Abstract: A head maintenance device includes a cap configured to cap a nozzle surface of a head configured to discharge a liquid, a wiper configured to wipe the nozzle surface of the head, a holder configured to vertically movably hold the cap and the wiper to a height at which the cap and the wiper bite into the absorbing member, and a cleaner configured to move relative to the cap and the wiper, the cleaner comprising an absorbing member configured to contact the cap and the wiper.

Abstract: A head clean includes a wiping device configured to wipe a nozzle surface of a head mounted on a carriage, and a holder configured to movably hold the wiping device. The holder includes a connector configured to detachably attach the holder to a guide rod configured to guide a reciprocal movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A head maintenance device includes a cap configured to cap a nozzle surface of a head configured to discharge a liquid, a wiper configured to wipe the nozzle surface of the head, a holder configured to vertically movably hold the cap and the wiper to a height at which the cap and the wiper bite into the absorbing member, and a cleaner configured to move relative to the cap and the wiper, the cleaner comprising an absorbing member configured to contact the cap and the wiper.

Abstract: A head clean includes a wiping device configured to wipe a nozzle surface of a head mounted on a carriage, and a holder configured to movably hold the wiping device. The holder includes a connector configured to detachably attach the holder to a guide rod configured to guide a reciprocal movement of the carriage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, an endless belt, and a nip formation pad. The endless belt contacts the rotator and rotates in a direction of rotation. The nip formation pad contacts an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the rotator that presses the endless belt against the nip formation pad. The nip formation pad includes a slide layer, a base layer, and a lubricant holding layer. The slide layer contacts the endless belt. The base layer is disposed away from the endless belt. The lubricant holding layer is interposed between the slide layer and the base layer to hold a lubricant inside the lubricant holding layer and supply the lubricant to the slide layer. The slide layer has a porous structure including a plurality of through holes in a thickness direction of the slide layer.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, an endless belt, and a nip formation pad. The endless belt contacts the rotator and rotates in a direction of rotation. The nip formation pad contacts an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the rotator that presses the endless belt against the nip formation pad. The nip formation pad includes a slide layer, a base layer, and a lubricant holding layer. The slide layer contacts the endless belt. The base layer is disposed away from the endless belt. The lubricant holding layer is interposed between the slide layer and the base layer to hold a lubricant inside the lubricant holding layer and supply the lubricant to the slide layer. The slide layer has a porous structure including a plurality of through holes in a thickness direction of the slide layer.

Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.

Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.