| 摘要 |
An image forming apparatus adopting a cleaningless process using contact-type charging means, includes developer scattering means which is located between the charging means and an exposure position in contact with the surface of an image carrier. For example, the developer scattering means is a conducting brush which scatters, catches and temporarily holds the residual toner on the image carrier. With this structure, even in an image forming apparatus adopting the cleaningless process using the contact-type charging means, the residual toner on the image carrier is scattered and caught by developer catching means before the residual toner reaches the exposure position. Thus, a lowering of the image quality which is caused if the residual toner is patterned by the charging means is prevented, thereby improving the image quality. Consequently, it is possible to provide a small-sized superior image forming apparatus with high maintainability which is capable of recycling the developer and producing an image with high image quality.
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