Solvent absorbing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The solvent absorbing device includes: a hollow open roller composed of a cylindrical member of which inner side is divided into at least a first space and a second space in such a manner that a cross-section of the cylindrical member in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical member is divided into a plurality of regions, the cylindrical member having a first opening section and a second opening section passing from an outer surface of the cylindrical member to an inner surface of the cylindrical member and opening respectively to the first space and the second space; a cylindrical absorbing body which is arranged over the outer surface of the cylindrical member and is rotatable in a rotational direction relatively to the hollow open roller; and a pressure application device which applies a negative pressure to the first space of the hollow open roller, and applies a prescribed pressure to the second space of the hollow open roller. The first and second opening sections are disposed other than a position facing a portion of a surface of the absorbing body making in contact with solvent, and the first opening section is disposed on an upstream side of the second opening section in terms of the rotational direction of the absorbing body.

1 . A solvent absorbing device, comprising:
 a hollow open roller composed of a cylindrical member of which inner side is divided into at least a first space and a second space in such a manner that a cross-section of the cylindrical member in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylindrical member is divided into a plurality of regions, the cylindrical member having a first opening section and a second opening section passing from an outer surface of the cylindrical member to an inner surface of the cylindrical member and opening respectively to the first space and the second space;   a cylindrical absorbing body which is arranged over the outer surface of the cylindrical member and is rotatable in a rotational direction relatively to the hollow open roller; and   a pressure application device which applies a negative pressure to the first space of the hollow open roller, and applies a prescribed pressure to the second space of the hollow open roller,   wherein the first and second opening sections are disposed other than a position facing a portion of a surface of the absorbing body making in contact with solvent, and the first opening section is disposed on an upstream side of the second opening section in terms of the rotational direction of the absorbing body.   
   
   
       2 . The solvent absorbing device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure application device applies a negative pressure to the second space. 
   
   
       3 . The solvent absorbing device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure application device applies a positive pressure to the second space. 
   
   
       4 . The solvent absorbing device as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a heating device which heats air to be supplied to the second space. 
   
   
       5 . The solvent absorbing device as defied in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cylindrical member further has a third space in the inner side and a third opening section opening to the third space;   the third opening section is disposed on a downstream side of the first opening section and the upstream side of the second opening section in terms of the rotational direction of the absorbing body; and   the solvent absorbing device further comprises a liquid deposition device which deposits a prescribed liquid onto the surface of the absorbing body and is arranged at a position facing the third opening section through the absorbing body.   
   
   
       6 . The solvent absorbing device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical member further has a liquid storage section in the inner side, collected excess solvent being accumulated in the liquid storage section. 
   
   
       7 . An image forming apparatus comprising the solvent absorbing device as defined in  claim 1 .