Patent Publication Number: US-6334675-B1

Title: Image forming apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can appropriately jet a solvent for image formation onto an image recording material such as a photosensitive material, an image-receiving material, and the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An image forming apparatus is known which carries out image recording processing using two types of image recording materials, for example, a photosensitive material and an image-receiving material. 
     Within an image forming apparatus of this type, an image-forming solvent application section for image formation and a thermal development transfer section are disposed. The image-forming solvent application section has a vat storing therein an image-formation solvent to be applied onto a photosensitive material. The thermal development transfer section is comprised of an endless pressure belt which presses against a heating drum and a periphery of this heating drum, and which rotates together with the heating drum. 
     The photosensitive material, in which an image is developed while the photosensitive material is conveyed in an interposed state within the image forming apparatus, is immersed in the vat in which water as the image-formation solvent is stored in the image-forming solvent application section. After water is applied to the photosensitive material, the photosensitive material is sent into the thermal development transfer section. The image-receiving material is sent into the thermal development transfer section in the same way as the photosensitive material. 
     In the thermal development transfer section, the photosensitive material that has been subjected to water application and the image-receiving material are layered together, and in this state, are wound onto the outer periphery of the heating drum. Further, both materials are conveyed in an interposed state between the heating drum and the endless pressure belt. As the photosensitive material is thermally developed, the image is transferred to the image-receiving material, and a prescribed image is formed on the image-receiving material (recorded). 
     However, in cases in which the photosensitive material is immersed into the vat storing water as the image-formation solvent and water is applied thereto, water that at one time contacted the photosensitive material is regularly maintained in the vat. As a result, small amounts of organic substances eluted from the photosensitive material function as a source of nutrition for bacteria, bacteria thereby propagate within the vat, and the water becomes contaminated. There is a fear that the contaminated water may cause deterioration in the image forming apparatus itself, as well as in image quality. 
     Accordingly, the following may be considered: preventing the photosensitive material from contacting the water in the vat or the like used for supply purposes, vibrating a nozzle plate having nozzle holes, and applying small water droplets to the photosensitive material by jetting the water droplets with a jetting device. 
     However, in the case of a jetting device that jets water droplets onto the photosensitive material that has been conveyed, there is a fear that water may leak out inadvertently from the jetting device. There is also a fear of it becoming impossible to jet the water towards the photosensitive material due to air remaining within the jetting device when the water begins to be charged into the jetting device, which results in the water pressure within the jetting device not reaching a sufficiently high level. 
     Further, since the clearance between the jetting device and the photosensitive material is minimized in order to apply the water to the photosensitive material evenly, when the photosensitive material becomes jammed at a portion of a transporting path facing the jetting device, removing the jammed photosensitive material from the transporting path is difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to obtain an image formation apparatus that prevents an image-formation solvent from leading out inadvertently, enables reliable jetting of the image-formation solvent, and further, allows a photosensitive material that has become jammed in a transporting path to be easily removable. 
     A first aspect of the present invention comprises: a jetting device which is disposed so as to face a transporting path for an image recording material and which jets an image-forming solvent towards the image recording material, and a position-controlling mechanism which changes a position of the jetting device in correspondence with a state of the jetting device. 
     A second aspect of the present invention comprises: a jetting device which is disposed so as to face a transporting path for an image recording material and which can jet an image-forming solvent towards the image recording material; an arm which supports the jetting device and which swings to rotate the jetting device; a first gear having teeth arranged along an arc having as a center thereof a swinging center point of the arm; a second gear which is fixed at the jetting device so as to mesh with the first gear, and which changes a position and orientation of the jetting device in conjunction with rotation of the jetting device; and a driving mechanism which swings the arm. 
     A third aspect of the present invention comprises: a jetting device which is disposed so as to face a transporting path for an image recording material and which can jet an image-forming solvent towards the image recording material; a position-controlling mechanism which changes a position of the jetting device in correspondence with a state of the jetting device; and a sealing- and cleaning-member which seals a jetting surface of the jetting device, which surface jets the image-forming solvent, and which cleans the jetting surface, in a non-jetting state without jetting of the image-forming solvent. 
     Herein, “position” refers to the location and or the orientation. 
     Operation of an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention will be explained below. 
     The jetting device, which is disposed so as to face the transporting path for the image recording material, jets the image-forming solvent towards the image recording material. 
     Further, the position-controlling mechanism changes the position of the jetting device in accordance with each of the following states: a standby state during the period until the image-forming solvent is jetted onto the image recording material; a charging-start state in which charging of the image-forming solvent into the jetting device is begun; a jetting state in which the image-forming solvent inside the jetting device is jetted toward the image recording material; a cleaning state in which a jetting surface of the jetting device, which surface jets the image-forming solvent, is cleaned, and the like. 
     Since the position-controlling mechanism can change the position of the jetting device in accordance with each of the states of the jetting device, when the image-forming solvent begins to be charged, the position of the jetting device is changed so as to incline the jetting device, and the air remaining inside the jetting device is removed. Further, by changing the position of the jetting device to a position where a cleaning member is present, for example, a jetting surface of the jetting device can be easily cleaned. As a result, the image-forming solvent can be jetted towards the image recording material reliably whenever necessary. 
     Further, by changing the position of the jetting device to a position where a cap is present, for example, the image-forming solvent can be prevented from inadvertently spilling or evaporating from the jetting device. 
     Further, since changing the position of the jetting device has been made possible, the image recording apparatus can be easily removed when becoming jammed during conveyance at a portion of the transporting path facing the jetting device. 
