Abstract: A cooling device includes a cooling member to cool a recording material. The cooling member includes a cooling surface member, a heat exchanging member, and a fastening member. The cooling surface member has a cooling surface to directly or indirectly contact the recording material and absorb heat of the recording material to cool the recording material. The heat exchanging member is directly or indirectly joined to the cooling surface member to radiate heat absorbed by the cooling surface member directly or indirectly via a radiation member. The fastening member fastens the cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member to retain a joined state in which the cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member are directly or indirectly joined to each other. The cooling surface member and the heat exchanging member are separable from the joined state to a separated state without damaging the fastening member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a switch member that selectively switches a blowing direction of an air drawn by a fan and passing through a duct to a direction toward a conveying roller pair or a direction toward a sheet conveying path between the conveying roller pair and a fixing device; and a control portion that switches the switch member, based on a setting by an operation portion to that a gloss mode for an image to be formed on the sheet is set, so that when a mode for forming a high gloss image is set, the blowing direction of the air is switched to the direction toward the pair of rollers, and when a mode for forming a low gloss image is set, the blowing direction of the air is switched to the direction toward the sheet conveying path.

Abstract: The processing apparatus includes: a first storage device that stores correction image information defining a correction image Ap formed on the surface of a to-be-processed medium S, in which the positional relationship relative to an output image formed on the surface of the to-be-processed medium S is known; a second storage device that stores processing area information defining an area of the surface of the to-be-processed medium S heated by a heating unit, in which the positional relationship with the output image formed on the surface of the to-be-processed medium S is known; and a control unit that uses a detection result of a correction image formed on the surface of the to-be-processed medium S detected by an image detection unit and the correction image information to correct a heating position on the surface of the to-be-processed medium S heated by the heating unit indicated by the processing area information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a storage unit, an image processing unit and a control unit. The image processing unit (i) calculates a summed height of a color toner image formed on a sheet by summing up a height of the color toner image on the basis of input image data, (ii) calculates, on the basis of a target value for glossiness stored in the storage unit, a target total height of the color toner image and a clear toner image to realize the target value for glossiness, and (iii) calculates a height of the clear toner image by subtracting the summed height from the target total height. On the basis of the calculated height of the clear toner image, the control unit adjusts the height of the clear toner image formed on the sheet.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an image forming apparatus and an image erasing apparatus are disclosed. The image forming apparatus receives a degree of freedom regarding whether to erase an image and forms the image using an erasable color material corresponding to the degree of freedom. The image erasing apparatus receives a degree of freedom regarding whether to erase an image and erases the image under the erasing process condition corresponding to the degree of freedom.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a control unit and a heating unit for fixing an image on a recording medium and erasing the image on the recording medium. The control unit controls a heating temperature of the heating unit such that the heating temperature of the heating unit falls within any one of a first temperature range which is capable of fixing an inerasable developer, a second temperature range which is capable of fixing an erasable developer, and a fourth temperature range which satisfies both of the first temperature range and a third temperature range which is capable of erasing the erasable developer.

Abstract: In order to correct a corrugation caused when a sheet widthwise edge portion elongates more than the vicinity of the center in a sheet feeding direction, a sheet processing apparatus includes: a fixing portion that fixes a toner image onto a sheet by heating, a plurality of pairs of rollers provided along a sheet feeding direction with an interval in the downstream of the fixing portion in the feeding direction to nip and convey a sheet; and a tensioning device that applies a tensile strength of the sheet feeding direction to a sheet in a center area of a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a noncontact heating device, a pressurizing and heating mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit switches an operation of the pressurizing and heating mechanism based on gloss level information of a recording medium. According to the image forming apparatus, assuming that a temperature of the recording medium after noncontact heating is T1, a temperature of the recording medium after pressurizing and heating is T2 and a toner concentration after noncontact heating is Tc1 when the gloss level information shows high gloss, and assuming that a temperature of the recording medium after noncontact heating is T3 and a toner concentration after noncontact heating is Tc2 when the gloss level information shows low gloss, the conditions of T1<T2, T1<T3, and Tc1<Tc2 are satisfied.

Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a transparent toner layer forming section and a lens forming section. The transparent toner layer forming section includes a photoreceptor drum, a charging section and a exposure section that form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum, a developing section that forms a transparent toner image, a transfer section that transfers the transparent toner image to one side of a transparent substrate, and a fixing section that heats the transparent toner image transferred to one side of the transparent substrate to fix the transparent toner image, thereby forming a transparent toner layer on one side of the transparent substrate. The lens forming section pressurizes under heating the transparent toner layer formed on one side of the transparent substrate to shape the layer into a concavo-convex shape, thereby forming a lens layer having a concavo-convex shape on one side of the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A problem that setting (setting the kind of a paper or a printout method) for achieving the print effect (gloss effect or matte effect) at a maximum is very complicated and therefore, a manual setting thereof by a user is very difficult. When image data which a user desires to print and a desire for a print effect to transparent form image data are input, the paper type, conversion of the transparent form image data and a printout method for realizing the print effect are automatically set and printed out.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image erasing apparatus includes an erasing unit to perform erasing processing to a sheet on which a specific pattern is formed with decoloring toner, a reading unit to read an image on the sheet to which the erasing processing is performed by the erasing unit, a detecting unit to detect erasing residue on the sheet, based on the image read by the reading unit, and a specific pattern forming unit to form a specific pattern again on the sheet, when the erasing residue is detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image erasing unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit performs an image forming process of forming an image on an image bearing body by a toner and transferring the toner image from the image bearing body onto a recording medium, and a refresh process of forming an image on the image bearing body by a toner and removing the toner image from the image bearing body. The control unit controls the image forming unit such that the image forming unit performs the refresh process together with the erasing process performed by the erasing unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus having a function to erase an image formed on a sheet is provided. The sheet processing apparatus has a tray, an erasing unit and a control unit. The tray houses a sheet on which an image is formed. The erasing unit erases the image formed on the sheet. The control unit controls the erasing unit so that the image formed on the sheet is erased, when an elapsed time after the tray houses the sheet exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A decolorization method according to an embodiment includes reading an image that is printed on a sheet surface with a decolorable toner which is decolorized when heated to a decolorizing temperature. The method further includes determining a non-print area of the sheet surface that has no decolorable toner based on the read image and setting the non-print area as a first print target area. The method further includes transferring decolorable toner to the first print target area, and heating the sheet surface having decolorable toner transferred to the first print target area, at the decolorizing temperature by a heating unit.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fuser member, a stripper member, an endless rotary belt, a heater, a pressure member, and a belt cooler. The stripper member is disposed parallel to the fuser member. The endless rotary belt is looped for rotation around the fuser member and the stripper member in a longitudinal, conveyance direction of the belt. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt to heat the belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the fuser member via the belt. The fuser member and the pressure member press against each other via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The recording medium after passage through the nip remains in contact with the belt as the belt moves from the fuser member toward the stripper member, and separates from the belt as the belt passes around the stripper member.

Abstract: A recording-material cooling device includes a first cooling member, a second cooling member, an approach-and-separation member, and a positioning member. The first cooling member is disposed at a first face side of a recording material to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling member is disposed at a second face side of the recording material to absorb heat of the recording material. The approach-and-separation member brings the first cooling member and the second cooling member close to and away from each other. The positioning member positions the first cooling member and the second cooling member relatively brought close to each other by the approach-and-separation member.

