Abstract: For an image forming apparatus, a transfer fixing apparatus and a transfer fixing method fix a toner image onto a record medium. The fixing apparatus and the image forming apparatus have a structure to reduce adverse heat influences impacting on an intermediate transfer member, and can further reduce vibrations generated to the intermediate transfer member and to a recording medium onto which a visualized image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member. Further, a heating value and a heat distribution in the fixing apparatus can be controlled to be optimized.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus utilizing a concurrently transferring and fixing method which improves a transfer efficiency of a toner image from an intermediate transfer member to a transferring and fixing member, allows a stable forming of a high-definition image in a high-speed image forming, and ensures further reduction of power consumption, and prevention of heat deterioration of a photoreceptor, with no upsizing of the apparatus. In an image forming apparatus comprising a toner image baring section, a first intermediate transfer section, a transferring and fixing section, and an electrical field section, a second intermediate transfer section is disposed between the first intermediate transfer section and the transferring and fixing section.

Abstract: A transfer-fixing device includes a transfer-fixing member, a pressing member, a heating device, and a temperature equalizer. The transfer-fixing member carries the toner image. The pressing member presses against the transfer-fixing member to form a nip portion to which the recording medium is conveyed. The heating device heats the transfer-fixing surface of the recording medium conveyed toward the nip portion. The temperature equalizer equalizes a temperature distribution of a surface of the transfer-fixing member in a width direction of the transfer-fixing member after the surface of the transfer-fixing member passes through the nip portion.

Abstract: A piano (upright or horizontal) including a piano case having a case surface temporarily adhering markings. An upright piano including a piano case having a reversible display panel selectively positionable among a display position and a marking position. The panel has a decorative display side and a markable side, which temporarily adheres markings. The decorative display side faces outward while in the display position and the markable side faces outward while in the marking position.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus comprises a toner image supporting body and a corona transfer means, which are oppositely disposed, and a vibrating unit for exerting vibration force to the rear face of a toner supporting body, disposed opposite to the corona transfer means, wherein the vibrating unit has a cantilever structure for holding an end of a piezoelectric bimorph element in which a pair of piezoelectric bodies each having an electrode, are bonded to both sides of a conductive elastic member (a shim member). A protrusion portion is provided on the other end of the piezoelectric bimorph element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an image recording body comprising: image-forming, to form an image on a surface of a film by an electrophotographic method; positioning, by overlaying the film onto a support so that at least one side of the support and a side of the film on which the image is formed are opposed to each other so as to obtain a laminate body; and heating and pressing the laminate body, wherein cleaning at least one of a surface of the laminate, a surface of the film and a surface of the support is conducted during at least one of a timing between the positioning and the heating and pressing and a timing between the image-forming and the positioning. The present invention further provides an apparatus for manufacturing an image recording body in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing image information on a recording medium passing a nip of the present invention includes a rotatable member for transferring and conveying a non-fixed image, a first heating means for heating an image present on the rotatable member and a rotatable pressing member forming a nip in combination with the rotatable member. A heat pipe extends in parallel to the axis of the rotatable member. A radiating member is positioned at one end of the heat pipe while a heating member is positioned at the other end of the heat pipe.

Abstract: For an image forming apparatus, a transfer fixing apparatus and a transfer fixing method fix a toner image onto a record medium. The fixing apparatus and the image forming apparatus have a structure to reduce adverse heat influences impacting on an intermediate transfer member, and can further reduce vibrations generated to the intermediate transfer member and to a recording medium onto which a visualized image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member. Further, a heating value and a heat distribution in the fixing apparatus can be controlled to be optimized.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided including: charging an image bearing member; irradiating the image bearing member with a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image thereon; developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image on the image bearing member; primarily transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member; secondarily transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a transfer-fixing member; heating the toner image on the transfer-fixing member; and fixing the toner image on a recording medium passing through a nip formed between the transfer-fixing member and a pressing member, wherein the toner has a weight average particle diameter (D4) from 3 to 5 ?m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, first toner image forming device of forming a first toner image by a first toner, second toner image forming device of forming a second toner image by a second toner, transferring device of transferring the first toner image on the image bearing member to a transferring medium, and electrostatically transferring the second toner image on the image bearing device so as to be overlaid on at least a portion of the first toner image transferred to the transferring medium, fixing device of mixing and fixing at least the first and second toner images on the transferring medium, and forming the mixed toner images on the transferring medium, detecting device of detecting the mixed toner images at least on the transferring device, and control device of variably controlling the transferring condition of the transferring device based on the detection result of the mixed toner images at least on the transferring medium of the detecting device.