     Operation of the second aspect according to the present invention will be explained below. 
     The jetting device, which is disposed so as to face the transporting path for the image recording material, jets the image-forming solvent towards the image recording material. 
     Further, the jetting device rotates in conjunction with the arm supporting the jetting device being swung by the driving mechanism. At this time, the jetting device is rotated while the first gear, whose teeth are arranged along an arc having the swinging center point of the arm as a center, and the second gear, which is fixed to the jetting device, mesh together, and the jetting device rotates in correspondence with swinging of the arm. The position of the jetting device is thereby changed. 
     Accordingly, since the position of the jetting device can be changed, not only can the image-forming solvent be jetted towards the image recording material reliably whenever necessary and the image-forming solvent be prevented from inadvertently, but the image recording material can be easily removed when becoming jammed at a portion of the transporting path facing the jetting device, as in the first aspect. 
     Operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention will be explained below. 
     The jetting device, which is disposed so as to face the transporting path for the photosensitive material, jets the image-forming solvent towards the image recording material. 
     Further, the position-controlling mechanism can change the position of the jetting device in the same way as in the first aspect, in accordance with a standby state, a charging-start state, a jetting state, a cleaning state, and the like. 
     Accordingly, since the position of the jetting device is changed, not only can the image-forming solvent be jetted towards the image recording material reliably whenever necessary and the image-forming solvent be prevented from inadvertently, but the image recording material can be easily removed when becoming jammed at a portion of the transporting path facing the jetting device, as in the first aspect. 
     Further, when the position of the jetting device is changed from the jetting state, in which the image-forming solvent is jetted towards the image recording material, to a non-jetting state, in which the image-forming solvent is not jetted, the sealing- and cleaning-member seals the jetting surface of the jetting device, which surface jets the image-forming solvent, and can clean the jetting surface. 
     Accordingly, not only is operation as in the first aspect performed, but since the sealing- and cleaning-member makes possible sealing of the jetting surface of the jetting device, which surface jets the image-receiving material, and cleans the jetting surface, the number of components of the image forming apparatus can be reduced. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic total structural view of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 a schematic total structural view of an application device according to the embodiment of the present invention (however, a position-controlling mechanism has been omitted from the Figure). 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism during jetting, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a view taken along a line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which transmission gears and driving-side gears have been omitted. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism in a standby state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism in a charging-start state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a view taken along a line  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating further rotation of the jetting tank and the position-controlling mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating a state in which a photosensitive material is being conveyed beneath the jetting tank in the embodiment according to the present invention (however, the position-controlling mechanism has been omitted from the Figure). 
     FIG. 12 an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the jetting tank in the embodiment according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the jetting tank in a state in which water is being jetted therefrom in the embodiment according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the application device in the embodiment according to the present invention (however, the position-controlling mechanism has been omitted from the Figure). 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the application device in a state in which the photosensitive material is being heated in the embodiment according to the present invention (however, the position-controlling mechanism has been omitted from the Figure). 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a thermal development transfer section in the embodiment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic total structural view of an image recording apparatus  10  that is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A photosensitive material magazine  14  which accommodates a photosensitive material  16  is disposed inside a mount  12  of the image recording apparatus  10 . The photosensitive material  16  is wound in a roll configuration in the photosensitive material magazine  14  so that a photosensitive (exposure) surface of the photosensitive material  16  faces left when the photosensitive material  16  is pulled out from the photosensitive material magazine  14 . 
     Nip rollers  18  and a cutter  20  are disposed in the vicinity of a photosensitive material pull-out opening of the photosensitive material magazine  14 . The photosensitive material  16  can be cut after being pulled out from the photosensitive material magazine  14  a predetermined length. The cutter  20  is, for example, a circular-type cutter comprised of a fixed blade and a movable blade, and can cut the photosensitive material  16  by moving the movable blade with a rotary cam or the like so as to engage with the fixed blade. 
     A plurality of conveying rollers  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are disposed in sequence downstream of the cutter  20  in the direction the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed. Between each of the conveying rollers, a guide plate, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1, is provided. The photosensitive material  16  which has been cut into a predetermined length is conveyed first to an exposing section  22  provided between the conveying rollers  24  and  26 . 
     An exposure device  38  is provided to the left of the exposing section  22 . Three types of optical disks, a lens unit, a polygon mirror, and a mirror unit (all of which are not illustrated) are disposed at the exposure device  38 . A light beam C is sent to the exposing section  22  from the exposure device  38 , and the photosensitive material  16  is thereby exposed at the exposing section  22 . 
     Further, at an upper side of the exposing section  22 , a U-turn section  40  for conveying the photosensitive material  16  while curving the photosensitive material  16  in a U-shaped configuration, and a water application section  50  for applying an image-formation solvent are provided. Further, water is used as the image-formation solvent in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The photosensitive material  16 , which has ascended from the photosensitive material magazine  14  and which has been exposed at the exposing section  22 , is conveyed into the water application section  50  by passing through a transporting path towards an upper side of the U-turn section  40  and being conveyed in an interposed state by the pairs of the conveying rollers  28  and  30 . 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a jetting tank  312  is disposed at a position that faces a transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16 , which transporting path D is in the water application section  50 . The jetting tank  312  is a jetting mechanism that forms a portion of an application device  310 , which is a liquid jetting device. 
     Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a water bottle  332  is disposed at a lower left side of the jetting tank  312 . The water bottle  332  is for storing water to be supplied to the jetting tank  312 . At an upper portion of the water bottle  332 , a filter  334  is disposed, for filtering water. A water-conveyance pipe  342 , which is provided with a pump  336  at an intermediate portion thereof, connects the water bottle  332  and the filter  334 . 
     Further, at a right side of the jetting tank  312 , a sub-tank  338  is disposed. The sub-tank  338  is for storing water conveyed from the water bottle  332 . A water-conveyance pipe  344  extends from the filter  334  to the sub-tank  338 . 
     Accordingly, when the pump  336  operates, water is sent from the water bottle  332  towards the filter  334 , and water filtered by passing through the filter  334  is sent to the sub-tank  338 , where the water is temporarily stored. 
     A water-conveyance pipe  346  is disposed between the sub-tank  338  and the side of one end of the jetting tank  312  so as to connect the two. The water conveyed due to the water bottle  332  and the pump  336  via the filter  334 , the sub-tank  338 , and the water-conveyance pipe  346  eventually fills the inside of the jetting tank  312 . 
     A tray  340  is disposed at the side of a lower portion of the jetting tank  312  in FIG. 2, namely, at the side of the transporting path D for the photosensitive material that is opposite the jetting tank  312 . The tray  340  is formed in a channel form and is connected to the water bottle  332  by a circulation pipe  348 . The tray  340  collects the water that spills over from the jetting tank  312 , and returns the water to the water bottle  332  via the circulation pipe  348 . Further, this circulation pipe  348  is connected to the sub-tank  338  in an extended state, by protruding inside the sub-tank  338 . Excess water that has accumulated inside the sub-tank  338  is returned to the water bottle  332  via the circulation pipe  348 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 15, a guide plate  352  is set between the pair of the conveying rollers  32  and the jetting tank  312 , at a side of the transporting path D opposite to the jetting tank  312 . The guide plate  352  is for guiding, while supporting, the photosensitive material  16 . 
     On the other hand, a chamber  354  is disposed at a position downstream of the jetting tank  312  in the direction the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed, at a side of the transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16 , which side is opposite that of the jetting tank  312 . The chamber  354  is of a box form, and a cavity is formed therein. A heating plate  356 , which is a smooth flat plate containing a heater or the like (not shown), covers an upper portion of the chamber  354 . This heating plate  356  is formed with a plurality of suction holes  358  at regular intervals, which extend from the inside of the chamber  354  completely to the outside. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 15, a pair of fans  360  are set at a side of one end of the chamber  354 . The pair of the fans  360  are for drawing in air from the chamber  354 . A duct  362  connects the fans  360  and the chamber  354 . 
     Accordingly, by operating the fans  360 , the air inside the chamber  354  is drawn in via the duct  362 . In conjunction, the suction holes  358  of the heating plate  356  attract the non-application surface of the photosensitive material  16  (the lower surface in FIG.  2 ). The heating plate  356  thereby guides the photosensitive material  16  while heating it, on the transporting path D. 
     Further, at a side that is downstream of the transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16  with respect to the jetting tank  312  and the heating plate  356 , the conveying rollers  34  comprised of a plurality of rollers are disposed. The conveying rollers  34  are for conveying the photosensitive material  16  after water has been jetted thereon. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, a nozzle plate  322  is set at a portion facing the transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16 , as a bottom wall surface which is one section among wall surfaces of the jetting tank  312 . The nozzle plate  322  is formed with a thin, elastically deformable plate-shaped plate material of a rectangular configuration (for example, having a plate thickness of 60 μm or less). 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of nozzle holes  324  arranged linearly along a direction intersecting the conveyance direction A for the photosensitive material  16  are disposed at regular intervals across the entire transverse direction of the photosensitive material  16  (for example, the nozzle holes may each have a diameter of 10 μm to 200 μm). The water with which the jetting tank  312  is filled can be expelled by being jetted from these nozzle holes  324  toward the photosensitive material  16 . A portion of the nozzle plate  322  in which the plurality of nozzles holes  324  is formed is a jetting surface for jetting water of the jetting tank  312 . 
     In order to increase the rigidity of the nozzle plate along the longitudinal direction thereof, which is the direction along which the plurality of nozzle holes  324  are arranged, a groove portion  322 A is formed in a curved state. The groove portion  322 A extends along the direction along which the plurality of nozzle holes  324  are arranged linearly. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, an exhaust duct  330  extends upward from an end portion of the jetting tank  312 , which end portion is at an opposite side of the portion to which the water-conveyance pipe  346  is connected. The exhaust duct  330  enables the inside and outside of the jetting tank  312  to be linked. Further, an unillustrated valve is set at an intermediate portion of the exhaust duct  330 , for opening and closing the exhaust duct  330 . The inside of the jetting tank  312  can be linked to or closed off from the outside air, due to opening and closing movements of this valve. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to  6 , a swinging shaft  402 , which extends along the longitudinal direction of the jetting tank  312 , is embedded in the mount  12 . Swinging arms  404 , which are a pair of arms having end portions that are supported so as to be rotatable around the swinging shaft  402 , are attached to the mount  12  via the swinging shaft  402 . 
     Cross-sections of the pair of swinging arms  404  are each formed in a substantially L-shaped configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. A circular cam  406  is disposed at the lower side of an upper side  404 A of each of the swinging arms  404 , which upper side  404 A forms an upper side of the respective swinging arm  404 . The circular cams  406  are disposed so as to contact the respective upper sides  404 A. 
