JP2005024715A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To evade the occurrence of a void image due to absorption of moisture by a sheet recording medium at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: Transfer paper 78, 79 and 80 rolled up into rolls are provided in a paper feeding unit 82 of a digital copying machine. A humidity sensor 61 is provided in their vicinity. A control means which is not illustrated judges the degree of humidity absorption of the transfer paper based on detected information from the humidity sensor 61 when power source is on. When the degree of absorption is at a level causing the void image, the control means performs control so that the transfer paper to be used among the transfer paper 78, 79 and 80 or all of them are cut by fixed length and they are ejected as blank paper. After that, the image forming apparatus transits to printing action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a plotter, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus using a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape by cutting it into a predetermined length.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In this type of image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier such as a photoconductor based on image information, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by a developing unit. Is transferred to a sheet as a sheet-like recording medium by a transfer unit, and the sheet holding the toner image is fixed through a fixing unit.
The paper is wound in a roll shape, and is appropriately cut to a predetermined length based on the set paper length information and fed.
If the paper wound in a roll is placed in the apparatus for a long time, it will absorb moisture depending on the usage environment. The moisture absorption level of the paper is large on the outside of the roll, and if the predetermined length from the tip of the roll is cut as it is in a high humidity state, image transfer becomes insufficient due to moisture absorption, and so-called white-out images are generated. There was a bug.
As a countermeasure, a heater is provided in or near the paper feed tray, and the heater is always energized to keep the paper warm (in other words, the air in the apparatus is dried = reduced humidity).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method in which the heater is arranged in the apparatus increases the cost of the apparatus and energizes the heater even when the apparatus is not used.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of realizing generation of a white-out image due to moisture absorption of a sheet-like recording medium at low cost.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by a developing means, and the visible image is rolled into a predetermined shape. In an image forming apparatus for transferring a transferred visible image to a sheet-like recording medium cut into a length by a transfer unit and fixing the transferred visible image by a fixing unit, the sheet wound in a roll shape when the power is turned on A fixed length from the front end of the recording medium is cut and discharged without forming an image.
[0006]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll shape and cut into a predetermined length and fed. The image forming apparatus for transferring the transferred visible image to the sheet-like recording medium to be transferred and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means has a humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity, and the detected information from the humidity detecting means Based on this, the humidity at power-on is judged. If the humidity exceeds a certain reference value, a fixed length from the leading edge of the sheet-shaped recording medium wound in a roll is cut without image formation. Thereafter, a normal image forming operation is performed, and when the humidity does not exceed a certain reference value, the normal image forming operation is performed from the beginning.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll shape and cut into a predetermined length and fed. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the transferred visible image to the sheet-like recording medium to be transferred and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means, the sheet-like recording medium is rolled from a front end of the sheet-like recording medium wound at a certain timing. A fixed length is cut and discharged without forming an image.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the certain timing is immediately before the image forming operation.
[0009]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll and cut into a predetermined length and fed. In an image forming apparatus for transferring to a sheet-like recording medium by a transfer means and fixing the transferred visible image by a fixing means, the image forming apparatus has a humidity detection means for detecting humidity and a timer, and the image forming operation is stopped. When it is determined that the humidity exceeds a certain reference value based on the detection information from the humidity detection means, the timer is started, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, a sheet-like record wound in a roll shape A fixed length from the front end of the medium is cut and discharged without forming an image.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, discharging without performing image formation is performed immediately before the next image forming operation.
[0011]
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the predetermined time can be arbitrarily changed.
[0012]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the fixed length is changed according to the type of the sheet-like recording medium.
[0013]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the discharge destination of the sheet-like recording medium discharged without forming an image can be arbitrarily selected. It is characterized by being.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, an outline of the configuration of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The digital copying machine mainly includes a paper feeding unit 82 on the apparatus main body side, an image forming unit 81, and a document conveying device 11 mounted on the upper part of the apparatus main body.
A document transport device (ADF) 11 transports a sheet-shaped document S to a reading position, and an operation mode (rear sheet ejection mode or front sheet ejection) set in advance according to the thickness (strength of stiffness) of the document S. Mode or take-up mode), the document S after reading is conveyed in the direction of arrow a and discharged to the first document discharge tray 26 at the rear (rear side) of the apparatus, or the document S after reading inversion is arrowed The paper S is guided in the direction c and discharged to the second document discharge tray 12 at the front (front side) of the apparatus, or the document S guided to the first document discharge tray 26 at the rear of the apparatus after reading is taken up and stored in the guide 27. To wind in the direction of arrow b.
