherein the transferring step comprises a first transferring step of transferring the toner image developed by the developing step to an intermediate transfer member and a second transferring step of transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer sheet, and the ultrasonic vibrations have a frequency of 40 KHz to 2 MHz and are utilized in at least one of the first and second transferring steps.