Patent ID: 6484007
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image-forming apparatus comprising:(I) a plurality of image-forming units each including: an image bearing member for holding thereon an electrostatic latent image; a charging assembly for primarily charging said image bearing member; an exposure assembly for forming the electrostatic latent image on said image bearing member having been primarily charged; and a developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image by the use of a non-magnetic toner to form a toner image; and (II) a transfer assembly for sequentially transferring to a transfer medium the toner images formed in each of said plurality of said image-forming units, wherein said developing apparatus includes: a toner hopper for holding therein a non-magnetic, one-component toner for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the image bearing member; and a developing roller for transporting the non-magnetic, one-component toner held in said toner hopper, while causing the toner to adhere to said developing roller surface; and wherein said developing roller includes: a conductive mandrel; a charge-providing layer having a charge-providing performance to the toner, formed on said surface of said developing roller; a base layer having an elasticity, formed at a position nearer to said conducting mandrel of said developing roller than a position of said charge-providing layer; an elastic intermediate layer formed at a position between said base layer and said charge-providing layer; and a composition for forming said elastic intermediate layer has a contact angle to water, which is smaller than a contact angle to the water of a composition for forming said base layer.