Patent ID: 7599653
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus to form images by means of electrophotography or electrostatic recording, comprising: a toner image bearing section for bearing an unfixed toner image thereon; and a fixing fluid applying section for applying a fixing fluid which provides an effect of fixing toner onto a recording medium, to the unfixed toner image on the toner image bearing section, wherein the fixing fluid applying section includes: a fixing fluid chamber having an opening formed facing the toner image bearing section; an applying member formed into a roller shape and placed in an interior space of the fixing fluid chamber, for applying the fixing fluid to the unfixed toner image on the toner image bearing section in contact with the toner image bearing section, which is supported inside the fixing fluid chamber so as to be rotatable and moved to contact with and release from the toner image bearing section, and in which at least a certain part is projected outward through the opening of the fixing fluid chamber facing the toner image bearing section in spaced to a side wall of the fixing fluid chamber; a seal member for closing a gap between the opening of the fixing fluid chamber and the applying member; and a contact and release operation section for supporting the fixing fluid chamber so that the applying member moves to contact with and release from the toner image bearing section, wherein at least the fixing fluid chamber, the applying member, and the seal member are integral with one another as a single unit which is freely attachable to and detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus wherein the fixing fluid chamber places the applying member and also stores the fixing fluid in its interior space, the applying member is provided as a first applying member which is supported inside the fixing fluid chamber so as to be rotatable and moved to contact with and release from the toner image bearing section, has at least its certain part projected outward through the opening of the fixing fluid chamber facing the toner image bearing section in spaced to a side wall of the fixing fluid chamber, has at least its certain part located vertically above a level of the fixing fluid within the fixing fluid chamber, and has a slant region formed at its axial end portion, a diameter of its cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the length of the first applying member of which is tapered from a position near the end portion to the end portion, and the seal member is provided as a first seal member which is disposed so as to move to contact with and release from the applying member, and has an axial end portion which is brought into contact with the slant region of the applying member to close the gap between the opening of the fixing fluid chamber and the applying member.