PURPOSE: To obtain an image excellent in sharpness and resolution by causing two-component developer containing gap holding particles having a uniform specified particle size to pass through a gap between a developer carrier and a developer layer regulating means.
CONSTITUTION: The developer D is constituted of magnetic carrier C, resin toner T, and the gap holding particle(spacer particle) S, and the particle S is a large particle whose particle size is several times as large as that of the carrier C. When the developer D adhering to the peripheral surface of a developing sleeve 32 passes through a pressing position by a thin layer forming bar(cylindrical bar) 90, the gap (g) between the sleeve 32 and the bar 40 is regulated to the specified gap where the spacer particle S can be held to pass, so that the developer layer on the peripheral surface of the sleeve 32 has specified thin layer thickness. An electrostatic latent image on an image carrier 20 is developed in a non-contact state spaced at a distance apart by the developer layer at a developing area 39 so as to form a toner image.
MIWA TADASHI
HANEDA SATORU
FUKUCHI MASAKAZU
