Abstract: A fixing device 9 includes a nozzle unit 9A and an opposite electrode 9B. The nozzle unit 9A sprays a fixing solution to a sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The opposite electrode 9B is located at an interval from the nozzle unit 9A. The opposite electrode 9B is applied with a voltage. The opposite electrode 9B has a first flat plate 31 and a plurality of first projections 32. The first flat plate 31 extends in a first direction. The plurality of first projections 32 extends from the first flat plate 31 in a second direction that is a direction facing from the opposite electrode 9B toward the nozzle unit 9A. The plurality of first projections 32 are aligned in the first direction.

Abstract: There is provided a fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner image on a print medium by spraying a fixing solution, the fixing apparatus including: a plurality of first nozzles from which the fixing solution is sprayed, a first electrode which extends in a first direction, and which faces the first nozzles in a second direction, a holding groove which accommodates the first electrode, which is configured to hold the fixing solution sprayed from the first nozzles, and which has a discharge port through, and a container configured to contain the fixing solution discharged from the discharge port. The holding groove has a bottom surface which is positioned apart from the first electrode in the second direction so that the fixing solution held in the holding groove passes between the first electrode and the bottom surface to flow toward the discharge port.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a pattern substrate in which a pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate. The manufacturing method includes a step of preparing the substrate and a step of arranging a liquid-repellent or lyophilic material on the surface of the substrate so as to form the pattern on the surface of the substrate in which the surface of the substrate has a liquid-repellent region and a lyophilic region, the pattern is formed by one of the liquid-repellent region and the lyophilic region and the pattern is used to locate a component by the surface tension of a liquid member.

Abstract: An article is provided including composition of 0.5 to 15 total weight percent of a surfactant. The surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, or a combination thereof. The composition also includes 0.01 to 35 total weight percent of solvent including a microemulsion, a carboxylic acid ester based ketal ester solvent, or a combination thereof. 0.1 to 10 total weight percent of at least one emollient, and 60 to 99.3 total weight percent of water also being present. The resultant composition has total volatile organic content (VOC) composition of less than 2 total weight percent and as a result, the composition is more environmental benign and less irritating to skin than conventional waterless hand cleaners. The composition impregnated into a substrate of a towel presenting two opposed surfaces, the substrate having pores for absorbing and retaining the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is an emulsion aggregation toner substantially free of added colorants comprising a resin and a silicone wax of the formula wherein the silicone wax has a weight average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 17,000 and a melting temperature of from about 38° C. to about 65° C.

Abstract: In an image forming method of wet fixing system, the fixing solution contains an ester compound represented by at least one of general formula (1) and general formula (2) below: R11—(CO)—O—R12??General formula (1): where R11 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having at least one hydroxyl group and 2 to 11 carbon atoms, and R12 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R21—O—(CO)—R22—(CO)—O—R23??General formula (2): where R21 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R22 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having at least one hydroxyl group and 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R23 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a liquid-supply system for providing a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the toner. A rotatable liquid-blocking barrier has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking barrier in a contact zone. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto the inner surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: An image forming method including forming an image of a toner including a wax on a recording medium; fixing the toner image using by an oil-less fixing device; and then forming an overcoat layer on the fixed toner image. When a portion of the fixed toner image having the heaviest toner weight is subjected to an ATR FT-IR analysis, a peak area ratio Ab/Aa falls in a range of 3.0 to 7.0 or a peak area ratio Ab?/Aa? falls in a range of 0.004 to 0.014, wherein Aa represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2896 cm?1 to 2943 cm?1, Ab represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2946 cm?1 to 2979 cm?1, Aa? represents the area of a peak present in a range of 791 cm?1 to 860 cm?1, and Ab? represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2834 cm?1 to 2862 cm?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium, a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium to which the fixing liquid is applied while the toner image is in contact with the fixing liquid, and a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium by heating the toner image and the fixing liquid. The fixing liquid comprises a plasticizer having a function to swell and soften a toner.

Abstract: An image forming method that can obtain a high fixing strength and reduce the occurrence of a document offset phenomenon is provided. In the image forming method the polyester resin forming the binder resin of the toner is obtained by condensing and polymerizing a carboxylic component containing at least one compound selected from chemical formula (1), (2) and (3) shown below that is an addition reactant of abietic acid and a carboxylic compound having an unsaturated double bond and an alcohol component, and the content of at least the one compound selected from the chemical formula (1), (2) and (3) in the carboxylic component is 5% by mass or more, and the fixing agent contains an alkylene carbonate which may have a substituent group or an aliphatic alkyl carboxylic acid ester which may have a substituent group.