     At an eccentric position with respect to a center line of each of the pair of the cams  406 , an eccentric shaft  408  is disposed so as to be rotatably embedded in the mount  12 . The pair of the cams  406  are fixed to sides of the pair of eccentric shafts  408 , respectively. As a result, each of the pair of the cams  406  can rotate about the respective eccentric shaft  408  of the pair of eccentric shafts  408 . 
     A transmission gear  416  is fixed at a side of the other end of each of the pair of the eccentric shafts  408 , as illustrated in FIG. 4. A pair of driving-side gears  414 , which are driven-rotated by motors  412  that act as sources of driving force, engages with the pair of the transmission gears  416 , respectively. The cams  406  are rotated by the driving rotation of the pair of the motors  412 , via the driving-side gears  414  and the transmission gears  416 . Each of this pair of the motors  412  is connected to a controller, which controls rotation of the motors  412 . 
     On the other hand, a pair of fixed gears  418  are fixed to two end portions of the jetting tank  312 , respectively. Each of the fixed gears  418  is fixed by a pair of screws  420 . A supporting shaft  422  protrudes from the center of each of the pair of the fixed gears  418 . Each of the pair of the supporting shafts  422  protrudes from the centers of the fixed gears  418  and loosely meshes with the respective distal end side of the pair of swinging arms  404 , so as to be rotatable. 
     Each respective center portion of fan-shaped sector gears  426  is fixed to the swinging shaft  402 . The teeth of the pair of the sector gears  426  are provided in a circular-arc configuration, and respectively mesh with the pair of the fixed gears  418 , each of which is fixed to an end portion of the jetting tank  312 . Namely, this pair of the sector gears  426  forms a first gear whose teeth are arranged along an arc having as an axis a swinging axis P of the swinging arm  404 . The pair of the fixed gears  418  forms a second gear which can change the position of the jetting tank  312  in conjunction with rotation of the jetting tank  312 . 
     Accordingly, due to each of the pair of motors  412  being driven-rotated while being controlled by the controller, driving force is transmitted to the pair of the cams  406  via the driving-side gears  414  and the transmission gears  416 . As a result, each of the pair of the cams  406  rotate about the respective eccentric shaft  408 . An upper portion of the cam  406  contacts with the upper side  404 A of the swinging arm  404 , and the swinging arm  404  swings around the swinging shaft  402 . 
     Then, in conjunction with the swinging of the swinging arms  404  while the sector gear  426  and the fixed gear  418  are meshed with each other, the jetting tank  312  is rotated. As a result, the jetting tank  312  rotates around the supporting shafts  422 . 
     On the other hand, a bracket  430  made of rubber is disposed at a position that is towards the right in FIG. 3, by being fixed to the mount  12 . A base end portion of a cleaning member  434  is supported by the bracket  430 . The cleaning member  434  is formed in a sponge form, and can be easily deformed. Further, a protruding piece  430 A made of rubber is formed at a lower end portion of the bracket  430 . A distal end portion of the protruding piece  430 A and a distal end of the cleaning member  434 , which protrudes in a mountain shape, extend to substantially the same position in the left-right direction of FIG.  3 . 
     Accordingly, in FIG. 7, which illustrates a standby state of the jetting tank during the period until water is jetted onto the photosensitive material  16 , the jetting tank  312  is disposed such that the nozzle holes  324  of the jetting tank  312  are positioned between the cleaning member  434  and the protruding piece  430 A. A portion of the jetting surface having the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  is thereby sealed by the cleaning member  434  and the protruding piece  430 A. 
     As a result, a driving mechanism which swings the swinging arms  404  is structured by the motors  412 , the driving-side gears  414 , the transmission gears  416 , and the cams  406 . A position-controlling mechanism which can change the position of the jetting tank  312  in accordance with the state of the jetting tank  312  is structured by the swinging arms  404 , the sector gears  426 , the fixed gears  418 , and the driving mechanism. 
     Further, a sealing- and cleaning-member, which can seal the jetting surface of the jetting tank  312  and can clean the jetting surface, is structured by the protruding piece  430 A of the bracket  430  and the cleaning member  434 . 
     Further, due to the presence of the controller, it is possible to incline the jetting tank  312  as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, since the controller can control the number of rotations of each of the pair of the motors  412 . 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 13, both end portions of the nozzle plate  322 , which are end portions located in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of a nozzle row formed with the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  arranged linearly, are adhered with an adhesive or the like to a pair of lever plates  320 , respectively, which are deformation-transmitting members. By being adhered and connected in this way, the nozzle plate  322  and the pair of the lever plates  320  are connected. Each of the pair of the lever plates  320  are fixed to a side wall  312 A, via a supporting portion  312 B. Each of the supporting portions  312 B has a small width, is formed at a lower portion of the respective side wall  312 A, and extends along the direction the plurality of the nozzles holes  324  are arranged. 
     On the other hand, a pair of top walls  312 C, which form the top surface of the jetting surface by abutting each other, protrude to the outside of the jetting tank  312 . A plurality of piezoelectric elements  326 , which serve as an actuator, are adhered to and disposed at respective lower sides of the protruding top walls  312 C (in the present embodiment, each side has 3 piezoelectric elements). Outer end sides of the lever plates  320 , which are portions of the lever plates exterior to the supporting portions  312 B with respect to the nozzle plate  324 , are adhered to respective lower surfaces of the piezoelectric elements  326 . As a result, the piezoelectric elements  326  and the lever plates  320  are connected. 
