Image forming apparatus having a removal means for separating developers

Abstract

A multi-color image forming apparatus which comprises a rotatably supported photoreceptor drum movable sequentially past a first charging station at which the photoreceptor drum is electrostatically charged; a first exposure station at which a first electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum; a first developing station at which a first developing unit is disposed for developing the first electrostatic latent image into a toner image with a first toner material; a second charging station at which the photoreceptor drum is again electrostatically charged; a second exposure station at which a second electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor drum; a second developing station at which a second developing unit is disposed for developing the second electrostatic latent image into a toner image with a second toner material; a transfer station at which the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium; and a cleaning station. To avoid a color mixing as a result of an mixture of the first toner material into the second developing unit, the first toner material mixing into the second developing unit is separated and recovered from the second developing unit. A manually operated switch and a control system are provided for manually controlling the separation and recovery of the first toner material from the second toner material.