Abstract: A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a liquid-supply system for providing a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto a surface of the receiver medium so that heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner. This raises the temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A fixing solution injecting portion is configured to inject a fixing solution containing a water-soluble polymer and water pulsewise out of micropores to produce sub-droplets of the fixing solution smaller than main droplets of the fixing solution in producing the main droplets. A sub-droplet supplying portion is configured to separate the main droplets and the sub-droplets of the fixing solution injected out of the fixing solution injecting portion and to supply the sub-droplets to a toner image on an image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium before a toner image is transferred on the recording medium, a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium applied with the fixing liquid, and a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium by heating. The fixing liquid applicator includes an application member disposed opposing a face of the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred to apply to the recording medium the fixing liquid borne on a surface of the application member, a supply unit to supply the fixing liquid to the application member, and a sealing device to form along with the application member a sealed space in which the supply unit and the fixing liquid to be supplied to the application member are sealed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a fixing liquid applicator applying a fixing liquid including a plasticizer swelling and softening a toner forming a toner image to fix on a recording medium thereto before bearing the toner image; a transferer transferring the toner image on a toner image bearer onto the recording medium while contacting the toner image to the fixing liquid thereon; and a fixing device heating the toner image and the fixing liquid to fix the toner image thereon, wherein the fixing liquid applicator comprises an application member bearing the fixing liquid on its surface and apply the liquid on a surface of the recording medium the toner image is transferred onto; a feeder feeding the fixing liquid to the application member; and an inducement mechanism inducing the fixing liquid pooling at a delivery point where the feeder feeds the fixing liquid to the application member out of the point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing liquid containing a softening agent that softens resin-containing fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin; a C12-C18 fatty acid; and a C12-C18 fatty acid salt. The fixing liquid is mixed with water serving as a dilution solvent.

Abstract: A method for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes depositing a pattern of toner onto a surface of the receiver medium. A liquid-blocking barrier is provided that has a first surface and a second surface that is impermeable to a heating liquid. The surface of the receiver medium is brought into contact with the first surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is brought into contact with the second surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. The heating liquid is at a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the toner, thereby raising the temperature of the toner to a temperature above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A toner fixing system fixes toner onto a receiver medium. A reservoir contains a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid in the reservoir to a temperature greater than a toner glass transition temperature. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path which passes through the reservoir. The receiver medium is submerged in the warmed heating liquid, so heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner. The temperature of the toner is raised to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A toner fixing system has a heating member rotatable around an axis. The heating member includes a liquid-blocking barrier and a backing layer that define a liquid cavity not including the axis. The liquid cavity contains a heating liquid warmed above a glass transition temperature of the toner. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A method for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes depositing a pattern of toner onto a surface of the receiver medium. The toner has a toner glass transition temperature. At least one surface of the receiver medium is brought into contact with a heating liquid, the heating liquid being at a temperature greater than the toner glass transition temperature. Heat is transferred from the heating liquid to the toner, thereby raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is, for example, a fixation device of fixing a resin-containing fine particle, the fixation device being configured to foam a fixation fluid including at least a softening agent configured to dissolve or swell at least one portion of a resin to soften the resin-containing fine particle including a resin, a foaming agent, and water, and to provide a foamed fixation fluid to the resin-containing fine particle, the fixation device including a first storage part configured to contain a softening agent fluid including at least the softening agent, a second storage part configured to contain a foaming agent fluid including at least the foaming agent, and a mixed foamed fixation fluid producing part configured to mix and foam both fluids contained in independent states in the storage parts to produce the foamed fixation fluid.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device includes a fixer application unit configured to apply a fixer containing a softener, capable of softening resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin, and water to resin particles formed on a recording medium such that the resin particles are fixed on the recording medium. The fixing unit may further include an anti-tack agent application unit configured to apply a liquid anti-tack agent immiscible with the softener to surfaces of the resin particles that are mixed with the softener by the application of the fixer containing the softener.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a conveying element for conveying a sheet, an image forming section for forming an image on the sheet with liquid developer, and a fixing device including a rubbing mechanism for rubbing the image on the sheet. A fixing device has a rubbing mechanism for rubbing an image which is formed with liquid developer.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a marking apparatus, configured in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet by using a fadable record material which is faded when the heat with a specified fading temperature is applied, and to mark a marker at a specified position of the sheet comprises a marking record material configured to color when the heat in a first temperature range is applied, fade the color when the heat in a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range is applied, and have the reversibility of alternately carrying out color-fading and coloring, a marker printing unit configured to print the marker at the specified position of the sheet by using the marking record material and a heating unit configured to heat the marker in the second temperature range.

