Glossing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

摘要

A glossing device for imparting gloss to a toner image formed on a recording medium includes a plurality of rollers, a looped, endless belt, a pressure member, a belt cooler, and a belt retention mechanism. The plurality of rollers is disposed generally parallel to each other, and includes a heat roller subjected to heating. The looped, endless belt is entrained around the plurality of rollers for conveying the recording medium in a longitudinal, conveyance direction thereof. The pressure member is disposed opposite the heat roller to press against the heat roller via the belt to form a glossing nip therebetween, through which the recording medium passes. The belt cooler is disposed inside the loop of the belt to cool the belt during movement between the glossing nip and the separation position.

主权项

1. A glossing device for imparting gloss to a toner image formed on a recording medium, the device comprising:
a plurality of rollers disposed generally parallel to each other, including a heat roller subjected to heating; a looped, endless belt entrained around the plurality of rollers for conveying the recording medium in a longitudinal, conveyance direction thereof; a pressure member disposed opposite the heat roller to press against the heat roller via the belt to form a glossing nip therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, the recording medium after passage through the glossing nip conveyed on the belt with the toner image adhering to an outer, conveyance surface of the belt, and subsequently separating from the belt at a given separation position downstream from the glossing nip in the conveyance direction; a belt cooler disposed inside the loop of the belt to cool the belt during movement between the glossing nip and the separation position; and a belt retention mechanism disposed adjacent to a pair of opposed lateral edges of the belt and outboard of a maximum width of the recording medium, the belt retention mechanism including one or more pairs of stationary guide plates fixed in position to contact the lateral edge of the belt moving between the glossing nip and the separation position to retain the belt in continuous contact with the belt cooler between the glossing nip and the separation position.