| 摘要 |
<p>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new method for forming images having a detecting means for the residual amount of a developer, which can detect the amount of the developer (toner amount) remaining in a developing or process cartridge with good accuracy and can inform the user successively about the residual amount of the developer or the number of printable sheets and which is extremely useful for the user, and to provide a developer and a process cartridge used for the method. SOLUTION: In the method for forming images by using a detecting means for the amount of a developer, which detects the residual amount of the developer in a developer housing part by the electrostatic capacitance, the developer used contains toner particles containing at least a binder resin, coloring agent and release agent. In the particles having >=3μm particle size, the developer contains particles having >=0.900 circularity by >=90% cumulative proportion by number and satisfies the condition expressed by Y>=exp5.51×X-0.645, wherein Y is the cumulative value of particles having >=0.950 circularity based on number and X (μm) is the weight average particle size (D4) and in the range of 4.5<X<=15.0 (μm).</p> |
