| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing waste of a carrier. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus of a trickle development system to which a long toner cartridge of bottomed cylindrical shape can be attached, the toner cartridge has an outlet near the one end in the lengthwise direction thereof. First and second partition members in that order from near the outlet side end are provided in an internal space along an internal wall. First developer is stored in space from the outlet side end to the first partition member, and second developer higher than the first developer in carrier concentration is stored in a space between the first partition member and the second partition member. The two partition members are slit toward the outlet for supplying developer into an developing unit. Which one of the first and second developers is being supplied is monitored (S1203). The amount of discharge is controlled such that the amount of developer discharged from the developing device in the supply period of the first developer is smaller than that of the second developer (S1202). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT |
