Patent ID: 6882818

Claim:
A development apparatus for developing a latent image formed on a latent image carrier using a developer composed of a toner and a magnetic currier particle, comprising: a hollow developer carrier which carries the developer on an outer surface thereof so as to transfer the developer to the latent image carrier; a developer application mechanism which applies the developer to the outer surface of said developer carrier; and magnetic field generating means provided inside said developer carrier for generating a magnetic field so that a magnetic brush is formed by the developer on the outer surface of said development carrier, the magnetic brush being brought into contact with said latent image carrier in a development area where the developer carrier is contiguous to the latent image carrier and the magnetic field between the latent image carrier and the developer separates the toner from the magnetic carrier of the magnetic brush, wherein the magnetic brush is separated from the latent image carrier outside the development area, and wherein said development area is formed between a round part of said latent image carrier having a radius of curvature and said developer carrier, and the radius of curvature is set to a value at which a high development capability is maintained in the development area.