Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic floating device in which a movable magnet is sandwiched by fixed magnets in the manner that the same magnetic poles are opposed to each other, such that the movable magnet and the fixed magnets are held relatively movably in a floating direction and an intersecting direction that intersects with a polarization direction of the fixed magnets. The second magnet is placed within a range of extreme value position of a distribution of the magnetic flux density, with respect to the intersecting direction, as produced between the fixed magnets by the fixed magnets, at an opposing surface of the second magnet, being opposed to the fixed magnets. This arrangement assures a large force in the floating direction while making the force in the lateral shift direction weak. Hence, energy consumption of a lateral-direction control mechanism can be reduced significantly.

Abstract: A developing apparatus having: a first developer carrying member close to a developer regulating member for regulating an amount of developer; a second developer carrying member to which the developer is delivered from the first developer carrying member; and a mode for removing the toner on the surface of the second developer carrying member, in which mode, in a non-image-formation period, no toner transfer operation from the first developer carrying member to an image bearing member is substantially performed, but a toner transfer operation from the second developer carrying member to the image bearing member is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic floating device in which a movable magnet is sandwiched by fixed magnets in the manner that the same magnetic poles are opposed to each other, such that the movable magnet and the fixed magnets are held relatively movably in a floating direction and an intersecting direction that intersects with a polarization direction of the fixed magnets. The second magnet is placed within a range of extreme value position of a distribution of the magnetic flux density, with respect to the intersecting direction, as produced between the fixed magnets by the fixed magnets, at an opposing surface of the second magnet, being opposed to the fixed magnets. This arrangement assures a large force in the floating direction while making the force in the lateral shift direction weak. Hence, energy consumption of a lateral-direction control mechanism can be reduced significantly.