Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of shiftable developing devices that contain toner. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording material by heat, and the plurality of developing devices are disposed above the fixing apparatus. When a predetermined time period has elapsed after a temperature of the fixing apparatus reaches a predetermined temperature, the plurality of developing devices are shifted away from the fixing apparatus. With this arrangement, the toner contained in the developing device is prevented from being softened, melted and solidified due to the heat from the fixing apparatus, thereby effecting image formation stably.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which each of first and second image forming device is in contact with surfaces of first and second image bearing members from which no after-transfer residual toner is removed includes a rotating charging member contacting first and second image bearing members, and a developing unit for developing an electrostatic image on the image bearing member and rotation controlling device rotates the second image bearing member and the charging member of the second image forming device during image formation only with the first image forming device.

Abstract: A developing device is provided with a developing container for accommodating developing agent including toner, a rotating developing agent carrier is arranged to face an image carrier carrying an electrostatic image for carrying the developing agent, and a conductive member is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the developing agent carrier with a spacing from the developing agent carrier. The conductive member is provided over longer than the longitudinal area of the developing agent carrier, and a voltage application circuit is employed for applying a voltage of the same polarity to a charging polarity of the toner to the conductive member.