Patent ID: 8538281
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrier on which a developer image is formed, and which transfers the formed developer image to a material at a transfer position; a plurality of developing units each of which supplies a developer of a corresponding color to the image carrier; a cleaner that is disposed downstream of the transfer position in the rotating direction of the image carrier with respect to the image carrier, removes the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and recovers the removed developer; a recycle developer storage unit that stores the developer recovered by the cleaner therein; a recycle developer developing unit that supplies the developer stored in the recycle developer storage unit to the image carrier; and a control unit that controls a recycle developer adjustment by allowing the developer from at least one of the plurality of developing units to be supplied to the image carrier to form a developer image on the image carrier, allowing the developer image to pass through the transfer position without being transferred onto the material, and allowing the developer of the developer image to be recovered by the cleaner into the recycle developer storage unit.