Magnetic brush forming device for image generating apparatus

Abstract

An image generating apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine includes, around a belt-like or drum-like photosensitive body, a magnetic brush developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body into a visible image, and a magnetic brush cleaning device for removing remaining toner from the photosensitive body after the visible image has been transferred onto a transfer sheet, thus readying the photosensitive body for a next cycle of forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. Ech of the magnetic brush cleaning and developing devices has a brush carrier for carrying an agent containing a carrier and a toner as a magnetic brush and for bringing the magnetic brush into contact with the photosensitive body. The brush carrier is associated with a limiting member for squeezing the layer of the agent to keep the layer thickness uniform on the brush carrier. When the agent is squeezed, it is heated, and if it were overheated, the carrier and the toner would be thermally fused to each other, lowering the cleaning or developing capability. To prevent this problem, the limiting member is of a hollow satructure for allowing air to flow therein. For more efficient cleaning or developing operation, the brush carrier may also be of a hollow structure for cooling the same with air.