Abstract: A recording-material cooling device includes a first belt, a first cooling unit, and a second cooling unit. The first belt is disposed at a first face side of a recording material. The first cooling unit has a first heat absorbing surface to contact the first belt to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit has a second heat absorbing surface to directly or indirectly contact the recording material to absorb heat of the recording material. The second cooling unit is disposed at a second face side of the recording material. The first and second cooling units are offset from each other in a transport direction of the recording material. Each of the first and second surfaces has a shape in which an inner area protrudes beyond opposed ends in the transport direction. The first and second surfaces overlap each other in a direction crossing the transport direction.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is connected to a print control apparatus for generating image data. The information processing apparatus includes a generating unit configured to generate gloss control plate data for specifying a type of a surface effect imparted to a recording medium and a region in the recording medium to which the surface effect is imparted; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the gloss control plate data to the print control apparatus.

Abstract: The image forming method including steps of forming a clear toner layer on a photoreceptor, transferring the clear toner layer onto a transfer member, transferring the clear toner layer on the transfer member onto an image support, heating the image support having the clear toner layer, bringing the clear toner layer into close contact with a belt to cool the image support, and separating the image support from the belt are provided, in this order; and the clear toner layer is formed with a plurality of independent linear protrusion portions and the independent linear protrusion portions are formed parallel or diagonally to the conveyance direction of an image support.

Abstract: A system for generating a differential gloss image useful for digital printing directly on covered packaging includes a packaging transport and a laser glossing imager. The packaging transport is configured to position packaging substrate having a printed image to a laser glossing imager. The printed image is formed of toner or ink, and covered by a transparent material. The packaging substrate is aligned with respect to the laser glossing imager exposing one or more portions of the covered printed image to radiation for altering a surface of the one or more portions of the printed image for forming a differential gloss image.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes process cartridges which form a toner image on a sheet by using a toner containing a parting agent, an exposure device, an intermediate transfer belt, primary transfer rollers, secondary transfer rollers, a fixing roller and a pressing rotating member which fix the toner image formed on the sheet, a blower fan which is capable of adjusting a temperature of the sheet on which the toner image is fixed, a pair of discharge rollers which conveys the sheet, a temperature of which is adjusted, and a controller which controls the blower fan such that the temperature of the sheet S after contact with the pair of discharge rollers rises to a melting point of the parting agent or higher, or the temperature of the sheet S before contact with the pair of discharge rollers falls to below the melting point of the parting agent.

Abstract: A surface processing apparatus includes a heater and a controller for controlling a heating of a sheet. The controller determines a difference between a position, on the sheet, of an image indicated by original image information and a position, on the sheet, of the actually formed image on the sheet indicated by outer configuration information of the sheet and the actual image information. The controller corrects inputted heating position information, for the heater, on the basis of information of the difference, and controls the heating of the heating means in accordance with the corrected heating position information.

Abstract: A glossiness processing apparatus for glossiness treatment includes a first glossiness treatment unit; a second glossiness treatment unit provided downstream of the first glossiness treatment unit with respect to a feeding direction of a sheet; wherein each of the units including a film movable having a surface in contact with an image surface of the sheet while moving; a heating member contacted to another surface of the film, the heating member including a plurality of heat generating elements arranged along a direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the film; a pressing member cooperating with the heating member to form a nip, with the film therebetween, for nipping and feeding the sheet; wherein positions of the heat generating elements are offset relative to positions of the heat generating elements of the first glossiness treatment unit.

Abstract: A glossing device includes a heater member, a stripper member, an endless rotary belt, a pressure member, and a belt cooler. The heater member is subjected to heating. The stripper member is disposed parallel to the heater member. The endless rotary belt is looped for rotation around the heater member and the stripper member in a longitudinal, conveyance direction of the belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the heater member via the belt. The heater member and the pressure member press against each other via the belt to form a glossing nip therebetween. The recording medium after passage through the nip remains in contact with the belt as the belt moves from the heater member toward the stripper member, and separates from the belt as the belt passes around the stripper member. The belt cooler is disposed adjacent to the belt to cool the belt.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methods for treating a xerographic printed substrate with an enzyme solution to increase the surface free energy of the substrate. Other exemplary embodiments provide methods for making an adhesive medium with an enzyme-treated substrate.

Abstract: Printers are provided having wax management systems. In one aspect, a printer has a print engine provides a toner image on a receiver using a toner having a binder polymer and a wax and a fuser having a contact surface that heats the toner at least to a glass transition temperature for the toner and the wax at least to an incorporated melting temperature to cause at least some of the wax to separate from the toner. A controller allows the toner image to cool to form a fused toner image having a viewing surface and the wax to cool to form first portions of the viewing surface with wax globules and second portions without wax globules. A wiping system wipes the viewing surface to move at least some of the wax from the wax globules onto the second portion when the toner image and wax are cooled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which prevents evaporation of moisture applied to a sheet by virtue of an aqueous solution containing a deliquescent material, and maintains a state in which curling or wavelike distortions are reduced. The structure of the image forming apparatus is characterized by including an image forming parts that forms toner images on paper sheets, and a fixing device which thermally fixes a toner image onto a sheet, and an aqueous solution applying portion which applies an aqueous solution to the sheet, the aqueous solution applying portion applies the aqueous solution containing a deliquescent material which prevents moisture evaporation to a sheet having a toner image thermally fixed thereonto by a fixing device.

Abstract: In the case where a sheet on which a transparent toner image is to be formed has high glossiness, the transparent toner image is placed in an image formable area except for the area in which the user wishes to increase the glossiness.

Abstract: Wax management systems are provided. In one aspect a wax management system has print positioning system having an input to receive a fused toner print having a toner image with a viewing surface that has first portions with wax globules and second portions without wax globules and a print positioning apparatus that arranges the print for wiping by a wiping system having a wiping surface that wipes the viewing surface to move at least some of the wax from the wax globules onto the second portion. A wax management device controller determines when fused toner print is at a temperature where the toner image is below a glass transition temperature of the toner and the wax is below a melting temperature for the wax and to position the print for wiping. The controller causes the wiping system to wipe the print after the controller makes the determination.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a first development unit configured to form a first image on a recording medium with a first developer, a second development unit configured to form a second image on the recording medium with at least one of a plurality of second developers that are different from the first developer, and a print control unit configured to select the at least one of the plurality of second developers for forming the second image. The second developers are transparent developers, and the second image is a transparent image.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire a glossiness indicating a degree of glossy effect on a recording medium; a first generating unit configured to generate image data based on the glossiness acquired by the acquiring unit; and an output unit configured to output the image data.

Abstract: A cooling device including at least two cooling members to cool a recording medium passing thereover, a coolant circulation unit to circulate a coolant, and tubing that connects the coolant circulation unit to the cooling members and through which the coolant circulates. Each of the cooling members includes a heat-absorbing surface that directly contacts the recording medium or indirectly contacts the recording medium via a thermal transmission member, an internal channel provided within each of the cooling members through which the coolant circulates, and a channel inlet and outlet formed at downstream and upstream ends of each of the cooling members in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium, respectively. One of an interval and a thermal insulator is provided between the cooling members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming stations for forming a toner image having superposed toner image components on a recording material, a fixing portion for fixing the toner image on the recording material, and a glossiness treatment unit, operable when a glossiness treatment mode is selected, for glossiness treatment of the toner image fixed on the recording material by heating the toner image. The glossiness treatment unit includes a film movable in a feeding direction of the recording material, a heating member contacting the film, and a pressing member cooperating with the heating member to form a nip, with the film therebetween, for nipping and feeding the recording material.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system comprising a transfer medium configured to receive the layers from a imaging engine, a heater configured to heat the layers on the transfer medium, and a layer transfusion assembly that includes a build platform, and is configured to transfuse the heated layers onto the build platform in a layer-by-layer manner to print a three-dimensional part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a forming unit that forms an image on a medium; a fixing unit that fixes the formed image; and a control unit that performs control such that the forming unit forms a base image and the fixing unit fixes the base image, changes settings of the forming unit and the fixing unit after the fixing of base image, and performs control such that the forming unit forms an uneven pattern image so as to be superimposed on the base image and the fixing unit fixes the uneven pattern image.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method for processing data in the printing apparatus includes estimating a printing time by adding an intermediate data generation time and a rendering time, determining whether the estimated printing time of each page keeps up with a timing at which an image needs to be formed on a conveyed sheet for each page. If it is determined that the estimated printing time does not keep up with the timing at which the image needs to be formed, further determining whether an idle time is present by comparing the intermediate data generation time and the rendering time. If it is discriminated that the idle time is present, the changing an optimization level for determining whether to perform processing on a particular object in the document image data during rendering, or to perform the processing during intermediate data generation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit and a correcting unit. The setting unit sets a gloss level of an image to be formed by forming plural toner images using a transparent toner and plural color toners having different colors and by fixing the plural toner images onto a recording medium in such a manner that the plural toner images are placed on top of one another on the recording medium. The correcting unit corrects image data defining density values per pixel of the toner images formed using the plural color toners of the respective colors so that a total density value that is a sum of a density value per pixel of the toner image formed using the transparent toner and density values per pixel of the toner images formed using the plural color toners of the respective colors may not exceed a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An arrangement which is capable of copying a clear toner image formed by a clear toner. In the image forming apparatus, a scanner section of an MFP reads an original. A CPU of the MFP determines whether or not position information indicative of a position where a clear-toner image formed by a clear toner is formed is contained in an image of the original read by the scanner section. When the CPU determines that the position information indicative of the position where the clear-toner image is formed is contained in the image of the original, the CPU forms the image of the original and the clear-toner image based on the position information.

