Abstract: A fixing device incorporated in a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a heater, a rotatable body, and a pressure roller. The rotatable body is configured to be heated by the heater. The pressure roller is configured to form a nip region in cooperation with the rotatable body to nip a sheet at the nip region between the pressure roller and the rotatable body. The pressure roller includes a shaft, and an elastic layer covering a peripheral surface of the shaft. The elastic layer has a thickness of at least 1 millimeter to at most 3 millimeters. The pressure roller has a peripheral surface whose hardness is in a range of at least 60 to at most 67 on the Asker C scale.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image to the recording medium includes a film unit, a roller, and a frame. The film unit includes a tubular film that rotates while being in contact with the recording medium. The roller is in contact with an outer surface of the tubular film and form a fixing nip portion with the film unit to pinch and convey the recording medium. The frame includes a first side frame to hold one end portion of the film unit and includes a second side frame to hold the other end portion of the film unit. At least one of the first or second side frames includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate is fixed to the second plate and is disposed on a side of a surface of the second plate orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the fixing device.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical fixing member, a heater arranged in an inner space of the fixing member, a pressing member to contact the fixing member and a conductive member disposed so as to contact an inner surface of the fixing member and to conduct the fixing member to a circuit for controlling a potential of the fixing member The fixing member heats an image on a recording material to fix the image onto the recording material while nipping and conveying the recording material between the fixing member and the pressing member. The conductive member is formed of metal wire.

Abstract: A fixing device includes first and second rotary members to form a nip portion, a heating unit, a frame, a bearing member, a moving mechanism, and a restricting member. At the nip portion, the first and second rotary members apply heat and pressure to fix a toner image to a recording material. The moving mechanism moves the second rotary member between a contact position where the first and second rotary members contact to form the nip portion and a separated position where the first and second rotary members are separated from each other. The restricting member includes a restricting portion to restrict the movement of the second rotary member toward the first rotary member. When the first rotary member is supported by the frame and the second rotary member is at the separated position, the restricting member is attachable and detachable between the bearing member and the frame.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus according includes: a heater that includes a substrate, a heating element provided on the substrate, and an electrode provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the heating element; and a power supply member that includes a first member bonded or coupled to the electrode to supply power to the heating element and a second member bonded or coupled to an opposite surface of the first member to a surface, which is bonded or coupled to the electrode, of the first member, wherein the heater generates heat by power supplied via the power supply member, and an image formed on a recording material is heated by heat of the heater; and a liner expansion coefficient of the first member is different from a liner expansion coefficient of the second member.

Abstract: A device for an image forming apparatus includes a frame, a first spring, and a second spring. The frame includes a boss. The first spring includes a coil, a first arm and a second arm. The first arm includes at an end thereof an electrical contact that contacts an electrode of a main housing. When the device is not attached to the main housing, the first spring is biased by the second spring and located in a retracted position. When the device is being attached to the main housing, the second arm is pushed by the main housing and causes the first arm to rotate about the boss, whereby the electrical contact is located in a protruding position in which the electrical contact protrudes further outward of the frame than when the electrical contact is located in the retracted position and contacts the electrode.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, a pressure rotator, a heater, and a conductor. The pressure rotator presses the rotator to form a fixing nip between the rotator and the pressure rotator. The heater is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the rotator and heats the rotator. The conductor is grounded and has a contact portion in contact with a center region of the inner circumferential surface of the rotator in a longitudinal direction of the rotator.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a heater, a separator, and a resistor. The second rotator is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator to form a nip through which a recording medium bearing an unfixed image passes. The heater includes a heat generator and heats the first rotator. The separator is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator and separates the recording medium passing through the nip from the first rotator. The resistor couples the second rotator and the separator to the ground.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a first rotatable member; a second rotatable member disposed in contact with the first rotatable member; a pressing member that is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and presses the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member such that the second rotatable member is pressed against the first rotatable member; a sliding member interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the pressing member; and a lubricant interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member and the sliding member. The inner circumferential surface of the second rotatable member contains a resin having at least one group selected from the group consisting of an amido group, an imido group, a ketone group, and a sulfide group.

