Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ion-bar structure with a self-cleaning function including an ion-bar body, a slide assembly, and a brush assembly. The ion-bar body has a slide track disposed along its own axis. The slide assembly is movably disposed on the slide track. The brush assembly is connected to the slide assembly for moving with the slide assembly. The brush assembly is contacted with a bottom side of the ion-bar body.

Abstract: A binary ink developer (BID) assembly for a liquid electrophotography (LEP) printing device can include a developer roller having an electrically insulating exterior coating that receives ink from an ink supply and transfers the received ink to a photoconductive imaging cylinder in accordance with an electrostatic image on the imaging cylinder. A charge-specified boundary condition can exist at the boundary between the exterior coating and the ink. Electrically conductive ink may not be transferred to the imaging cylinder at background portions of the electrostatic image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a sheet storage portion in which a plurality of sheets is stored; a heater which heats air; a fan which sprays air on the sheet stored in the sheet storage portion; and a controller which controls the heat of the heater and controls the drive of the fan, in which the controller controls the heat of the heater at a first temperature before a drive time of the fan reaches a threshold value set in advance, the drive time being in which the fan sprays air heated by the heater on the sheet, and when the drive time of the fan reaches or exceeds the threshold value set in advance, controls the heat of the heater at a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: A digital printing press including a printing cylinder configured to transport a sheet, a driving device (41) configured to drive the printing cylinder, an encoder (44) configured to detect the phase of the printing cylinder, and first to fourth inkjet heads configured to print the sheet. The digital printing press includes a floating detector facing the printing cylinder and configured to detect an abnormality of the sheet, a display device, and a control device configured to control an operation of the driving device. The control device includes a function of stopping the driving device when the floating detector detects a floating portion. The control device includes a function of obtaining information specifiable a position of an abnormality occurrence portion based on the phase of the printing cylinder when the floating detector detects the floating portion and the phase of the printing cylinder when the driving device stops after floating detection and displaying the information on the display device.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a printing setting acquisition section and a printer section. The printing setting acquisition section acquires printing setting information for holding setting at the time of printing for each kind of a sheet. The printer section applies, in a case in which a label paper is selected as the kind of the sheet, a developing agent in the vicinity of an area coming into contact with an end part of the sheet in an area on an image carrier for transferring the developing agent to the sheet, transfers the developing agent by a transfer member for transferring the developing agent from the image carrier to the sheet, and rotates the transfer member at least once.

Abstract: A sheet discharge port is provided with a guide piece extending obliquely downward in a discharge direction from an upper edge of the sheet discharge port to oppose an outlet port. The guide piece blocks flow of cooling air, which has been blown out from the outlet port, into the sheet discharge port and also abuts the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port to guide the sheet obliquely downward in the discharge direction.

Abstract: A transfer-section contamination prevention device includes: a powder housing section that is disposed on an upstream side relative to a transfer section in a sheet conveyance direction, and is capable of holding powder at a position near an end portion of a sheet in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction or capable of guiding the powder to the position near the end portion of the sheet, the sheet including a base material layer, a release layer and an adhesive layer containing adhesive agent disposed between the base material layer and the release layer, the transfer section being configured to transfer a toner image to the sheet; and a powder adhesion facilitation section configured to facilitate adhesion of the powder to the lateral end portion of the sheet from the powder housing section.

