Patent ID: 7149459
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: (a) a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; and (b) a developing unit that comprises (b-1) an application roller that transports a liquid developing agent, obtained by dispersing toner particles in a carrier liquid, to an application position, at which said application roller contacts an element-to-be-coated, while carrying said liquid developing agent on its surface, and applies said liquid developing agent upon said element-to-be-coated, the roller comprising: concave sections which are formed in the surface and carry said liquid developing agent; convex sections which are formed in the surface; and inclined sections which monotonically extend from top parts of said convex sections to bottom parts of said concave sections, wherein the height of the top parts of said convex sections measured from bottom parts of said concave sections is higher than the height of edge parts of said convex sections; (b-2) a regulating member that contacts said application roller, scrapes off an excessive amount of said liquid developing agent carried on said application roller and regulates the amount of said liquid developing agent carried on said application roller, and (b-3) a liquid developer carrier upon which said application roller applies said liquid developing agent that has been regulated by said regulating member, and that develops said electrostatic latent image on said latent image carrier with said liquid developing agent carried on said liquid developer carrier, thereby forming a toner image, wherein a condition of R