In one example, an apparatus for selectively removing primer in a printing system is described, having a chamber for supply of a pressurised fluid, a plurality of valves fluidically coupled to the chamber and individually pivotable about a common elongate member that extends along a length of the apparatus, and a set of actuators to pivot the plurality of valves about the elongate member to selectively supply pressurised fluid from the chamber along the length of the apparatus.

In opposition to a sheet feeding path, an ultrafine particle (UFP) collecting filter provided between transfer and fixing is easily exchanged. Therefore, a duct unit kept in a state of holding the UFP collecting filter is removably and easily mounted to a duct.

A toner cartridge for storing toner to be supplied to an image forming apparatus, includes a container in which the toner is stored and including a first wall having a filling port through which the toner is filled, and a second wall having a ventilation port sealable by a plug, the plug sealing the port during operation of the cartridge and is removed during maintenance of the cartridge to enable air to be supplied into the container through the port, a paddle configured to rotate to stir the toner between the first and second walls of the container, and a paddle gear connected to the paddle and through which a rotation force is transmitted to the paddle. The gear has a through hole that aligns with the ventilation port in a first direction parallel to a rotation axis of the gear when the gear is at a predetermined rotational position.

A heating device includes a heating unit that heats in a non-contact manner an upper surface of a transport material that is transported, and a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of the transport material via a blowing hole that is provided in an opposing surface opposing the lower surface of the transport material, the opposing surface being obliquely disposed with respect to a horizontal direction.

A developing device includes: a housing in which a developer is contained; a cover member configured to cover an upper opening of the housing; a developer holder that is supported by the housing and holds the developer on an outer surface and rotates; and a regulating member that faces the developer holder and is configured to regulate an amount of the developer on the outer surface. The device also includes a first exit path inclined toward an inside of the housing which is configured to exit air from the inside of the housing to an outside of the cover member. A second exit path connects the first exit path and a filter member provided on the cover member, in which the filter member prevents passage of the developer and allows for passage of air.

A developing device includes a developer roller to rotate in a rotation direction, a photosensitive body adjacent the developer roller, and an air flow passage extending through a non-image forming region at a longitudinal end of the developer roller. A closest position is defined where the developer roller and a photosensitive body are closest to one another. The air flow passage extends from inside the developing device and forms an air flow directed toward an upstream side of the closest position, relative to the rotation direction of the developer roller.

A developing device includes a container having an opening, a developer roller disposed within the container to supply toner to a photosensitive body through the opening, and an air flow passage. The air flow passage receives air from inside of the container and supplies the air, via an end of the container in a longitudinal direction of the developer roller, to an upstream side, in a rotation direction of the developer roller, of a closest position between the developer roller and the photosensitive body. The air flow passage has an outlet that is aligned with a central area in the longitudinal direction of the developer roller.

In order to improve collecting efficiency of ultrafine particles (UFPs) by a filter in an image forming apparatus, a sheet feeding guide disposed between a transfer portion and a fixing portion is provided with an air passing portion in order to form an air passage toward the filter.

In opposition to a sheet feeding path, an ultrafine particle (UFP) collecting filter provided between transfer and fixing is easily exchanged. Therefore, a duct unit kept in a state of holding the UFP collecting filter is removably and easily mounted to a duct.

A filter unit (300) includes: a chassis (303) that has a suction portion (301) provided at a front side thereof, has an exhaust portion (302) provided at a rear side thereof, and is provided internally with an upstream filter (331); a plurality of upstream first ribs (323) disposed parallel to sidewalls of the chassis (303) to rise from a bottom surface (322) of the chassis (303) and forming an upstream first airflow path (P11); a plurality of upstream second ribs (313) disposed parallel to the sidewalls of the chassis (303) to rise from a ceiling surface (312) of the chassis (303) and forming an upstream second airflow path (P21); an upstream first shield plate (315) raised from the ceiling surface (312) to cover up a front of the upstream filter (331) while forming an upstream first gap (S11) with the bottom surface (322); and an upstream second shield plate (325) raised from the bottom surface (322) to cover up a rear of the upstream filter (331) while forming an upstream second gap (S21) with the ceiling surface (312).