Abstract: A recording medium is conveyed through a conveyer path. A recording-medium selecting unit selects either one of a non-transparent recording medium and a transparent recording medium, and conveys a selected recording medium to the conveyer path. An image selecting unit selects an image to be formed on the recording medium from among an original image and a reversed image obtained by reversing the original image. A control unit controls, based on a control signal, the recording-medium selecting unit and the image selecting unit.

Abstract: A pasting apparatus includes a pasting member operative to paste a non-transparent medium onto an image-formed surface of a transparent medium; and a conveying member that conveys the non-transparent medium to the pasting member by electrostatic adsorption.

Abstract: A heating unit heats an image-printed medium including a transparent recording medium and a non-transparent recording medium with an image sandwiched between the transparent recording medium and the non-transparent recording medium.

Abstract: A sheet laminator includes a bonding unit and a restricting unit. The bonding unit bonds a first sheet to a second sheet that includes an adhesive layer. The restricting unit restricts movement of any one of the first sheet and the second sheet thereby preventing bonding between the first sheet and the second sheet before the first sheet and the second sheet reach the bonding unit.

Abstract: A sheet adhering apparatus includes an adhering device to convey a first sheet at a first conveyance speed and a second sheet at a second conveyance speed different from the first conveyance speed. The adhering device causes the second sheet to obliquely contact and adhere to the first sheet at a given adhering angle.

Abstract: A sheet bonding machine for bonding first sheet and a second sheet together includes a transport part, an angling member, and a pressure bond part. The transport part is configured to transport the first sheet and the second sheet and contact the first and the second sheet against each other at a predetermined angle. The angling member is configured to bend at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. The pressure bond part is provided downstream of a contact position between the first sheet and the second sheet and configured to bond together with pressure the first sheet and the second sheet contacted against each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of using a recording medium having a transparent portion includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and an applicator. The image forming unit forms an image on a face of the recording medium. The fixing unit fixes the image, formed by the image forming unit, on the face of the recording medium. The applicator applies a non-transparent liquid to at least the fixed image on the face of the recording medium.

Abstract: A sheet processing method including superimposing a transparent sheet having a mirror image thereon on a non-transparent sheet so that a surface of the transparent sheet having the mirror image faces the non-transparent sheet with an adhesive medium therebetween. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming means for forming a mirror image on a transparent sheet, and a heating and pressing means for applying heat and pressure to the transparent sheet and a non-transparent sheet on which the transparent sheet is superimposed so that a surface of the transparent sheet having the mirror image faces the non-transparent sheet. The non-transparent sheet includes a heat-sensitive adhesive layer including an adhesive medium including a thermoplastic resin and a solid plasticizer, on a surface facing the surface of the transparent sheet having the mirror image.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a transparent recording member and a substantially non-transparent member. The transparent recording member has at least one transparent area and a concavo-convex pattern on a first surface thereof while bearing a reverse toner image on a second surface thereof. The substantially non-transparent member is formed on the second surface of the transparent recording member.

Abstract: A pair of registration rollers align a leading edge of a recording medium having a transparent section and a non-transparent section. A boundary sensor detects a boundary between the transparent section and the non-transparent section. The boundary sensor is provided on a downstream side of a direction of conveying the recording medium by the registration rollers.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to superpose a smooth sheet on a toner image on a recording sheet after common thermal fusing, perform re-melting and solidification, and then separate the smooth sheet, thereby, forming a high-gloss image easily. The image forming device includes a first fusing unit for the common thermal fusing, and a second fusing unit for fusing the toner image on a recording sheet after the common thermal fusing with a gloss application sheet superposed on the toner image, and a separation unit for separating the gloss application sheet from the recording sheet. The gloss application sheet is superposed on the recording sheet with a side of the gloss application sheet projecting out beyond a side of the recording sheet on a downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the gloss application sheet and the recording sheet are directed into the separation unit while being superposed.

Abstract: A disclosed gloss-providing sheet for providing high gloss to a toner image on a recording material by being placed on a toner image surface of the recording material, heated so as to fuse toner, and then separated from the recording material after the toner is cooled and solidified includes: a notification portion that changes a visual state thereof when a temperature of the gloss-providing sheet becomes equal to or lower than a glass transition temperature of the toner.

Abstract: An image forming method includes steps of electrophotographic image formation and liquid material application. The electrophotographic image forming step electrophotographically forms an image on a recording medium having at least one transparent portion. The transparent portion has a surface to receive the image thereon. The applying step applies a coating of an opaque liquid material onto the surface of the transparent portion of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image recording medium includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet further includes a transparent portion having a transparent adhesive layer on which a mirror image of an original image is formed. The second sheet is formed of non-transparent material having a color distinguishable from a color of the mirror image. The second sheet is overlaid on the transparent adhesive layer, having the mirror image formed thereon, of the first sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, including a fixing device and a sheet storing member. The fixing device performs both tentative fixing and regular fixing. In at least one embodiment, the fixing device performs tentative fixing for tentatively fixing a toner image on a recording sheet. Further, the fixing device performs regular fixing for further fixing the tentatively fixed toner image by contacting a gloss sheet onto the tentatively fixed toner image on the recording sheet. The sheet storing member temporarily stores the recording sheet bearing the tentatively fixed toner image before the recording sheet is sent to the fixing device for the further fixing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, a charging device to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an irradiating device to irradiate the surface of the image bearing member to form the latent electrostatic image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent electrostatic image, an optional cleaning unit to clean the surface of the image bearing member, a transfer device to transfer the developed image to an opaque medium, an optional cleaning device to clean a surface of the transfer device, a fixing device to fix the transferred image on the opaque medium, and an attachment device to attach the fixed image to a transparent medium after the opaque medium is overlaid with the transparent medium, and recording media for use in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed from a sheet feeding unit to obtain an image with photographic quality, at least a part of the recording medium has a transparent portion. When an image obtained by reversing an original image is transferred onto the transparent part, sheet-delivery rollers are operable in a direction in which a pressure onto the recording medium is reduced immediately after fixing of the image.

Abstract: A pair of registration rollers align a leading edge of a recording medium having a transparent section and a non-transparent section. A boundary sensor detects a boundary between the transparent section and the non-transparent section. The boundary sensor is provided on a downstream side of a direction of conveying the recording medium by the registration rollers.