Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heater for heating a recording material for fixing a transferred toner image to the recording material at a transfer portion. A fixing unit includes at least one overheat preventive device for preventing the heater from overheating. A recording material sensor detects a front end timing of the recording material. A part of all of the at least one overheat preventive device is placed on a plane perpendicular to a conveyance surface of the recording material and passing the recording material sensor.

Abstract: A deformation device for bending a flexible substrate, being transported by a transport device, into a curved arc shape, thereby taking the flexible substrate out of contact with the transport device, prior to the flexible substrate being transported past a fixing device. As a result, any previously fixed toner on the side of the flexible substrate adjacent to the transport device will not be negatively affected during fixing of toner on the other side of the flexible substrate. The deformation device includes at least two converging guide rails with a wedge-shaped guide element and at least one air nozzle between the guide rails.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing body. A transferring portion transfers an unfixed image in the image bearing body onto a recording material, while conveying the recording material. A fixing portion fixes the unfixed image onto the recording material, while conveying the recording material having the unfixed image is transferred in the transferring portion. A flexure detecting device detects flexure of the recording material between the transferring portion and the fixing portion. A recording material detecting device detects the presence/absence of the recording material at a downstream side of the fixing portion with respect to a conveying direction of the recording material. A control device controls a convey velocity of the recording material in the fixing portion on the basis of a time from the detection of the recording material detected by the recording material detecting device to the detection of the flexure of the recording material detected by the flexure detecting device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heater for heating a recording material for fixing a transferred toner image to the recording material at a transfer portion. A fixing unit includes at least one overheat preventive device for preventing the heater from overheating. Recording material sensors detect the existence of the recording material on a conveyance route or confirm passage of the recording material.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming system having a form cassette for storing forms, a transfer unit for forming an image, a feeder for feeding the forms to the transfer unit and a fusing device for fusing transferred image of the form. The electrophotographic image forming system provides in a path for feeding the form with unfused colored particles (toner) deposited thereon, a form guide so as to contact the non-printing area of the surface of the form with unfused colored particles (toner) deposited thereon.

Abstract: A toner image that is formed on a photosensitive drum is transferred onto a paper and the paper is fed between a heat roller and a pressure roller so that the toner is fixed onto the paper. The guide plate for guiding the paper between the heat roller and the pressure roller is arranged so as to contact the paper between a first surface and a second surface. Because the position of the paper is fed stably, the toner is not scattered from the paper and deterioration in the image is prevented.

Abstract: In order to provide an electrophotographic image forming system characterized by a mechanism of stabilizing the behavior of the tip of the form when the form with unfused colored particles (toner) deposited thereon is fed to the fusing device, the present invention has a form posture correcting protrusion provided on the non-printing area of the surface of the form with unfused colored particles (toner) deposited thereon inside the feed path of the form with unfused colored particles (toner) deposited thereon, so that form behavior can be controlled when the form is fed to the fusing device. Furthermore, the present invention has a form guide provided on the form ejection side of the fusing device to control the behavior of the form moving in the direction of being wound on the fusing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing mechanism, a power source, a sheet transfer mechanism, and a controller. The fixing mechanism includes a heater, and fixes a toner image on a recording sheet at a fixing position. The power source drives the heater. The sheet transfer mechanism transfers the recording sheet from a sheet cassette to an eject tray via the fixing position. The controller changes a sheet transfer speed upon varying an image resolution, instructs the power source to drive the heater to increase a temperature of the heater up to a goal temperature. Further, the controller sets the goal temperature to a predetermined degree when the sheet transfer speed is greater than a predetermined speed, and controls the temperature of the heater via the power source by varying the goal temperature in accordance with values of the sheet transfer speed when the sheet transfer speed is smaller than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording medium conveying apparatus for conveying a recording medium from one position to another position, comprising a rotary body pair capable of holdin, the recording medium, driving means for rotatively driving the rotary body pair and moving means for moving the rotary body pair. The rotary body move to a first position for feeding the recording medium from a first route to a second route and to a second position other than the above.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording a two-color image on both surfaces of a continuous recording medium includes a toner image recording portion which has a toner carrier and transfers a toner image formed on a surface of the toner carrier onto the recording medium, a tractor for feeding the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred, and a both side fixing machine for receiving the recording medium fed by the tractor to fix the toner image transferred on the recording medium. In this image recording apparatus, guide rollers come into contact with non-printing portions on both side ends of the recording medium to apply tension to the recording medium by a spring and thereby gives a predetermined slack to the recording medium to absorb a difference in speed resulted between the tractor and the both side fixing machine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a transfer unit that transfers a toner image formed and born on an image bearing body onto a transfer material and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred by the transfer unit to the transfer material. A first transfer material supporting unit supports a non-transfer surface of the transfer material separated from the image bearing body at a transfer material outlet of the transfer unit. A second transfer material supporting unit defines an inlet height of the transfer material at the fixing unit and a third transfer material supporting unit is disposed between the first and second transfer material supporting units. The first, second and third transfer material supporting units are located on a substantially straight line.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing member and a heating unit. The fixing member forms a nip to convey a recording member which has an unfixed toner thereon. The toner on the recording medium is spherical. The heating unit is provided upstream of the nip in the moving direction of the recording medium, and does not come into contact with the recording medium. The fixing apparatus may include a control means for controlling the heat given from the heating unit to the recording medium.