Abstract: A drive transmission device disclosed. The device has an input gear configured to rotate by a driving force from a driving source; a swing gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the input gear, the swing gear being located at a first position when the input gear is rotated in a forward direction and located at a second position that is different from the first position when the input gear is rotated in a backward direction that is a direction opposite to the forward direction; an output gear configured to separate from the swing gear when the swing gear is located at the first position, and that is in contact with the swing gear to be rotated by rotation of the swing gear when the swing gear is located at the second position; and a shaft portion configured to support the swing gear such that the swing gear is movable between the first position and the second position. The swing gear has a guide hole into which the shaft portion is inserted.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotatable body, a second rotatable body, a frame, and a shutter. The frame supports the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body. The first rotatable body and the second rotatable body provide a nipping region therebetween where a sheet is configured to be conveyed in a conveying direction. The sheet is configured to pass through an opening of the frame to be conveyed toward the nipping region. The shutter is pivotally movable about a first axis between a closed position where the shutter closes the opening and an open position where the shutter opens the opening. The first axis is positioned downstream of the nipping region in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a frame, a shutter, a pressure arm, a cam, a shutter arm, and an arm cam. The shutter is rotatable about a first axis between a closed position and an open position. The pressure arm presses the first rotating body against the second rotating body. The cam is rotatable about a second axis and pushes the pressure arm. The shutter arm is connected to the shutter and rotates about the second axis independent of the cam, to cause the shutter to rotate between the closed position and the open position. The arm cam rotates about the second axis to push the shutter arm at a position offset from the second axis and cause the shutter arm to rotate about the second axis.

Abstract: Thermal transformative variable gloss control produces selectively variable levels of gloss finish on thermoformed materials. In embodiments, the power level of LED curing lamps associated with an ink jet printer that is using thermoforming inks for printing is selectively varied depending upon a desired level of gloss in a finished substrate. Heat treating of the substrate during thermoforming or in an oven develops the glossy finish on the substrate in relation to the level of power applied to the printer LED curing lamps during printing.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt, a steering roller, a pressure rotation member, and a contact-separation mechanism. The contact-separation mechanism moves the pressure rotation member to a position where the pressure rotation member is in a contact state with the fixing belt and a position where the pressure rotation member is in a separated state from the fixing belt. Swing of the steering roller is controlled so that the fixing belt moves to a predetermined position in a fixing belt width direction. A distance between a center position of the fixing belt in tilting the steering roller for a first time after the center position is separated from a center position of a range of movement of the fixing belt and the center position of the range of movement of the fixing belt in the width direction is smaller in the separated state than in the contact state.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, a pressure plate, a pressing force adjuster, an entrance guide, an exit guide, and a guide. The pressure rotator presses the fixing rotator to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The pressure plate rotates about a fulcrum to press the pressure rotator. The pressing force adjuster adjusts a pressing force of the pressure rotator. The entrance guide guides a recording medium entering the nip. The exit guide guides the recording medium ejected from the nip. The guide guides the pressure rotator in a direction inclined from a line connecting a rotation center of the fixing rotator and a rotation center of the pressure rotator toward downstream in a conveyance direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: An electrophotographic member having an endless shape comprises: a substrate; and an elastic layer on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The elastic layer contains a silicone rubber and metal silicon fillers dispersed in the silicone rubber. An average of area ratios of the metal silicon fillers in respective first binarized images is 42% or less, and an average of area ratios of the metal silicon fillers in respective second binarized images is 42% or less. The elastic layer has ? of 1.30 W/(m·K) or more, where ? is a thermal conductivity of the elastic layer in a thickness direction thereof, and the elastic layer has ?V of 9.0 LOG ?·cm or more, where ?V is a common logarithm value of a volume resistivity thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a cover movable between a closed position and an open position; a fixing unit including a heating member and a pressure roller configured to form a nipping region therebetween; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a nipping pressure between the heating member and the pressure roller in conjunction with movement of the cover; and a link mechanism connected to both the adjustment mechanism and the cover. The adjustment mechanism includes an arm pressing the heating member such that the heating member and the pressure roller form the nipping region. The link mechanism includes: a first link connected to the cover; a second link connected to the first link and pivotally movable about an axis extending in a width direction; and a third link connected to both the second link and the adjustment mechanism. The third link is movable in a front-rear direction.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a heating device includes a cylindrical belt, a heater, a press roller, and a holder. The heater is disposed on an inner surface of the belt. The press roller rotates and is configured to contact an outer surface of the belt at a position opposite the heater to form a nip. The end portions of the press roller project by a first amount in a radial direction more than the central portion of the press roller. A holder has a first surface supporting the heater to face the cylindrical belt. The holder has a second surface that is opposite of the first surface with a center portion projecting in a direction orthogonal to the first surface more than the end portions of the second surface by a second projection amount that is greater than the first projection amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a display panel includes a panel mount which receives a panel bottom cover facing corner portions of the display panel which are extended bent from a front surface of the display panel, and a pressing module which provides a pressing force to the panel bottom cover which is received in the panel mount and faces the corner portions of the display panel. The pressing module includes a pressing pad which applies the pressing force to the panel bottom cover at the corner portions of the display panel to attach the panel bottom cover to the display panel at the corner portions thereof.

