Patent ID: 7539435

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon; a developing device for visualizing, by using powder developer, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor; a transfer device for transferring, onto a recording material, an image visualized by the developing device; a fixing device for fixing the powder developer on the recording material by heating and melting the powder developer; an isolating member for isolating a first space from a second space, the first space being a space inside the isolating member in which the photoreceptor, the developing device, the transfer device and the fixing device are provided and in which the powder developer which is not yet fixed on the recording material is present, and the second space being a space outside the isolating member in which an exposure device and a recording material holding member are provided; and a pressure equalizing section for equalizing a pressure between the first space and the second space wherein: the isolating member includes (i) a transporting member for transporting the recording material into the first space, and (ii) an output member for outputting the recording material to the second space; and a sealing material is provided (i) in a gap between the isolating member and the transporting member and (ii) in a gap between the isolating member and the outputting member, so as to prevent the powder developer floating in the first space from going to the second space.