Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip forming device, a contact-and-separation device, a thickness information retrieving device, and a controller. The contact-and-separation device moves the image bearer and the nip forming device to contact and separate from each other. The controller controls the contact-and-separation device based on information on a thickness of a recording medium obtained by the thickness information retrieving device such that in a case in which a thickness of a preceding recording medium and a thickness of a successive recording medium are different in continuous printing in which a plurality of recording media is printed out continuously, the contact-and-separation device adjusts a space between the image bearer and the nip forming device when the preceding recording medium exits the transfer nip to a preset size corresponding to the thickness of the successive recording medium that enters the transfer nip.

Abstract: A wave height analyzer generates pre-sensitivity correction data using a radiation pulse signal transmitted from a room temperature amplifier, a heater value acquired from a temperature control section, a base line of a current flowing to a TES acquired from a base line monitor mechanism. The wave height analyzer outputs the pre-sensitivity correction data to a sensitivity correction arithmetic operation unit and receives post-sensitivity correction data, on which sensitivity correction is performed. The wave height analyzer generates composite data of a combination of the pre-sensitivity correction data and the post-sensitivity correction data. A spectrum display section receives pieces of composite data sequentially created by the wave height analyzer and displays at least one of a spectrum before sensitivity correction and a spectrum after sensitivity correction, in response to receiving an operator's request.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that forms a transfer nip between the transfer member and the image carrier; and a power supply capable of outputting a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed onto a direct current component. The toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium in the transfer nip by the superimposed transfer bias or a direct current bias consisting of the direct current component output by the power supply. The apparatus also includes a controller that controls the power supply so that an output target value of the direct current component when the direct current component rises up is larger than an output target value of the direct current component when the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image from the image bearer onto a recording medium, a separator to separate the recording medium from the image bearer, a separation bias application device to apply a separation bias to the separator; and a controller to control the separation bias. When the recording medium fed in the image forming apparatus is either a black sheet or a metallic sheet, the controller sets the separation bias smaller than a predetermined separation bias value for a reference sheet type other than the black sheet and the metallic sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a toner image forming unit, a transfer unit, a detector, and a controller. The toner image forming unit forms a plurality of types of density detection patterns on the surface of the image bearer in mutually-different positions in a surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The density detection patterns have mutually-different lengths in a direction orthogonal to the surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The transfer unit transfers the density detection patterns onto the surface of the transfer member. The detector detects image densities of the density detection patterns transferred on the surface of the transfer member. The controller calculates an image density difference between the density detection patterns on a basis of a detection result obtained by the detector, and corrects a transfer bias for transferring a toner image on a basis of a value of the image density difference.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a nip forming device, a contact-and-separation device, a thickness information retrieving device, and a controller. The contact-and-separation device moves the image bearer and the nip forming device to contact and separate from each other. The controller controls the contact-and-separation device based on information on a thickness of a recording medium obtained by the thickness information retrieving device such that in a case in which a thickness of a preceding recording medium and a thickness of a successive recording medium are different in continuous printing in which a plurality of recording media is printed out continuously, the contact-and-separation device adjusts a space between the image bearer and the nip forming device when the preceding recording medium exits the transfer nip to a preset size corresponding to the thickness of the successive recording medium that enters the transfer nip.

Abstract: A heater unit includes a pair of substrates formed from a polymeric foam and a cord-shaped heater sandwiched between the pair of substrates. The thickness of a region of each of the substrates at which the cord-shaped heater is disposed is thinned relative to other regions of the substrates in such a manner as to be shaped to the cord-shaped heater and thus the heater unit forms a flat shape. In the heater unit, the substrates are bonded together by an adhesive layer that is composed only from a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer bias adjuster to adjust, in a second mode, a primary transfer bias by a correction amount in accordance with a degree of deterioration of a developing agent detected by a first developing agent condition detector so as to reduce a primary transfer current of the primary transfer bias upon transferring a toner image from a first image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member, and to adjust, in a first mode, the primary transfer bias by a correction amount less than the correction amount in the second mode or not to adjust the primary transfer bias in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the developing agent detected by the first developing agent condition detector upon primarily transferring the toner image from the first image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; a toner image forming unit, a transfer unit, a detector, and a controller. The toner image forming unit forms a plurality of types of density detection patterns on the surface of the image bearer in mutually-different positions in a surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The density detection patterns have mutually-different lengths in a direction orthogonal to the surface-movement direction of the image bearer. The transfer unit transfers the density detection patterns onto the surface of the transfer member. The detector detects image densities of the density detection patterns transferred on the surface of the transfer member. The controller calculates an image density difference between the density detection patterns on a basis of a detection result obtained by the detector, and corrects a transfer bias for transferring a toner image on a basis of a value of the image density difference.

