Abstract: A disclosed cooling structure includes a casing including a bottom plate arranged in a bottom portion of the casing and having a through hole formed in the bottom plate; a heat source to be cooled accommodated in the casing; a suctioning unit configured to suction outer air from an outside of the casing to an inside of the casing via the through hole in the bottom plate; an open and close member including an outer air path for carrying the suctioned outer air and being capable of opening and closing relative to the casing; and an outer air applying unit configured to cool the heat source by the carried outer air received from the open and close member.

Abstract: A collecting member that collects suspended particles vaporized from wax includes a flow path and a space, where gas passes along the flow path. The space is connected to the flow path through an opening formed in the flow path. The space extends upstream with respect to a direction of travel of the gas that passes along the flow path. By virtue of this structure, dew condensation in a fixing unit is suppressed while efficiently collecting the suspended particles.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a photo conductor; a charging unit; a plurality of fans; an information acquiring unit acquiring at least any one of print process information, which is information on a print process, or apparatus information, which is information on the internal environment of the apparatus; a reference determining unit that determines whether the print process or the internal environment of the apparatus satisfies the reference by using the print process information or the apparatus information; and an operation control unit including a first control mode that operates and stops the fans and the fixing device when the reference determining unit determines that the reference is not satisfied, and a second control mode that is performed before the first control mode is performed and stops the fixing device while driving the fans, when the reference determining unit determines that the reference is satisfied.

Abstract: A charging device includes a discharge electrode configured to charge a surface of an image carrier; a charging device body including an opening portion that is provided so as to surround the discharge electrode and be opposed to a surface of the image carrier across a longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode; a charging duct member that is provided so as to surround at least the entire opening portion and configured to introduce and exhaust an airflow within the surrounded area; an intake unit configured to generate an airflow to be guided into the charging duct member; and an exhaust unit configured to exhaust the airflow guided. The charging duct member includes an airflow wall forming unit for covering, with an airflow wall, the entire opening portion from an upstream end to a downstream end in a rotation direction of the image carrier at the opening portion.

Abstract: A development apparatus according to the present invention includes: a stir member that stirs a developer in a development container; a stir gear that rotates the stir member; a stir rotation shaft that connects the stir member and the stir gear to each other; a development member that supplies the developer onto a surface of an image carrier; a development gear that collaborates with the stir gear to form a series of gears and rotates the development member; a development rotation shaft that connects the development member and the development gear to each other; a housing box that houses the stir gear and the development gear, supports the stir rotation shaft and the development rotation shaft, and is provided with an air take-in opening for taking in air and an air discharge opening for discharging the taken-in air; and a wind sending member that takes in the air from the air take-in opening into the housing box and makes the taken-in air pass through the housing box to discharge the air from the air discha

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a photoreceptor drum that is provided along a paper path of transfer paper; a discharging unit including a light emitting body that emits discharging light, the discharging unit eliminating electrical charge on a surface of the photoreceptor drum; a blast unit that is provided to blow air toward the discharging unit; and a air duct that is provided in the vicinity of the light emitting body, and is configured such that the air from the blast unit toward the discharging unit is configured to blow to a side of the paper path through the air duct.

