Abstract: A discharger includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a tensioning member, a protrusion, and a pressing member. The first electrode extends in a longitudinal direction. The second electrode is disposed between the first electrode and an image carrier member, and includes a netlike portion including multiple openings through which electric charges discharged from the first electrode pass. The tensioning member supports the second electrode while exerting a tension on the second electrode in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion is disposed on the second electrode on an outer side of the netlike portion in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion protrudes beyond the netlike portion in a thickness direction of the second electrode. The pressing member presses the second electrode in the thickness direction. The pressing member is noncontact with the protrusion.

Abstract: A discharger includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a tensioning member, a protrusion, and a pressing member. The first electrode extends in a longitudinal direction. The second electrode is disposed between the first electrode and an image carrier member, and includes a netlike portion including multiple openings through which electric charges discharged from the first electrode pass. The tensioning member supports the second electrode while exerting a tension on the second electrode in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion is disposed on the second electrode on an outer side of the netlike portion in the longitudinal direction. The protrusion protrudes beyond the netlike portion in a thickness direction of the second electrode. The pressing member presses the second electrode in the thickness direction. The pressing member is noncontact with the protrusion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms a first toner layer on a medium on which an image is to be formed, a first fixing unit that fixes the first toner layer onto the medium, a second image forming unit that forms a second toner layer on the first toner layer on the medium by using a toner having a melting point lower than a melting point of a toner that is included in the first toner layer, and a second fixing unit that performs, in a state in which a foil layer is superposed on the second toner layer, a fixing operation at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the first fixing unit performs a fixing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms a first toner layer on a medium on which an image is to be formed, a foil layer forming unit that forms a foil layer on the first toner layer on a surface of the medium on which an image is to be formed, and a second image forming unit that forms a second toner layer below the foil layer on the surface of the medium, on which an image is to be formed, in such a manner as to compensate for image steps that are formed by the first toner layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms a first toner layer on a medium on which an image is to be formed, a first fixing unit that fixes the first toner layer onto the medium, a second image forming unit that forms a second toner layer on the first toner layer on the medium by using a toner having a melting point lower than a melting point of a toner that is included in the first toner layer, and a second fixing unit that performs, in a state in which a foil layer is superposed on the second toner layer, a fixing operation at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the first fixing unit performs a fixing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms a first toner layer on a medium on which an image is to be formed, a foil layer forming unit that forms a foil layer on the first toner layer on a surface of the medium on which an image is to be formed, and a second image forming unit that forms a second toner layer below the foil layer on the surface of the medium, on which an image is to be formed, in such a manner as to compensate for image steps that are formed by the first toner layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to a continuous medium, a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the medium, and a transport member that is disposed downstream of the fixing device in a transport direction of the medium and that transports the medium. When the transport member transports the medium, the fixing device is passively rotated in accordance with movement of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to a continuous medium, a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the medium, and a transport member that is disposed downstream of the fixing device in a transport direction of the medium and that transports the medium. When the transport member transports the medium, the fixing device is passively rotated in accordance with movement of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to a continuous medium, a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the medium, and a transport member that is disposed downstream of the fixing device in a transport direction of the medium and that transports the medium. When the transport member transports the medium, the fixing device is passively rotated in accordance with movement of the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member that transfers an image on the image carrier to a continuous medium, a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the medium, and a transport member that is disposed downstream of the fixing device in a transport direction of the medium and that transports the medium. When the transport member transports the medium, the fixing device is passively rotated in accordance with movement of the medium.

Abstract: A cleaner includes first and second cleaning plates. The first cleaning plate includes a first free end and performs cleaning by causing the first free end to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical second transfer rotating body including an elastic layer, so that the outer circumferential surface is elastically deformed. The second cleaning plate includes a second free end and performs cleaning by causing the second free end to be in contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface downstream of, in a rotational direction of the second transfer rotating body, a position where the first free end is in contact with the outer circumferential surface and where the outer circumferential surface is elastically deformed due to the contact of the outer circumferential surface with the first free end so as to have a smallest surface curvature in the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers an image carried by the image carrier to a continuous medium; a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the continuous medium; a determination unit that determines whether or not a tension is applied to the continuous medium; and a controller that drives the fixing device if a tension is applied to the continuous medium.