Abstract: A fixing device including a magnetic field generating device to generate a magnetic field, a fixing member to heat a recording material by heat generated in a first recording material passing area having a first width on the fixing member by electromagnetic induction heat generation by the magnetic field formed by the magnetic field generating device, a pressing member to form a nip portion where the pressing member and the fixing member press against each other to fix an unfixed image on the recording material, and at least one radiation heating device configured to heat a second recording material passing area having a second width.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of reducing the time when it is unable to perform image formation due to a temperature change of an image bearing member. The apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member; an electrostatic image forming device for continuously forming electrostatic images on the image bearing member based on forming image amount information; a toner image forming device for developing the electrostatic image and forming a toner image; a primary transferring device for transferring the toner image on the image bearing member to a rotatable intermediate transferring member; a simultaneously transferring and fixing device for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transferring member to a recording material and heating and fixing it; a detector detects a temperature of the image bearing member; and a starting device starts the electrostatic image forming means based on a detection result and the forming image amount information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the wet fixing method includes a toner image forming section, a intermediate transfer section including an intermediate transfer belt, a fixing fluid applying section that applies a fixing fluid to a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt and swells and/or softens the toner image, a transferring and fixing section, a recording medium feeding section, and a scanner section. The fixing fluid applying-section and the transferring and fixing section are placed so that, when the toner image in a swelled and/or softened state on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred and fixed to a recording medium, adhesive force A between toner forming the toner image and the intermediate transfer belt becomes smaller than adhesive force B between the toner and the recording medium.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus utilizing a concurrently transferring and fixing method which improves a transfer efficiency of a toner image from an intermediate transfer member to a transferring and fixing member, allows a stable forming of a high-definition image in a high-speed image forming, and ensures further reduction of power consumption, and prevention of heat deterioration of a photoreceptor, with no upsizing of the apparatus. In an image forming apparatus comprising a toner image baring section, a first intermediate transfer section, a transferring and fixing section, and an electrical field section, a second intermediate transfer section is disposed between the first intermediate transfer section and the transferring and fixing section.

Abstract: A printer includes a surface configured to carry an electrostatic charge and a printing material forming an image, a transfer member configured to carry printing material from the surface to media and a heater external to the transfer member. The heater is configured to heat printing material being carried by the transfer member.

Abstract: A transfer-fixing unit for use in an image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer member and a transfer-fixing unit, which includes a pressure member and a transfer-fixing member. The intermediate transfer member receives a toner image thereon. The transfer-fixing member has a deformable surface layer thereon, and directly receives the toner image from the intermediate transfer member, and transfers and fixes the toner image to a recording medium while deforming the surface layer in response to surface irregularities of the recording medium. The transfer-fixing member forms a nip portion with the pressure member and presses the recording medium at the nip portion when the recording medium passes through the nip portion with a nip time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive medium on which an image is formed. An intermediate transfer medium is disposed to contact the photosensitive medium and to rotate in a closed loop, and onto which the image formed on the photosensitive medium is transferred. A transferring and fusing unit is disposed to contact the intermediate transfer medium. The image formed on the intermediate transfer medium is transferred onto a printing paper and the transferred image is fused onto the printing paper. A cooling unit is disposed inside of the intermediate transfer medium to cool a backside of the intermediate transfer medium to in turn cool the intermediate transfer medium.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a transferring and fixing apparatus in which a transferring and fixing member and a pressure member are in close and pressing contact with each other, forming a transferring and fixing region therebetween, and a fused toner image held and heated by the transferring and fixing member is transferred and fixed into in the transferring and fixing region onto a recording paper fed to the transferring and fixing region, either of an end portion of the transferring and fixing region where the recording paper is fed or an end portion of the transferring and fixing region where the recording paper is discharged is set to have a highest pressure in the transferring and fixing region. With this arrangement the present invention prevents micro offset phenomenon in a transferring and fixing process of toner into a recording paper in a simultaneous transferring and fixing mode, thereby achieving high picture quality.

Abstract: An unfixed toner image on a transferring and fixing belt is passed through a pair of toner integrating rollers. A surface side of the toner integrated that is in contact with a paper, is heated by a halogen heater to impart a tackiness required for fixing. As a result of this, a temperature of a surface side of the toner that is in contact with the transferring and fixing belt is not as high as a temperature of the surface side of the toner that is in contact with the paper. Therefore, even if the toner is pressurized, and transferred and fixed at a fixing nip, a difference in an area of the toner is small. This enables to achieve a good image quality.

