Patent ID: 7489891
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image-forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member, a latent electrostatic image forming unit configured to form a latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a developing unit configured to develop the latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member with a developer comprising a toner and a carrier to form a toner image, wherein the developing unit comprises an image developing unit configured to supply the developer to the image bearing member so as to develop the latent electrostatic image, a developer supplying unit configured to supply the developer to the image developing unit, and a developer container contains the developer which is to be supplied to the image developing unit, wherein the developer contained in the developer container has a mass abundance ratio of the toner to the carrier of 80:20 to 95:5, wherein the developer container comprises a flexible pouched member which reduces its volume by reducing the internal pressure thereof, and a developer outlet to discharge the developer contained therein, wherein the developer satisfies a relation of formula (1), where A denotes a percentage of voids of the toner calculated from a tap density of the toner, and B denotes a degree of fluidity (sec/50 g) of the developer at a toner coverage ratio of the carrier being 50%: