Patent ID: 6087056
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A non-contact developing method in a developing unit comprising at least a toner carrier for laminating and carrying a charged toner with a predetermined thickness as a developer, the toner being given a predetermined packing density and a predetermined charge-to-mass ratio by a blade, an electrostatic latent image holder disposed so as to face to the toner carrier with a predetermined gap and electric field applying and controlling means for applying and controlling an electric field between the toner carrier and the electrostatic latent image holder, the method comprising flying-developing the toner to the electrostatic latent image holder, the toner being controlled so that the toner laminated and carried on the toner carrier has an inter-particle force satisfying the following formula (1):0.01 nN.ltoreq.Fv=q.multidot.E-Fi.ltoreq.5 nN (1)where Fv is the inter-particle force, q.multidot.E is a Coulomb force, Fi is an image-force on a surface of the toner carrier, q is a quantity of charge (C) of the toner, E is an electric field strength (V/m) acting on the toner.