Abstract: A printer or copier device has a developer station with fixing drums for fixing the toner image on the recording medium. A guide yoke guides the recording medium to the fixing drums. The guide yoke includes a deflector edge over which the recording medium is fed. The deflector is replaceable and is formed of wear-resistant material in the region that contacts the recording medium. The deflector edge may include a deflector element with a plurality of deflection edges and which can be rotated to expose different edges.

Abstract: The invention provides a double-sided printing apparatus which includes a first image forming process unit, a second image forming process unit, a first fixing station, a second fixing station and a transport system all disposed in a first housing. The transport system includes a transport direction changing element which contacts with one of surfaces of a medium to change the transporting direction of the medium so that the medium is sent out to the second fixing station. While the medium is transported in a substantially vertical direction in the single double-sided printing apparatus, the height of the transport path of the medium is suppressed so as not to become very high, thereby miniaturizing the apparatus.

Abstract: A media transport unit includes an envelope transport structure that utilizes support fingers directly under the envelope. The support fingers are canted toward the center line of the paper path. The envelope flap passes over the support fingers at an angle that prevents the envelope flap from catching a support finger and potentially causing envelope wrinkling or a jam. The support fingers on either side of the area over which the envelope passes are canted away from the center line of the paper path to prevent the edges of full width media from catching the surface of a support finger.

Abstract: A fuser baffle which helps to minimize or eliminate sheet wrinkle by a fuser. A small “saddle” is added to the center section of the inlet to the fuser on the baffle surface which last contacts and controls the sheet before entry into the fuser nip. The saddle removes most of the corrugation along approximately 90 to 95% of the centermost portion of the sheet. Any remaining corrugation at the inboard and outboard ends is removed by the fuser flare. The baffle is applicable to any fusing device which uses localized pressure to fix an image to a sheet.

Abstract: A transport roll 1 consists of a metal roll 3 of 40 mm in diameter covered with a conductive PFA tube 2 of 10.sup.10 .OMEGA.cm in volume resistivity and 200 .mu.m in thickness. A DC voltage source 4 is connected to the metal roll. A sheet of paper 5 bearing toner images 6 and 7 on both sides thereof receives a drive force from a paper drive roll, and turns with the movement of the paper. The DC voltage source produces voltage VB1 of the same polarity as the charging polarity (positive) of the toner image 6 being in contact with the transport roll. The voltage VB1 is optimumly controlled so as to prevent the transport roll from being soiled with toner.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for reducing media wrinkling, especially in envelopes, caused by transport through a fusing nip are provided. To compensate for stress build up in the media as it travels through the fusing nip, the media is bent or "pre-stressed" in a direction opposite to the nip stress prior to the media entering the fusing nip. A media support surface is positioned upstream from the fusing nip to pre-stress the media by providing pre-nip bending to the media. The media is bent in a direction opposite to the curvature of the harder nip roller prior to the media entering the fusing nip. This pre-nip bending of the media substantially offsets the nip-stress imparted on the media by the fusing nip.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance guide is configured of separation claws for separating the paper from a conveyer and transfer belt and a movable sheet guide for guiding the paper to a fixer entrance sheet guide. The separation claws are arranged on the upstream side of the movable sheet guide. The movable sheet guide is rotatable about a pivot shaft with its distal end abutted by gravity upon the upstream end part of the fixer entrance sheet guide.The separation claws and movable sheet guide are axially supported so as to rotate on pivots.The sheet conveyance guide moves together with the vertical movement of the conveyer and transfer belt while the abutment point of the separation claws upon the conveyer and transfer belt moves to the appropriate position.

