Patent ID: 8391730
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet; a first image heating device configured to heat the toner image on the sheet while conveying the sheet at a first nip; a second image heating device configured to heat the toner image, which is heated by the first image heating device, on the sheet while conveying the sheet at a second nip which is different from the first nip; a first path for conveyance of the sheet which is heated by the first image heating device toward the second nip; a second path for conveyance of the sheet which is heated by the first image heating device toward a juncture position merging onto the first path without passing through the second nip; a first conveying mechanism configured to convey the sheet in the first path; a second conveying mechanism configured to convey the sheet in the second path; a first detecting device configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet in the first path; a second detecting device configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet in the second path; and a controller configured to control an operation of the first conveying mechanism and an operation of the second conveying mechanism, wherein, in response to the controller determining, based on an output of the first detecting device, that jam in the first path occurred, the controller controls the second conveying mechanism so that the sheet in the second path is discharged out of the image forming apparatus through the juncture position, and wherein, in response to the jam, the controller controls a sheet conveying mechanism so that the sheet, which is not jammed, in the first path is reversed at the upstream side with respect to the first nip, and then the reversed sheet is conveyed to the discharge position through the juncture position using the second path, and wherein, in response to the controller determining, based on an output of the second detecting device, that jam in the second path occurred, the controller controls the first conveying mechanism so that the sheet in the first path is discharged out of the image forming apparatus through the juncture position, and wherein, in response to the jam, the controller controls the sheet conveying mechanism so that the sheet, which is not jammed, in the second path is reversed at the upstream side respect to the first nip, and then the reversed sheet is conveyed to the discharge position through the juncture position using the first path.