Air flow line system for image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus employing a screen type photosensitive medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a corona discharge generating means disposed opposite the screen to form a primary electrostatic latent image thereon:
• first and second air flow channels provided within the image forming apparatus;
• an air blowing means for forming an air flow in said air flow channels;
• and
• first and second switching means for selectively switching over the air flow to the first channel or to the second channel,
• said first air flow channel extending from the first switching means to the air blowing means and further from the second switching means to the vicinity of the screen and said second air flow channel extending from a suction mechanism part to the first switching means and further up to the second switching means through the air blowing means, so that when a primary electrostatic latent image is formed on the screen there is formed an air flow in the direction from the screen toward the corona discharge generating means by way of the first air flow channel whereas after forming the primary latent image there is formed an air flow through the switching means, under the suction force at the suction mechanism part.

An image forming apparatus employing a screen type photosensitive medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a corona discharge generating means disposed opposite the screen to form a primary electrostatic latent image thereon;
• first and second air flow channels provided within the image forming apparatus;
• an air blowing means for forming an air flow in the air flow channels;
• and
• a switching means for switching over the air flow to the first channel or to the second channel selectively while a minor portion of said air flow being left in the other channel,
• said first air flow channel including therein said switching means and extending between the vicinity of the screen and the air blowing means and said second air flow channel including therein said switching means and extending between a mechanism using air and the air blowing means, so that when a primary electrostatic latent image is formed on the screen there is formed by the major portion of air flow through the first channel an air flow in the direction from the screen toward the corona discharge generating means, whereas after forming the first latent image, said switching means directs the major portion of the air flow to another air using means by way of the second channel while continuing a minor portion of the air flow to the screen at the same time.

An image forming apparatus employing a screen type photosensitive medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a corona discharge generating means disposed opposing to the screen to form a primary electrostatic latent image thereon;
• a shielding means enclosing said screen;
• an air using mechanism operative with the aid of air flow motion;
• first and second air flow channels provided within the image forming apparatus;
• an air blowing means for forming an air flow in the air flow channels;
• and
• a switching means for selectively switching over the air flow to the first channel or to the second channel,
• said first air flow channel including therein said switching means and extending between an opening provided on a portion of said shielding member enclosing the screen and the air blowing means and said second air flow channel including therein said switching means extending between the air using mechanism and the air blowing means, so that when a primary electrostatic latent image is formed on the screen there is formed an air flow in the direction from the screen toward the corona discharge generating means, whereas after forming the first latent image, the switching means directs the air flow to another air using means through the second channel.