Abstract: A group of spectral data of print mediums and a group of laminating film spectral data are stored, which correspond to a plurality of colors on a color chart. The type of print medium and the type of laminating film are entered. From the group of spectral data of print mediums and the group of laminating film spectral data, spectral data corresponding to the entered type of print medium are entered as first spectral data, and spectral data corresponding to the entered type of laminating film are entered as second spectral data. Colorimetric value data of the colors are calculated using the first spectral data and the second spectral data.

Abstract: An erasing apparatus comprises a detection section configured to detect whether or not a sheet is set in a sheet supplying section, and a storage section configured to store processing information identifying one or more processes to be carried out on the sheet by the erasing apparatus. The erasing apparatus further comprises a control section configured to control a power supply of a heating element of an erasing section to be on when the detection section detects that a sheet is set in the sheet supplying section and when the one or more processes identified in the processing information includes erasing processing, and control the power supply of the heating element to be off when the detection section detects that a sheet is set in the sheet supplying section and when the one or more processes identified in the processing information does not include erasing processing.

Abstract: An image inspection device includes an acquiring section that reads an image formed on an image carrying medium using an image forming material and acquires first inspection image information; and a decoloring section that leaves an infrared absorbent on the image carrying medium, and decolors a decolorable composition on the image carrying medium by physical treatment or chemical treatment, wherein the image forming material contains the infrared absorbent having an optical absorption peak in an infrared region, and the image forming material contains the decolorable composition having an optical absorption peak in a visible region in a color-developed state and being decolored by physical treatment or chemical treatment.

Abstract: A formation process of a glossy surface, without unevenness of gloss in a image on a print surface, nor toner offset or release failure over a long time period, is provided, where a surface of a belt member is composed of a resin containing structural units derived from a specific urethane (meth)acrylate (A), a specific polyfunctional monomer (B), and a fluorine-modified acrylate (C) and has the contact angle with respect to water of 85 to 110°, and the melting energy ?H of a wax in a clear toner is 2 to 20 J/g.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes detecting means for detecting a temperature of a recording material on which a non-transparent toner image is heat-fixed; transparent image forming means for effecting image formation by transparent toner on the basis of transparent image data; a heating device for heating the transparent toner image formed by the transparent image forming means; and correcting means for correcting an amount, per unit area, of the transparent toner which is deposited on the non-transparent toner image fixed on the recording material, by the transparent image forming means in accordance with a temperature detected by the detecting means.

