Abstract: A belt-fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes an endless belt, a first roller disposed inside the endless belt, a second roller disposed in contact with the first roller via the endless belt, forming a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium passes, and a ring shape edge for controlling movement of the belt in an axial direction, provided on an inner surface of the endless belt. The ring shape edge is positioned between the first roller and the second roller.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device including an intermediate transfer member, an intermediate transfer part configured to transfer a toner image from an image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member, a heating member configured to heat the intermediate transfer member to apply heat to the toner image thereon, a deformation member configured to apply pressure to the heated toner image on the intermediate transfer member, and a recording transfer part configured to transfer the compressed toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism configured to contain a developer and to form an image with the developer and a developer supplier configured to supply the developer to the image forming mechanism. The developer supplier includes a developer container, a conveyer, a sensor, an agitator, and a driver. The developer container contains the developer. The conveyer conveys the developer from the developer container to the image forming mechanism. The sensor is disposed at a predefined position on an interior wall of the developer container and detects the developer at the predefined position in the developer container. The agitator rotates to agitate the developer and includes a paddle formed in a plate-like shape and including an opening through which a part of the developer slips and avoids being paddled by the paddle. The driver drives the conveyer and the agitator at a variable speed.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device including an intermediate transfer member, an intermediate transfer part configured to transfer a toner image from an image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member, a heating member configured to heat the intermediate transfer member to apply heat to the toner image thereon, a deformation member configured to apply pressure to the heated toner image on the intermediate transfer member, and a recording transfer part configured to transfer the compressed toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device and an image forming apparatus including the fixing device. The fixing device includes a fixing member having a dielectric body to fix a toner image onto a recording medium by heating and melting the toner image onto the recording medium, a dielectric heating portion to heat the fixing member by dielectric heating, and a pressure member to press against the fixing member to form a nip portion therebetween to nip the recording medium as the recording medium is conveyed therebetween.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device includes a secondary intermediate transfer member configured to transfer a toner image from an image bearing member via a primary intermediate transfer member, for transfer of the toner image onto a recording medium, a heating unit configured to heat the toner image on the secondary intermediate transfer member, and a deformation unit configured to deform the toner image on the secondary intermediate transfer member by application of pressure. A heating region in which the heating unit heats the toner image has a larger area than a deformation region in which the deformation unit deforms the toner image. The deformation region is provided on a downstream side from the heating region relative to a direction of movement of the secondary intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism configured to contain a developer and to form an image with the developer and a developer supplier configured to supply the developer to the image forming mechanism. The developer supplier includes a developer container, a conveyer, a sensor, an agitator, and a driver. The developer container contains the developer. The conveyer conveys the developer from the developer container to the image forming mechanism. The sensor is disposed at a predefined position on an interior wall of the developer container and detects the developer at the predefined position in the developer container. The agitator rotates to agitate the developer and includes a paddle formed in a plate-like shape and including an opening through which a part of the developer slips and avoids being paddled by the paddle. The driver drives the conveyer and the agitator at a variable speed.