Image forming method and image forming apparatus

#The present invention relates to an image forming method as well as an image forming apparatus which carries out digital exposure, and an electrostatic latent image developing toner employed by the same.

#In recent years, high quality images have been increasingly demanded of image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and the like which carry out digital exposure. Further, digital imaging has progressed in which electrostatic latent images are formed employing digital exposure and subsequently developed.

#In common images, the ratio of an area, to which a toner is practically applied to carry out printing, is no more than 30 percent with respect to the entire image area. In digital exposure, being different from analogue exposure, it is easy to carry out exposure in which image information signals are reversed. Accordingly, from the viewpoint of print speed as well as minimization of the fatigue of a photoreceptor, it is advantageous that parts of an image are subjected to exposure and to reversal development. However, the reversal development is unstable as the development method, compared to the normal development, and as a result, it is difficult to carry out stable reversal development.

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a color image forming apparatus employing a transfer drum method to describe the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a representation of the exposure and development diameters showing the primary scanning direction.

#Now, materials, conditions, apparatuses, and the like, will further be described.

#The toner preferably employable in the present invention is one which is prepared by fusing resin particles in a water based medium.

#The toner employed in the present invention may be produced by fusing resin particles comprising colorants in a water based medium. However, from the viewpoint of the problems of polymerization stability during preparation of resin particles incorporating colorants as well as the stabilization during production of toner, toner is preferred which is prepared by fusing resin particles along with colorant particles, and even further, releasing agent particles, in a water based medium. Said toner has a rough surface from its production, and difference in the shape and surface properties among particles rarely occurs due to the fusion in a water based medium. As a result, its charge amount distribution is narrow, and it is possible to obtain finished images which have minimal scattered toner, and exhibit excellent definition. As described above, these would contribute in enhancing the effects of the present invention.