Abstract: A guide path branched downward from a conveyance path for guiding a sheet having a toner image fixed thereon to a sheet discharge tray, a switchback path, and a inversed discharge path guide the sheet once, and then guide the sheet to the sheet discharge tray with its front and back surfaces and its leading and trailing edges in a sheet conveyance direction reversed. A fan supplies air between a sheet discharged by a sheet discharge roller and a sheet already discharged onto the sheet discharge tray from a supply opening provided below the sheet discharge roller. A control portion for controlling a blowing operation of the fan selectively operates the fan when discharging the sheet after passing the sheet through the guide path, the switchback path, and the inversed discharge path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that can achieve a reduction in size while ensuring the necessary cooling performance. The image forming apparatus includes in an apparatus main body thereof: an image carrier; a developing device disposed to oppose the image carrier; a cooling fan; and a cooling duct flowing cool air from the cooling fan to at least the image carrier and the developing device, in which the cooling duct includes an image-carrier cooling duct that flows cool air to the image carrier; and a developing-device cooling duct that flows cool air to the developing device, and the image-carrier cooling duct and the developing-device cooling duct are disposed abreast front to back inside of the apparatus main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an imaging station for forming a toner image on a sheet using toner containing a parting material; a fan for discharging air adjacent the fixing portion to an outside of the apparatus; and a controller capable of executing an operation in a first control mode in which a driving speed of the fan is changed in a set range in accordance with a temperature adjacent the imaging station, and in a second control mode in which the driving speed of the fan set at an upper limit speed in the set range irrespective of the information corresponding to the temperature adjacent the imaging station.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, an image forming portion for forming a toner image using an electrophotographic process, an air supply opening for fluid communication between an inside and an outside of the main assembly, and an air supply device for supplying ambient air into the main assembly through the air supply opening. In addition, an exhausting device discharges air from inside of the main assembly, and a mounting portion selectively mounts, to the air supply opening, one of a cooling device for taking the ambient air in and for decreasing a temperature of the air taken in, and a cover for partly blocking the air supply opening and forming an air passage portion. When the cooling device is mounted to the mounting portion, the air supply device supplies the cooled air into the main assembly, and when the cover is mounted to the mounting portion, the air supply device supplies the ambient air directly into the main assembly through the air passage portion of the cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a duct, a fan, a filter, and a guide duct. Air flows through the duct from an intake port in a front face of an apparatus body toward a first exhaust port in a rear face of the apparatus body. The fan takes in and exhausts the air via the intake port and the first exhaust port. The filter removes a foreign object from the air. The guide duct is provided at the rear face and covers one of the first exhaust port and a second exhaust port from which exhaust air containing an odorous component is exhausted. The second exhaust port is provided at the rear face. The guide duct guides the exhaust air from one of the exhaust ports upward in a vertical direction while keeping the exhaust air separated from a passage of the exhaust air from the other exhaust port.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes: an image formation unit configured to form a developer image; an image transfer unit configured to transfer the developer image from the image formation unit to a recording medium; a fixation unit having a heater to fix the developer image to the recording medium; a duct provided between the image formation unit and the fixation unit, the duct comprising a first circumference section made of heat conductive material and a second circumference section made of heat insulation material; and a fan to flow air through the duct.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first process unit and a second process unit arranged in parallel and each having a photosensitive drum configured to form an electrostatic latent image by an exposure and a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive drum; an exposing unit disposed between the first process unit and the second process unit and configured to expose the photosensitive drum of the second process unit; a first flow channel formed between the first process unit and the exposing unit for supplying air to the charging device of the second process unit; and a second flow channel formed in the first process unit and having an outlet for supplying the air to the charging device of the second process unit.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling airflow across a width of a charger support area having a charger housing supporting a corona charger that is proximate to a primary imaging member. In one method, a flow of air is provided proximate an inlet side of the charger housing area and a deflection surface is used to deflect the flow of air from a first direction to a second direction leading to an impact surface against which the flow of air is disbursed. The impact surface is outside of the width of the charger housing so that the air flow can supply a volume of disbursed air into the charger housing and primary imaging member that is sufficient to create a pressure that causes the disbursed air to move to an outlet on an opposite side of the area without directly exposing the charger or the primary imaging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a fan to generate an air flow within the image forming apparatus, and a controller to drive the fan at a first speed corresponding to a first time period representing an image forming operation and to drive the fan at a second speed corresponding to a second time period corresponding to operations other than the image forming operation.

Abstract: A cleaning cartridge insert is provided for removing residual paper debris and toner from a laser printer in between printer cartridge removal and replacement. The cartridge comprises a modified laser printer cartridge with an internal cavity lined with an adhesive foam tape, a plurality of air inlet tubes and a drive roller having an adhesive outer surface. With the lid of the printer cartridge loading cavity is in an open state, the cartridge is placed therein into a working position, as would a replacement cartridge. Compressed air is then forced into the nozzles of the air inlet tubes, stirring paper dust, residual toner and debris from the interior of the printer and onto the foam tape adhesive within the cavity of the cartridge device. The lid is then closed, which initiates the drive roller for cleaning debris from the bias transfer roller via rotation during the machine initializing stage.

