JP2003107660A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of forming a high-quality image. SOLUTION: In this image forming device 10, a photosensitive material magazine 12 and an image receiving material magazine 14, an exposure part 16, a heat developable transfer part 18 and a drying part 24 are arranged in this order from the lower part of the device. Therefore, air heated in the transfer part 18 and the exposure part 16 flows upward, so that the fluctuation of the image quality of photosensitive material A and image receiving material B housed in the magazine 12 and the magazine 14 by heat is restrained. By directly spraying outside air flowing in from a suction port 84 to the material B peeled after heat developable transfer by a fan 86, water vapor generated by the peeling between the material A and the material B is prevented from adhering to the material B again, so that the faulty drying of the material B can be surely prevented. As a result, the high-quality image can be formed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for carrying out heat development transfer processing by superposing a photosensitive material and an image receiving material and heating them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an image forming apparatus of a laser exposure heat development transfer system (silver salt photographic system) is used. Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-3049.
No. 05 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 1), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-15
No. 817 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 2), Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-3
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 15647 (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Example 3).

In such an image forming apparatus, a long donor (photosensitive material) is pulled out from a magazine and cut into a predetermined length to form a sheet, and after a latent image is formed by an optical scanning device. , Coated with water and conveyed to the thermal development drum.

On the other hand, the image receiving paper is also pulled out from the magazine,
Each of the sheets is cut into a predetermined length to have a sheet shape, and the sheet is conveyed to the heat developing drum.

The donor and the image receiving paper are heated in a state where they are bonded to each other on the heat developing drum, and the latent image of the donor is transferred to the image receiving paper. After the completion of this transfer, the image receiving paper and the donor are peeled off, and the image receiving paper on which the image is formed is dried in the drying unit,
It is discharged to the outside. On the other hand, the used donor is stored in the storage unit.

[0006]

In such an image forming apparatus, as described above, a magazine for accommodating a donor or an image receiving sheet, an optical scanning device for forming a latent image on the donor, and a donor and an image receiving sheet are superposed on each other. There is a heat developing drum for heating by heating and a drying section for drying the image receiving paper separated from the donor.

Here, the image quality (color) of the donor and the image receiving paper is changed by the influence of heat. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the magazine so as not to be affected by the heat generated by heat development or the like.

Further, water vapor is generated in the step of peeling the donor and the image receiving paper after the heat development transfer process, and the water vapor may be reattached to the peeled image receiving paper to cause poor drying of the image receiving paper. In addition, this water vapor may cause rust on surrounding parts.

Measures against these disadvantages are not particularly taken in the above-mentioned conventional examples 1 to 3.

In particular, in the structure of the conventional example 1, the drying section, the heat developing drum, the donor and the magazine of the image receiving paper are arranged from the lower part of the apparatus toward the upper part, and the heat generated by driving the heat developing drum is arranged in the upper part. Transmitted to the magazine,
The image quality of the donor or the image receiving paper stored in the magazine might change.

Further, in the configuration of the conventional example 3, the image receiving paper magazine, the heat developing drum,
Since the donor magazine and the drying unit are arranged in this order, the image quality of the donor accommodated in the magazine may change due to the heat generated by driving the thermal development drum.

Further, at the exposure point (position) where a latent image is formed on the donor, there is a risk that the temperature rises due to the driving of the optical scanning device and the density of the donor changes.

Furthermore, in these conventional examples 1 to 3,
No configuration is disclosed that positively removes the water vapor generated in the peeling process between the donor and the image receiving paper after the heat development transfer process from the inside of the device. There was a risk of rusting.

In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image of high quality.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image by a heat development transfer process, the material supplying means containing a photosensitive material and an image receiving material, and the material supplying means. A heat developing unit disposed on the upper part of the means for performing a heat development transfer process for superimposing the photosensitive material and the image receiving material supplied from the material supplying means and transferring the latent image formed on the photosensitive material to the image receiving material; A drying unit that is disposed above the heat developing unit and that dries the image receiving material that has been peeled from the photosensitive material after the heat development transfer process is performed; and an outside air inside the apparatus that is provided below the image forming apparatus. External air introducing means for introducing air, and a first exhaust means provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus for exhausting air inside the apparatus,
It is characterized by including.

