The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2001
Masahiko Matsuura, Suita, JP;
Hiroshi Mizuno, Ikoma, JP;
Takaji Kurita, Osakasayama, JP;
Masashi Yamamoto, Settsu, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is provided which forms images on both a concavo-convex sheet having a concavo-convex surface on which is formed many concavities capable of receiving toner and from which toner can be removed, and a general-purpose sheet which is not specially processed. The image forming apparatus has a first mode for forming an image on a general-purpose sheet, and a second mode for forming an image on a concavo-convex sheet. In the first mode, a general-purpose sheet receives a transferred toner image in the image forming region, and thereafter is guided to a fixing unit, where the toner is fixed on the sheet. In the second mode, a concavo-convex sheet receives a transferred toner image in the image forming region, and thereafter does not pass through the fixing unit but is guided to a convexity cleaning unit, where toner adhered to the convexities of the concavo-convex sheet during transfer is removed.