Abstract: A developing device for image forming equipment capable of agitating and mixing a fresh toner and a developer sufficiently is disclosed. The device eliminates a change in image density among individual copies, irregularity in density corresponding to the spiral pitch of, for example, a toner transport screw, and irregularity in density in the front-and-rear direction (axial direction of a developing sleeve) ascribable to defective agitation. To replace or clean a desire part or parts built in a developing device, the device is divided into two such that the desired parts are freely accessible. This facilitates the cleaning and replacement of such parts.

Abstract: A method including: based on a primary mold having a surface pattern identical with that of a composition to be produced, making a secondary mold having a low melting point sprayed metal layer of Zn or the like to which the surface pattern of the primary mold is transferred; next, after carrying out mold-releasing treatment on the secondary mold surface, spraying a high melting point metal such as Ni or the like; reinforcing the back side of the thus-formed high melting point sprayed metal layer with FRP or the like; hardening said FRP or the like; and then, releasing a composition consisting essentially of the high melting point sprayed metal layer and the reinforcing resin layer from the secondary mold.

Abstract: A developer carrier in the form of a developing roller constituting a part of one of a plurality of developing units incorporated in a color developing device which is mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Latent images electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element included in the image forming apparatus each is developed by a magnet brush formed by the developer of particular color on associated one of the developing rollers. Each developing roller has a non-magnetic conductive base, a first layer formed on the base and having an insulation resistance greater than 10.sup.6 ohms, and a second layer formed on the first layer and having an insulation resistance lying in the range of 10.sup.4 ohms to 10.sup.9 ohms. The developing roller prevents a bias being applied thereto for development from leaking due to scratches or similar defects of the photoconductive element.

Abstract: A method of removing a film from a photoconductive element of a color copier or similar image forming apparatus. At a suitable time when an image forming mode operation for forming a toner image on the photoconductive element is not under way, an amount of cleaning agent great enough to scrape a film off the photoconductive element is transported to a region between the photoconductive element and a cleaning sleeve. Subsequently, the amount of cleaning agent to be transported to such a region is reduced. This sequence of steps is repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: A method of removing a film which undesirably forms on a photoconductive element or similar image carrier of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier, printer or facsimile machine. The method is implemented by a cleaning device having a cleaning sleeve which removed toner particles remaining on the image carrier after image transfer. In a film removing mode which is executed when an image forming mode for forming a toner image on the image carrier is not under way, the cleaning sleeve is rotated at a lower speed than in an ordinary cleaning mode so as to feed a greater amount of cleaning agent to a cleaning region. The rotation speed of image carrier and that of the cleaning sleeve are controlled in such a manner as to feed a predetermined adequate amount of cleaning agent for the removal of a film to the cleaning region at all times.