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IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

  • US 20110262186A1
  • Filed: 04/20/2011
  • Published: 10/27/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

  • an image carrier on which a developer image is formed, and which transfers the formed developer image to a material to be transferred at a transfer position;

    a plurality of developing units that supplies developer of corresponding colors to the image carrier;

    a cleaner that is disposed downstream of the transfer position in the rotating direction of the image carrier with respect to the image carrier, removes the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and recovers the removed developer;

    a recycle developer storage unit that stores the developer recovered by the cleaner therein;

    a recycle developer developing unit that supplies the developer stored in the recycle developer storage unit to the image carrier; and

    a control unit that controls a recycle developer adjustment by supplying the developer from at least any one of the plurality of developing units to the image carrier, forming a developer image on the image carrier, allowing the developer image to pass through the transfer position without being transferred onto the material to be transferred, and allowing the developer of the developer image to be recovered in the cleaner to supply the developer to the recycle developer storage unit.

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