The operation of the present invention according to claim 1 will be described.

In this image forming apparatus, the material supplying means is arranged below the heat developing means. In such an arrangement, since the outside air introducing means for introducing outside air into the inside of the image forming apparatus is provided in the lower portion of the image forming apparatus and the first exhaust means is provided in the upper portion, an air flow from the lower portion to the upper portion is generated inside the apparatus. Due to the flow of the outside air, the heat developing means is cooled, and the air warmed by the heat generated in the heat developing means is discharged to the outside from the first exhaust means at the upper part of the apparatus. The impact is further reduced. Further, the outside air is constantly supplied from the outside air introduction means to the material supply means arranged at the lower part of the apparatus, and the temperature is kept substantially constant. As a result, the image quality of the donor and the image receiving paper is kept constant,
Higher quality images can be formed.

Further, water vapor generated by the peeling of the light-sensitive material and the image receiving material, which is generated in the step of moving from the heat developing means to the drying means, is also discharged to the outside from the first exhaust means, so that defective drying of the image receiving material can be suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the exposing means for forming a latent image by exposing the photosensitive material and the outside air introduced into the inside of the apparatus by the outside air introducing means. A second exhaust unit that discharges from the vicinity of the exposure unit to the outside of the apparatus.

The operation of the present invention according to claim 2 will be described.

By providing the second exhaust means in the vicinity of the exposure means, the outside air introduced into the apparatus from the outside air introducing means causes a flow of air exhausted from the second exhaust means. As a result, the exposure means is always cooled by the outside air, and the temperature at the exposure position is kept substantially constant. Therefore, the density change of the photosensitive material due to the temperature change of the exposure position is suppressed. As a result, high-quality image formation can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, a spraying means for directly blowing outside air to the image receiving material separated from the photosensitive material after the heat development transfer processing is performed. And a third exhaust means for directly discharging the air blown onto the image receiving material from the blowing means to the outside of the apparatus from the vicinity of the image receiving material.

The operation of the present invention according to claim 3 will be described.

Even if water vapor generated by peeling of the light-sensitive material and the image-receiving material flows near the peeled image-receiving material after the completion of the heat development transfer, it is blown off by the outside air blown to the image-receiving material by the spraying means and reattached to the image-receiving material. It is directly discharged from the third exhaust means to the outside of the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent poor drying of the image receiving material and also prevent rusting of parts inside the apparatus due to retention of water vapor.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes
A photosensitive material magazine 12 containing a photosensitive material A and an image receiving material B
A receiving magazine 14 in which is stored, an exposure unit 16 that exposes the photosensitive material A to form a latent image, a water application unit 18 that applies water to the photosensitive material A on which the latent image is formed, and a water application unit. The heat-development transfer section 20 for transferring the latent image formed on the photosensitive material A to the image-receiving material to develop by laminating the photosensitive material A and the image-receiving material B together and heating, and the photosensitive material A peeled off after the thermal development. A storage tray 22 for storing and the peeled image receiving material B
Basically, it is composed of a drying section 24 for drying the image receiving material B and a storage tray 26 for storing the dried image receiving material B.

The photosensitive material magazine 12 is arranged at the lowermost part of the casing 30, and the long photosensitive material A is accommodated therein in a roll shape, and the take-out port thereof has a pair of pull-out rollers 32 and a cutter 34. Is provided, and the photosensitive material A drawn from the photosensitive material magazine 12 is cut into a predetermined length to form a sheet.

An exposure section 16 and a water application section 18 are arranged along a conveyance path for conveying the photosensitive material A from the photosensitive material magazine 12 to the heat development transfer section 20, which will be described below in order. Although a pair of conveying rollers and a guide member are appropriately arranged in the conveying path, the description thereof will be omitted.