Abstract: An action member is movable between a first position at which a unit bias member is sandwiched between the action member and a heating unit and a second position. A movement mechanism operates in conjunction with a movement of an operation portion to cause the action member to move from one of the first position and the second position to another one of the first position and the second position. A contact portion of the heating unit comes into contact with a fixing unit by a bias force received from the unit bias member when the action member is at the first position. The action member includes an engagement portion which engages with a part of the heating unit when the action member moves from the first position to the second position. The heating unit engages with the engagement portion to move from a reference position to an evacuation position.

Abstract: A transport device includes: a first rotating body including a shaft portion, a cylindrical portion on an outer periphery of the shaft portion, and a recessed portion in an outer surface of the cylindrical portion; a second rotating body capable of moving from the first rotating body while contacting an outer surface of the first rotating body and nipping a recording medium; a transport unit that includes a holding portion that holds the recording medium, and that transports the recording medium by moving the holding portion in a rotation direction of the first rotating body while the holding portion is disposed in the recessed portion; and a moving mechanism including a cam portion on a side of the cylindrical portion and a contact portion connected to the second rotating body and that comes into contact with the cam portion to separate the second rotating body from the first rotating body.

Abstract: In a longitudinal direction of a heater, a distance from a center portion of the heater to a first temperature detection element is a first distance, and a distance from the center portion of the heater to a second temperature detection element is a second distance greater than the first distance. In a first area which is farther from the center portion of the heater than the second temperature detection element is from the center portion of the heater in the longitudinal direction of the heater, a distance between a first conductor and a second conductor in a transverse direction of the heater is a first inter-conductor distance and a distance between a third conductor and a fourth conductor in the transverse direction is a second inter-conductor distance longer than the first inter-conductor distance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heating rotary member that heats toner born on a recording material, and a pressure rotary member that pressurizes the heating rotary member. These rotary members form a fixing nip portion and fix a toner image to the recording material at the fixing nip portion while nipping and conveying the recording material. The apparatus further includes a web that collects toner adhering to a surface of the heating rotary member, a winding roller that winds the web, a motor that rotates the winding roller, a contact member that makes contact with an outer surface of the wound web and moves based on a position of the outer surface, a variable resistor that is connected to change a resistance value depending on a position of the contact member, and a control unit that controls a rotation amount of the motor based on the resistance value.

Abstract: A transport device includes: a first transport body; a second transport body that is movable between a contact position and a separate position with respect to the first transport body and that nips a transported material with the first transport body at the contact position; and a transport section that includes a holder to hold a leading end portion of the transported material and that transports the transported material toward a nip region where the first transport body and the second transport body nip the transported material in a state in which the second transport body is located at the separate position. After holding of the leading end portion by the holder for the transported material transported by the transport section has been released, the second transport body nips the transported material with the first transport body and transports the transported material.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an annular belt, a heating member disposed to face an inner circumferential surface of the annular belt; and a heat storage member disposed to face a surface of the heating member on a side opposite to the annular belt. A thermal diffusivity of the heat storage member is lower than a thermal diffusivity of the annular belt.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first rotary member, a nip forming unit including a heater and a holder member, a second rotary member, and a support member. The holder member includes a first surface configured to support the heater and provided on the nip portion side of the holder member in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to both of a longitudinal direction and a short direction, a second surface provided on a side of the holder member opposite to the first surface in the orthogonal direction and configured to abut a first abutting portion of the support member and abut a second abutting portion of the support member, and a rib portion provided to project from the second surface and extend in the short direction throughout at least a range in the short direction where the first surface is provided.

