Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Kunii Hiroyuki

Echigo Katsuhiro

Kikuchi Hisashi

Baba Toshihiko

Fujita Takashi

Nakafuji Atsushi

Kurotaka Shigeo

Ikenoue Hirokazu

Someya Yukimichi

For an image forming apparatus, a transfer fixing apparatus and a transfer fixing method fix a toner image onto a record medium. The fixing apparatus and the image forming apparatus have a structure to reduce adverse heat influences impacting on an intermediate transfer member, and can further reduce vibrations generated to the intermediate transfer member and to a recording medium onto which a visualized image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member. Further, a heating value and a heat distribution in the fixing apparatus can be controlled to be optimized.

Image forming apparatus with a pressing member and transfer fixing member

Fixing apparatus with a pressing member and transfer fixing member

A transfer fixing apparatus including an intermediate transfer member having an outer surface onto which a toner image is transferred, a transfer fixing member having an outer surface onto which the toner image is transferred by the intermediate transfer member, a heating member configured to heat the toner image on the outer surface of the transfer fixing member, and an opposite member formed opposite the transfer fixing member. A nip is formed between the transfer fixing member and the opposite member, the toner image being fixed onto the recording medium while passing through the nip. The transfer member is separated by a space from the intermediate transfer member by a thickness of the toner image.

Transfer fixing apparatus

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Yokohama, Japan

Kunii Hiroyuki