Patent ID: 8774694
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a fixing liquid applicator to apply a fixing liquid to a recording medium before a toner image is transferred on the recording medium, the fixing liquid including a plasticizer to swell and soften a toner; a transfer device to transfer a toner image from a toner image bearing member onto the recording medium applied with the fixing liquid while contacting the toner image with the fixing liquid on the recording medium; and a fixing device to fix the toner image on the recording medium by heating the toner image and the fixing liquid, wherein the fixing liquid applicator includes an application member disposed opposing a face of the recording medium on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer device to apply to the recording medium the fixing liquid borne on a surface of the application member, a supply unit to supply the fixing liquid to the application member, and a first sealing device to form along with the application member a sealed space in which the supply unit and the fixing liquid to be supplied to the application member by the supply unit are sealed, the first sealing device including a cleaning member to clean the application member, wherein control of a contact of the cleaning member with the application member is switched between during a sealing control and during a cleaning control.