Abstract: An energy-saving, downsized gas supply apparatus equipped with a vaporizer is provided, wherein the gas supply apparatus is capable of stably and easily performing highly accurate gas flow rate control without requiring rigorous temperature control on the vaporizer side. The present invention pertains to a gas supply apparatus equipped with a vaporizer that includes (a) a liquid receiving tank; (b) a vaporizer that vaporizes liquid; (c) a high-temperature type pressure type flow rate control device that adjusts a flow rate of a vaporized gas; and (d) heating devices that heat the vaporizer, the high-temperature type pressure type flow rate control device, and desired portions of pipe passages connected to the vaporizer and the high-temperature type pressure type flow rate control device.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor, a four-way valve, expansion means, and an indoor heat exchanger, and further includes a check valve disposed between a discharge side of the compressor and the four-way valve, a first solenoid valve disposed between the expansion means and the indoor heat exchanger, and a controller. Opening and closing of the first solenoid valve are controllable. The controller switches the four-way valve and switches the first solenoid valve between open and closed states. When a heating operation is stopped, the controller switches the four-way valve from connection for the heating operation to connection for a cooling operation, closes the first solenoid valve, and then stops the compressor.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary fuser member, a rotary pressure member, and a cleaning system. The rotary fuser member is subjected to heating. The rotary pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member. The cleaning system includes a cleaning web, a feeding mechanism, a positioning mechanism, and a controller. The cleaning web is disposed adjacent to the pressure member to wipe the pressure member. The feeding mechanism is operatively connected to the cleaning web to feed a new, unused portion of the cleaning web toward the pressure member. The positioning mechanism is operatively connected to at least one of the cleaning web and the pressure member to position the cleaning web and the pressure member with respect to each other. The controller is operatively connected with the feeding mechanism and the positioning mechanism to control feeding and positioning of the cleaning web.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that forms a transfer nip between the transfer member and the image carrier; and a power supply capable of outputting a superimposed transfer bias in which an alternating current component is superimposed onto a direct current component. The toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto a recording medium in the transfer nip by the superimposed transfer bias or a direct current bias consisting of the direct current component output by the power supply. The apparatus also includes a controller that controls the power supply so that an output target value of the direct current component when the direct current component rises up is larger than an output target value of the direct current component when the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer bias adjuster to adjust, in a second mode, a primary transfer bias by a correction amount in accordance with a degree of deterioration of a developing agent detected by a first developing agent condition detector so as to reduce a primary transfer current of the primary transfer bias upon transferring a toner image from a first image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member, and to adjust, in a first mode, the primary transfer bias by a correction amount less than the correction amount in the second mode or not to adjust the primary transfer bias in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the developing agent detected by the first developing agent condition detector upon primarily transferring the toner image from the first image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary fuser member, a rotary pressure member, and a cleaning system. The rotary fuser member is subjected to heating. The rotary pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member. The cleaning system includes a cleaning web, a feeding mechanism, a positioning mechanism, and a controller. The cleaning web is disposed adjacent to the pressure member to wipe the pressure member. The feeding mechanism is operatively connected to the cleaning web to feed a new, unused portion of the cleaning web toward the pressure member. The positioning mechanism is operatively connected to at least one of the cleaning web and the pressure member to position the cleaning web and the pressure member with respect to each other. The controller is operatively connected with the feeding mechanism and the positioning mechanism to control feeding and positioning of the cleaning web.

Abstract: For establishing a VPN connection in the call-back type, a VPN server establishes an always-on connection through a unique protocol different from the electronic mail delivery system. A client generates a client authentication data used for the client authentication implemented by the VPN server, and establishes the relay server through the unique protocol to transmit the client authentication data. The relay server device relays the client authentication data to the VPN server through the unique protocol. The VPN server implements the client authentication based on the relayed data. The VPN server establishes the VPN connection with the client based on the result of the authentication.

Abstract: A gasket made of a rubber-like elastic body attached to an attaching groove provided in at least one out of two members to seal a gap between the two members includes a first sealing surface coming into surface contact with a surface of a first member. A second sealing surface comes into surface contact with a surface of a second member. A third sealing surface comes into surface contact with a side surface of the attaching groove, and a pressure receiving groove opened to a side receiving sealing fluid pressure which is on an opposite side of the third sealing surface and provided so as to be parallel to the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an imaging unit, a fixing unit, a first thermometer, and a controller. The imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium conveyed along a media conveyance path. The fixing device is disposed downstream from the imaging unit along the media conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium. The fixing device includes a fuser roller, a heat roller, an endless, fuser belt, and a pressure roller. The fuser roller has a cylindrical core of metal. The pressure roller presses against the fuser roller via the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The first thermometer detects a first temperature at the cylindrical core of the fuser roller. The controller controls conveyance of the recording medium through the fixing nip according to the first temperature.

Abstract: A transfer and fixing device as means for heating a recording medium prior to transfer and fixing, without risk of fire, superior in energy efficiency, and able to stably heat irrespective of the thickness of the recording medium; and an imaging forming apparatus comprising such a transfer and fixing device comprising: a transfer and fixing member by which an image is transferred; a pressurizing member that forms a nip by pressure contact with the transfer and fixing member and pressurizes and fixes the image on the recording medium that passes through the aforementioned nip; a radiant heat source that is arranged on the upstream side of the nip in the direction of transport of the recording medium; and a thermoconductive member that is heated by the radiant heat source and heats the recording medium when in contact, wherein a radiant heat region is provided, between the nip and the thermoconductive member, where the recording medium is heated by radiant heat from the radiant heat source.

Abstract: The profile grinding machine includes: a base; a work unit disposed on one side on the base and including a work table for gripping a work; and a stone unit disposed on the other side on the base and including a stone rotating mechanism for holding and rotating a grinding stone on its axis. The work unit includes first to third moving device for supporting and moving the work table in an X-direction and a Y-direction perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane, and in a Z-direction normal to the horizontal plane, respectively. The stone unit includes turning mechanism for turning the grinding stone about a vertical axis substantially coinciding with the leading end portion of the grinding stone.