When the user rotates the winding and storing guide 27 upward, the trailing end of the document after winding is separated from the apparatus housing, and the document S is positioned above or from the side of the winding and storing guide 27 at the user operation position. It is taken out. Here, the front of the apparatus (front side) is the direction of the display screen of the operation unit 51, and the rear of the apparatus (back side) is the opposite side of the display screen of the operation unit 51, that is, in the rear paper discharge mode. This is the first document discharge tray 26 side for discharging the document S.
[0015]
The upper unit of the ADF 11 is connected to the lower unit by a connecting member such as a hinge (not shown) so as to be opened and closed in the vertical direction. The operation unit 51 and the second document discharge tray 12 are mounted on the upper part of the upper unit so as to face the front of the apparatus, and a winding storage guide 27 swings between the upper surface and the rear surface of the unit at the rear end. Supported as possible.
The take-up storage guide 27 is connected to the upper unit by connecting means including a support member that supports the support shaft 29, can be rotated about the support shaft 29, and can be rotated around the support shaft 29 by a user operation. It is configured to be movable between the set position of the take-up and storage guide 27 shown in FIG. 1 and the take-out position in front of the apparatus (front side).
[0016]
The second document discharge tray 12 is made of a metal wire formed in a comb-teeth shape. The second document discharge tray 12 is inclined at the upper part of the upper unit from the rear to the front. It is stored so that it can be taken out at the user operation position.
The operation panel 51A (see FIG. 2) of the operation unit 51 includes a key group such as a start key, a numeric keypad, a clear / stop key, an initial setting key, and a mode key (not shown), and a liquid crystal touch panel. It is configured to be able to set the operation mode and to start and stop the operation. The liquid crystal touch panel includes both an input operation unit 51B (see FIG. 2) including function keys that appear as appropriate for each screen, and a display unit that displays a message such as the number of copies and the device status. Settings such as an operation mode by a user operation are transmitted from the operation unit 51 to the control means 60 shown in FIG.
[0017]
The reading unit 17 is a scanner unit including a mirror, a light source, an imaging lens, a shading plate, a photoelectric conversion element (CCD image sensor), a scanner motor, and the like (not shown), and is conveyed to a document inserted and conveyed from the front of the apparatus. Light is irradiated from above the road, the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor via a mirror and an imaging lens, and the image surface is sequentially converted into an image signal (image data).
A branching claw (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 14 (near the conveyance roller pair 14 between the conveyance roller pair 14 and the first document discharge tray 26), and the branching claw is set in advance. It is driven by a suction / release operation of a solenoid mechanism (not shown) based on the operation mode.
In the front discharge mode, the read document is branched to the second document discharge tray 12 by the branching claw, and in the rear discharge mode and the winding mode, the read document is supplied to the first document discharge tray 26. Branch to the side.
[0018]
A document table 20 is disposed on the front upper surface of the lower unit, and a first document discharge tray 26 is protruded and attached to the rear rear surface of the unit. The document table 20 places the document S with its image surface facing upward, and guides the document S inserted from the front of the apparatus to the nip portion of the conveying roller pair 13.
The registration sensor 18 is an optical reflective sensor disposed in the vicinity of the upstream of the reading unit 17. The registration sensor 18 detects that the leading edge of the document has reached the reading unit 17 and is turned on. Become. Based on the rear end detection timing of the registration sensor 18, the branch claw restoration process and the unillustrated transport motor stop process in the rear paper discharge mode are performed.
The first document discharge tray 26 is made of a metal wire that is inclined so as to become higher toward the downstream in the transport direction and is formed in a comb-teeth shape, and extends from the downstream discharge port of the transport roller pair 14 toward the rear of the apparatus. The originals ejected in step 1 are stored as they are. When the take-up and storage guide 27 is in the take-up position, the comb-shaped wire of the first document discharge tray 26 and the comb-shaped wire of the take-up and storage guide 27 intersect to form one of the first document discharge tray 26. The portion is also used as a receiving port (guide means) for the winding storage guide 27.
