Abstract: A low melting point tin phosphate-based glass frit contains, in mol %, 15-75% of SnO, 0-40% of SnF2, 10-50% of P2O5, 0-30% of ZnO, 0-5% of Al2O3, 0-30% of B2O3, 0-5% of In203, 0-5% of BaO, and 0-5% of SiO2, does not contain Pb, and exhibits a temperature difference of 50° C. or less between the glass transition point to the glass softening point. The glass frit has a low softening point temperature and a conventional glass transition point temperature without using a substance that places a burden on the environment such as lead.

Abstract: A heating device includes a heater, a housing, an airflow path, and an outer airflow path. The airflow path is configured to flow air from an airflow generator into the housing. The outer airflow path is configured to flow air from the airflow generator to an outer face of the housing.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that rotates in a rotation direction and a pressure rotator that presses against the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image formed with glitter toner is conveyed. A brush includes a loop that contacts a surface of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt that rotates and is heated by a heat source. A thermal conduction aid includes a contact portion, an upstream bent portion, and a downstream bent portion. The contact portion contacts the endless belt. The upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion are disposed upstream and downstream from the contact portion in a rotation direction of the endless belt, respectively, and are extended in a longitudinal direction of the thermal conduction aid. A recess is disposed in at least one of the upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion. The recess spans a center of the thermal conduction aid in the longitudinal direction thereof and is recessed from an edge of the at least one of the upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion in a short direction thereof.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt that rotates and is heated by a heat source. A thermal conduction aid includes a contact portion, an upstream bent portion, and a downstream bent portion. The contact portion contacts the endless belt. The upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion are disposed upstream and downstream from the contact portion in a rotation direction of the endless belt, respectively, and are extended in a longitudinal direction of the thermal conduction aid. A recess is disposed in at least one of the upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion. The recess spans a center of the thermal conduction aid in the longitudinal direction thereof and is recessed from an edge of the at least one of the upstream bent portion and the downstream bent portion in a short direction thereof.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator that rotates and a fixing device cover. The fixing device cover includes an interior face that is disposed opposite the rotator, a first aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator, and a recess that surrounds the first aperture and extends in a gravity direction. A frame is interposed between the interior face of the fixing device cover and the rotator. The frame includes a second aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator and the first aperture. A rib is mounted on the frame and extends from the second aperture toward the interior face of the fixing device cover.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator that rotates and a fixing device cover. The fixing device cover includes an interior face that is disposed opposite the rotator, a first aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator, and a recess that surrounds the first aperture and extends in a gravity direction. A frame is interposed between the interior face of the fixing device cover and the rotator. The frame includes a second aperture that is disposed opposite the rotator and the first aperture. A rib is mounted on the frame and extends from the second aperture toward the interior face of the fixing device cover.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator disposed opposite the first rotator to form a nip with the first rotator, a heater including a base and a heat generator, and a non-contact temperature detector to detect a temperature of the heater. The heater contacts an inner circumferential surface of the first rotator. The non-contact temperature detector is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the first rotator via the base and disposed at a predetermined distance from the heater.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is flexible, endless, and rotatable. A heater heats the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former defines a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A support supports the nip former. The nip former includes a back face that contacts the support and has a nonlinear shape in a longitudinal direction of the nip former.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator disposed opposite the first rotator to form a nip with the first rotator, a heater including a base and a heat generator, and a non-contact temperature detector to detect a temperature of the heater. The heater contacts an inner circumferential surface of the first rotator. The non-contact temperature detector is disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the first rotator via the base and disposed at a predetermined distance from the heater.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable pressing roller, a fixing rotator to rotate in contact with the pressing roller, a nip formation pad, and a slide sheet disposed between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator. The slide sheet includes a base material layer made of a woven fabric of spun yarn. In the base material layer, a distance between adjacent spun yarns is equal to or less than 0.4 times a width of the spun yarn in a cross-section of the slide sheet in a direction of slide movement of the fixing rotator, and, in a cross-section of the slide sheet in a longitudinal direction of the slide sheet and a direction perpendicular to the slide movement of the fixing rotator, a thickness of the spun yarn is equal to or greater than 0.2 times a width of the spun yarn.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable pressing roller, a fixing rotator to rotate in contact with the pressing roller, a nip formation pad, and a slide sheet disposed between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator. The slide sheet includes a base material layer made of a woven fabric of spun yarn. In the base material layer, a distance between adjacent spun yarns is equal to or less than 0.4 times a width of the spun yarn in a cross-section of the slide sheet in a direction of slide movement of the fixing rotator, and, in a cross-section of the slide sheet in a longitudinal direction of the slide sheet and a direction perpendicular to the slide movement of the fixing rotator, a thickness of the spun yarn is equal to or greater than 0.2 times a width of the spun yarn.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fixing rotator, a heater, a nip formation assembly, and an opposed rotator. The endless fixing rotator is rotatable in a direction of rotation. The heater heats the fixing rotator. The nip formation assembly is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The opposed rotator is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator. The nip formation assembly includes a nip former to contact the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, maintain a constant thickness against pressure from the opposed rotator, and transfer heat. The opposed rotator is shorter than the nip former in a longitudinal direction of the opposed rotator. The opposed rotator is disposed within an area opposite the nip former.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is flexible, endless, and rotatable. A heater heats the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator is disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A nip former defines a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A support supports the nip former. The nip former includes a back face that contacts the support and has a nonlinear shape in a longitudinal direction of the nip former.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that includes a heater to heat a fixing rotator, an opposed rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, and at least one rotary body to convey a recording medium to the fixing nip. A controller rotates the fixing rotator in a forward direction to fix a toner image on the recording medium. The controller stops the heater and rotates the fixing rotator in a predetermined rotation direction when a failure occurs while the fixing device is activated. The controller determines that the predetermined rotation direction is the forward direction or a backward direction according to the at least one rotary body that sandwiches the recording medium, if the fixing nip and the at least one rotary body sandwich the recording medium simultaneously when the failure occurs while the fixing device is activated.