Abstract: A treatment-object modifying device lowers a pH value of a surface of a treatment object by using dielectric-barrier discharge. The treatment-object modifying device includes discharge electrodes disposed over a conveying route of the treatment object; and a counter electrode disposed to face the discharge electrodes across the conveying route so as to correspond to the respective discharge electrodes. Each discharge electrode has a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape. Curved surfaces of the discharge electrodes faces the counter electrode. Curved surfaces of the discharge electrodes face one another. A distance between the adjacent discharge electrodes is equal to or less than 2 millimeters.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, at first, a first pattern is formed to an insulating film. Then, a first transparent film is formed on a region of the insulating film, which includes a position where the first pattern is formed. Thereafter, an opaque film which is opaque to light within a visible light region is formed on an entire surface of the insulating film. Then, a second transparent film is generated by selectively oxidizing part of the opaque film in contact with the first transparent film.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a sheet feeding cassette stored in a cassette storage part, a heater and flow regulating plates. A first gap is formed between the bottom plate of the sheet feeding cassette and a bottom portion of the cassette storage part, and having an air intake port. A second gap is formed between the side plate of the sheet feeding cassette and a side portion of the cassette storage part and has a vent port communicating with the first gap and the sheet storing part. The flow regulating plates are disposed in the first gap so as to form a duct together with the sheet feeding cassette and the cassette storage part. Air flow is generated such that air is supplied from the air intake port into the first gap, is heated, rises through the second gap from the vent port, and flows to the sheet storing part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance passage unit, a fixing device, an optical sensor, a fixing condition adjuster, and a regulator. A recording medium passes through the conveyance passage unit. The fixing device fixes a toner image onto the recording medium. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device to detect smoothness of the recording medium according to strength of light received. The fixing condition adjuster adjusts fixing conditions according to the smoothness detected. The regulator is disposed in the conveyance passage unit to regulate conveyance of the recording medium, such that at least a part of the recording medium passes through an irradiated area including an intersection that is determined by an emission angle of a first optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting device and a reflection angle of a second optical axis of light received by the light-receiving device.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a gantry module, having an end effector, for moving workpieces from a conveyor system to a working area, such as a swap module. The swap module removes a matrix of processed workpieces from a load lock and place a matrix of unprocessed workpieces in its place. The processed workpieces are then moved by the gantry module back to the conveyor. Due to the speed of operation, the end effector may build up excessive electrostatic charge. To remove this built up charge, grounded electrically-conductive brushes are strategically positioned so that, as the end effector moves during normal operation, it comes in contact with these brushes. This removes this built up charge on the end effector, without affecting throughput. In another embodiment, the end effector moves over the brushes while the swap module is moving matrix to and from the load lock.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a fixing device, and a control section. The image forming section forms images on a sheet with a recolorable decolorable colorant and an undecolorable colorant. The fixing device heats the sheet to fix the recolorable decolorable colorant and the undecolorable colorant on the sheet. The control section performs temperature control for the fixing device and fixes the recolorable decolorable colorant and the undecolorable colorant on the sheet at temperature higher than decoloring start temperature of the recolorable decolorable colorant to thereby fix the recolorable decolorable colorant on the sheet in a decolored state and fix the undecolorable colorant on the sheet in a colored state.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms a toner image. The control unit controls execution of a print-less sheet passing processing in which, in a state where a toner image forming operation of the image forming unit is stopped, the first conveying path and the second conveying path convey a sheet to the transfer unit again through the transfer unit and the fixing unit. The control unit controls the execution of the toner image forming operation to the sheet subjected to the print-less sheet passing processing.

Abstract: A decolorizing apparatus includes first and second heating units, first and second heat source units, and a controller. The first and second heating units decolorize an image using decolorable colorants which are decolorized if heated. The first heating unit heats one surface of a sheet. The second heating unit heats a remaining surface which is opposite to the one surface of the sheet heated by the first heating unit. The first heat source unit heats the first heating unit. The second heat source unit heats the second heating unit. The controller includes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller performs a decolorizing process on both the surfaces of the sheet by heating the first and second heating units using the first and second heat source units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having a pinch roller; a supporting member configured to support a plurality of cartridges; and a cleaning unit provided on the supporting member. The supporting member is movable, relative to the main body, between an internal position located inside the main body and an external position located outside the main body. The cleaning unit includes: a paper dust roller for removing paper dust from recording sheets; a paper dust removing member for removing the paper dust; and a storing section for string the paper dust. The paper dust roller is movable relative to the supporting member and positioning of the paper dust roller relative to the pinch roller is independent of positioning of the supporting member relative to the main body.