     Accordingly, a lever mechanism is structured by the piezoelectric elements  326 , the lever plates  320  and the supporting portions  312 B. When the outer end sides of the lever plates  320  are moved due to the piezoelectric elements  326 , the lever plates  320  swing about the supporting portions  312 B, respectively, and inner end sides of the lever plates  320  move in the direction opposite to this movement. The piezoelectric elements  326  are formed with a laminated material such as laminated piezoelectric ceramic. As a result, deformation of the piezoelectric elements  326  in the axial direction is large. The piezoelectric elements  326  are connected to power sources (each of which are not shown), respectively. The timing with which the power sources apply voltage is controlled by the controller. The controller is also connected to the valve for opening and closing the exhaust duct  330 . Thus, together with the power sources (not shown), the controller controls the opening and closing movements of the valve of the exhaust duct  330  as well. 
     On the other hand, each of the lever plates  320 , the side walls  312 A, the supporting portions  312 B and the top walls  312 C form a portion of an integrally formed frame  314 . As illustrated in FIG. 13, due to the frames  314  being screwed down with bolts (not shown), the pair of the lever plates  320 , the pair of the side walls  312 A, the pair of the top walls  312 C, and the pair of the supporting portions  312 B, are each disposed such that respective members of the pairs face each other, and together form an outer frame of the jetting tank  312 . 
     The frames  314  are formed with a metal material such as aluminum, brass, magnesium, or the like. 
     As a result of the above, the nozzle plate  322  can acquire a large, uniform amplitude along the direction along which the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  are arranged linearly, even with a small number of the piezoelectric elements  326 . Thus, the amplitude distribution along the transverse direction of the photosensitive material  16  is even, and an amplitude can be obtained that can produce pressure such that the water pressure at portions peripheral to each of the nozzle holes  324  enables atomization. As a result, water can be jetted and atomized from the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  along the entire transverse direction of the photosensitive material  16  in a substantially uniform manner. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 11, at each of portions framed by the left and right ends of the nozzle plate  322 , which are end portions of the nozzle plate  322  located in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle row formed by the nozzle holes  324 , and by end portions of the pair of the frames  314 , respectively, a thin-walled sealing plate  328  is disposed so as to adhere to the respective frame  314 . 
     At inner sides of the sealing plates  328 , a deformable adhesive that is a silicon rubber-type is filled into the openings between the sealing plates  328 , the left and right ends of the nozzle plate  322  and the end portions of the pair of the frames  314 , in order to prevent water from leaking therefrom. Accordingly, the openings of the jetting tank  312  are sealed by the deformable adhesive, without inhibiting the movement of the left and right ends of the nozzle plate  322 . It is also possible to seal the left and right ends of the jetting tank  312  using only the deformable adhesive, without using the thin-walled sealing plates  328 . 
     Due to the above, when the piezoelectric elements  326  are energized by the power source, the piezoelectric elements  326  lengthen and the lever plates  320  rotate about the supporting portions  312 B, as illustrated in FIG.  14 . Together with this rotation, the piezoelectric elements  326  simultaneously deform and displace the nozzle plates  322  so that an intermediate portion of the nozzles plate  322  rises along the direction of arrow B via the lever plates  320 . Together with the deformation of the nozzle plates  322 , the water pressure inside the jetting tank  312  rises, a batch of water droplets L, which are small amounts of water from the nozzle holes  324 , are jetted such that each of the water droplets L are jetted linearly. 
     By repeatedly energizing the piezoelectric elements  326  and thereby lengthening the piezoelectric elements  326  repeatedly, the water droplets L can be jetted from the nozzle holes  324  successively. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an image-receiving material magazine  106  for storing an image-receiving material  108  is disposed at upper left end portion inside the mount  12 . A dye fixing material containing a mordant is applied to an image-forming surface of the image-receiving material  108 . The image-receiving material  108  is wound in a roll configuration at the image-receiving material magazine  106  such that when the image-receiving material  108  is pulled out from the image-receiving material magazine  106 , the image-forming surface of the image-receiving material  108  faces downward. Nip rollers  110  are disposed at a vicinity of an image-receiving material pull-out opening of the image-receiving material magazine  106 . The nip rollers  110  can nip the image-receiving material  108  and pull the image-receiving material  108  from the image-receiving material magazine  106 . The nip rollers  110  can also release the nipping of the image-receiving material  108 . 
     A cutter  112  is disposed at a side of the nip rollers  110 . In the same way as the cutter  20  for the photosensitive material, the cutter  112  is a rotary type comprised of a fixed blade and a movable blade, for example. Thus, by moving the movable blade up and down with a rotary cam or the like, thereby causing the movable blade to engage with the fixed blade, the image-receiving material  108 , which has been drawn out from the image-receiving material magazine  106 , can be cut into a length shorter than that of the photosensitive material  16 . 
     Conveying rollers  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  and an unillustrated guide plate are disposed at a side of the cutter  112 . The image-receiving material  108 , which has been cut into a prescribed length, can be conveyed toward a thermal development transfer section  120  with the conveying rollers  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  and the guide plate. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 17, the thermal development transfer section  120  includes a pair of endless belts  122 ,  124  which are each in a loop configuration having the up/down direction as the longitudinal direction thereof. The pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  are entrained around a plurality of entraining rollers  140 . Accordingly, when one of these entraining rollers  140  are driven-rotated, each of the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  entrained around the entraining rollers  140  is rotated. 
     Inside the loop of the endless belt  122 , which is the belt on the right in the Figures among the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , a heating plate  126 , which is formed in a flat plate-like form having the up/down direction as the longitudinal direction thereof, is disposed so as to face an inner circumferential portion of the left side of the endless belt  122 . A heater having a line configuration (not shown) is disposed at an inner portion of the heating plate  126 . Due to this heater, the temperature of the surface of the heating plate  126  can be raised, to a predetermined temperature. 
