Patent ID: 7939234
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a latent image-holding member; a developing unit that develops a latent image formed on the latent image-holding member into a toner image with a developer; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the latent image-holding member onto a recording medium; a cleaning unit that cleans off residual toner remaining on the latent image-holding member after transfer; and a recycling unit that recycles the cleaned residual toner by feeding it to the developing unit; and the developer comprising a toner having an external-additive adhesiveness index SA in the range of approximately 50% to approximately 95% and a carrier satisfying any one of the following conditions (A) or (B): (A) the carrier includes magnetic particles and a coating layer coating the surface of the magnetic particles, and the total energy of the carrier, as determined with a powder rheometer under the conditions of a ventilation rate of 10 ml/min, a rotor-blade peripheral tip speed of 100 mm/s, and a rotor-blade angle of approach of −10°, is in the range of approximately 1,420 to approximately 2,920 mJ; or (B) the carrier includes magnetic powder-dispersed particles and a coating layer coating the surface of the magnetic powder-dispersed particles, and the total energy of the carrier, as determined with a powder rheometer under the conditions of a ventilation rate of 10 ml/min, a rotor-blade peripheral tip speed of 100 mm/s, and a rotor-blade angle of approach of −10°, is in the range of approximately 890 to approximately 1,390 mJ.