Abstract: A paper edge cleaner in which paper is carried along a paper guide by a paper carrying roller. A grinder grinds both sides of the paper parallel to the paper movement to remove burrs from the paper. The paper is supported by a support.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion that fixes a toner image to a sheet by applying heat to the sheet, a conveyance path through which back and forth conveyance of the sheet conveyed from the fixing portion is performed by normally and reversely rotating a conveying roller, and a water addition portion that adds water to the sheet at a water addition position in the conveyance path on upstream in a conveying direction of the conveying roller. In addition, a controller controls the water addition portion such that the water is added to the sheet conveyed from the fixing portion to the water addition position, and the water is added to the sheet to which the reverse conveyance has been performed after an upstream end in the conveying direction of the sheet passes through the water addition position.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a paper feed tray configured to accommodate at least one sheet, a paper feed roller configured to send the sheet from the paper feed tray, and a cleaning member at the paper feed tray, the cleaning member being configured to clean a surface of the paper feed roller. The paper feed tray is movable between a paper feeding position from which the paper feed roller sends the sheet and a cleaning position at which the paper feed roller comes into contact with the cleaning member.

Abstract: A recording substrate treatment apparatus, includes a heating device for directly heating a recording substrate, a condenser for condensing liquid from air from surroundings of a recording substrate, and an energy transfer system arranged for transferring energy from latent heat, which is released by the condensing of liquid by the condenser, to the heating device. Further, a method of drying a recording substrate and a method of fixing a printing substance on a recording substrate include heating a recording substrate by a heating device; condensing liquid from air from surroundings of the recording substrate; and transferring energy from latent heat, which is released by the condensing of liquid, to the heating device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image holding member, a transfer unit, and a supply unit. The toner image holding member holds a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image held by the toner image holding member to a recording medium. The supply unit supplies powder such that the powder is interposed between an end portion of the recording medium and the toner image holding member and/or the transfer unit if the recording medium includes an intermediate adhesive layer.

Abstract: An image glossing apparatus including a recording sheet feeder feeding a recording sheet bearing a toner image; a glossing device including a heater heating a glossing portion of the toner image to gloss the portion; a glossiness information obtaining device obtaining position information on the position of the glossing portion; and a position detector including a tip detector detecting tip of the fed recording sheet, and a distance measuring device measuring the moving distance of the recording sheet after the tip of the recording sheet is detected. The position detector detects the position of a portion of the recording sheet facing the heater based on the information on the tip of the recording sheet and the information on the moving distance of the recording sheet. When the portion of the recording sheet facing the heater is the glossing portion, the heater heats the portion to gloss the glossing portion.

Abstract: A printing device and method for printing a latex ink on a printing medium is disclosed. The printing device comprises a heating stage for heating the medium at least during printing the latex ink on said medium, a further heating stage for curing the latex ink on the medium and a controller arrangement for individually controlling the heating stage and the further heating stage, whereby the controller arrangement is arranged to reduce the heat output of the heating stage during a non-printing mode of the printing device and to reduce the heat output of the further heating stage during a non-curing mode of the printing device.