     Accordingly, the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed to between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  of the thermal development transfer section  120 , by the final conveying rollers  34  of the transporting path. Further, the image-receiving material  108  is conveyed during the same period the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed. The image-receiving material  108  is conveyed by the conveying rollers  138 , which are the last conveying rollers of the transporting path, to between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  of the thermal development transfer section  120 , with the photosensitive material  16  preceding the image-receiving material  108  by a predetermined length. The image-receiving material  108  is then laminated onto the photosensitive material  16 . 
     In this case, lamination is effected in a state wherein all four edge portions of the photosensitive material  16  protrude from the edge portions of the image-receiving material  108 , since the dimensions of the image-receiving material  108  in the transverse and longitudinal directions are all shorter than that of the photosensitive material  16 . 
     As a result of the above, the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108 , which have been laminated together by the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , are conveyed in an interposed state by the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  while remaining in the laminated state. When the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108 , which have been laminated together, are positioned completely between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , rotation of the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  is temporarily stopped, and the interposed photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are heated with the heating plate  126 . The photosensitive material  16  is heated via the heating plate and the endless belt  122  while being conveyed in an interposed state and while the conveyance is stopped. In conjunction with the heating, mobile dyes are discharged, these dyes are transferred during this time to a dye-fixing layer of the image-receiving material  108 , and an image is thereby obtained on the image-receiving material  108 . 
     Further, at a side downstream of the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  in the direction the materials are conveyed, a stripping finger  128  is disposed. The stripping finger  128  engages with only a leading end portion of the photosensitive material among the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  which are conveyed in an interposed state between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 . The leading end portion of the photosensitive material  16 , which protrudes from the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , is peeled away from the image-receiving material  108 . 
     Photosensitive material discharging rollers  148  are disposed at the left of the stripping finger  128 . The photosensitive material  16 , which is moved to the left while being guided by the stripping finger  128 , can be conveyed toward a waste photosensitive material storage section  150 . 
     The waste photosensitive material storage section  150  comprises a drum  152  upon which the photosensitive material  16  is entrained, and a belt  154 , a portion of which is entrained on the drum  152 . Further, the belt  154  is entrained between a plurality of rollers  156 . Due to the rotation of these rollers  156 , the belt  153  is rotated, and the drum  152  rotates in conjunction. 
     Accordingly, when the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed in a state in which the belt  154  is rotated by the rotation of the rollers  156 , the photosensitive material  16  can accumulate around the drum  152 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, image-receiving material discharging rollers  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  are disposed such that the image-receiving material  108  can be conveyed from a lower side of the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  towards the left. Thus, the image-receiving material  108  which has been discharged from the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , is conveyed by the image-receiving material discharging rollers  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  170 , and is discharged into a tray  172 . 
     Next, operation of the present embodiment will be explained. 
     In the image recording apparatus  10  having the structure described above, after the photosensitive material magazine  14  is set, the nip rollers  18  operate, and the photosensitive material  16  is pulled out by the nip rollers  18 . After the photosensitive material  16  is pulled out the predetermined length, the cutter  20  operates. The photosensitive material  16  is cut into a predetermined length, and is conveyed to the exposing section  22  with the photosensitive (exposure) surface facing left. The exposure device  38  operates while the photosensitive material  16  passes through the exposing section  22 , and the photosensitive material  16  positioned at the exposing section  22  has an image formed thereon through scan exposure. 
     After exposure is completed, the photosensitive material  16  which has been exposed is sent to the water application section  50 . At the water application section  50 , the conveyed photosensitive material  16  is conveyed toward the jetting tank  312  by the conveying rollers  32  being driven, as illustrated in FIG.  11 . 
     Water is attached to the photosensitive material  16 , which is conveyed along the transporting path D, due to the jetting tank  312  jetting water. Operation and movements at this time are explained below. 
     First, the position of the jetting tank  312 , which is in a standby state illustrated in FIG. 7, is changed, and the photosensitive material  16  is disposed so as to face the transporting path D. The jetting tank  312 , which stores water charged therein, jets water towards the photosensitive material  16 . The conveying rollers  34 , which are disposed downstream of the jetting tank  312  on the transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16 , convey further the photosensitive material  16  upon which water has been jetted. 
     At this time, the swinging arms  404 , which support the jetting tank, are swung by the cams  406 , which are rotated by the motors  412 . In conjunction, the jetting tank  312  rotates. At this time, the sector gears  426 , each of whose teeth are arranged along an arc having as a center a swinging center point P of the swinging arm  404 , mesh together with the fixed gears  418 , which are fixed at the jetting tank  312 , and the jetting tank  312  simultaneously undergoes rotation. In conjunction with the swinging of the swinging arms  404 , the jetting tank  312  rotates, and the position thereof changes. 
     Namely, the jetting tank  312  can be placed in the following states: the standby state which is until water is jetted onto the photosensitive material  16  and which is illustrated in FIG. 7; a charging-start state in which charging of water into the jetting tank  312  begins and which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9; a jetting state in which water is jetted towards the photosensitive material  16  and which is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4; a cleaning state in which the jetting surface of the jetting tank  312  is cleaned with a distal end of the cleaning member  434  by further rotating the jetting tank  312  from the position indicated in FIG. 7 to the position indicated in FIG. 10, and the like. In accordance with each of the states of the jetting tank  312 , the position of the jetting tank  312  is changed by the position-controlling mechanism structured by the motors  412 , the driving-side gears  414 , the cams  406 , the swinging arms  404 , the sector gears  426 , and the fixed gears  418 . 