[0019]
The conveyance roller pairs 13 to 15 and the backup roller 16 are composed of stepping motors, which are supplied with a power supply voltage from the apparatus main body, and all rotate forward and reverse by driving the conveyance motor.
The image forming unit 81 is centered on a drum-shaped photosensitive member 33 as an image carrier, and around the photosensitive member 33, the charging charger 31, a writing unit, and a developing unit as developing means are arranged in the order of the electrophotographic process. 32, a transfer charger 36 as a transfer means, a separation charger 37, and the like are disposed.
The writing unit constitutes a laser writing optical system including a laser output unit (including a laser diode, a polygon mirror, etc.), an imaging lens, a mirror, and the like.
[0020]
Below the image forming unit 81, first to third roll transfer papers 78 to 80 as sheet-like recording media are detachably mounted. The first roll transfer paper 78 is pulled out by the conveyance roller pair 72, guided to a common vertical conveyance unit, and then cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 76. The cut sheet is transported by the transport roller pair 71 and temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 70 to correct the oblique shift, and then the front end of the image on the photoconductor 33 and the predetermined position of the front end in the transport direction match. Is sent to the transfer position at the timing.
The second roll transfer paper 79 juxtaposed with the first roll transfer paper 78 is drawn out by the conveyance roller pair 73 and guided to a common vertical conveyance unit, and then cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 76. The cut sheet is transported by the transport roller pair 71 and temporarily stopped by the registration roller pair 70 to correct the oblique shift, and then the front end of the image on the photoconductor 33 and the predetermined position of the front end in the transport direction match. Is sent to the transfer position at the timing.
The third roll transfer paper 80 disposed at the lowermost part is pulled out by the conveying roller pair 75, guided to a common vertical conveying unit, and then cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 77. The cut sheet is transported by the transport roller pairs 74 and 71 and temporarily stopped by the resist roller pair 70 to correct the oblique shift. Then, the leading edge of the image on the photosensitive member 33 and a predetermined position of the leading edge in the transport direction are set. Are sent to the transfer position at the same timing.
In the vicinity of the first to third roll transfer papers 78 to 80, a humidity sensor 61 is provided as humidity detecting means.
[0021]
Disposed downstream of the transfer position of the photosensitive member 33 in the conveying direction is a conveying belt (not shown), a fixing unit (including a fixing roller 35 and a pressure roller 34) as fixing means, and a discharging unit including discharging roller pairs 38 and 39. The paper discharge trays 40 and 41 are provided.
The first to third roll transfer sheets 78 to 80 are selected and cut according to the document length detected on the ADF 11 side, and are conveyed to the transfer position of the photosensitive member 33 by the vertical conveyance unit. On the side of the photoconductor 33 that is rotationally driven in the sub-scanning direction, an electrostatic latent image is formed by receiving light writing in the main scanning direction by the writing unit, and a toner image is formed by developing by the developing unit 32.
The cut transfer paper transported by the vertical transport unit is transported by the transport belt driven at the same speed as the photosensitive member 33 while being synchronized with the leading edge of the toner image, and receives the transfer of the toner image. The transferred transfer paper is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit, and is then discharged onto the discharge trays 40 and 41 via the discharge roller pairs 38 and 39 according to the transfer paper size.
[0022]
The control means 60 shown in FIG. 2 is a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O interface and the like, and can also serve as a main controller of a digital copying machine.
Detection information from the humidity sensor 61 is digitized by an A / D converter (not shown) and input to the CPU. The CPU converts the input data into a humidity value, sets a moisture absorption determination time (predetermined time or timer count set value) according to the humidity value, and starts the timer 65.
The moisture absorption determination time is stored in the ROM as a data table of the relationship between the type of paper (transfer paper) (including thickness, width size, etc.) and moisture absorption characteristics obtained in advance by experiments (including computer simulation). The control means 60 selects and sets the corresponding moisture absorption determination time based on the paper type set or selected by the operation panel 51A. The user may arbitrarily change the moisture absorption determination time.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the paper type setting unit 51B-1 which is a part of the input operation unit 51B of the operation panel 51A has a paper thickness setting screen, and each paper feed tray (roll transfer paper mounting unit) The user can arbitrarily set the thickness of the paper. For example, plain paper is set in the first tray, trepe (tracing paper) is set in the second tray, film is set in the third tray, and recycled paper is set in the fourth tray. Is done.