An exposure unit 16 is provided above the photosensitive material magazine 12 (downstream of the photosensitive material magazine 12 in the transport direction of the photosensitive material A). The exposure unit 16 includes an optical scanning device 36 that optically scans the sheet-shaped photosensitive material A to form a latent image, and a pair of nip rollers 38 and 40 for ensuring the flatness of the photosensitive material A at the exposure position. With.

A water coating section 18 is provided above the exposure section 16 (downstream of the exposure section 16 in the transport direction of the photosensitive material A).
Is provided. The water application unit 18 includes a saucer 44 having a curved bottom surface for containing water, and a guide member 46 having an arcuate guide surface. Then, by exposing the guide surface of the guide member 46 to the inside of the receiving tray 44, an arc-shaped passage for the photosensitive material A in which water is filled between the curved bottom surface of the receiving tray 44 and the guide surface of the guide member 46. Is configured. Further, a squeeze roller 48 for removing excess water from the water-coated photosensitive material A is arranged downstream of the passage in the water coating section 18.

On the other hand, the image receiving magazine 14 is also disposed adjacent to the photosensitive material magazine 12 at the bottom of the casing 30. Inside the image receiving magazine 14, a long image receiving material B wound into a roll is stored. A pair of pull-out rollers 50 and a cutter 52 are provided at the outlet of the image receiving magazine 14, and the photosensitive material A pulled out from the photosensitive material magazine 12 is cut into a predetermined length to form a sheet. The image forming surface of the image receiving material B is coated with a dye fixing material having a mordant. Further, the sheet-shaped image receiving material B is configured to be conveyed to the heat development transfer section 20 via the guide member 53.

The heat development transfer section 20 is arranged above the casing 30 and above the exposure section 16, and supplies the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B on which a latent image is formed and which is coated with water. The heat development transfer section 20 includes a heat drum 54 having a heater therein, a bonding roller 56 for bonding the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B on the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54, and the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material bonded together. A belt support mechanism 58 for sticking the material B along the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54.

The heat drum 54 is controlled by a heat source (not shown) so that the outer peripheral surface thereof has a predetermined temperature.

The bonding roller 56 is pressed by the operating means (not shown) to the heat drum 54 with a relatively strong bonding pressure for bonding, and is pressed to the heat drum 54 with a relatively weak bonding pressure for peeling. It is mounted so that it can be switched to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the laminating roller 56 has an outlet of the above-mentioned diaphragm roller 56 and the guide member 5.
It is located directly above the 3rd exit. That is, the laminating roller 56 presses the photosensitive material A sent from the squeeze roller 56 side and the image receiving material B sent from the guide member 53 side, with the tips aligned with each other, and sandwiched between the heat drum 54. It is sent out in a state of being stuck on the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt support mechanism 58 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the heat drum 54 includes the endless belt 62 wound around the rollers 60A to 60J, and the roller 60G. Since the slider 64 (see FIG. 1) is pulled by the tension of the spring, a predetermined tension is constantly applied to the endless belt 62. That is, the endless belt 62 is configured to be movable in synchronization with the rotation of the heat drum 54 while pressing a part of the endless belt 62 against the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54.

A pair of moving operation members 64 which are rotatable in a predetermined range coaxially with the heat drum 54 are provided at both ends of the heat drum 54 in the axial direction. It is configured to be rotatable by a predetermined angle between the positions. Since the five rollers 60A to 60E are arranged on the moving operation member 64, the endless belt rewound by the rollers 60A by moving the moving operation member 64 to the retracted position (see FIG. 3). 62 is configured to be separated (retracted) from the bonding roller 56.

The endless belt 62 includes rollers 60A to 60A.
Of the rollers 60E, only the roller 60E is wound around the heat drum. This is to suppress the change of the path length of the endless belt 62 by pulling the endless belt 62 in the rotation direction by the movement operation member 64 turning to the retracted position.