Abstract: A recording-medium transport device includes: a first member that rotates; a second member that rotates, the first member or second member having a recess, the first member and second member forming a nip area therebetween and transporting a recording medium while nipping the recording medium in the nip area; a gripping member that grips the recording medium; a separating member that separates the recording medium having passed through the nip area from the first member or the second member; and a control mechanism that controls opening and closing of the gripping member and movement of the separating member such that the gripping member is opened so as to release the recording medium in a state in which the gripping member is located in the recess, and the separating member lifts the recording medium from a state in which the tip of the separating member is located in the recess.

Abstract: A belt device includes a belt, a secured member, a pressure rotator, and lubricant. The belt is rotatable and has an endless shape. The belt includes an inner portion having an inner circumferential surface. The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more. The inner circumferential surface of the belt slides on the secured member. The pressure rotator includes a porous elastic body and presses the secured member via the belt to form a nip between the belt and the pressure rotator. The lubricant is interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the belt and the secured member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressurizing member, a charging portion, and a control portion. The fixing member rotates while being heated. The pressurizing member forms a nip portion between itself and a surface of the fixing member in such a way as to hold a sheet therebetween and conveys the sheet by rotating together with the fixing member, wherein an image of toner has been formed on the sheet. The charging portion electrically charges the surface of the fixing member to a polarity that is same as a charging polarity of the toner by supplying a charging current to a pair of electrodes that is disposed to face the surface of the fixing member. The control portion derives an index value of a charge amount of the toner on the sheet, and adjusts the charging current based on the index value.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an annular belt having an outer circumferential surface, and a facing member that faces the outer circumferential surface of the annular belt to form a nip region. The annular belt is configured so that in measurement of a hardness of the outer circumferential surface using a hardness tester, a ratio (A/B) of a first hardness value (A) to a second hardness value (B) is 0.738 or more and 0.837 or less. The first hardness value (A) represents a measured value at a time when a measurement time corresponding to a time required for a predetermined point on the outer circumferential surface to pass through the nip region has elapsed after start of the hardness measurement. The second hardness value (B) represents a measured value at a time when the measured value by the hardness tester is saturated.

Abstract: In an image formation device, a driven gear is coupled to a far end portion in a unit inserting and withdrawing direction of a rotary fixing member or a rotary pressure member of a fixing unit. A driving gear is provided in a far end portion of a fixing unit housing part and engages with the driven gear when the fixing unit is housed in the fixing unit housing part. The driving gear and the driven gear are formed so that a transmission force transmitted from the driving gear to the driven gear in a mutual engagement position has a component so directed as to horizontally press the fixing unit against columns making a pair. The fixing unit as housed in the fixing unit housing part is pressed by the transmission force against the columns and positioned in a direction orthogonal to the unit inserting and withdrawing direction.

Abstract: A conveying device includes: a rotation part to which a holding part configured to hold a material to be conveyed is attached and configured to rotate in a circumferential direction to convey the material to be conveyed; a conveying roller that is provided with a recess for accommodating the holding part to convey the material to be conveyed; and a guide member including a guide portion configured to guide the material to be conveyed on a downstream side of the conveying roller, and a space in an intersecting direction intersecting the circumferential direction with respect to the guide portion, the space where the holding part moving by rotation of the rotation part passes through.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet. A fixing device heats the sheet and includes a tubular body that presses against the sheet and rotates, and a heat generator contacts an inside surface of the tubular body. The length dimension of the heat generator is aligned with the axial direction of the tubular body. The heat generator has a first row of first heating elements with a first gap between each adjacent pair of first heating elements and a second row of second heating elements. The first and second rows are offset from one another in a width direction corresponding to the sheet conveyance direction. A second gap is between each adjacent pair of second heating elements in the longitudinal direction. The positions of the first gaps are different from positions of the second gaps.