Abstract: There are provided a paper separating mechanism for bringing paper into a state of non-contact with a paper carrying roll; a motor for independently driving the paper carrying roll; and a switch for changing-over the paper carrying roll driving mode between a following mode and an independent driving mode so that the driving mode is changed over to the following mode and independent driving mode at the time of printing and at the time of non-printing, respectively.

Abstract: A laser printer capable of printing on a strip of fan fold paper includes a photosensitized drum for generating thereon a toner image to be transferred to the surface of the paper strip. The drum is associated with tractor assemblies operable in synchronism with the speed of the drum so as to determine travel speed of the paper strip passing by the drum. The laser printer further includes a fixing unit having a pair of fixing rollers for pressing the paper strip therebetween and a roller drive mechanism to drive the fixing rollers so as to determine travel speed of the paper strip passing through the fixing unit. A tension unit is disposed between the drum and the fixing unit for applying a tension to and thereby taking up slack of such portion of the paper strip that runs between the drum and the fixing unit. The tension unit includes a tensioning plate supported for pivotal motion and a helical tension spring for urging the tensioning plate. A sensing mechanism senses displacement of the tensioning plate.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus a length of a transfer material in a conveying direction thereof is L.sub.p, a length of a toner image transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt in a shifting direction is L.sub.p ', a distance between a first transfer portion t.sub.1 and a second transfer portion t.sub.2 along the shifting direction of the intermediate transfer belt is L.sub.t1-t2 and a distance between the second transfer portion t.sub.2 and a fixing portion fix along the shifting direction of the transfer material is L.sub.t2-fix, so that the following relation is established:L.sub.t1-t2 >L.sub.p ' and L.sub.p >L.sub.t2-fix.After a first transfer is complete and before initiation of a second transfer, the speed of the intermediate transfer belt is decreased, so that, following to the second transfer process at a low speed, the toner image can be fixed onto the transfer material at a low speed. With this arrangement, the distance L.sub.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image carrier for carrying a toner image formed by an toner image forming device; a second image carrier for carrying thereon the toner image transferred from the first image carrier, and for transferring a transfer sheet thereon; a first transfer device for transferring the toner image carried on the first image carrier onto the second image carrier or a front side of the transfer sheet; a second transfer device for transferring the toner image carried on the second image carrier onto a back side of the transfer sheet; a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer sheet, wherein the second image carrier has a curvature portion at an edge thereof facing the fixing device; and a conveyance section provided between the curvature portion and the fixing device, having a claw member provided adjacent to the curvature portion for lifting a leading edge of the transfer sheet conveyed along the curvature portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device to form a developer image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier by developing using a developer, a transfer device to transfer a developer image formed on an image carrier, a fixing device to fix a developer image transferred on an image receiving medium, and a conveyor guide 7 arranged so that the image receiving medium with a developer image transferred thereon to guide from the transfer device toward the fixing device. The conveyor guide has contact portions made of a material that is charged to the same polarity as the developer on the image receiving medium as a result of the friction with the image receiving medium.

Abstract: A delivery member has a substrate material, a first coating film containing a filler and formed by electrodeposition on a substrate material, and a second coating film composed of an organic coating film formed on the first coating film.

