Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A developing method comprising: (a) arranging a latent image holding member and a developer carrying member at spaced mutually opposed positions, and providing a space gap therebetween at a developing section, wherein said gap is maintained greater than a thickness of a developer layer applied on the surface of said developer carrying member; (b) applying an alternating electric field across the space gap; and (c) using a developer prepared by mixing electrically insulative toner particles having an average particle diameter of from 5 microns to 30 microns with very fine powder particles having a smaller particle diameter than said toner particles and capable of assisting electric charging of said toner particles in a polarity opposite to that of a latent image, and wherein the toner particles of up to 4 microns in particle diameter contained in the developer occupy at most 10% in the particle number distribution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A developing method comprising: (a) arranging a latent image holding member and a developer carrying member at spaced mutually opposed positions, and providing a space gap therebetween at a developing section, wherein said gap is maintained greater than a thickness of a developer layer applied on the surface of said developer carrying member; (b) applying an alternating electric field across the space gap; and (c) using a developer prepared by mixing electrically insulative toner particles having an average particle diameter of from 5 microns to 30 microns with very fine powder particles having a smaller particle diameter than said toner particles and capable of assisting electric charging of said toner particles in a polarity opposite to that of a latent image, and wherein the toner particles of up to 4 microns in particle diameter contained in the developer occupy at most 10% in the particle number distribution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The developing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrically insulative toner is a magnetic toner consisting, at least, of a resin material and magnetic powder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The developing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said very fine powder particles which are smaller than said toner particles in diameter are hydrophobic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The developing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein an alternating electric field is applied across said latent image holding member and said developer carrying member for development.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
A developing method comprising: (a) arranging a latent image holding member and a developer carrying member at spaced mutually opposed positions, and providing a space gap therebetween at a developing section, wherein said gap is maintained greater than a thickness of a developer layer applied on the surface of said developer carrying member; (b) applying an alternating electric field across the space gap; (c) using a developer prepared by mixing electrically insulative toner particles having an average particle diameter of from 5 microns to 30 microns with very fine powder particles having a smaller particle diameter than said toner particles and capable of assisting electric charging of said toner particles in a polarity opposite to that of a latent image, and wherein the toner particles of up to 15 microns in particle diameter contained in the developer occupy at least 90% in the particle number distribution; and (d) removing by cleaning means the residual toner particles from said developer carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
A developing method comprising: (a) arranging a latent image holding member and a developer carrying member at spaced mutually opposed positions, and providing a space gap therebetween at a developing section, wherein said gap is maintained greater than a thickness of a developer layer applied on the surface of said developer carrying member; (b) applying an alternating electric field across the space gap; (c) using a developer prepared by mixing electrically insulative toner particles having an average particle diameter of from 5 microns to 30 microns with very fine powder particles having a smaller particle diameter than said toner particles and capable of assisting electric charging of said toner particles in a polarity opposite to that of a latent image, and wherein the toner particles of up to 15 microns in particle diameter contained in the developer occupy at least 90% in the particle number distribution; and (d) removing by cleaning means the residual toner particles from said developer carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 or 5 wherein said electrically insulating toner is of non-magnetic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein said very fine powder particles are of aluminum oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein said very fine powder particles are of hydrophilic silica.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein said very fine powder particles are of hydrophobic silica.