Abstract: A heat roller includes a main body and a follower gear. The main body includes a cutaway portion and a pair of protruding plate portions. The follower gear includes a transmission protrusion and an abutment portion. The transmission protrusion is abutted against one protruding plate portion, when the follower gear rotates. The abutment portion is abutted against the one protruding plate portion, when the main body rotates in advance. A size of the transmission protrusion along the width direction of the cutaway portion is smaller than a clearance between the pair of protruding plate portions in the width direction, and a clearance between the abutment portion and the one protruding plate portion in the roller rotation direction is narrower than a clearance between the transmission protrusion and the other protruding plate portion in the roller rotation direction, when the transmission protrusion is in contact with the one protruding plate portion.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that has a heater, and a required power calculation unit that determines a power Pfsr that is assumed to be required by the heater. Based on a difference between a required power that is determined by the required power calculation unit and a suppliable power, the image forming apparatus selects whether to start printing in a normal mode or to start printing in a power saving mode in which the power that is supplied to the heater is reduced in comparison to the normal mode. The power saving mode includes a plurality of modes, and when a CPU selects the power saving mode, the CPU selects one or a combination of modes from among the plurality of power saving modes based on the aforementioned difference.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt, a steering roller, a pressure rotation member, and a contact-separation mechanism. The contact-separation mechanism moves the pressure rotation member to a position where the pressure rotation member is in a contact state with the fixing belt and a position where the pressure rotation member is in a separated state from the fixing belt. Swing of the steering roller is controlled so that the fixing belt moves to a predetermined position in a fixing belt width direction. A distance between a center position of the fixing belt in tilting the steering roller for a first time after the center position is separated from a center position of a range of movement of the fixing belt and the center position of the range of movement of the fixing belt in the width direction is smaller in the separated state than in the contact state.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heating rotator, a nip formation rotator, and an entry guide. The entry guide guides each of a first recording medium having a predetermined length or more and a second recording medium having a length less than the predetermined length to the fixing nip. The entry guide includes a first and second entry guide portion. The first entry guide portion guides the first recording medium toward a harder one of the heating rotator and the nip formation rotator and has an opening. The second entry guide portion guides the second recording passing through the opening to the fixing nip along a reference line connecting an entry and exit of the fixing nip or guides the second recording medium from an area including a softer one of the heating rotator and the nip formation rotator with respect to the reference line to the fixing nip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt to rotate, belt rollers including a tension roller and an adjustment roller extending inside the endless belt, a nip roller extending adjacent the endless belt to form a nip between the nip roller and the endless belt, and a cam shaft that includes a nip forming cam and a tension adjustment cam. The nip forming cam moves the nip roller between a pressed position in which the nip roller is pressed against the endless belt, and a retracted position in which the nip roller is retracted from the endless belt. The tension adjustment cam moves the adjustment roller relative to the tension roller.

Abstract: A transport device includes a rotating body including a recessed portion on an outer surface, a rotatable heat unit that is in contact with the outer surface of the rotating body and forms an interposition region in which a recording medium is interposed between the heat unit and the rotating body, a transport unit that: (i) includes a hold member capable of holding a portion of the recording medium near a leading edge, (ii) transports the recording medium by moving the hold member in a rotational direction of the rotating body with the hold member contained in the recessed portion, and (iii) causes the hold member to pass through the interposition region, and a controller that controls rotation of the rotating body such that the recessed portion stops at a position upstream or downstream of the interposition region in the rotational direction when an anomaly is detected.

