Developing agent dispersing unit for an image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus has a developing device for simultaneously developing a charged pattern with developing agent into a developed image on an image carrier and removing developing agent remaining on the image carrier from a previous image forming operation from portions of the image carrier other than the developed image. The developed image is transferred from the image carrier to a recording medium. The image forming apparatus also has a dispersing unit for dispersing any developing agent remaining on the image carrier after the transfer of the developed image, the dispersing unit including at least two brush members spaced each other in sliding contact with the image carrier. A guide plate is mounted on the dispersing unit, to guide the recording medium to the brush members.