Abstract: A guide member is disposed between a transferring section and a fixing section. The guide member has an upstream end and a downstream end with respect to the direction of travel of the recording medium. First and second guide members define a path therebetween in which the recording medium passes to the fixing section. The first guide member is formed with a plurality of ribs formed at intervals and aligned in a direction either transverse or parallel to the direction of travel of the recording medium. The ribs extend substantially from the upstream end to the downstream end and increase in height from the surface of each guide as the downstream end is approached and guide a leading end of the recording medium. The ribs may extent progressively outwardly as the downstream end is approached. The first guide member is supported so that it is pivotal on an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the recording medium. The first guide member can be moved between an operative and a non-operative position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image carrier for carrying a toner image formed thereon; a second image carrier for carrying the toner image transferred from the first image carrier and for conveying a recording sheet; a first transfer device for transferring the toner image carried on the first image carrier onto the second image carrier or an obverse side of the recording sheet; a second transfer device for transferring the toner image carried on the second image carrier onto a reverse side of the recording sheet and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred on the recording sheet. The second image carrier is provided with a curved portion at an end on a side of the fixing device, at which the recording sheet conveyed by the second image carrier is bent toward the reverse side of the recording sheet so as to separate the recording sheet from the second image carrier.

Abstract: A printer for printing endless paper webs on both sides has two printing stations with a web turnover station therebetween. The paper web is fed in parallel side-by-side to the two printing stations which are on the same rollers. The drive of the web through the printer is by a positive drive, using pins to engage holes in the paper web, for example, into the first printing station. The drive of the paper web thereafter is by friction drive to permit slippage in the drive to compensate for variations in paper length during heating, etc. The slippage is controlled by brakes or other drag inducing devices acting on one or both of the two portions of the paper web.

Abstract: A printing medium discharge apparatus used for discharging a printing medium from a rotary drum in an ink jet printer for printing a desired image onto the printing medium by an ink jet while holding the printing medium on the rotary drum, includes a printing medium carry and discharge device and a printing medium press device. The printing medium carry and discharge device carries thereon the printing medium from the rotary drum, on the printing medium an image having been printed, to make a non-image formation surface of the printing medium including no image formation region contact the printing medium carry and discharge device, and discharges the printing medium carried thereon to be moved apart from the rotary drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing at least two different types of substrates from a moving surface to a fusing station is disclosed. A constant speed transport positioned to receive the substrate from the moving surface advances the substrate to the fusing station. An air moving device moves air such that air pressure induces a drive force on the substrate on the transport. A sensor generates a first signal when the substrate is of a first type and generates a second signal when the substrate is of a second type. The air moving device induces a first drive force when the sensor generates the first signal and induces a second drive force when the sensor generates the second signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming body; an intermediate transfer body for carrying a toner image transferred from the image forming body and conveying a transfer material thereon; a first transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image forming body onto the intermediate transfer body or a front side of the transfer material; a second transfer device for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer body onto a back side of the transfer material; and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer material. The second transfer device includes a corona discharger having a discharging electrode and a shielding member for shielding an electric field when the discharging electrode discharges, and the shielding member has a circulation hole through which air flows along an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer body in a conveyance direction from upstream to downstream of the transfer material.

Abstract: A system is described for transporting sheet-like material. The sheet has a powder, such as electrographic toner particles, loosely attached to it at one or both sides. The particles may be laid down in an image-wise manner by an electrophotographic or direct electrographic system, such as a printer or a copier. The sheet is transported by an endless belt or by a drum. In order to preserve the location of toner particles on the sheet, and to establish correct transportation of the sheet, electrostatic charges are applied either to the sheet or the transporting member or both. As such, the sheet suitably adheres to the transport system and electrostatically loaded toner particles may even adhere better to the sheet.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with a first image carrying member; a belt-shaped second image carrying member onto which a toner image is transferred from the first image carrying member; a pair of rotatable fixing members forming a nip region for fixing the toner images transferred on the both sides of the sheet; a conveying device for guiding the sheet separated from an end of the belt-shaped second image carrying member to the pair of rotatable fixing members, when the sheet is nipped and conveyed through the nip region of the pair of rotatable fixing members, the belt-shaped second image carrying member and the pair of rotatable fixing members are arranged such that the sheet is conveyed so as to form a loop protruding from a line connecting the entrance of the nip region and the end of the belt-shaped second image carrying member.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with an image carrying member, a toner image forming device, an intermediate image carrying member, a first transfer member, and a second transfer member, toner images are formed on both sides of a sheet. The toner images on the both sides of the sheet is fixed by a fixing device having a heater and a pair of fixing rollers. A detecting device detects at least one of a temperature of the fixing members, a material of the sheet and a size of the sheet, and a controller changes an image forming interval in accordance with at least one of the temperature of the fixing members, the material of the sheet and the size of the sheet detected by the detecting device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming body for carrying thereon a toner image, and a belt-shaped intermediate transfer body for carrying thereon the toner image transferred from the image forming body. A first transfer device is provided for transferring another toner image carried by the image forming body onto an obverse side of a recording sheet conveyed by the intermediate transfer body, and a second transfer device is provided for transferring the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer body onto a reverse side of the recording sheet. In addition, a fixing device is provided for fixing the toner images transferred on both sides of the recording sheet which is separated from the intermediate transfer body, and a conveyor portion having spurred wheels is provided between the intermediate transfer body and the fixing device for conveying the transfer member to the fixing device. The apparatus has a structure including two frames which can be opened.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus providing for selectable image quality and gloss. The reproduction apparatus as disclosed includes a dielectric member adapted to have latent images formed thereon. A development station for the reproduction apparatus includes a plurality of developer units respectively containing marking particles of different colors, at least one developer unit containing black marking particles and another developer unit containing clear marking particles, for selectively developing latent images on the dielectric member with marking particles from the developer units respectively. The developed marking particle images are transferred by a transfer station from said dielectric member to a receiver member.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for controlling media temperature to prevent image offset and degloss in an electrostatic image forming apparatus are provided. The apparatus and method utilize a plurality of media support surfaces in the pre-nip media path to reduce heat transfer to the media in this region. An insulating channel is provided beneath the media supports to thermally isolate the media supports. One or more insulating plates may also be provided between the rollers of the fusing nip and the media support surfaces to further reduce heat transfer from the fusing members to the media support surfaces and media.