Abstract: A wet-type image formation apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer body that carries a toner image including toner particles, which are charged to have a first polarity, and a carrier liquid; a transferring roller that transfers a toner image onto a transfer surface of a recording medium; a charging device that charges the transfer surface to have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity; and a fixing mechanism that fixes the toner image. The fixing mechanism includes a noncontact heating device. The noncontact heating device forms the toner particles into a film such that the toner particles and the carrier liquid are separated from each other by heating the toner image when the toner particles charged to the first polarity is electrostatically adsorbed onto the transfer surface charged to have the second polarity. The film of the toner particles is fixed onto the transfer surface.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a support member, a recording head, a surface modifying apparatus, a conveyor unit, and a control unit. The surface modifying apparatus executes surface modification processing to modify a surface of the recording medium at a processing position disposed on an upstream side of the support member. The conveyor unit intermittently passes the recording medium through the processing position at a prescribed passage velocity by feeding the recording medium from the upstream side of the conveyance path to the processing position. The control unit is capable of providing a processing execution signal to the surface modifying apparatus, and provides the processing execution signal to the surface modifying apparatus for a prescribed time within a wait time from when passage of the recording medium through the processing position stops until the recording medium starts passing through the processing position at the prescribed passage velocity.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a container which contains plural sheets, an image forming unit which forms an image on each of the sheets supplied from the container, a detecting unit which detects an image density of the image formed on the sheets by the image forming unit, a blowing unit which blows air to the sheet contained in the container, and a blowing control unit which controls the blowing unit based on the image density detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus having an image erasing function to erase an image formed on a recording medium. The apparatus has a heating unit to erase an image, a conveying unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the conveying unit, when the image is erased, and also when a heating temperature of the heating unit is lower than an erasing temperature, to make the recording medium once stand by at a position in the middle of a conveying path of the conveying unit, and then to convey the recording medium to the heating unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a transferring unit, fixing unit, a first sheet conveying path section, a re-conveying unit and a charge-removing member. The transferring unit transfers developer onto a sheet. The fixing unit fixes the developer transferred to the sheet to form a visible image on the sheet. The first sheet conveying path section extends through the transfer unit and the fixing unit, the sheet being conveyed from the transfer unit to the fixing unit along the first sheet conveying path section. The re-conveying unit constitutes a second sheet conveying path section for re-conveying the sheet from the fixing unit to an inlet side of the transfer unit, the second sheet conveying path section being positioned below the first sheet conveying path section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus body, a cassette attaching section having a media supplying roller, a media cassette with a loading plate and a supporting section, a first ground conducting route and a second ground conducting route. The first ground conducting route conducts static electricity charged on the media when the media stacked in the media cassette is spaced away from the media supplying roller. A conducting portion of the first ground conducting route maintains the media cassette in an electrically disconnected state when the media passes through an opening in the cassette attaching section and reconfigures the media cassette from the electrically disconnected state to an electrically connected state before the media cassette reaches a first position. The second ground conducting route conducts static electricity charged on the media when the media cassette is in the first position.

Abstract: A sheet material identification device includes a humidity adjuster, a detector, and a controller. The humidity adjuster adjusts the humidity of a sheet material by causing the sheet material to either release or absorb moisture. The detector detects the humidity of the sheet material before and after the adjustment of the humidity. The controller calculates a first difference in humidity of the sheet material before and after the adjustment of the humidity, and identifies the type of sheet material on the basis of the first difference.

Abstract: A recording material processing apparatus includes a recording material supplying device supplying a recording material, an image recording device recording an image on the recording material, a recording material transporting mechanism and a burr curing device including a pressurizing member for curing the burrs at the edge of the recording material. The recording material transporting mechanism changes a transporting state of the recording material at a predetermined transportation changing position. The pressurizing member is provided on a recording material transporting path between the recording material supplying device and the transportation changing position and is provided on the side nearer to the recording material supplying device than a trailing end position. The trailing end position indicates a position of the trailing end of the recording material in the transporting path when a leading end of the recording material in the transporting direction passes the transportation changing position.

Abstract: If the elapsed time since a sheet was stored in a sheet storage unit is less than or equal to a threshold value, control is performed such that the sheet is heated by a fixing unit before an image is transferred to the sheet, and if the elapsed time since the sheet was stored in the sheet storage unit exceeds the threshold value, control is performed such that processing for heating the sheet with the fixing unit before the image is transferred to the sheet is not performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image without a toner image being rubbed with and transferred onto a sheet.

