Patent ID: 7403731
Filing Date: 2008-07-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member which is rotatable; an exposing unit, including a passing portion for passing light, for exposing said image bearing member through said passing portion; a developing device, disposed opposed to said exposing unit, for forming a toner image on the basis of an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member by an image exposure; an image heating device, disposed above said exposing unit with respect to a vertical direction of the image forming apparatus, for heating the toner image formed on a recording material using heat; a shutter disposed between said developing device and said passing portion for opening and closing said passing portion; and airflow forming means for forming airflow along a rotation axis of said image bearing member, in a space formed by said developing device, said exposing unit and said shutter taking a position for opening said passing portion.