Abstract: A nip former that forms a nip between an endless belt and a pressure rotator includes a base that is made of aluminum and has a nip forming face disposed opposite the nip. An anodic oxidation coating is treated with sealing and coats at least the nip forming face. The anodic oxidation coating has a thickness that is not smaller than 22 ?m and is not greater than 45 ?m and a variation in thickness that is not greater than 20 percent. The base and the anodic oxidation coating define a nip forming portion that is disposed opposite the nip. The nip forming portion has a thickness that is not smaller than 0.40 mm and is not greater than 1.20 mm.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet tray, a feed roller, a transfer roller, a fuser, a conveying unit, and a controller configured to execute a normal process. The controller executes a particular process, when performing the single sided printing. The particular process is a process in which the controller is configured to execute a non-actual-printing process on a first surface of a first sheet, and then configured to execute the non-actual-printing on a first surface of a second sheet before executing an actual-printing process on a second surface of the first sheet. The non-actual-printing process is a process of conveying the sheet to the fuser without transferring the developer image onto the first surface of the sheet. The actual-printing process is a process of transferring the developer image onto the second surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A heating device includes a heating roller having a resistance heat-generating layer that generates heat by passage of a current through the resistance heat-generating layer, a support member that supports a treatment portion in which a heating treatment is performed, a belt that is stretched between at least the heating roller and the support member and that rotates, and a pressure rotating body that rotates in such a manner as to press a sheet-shaped heating target that is an object to be subjected to a heating treatment against the treatment portion including an outer peripheral surface portion of the belt that is supported by the support member and in such a manner as to cause the heating target to pass through the treatment portion. The heating roller is not equipped with a power receiving component configured to receive a rotational power that is transmitted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyer that conveys a recording medium supporting an image; a softener that softens the image; and a powder applicator that applies powder to the surface of the softened image, in which the applied powder adheres to a range that is narrower in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyer than a maximum width of the image to be supported by the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, a secured member, a pressure rotator, and lubricant. The rotator has flexibility and a sleeve form. The rotator includes an inner portion having a sliding surface. The inner portion has an elastic power of 55% or more. The secured member is disposed inside a loop of the rotator and has a slide surface on which the sliding surface of the rotator slides. The slide surface has a larger hardness than a hardness of the sliding surface of the rotator. The pressure rotator presses the rotator against the secured member and forms a nip between the rotator and the pressure rotator. The lubricant is provided between the rotator and the secured member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt capable of rotational movement, a pressure roller that presses from the outside of the fixing belt, a nip forming member that is arranged on an inner circumference surface side of the fixing belt and forms a fixing nip region between the fixing belt and the pressure roller, a support member that supports the nip forming member from an opposite side to the fixing nip region, and a slide sheet provided between the fixing belt and the nip forming member. The support member includes two support portions. The slide sheet is fixed between the two support portions.

Abstract: A heating device comprising: a first rotating member having an internal space in which a heating member and a holding member are disposed; a second rotating member that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member; and a frame that integrally supports the heating member, the holding member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein the second rotating member forms a nip portion between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the holding member holds the heating member such that at least a part of at least one end face of the heating member in a longitudinal direction thereof is exposed in the longitudinal direction, and the frame is configured such that at least the part of the heating member, which is exposed from the holding member, is also exposed out of the frame.

Abstract: A heating device includes a heating unit that heats in a non-contact manner an upper surface of a transport material that is transported, and a blowing unit that blows air against a lower surface of the transport material via a blowing hole that is provided in an opposing surface opposing the lower surface of the transport material, the opposing surface being obliquely disposed with respect to a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A first protrusion is provided between an operation lever and a lock lever. The operation lever is for moving a pressure roller. The lock lever is provided for a sheet guide member for guiding a sheet that has passed through a fixing unit downstream in the sheet conveyance direction. The lock lever is for locking the sheet guide member at a position where the sheet guide member is engaged with a housing. The first protrusion protrudes from the sheet guide member toward an exterior cover. The first protrusion is provided with a second protrusion on the lock lever side of the first protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyimide composite having a structural formula of PI/Fe3O4-(?-CD-Ada)x, wherein x=3-5. One aspect of the invention provides a polyimide composite. By introducing Fe3O4 as a host material of an electromagnetic wave absorption material and introducing a guest material, a repairing property of the material itself is imparted by an interaction between the host material and the guest material. Therefore, the polyimide composite has an electromagnetic radiation shielding property and a self-repairing property.

Abstract: A nip formation member includes a base, a high thermal conduction member, and a securing member. The high thermal conduction member has a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the base. The securing member is independent from the base and the high thermal conduction member. The securing member is configured to restrict movement of the base relative to the high thermal conduction member.