Patent ID: 7132211

Claim:
A method for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: (1) providing a developing apparatus containing: a developer section, a developer supporting member for supporting a developer and for transporting the developer to a developer section, a developing blade arranged at a predetermined distance from the developer supporting member so as to limit an amount of the developer transported to the developing section, and a magnet fitted on the developing blade, the magnet having a magnetic force of 400 to 800 gausses; (2) providing a developer that is a magnetic toner containing a binder resin and a magnetic powder, the magnetic powder being magnetic iron oxide having an octahedral particle shape and an average particle diameter of 0.21 μm or larger and containing 18% or more by weight of FeO, the magnetic toner having a bulk density A (g/cm 3 ) and a magnetic powder content B (% by weight) that fulfill the following formulae (1) and (2): 0.8 >A/B× 100<1.6 (1) 35< B< 50, (2) (3) disposing the developer onto the developer supporting member; (4) using the developer supporting member to transport an amount of the developer to the developer section of the apparatus, said amount of the developer being limited by the developing blade being arranged at the predetermined distance from the developer supporting member; and (5) using the developer to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor.