Abstract: There is provided blowing tube. A plurality of flow control members are provided in portions of a passage space of a passage portion which are positioned at different positions in an airflow direction, and control a flow of air. One of the flow control members is provided as a downstream-most flow control member such that the outlet port is blocked by a multi-hole member having a plurality of air holes. Each of the air holes of the downstream-most flow control member is configured as a through hole such that the opening area of the through hole decreases continuously or in a stepwisely toward the downstream side in an air passing direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a first image and a second image and transfers the first and second images to a recording medium, the first image including a metallic color image, the second image not including the metallic color image; and a fixing unit that fixes the first image and the second image to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus has a mode in which, when forming the first image on only one of a first surface and a second surface of the recording medium, the image forming unit transfers the first image to the first surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the first image to the first surface, and subsequently the image forming unit transfers the second image to the second surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the second image to the second surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a rotating brush that supplies lubricant to a surface of an image carrying member on which an end toner image is formed at a first axial end, a cleaning member provided on a downstream side of the rotating brush in a direction of rotation of the image carrying member and that cleans the image carrying member by scraping toner from the surface of the image carrying member, a storing portion that stores the toner scraped by the cleaning member, a transporting member that transports the toner in the storing portion from the first axial end of the image carrying member toward a second axial end of the image carrying member, and a moving member that moves the toner in the storing portion toward the rotating brush.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member having first and second areas at different positions at an axial end of the photosensitive member, the first and second areas not overlapping an image area in an axial direction of the photosensitive member; a detecting unit that detects an image; and a forming unit that forms a transfer-object image in the image area, the transfer-object image being transferred to a transfer area of continuous-form paper, the forming unit further forming first and second images in the first and second areas of the photosensitive member, respectively, the first image not being transferred to the transfer area but being detected by the detecting unit for use in an operation of controlling conditions for image formation, the second image not being transferred to the transfer area and not being used in the operation of controlling the conditions for image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member that includes a photosensitive layer, the photosensitive layer being thicker at a first axial end of the photosensitive member than at a second axial end of the photosensitive member; and a forming unit that forms a first image and a second image on the photosensitive member, the first image being transferred to each of transfer areas defined on continuous-form paper, the second image being transferred to the first axial end but to neither a position between adjacent ones of the transfer areas that are side by side in a longitudinal direction of the continuous-form paper nor a position in any of the transfer areas.

Abstract: There is provided blowing tube. A plurality of flow control members are provided in portions of a passage space of a passage portion which are positioned at different positions in an airflow direction, and control a flow of air. One of the flow control members is provided as a downstream-most flow control member such that the outlet port is blocked by a multi-hole member having a plurality of air holes. Each of the air holes of the downstream-most flow control member is configured as a through hole such that the opening area of the through hole decreases continuously or in a stepwisely toward the downstream side in an air passing direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a rotating brush that supplies lubricant to a surface of an image carrying member on which an end toner image is formed at a first axial end, a cleaning member provided on a downstream side of the rotating brush in a direction of rotation of the image carrying member and that cleans the image carrying member by scraping toner from the surface of the image carrying member, a storing portion that stores the toner scraped by the cleaning member, a transporting member that transports the toner in the storing portion from the first axial end of the image carrying member toward a second axial end of the image carrying member, and a moving member that moves the toner in the storing portion toward the rotating brush.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member that includes a photosensitive layer, the photosensitive layer being thicker at a first axial end of the photosensitive member than at a second axial end of the photosensitive member; and a forming unit that forms a first image and a second image on the photosensitive member, the first image being transferred to each of transfer areas defined on continuous-form paper, the second image being transferred to the first axial end but to neither a position between adjacent ones of the transfer areas that are side by side in a longitudinal direction of the continuous-form paper nor a position in any of the transfer areas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member having first and second areas at different positions at an axial end of the photosensitive member, the first and second areas not overlapping an image area in an axial direction of the photosensitive member; a detecting unit that detects an image; and a forming unit that forms a transfer-object image in the image area, the transfer-object image being transferred to a transfer area of continuous-form paper, the forming unit further forming first and second images in the first and second areas of the photosensitive member, respectively, the first image not being transferred to the transfer area but being detected by the detecting unit for use in an operation of controlling conditions for image formation, the second image not being transferred to the transfer area and not being used in the operation of controlling the conditions for image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms a first image and a second image and transfers the first and second images to a recording medium, the first image including a metallic color image, the second image not including the metallic color image; and a fixing unit that fixes the first image and the second image to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus has a mode in which, when forming the first image on only one of a first surface and a second surface of the recording medium, the image forming unit transfers the first image to the first surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the first image to the first surface, and subsequently the image forming unit transfers the second image to the second surface of the recording medium and the fixing unit fixes the second image to the second surface.

