Patent ID: 6397030
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus having an image carrier and designed to form an image on a recording medium by using liquid toner, from a latent image formed on the image carrier, said apparatus comprising:image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, by applying a light from exposure means to the image carrier in accordance with an image signal; developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image by applying the liquid toner to the image carrier, thereby forming a toner image; image transferring means for transferring the toner image to an intermediate transfer medium pressed onto the image carrier and then transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium; cooling means for maintaining the surface of the image carrier at a temperature lower than glass transition temperature of the liquid toner between the forming of the toner image and the transfer thereof to the intermediate transfer medium; and heating means for maintaining the surface of the intermediate transfer medium at a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature of the liquid toner while the toner image is being transferred from the intermediate transfer medium to the recording medium.