Liquid application apparatus and method, and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a liquid application apparatus which includes:
• an application member which has an application surface to apply a first liquid to a recording medium;
• a holding member which holds the first liquid in a liquid holding space formed by abutting against the application surface of the application member, the first liquid supplied to the application surface by the holding member being applied to the recording medium by rotating the application surface of the application member;
• a storage device which stores the first liquid, the storage device including a liquid cartridge having a filter to trap foreign matter contained in the first liquid, the liquid cartridge being detachable with respect to the storage device;
• first and second flow channels which connect the storage device and the holding member;
• and a first liquid movement device which generates a flow of the first liquid in a course including the first and second flow channels and the liquid holding space;
• and
• a recording device which ejects and deposits a second liquid from a recording head to record an image onto the recording medium having been applied with the first liquid by the liquid application apparatus.

A liquid application method using a liquid application apparatus which comprises:

• an application member which has an application surface to apply liquid to a medium;
• a holding member which holds the liquid in a liquid holding space formed by abutting against the application surface of the application member, the liquid supplied to the application surface by the holding member being applied to the medium by rotating the application surface of the application member;
• a storage device which stores the liquid, the storage device including a liquid cartridge having a filter to trap foreign matter contained in the liquid, the liquid cartridge being detachable with respect to the storage device;
• first and second flow channels which connect the storage device and the holding member;
• and a first liquid movement device which generates a flow of the liquid in a course including the first and second flow channels and the liquid holding space, the method comprising the step of:
• trapping foreign matter in the liquid using the filter of the liquid cartridge.