Abstract: An intermediary transfer apparatus for transferring an unfixed image from an intermediary transfer member to a recording medium is disclosed. The intermediary transfer apparatus includes a heating unit for selectively heating a prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member on which the unfixed image is situated, in a width direction of the intermediary transfer member, the width direction of the intermediary transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the unfixed image is conveyed.

Abstract: A free sheet, high speed, color tandem printing system that controls registration of images from one imager to another while mechanically decoupling individual imagers and all the while maintaining relative registration of each of the color separations by the use of spherical transport servo devices or spherical nips (SNIPS). SNIPS correct skew, lateral, and process positions and ensure proper registration of a sheet with a station.

Abstract: A transfer fixing apparatus including an intermediate transfer member having an outer surface onto which a toner image is transferred, a transfer fixing member having an outer surface onto which the toner image is transferred by the intermediate transfer member, a heating member configured to heat the toner image on the outer surface of the transfer fixing member, and an opposite member formed opposite the transfer fixing member. A nip is formed between the transfer fixing member and the opposite member, the toner image being fixed onto the recording medium while passing through the nip. The transfer member is separated by a space from the intermediate transfer member by a thickness of the toner image.

Abstract: An image forming method of the present invention begins with a first image transfer step for thermally transferring a first toner image from a first image carrier to a second image carrier contacting it. Subsequently, in a second image transfer step, the first toner image carried on the second image carrier and a second toner image newly formed on the first image carrier are thermally transferred to opposite sides of a recording medium substantially at the same time. Higher image transfer temperature is assigned to the second image transfer step than to the first image transfer step. Additionally, the second image carrier has a greater roughness than the first image carrier.

Abstract: A fixing device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a pressing/transferring member for pressing, when a toner image transferred from a photoconductive drum to a first image transfer body by primary image transfer is to be transferred to a second image transfer body by secondary image transfer, the second image transfer body against the first image transfer body. A heat-fixing member heats the second image transfer body after the secondary image transfer to thereby fix the transfer image on the second image transfer body. A press-fixing member presses the second image transfer body against the heat-pressing member. A belt conveyor conveys the second image transfer body from a nip for secondary image transfer between the first image transfer body and the pressing/transferring member to a nip for fixation between said heat-fixing member and the press-fixing member.

Abstract: As an urging member 50 urges a front surface side roller 48 against a back surface side roller 45, the front surface side roller 48 and the back surface side roller 45 bring an intermediate transfer belt 41 and a recording medium 4 into pressure contact with each other at a secondary transfer position 49. The thermal capacity per unit surface area of each one of the front surface side roller 48 and the back surface side roller 45 is larger than the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Further, the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the back surface side roller 45 is larger than the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the front surface side roller 48.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first and a second intermediate image transfer belt contacting each other to form a nip for secondary image transfer. While the nip is heated, a sheet is passed through the nip to thereby transfer toner images respectively formed on the first and second belts to opposite surfaces of the sheet at the same time. The nip is sized such that image transfer and fixation can be effected at temperature higher than the melting point or the softening point of toner by 5° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: A liquid type image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developing device for developing the latent image on the latent image carrier into a visualized image by a liquid developer containing a toner in a carrier liquid, and a transfer device for electrostatically transferring the visualized image on a recording body after the visualized image on the latent image carrier is intermediately transferred onto an intermediate transfer body. A fluorine compound is coated on at least a surface of the intermediate transfer body. The liquid type image forming apparatus is provided with a heating device for heating the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: An image formation device for forming an image on an image supporting member by an image formation unit. The device includes first and second transfer units that transfer an image formed on the same image supporting member to a recording medium having front and back sides, and an inverting unit that inverts the front and back sides of the recording medium by an inverting path while conveying the recording medium from the first transfer unit to the second transfer unit. The inverting unit includes a branched nail and conveyance rollers.

Abstract: A wet electro-photographic printer includes a transfer/fixing apparatus having a subsidiary intermediate transfer unit disposed to contact a transfer belt to re-transfer an image on a printing paper after receiving the image from a transfer belt, a back-up unit disposed to contact the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit through the printing paper in order to transfer the image transferred to the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit to the printing paper, and a fixing unit fixing the image simultaneously or separately when the image transferred to the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit is re-transferred to the printing paper. The transfer belt includes a single non-elastic layer made of one material selected from polyimide, polycabonate and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying body, a heating unit, a pressure unit for applying pressure, a recording medium supporting member, and a depressing/close-contacting unit. The recording medium supporting member moves in the same direction as the image carrying body moves, from a pressure position where the pressure unit applies pressure to the recording medium and the image carrying body to an exfoliation position where the recording medium is exfoliated from the image carrying body while supporting the recording medium overlapped with the image carrying body. The depressing/close-contacting unit sandwiches and depresses the recording-medium supporting member and the image carrying body in a middle position between the pressure position and the exfoliation position to closely contact the recording medium with the image carrying body.