Abstract: A blower duct includes a path section including an entrance path section having an inlet through which air is taken in, a first bent path section, and a second bent path section having an outlet facing a longitudinal-direction portion; a first flow control member that makes a portion of the path of the first bent path section narrower than other portion of the path and causes an elongated gap extending in the longitudinal direction to pass the air; and a second flow control member constituted of an air permeable member having air permeable sections at the outlet. One of the paths located downstream of the first flow control member in an air flowing direction is partially provided with an inclined inner wall surface that is inclined from above to extend toward an upper portion of a downstream opening end of the narrowed path in the first flow control member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an application unit that applies to a holding unit a voltage that generates a potential difference between the holding unit and a photoconductor member such that a toner image is developed on the photoconductor member. The potential difference causes toner included in a two-component developer, held by the holding unit, to be transferred from the holding unit to the photoconductor member. A controller controls the application unit, subsequent to an expiration of an image quality assurance period throughout which a predetermined image quality is assured, such that the potential of the holding unit is decreased according to a decrease of a thickness of a photosensitive film.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an application unit that applies to a holding unit a voltage that generates a potential difference between the holding unit and a photoconductor member such that a toner image is developed on the photoconductor member, the potential difference causing toner included in a two-component developer, held by the holding unit, to transfer from the holding unit to the photoconductor member, and a controller that controls the application unit, subsequent to an expiration of an image quality assurance period throughout which a predetermined image quality is assured, such that the potential of the holding unit is decreased in step with wear of the photoconductor member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a detection unit. The image carrier is stretched around a plurality of rolls. The detection unit detects a density of a toner image formed on the image carrier, based on an amount of regularly reflected light from a surface of the image carrier. A detection length where the detection unit performs the detection in a movement direction of the image carrier is longer than a length, in the movement direction of the image carrier, of a deformation area where a deformation of the image carrier is caused.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is provided with: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium; a speed changing unit that changes an image forming speed of the image forming unit; a detecting unit that detects a state quantity indicating a state of the image on the medium formed by the image forming unit; and an adjusting unit that adjusts an image forming condition set by the image forming unit according to a detection result of the state quantity detected by the detecting unit and a target value for the state quantity. The adjusting unit changes the target value for the state quantity according to the state quantity detected by the detecting unit after the speed changing unit changes the image forming speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium according an image forming condition; a speed changing unit that changes an image forming speed of the image forming unit between a plurality of image forming speeds including a first image forming speed; an adjusting unit that adjusts the image forming condition set in the image forming unit; a measuring unit that measures an elapsed state after the image forming condition is adjusted for the last time at the first image forming speed in the image forming unit, and outputs a measured value indicative of the elapsed state; and a determination unit that determines, according to the elapsed state, whether or not to adjust the image forming condition before the image forming unit starts forming an image at the first image forming speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier and a detection unit. The image carrier is stretched around a plurality of rolls. The detection unit detects a density of a toner image formed on the image carrier, based on an amount of regularly reflected light from a surface of the image carrier. A detection length where the detection unit performs the detection in a movement direction of the image carrier is longer than a length, in the movement direction of the image carrier, of a deformation area where a deformation of the image carrier is caused.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium according an image forming condition; a speed changing unit that changes an image forming speed of the image forming unit between a plurality of image forming speeds including a first image forming speed; an adjusting unit that adjusts the image forming condition set in the image forming unit; a measuring unit that measures an elapsed state after the image forming condition is adjusted for the last time at the first image forming speed in the image forming unit, and outputs a measured value indicative of the elapsed state; and a determination unit that determines, according to the elapsed state, whether or not to adjust the image forming condition before the image forming unit starts forming an image at the first image forming speed.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is provided with: an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium; a speed changing unit that changes an image forming speed of the image forming unit; a detecting unit that detects a state quantity indicating a state of the image on the medium formed by the image forming unit; and an adjusting unit that adjusts an image forming condition set by the image forming unit according to a detection result of the state quantity detected by the detecting unit and a target value for the state quantity. The adjusting unit changes the target value for the state quantity according to the state quantity detected by the detecting unit after the speed changing unit changes the image forming speed.

Abstract: A cleaning blade of an image forming apparatus is formed of urethane rubber, a modulus of repulsion elasticity (JIS K6255) is not less than 20% at 10° C. to not more than 70% at 40° C., a 300% modulus (JIS K6251) is not less than 200 kgf/cm2, and a tear strength (JIS K6252 crescent type) is not less than 35 kgf/cm. A tension set (JIS K6262) of the cleaning blade (3) is preferably not more than 2.5%, and is more preferably not more than 1.0%, and is still more preferably not more than 0.5%.