The roller 6 around which the endless belt 62 is wound.
0G is configured as a tension holding roller.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tension holding roller 60G is provided on a slider 66 slidably mounted in a guide hole 67 formed in the frame of the heat development transfer section 20. A tension coil spring 70 is stretched around the slider 66 via a wire 68, and a predetermined tension is applied to the entire endless belt 62 wound around a tension holding roller 60G.

With this configuration, the endless belt 62 wound around the plurality of rollers 60A to 60J and traveling on the predetermined path is the same as the roller 60G for maintaining the tension even if the movement operation member 64 moves. The movement absorbs the fluctuation of the entire length of the path of the endless belt 62, and the tension coil spring 70 applies a required tension to the entire endless belt 62. Therefore, a plurality of rollers 60A-6
The endless belt 62 wound around 0J is held so as to stably travel on a predetermined path.

Further, when the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54 and sent to the heat development transfer section 20, only the photosensitive material A is peeled off. The mounting member 76 is provided with a peeling claw 72 for pulling out and a peeling claw 74 for peeling the image receiving material B from the outer peripheral surface.

The mounting member 76 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 78 and is supported by the movement operating member 64. When the movement operating member 64 is located at the bonding position, the attachment member 76 is removed from the heat drum 54. A separated position (see FIG. 2) where the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B can be separated by approaching the heat drum 54 when the moving operation member 64 is located at the retracted position (see FIG. 3).
It is possible to take two positions.

Further, the drying section 24 for drying the image receiving material B image-formed by the heat development transfer section 20 is provided with a mounting member 76.
A guide plate 80 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus, a plurality of comb rollers 82 provided to face the guide plate 80, an intake port 84 provided on a wall surface of the storage tray 26 on the upper surface of the apparatus, and an intake port 84. As shown in FIG. 4, a fan 86 that blows the separated outside air onto the image forming surface of the peeled image receiving material B, and a frame 88 that constitutes the casing 30 that supports the shaft end portion of the comb roller 82 are provided outside the apparatus. It is composed of an exhaust port 90 for exhausting air and a fan 92 provided at the exhaust port 90 to forcibly exhaust air to the outside of the apparatus.

The heat development transfer section 20 and the storage tray 22 are provided.
A guide member 94 and a guide roller 96 are disposed between them to guide the peeled photosensitive material A to the storage tray 22.

Further, a guide roller 98, a guide member 100, and a paper discharge roller 102 are provided on the downstream side of the comb roller 82 provided in the mounting member 76 in the conveying direction, and the peeled image receiving material B is stored in the storage tray 26. It is a structure to guide.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the casing 12 is provided with an intake fan 104 for introducing outside air into the apparatus at the lowermost portion (a position corresponding to the receiving material magazine 14) and at the uppermost portion (heat development An exhaust fan 106 for exhausting the air to the outside of the device is arranged above the drum 54).

Furthermore, on the side surface of the casing 12, the vicinity of the exposure section 16 and the vicinity of the water application section 18 (the storage tray 22) are provided.
Exhaust ports 108 and 110 are provided on the lower side).

The operation and action of the image forming apparatus 10 thus constructed will be described.

First, the image forming operation will be described. When an image is formed, the photosensitive material A is pulled out from the photosensitive material magazine 12 by the pull-out roller 32, cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 34 into a sheet shape, and then scanned by the optical scanning device 36 in the exposure section 16. A predetermined latent image is formed. further,
The squeeze roller 48 removes excess water from the photosensitive material A applied with water in the water application section 18, and then supplies it to the heat development transfer section 20.

On the other hand, the image receiving material B that is drawn out from the image receiving magazine 14 by the drawing roller 50 and cut into a sheet by the cutter 52 into a predetermined length is supplied to the heat development transfer section 20.

The photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B thus supplied to the heat development transfer section 20 are respectively squeezed by the squeeze roller 4
8 and the guide member 53 are fed between the heat drum 54 and the nip roller 56, and the bonding roller 56 is moved to the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B with a relatively strong pressure for bonding.
The photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B are attached to each other by pressing them against the heat drum 54 so as to sandwich them.

The photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B thus bonded by the bonding roller 56 move in the direction of arrow D as the heat drum 54 rotates, and the endless belt 62 of the belt support mechanism 58 and the heat drum 54. Is sandwiched between and. Since the endless belt 62 operates without being displaced from each other due to frictional resistance between the endless belt 62 and the heat drum 54, the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B sandwiched between the endless belt 62 and the heat drum 54 are relatively positioned. The sheet is conveyed in the direction of arrow D in synchronism with the rotating operation of the heat drum 54 without being misaligned.

In this way, the heat drum 54 from the leading end to the trailing end of the light-sensitive material A and the image-receiving material B which are overlapped with each other.
When it reaches a state where it is wound around and is held and held by the belt support mechanism 58, the rotation of the heat drum 54 is stopped, and the heater inside the heat drum 54 raises the temperature of the outer peripheral surface portion of the heat drum 54 to a predetermined level. Heated to the temperature of
This stopped and heated state is maintained for a predetermined processing time until the end of the heat development transfer processing.

During this heat development transfer process, the photosensitive material A was
The movable dye is released by the heating by the heat drum 54, and at the same time, this dye is transferred to the dye fixing layer of the image receiving material B, and an image is obtained on the image receiving material B.

After the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B, which are overlapped with each other, are wound around the heat drum 54 until reaching the end,
The bonding roller 56 is switched by an operating means (not shown) so as to be pressed against the heat drum 54 with a relatively weak pressure for peeling.

The movement operating member 64 rotates and moves to the retracted position in synchronization with the switching of the pressing force of the bonding roller 56 (see FIG. 2 → FIG. 3). As a result, the attachment member 76 supported by the movement operation member 64 rotates and the peeling claw 7 moves.
4 is dropped on the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54. Further, the peeling claw 72 located at the position in FIG. 2 advances to a predetermined use position near the heat drum 54 shown in FIG.

In this state, the photosensitive drum A and the image receiving material B, which are overlapped with each other, are sandwiched by the laminating roller 56 again by continuously rotating the heat drum 54. Since the bonding roller 56 is pressed against the heat drum 54 with a relatively weak pressure force for peeling, the photosensitive material A is peeled from the image receiving material B, and the guide member 94 is peeled off by the peeling claw 72.
Be guided to the side. As a result, the photosensitive material A is stored in the storage tray 22 via the guide member 94 and the guide roller 96.

Further, the image receiving material B attached to the heat drum 54 and sent in the direction of the arrow D from the position of the peeling claw 72 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the heat drum 54 by the peeling claw 74, and the guide member 80 and the comb. It is inserted between the rollers 82. While passing between the guide member 80 and the comb roller 82, the outside air is blown from the fan 86 and is quickly dried. Further, the image receiving material B is a guide roller 98,
The sheet is conveyed through the guide member 100 and the paper discharge roller 102 and stored in the storage tray 26.

Subsequently, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
The operation of 0 will be described.

In the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment,
A photosensitive material magazine 12 containing a photosensitive material A and a receiving material magazine 14 containing an image receiving material B at the bottom of the casing 12.
Are arranged, and the exposure unit 16 and the water application unit 1 are directed upward.
8, the heat development transfer section 20, and the drying section 24 on the uppermost part. Therefore, the heat development transfer unit 20 (heat drum 5
4) and the heat (heated air) generated in the exposure unit 16 (optical scanning device 36) causes the image quality (color) of the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B stored in the photosensitive material magazine 12 and the receiving material magazine 14 below. ) Can be prevented.

In particular, the outside air introduced from the intake fan 104 arranged at the bottom of the casing 12 receives the exhaust air 10
Since the airflow discharged from 8, 110 (see the arrow in FIG. 1) is generated, the exposure unit 16 (optical scanning device 36) is cooled and the temperature at the exposure position can be kept constant. As a result, it is possible to prevent the density change in the photosensitive material A due to the temperature change in the exposure position.