Abstract: Airflow management systems for a charger support area having a charger housing supporting a corona charger that is proximate to a primary imaging member are provided. In one embodiment an air flow management system has an air supply providing flow of air proximate an inlet side of the charger housing area and a deflection surface positioned to deflect the flow of air from a first direction to a second direction leading to an impact surface against which the flow of air is disbursed. The impact surface is outside of the width of the charger housing and the primary imaging member so that the air flow can supply a volume of disbursed air into the charger housing area that is sufficient to create a pressure that causes the disbursed air to move to an outlet on an opposite side of the area without exposing the charger or the primary imaging member to the flow.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus has an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a surface layer of an amorphous silicon carbide. The ratio of the atom density (C) of carbon atoms to the sum of the atom density (Si) of silicon atoms and the atom density (C) of carbon atoms, C/(Si+C), in the surface layer is set larger from one end portion toward the other end portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the direction of rotational axis thereof, and is from 0.61 or more to 0.75 or less in the entire region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the direction of rotational axis thereof. The electrophotographic apparatus has an air current generator which draws out air from the side of the one end portion toward the side of the other end portion.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a container which contains plural sheets, an image forming unit which forms an image on each of the sheets supplied from the container, a detecting unit which detects an image density of the image formed on the sheets by the image forming unit, a blowing unit which blows air to the sheet contained in the container, and a blowing control unit which controls the blowing unit based on the image density detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a casing, an opening/closing cover, an exposure device, an image forming unit, an airflow generator, a cooling air path, and a partition member. The partition member is disposed between the exposure device and the image forming unit, and is configured to change a state thereof between a first state and a second state. The first state is such that the partition member constitutes part of the cooling air path when the opening/closing cover is in a closed state. The second state is such that the image forming unit is allowed to be dismounted from an inner space of the casing, while passing between the exposure device and the image forming unit when the opening/closing cover is in an opened state.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus. The sheet conveying device includes an air intake fan that takes in external air; an air exhaust fan that discharges internal air; a plurality of branched conveying paths which are branched from a conveying path within a range from a sheet entrance to a sheet exit and for which a passing time of the sheet is approximately the same; a conveyance motor that independently conveys the sheet to each one of the branched conveying paths; a conveying path switching unit that switches among the branched conveying paths; and a conveying path control unit that causes the conveying path switching unit to sequentially switch among the branched conveying paths every time the sheet is input from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus includes a first exhausting section including a first exhausting member and a first flow path provided with an air inlet disposed above a heating device for heating a recording medium, a second exhausting section including a second exhausting member and a second flow path provided with an air inlet disposed downstream of the heating device in a transporting direction of the recording medium, and a third flow path provided with an air inlet disposed upstream of the heating device in the transporting direction. The first and second flow paths cause air in a housing that accommodates the heating device to flow to the outside. The first and second exhausting member exhaust the air using the first and second flow paths. The third flow path causes the air to flow from the air inlet thereof to the air inlet of the first flow path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having; an electrostatic latent image support; a charger for charging the electrostatic latent image support; an exposure unit for exposing the electrostatic latent image support with a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image; a development unit for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; a sheet feeding unit for feeding a recording sheet in an image forming operation; a transfer member for transferring the toner image to the recording sheet; a fuser for fusing the toner image onto the recording sheet; and a high-voltage power supply circuit for, in an image forming operation, applying a plurality of bias voltages at least to the charger and to the development unit, wherein the high-voltage power supply circuit supplies a high voltage only to the charger in an operation in an ion generation mode so as to cause the charger to generate ions.