Abstract: In the present invention, a toner image produced through a development process of supplying a liquid toner onto an image bearing body bearing an electrostatic latent image is transferred from the image bearing body onto an intermediate transfer body and then transferred from the intermediate transfer body onto a printing medium by use of a backup roller in a transfer-and-fixation zone. The printing medium is preheated to a temperature required for transfer and fixation before the printing medium reaches the transfer-and-fixation zone. No heating means is provided in the transfer-and-fixation zone, and the intermediate transfer body and the backup roller are pressed against each other at a high pressure ranging from 10 kg/cm2 to 60 kg/cm2.

Abstract: A duplex image forming apparatus including a first image carrier configured to carry a first image, and a second image carrier configured to receive the first image. The first image is transferred to one side of a recording medium from the second image carrier, and a second image is formed on the first image carrier and transferred to the other side of the recording medium. Also included is a recording medium conveying device configured to vertically convey the recording medium to a fixing section along a vertical conveyance path at least starting from where the first and second images are transferred onto the recording medium, and a fixing device included in the fixing section configured to simultaneously fix the first and second images to respective sides of the recording medium.

Abstract: As an urging member 50 urges a front surface side roller 48 against a back surface side roller 45, the front surface side roller 48 and the back surface side roller 45 bring an intermediate transfer belt 41 and a recording medium 4 into pressure contact with each other at a secondary transfer position 49. The thermal capacity per unit surface area of each one of the front surface side roller 48 and the back surface side roller 45 is larger than the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the intermediate transfer belt 41. Further, the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the back surface side roller 45 is larger than the thermal capacity per unit surface area of the front surface side roller 48.

Abstract: A liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus utilizes a nonvolatile, high-viscosity, high-concentration liquid toner as a liquid developer. A developing section is in contact with photosensitive drums 11-14, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, so that the liquid developer is supplied onto photosensitive drums 11-14. Toner particles contained in the liquid developer adhere to the photosensitive drums 11-14 according to an electric field established between the developing section and the photosensitive drums 11-14 to form toner images. The toner images are transferred from the photosensitive drums 11-14 to an intermediate transfer section. A transfer-and-fixation section includes a heater to melt-transfer the toner images onto the printing medium. A development section is disposed at a lower portion of the apparatus to prevent smudging of the printing medium and the intermediate transfer section even when the liquid toner spills.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first and a second intermediate image transfer belt contacting each other to form a nip for secondary image transfer. While the nip is heated, a sheet is passed through the nip to thereby transfer toner images respectively formed on the first and second belts to opposite surfaces of the sheet at the same time. The nip is sized such that image transfer and fixation can be effected at temperature higher than the melting point or the softening point of toner by 5° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: Process for preparing durable, re-usable intermediate toner image-transfer belts or electrostatic transfuse belts. The present belts have a continuous elastomer-impregnated fibrous fabric support and at least one outer smooth release layer of a cured elastomer polymer. The invention is characterized by the application of a thin primer layer of a hydrolyzable polyfunctional silicone composition between the elastomer-coated surface of the fabric support and the outer elastomer polymer layer. The polyfunctional silicone chemically-bonds to the elastomer of the fabric support during hydrolysis and chemically-bonds to the outer elastomer layer during its cure, to form a durable, heat-resistant transfuse belt. The layers maybe applied to the fabric support by spray application as dilute solutions.

Abstract: For an image forming apparatus, a transfer fixing apparatus and a transfer fixing method fix a toner image onto a record medium. The fixing apparatus and the image forming apparatus have a structure to reduce adverse heat influences impacting on an intermediate transfer member, and can further reduce vibrations generated to the intermediate transfer member and to a recording medium onto which a visualized image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member. Further, a heating value and a heat distribution in the fixing apparatus can be controlled to be optimized.

Abstract: A fuser member is described wherein the fuser member includes a core, a cushion comprising a first layer adjacent to the core and a second layer on top of the first layer, and a plastic sleeve. Also described is a process for producing a fuser member, which includes applying a first layer of cushioning composition on a core, applying a second layer of cushioning composition on the first layer of the cushioning composition, and applying a plastic sleeve on the second layer of the cushioning composition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for printing an image on a print medium with a liquid developer which includes a liquid carrier and a toner dispersed in the liquid carrier. The image is printed by forming a toner image having the toner from the liquid developer, and transferring the toner image to the print medium under pressure. By adjusting a complex viscosity coefficient of the toner forming the toner image to be transferred to a value satisfying the formula: 1×104<&eegr;<1×106, wherein &eegr; represents the complex viscosity coefficient (Pa·s) of the toner, the toner image to be transferred to the print medium is controlled.