Abstract: A glossing device includes a heat roller, a stripper roller, an endless, rotary glossing belt, a first belt cooler, a pressure member, an endless, rotary cooling belt, and a second belt cooler. The heat roller is subjected to heating. The stripper roller is disposed parallel to the heat roller. The glossing belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller and the stripper roller. The first belt cooler is disposed adjacent to the glossing belt to cool the glossing belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the heat roller. The cooling belt is looped for rotation around the pressure member. The second belt cooler is disposed adjacent to the cooling belt to cool the cooling belt. The heat roller and the pressure member press against each other via the glossing belt and the cooling belt to form a glossing nip therebetween through which the recording medium is conveyed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method control fix levels in a printing apparatus. The apparatus can include a media transport configured to transport a media sheet having marking material on at least a first side of the media sheet. The apparatus can include a media sheet rub module configured to rub a rub material against the first side of the media sheet. The apparatus can include a sensor configured to sense marking material on the rub material, the marking material rubbed from the first side of the media sheet onto the rub material. The apparatus can include a controller configured to determine a fix level of marking material on the media sheet based on the sensed marking material on the rub material, the fix level indicating how well the marking material is affixed to the media sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a gloss applying mode for applying gloss to an image on a sheet and a non-gloss-applying mode. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing member and a pressurizing member that is pressed into contact with the fixing member to form a fixing nip portion in which toner is fixed to the sheet; and a gloss applying device including a first roller including a heating unit and a second roller that is pressed into contact with the first roller to form a gloss applying nip portion in which gloss is applied to the toner. The fixing device and the gloss applying device are provided on a sheet conveying path line. When the sheet is conveyed in the non-gloss-applying mode, nip pressure of the gloss applying nip portion in the gloss applying device is lower than that in the gloss applying mode.

Abstract: An image control device for controlling an image forming portion which includes a clear toner image forming portion for forming a clear image on a color toner image fixed on a recording material and includes a fixing device for fixing the formed clear toner image on the recording material, includes a converting portion for converting an image data for designating a toner amount per unit area of the clear toner image at each pixel into an output data, wherein the image data is capable of providing a value which monotonically increases to a maximum from a minimum designating that the toner amount per unit area is zero and the output data is capable of providing a value which monotonically increases to a maximum from a minimum designating that the toner amount per unit area is larger than zero; and includes a controller for controlling, in accordance with the output data, formation of the clear toner image by the clear toner image forming means, by which a clear toner is placed even where the image data is zero.

Abstract: A cooling device for use in an image forming apparatus, disposed downstream within the apparatus in a direction of conveyance of a sheet from a fixing device that fixes an image onto the sheet at a temperature corresponding to a sheet type, includes a conveyance part to convey the sheet, a cooling member to absorb heat by thermal conduction from the sheet being conveyed by the conveyance part, a temperature controller to control a temperature of the cooling member, a temperature detector to detect the temperature of the cooling member, and a control unit connected to the temperature controller and the temperature detector to control the cooling member, using the temperature controller, to a target temperature corresponding to the sheet type based on the temperature of the cooling member detected by the temperature detector.

Abstract: A surface processing apparatus includes a heating unit and a detachably mountable film cartridge. The film cartridge is provided with a first opening portion into which the heating unit proceeds, and an operational portion disposed in a casing, for acting on a shutter of the heating unit to move the shutter between a closing position (first position) and an opening position (second position). The heating unit proceeds into the casing through the first opening portion with the shutter being in the closing position, and the operational portion acts on the shutter in the casing to move the shutter to the opening position.

Abstract: An image processing device has an image forming portion, a heating portion and a supplying portion. The image forming portion forms an image on a sheet. The heating portion heats the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming portion at a predetermined temperature, to thereby fix the image on the sheet. The supplying portion supplies the sheet on which an image is fixed previously. Further, the heating portion heats the sheet on which the image is fixed and which is supplied from the supplying portion at a temperature higher than the predetermined temperature to thereby remove the image.