Abstract: A medium clamping device includes a device main unit that includes: a first circularly moving body that has a surface circularly moving and harder than a recording medium; a second circularly moving body that has a surface moving circularly and harder than the recording medium passing between the both surfaces of the two circularly moving bodies; and a load applying section that applies a load to at least one of the first circularly moving body and the second circularly moving body, to sandwich the recording medium by the load with two moving bodies. The medium clamping device further includes: a support section that supports the device main unit and is secured to a fixed body; and an alleviating system that alleviates transmission of a shock from the device main unit to the fixed body and is incorporated in the support section.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; a fixing unit configured to fix the image onto the recording medium by applying heat and pressure; a re-transport unit configured to re-transport the recording medium which has passed through the fixing unit, to the image forming unit along a re-transport path; a cooling unit provided between the fixing unit and the image forming unit along the re-transport path and configured to cool the recording medium transported by the re-transport unit; a parameter signal output unit configured to output a signal corresponding to a parameter for controlling the cooling unit; and a controller configured to control the cooling unit according to the signal output from the parameter signal output unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member to bear an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof, a transfer-fixing member disposed adjacent to the image baring member, including a transfer surface onto which the toner image is transferred from the image bearing member, a first pressure member to meet and press against the transfer-fixing member to form a nip therebetween, a heating member to heat a recording medium, provided upstream of the nip in a direction of transport of the recording medium, and a transport guide member to change a contact area of the recording medium and the heating member in accordance with a thickness or a resilience of the recording medium. When the recording medium passes the nip, the toner image is pressed and fixed on the recording medium.

Abstract: An electrophoretic printing system is provided comprising a transfer printing station for transfer printing charge images developed with liquid toner comprising a carrier fluid and toner and wherein the developed charge images are transferred to a recording medium. A wetting unit provided adjacent to the recording medium before the transfer printing station as viewed in a movement direction of the recording medium wets the recording medium with a fluid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body, a cassette attaching section and a media cassette. The media cassette includes a loading plate, a pushing up member, a projecting portion and a plate holding portion that engages the loading plate. In a first position, the plate holding portion releases its hold on the loading plate so that the media contacts the media supplying roller. A release portion engages the plate holding portion to cause the plate holding portion to release its hold on the loading plate. A first ground conducting route is formed by electrically connecting the projecting portion with a ground portion. A second ground conducting route has a ground portion formed at a position to which the media contacts after the media cassette is attached to the first position and after the media is conveyed by the media supply roller.

Abstract: A paper sheet humidifying device including a humidifying roller to convey a paper sheet and apply water to the paper sheet; a water supply roller to supply water to the humidifying roller; a water supply plate to contain the water for dipping the water supply roller, and to eject excessive water by overflowing; a water feeding section to feed the water to the water supply plate; a drain tank to receive the water ejected from the water supply plate, the drain tank comprising a drain outlet to eject the received water; a water level sensor to output a signal when a water level in the drain tank reaches a prescribed level; and a controller to execute a control to prevent overflowing of the water from the drain tank based on the signal from the water level sensor.

Abstract: A toner image formed on an image bearing member is transferred onto a recording material so as to overflow from an edge portion of the recording material, thereby enabling the toner image to be formed so as to extend to the edge portion of the recording material. To suppress the deposition of the toner in the edge portion of the recording material, a cleaning member for cleaning the edge portion of the recording material obtained after the fixing is provided. In order to make a trailing edge of the recording material come into contact with the cleaning member, the recording material which has passed through a fixing apparatus is temporarily switched back, thereby allowing the trailing edge portion of the recording material to collide with the cleaning member.

Abstract: A sheet humidifier which executes a humidifying process to a sheet, the sheet humidifier including: a pair of humidifying rollers each of which has a first surface layer formed of rubber containing plasticizer, the pair of humidifying rollers nipping and conveying the sheet; and two water supply rollers each of which has a second surface layer formed of rubber containing the same kind of plasticizer as the plasticizer of the first surface layer, the two water supply rollers contacting each of the pair of humidifying rollers and supplying water to the each of the pair of humidifying rollers, wherein a hardness of the first surface layer is higher than the second surface layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a pair of register rollers including a driving roller and a dust remover roller, a dust scraper to scrape off dust from the dust remover roller, a dust container box, including a lateral plate and a protrusion, to contain the dust scraped off from the dust remover roller, a roller bearing attached to the lateral plate to be immovable and to rotatably support the dust remover roller, a scraper support swingably supported by the dust container box and to support the dust scraper, and a frame to swingably support the dust container box via a protrusion support, to rotatably support the driving roller, whilst a rotation axis of the driving roller is fixed to the frame, and to support the roller bearing to be slidable in an in-axes direction between the driving roller and the dust remover roller.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus that can effect favorable transfer of a toner image onto a medium under a nip pressure between a transfer roller and a backup roller and a potential difference between the transfer and backup rollers even if the medium has a high insulating property, such as due to its being thick.

