US 11,914,317 B2
Image forming apparatus including fixing liquid spraying device and collecting device
Masataka Kamiya, Owariasahi (JP); Yutaka Kakigahara, Nagoya (JP); Satoshi Murata, Nagoya (JP); Takashi Shimizu, Nagoya (JP); Koya Morimoto, Nagoya (JP); and Masamitsu Takahashi, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/935,963.
Application 17/935,963 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/012208, filed on Mar. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-063473 (JP), filed on Mar. 31, 2020; application No. 2020-063629 (JP), filed on Mar. 31, 2020; application No. 2020-063635 (JP), filed on Mar. 31, 2020; and application No. 2020-148581 (JP), filed on Sep. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0020065 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/18 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2096 (2013.01) [G03G 21/1676 (2013.01); G03G 21/1814 (2013.01); G03G 2221/163 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a photosensitive drum;
a developing device configured to supply toner onto the photosensitive drum;
a transfer device configured to transfer the toner supplied onto the photosensitive drum onto a sheet;
a spraying device configured to spray a fixing liquid for fixing the toner onto the sheet toward the sheet onto which the toner has been transferred, the spraying device including a housing configured to accommodate the fixing liquid and nozzles configured to spray the fixing liquid inside the housing; and
a collecting device configured to collect the fixing liquid sprayed from the spraying device toward the sheet and did not adhere to the sheet, the collecting device including a collection tray configured to accommodate the fixing liquid, a collection pipe connected to the collection tray and configured to allow the fixing liquid in the collection tray to pass therethrough, and a collection pump configured to send the fixing liquid in the collection pipe toward the housing.