IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,447,462
Granted Patent B2
US 7,447,462 · App. 11/298,909 · Granted Nov 4, 2008

Image forming apparatus with exhaust duct

Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,447,462
App. No.
11/298,909
Granted
Nov 4, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A medium is adapted to be transported in a first path. An image former is operable to form an image on at least one face of the medium. A fuser is operable to fix the image on the medium. A discharger is operable to discharge the medium. A duct is arranged between the fuser and the discharger, and is adapted to exhaust air at opposite sides of the first path.

Claims (24)

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

a first path, in which a medium is adapted to be transported;

an image former, operable to form an image on at least one face of the medium;

a fuser, operable to fix the image on the medium;

a discharger, operable to discharge the medium;

a pair of ducts, arranged between the fuser and the discharger and at opposite sides of the first path, respectively, and adapted to exhaust air at the opposite sides of the first path, the pair of ducts extending in an axial direction of the fuser and communicating with a single fan at a terminal end of the ducts.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the medium on which the image is formed is passed through the fuser from a lower side to an upper side of the image forming apparatus in a first direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

the medium is discharged by the discharger in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a guide member, forming a part of a second path which is connected to the first path and in which the medium is adapted to be transported to the image former while turning inside out, and disposed at an upper side of the fuser.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the fuser includes a pair of heating rollers.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein

the fuser includes a pair of heating rollers, and

one of the heating rollers which is located at a downstream side in the second direction is higher in temperature than the other heating roller.

7. An image forming apparatus, operable to form an image on a medium, comprising:

a door cover; and

a duct, integrally formed with the door cover, wherein

a first surface of the duct is comprised of a sheet member,

a second surface of the duct is opposed to the first surface and comprises a guide adapted to guide the medium,

the duct is located at an upper side of a fuser operable to fix the image on the medium, and

the sheet member is arranged between the door cover and the fuser.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2006
From: NISHIMURA, YOSHITERU; TANJO, TORU
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017665/0621 →
Priority Claims (5)
JP P2004-356712 · Dec 9, 2004 · national
JP P2004-356713 · Dec 9, 2004 · national
JP P2004-356714 · Dec 9, 2004 · national
JP P2004-356715 · Dec 9, 2004 · national
JP P2004-363929 · Dec 16, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060147223A1 · Jul 6, 2006