| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method and apparatus that can effectively utilize toner collected by cleaning means as recycled toner, by preventing the occurrence of abnormal images due to foreign matters, such as aggregate toner or paper powder mixed in the toner collected by the cleaning means, without removing the foreign matters. <P>SOLUTION: A recycling mode for returning the toner collected from a photoreceptor 1 by a cleaning device 6 to a developing device 3 to form images and a non-recycling mode for disposing the toner without recycling it are switched, depending on the amount of the foreign matters, such as the paper powder or the aggregate toner. Consequently, the occurrence of the abnormal images due to the foreign matters can be prevented, without having to remove the foreign matters that are mixed in the toner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
