Patent ID: 6733945
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An electrophotographic method comprising:making visible an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by developing it with two-component developer comprising a toner formed of a binder resin, a colorant and an external additive; and a carrier, wherein a loss modulus Gâ€³t (frequency: 10 rad/s) of the toner at 170Â° C. satisfies 100&lE;Gâ€³t&lE;5000 (Pa), a storage modulus Gâ€²t (frequency: 10 rad/s) of the toner at 190Â° C. satisfies 10&lE;Gâ€²t&lE;3000 (Pa), and the toner contains 5 to 50% by number of toner particles with a size of 2Ã—10âˆ’6 to 5Ã—10âˆ’6 m in size distribution of the toner; wherein a relationship DCÃ—TD/Dv of a volume average size Dc(m) of the carrier, a volume average size Dv(m) of the toner, and a mixed ratio of the toner concentration between the toner and carrier TD is a value 0.20 to 0.45, transferring the visible toner on the photoreceptor to a transfer sheet; cleaning the photoreceptor by removing the toner, which has partially remained on the photoreceptor during the transfer, from the photoreceptor; and returning waste toner removed by the cleaning and re-cycling it.