     Accordingly, the position of the jetting tank  312  can be changed by the position-controlling mechanism in accordance with each of the states of the jetting tank  312 . Thus, when water begins to be charged via the water-conveyance pipe  346 , the position of the jetting tank  312  is changed while having each of the pair of the motors  412  have different numbers of rotations from each other, and the jetting tank  312  is inclined as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. As a result, the air inside the jetting tank  312  is easily discharged from the exhaust duct  330 , and residual air inside the jetting tank  312  disappears. Further, by changing the position of the jetting tank  312  from the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 10 so as to change the position of the jetting tank  312  to beyond the position where the cleaning member  434  is present, the jetting surface of the jetting tank  312  can be easily cleaned with the cleaning member  434 . As a result, water can be jetted towards the photosensitive material  16  reliably whenever necessary. 
     Further, when discharging water from inside the jetting tank  312 , water can be more reliably discharged from inside the jetting tank  312  by having the jetting tank  312  assume the same position as the charging-start state illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     On the other hand, water can be prevented from inadvertently spilling or evaporating from the jetting tank  312  by changing the position of the jetting tank  312  to the position shown in FIG. 7, in which the sealing- and cleaning-member serving as a cap is present, thereby sealing the jetting surface. 
     Further, because the position of the jetting tank  312  can be changed, the photosensitive material  16  can be easily removed from the transporting path D when during conveyance, the photosensitive material  16  becomes jammed at a portion of the transporting path D facing the jetting tank  312 . 
     When the position of the jetting tank  312  is changed from the jetting state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the standby state shown in FIG. 7 as described above, the protruding piece  430 A and the cleaning member  434 , which form the sealing- and cleaning-member, seal the jetting surface from which water of the jetting tank  312  is jetted. By rotating the jetting tank  312  further to the position shown in FIG. 10, the jetting surface can be cleaned by the cleaning member  434 . 
     Accordingly, in the standby state and the cleaning state, which are non-jetting states, the sealing- and cleaning-member seals the jetting surface from which water of the jetting tank  312  is jetted, and cleans the jetting surface, respectively. Thus, the number of components of the image recording apparatus  10  can be reduced. 
     Further, the heating plate  356  is disposed between the jetting tank  312  and the conveying rollers  34 , at a side opposite to the jetting tank  312 , with the transporting path D for the photosensitive material  16  therebetween. The photosensitive material  16  is attracted with the suction holes  358  of the heating plate  356 , is heated while on the transporting path D by the heating plate  356 , and is conveyed while being guided by the heating plate  356 . 
     Specifically, the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed on the transporting path D with the conveying rollers  32  shown in FIGS. 2 and 15, and even after water attaches to the leading end side of the photosensitive material  16  by being jetted by the jetting tank  312 , the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed while sliding along the top of the heating plate  356 . Next, as illustrated in FIG. 16, when the leading end side of the photosensitive material  16  is nipped by the conveying rollers  34 , the conveyance of the photosensitive material  16  is stopped for only a number of seconds, for example, to heat the photosensitive material  16  with the heating plate  356 . 
     Thereafter, the conveyance of the photosensitive material  16  is restarted using the conveying rollers  34 , and the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed off of the top of the heating plate  356 . 
     The heating plate  356  attracts the photosensitive material  16  through the suction holes  358 , thereby guiding the photosensitive material  16  in a state where the photosensitive material  16  closely contacts the heating plate  356  while sliding along the top thereof. As a result, when the jetting tank  312  jets water, a clearance K (see FIG. 13) between the jetting tank  312  and the photosensitive material  16  is constantly maintained. Thus, portions to which water is not attached on the photosensitive material  16  are not formed, and water can be evenly applied to the photosensitive material  16 . 
     Namely, in cases where the predetermined clearance K cannot be maintained due to the photosensitive material  16  curling or the like, the photosensitive material  16  becomes too close or too far removed with respect to the jetting tank  312 , and there is the fear that the water may become attached in a nonuniform manner. However, since the clearance K is constantly maintained, water can be evenly applied to the top of the photosensitive material  16 . 
     Initially, before jetting water with the jetting tank  312 , the valve of the exhaust duct  330  is placed in a closed state by the controller. In this state, while jetting and simultaneously atomizing the water, voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements  326  by energizing with the power source controlled by the controller, and all of the piezoelectric elements  326  are simultaneously deformed so as to lengthen. 
     Together with the movement of the piezoelectric elements  326 , the water that has been charged into the jetting tank  312  is jetted from the plurality of the nozzle holes  324 . As a result, the water charged into the jetting tank  312  can be jetted and simultaneously atomized from the nozzle holes  324  to be attached to the top of the photosensitive material  16  which is being conveyed, as shown in FIG.  14 . 
     At this time, together with the movement of the piezoelectric elements  326 , the portion of the nozzle plate  322  at which the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  is provided is displaced uniformly as a whole, because the lever plates  320  swing about the supporting portions  312 B, which extend along the direction the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  are linearly arranged. As a result, the nozzles holes  324  can be stably displaced such that the entirety thereof is displaced the same amount at the same time, along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle row formed by the plurality of the nozzle holes arranged linearly. The water charged into the jetting tank  312  is thereby evenly jetted from the plurality of the nozzle holes  324 . Accordingly, it becomes even more difficult for portions without water attached thereto to form on the photosensitive material  16 . 
