Abstract: A developing device develops a latent image formed on a latent image carrier by supplying a developer to the latent image carrier. The developer comprises a carrier liquid and a toner dispersed in the carrier liquid. A gelling agent adding device adds a gelling agent to the developer remaining in the developing device so as to gel the developer.

Abstract: A developing device of the type using a highly viscous developing liquid is disclosed. The developing liquid applied to a developer carrier in the form of a thin layer is uniformed in order to form a high quality image. The developing liquid is capable of forming desirable images with a constant characteristic even when it is repeatedly used over a long period of time. An image forming apparatus including such a developing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A density regulating apparatus includes a rotatable container for containing developing liquid and a rotating unit for rotating the container. The rotatable container when rotated generates a centrifugal force exerted on the developing liquid contained in the container so as to separate the developing liquid into a plurality of portions.

Abstract: An apparatus which forms a discharge electric field in order to discharge an object. The apparatus includes an electrode member facing and separated by a preselected gap from the object, and a power source which applies a discharge voltage to the electrode member to thereby cause discharge to occur between the object and the electrode member. Further, the electrode member at the gap includes a material selected in association with the gap so that a functional relationship between the discharge voltage and a discharge current caused by the discharge voltage is a continuous function.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a fixing device fixes a toner image transferred to a sheet, but held in an unstable state, temporarily on the sheet by a Johnson Rahbeck effect. The fixed image firmly adhere to the sheet and is free from disturbance or suffers from a minimum of disturbance.

Abstract: A wet process image forming apparatus using a developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and a toner dispersed therein, in which air containing carrier vapor produced in, e.g., a fixing section, is sucked by a suction fan via a first duct into a liquefying section. The liquefying section liquefies the carrier vapor and water vapor. A separating section is disposed below the liquefying portion and includes a receptacle. A liquid produced by the liquefying section is caused to flow down into the receptacle along a chain due to its own weight. The separating section separates the liquid into the carrier liquid and water on the basis of a difference in specific gravity. Only the carrier overlying the water in the receptacle is fed to a carrier tank via overflow ports formed in the wall of the receptacle. The water is delivered to a water tank via a pipe. The pipe is so configured as to maintain the liquid level in the receptacle substantially at the level of the overflow ports.