	US 7,609,993 B2
	Image forming apparatus that prevents developer from spilling
Masahiro Maeda, Shiojiri (Japan); Yoichi Yamada, Shiojiri (Japan); Mamoru Mizunokura, Nagano (Japan); Takatomo Fukumoto, Shiojiri (Japan); and Fuyuto Yamashita, Iwata (Japan)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (Japan)
Filed on Oct. 02, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/537,917.
Claims priority of application No. 2005-289342 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289343 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289344 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289345 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289346 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289347 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289348 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; application No. 2005-289349 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005; and application No. 2005-289350 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2007/0189802 A1, Aug. 16, 2007
Int. Cl. G03G 15/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 399—101 [399/345; 399/350]

16 Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a developer moving element that moves developer in order to transfer the developer onto a medium by rotating with the developer being borne on the developer moving element; and

a collector for collecting the developer that has not been transferred onto the medium and remains on the developer moving element,

the collector having

a scraper blade that can abut against and separate from the developer moving element and that is for scraping off the developer on the developer moving element by abutting against the developer moving element,

a sealing member that can contact with and separate from the developer moving element and that is for preventing, by contacting the developer moving element, the developer from spilling outside the collector,

a ventilation opening for moving air in the collector outside the collector, and

a valve for adjusting an amount of air passing through the ventilation opening, and

the collector being made such that when either one of the scraper blade and the sealing member, whichever separates earlier from the developer moving element, starts separating therefrom, air can pass through the ventilation opening.