Patent ID: 7904008

Claim:
A non-contact, single-component developing system comprising: a latent image-bearing member capable of having an electrostatic latent image recorded thereon, a toner-carrying member for carrying a layer of a toner thereon, a first plurality of ancillary developing members, a second plurality of ancillary developing members and toner removing means for removing the toner from the first and second plurality of ancillary developing members, wherein a DC bias voltage is applied between the toner-carrying member and the latent image-bearing member; a DC bias voltage is applied between at least one of the first plurality of ancillary developing members and the latent image-bearing member; a DC bias voltage is applied between at least one of the second plurality of ancillary developing members and the latent image-bearing member; the latent image-bearing member and the toner-carrying member are disposed to form a prescribed gap therebetween; the latent image-bearing member passes the first plurality of ancillary developing members prior to passing the toner-carrying member; the latent image-bearing member passes the second plurality of ancillary developing members after passing the toner-carrying member; the surface of at least one of the first plurality of ancillary developing members moves at a constant velocity; the first plurality of ancillary developing members facilitate toner jump from the toner-carrying member by producing electrostatic forces that direct the toner away from the toner-carrying member; the surface of at least one of the second plurality of ancillary developing members moves at a constant velocity; the second plurality of ancillary developing members facilitate toner jump from the toner-carrying member by producing electrostatic forces that direct the toner away from the toner-carrying member; the toner jumps from the toner-carrying member and selectively lands on either the latent image-bearing member, at least one of the first plurality of ancillary developing members, or at least one of the second plurality of ancillary developing members; the toner on at least one of the first plurality of ancillary developing members and at least one of the second plurality of ancillary developing members is removed by the toner removing means.