Abstract: A continuous web substrate duplex (both sides) printing system which can utilize a single otherwise conventional or existing xerographic print engine (normally printing conventional cut sheet print substrates) without substantial structural modification, instead of requiring plural print engines on opposite sides of the web. This may be accomplished as shown by operatively docking a special duplex continuous web printing substrate supply module with the cut sheet print engine to form an integral duplex web printing system. Here, this duplex web printing module has an integrated fusing system with translating and half-surface-speed roll fusers for fusing the transferred images on both sides of the web with those two separate moving fusers, with each fuser fusing images on one side of the web after respective separate transfers of sequences of plural first and second web side images.

Abstract: In a fixing apparatus for an electrophotographic apparatus which comprises a suction apparatus (14) for attracting a rear surface of recording material (6) which continues longitudinally and holds a toner image on a major surface thereof, a preheater (10) for preheating the recording material while adhering the recording material to the preheater by attracting force of the suction apparatus, and a pair of fixing rollers (11) formed by a heat roller and a pressure roller urged to each other, wherein the recording material is sandwiched and carried while being heated and pressurized by the heat roller and the pressure roller at a pressing portion therebetween thereby to fix the toner image on the major surface of the recording material, the fixing apparatus further comprises a recording material lifting apparatus (15) having a projection member (15a) movable relative to the surface of the preheater.

Abstract: An image-forming machine includes a photosensitive drum rotatably disposed; a charger for electrically charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to a predetermined polarity; a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum onto a transfer paper; a fixing roller for heat-fixing the toner image transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer device; and a cooling fan for blowing cooling air to the surrounding area of the fixing roller. A guide plate having a plurality of openings formed along its length, guides the transfer paper onto which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer device, to the fixing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes an image reading section, a transportation path, a photoreceptor, transferring area, a fixing area, and a feeding speed controller. The feeding speed controller selects the speed at which an original document passes through the image reading section between two speeds. A first speed is used when the transfer sheet is normal sized and for a period of time prior to a large sized sheet entering the fixing area. Once a large sized sheet enters the fixing area, the feeding speed controller changes the speed of the original document from the first speed to the second speed to provide proper scaling of the reproduced image on the transferred sheet. The second speed may be adjusted depending on the type of transfer sheet being used to take into account the amount of stretching of the material used to make the transfer sheet.

Abstract: A printing apparatus prints toner powder images on both sides of an image receiving support (e.g. paper). The apparatus includes an image recording medium for forming a toner powder image thereon; a transfer device for transferring a toner powder image from the image recording medium to the image receiving support; and fixing devices for fixing a transferred toner powder image on the image receiving support by pressure surfaces coming into contact with both sides of the image receiving support. The apparatus further includes image receiving support transport devices for transporting an image receiving support provided with a toner powder image on a first side back to the transfer device for transferring a toner powder image to a second side of the image receiving support.