Abstract: To provide a fixing solution and an image forming method in which faster fixing rate and faster drying rate can be achieved while the amount of fixing solution supplied is reduced and furthermore, a wet feeling in a formed image is reduced and an image having a high fixing strength can be formed A fixing solution that softens a toner to fix a toner image constituted by the toner to an image support contains a hydroxyl group-containing ester compound expressed by general formula (1) below; R1—(CO)—O—R2 ??general formula (1) where R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having at least one hydroxyl group and 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: In an image forming method of wet fixing system, the fixing solution contains an ester compound represented by at least one of general formula (1) and general formula (2) below: R11—(CO)—O—R12??General formula (1): where R11 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having at least one hydroxyl group and 2 to 11 carbon atoms, and R12 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R21—O—(CO)—R22—(CO)—O—R23??General formula (2): where R21 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R22 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having at least one hydroxyl group and 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R23 represents a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device applying a bubble-like fixing liquid to resin-containing particles adhered to a medium so that the resin-containing particles are fixed to the medium, the bubble-like fixing liquid being formed by transforming a fixing liquid into foam that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin, includes a control device that, based on a difference between a moisture content included in the medium after fixing and a target value of the moisture content, adjusts an application amount of the fixing liquid for a next medium.

Abstract: To provide a fixing solution for fixing fine resin particles to a recording medium, the fixing solution including: a diluent which contains water; a foaming agent which allows the fixing solution to be in the form of foam; and a solid plasticizer which is solid at normal temperature and soluble in the diluent, and which softens or swells at least part of the fine resin particles while dissolved in the diluent.

Abstract: An image forming method that can obtain a high fixing strength and reduce the occurrence of a document offset phenomenon is provided. In the image forming method the polyester resin forming the binder resin of the toner is obtained by condensing and polymerizing a carboxylic component containing at least one compound selected from chemical formula (1), (2) and (3) shown below that is an addition reactant of abietic acid and a carboxylic compound having an unsaturated double bond and an alcohol component, and the content of at least the one compound selected from the chemical formula (1), (2) and (3) in the carboxylic component is 5% by mass or more, and the fixing agent contains an alkylene carbonate which may have a substituent group or an aliphatic alkyl carboxylic acid ester which may have a substituent group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixation fluid, including a softening agent(s), the softening agent(s) being a saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid ester(s) of a saturated aliphatic alcohol(s) and/or a carbonic acid ester(s) of a dihydric saturated aliphatic alcohol(s), a foaming agent(s), the foaming agent(s) being a non-ionic surfactant(s) and/or an amphoteric surfactant(s), water, a pH adjustor(s), the pH adjustor(s) being an acid(s) and/or a salt(s) of the acid(s), and a pH of the fixation fluid being 6 or more and 7 or less.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device for fixing resin particles softened by applying a foam fixer thereon to a recording medium includes a foam fixer generator unit to introduce air bubbles into a liquid fixer containing a softener for softening the resin particles by dissolving or swelling a part of the resin particles to generate the foam fixer, a fixer application member to be brought into contact with a facing member facing the fixer application member to form an application nip and transfer the generated foam fixer to the application nip by moving its surface while carrying the foam fixer to apply the foam fixer to a surface of the recording medium carrying the resin particles at the application nip, and a foam accumulation detector unit to detect a foam accumulation formed of the foam fixer accumulated at an entrance side of the application nip.

Abstract: To provide a fixing solution for fixing fine resin particles to a recording medium, the fixing solution including: a diluent which contains water; a foaming agent which allows the fixing solution to be in the form of foam; and plasticizers which soften or swell at least part of the fine resin particles, wherein the plasticizers contain a liquid plasticizer which is liquid at normal temperature and soluble in the diluent, and a solid plasticizer which is solid at normal temperature and soluble in the diluent.