For example, five levels of thickness setting keys (touch panel keys) are provided on the right side of each sheet display, and the thickness is set for each sheet. In this embodiment, the thickness increases as the number decreases, and the thickness decreases as the number increases. FIG. 3 shows that an intermediate thickness of 3 is set for each sheet. If the thickness input is missed, it can be canceled with the cancel key 62 and re-entered, and the input is confirmed by pressing the setting key 63.
The moisture absorption characteristics vary depending on the type of paper, and also vary depending on the thickness. In the data table, experimental data with the paper type and thickness as parameters are recorded. The paper type and paper width information input by the user may be stored in a memory (RAM), and the moisture absorption determination time may be extracted from the data table based on the stored information.
[0024]
The control operation in the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. While the image forming operation (copying) is stopped, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the control means 60 reads the detection value of the humidity sensor 61 (S1) and checks whether the detection value exceeds the reference value ( S2). Here, the reference value is the upper limit of the humidity value that does not affect the image, differs depending on the type of paper, and is stored in the ROM for each paper type.
If the detected value exceeds the reference value, the moisture absorption determination time (timer count value) corresponding to the set paper type (including thickness, width size, etc.) is selected from the data table and set (S3). ). After setting, the timer 65 is started (S4), and it is checked whether the timer count value has been reached (S5). If reached, a blank paper discharge flag is set (S6).
If the detected value does not exceed the reference value in S2, a transfer failure due to moisture absorption does not occur, and a normal image forming operation (printing operation) is started (S7).
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the print start key is pressed to start printing (S8), the control means 60 checks whether or not the blank paper discharge flag is set (S9), and the flag is set. If so, the discharge of blank paper is started (S10).
“Blank paper discharge” is to remove in advance a portion of the paper that absorbs moisture and is likely to be defective in transfer, and the fixed length to be cut differs depending on the paper type (including thickness, width size, etc.). Data of this cut length (fixed length) is also stored in the ROM in advance, and the control means 60 controls the rotation of the pair of transport rollers corresponding to the selected roll transfer paper to pull out the fixed length. The drawn paper is cut and discharged without forming an image. Thereafter, a normal image forming operation (printing operation) is started (S11). In other words, blank paper discharge is performed immediately before the next image forming operation. The blank paper discharge in this case may be performed only on the transfer paper 78, 79, or 80 that is the target of use, or may be performed on all of them (the same applies to other embodiments).
If the blank paper discharge flag is not set in S9, a normal image forming operation (printing operation) is started (S12). The fixed length may be arbitrarily changed by the user.
In blank paper discharge, the user can arbitrarily select the discharge destination of the moisture-absorbing cut paper. The user sets the discharge destination through the operation panel 51A.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the moisture absorption determination time is set based on the detection information from the humidity sensor 61. However, a relational data table in which the temperature and humidity are combined is created and based on the detection information from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the moisture absorption determination time may be set. You may use the temperature / humidity sensor which can detect temperature and humidity simultaneously.
In the above embodiment, the method of checking the moisture absorption state of the paper based on the detection information of the humidity sensor 61 while the image forming operation is stopped is determined. However, the humidity at the time of power-on is determined, and the humidity exceeds a certain reference value. If a certain length is cut, it is discharged without forming an image, and then a normal image forming operation is performed. If the humidity does not exceed a certain reference value, a normal image forming operation is performed from the beginning. It is good also as a system.
Alternatively, the humidity sensor 61 may not be provided, and the blank paper may be discharged uniformly when the power is turned on.
Alternatively, the white paper discharge may be performed at a certain timing (for example, immediately before the image forming operation) without providing the humidity sensor 61.
In the above-described embodiment, the countermeasure against moisture absorption is shown for the sheet-shaped recording medium wound in a roll shape, but the same can be applied to the case where so-called cut sheets separated one by one are used as the sheet-shaped recording medium. . For example, if the humidity at the time of power-on exceeds a reference value, the top sheet or two sheets are discharged as a blank sheet.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll and cut to a predetermined length. In an image forming apparatus for transferring to a sheet-shaped recording medium fed by a transfer unit and fixing the transferred visible image by a fixing unit, when the power is turned on, from the leading end of the sheet-shaped recording medium wound in a roll shape Therefore, it is possible to generate a blank image due to moisture absorption without adding a new component (such as a heater).