Abstract: A blowing tube is provided and includes: a passage portion and plural restriction portions. The passage portion includes an inlet passage portion including a first passage space, a first bent passage portion including a second passage space, and a second bent passage portion including a third passage space. One of the restriction portions includes a plate-shaped blocking portion and an air passage portion disposed between one end of the blocking portion and an inner wall surface on an inner side of the second passage space of the first bent passage portion in the bent direction of the second bent passage portion. A bar-shaped member is provided in the third passage space and present in an isolated manner along a longitudinal direction of an opening of the air passage portion of the restriction portion. The air flowing out through the air passage portion collides against the bar-shaped member and diverges.

Abstract: A cleaner includes first and second cleaning plates. The first cleaning plate includes a first free end and performs cleaning by causing the first free end to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical second transfer rotating body including an elastic layer, so that the outer circumferential surface is elastically deformed. The second cleaning plate includes a second free end and performs cleaning by causing the second free end to be in contact with a portion of the outer circumferential surface downstream of, in a rotational direction of the second transfer rotating body, a position where the first free end is in contact with the outer circumferential surface and where the outer circumferential surface is elastically deformed due to the contact of the outer circumferential surface with the first free end so as to have a smallest surface curvature in the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: There is provided blowing tube. A plurality of flow control members are provided in portions of a passage space of a passage portion which are positioned at different positions in an airflow direction, and control a flow of air. One of the flow control members is provided as a downstream-most flow control member such that the outlet port is blocked by a multi-hole member having a plurality of air holes. Each of the air holes of the downstream-most flow control member is configured as a through hole such that the opening area of the through hole decreases continuously or in a stepwisely toward the downstream side in an air passing direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers an image carried by the image carrier to a continuous medium; a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the continuous medium; a determination unit that determines whether or not a tension is applied to the continuous medium; and a controller that drives the fixing device if a tension is applied to the continuous medium.

Abstract: There is provided blowing tube. A plurality of flow control members are provided in portions of a passage space of a passage portion which are positioned at different positions in an airflow direction, and control a flow of air. One of the flow control members is provided as a downstream-most flow control member such that the outlet port is blocked by a multi-hole member having a plurality of air holes. Each of the air holes of the downstream-most flow control member is configured as a through hole such that the opening area of the through hole decreases continuously or in a stepwisely toward the downstream side in an air passing direction.

Abstract: A blower duct includes a path section and multiple suppressing sections. The path section connects an inlet and an outlet and allows air to flow therethrough. The suppressing sections are provided at different locations in the air flowing direction and suppress the flow of the air. The path section at least has an entrance path section and a first bent path section. One of the suppressing sections is a first suppressing section including a blocking portion and openings. The blocking portion is disposed in the first bent path section and blocks the flow of the air. The openings are disposed at different positions in one direction and include a first opening disposed closest to the inlet at a first height position where a height from a reference base surface of the first bent path section is larger than the remaining opening or openings.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller that fixes a toner image to a recording medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the fixing roller and rotates, and cleans off toner adhered to a surface of the fixing roller; and a collecting roller that contacts the cleaning roller and rotates, and collects toner adhered to a surface of the cleaning roller, the collecting roller including an air passage section that extends through the collecting roller in an axial direction of the collecting roller and through which air passes.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller that fixes a toner image to a recording medium; a cleaning roller that contacts the fixing roller and rotates, and cleans off toner adhered to a surface of the fixing roller; and a collecting roller that contacts the cleaning roller and rotates, and collects toner adhered to a surface of the cleaning roller, the collecting roller including an air passage section that extends through the collecting roller in an axial direction of the collecting roller and through which air passes.