| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can maintain satisfactory electrophotographic characteristics without the occurrence of an image defect due to a flaw on the surface layer of a photoreceptor surface even if a sheet member for suppressing the problems, such as scattering and sweeping up of a developer is arranged. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has a holding means for maintaining the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a developer carrier without contact with each other, and in the apparatus an insulative tabular member is inserted between the photoreceptor and the developer carrier, the one end of the tabular member is arranged within a substantial developing region, the front end of the tabular member is arranged in contact with the photoreceptor and the tabular member is installed in such a manner that it does not contact with the developer sticking to the surface of the developer carrier inside of the developing region. Further, the image forming apparatus is equipped with the photoreceptor which is 150≤HU≤300 in universal hardness HU on the surface layer of the photoreceptor and is ≥35 to ≤55% in the rate of elastic deformation. The process cartridge is freely attachable and detachable to and from the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