Abstract: Treatments are described for surfaces of substrates to improve adhesion with a phase change ink. A method of forming an image on a coated substrate with a phase change ink includes treating a surface of the coated substrate with a corona discharge treatment, a plasma treatment and/or an electron-beam treatment prior to image formation, and subsequently forming an image on the surface of the treated coated substrate with a phase change ink, wherein the image formed on the substrate has an LV Index that is reduced compared to that of an image formed on the untreated substrate. A phase change ink printing apparatus includes a corona discharge, plasma and/or electron-beam treatment device; and a phase change ink printing device, wherein the corona discharge, plasma and/or electron-beam treatment device is located upstream, in a process direction, from the phase change ink printing device.

Abstract: A surface treating apparatus configured to treat a surface of a transfer material includes a discharge part configured to cause dielectric barrier discharge on or near the surface of the transfer material where a toner image is to be formed on the surface and to cause the surface of the transfer material to be directly exposed to the dielectric barrier discharge, so as to increase the wettability of the surface of the transfer material with respect to toner for forming the toner image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus body, a cassette attaching section, a media cassette, a release portion, a first ground conducting route and a second ground conducting route is provided. The cassette attaching section includes a media supplying roller. The media cassette is removably installed in the cassette attaching section. The media cassette includes a loading plate, a pushing up member and a plate holding portion. The release portion engages the plate holding portion. The first ground conducting route conducts static electricity charged on the media and includes a conducting portion. The second ground conducting route conducts static electricity charged on the media when the media is conveyed by the media supplying roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a transfer unit, a pre-heating unit, a fixing unit, a first temperature sensor, and a first heat controller. The image carrying member carries a toner image. The transfer unit transfers the toner image carried on the image carrying member to a recording medium transported to a transfer position. The pre-heating unit selectively heats the recording medium before the recording medium is transported to the transfer position. The fixing unit fixes the toner image on the recording medium. The first temperature sensor detects temperature of the recording medium as the recording medium passes through the pre-heating unit. The first heat controller changes an amount of heat energy to be applied to the recording medium per unit area of the recording medium by the pre-heating unit. The first heat controller is controlled based on a detection result of the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: To remove also VOC gas generated from the discharged sheets, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit which forms an image on a sheet; a tray on which sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit are stacked; a suction device which sucks air from the surrounding space of sheets stacked up on the tray; and a VOC removing unit which removes VOC contained in the air sucked by the sucking device.

Abstract: An enhanced sheet stripping method and apparatus for stripping toner image carrying copy sheets from a surface of a moving heated fusing member forming a fusing nip. The apparatus includes (a) a moving assembly for moving a cut sheet towards the fusing nip; (b) a sheet curling device positioned upstream of the fusing nip relative to movement of the cut sheet for inducing a desired pre-curl in the cut sheet before the cut sheet enters the fusing nip; and (c) a sheet stripping device positioned downstream of the fusing nip for stripping the cut sheet from contact with the surface of the moving heated fusing member as the cut sheet exits the fusing nip. The method includes inducing a desired curl in the cut sheet before the cut sheet enters the fusing nip and enhanced stripping the cut sheet from contact with the surface of the fuser roll as the cut sheet exits the fusing nip.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic recording medium that contains a support and an olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer, wherein the olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer exists at least near the surface of the electrophotographic recording medium on which an image is recorded, and the electrophotographic recording medium is reusable; and a method for producing an electrophotographic recording medium, an image forming method, a method for repeatedly using an electrophotographic recording medium, and a method for repeatedly using an electrophotographic recording medium.