Abstract: A guide path branched downward from a conveyance path for guiding a sheet having a toner image fixed thereon to a sheet discharge tray, a switchback path, and an inversed discharge path guide the sheet once, and then guide the sheet to the sheet discharge tray with its front and back surfaces and its leading and trailing edges in a sheet conveyance direction reversed. A fan supplies air between a sheet discharged by a sheet discharge roller and a sheet already discharged onto the sheet discharge tray from a supply opening provided below the sheet discharge roller. A control portion for controlling a blowing operation of the fan selectively operates the fan when discharging the sheet after passing the sheet through the guide path, the switchback path, and the inversed discharge path.

Abstract: A developer containing device for containing a developer includes a partition arranged between an outer space and an inner space for containing the developer, a bearing arranged on the partition, a rotation shaft carried by the bearing and extending from the outer space to the inner space, a sealing member arranged on the inner space side, having one end side fixed to the partition and the other end side being in contact with a surface of the rotation shaft, and thereby isolating the bearing from the inner space, a communication groove arranged at the surface of the rotation shaft, and connecting the outer space to a closed space isolated from the inner space by the sealing member, and a communication passage arranged on the partition for connecting the outer space to the closed space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a toner image carrier that rotates in a specified direction, a developing device comprising a toner supporting member that faces to a surface of the toner image carrier to form a developing area and that rotates in a same direction with the toner image carrier at the developing area, a transfer member for transferring a toner image from the surface of the toner image carrier onto a recording sheet, a guide for guiding a recording sheet to between the toner image carrier and the transfer member, and an air aspirator for aspirating air from the developing area and a location of the guide to a location of the transfer member. The air aspirator causes a first airflow, which carries toner, from the developing area and a second airflow, which does not carry toner, from the location of the guide. The second airflow prevents the first airflow from flowing to the location of the guide.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a heater; a nip member; a stay; fusing member; a pair of frame members; a backup member; and a ventilator. The nip member receives radiant heat from the heater. The stay has an inner surface confronting the heater and an outer surface opposing the inner surface. The fusing member surrounds the heater, the nip member and the stay. The pair of frame members is disposed at end portions of the fusing member. One frame members is formed with an inlet opening. The remaining frame member is formed with an outlet opening. The inlet and outlet openings are in fluid communication with a space between an inner peripheral surface of the fusing member and the outer surface. The backup member provides a nip region upon nipping the fusing member between the backup and nip members. The ventilator allows air to flow in the space.

Abstract: An imaging unit of an imaging apparatus is provided including a developer unit for developing a toner and a cooling system. The cooling system includes an air distribution duct and a connecting segment. The connecting segment includes an air conduit attached to the air distribution duct and an air entry port disposed on the air conduit for connecting to the air supply line during installation of the imaging unit. A contacting surface of the air entry port is angled inwardly in two directions, relative to the air conduit, that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater, a pressor, first and second temperature sensors, a controller, first and said coolers for cooling a surface of the heater and the pressor, respectively, a contact-spacing device for establishing a contact state of the heater and pressor and a spaced state of the heater and the pressor, a portion for executing first and second cooling modes in which at least one of the coolers is operated while rotating the heater and pressor in the contact state and in which the first and second coolers are operated while rotating the heater and pressor in the spaced state, respectively, and a selector for selecting the first cooling mode or the second cooling mode on the basis of an output of the second temperature sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member for fixing an image onto a sheet in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. A filter member is provided inside the duct and which can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct. An exhaust fan is provided in the duct upstream or downstream from the filter member for generating an air flow going from the inlet to an outlet of the duct. A control section controls the operation of the exhaust fan according to initial burst conditions under which the fine particles are emitted from the fixing member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a development roller that holds developer containing toner and carrier, rotates and transports the developer to a development area, and develops a latent image using the toner; a housing that has a first opening that opens towards the image holding member, and that holds the development roller; an airflow path that has a second opening that opens towards the image holding member at a location below the first opening; a blower that causes air in the airflow path to be sent in a direction in which the toner scattered between the housing and the image holding member is sucked from the second opening; and a magnetic plate opposing an end portion of the development roller in a direction of an axis of rotation of the development roller and extending so as to surround the development roller in a direction of rotation of the development roller.

