An image forming method for forming an image on a base material by using powder includes: attaching a protective material to a surface of the base material on which the image is to be formed; forming an attachment layer on at least one of the base material and the protective material attached to the base material; attaching the powder to the attachment layer after attaching the protective material; and removing excess powder attached to the protective material from the protective material without attaching to the attachment layer.

An image forming method for forming an image on a base material by using powder includes: attaching a protective material to a surface of the base material on which the image is to be formed; forming an attachment layer on at least one of the base material and the protective material attached to the base material; attaching the powder to the attachment layer after attaching the protective material; and removing excess powder attached to the protective material from the protective material without attaching to the attachment layer.

A toner conveyance device includes a housing and a conveyance member. The conveyance member includes a conveyance shaft and a conveyance blade. The conveyance blade includes a first blade part, a second blade part and a third blade part. The first blade part is formed along a predetermined spiral direction. The second blade part is connected to the first blade part on a downstream side of the first blade part in a conveyance direction and extends along the conveyance direction. The third blade part is connected to the second blade part on a downstream side of the second blade part in the conveyance direction and formed along a spiral direction opposite to the spiral direction of the first blade part. A boundary between the first blade part and the second blade part is contained within a range of a toner discharge port in the conveyance direction.

A toner conveyance device includes a housing and a conveyance member. The conveyance member includes a conveyance shaft and a conveyance blade. The conveyance blade includes a first blade part, a second blade part and a third blade part. The first blade part is formed along a predetermined spiral direction. The second blade part is connected to the first blade part on a downstream side of the first blade part in a conveyance direction and extends along the conveyance direction. The third blade part is connected to the second blade part on a downstream side of the second blade part in the conveyance direction and formed along a spiral direction opposite to the spiral direction of the first blade part. A boundary between the first blade part and the second blade part is contained within a range of a toner discharge port in the conveyance direction.

A suction device includes a duct, a suction unit, and a carrier collection unit. The duct is connected to a developing device for development with a developer containing a toner and a carrier. The suction unit is connected to the duct. The suction unit includes a filter member. The carrier collection unit is provided in the duct between the developing device and the suction unit. The carrier collection unit is configured to collect the carrier.

A suction device includes a duct, a suction unit, and a carrier collection unit. The duct is connected to a developing device for development with a developer containing a toner and a carrier. The suction unit is connected to the duct. The suction unit includes a filter member. The carrier collection unit is provided in the duct between the developing device and the suction unit. The carrier collection unit is configured to collect the carrier.

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image, a developer that develops a toner image on the image carrier, with a developing agent containing toner and carrier, a transferor that transfers the toner image being carried by the image carrier, a collection mechanism that collects the carrier on the image carrier by a magnetic force and an electrostatic force, and a hardware processor that controls removal of the toner adhering to the collection mechanism. The collection mechanism includes a collection roller that incorporates a magnet and that is rotatable while facing the image carrier, and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage to the collection roller. The hardware processor performs a toner removal mode to remove the toner, by setting a peripheral speed of at least one of the image carrier and the collection roller to less than a peripheral speed thereof for image formation.

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image, a developer that develops a toner image on the image carrier, with a developing agent containing toner and carrier, a transferor that transfers the toner image being carried by the image carrier, a collection mechanism that collects the carrier on the image carrier by a magnetic force and an electrostatic force, and a hardware processor that controls removal of the toner adhering to the collection mechanism. The collection mechanism includes a collection roller that incorporates a magnet and that is rotatable while facing the image carrier, and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage to the collection roller. The hardware processor performs a toner removal mode to remove the toner, by setting a peripheral speed of at least one of the image carrier and the collection roller to less than a peripheral speed thereof for image formation.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet and a sheet conveying unit for conveying the sheet along a conveying path extending in a substantially horizontal direction in a lower portion of the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a recovery container which is provided in front of the image forming unit and above the conveying path, and accommodates the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a waste toner conveying pipe that conveys the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit to the recovery container, without passing through the rear portion and the side portion of the image forming unit.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet and a sheet conveying unit for conveying the sheet along a conveying path extending in a substantially horizontal direction in a lower portion of the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a recovery container which is provided in front of the image forming unit and above the conveying path, and accommodates the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a waste toner conveying pipe that conveys the waste toner discharged from the image forming unit to the recovery container, without passing through the rear portion and the side portion of the image forming unit.