Further, since the air heated by the exposure unit 16 is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 108, the exposure unit 16
It is possible to surely prevent the heat generated in the above from affecting the image quality of the photosensitive material magazine 12 and the receiving material magazine 14.

Further, the exhaust fan 106 provided at the uppermost portion of the casing 12 also generates an air flow (see the arrow in FIG. 1) from the intake fan 104 toward the exhaust fan 106. As a result, the air heated in the heat development transfer unit 20 is also removed to the outside of the apparatus by the airflow toward the exhaust fan 106, and the heat generated by the heat development transfer unit 20 causes the photosensitive material A
Also, it is possible to reliably prevent the image quality of the image receiving material B from being deteriorated. Further, the steam generated in the thermal development transfer section 20 can be discharged to the outside of the apparatus by this air flow, and it is possible to prevent defective drying of the image receiving material B and rust of parts due to the steam remaining inside the apparatus.

Further, in the drying section 24, the storage tray 26
The outside air drawn in through the intake port 84 provided in
Exhaust provided on the frame 88 of the casing 12 that is sprayed onto the image forming surface of the peeled image receiving material B conveyed between the guide member 80 and the comb roller 82 by 6 and supports both ends of the comb roller 82 in the axial direction. Since it is forcibly discharged from the mouth 90 to the outside by the fan 92 (see the arrow in FIG. 4), the water vapor generated when the photosensitive material A and the image receiving material B are separated from each other is regenerated on the image forming surface of the image receiving material B in the drying section 24. It can be surely prevented from adhering. As a result, a high quality image can be formed on the image receiving material B.

In the present embodiment, the fans are provided only at the intake and exhaust ports of the lower and upper parts of the apparatus, and the fans are not provided at the other exhaust ports. However, as shown by the arrow in FIG. A fan may be provided at any port as long as the flow is generated.

A filter may be provided in the intake fan 104 in order to prevent dust from entering from the outside.

Further, it is conceivable to provide a shielding plate inside the casing 30, for example, between the heat development transfer section 20 and the photosensitive material magazine 12 and the receiving material magazine 14 to prevent heat transfer.

[0068]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the heat and water vapor generated inside the apparatus from affecting the image formation and to form a high quality image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part in the vicinity of a heat developing unit in a state in which the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be attached.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a main part in the vicinity of the heat developing unit in a state where a paper discharge operation is possible in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a main-part configuration diagram showing the vicinity of a drying unit in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 image forming apparatus 12 Sensitive Material Magazine (Material Supply Means) 14 Receiving material magazine (material supply means) 16 Exposure unit (exposure means) 20 heat development transfer section (heat development transfer means) 24 Drying section (drying means) 84 Suction port (spraying means) 86 fans (spraying means) 92 fan (third exhaust means) 104 Intake fan (outside air suction means) 106 Exhaust fan (first exhaust means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by a heat development transfer process, comprising: a material supply means for accommodating a photosensitive material and an image receiving material; and a material supply means arranged above the material supply means. Heat developing means for performing a heat developing transfer process for superimposing the formed photosensitive material and the image receiving material on each other to transfer the latent image formed on the photosensitive material to the image receiving material, and the heat developing transfer disposed on the heat developing means. After the processing, a drying unit that dries the image receiving material that is peeled from the photosensitive material, an outside air introducing unit that is provided below the image forming apparatus and introduces outside air into the apparatus, and An image forming apparatus, comprising: a first exhaust unit provided at an upper portion to exhaust air inside the apparatus. 2. An exposure unit that forms a latent image by exposing the photosensitive material, and a second exhaust unit that exhausts the outside air introduced into the apparatus by the outside air introduction unit to the outside of the apparatus from the vicinity of the exposure unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A spraying unit for directly blowing outside air onto the image receiving material separated from the photosensitive material after the thermal development transfer process, and an air blown on the image receiving material from the spraying unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third exhaust unit that directly discharges the vicinity of the image receiving material to the outside of the apparatus.