Abstract: An air sending mechanism includes an air sending unit including a rotating shaft and a plurality of blade members provided on the rotating shaft, the air sending unit being configured to send air by producing a swirl flow swirling about the rotating shaft with rotation of the plurality of blade members; a wall member provided on a downstream side in an air sending direction with respect to the air sending unit in such a manner as to face the air sending unit; and a rectifying member provided between the air sending unit and the wall member and having at least one bend or curve provided as a result of the member being angled or curved such that the swirl flow produced by the air sending unit is guided in an intersecting direction that intersects the air sending direction.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a blowing unit. The first rotating member is heated by a heat source. The second rotating member is pressed against the first rotating member to form a fixing nip with the first rotating member along a conveying path of a recording medium. The blowing unit blows a cooling airflow toward the first rotating member. An airflow route from the blowing unit to the first rotating member is arranged so as to cross the conveying path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a detection unit provided in the housing to detect temperature or humidity, an image forming section provided in the housing and including a detected portion to be detected by the detection unit, a first air inlet provided in the housing, a suction unit that sucks air outside of the housing through the first air inlet, a substantially cylindrical duct provided at a position influenced by temperature or humidity of the detected portion and including an entrance from which air flows in and an exit from which air flows out, the duct allowing the air sucked by the suction unit to pass therethrough, and an opening provided in the housing. The detection unit is provided at a position on a path of air flowing into the housing through the opening and on a path of the air that has passed through the duct.

Abstract: A cartridge for containing toner material used in an image-forming device according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll, two J-seals that provide interfaces with the developer roll at the ends thereof, and an air duct that conducts airflow across the interfaces to cool the developer roll and seals. The air duct is an unitary structure including an elongated hollow body and a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow body. One of the nozzles is disposed at a distal end of the developer roll near one J-seal, and the other of the nozzles is disposed at a proximal end of the developer roll near the second J-seal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a fan, a first louver, and a second louver. The first louver includes first rectifier vanes that direct airflow produced by the fan. The second louver is located on an inner side of an apparatus body with respect to the first louver and faces the first louver in such a manner as to overlap the first louver in a direction of an axis of rotation of the fan. The second louver includes second rectifier vanes that direct the airflow produced by the fan. Each of the first rectifier vanes and a corresponding one of the second rectifier vanes that is adjacent thereto extend in one plane inclining at a specific angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the fan.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a housing, an image scanning section, an airflow generation section, a guiding air path, and a blow-off port. The image forming section forms an image on a sheet. The housing accommodates the image forming section therein. The image scanning section has a bottom portion and is disposed above the housing. The airflow generation section generates an airflow inside the housing. The guiding air path guides the airflow upward inside the housing. The blow-off port is communicated with the guiding air path and arranged so as to face the bottom portion of the image scanning section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a corona charge device to charge a photoconductor. The corona charge device includes first and second shielding members arranged to shield most of a space between a surface of the photoconductor and the corona charge device, and a guide member to guide outside air stream to an outside air inlet. The image forming apparatus prevents damage and contamination of the photoconductor due to byproducts of corona discharge.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a fixing unit configured to fix the image onto the recording medium by applying heat and pressure; a re-transport unit configured to re-transport the recording medium which has passed through the fixing unit, to the image forming unit along a re-transport path; a cooling unit provided between the fixing unit and the image forming unit along the re-transport path and configured to cool the recording medium transported by the re-transport unit; a parameter signal output unit configured to output a signal corresponding to a parameter for controlling the cooling unit; and a controller configured to control the cooling unit according to the signal output from the parameter signal output unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a paper supply section, a housing member and an ion generating unit. The housing member is disposed at least below the image forming section, and has the same shape in plane view as the image forming section and the paper supply section. The ion generating unit is contained in the housing member. The ion generating unit includes a duct forming a pathway that guides a flow of air that is sucked in from outside of the housing member, and that is discharged back outside of the housing member. An ion generating device is disposed inside the duct, along with a fan for generating an air current in the duct.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first transport belt group including endless belts arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting a transport direction of a printing medium, a second transport belt group including endless belts arranged so as to oppose the first transport belt group and configured to transport the printing medium while the printing medium is clamped between the first transport belt group and the second transport belt group, and a group of liquid ejecting heads provided between the endless belts of the first transport belt group or between the endless belts of the second transport belt group and configured to eject liquid onto the printing medium being transported.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a color printer including a fixing device and air supply and exhaust members, capable of effectively exhausting hot, moist air and preventing condensation from forming in and around a sheet conveyance path. The image forming apparatus includes an exhaust fan mounted at a predetermined angle to the sheet conveyance path above the fixing device, with an exhaust airflow path of the exhaust fan narrowing toward a downstream side in the air exhaust direction.