Abstract: A semiconductive member such as a semiconductive belt or a semiconductive roll used with an image formation apparatus has a portion formed of a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a thermoplastic resin 73 as a matrix and rubber particles 72 at least some of which have conductivity and at least some of which are cross-linked as domain.

Abstract: A wet electro-photographic printer includes a transfer/fixing apparatus having a subsidiary intermediate transfer unit disposed to contact a transfer belt to re-transfer an image on a printing paper after receiving the image from a transfer belt, a back-up unit disposed to contact the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit through the printing paper in order to transfer the image transferred to the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit to the printing paper, and a fixing unit fixing the image simultaneously or separately when the image transferred to the subsidiary intermediate transfer unit is re-transferred to the printing paper. The transfer belt includes a single non-elastic layer made of one material selected from polyimide, polycabonate and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A fixing device and method for transfusing toner on a receptor material is disclosed. Particularly, the fixing device comprises a heated transfuse member having an outermost layer of a material selected from the group of polyorganosiloxanes, fluorosilicones, fluoro-elastomers, phenylsilicones, and mixtures or hybrid compositions thereof. In operation, this outermost layer releases an amount of release agent corresponding to an amount of release agent of 0.05 mg per printed side of A4 paper or below, measured on NopaColor 100 gsm paper at an operating temperature for the transfuse member of 120 degrees Centigrade. Preferably, this outermost layer has a peel force, being measured according to Finat No. 3, with tape TESA 4163 at a peeling speed of 30 cm/min, above 7 N/m.

Abstract: A three-layer transfer member having a rigid substrate, a conformable intermediate layer and an outer thin fluoropolymer layer wherein the fluoropolymer layer can be tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, fluorine ethylene propene monomers, polymers thereof, and mixtures thereof, and an image apparatus including the same.

Abstract: In the present invention, a toner image produced through a development process of supplying a liquid toner onto an image bearing body bearing an electrostatic latent image is transferred from the image bearing body onto an intermediate transfer body and then transferred from the intermediate transfer body onto a printing medium by use of a backup roller in a transfer-and-fixation zone. The printing medium is preheated to a temperature required for transfer and fixation before the printing medium reaches the transfer-and-fixation zone. No heating means is provided in the transfer-and-fixation zone, and the intermediate transfer body and the backup roller are pressed against each other at a high pressure ranging from 10 kg/cm2 to 60 kg/cm2.

Abstract: The printer comprises image-forming stations at which developed toner images are formed and electrostatically transferred in register to an endless primary belt. A heat transfer minimizing nip contact is formed between the primary belt and an intermediate belt. The intermediate belt is heated downstream of the nip to heat the image thereon and to transfer the image from the intermediate belt to a substrate.

Abstract: A transfix member with a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer layer having a fluoroelastomer and polyamino polysiloxane, and a heating member associated with the transfix member.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transfuse member, an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member that electrostatically transfers a toner image from the intermediate transfer member to the transfuse member. The transfer member includes at least one temperature control device that maintains the transfer member within a predefined range. A controller assembly may be connected to the at least one temperature control device for extending the electrical life of the transfer member by maintaining the transfer member at a substantially constant resistivity.

Abstract: A pressure member is provided suitable for use in an image forming system. The pressure member includes a core surrounded by a sleeve. The inner perimeter of the sleeve is large than the outer perimeter of the core to enable the sleeve to be removed and replaced easily when worn out.

Abstract: A transfix member with a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer layer having a fluoroelastomer and polyamino polysiloxane, and a heating member associated with the transfix member.

Abstract: An image forming method has steps of transferring a toner image formed on an image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member and simultaneously transferring and fixing the toner image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium. The toner contains a binder resin and a colorant, and has a storage elastic modulus (G′) of 2×102 to 6×103 Pa at a temperature at which a loss elastic modulus (G″) reaches 1×104 Pa, and the simultaneous transfer and fixing is conducted using a transfer and fixing unit which has a nip between a fixing roll coated with an elastic member and a heat-resistant belt laid across support rolls, and the heat-resistant belt is urged against the fixing roll and the elastic member of the fixing roll is twisted at an exit of the nip with a pressure roll mounted inside the heat-resistant belt.