Wet process image forming apparatus and carrier vapor collecting device therefor
US5708938A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/107
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A wet process image forming apparatus using a developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and a toner dispersed therein, in which air containing carrier vapor produced in, e.g., a fixing section, is sucked by a suction fan via a first duct into a liquefying section. The liquefying section liquefies the carrier vapor and water vapor. A separating section is disposed below the liquefying portion and includes a receptacle. A liquid produced by the liquefying section is caused to flow down into the receptacle along a chain due to its own weight. The separating section separates the liquid into the carrier liquid and water on the basis of a difference in specific gravity. Only the carrier overlying the water in the receptacle is fed to a carrier tank via overflow ports formed in the wall of the receptacle. The water is delivered to a water tank via a pipe. The pipe is so configured as to maintain the liquid level in the receptacle substantially at the level of the overflow ports.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.