Abstract: A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member, a collecting member provided on a support member and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member, a suction path provided between the opening and a suction member for sucking developer removed from the developer carrying member, an opening-closing plate that opens or closes the suction path, an urging member that urges the opening-closing plate, a retaining member that retains the opening-closing plate, and an opening-closing unit including a rotating member and an elastic member whose ends are connected to the rotating member and the support member. The elastic member is pulled so as to rotate the rotating member in association with a movement of the collecting member, thereby rotating the opening-closing plate so as to open or close the suction path.

Abstract: A copier comprises a housing, an image reading section, an image forming section, a paper discharge section, a paper supply section and an ion generating unit. The ion generating unit is disposed below the paper discharge section and above the paper supply section. The ion generating unit includes a duct that defines a path of flow guiding air sucked from outside of the housing to outside of the housing again.

Abstract: A cooling device having a cooling unit including an air suction port that is disposed at a front surface side of a main body of the cooling device to suck air, and an air exhaust port that is disposed at a rear surface side of the main body of the cooling device to exhaust air, in which the cooling unit transfers heat from a cooling target to air sucked from the air suction port to cool the cooling target, and discharges the heat-transferred air from the air exhaust port.

Abstract: A blower includes a fan; and an air duct having a passage formed therein, the air duct guiding the air and blowing the air onto the corona discharger, the air duct including an increasing-width portion in which a passage width gradually increases downstream in an air flow direction, a decreasing-height portion in which a passage height gradually decreases downstream in the air flow direction, an extension portion extending from a downstream end of the decreasing-height portion to a position near the corona discharger, a bent portion that is bent from a downstream end of the extension portion toward the corona discharger, an opening formed at a downstream end of the bent portion, and a plate-shaped member disposed in the passage at a position on an inner wall of any of the decreasing-height portion and the extension portion, the inner wall being on the corona discharger side.

Abstract: An acoustic cavity conditions the air flowing from a blower to reduce noise in the airflow. The air flowing directly out of the blower exhibits pulses produced by each impeller blade or fan blade. The airflow noise is thereby induced at certain frequencies. Printing operations inside a printer can also occur at specific frequencies. Introducing the airflow directly into certain areas of a printer can result in the noise frequencies and printing frequencies to combine and produce noticeable printing artifacts. An acoustic cavity tuned to dampen the airflow noise can condition the airflow and eradicate the printing artifacts.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a developer carrying member for supplying a developer to an image bearing member at an opposing region opposing to the image bearing member, the developer carrying member being arranged so as to be opposed to the image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a blade for regulating an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member; a casing for housing the developer carrying member and the blade, the casing including a wall portion opposed to the developer carrying member between the blade and the opposing region; a sheet member that is flexible, provided on the wall portion, has a free end, forms a part of an inner wall surface of the wall portion, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface; and a moving portion provided on the wall portion, for moving the sheet member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that can prevent a winding jam of a sheet, which can be caused owing to curling of the sheet at the front end in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit to form a visible image on a printing medium using developer, a fixing device to fix the developer to the printing medium, and a heat plate placed between the developing unit and the fixing device such that heat generated from the fixing device is absorbed by the heat plate, and transmission of heat to the developing unit is restricted.