Abstract: In a conveyance path made up of guide plates which guide a copy sheet to a transfer region between a photoreceptor and an opposing transfer device and a second guide plate for conveying the copy sheet to a fixing rollers, the guide plates and the fixing rollers including a pre-fixing guide, which all will be in contact with copy sheets, are grounded via a common resistor having a high resistance. An adjuster resistor is interposed in series between the common resistor and the guide plates positioned before transfer which are closer from the transfer region compared to the fixing rollers. When a copy sheet resides across the transfer region with both sides in contact with the guide plates and fixing rollers or with one side in contact, the total current that flows during a transfer operation is practically determined by the common resistor which has a high resistance.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a fixing device fixes a toner image transferred to a sheet, but held in an unstable state, temporarily on the sheet by a Johnson Rahbeck effect. The fixed image firmly adhere to the sheet and is free from disturbance or suffers from a minimum of disturbance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an unfixed-image forming unit for forming an unfixed image having a plurality of colors on a recording material, and a fixing unit for fixing the unfixed image formed by the unfixed-image forming unit by heating the recording material bearing the image. The fixing unit can fix the unfixed image on the recording material with a first degree of fixing or with a second degree of fixing which is greater than the first degree of fixing depending on whether or not a light-transmitting-property recognition unit recognizes the recording material to have a light-transmitting property, and whether or not a black-monocolor recognition unit recognizes the unfixed image formed by the unfixed-image forming unit as a black monochromatic image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transferring and conveying body that transfers a nonfused image onto a transfer member and conveys the transfer member; a fusing apparatus that is arranged so as to be distanced from the transferring and conveying body a distance that is shorter than a maximum transfer length and fuses an image on the transfer member; and a transfer member guide that is interposed between the transferring and conveying body and the fusing apparatus and guides the transfer member to thread into a fusing nip region of the fusing apparatus. In such image forming apparatus, the transfer member guide has a guide position changing apparatus that changes the position of the transfer member guide in a direction that a loop of the transfer member is caused when the head end of the transfer member threads into the fusing nip region of the fusing apparatus.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus according to the present invention has a photosensitive drum, a pre-transfer roller, and a fixing roller. The photosensitive drum, the pre-transfer roller and the fixing roller are generally rotated at an equal peripheral speed. Particularly, the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum and the peripheral speed of the fixing roller are equal to each other, whereby there is no problem that an image transferred to a rolled-paper sheet from the photosensitive drum extends due to the leading end of the rolled-paper sheet being pulled after reaching the fixing roller. On the other hand, after the leading end of the rolled-paper sheet reaches the fixing roller, the peripheral speed of the pre-transfer roller is so controlled as to be lower than the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum during a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording member includes an unfixed image forming device for forming an unfixed image on the recording member, a fixing section which has a nip, and which holds and conveys the recording member carrying the unfixed image through the nip to fix the unfixed image on the recording member, and a conveyor for conveying the recording member to the fixing section. The conveyor can convey the recording member at a first speed, or at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. The conveyor conveys the recording member at the first speed before a leading end of the recording member is held by the nip, and at the second speed after the leading end is held by the nip. With such a construction, the recording member can be forcibly inserted into the nip, and can be prevented from slipping at the entrance of the nip.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus has an image forming device for forming a toner image, an image transfer device for transferring a toner image to a sheet, a toner fixing device for fixing the toner on the sheet and a conveying device for conveying the sheet from the image transfer device to the toner fixing device. A toner removing device is positioned in a conveyance path of the sheet from the image transfer device to the toner fixing device for removing toner from back of the sheet. The toner removing device assumes an electrical bias having a polarity opposite that of the toner.

Abstract: A broad swing arm having a finger at its swinging end extends from an axis near a fixing unit to a tractor, overtop and next to a continuous form transport path. Any bulge or buckle caused by a paper jam and forming in the continuous form at any position between the fixing unit and tractor, and across the width of the form, is detected as the swing arm is pushed up at some point along its length, moving the finger away from a sensor monitored by a controller. Printing in the printer is stopped when the sensor detects that the finger has been moved.