Abstract: A separation device separates a recording medium ejected from a fixing nip formed between a first rotator and a second rotator from the first rotator. The separation device includes a separator including a front end disposed opposite the fixing nip and the recording medium and a plurality of recesses disposed on the front end of the separator at least in a conveyance span on the separator where the recording medium is conveyed. The plurality of recesses includes a first recess extending in a first extension line that is oblique relative to a recording medium conveyance direction and a second recess adjacent to the first recess and extending in a second extension line that is oblique relative to the recording medium conveyance direction. The second extension line overlaps the first extension line in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction to define an overlap span.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressing rotator, an oil applicator, a first adjuster, a surface modifier, a second adjuster, and a processor. The fixing rotator contacts a recording medium bearing a toner image. The pressing rotator forms a fixing nip with the fixing rotator. The oil applicator is pressed against at least one of applied members of the fixing rotator and pressing rotator. The first adjuster adjusts contact/separation of the oil applicator with respect to the applied member. The surface modifier contacts the fixing rotator to modify a surface thereof. The second adjuster adjusts contact/separation of the surface modifier with respect to the fixing rotator. The processor allows the surface modifier to modify the fixing rotator surface after the oil applicator contacts the applied member, and the oil applicator to separate from the applied member after the surface modifier is separated from the fixing rotator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotary fixing member cleaner that includes a freely rotatable rotary unwinding member, around which a cleaning web winds, a rotary winding member to wind the cleaning web thereon from one end thereof, and a load applicator to apply a load to the cleaning web unwound from the rotary unwinding member. The rotary fixing member cleaner removes any unnecessary substance adhering to an outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member therefrom by unwinding and moving the cleaning web from the rotary unwinding member in an opposite direction to a direction of movement of the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member at a contacting point at which the cleaning web contacts the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member. The load applicator presses against the cleaning web winding around the rotary unwinding member at a prescribed angular contact position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotary fixing member cleaner that includes a freely rotatable rotary unwinding member, around which a cleaning web winds, a rotary winding member to wind the cleaning web thereon from one end thereof, and a load applicator to apply a load to the cleaning web unwound from the rotary unwinding member. The rotary fixing member cleaner removes any unnecessary substance adhering to an outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member therefrom by unwinding and moving the cleaning web from the rotary unwinding member in an opposite direction to a direction of movement of the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member at a contacting point at which the cleaning web contacts the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member. The load applicator presses against the cleaning web winding around the rotary unwinding member at a prescribed angular contact position.

Abstract: A separation device separates a recording medium ejected from a fixing nip formed between a first rotator and a second rotator from the first rotator. The separation device includes a separator including a front end disposed opposite the fixing nip and the recording medium and a plurality of recesses disposed on the front end of the separator at least in a conveyance span on the separator where the recording medium is conveyed. The plurality of recesses includes a first recess extending in a first extension line that is oblique relative to a recording medium conveyance direction and a second recess adjacent to the first recess and extending in a second extension line that is oblique relative to the recording medium conveyance direction. The second extension line overlaps the first extension line in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction to define an overlap span.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotator rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a second rotator contacting the first rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heater is disposed opposite and heats at least one of the first rotator and the second rotator. An abutment separably contacts the first rotator to refresh an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator. A mover is connected to the abutment to move the abutment with respect to the first rotator. A degradation estimator is operatively connected to the mover to estimate a degradation level of the outer circumferential surface of the first rotator and control the mover to move the abutment with respect to the first rotator according to the degradation level of the first rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating device for heating the fixing member, a pressure member, and a separation unit. The pressure member is pressed against the fixing member to form a fixing nip for receiving a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image and fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The separation unit has a surface facing the fixing member and having an opening therein. The separation unit includes a separation member and a removable rubbing member. The separation member disposed in the opening in the separation unit to be located near an exit of the fixing nip separates the recording medium from the fixing member. The rubbing member is housed in the separation unit and contactable with the fixing member through the opening in the separation unit, and rubs against a surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: A belt unit is detachably attached to a housing. A holder changes a state of an endless belt by moving a transfer roller between a first state as an endless belt movement state and a second state as a detachment state. The first state allows the endless belt to circulate for image formation, and the second state allows the belt unit to be detached from the housing. The holder moves the transfer roller adjacent supporter independently of the transfer roller and lifts the opening in the endless belt to a prescribed position to expose it to the front side plate.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating device for heating the fixing member, a pressure member, and a separation unit. The pressure member is pressed against the fixing member to form a fixing nip for receiving a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image and fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording medium. The separation unit has a surface facing the fixing member and having an opening therein. The separation unit includes a separation member and a removable rubbing member. The separation member disposed in the opening in the separation unit to be located near an exit of the fixing nip separates the recording medium from the fixing member. The rubbing member is housed in the separation unit and contactable with the fixing member through the opening in the separation unit, and rubs against a surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrier; an intermediate transfer member having a first portion and a second portion that has a higher glossiness than that of the first portion; a primary transfer member; a light source to emit light to the intermediate transfer member side; a detector to detect intensity of reflected light emitted from the light source and then reflected from the intermediate transfer member and a density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member; a processor including a light-emission intensity adjuster to adjust light-emission intensity from the light source based on detected intensity of light reflected from the second portion of the intermediate transfer member; and an image forming condition controller to control image forming conditions for forming a toner image based on the detected intensity of the light reflected from the density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device comprises a solid lubricant, a lubricant applicator to scrape and supply the lubricant to a target, and a pressing mechanism to press the solid lubricant against the lubricant applicator. An amount of pressure applied to the solid lubricant by the pressing mechanism increases until one of a thickness of the solid lubricant and a number of printed sheets reaches a prescribed level after the lubricant starts being consumed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image carrier; an intermediate transfer member having a first portion and a second portion that has a higher glossiness than that of the first portion; a primary transfer member; a light source to emit light to the intermediate transfer member side; a detector to detect intensity of reflected light emitted from the light source and then reflected from the intermediate transfer member and a density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member; a processor including a light-emission intensity adjuster to adjust light-emission intensity from the light source based on detected intensity of light reflected from the second portion of the intermediate transfer member; and an image forming condition controller to control image forming conditions for forming a toner image based on the detected intensity of the light reflected from the density adjustment pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which forms a releasing agent absorption toner image on an in-between printed sides area of a moving surface of an image carrier in the duplex printing mode. When the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface enters a transfer position at which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a recording medium, the transferring operation of transferring the toner image from the image carrier to a recording medium is interrupted to keep the releasing agent absorption toner image on the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: A belt unit is detachably attached to a housing. A holder changes a state of an endless belt by moving a transfer roller between a first state as an endless belt movement state and a second state as a detachment state. The first state allows the endless belt to circulate for image formation, and the second state allows the belt unit to be detached from the housing. The holder moves the transfer roller adjacent supporter independently of the transfer roller and lifts the opening in the endless belt to a prescribed position to expose it to the front side plate.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device comprises a solid lubricant, a lubricant applicator to scrape and supply the lubricant to a target, and a pressing mechanism to press the solid lubricant against the lubricant applicator. An amount of pressure applied to the solid lubricant by the pressing mechanism increases until one of a thickness of the solid lubricant and a number of printed sheets reaches a prescribed level after the lubricant starts being consumed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which forms a releasing agent absorption toner image on an in-between printed sides area of a moving surface of an image carrier in the duplex printing mode. When the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface enters a transfer position at which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier to a recording medium, the transferring operation of transferring the toner image from the image carrier to a recording medium is interrupted to keep the releasing agent absorption toner image on the in-between printed sides area of the moving surface of the image carrier.