Abstract: A fixing device, and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus using the fixing device. The fixing device includes an application unit to apply a foam-like fixing agent including a softener to particulates including a resin on a medium, the softener softening the particulates by at least partially dissolving or swelling the resin and a thickness control unit to control a layer thickness of the foam-like fixing agent such that an application time during which the foam-like fixing agent is applied to the particulates is not shorter than a penetration time required for the foam-like fixing agent to penetrate through a layer of the particulates to the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a fixing liquid applicator applying a fixing liquid including a plasticizer swelling and softening a toner forming a toner image to fix on a recording medium thereto before bearing the toner image; a transferer transferring the toner image on a toner image bearer onto the recording medium while contacting the toner image to the fixing liquid thereon; and a fixing device heating the toner image and the fixing liquid to fix the toner image thereon, wherein the fixing liquid applicator comprises an application member bearing the fixing liquid on its surface and apply the liquid on a surface of the recording medium the toner image is transferred onto; a feeder feeding the fixing liquid to the application member; and an inducement mechanism inducing the fixing liquid pooling at a delivery point where the feeder feeds the fixing liquid to the application member out of the point.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device including a liquid supply unit that supplies a liquid fixer containing a softening agent that dissolves or swells at least part of resin to soften the resin; an air supply unit that supplies air for foaming the liquid fixer; and a foam generation unit that mixes the liquid fixer from the liquid supply unit with the air from the air supply unit to generate foams. The foam generation unit has an air channel where the air from the air supply unit flows, a liquid-fixer channel provided such that the liquid fixer from the liquid supply unit flows from a direction opposite to a flowing direction of the air channel, and an air-and-liquid mixing part that mixes the air from the air channel with the liquid fixer from the liquid fixer channel so as to be opposite to each other, thereby generating a foam-like fixer.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device includes a fixing material application unit applying a fixing material to a fixing material carrier, a transfer unit transferring the fixing material onto a recording medium, a cleaning blade cleaning the fixing material carrier after the fixing material is transferred onto the recording medium, and a lubricant agent application unit disposed on a downstream side of the cleaning blade on the fixing material carrier and applying a lubricant agent to the fixing material carrier. Further, before a fixing operation is started, the lubricant agent application unit applies the lubricant agent to the fixing material carrier, and the fixing material carrier moves in a direction opposite to a direction when the fixing operation is performed and to a position where the applied lubricant agent is adhered to the cleaning blade.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium, a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium to which the fixing liquid is applied while the toner image is in contact with the fixing liquid, and a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium by heating the toner image and the fixing liquid. The fixing liquid comprises a plasticizer having a function to swell and soften a toner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixation fluid, including a softening agent(s), the softening agent(s) being a saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid ester(s) of a saturated aliphatic alcohol(s) and/or a carbonic acid ester(s) of a dihydric saturated aliphatic alcohol(s), a foaming agent(s), the foaming agent(s) being a non-ionic surfactant(s) and/or an amphoteric surfactant(s), water, a pH adjustor(s), the pH adjustor(s) being an acid(s) and/or a salt(s) of the acid(s), and a pH of the fixation fluid being 6 or more and 7 or less.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a foam fixer generator unit generating a foam fixer containing a softener softening toner by dissolving or swelling part of resin of the toner, an application roller carrying and transferring the foam fixer onto a recording sheet, a pressure roller applying pressure to a toner image on the recording sheet via the foam fixer on the application roller to fix the toner image on the recording sheet, a cleaning device removing residual components remaining on the application roller, a recording sheet detector unit detecting presence or absence of the recording sheet, a remover unit being in contact with and separated from the application roller to remove the foam fixer on the application roller, and a control unit controlling the contact-separation operation of the remover unit based on a detected result of a front end and/or a rear end of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device fixes resin particles onto a medium by applying a fixer including a softening agent onto the resin particles resting on the medium. The softening agent softens the resin particles by dissolving or causing swelling of at least part of resin included in the resin particles. A foamed fixer is generated from the fixer. The foamed fixer whose layer thickness is controlled is applied onto the resin particles resting on the medium.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device includes a fixer application unit configured to apply a fixer containing a softener, capable of softening resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin, and water to resin particles formed on a recording medium such that the resin particles are fixed on the recording medium, and an anti-tack agent application unit configured to apply a liquid anti-tack agent immiscible with the softener to surfaces of the resin particles that are mixed with the softener by the application of the fixer containing the softener.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device for fixing resin particles softened by applying a foam fixer thereon to a recording medium includes a foam fixer generator unit to introduce air bubbles into a liquid fixer containing a softener for softening the resin particles by dissolving or swelling a part of the resin particles to generate the foam fixer, a fixer application member to be brought into contact with a facing member facing the fixer application member to form an application nip and transfer the generated foam fixer to the application nip by moving its surface while carrying the foam fixer to apply the foam fixer to a surface of the recording medium carrying the resin particles at the application nip, and a foam accumulation detector unit to detect a foam accumulation formed of the foam fixer accumulated at an entrance side of the application nip.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus to fix unfixed toner carried on a surface of a recording medium by attaching a fixing solution capable of softening toner onto the unfixed toner is provided. The fixing apparatus includes a sprayer to spray the fixing solution; a fixing solution charging part to charge the fixing solution; a first electrode to rotate and provided on a same side of the recording medium as the surface carrying the unfixed toner; a second electrode provided on an opposite side of the recording medium to the surface carrying the unfixed toner; and a voltage applying part to generate an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the fixing solution sprayed by the sprayer and charged by the fixing solution charging part moves toward the second electrode.