[0028]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll and cut to a predetermined length. An image forming apparatus that transfers a transferred visible image to a fed sheet-like recording medium by a transfer unit and fixes the transferred visible image by a fixing unit. The image forming apparatus includes a humidity detection unit that detects humidity, and the detection from the humidity detection unit. The humidity at the time of power-on is determined based on the information, and when the humidity exceeds a certain reference value, a predetermined length from the front end of the sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape is cut to form an image. After that, the normal image forming operation is performed, and when the humidity does not exceed a certain reference value, the normal image forming operation is performed from the beginning. It can be realized at a cost.
[0029]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll shape and cut to a predetermined length. In an image forming apparatus that transfers a transferred visible image to a fed sheet-shaped recording medium by a transfer unit and fixes the transferred visible image by a fixing unit, the leading end of the sheet-shaped recording medium wound in a roll at a certain timing Therefore, it is possible to generate a blank image due to moisture absorption without adding a new component (such as a heater).
[0030]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, since the certain timing is immediately before the image forming operation, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a blank image. .
[0031]
According to the invention of claim 5, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by the developing means, and the visible image is wound into a roll shape and cut to a predetermined length. In an image forming apparatus for transferring to a sheet-like recording medium to be fed by a transfer unit and fixing the transferred visible image by a fixing unit, the image forming apparatus has a humidity detecting unit for detecting humidity and a timer. When it is determined that the humidity exceeds a certain reference value based on the detection information from the humidity detection means during the stop, the timer is started, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the sheet wound in a roll shape Since a predetermined length from the front end of the recording medium is cut and discharged without forming an image, it is possible to realize white-out images due to moisture absorption at a low cost.
[0032]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the discharge without performing the image formation is performed immediately before the next image forming operation. Can be reliably prevented.
[0033]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the predetermined time can be arbitrarily changed. Can be reliably prevented by adjusting the predetermined time.
[0034]
According to the invention described in claim 8, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the fixed length is changed according to the type of the sheet-like recording medium. Even when various types of sheet-like recording media are used, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of white spots.
[0035]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the discharge destination of the sheet-like recording medium that is discharged without performing image formation is arbitrarily set. Since it can be selected, for example, it is possible to prevent a sheet-like recording medium discharged with a blank sheet from being mixed in a printed sheet-like recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of input means for inputting a paper type and the like.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
32 Development unit 33 as development means Photoconductor as image carrier 36 Transfer charger 61 as transfer means Humidity sensor 65 as humidity detection means Timer 78, 79, 80 As a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape Transfer paper

Claims (9)

The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by a developing means, and the visible image is transferred to a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape, cut to a predetermined length, and fed. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the visible image by the fixing means and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means,
An image forming apparatus characterized by cutting a predetermined length from the leading end of a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape when the power is turned on, and discharging the sheet without performing image formation. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by a developing means, and the visible image is transferred to a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape, cut to a predetermined length, and fed. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the visible image by the fixing means and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means,
Humidity detection means for detecting humidity is determined, the humidity at the time of power-on is determined based on the detection information from the humidity detection means, and when the humidity exceeds a certain reference value, it is wound in a roll shape Cut a certain length from the leading edge of the sheet-like recording medium, eject it without image formation, and then perform normal image formation operation. If the humidity does not exceed a certain reference value, normal image from the beginning An image forming apparatus that performs a forming operation. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by a developing means, and the visible image is transferred to a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape, cut to a predetermined length, and fed. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the visible image by the fixing means and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, at a certain timing, a predetermined length from the front end of a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll is cut and discharged without forming an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the certain timing is immediately before an image forming operation. The electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is visualized by a developing means, and the visible image is transferred to a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll shape, cut to a predetermined length, and fed. In the image forming apparatus for transferring the visible image by the fixing means and fixing the transferred visible image by the fixing means,
Humidity detection means for detecting humidity and a timer, and when it is determined that the humidity exceeds a certain reference value based on detection information from the humidity detection means while the image forming operation is stopped, the timer is started. An image forming apparatus characterized in that when a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined length from the front end of a sheet-like recording medium wound in a roll is cut and discharged without forming an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
An image forming apparatus, wherein discharging without image formation is performed immediately before the next image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the predetermined time can be arbitrarily changed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined length is changed according to a type of a sheet-like recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a discharge destination of a sheet-like recording medium discharged without image formation can be arbitrarily selected.

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