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:
Jul. 02, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 25, 2011
Atsuhiko Shimoyama, Tahara, JP;
Tooru Watanabe, Toyokawa, JP;
Shigeru Tashiro, Toyokawa, JP;
Noboru Oomoto, Toyokawa, JP;
Yoshiyuki Toso, Toyokawa, JP;
Tou Matsunaga, Okazaki, JP;
Atsuhiko Shimoyama, Tahara, JP;
Tooru Watanabe, Toyokawa, JP;
Shigeru Tashiro, Toyokawa, JP;
Noboru Oomoto, Toyokawa, JP;
Yoshiyuki Toso, Toyokawa, JP;
Tou Matsunaga, Okazaki, JP;
Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. 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. An exhaust fan is provided inside the duct or in an outlet of the duct for generating an air flow going from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. A first filter member is provided upstream or downstream from the exhaust fan inside the duct and the first filter can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct getting on the air flow. A control section controls an amount of the air flow passing through the first filter member according to initial burst conditions under which the fine particles are emitted from the fixing member.