When sheets having the same surface property and grammage are registered on a size basis, adjustment value registration operations need to be repeated for the respective sheets as many as these sizes. An image forming apparatus that includes a display unit and forms an image on a sheet sets a setting value of adjustment influenced by the characteristics of the image forming apparatus upon forming an image by using a sheet, and then displays a sheet list which displays a list of a plurality of types of sheets on a display unit and reflects the set setting value on at least one sheet selected from the sheet list.

An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, an image reading unit, and a control unit. The fixing device includes a heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a band-shaped thin film which slides on the surface of the heating element while in contact with the heating element, and a rotatable body configured to press against a surface of the thin film to cause the thin film to rotate. The fixing device heats the heating elements when an inspection sheet is passed through the fixing device, the inspection sheet having plural images formed by using a decolorable developer, each of the images having an image density that differs in a sub-scanning direction of the image forming apparatus. The image reading unit reads an image of the heated inspection sheet and the control unit determines an operative state of each heating element based on the read image.

When sheets having the same surface property and grammage are registered on a size basis, adjustment value registration operations need to be repeated for the respective sheets as many as these sizes. An image forming apparatus that includes a display unit and forms an image on a sheet sets a setting value of adjustment influenced by the characteristics of the image forming apparatus upon forming an image by using a sheet, and then displays a sheet list which displays a list of a plurality of types of sheets on a display unit and reflects the set setting value on at least one sheet selected from the sheet list.

Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring the dryness of primer on a substrate in an inline priming system. In implementations, the apparatus comprises a plurality of measurement electrodes spaced laterally to extend across and contact a primed surface of a substrate following application of a primer to the substrate as it is fed through the inline priming system. A resistance measurement unit is provided as part of the dryness measuring apparatus to, in use, measure the surface resistance of the primed substrate between different measurement electrodes across the primed surface of a substrate. A controller is provided in the dryness measurement apparatus, the controller arranged to, in use: receive the measured surface resistance value and to generate, based on the measured surface resistance values, a dryness profile indicative of the dryness of the primer at locations across the substrate in the direction of the spacing of the electrodes.

An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, an image reading unit, and a control unit. The fixing device includes a heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a band-shaped thin film which slides on the surface of the heating element while in contact with the heating element, and a rotatable body configured to press against a surface of the thin film to cause the thin film to rotate. The fixing device heats the heating elements when an inspection sheet is passed through the fixing device, the inspection sheet having plural images formed by using a decolorable developer, each of the images having an image density that differs in a sub-scanning direction of the image forming apparatus. The image reading unit reads an image of the heated inspection sheet and the control unit determines an operative state of each heating element based on the read image.

Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring the dryness of primer on a substrate in an inline priming system. In implementations, the apparatus comprises a plurality of measurement electrodes spaced laterally to extend across and contact a primed surface of a substrate following application of a primer to the substrate as it is fed through the inline priming system. A resistance measurement unit is provided as part of the dryness measuring apparatus to, in use, measure the surface resistance of the primed substrate between different measurement electrodes across the primed surface of a substrate. A controller is provided in the dryness measurement apparatus, the controller arranged to, in use: receive the measured surface resistance value and to generate, based on the measured surface resistance values, a dryness profile indicative of the dryness of the primer at locations across the substrate in the direction of the spacing of the electrodes.

An image forming apparatus including an image forming portion, a fixing device, a pressure switching mechanism, and a controller. The fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating portion, and a pressing member. The pressure switching mechanism is configured to switch pressure between the fixing member and the pressing member. The controller is configured to execute an operation in an image forming mode in which the image is capable of being formed on an envelope. The controller is configured to cause the pressure switching mechanism to switch the pressure to a first pressure when an instruction to form the image on an address side of the envelope is inputted and to cause the pressure switching mechanism to switch the pressure to a second pressure when an instruction to form the image on a non-address side of the envelope is inputted. The second pressure is higher than the first pressure.

A display member includes: a surface which is an observation object; a first image pattern which is covered by the surface and displays, through the surface, a first image including one or more first information elements for identifying an owner of the display member; a second image pattern which is covered by the surface and in which one or more second information elements are embedded, a part of the second image pattern restricting identification of the one or more second information elements, the second image pattern including a second image that differs from the first image and is for identifying the owner of the display member; and a concealment pattern that is located between the second image pattern and the surface and removes the restriction on identification of the one or more second information elements by concealing the part of the second image pattern.

A sheet separation device separates a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are bonded together at a portion. The sheet separation device includes a rotator, a nipping member opposite the rotator, to nip the two-ply sheet with the rotator, a conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet between the rotator and the nipping member, a winding member adjacent to the rotator, to wind the two-ply sheet around the rotator, and control circuitry. In winding the two-ply sheet, the control circuitry rotates the rotator at a first speed faster than a second speed at which the two-ply sheet moves to the rotator via the conveyor, and creates a difference in winding circumferential length between the two sheets, thereby separating the two sheets. The conveyor conveys the two-ply sheet with a bonded portion of the two-ply sheet being an upstream end or a downstream end in a conveyance direction of the two-ply sheet.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration or indicia on a predetermined portion of an outer surface of a metallic container body. The decorator includes at least one digital print unit, a transfer blanket, and a support element. The digital print unit transfers a decorating material to the transfer blanket to form a decoration on the transfer blanket. The support element then moves a metallic container into contact with the transfer blanket. In this manner, the decorating material is transferred to an exterior surface portion of the metallic container to decorate the metallic container. In one embodiment, the digital print unit is an electrophotographic system which transfers a toner material to the transfer blanket. In another embodiment, the digital print unit includes an inkjet print head which transfers an ink to the transfer blanket. Optionally, the decorator may include two or more support elements.