Abstract: A temperature control unit that maintains a temperature of a fixing liquid includes a container, some or all of which is formed of a heat conservation member, configured to store the fixing liquid that dissolves or causes a toner to swell, a heater provided to an image forming apparatus for heating the container through the heat conservation member, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the fixing liquid in the container, a controller for controlling an amount of heat that is transferred from the heater to the heat conservation member of the container based on a detection result provided by the temperature sensor, and a fixing liquid applicator for supplying the fixing liquid in the container to a toner on a recording medium so as to fix the toner onto the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes the temperature control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing liquid containing a softening agent that softens resin-containing fine particles by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin; a C12-C18 fatty acid; and a C12-C18 fatty acid salt. The fixing liquid is mixed with water serving as a dilution solvent.

Abstract: A bubbly fluid producing method configured to produce a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a desired bubble diameter, includes applying a shear to a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a bubble diameter larger than a desired bubble diameter so as to produce a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a desired bubble diameter. A bubbly fluid producing device configured to produce a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a desired bubble diameter, includes a first member configured to apply a shear to a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a bubble diameter larger than a desired bubble diameter so as to produce a bubbly fluid containing a bubble with a desired bubble diameter.

Abstract: To provide a fixing solution for fixing fine resin particles to a recording medium, the fixing solution including: a diluent which contains water; a foaming agent which allows the fixing solution to be in the form of foam; and a solid plasticizer which is solid at normal temperature and soluble in the diluent, and which softens or swells at least part of the fine resin particles while dissolved in the diluent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixing device including a liquid supply unit that supplies a liquid fixer containing a softening agent that dissolves or swells at least part of resin to soften the resin; an air supply unit that supplies air for foaming the liquid fixer; and a foam generation unit that mixes the liquid fixer from the liquid supply unit with the air from the air supply unit to generate foams. The foam generation unit has an air channel where the air from the air supply unit flows, a liquid-fixer channel provided such that the liquid fixer from the liquid supply unit flows from a direction opposite to a flowing direction of the air channel, and an air-and-liquid mixing part that mixes the air from the air channel with the liquid fixer from the liquid fixer channel so as to be opposite to each other, thereby generating a foam-like fixer.

Abstract: A disclosed fixing device fixes unfixed toner onto a recording sheet with the use of toner fixing liquid including a softening agent for softening toner. The fixing device includes a sprayer configured to spray the toner fixing liquid as liquid droplets and a liquid droplet charging unit configured to apply an electric charge to the sprayed liquid droplets. The sprayer sprays the liquid droplets onto the unfixed toner placed on the recording sheet. The liquid droplet charging unit applies, to the sprayed liquid droplets, an electric charge of an electric charge polarity that is the same as that of the unfixed toner.

Abstract: A fixation device configured to fix on a medium a resin fine particle that contains a resin, by providing a fixation fluid on the resin fine particle on the medium which fixation fluid contains a softening agent that softens the resin fine particle by dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin, water and a foaming agent that comprises a salt of aliphatic acid, wherein the fixation device comprises a foam-like fixation fluid producing part configured to produce a foam-like fixation fluid, a layer thickness controlling part configured to control a layer thickness of the produced foam-like fixation fluid, and a provision part configured to provide the layer-thickness-controlled foam-like fixation fluid on the resin fine particle on the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming section, an intermediate transferring section, a transferring section, a fixing solution applying section, a transporting section, a fixing section, and a recording medium feeding section. In the image forming apparatus, the fixing solution applying section includes a droplet supplying section, a recording medium detecting section, and a control unit, wherein the recording medium is heated before or at the same time when the fixing solution is applied to the recording medium by the fixing solution applying section, and a size of droplets of the fixing solution supplied to the recording medium is controlled based on the type of the recording medium.