     On the other hand, the jetting tank  312  includes the nozzle holes  324 , and water is jetted from these nozzle holes  324 . As a result, water can be applied using a small amount of water in comparison with an application device which applies water by storing water in a vat and soaking a photosensitive material therein. Moreover, the photosensitive material  16  can be dried in a short amount of time. 
     The jetting tank  312  includes the plurality of the nozzle holes  324  which are disposed along the entire transverse direction of the photosensitive material  16 , and water is jetted from the nozzle holes  324  at the same time by a single displacement caused by the piezoelectric elements  326 . Thus, by a single instance of jetting, water can be applied in a wide range across the entire transverse direction of the photosensitive material  16 . As a result, it is not necessary to slide the nozzle plate  322  along a two-dimensional plane, and water can be applied to a large surface area in a short amount of time. The amount of time for application can thereby be reduced. 
     By jetting the water from the nozzle holes  324  a plurality of times at a chosen timing in correspondence with the speed at which the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed, water is applied to the entire surface of the photosensitive material  16 . When water is jetted from the nozzle holes  324  of the nozzle plate  322 , the water inside the jetting tank  312  decreases in proper course. However, a function is included in which the water level inside the jetting tank  312  is fixed by the sub-tank  338  supplying water. Thus, water is supplied from the sub-tank  338  side and the water pressure inside the jetting tank  312  during atomization can be maintained at a fixed value, to ensure that the water can be jetted continuously. 
     Thereafter, the photosensitive material  16  to which water as the image-forming solvent has been applied in the water application section  50  is conveyed to between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  of the thermal development transfer section  120 , by the conveying rollers  34 . 
     In conjunction with the photosensitive material  16  undergoing scan exposure, the image-receiving material  108  is pulled out by the nip rollers  110  from the image-receiving material magazine  106  and is thereby conveyed. When the image-receiving material  108  is pulled out a predetermined length, the cutter  112  operates to cut the image-receiving material  108  into a predetermined length. 
     After operation of the cutter  112 , the image-receiving material  108  which has been cut is conveyed by the conveying rollers  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138  while being guided by the guide plate. When the leading end portion of the image-receiving material  108  is nipped by the conveying rollers  138 , the image-receiving material  108  assumes the standby state at a position just before the thermal development transfer section  120 . 
     As described above, in conjunction with the photosensitive material  16  being conveyed to between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  by the conveying rollers  34  as described above, conveyance of the image-receiving material  108  is restarted, and the image-receiving material  108  and the photosensitive material  16  are conveyed to between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  in an integral state. 
     As a result, the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are laminated together, and the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are conveyed in an interposed state while being heated by the heating plate  126 , to carry out thereby thermal development transfer to form an image on the image-receiving material  108 . 
     Further, when the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are discharged from the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 , the stripping finger  128  engages with the leading end portion of the photosensitive material  16  which is conveyed so as to precede the image-receiving material  108  by a predetermined length. Thus, the leading end portion of the photosensitive material  16  is peeled away from the image-receiving material  108 . The photosensitive material  16  is conveyed further by the photosensitive material discharging rollers  148  and accumulates within the waste photosensitive material storage section  150 . At this time, the photosensitive material  16  dries quickly, and so additionally providing a heating device to dry the photosensitive material is not necessary. 
     On the other hand, the image-receiving material  108  which has been separated from the photosensitive material  16  is conveyed by the image-receiving material discharging rollers  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 , and is discharged into the tray  172 . 
     In cases in which image-recording processing is effected for a plurality of sheets, the above processes are carried out in proper course successively. 
     In this way, the image-receiving material  108 , which has been subjected to thermal development transfer processing while interposed between the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124  to thereby form (record) a predetermined image, is discharged from the pair of the endless belts  122 ,  124 . Thereafter, the image-receiving material  108  is conveyed in an interposed state by the plurality of the image-receiving material discharging rollers  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170  to be ejected out of the apparatus. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, rotational force is transmitted to the cams  406  from the motors  412  via the driving-side gears  414  and the transmission gears  416 , but a structure may be adopted wherein cams are directly driven-rotated by motors. 
     Further, in the present embodiment the nozzle row is a single row. However, the nozzle row is not limited to being a single row, and two or more rows are also possible. By increasing the number of nozzle rows, the number of driving frequencies sent by the actuator can be reduced further. Further, in the present embodiment, the nozzle row is disposed orthogonally with respect to the conveying direction. However, the structure is not limited to the nozzle row being disposed orthogonally; the nozzle row may be disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the conveying direction. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, a structure is adopted wherein the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are used as the image recording material, the photosensitive material  16  is exposed, water is applied to the exposed photosensitive material  16  by the jetting tank  312  of the application device  310 , the photosensitive material  16  and the image-receiving material  108  are laminated together, and thermal development transfer is carried out. However, the present invention is not limited as such; water may be jetted and applied onto the image-receiving material  108 . 
     Further, the materials are not limited to those described above; an image recording material of a sheet configuration or a roll configuration may also be applied, and the image-forming solvent may be a material other than water. Further, the present invention may be applied to: application of a developer onto a printing paper in a developing machine; application of water for soaking in a printing machine; a coater, and the like. 
     The image forming apparatus according to the present invention as described above produces excellent effects, namely, preventing the image-forming solvent from spilling out inadvertently, making possible reliable jetting of the image-forming solvent, and allowing easy removal of the photosensitive material when it becomes jammed on the transporting path.