Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can achieve reduction in printing time, suppression of developer consumption, and implementation of silence. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image on an image carrier with use of developers of a plurality of different developing colors, including a plurality of developing devices respectively housing the developers of different colors, and a control section for controlling operation of the developing devices based on inputted image data, wherein the control section includes a concentration ratio recognition section for recognizing a concentration ratio of the respective colors for image data of every sheet from the image data, and controls so as to spare at least one color developer among the developers in response to the concentration ratio of respective colors recognized by the concentration ratio recognition section.

Abstract: Provided is a fixing device successively pressurizing and heating a toner image on a recording member being conveyed to fix the toner image onto the recording member, including a pressure roller, a heating roller arranged opposite to the pressure roller and sandwiching, with the pressure roller, the recording member with the toner image formed thereon to pressurize and heat the toner image on the recording member, thereby fixing the toner image onto the recording member, and a housing storing the pressure roller and the heating roller. The housing has a region covered with an emission reducing member smaller in emission rate than the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. A filter member is provided inside the duct and which can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct. An exhaust fan is provided in the duct upstream or downstream from the filter member for generating an air flow going from the inlet to an outlet of the duct. A control section controls the operation of the exhaust fan according to initial burst conditions under which the fine particles are emitted from the fixing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. An exhaust fan is provided inside the duct or in an outlet of the duct for generating an air flow going from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. A first filter member is provided upstream or downstream from the exhaust fan inside the duct and the first filter can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct getting on the air flow.

Abstract: A fixing member according to the present invention is such one as is brought into pressure contact with a conveyed sheet to fix an image onto the sheet. The fixing member comprises a cylindrical or annular base material, a rubber layer provided so as to cover an outer surface of the base material and having elasticity, and an outer layer provided so as to cover an outer surface of the rubber layer for aiding release of the sheet. A siloxane content in a central section of the rubber layer is less than twice the siloxane content in an end portion of the rubber layer with respect to a width direction vertical to a circumferential direction on the base material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cylindrical or annular fixing member, an outer surface of which is brought into pressure contact with a conveyed sheet to fix an image onto the sheet; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a specified target temperature. The fixing member includes a cylindrical or annular base material, a rubber layer with elasticity, and an outer layer for aiding release of the sheet. An end portion of the rubber layer and an end portion of the outer layer are each positioned inner than an end portion of the base material with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction on the base material. A filter member capable of trapping ultra fine particles generated from the rubber layer is provided on the base material in a position facing the end portion of the rubber layer along the circumferential direction.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a frame as an interior member is provided so as to oppose an exterior cover as an exterior member for controlling noise from an apparatus main body. An opening that is made up of a number of aperture regions is provided for allowing sound that is radiated to the exterior cover and reflected, to transmit toward the apparatus main body. By providing an opening in the frame or the like, it is possible to reduce noise energy radiated outside the apparatus in a simple manner.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a frame as an interior member is provided so as to oppose an exterior cover as an exterior member for controlling noise from an apparatus main body. An opening that is made up of a number of aperture regions is provided for allowing sound that is radiated to the exterior cover and reflected, to transmit toward the apparatus main body. By providing an opening in the frame or the like, it is possible to reduce noise energy radiated outside the apparatus in a simple manner.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can achieve reduction in printing time, suppression of developer consumption, and implementation of silence. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image on an image carrier with use of developers of a plurality of different developing colors, including a plurality of developing devices respectively housing the developers of different colors, and a control section for controlling operation of the developing devices based on inputted image data, wherein the control section includes a concentration ratio recognition section for recognizing a concentration ratio of the respective colors for image data of every sheet from the image data, and controls so as to spare at least one color developer among the developers in response to the concentration ratio of respective colors recognized by the concentration ratio recognition section.

Abstract: Drive canceling devices are included in the paper supply and conveyance system, and when the leading edge of the continuous paper reaches the fusing device, the driving of the tractor and the conveyance rollers is stopped by the drive canceling devices such that the tractor and the conveyance rollers become passively driven, and the continuous paper is thereafter conveyed by the fusing device. In addition, the amount of movement of the continuous paper is detected by detection means that detects the amount of movement of the continuous paper, and the initial image printing position is controlled based on the detected amount of movement.

Abstract: Drive canceling devices are included in the paper supply and conveyance system, and when the leading edge of the continuous paper reaches the fusing device, the driving of the tractor and the conveyance rollers is stopped by the drive canceling devices such that the tractor and the conveyance rollers become passively driven, and the continuous paper is thereafter conveyed by the fusing device. In addition, the amount of movement of the continuous paper is detected by detection means that detects the amount of movement of the continuous paper, and the initial image printing position is controlled based on the detected amount of movement.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus, which has a detachable ink film cassette with an ink film, transfers an ink applied to the ink film to a recording paper by means of a thermal head and forms an image on the recording paper. The ink film cassette holds a supply reel wound around the shaft with the ink film and a take-up reel for taking up the ink film of the supply reel around the shaft. The thermal transfer recording apparatus has a detecting unit for detecting the supply reel mounted in the cassette, and a control unit for detecting the ink film based on a signal from the detecting unit. The detecting unit has a lever, which advances through an opening formed in the cassette from the direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the supply reel and comes in contact with the supply reel, and a photosensor for detecting the supply reel through of the lever. This thermal transfer recording apparatus can detect missing of the ink film in advance of the start of a printing operation.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus, which has a detachable ink film cassette with an ink film, transfers an ink applied to the ink film to a recording paper by means of a thermal head and forms an image on the recording paper. The ink film cassette holds a supply reel wound around the shaft with the ink film and a take-up reel for taking up the ink film of the supply reel around the shaft. The thermal transfer recording apparatus has a detecting unit for detecting the supply reel mounted in the cassette, and a control unit for detecting the ink film based on a signal from the detecting unit. The detecting unit has a lever, which advances through an opening formed in the cassette from the direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the supply reel and comes in contact with the supply reel, and a photosensor for detecting the supply reel through of the lever. This thermal transfer recording apparatus can detect missing of the ink film in advance of the start of a printing operation.

Abstract: An ink film cassette 33 incorporates therein a supply reel 30 having an ink film wound thereon and a rewind reel 31 for taking up the ink film 32 and is attached detachably to a thermal transfer printer 10. In the cassette 33, a first torque limiter 85 for transmitting braking force to a supporting shaft 78a of the supply reel 30 inside the cassette 33 is fixed detachably to the supporting shaft 78a. Bearings 81a and 81b on the take-upside transmit braking force to supporting shafts 80a and 80b of the rewind reel 31 inside the ink film cassette. Further in the cassette 33, a second torque limiter 97 for limiting the driving torque of the rewind reel 31 in the ink film cassette is fixed detachably to the supporting shaft 81a. A kick spring 106 for causing the ink film paid off the supply reel 30 to be rewound on the supply reel 30 is also fixed detachably to the supply reel 30 in the cassette 33.

Abstract: An ink film cassette which is detachably attached to a thermal transfer recording device, the ink film cassette having a supply reel winding an ink film therearound, a take-up reel which rolls up the ink film fed out from the supply reel and a torque limiter which is provided between the supply reel and a frame of the body of the thermal transfer recording device so as to apply torque to the supply reel.