Patent US5149941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5149941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image fixing apparatus with movable sheet member and detectors
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1992-09-22
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed on an image carrying member, includes a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon, and a heat generating element contacted to such a side of the sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, the heat generating element being fixed in use.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
- 👤 Kensaku Kusaka
- 👤 Atsushi Arai
- 👤 Yoshiaki Takayanagi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2009; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/2022; G03G2215/2035; G03G2215/2038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed on an image carrying member, comprising: a non-endless wound sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; means for rewinding said sheet member; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element being disposed in a fixed position; and means for detecting a remaining amount of said sheet member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed on an image carrying member, comprising: a non-endless wound sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; means for rewinding said sheet member; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element being disposed in a fixed position; and means for detecting a remaining amount of said sheet member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising pressing means for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said pressing means is in the form of a rotatable member and is movable away from said sheet member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising radiating means for promoting solidification of the toner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said heat generating element includes a linear heat generating layer, said heat generating layer extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image; a contacting member for contacting a backside of the image carrying member at a position opposed to said heat generating element, said contacting member having a temperature in use which is lower than a fusing temperature of the toner and including a rotatable member for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating element; and means for cooling said rotatable member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image; a contacting member for contacting a backside of the image carrying member at a position opposed to said heat generating element, said contacting member having a temperature in use which is lower than a fusing temperature of the toner and including a rotatable member for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating element; and means for cooling said rotatable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sheet member includes a heat resistive base layer and a parting layer provided at least on the side of said sheet member remote from said heat generating element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said parting layer is of fluorine resin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sheet member is non-endless wound sheet member, said apparatus comprising means for rewinding said sheet member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for detecting a remaining amount of said sheet member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said rotatable member is separable from said sheet member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the unfixed image is formed with toner which is heat-fusible, and wherein said sheet member and the image carrying member are separated after the toner is solidified.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising radiating means for promoting solidification of the toner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said heat generating element includes a linear heat generating layer which fixed in use, and said heat generating layer extends in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; and a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; and a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the intermittent power supply by said power supply means is effected in the form of pulse-wise power supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said heat generating means is substantially provided with temperature detecting means, and in accordance with an output of the temperature detecting means, the power supply to said heat generating element is controlled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said heat generating element includes a heat generating portion for generating heat by being supplied with the power and a supporting member for supporting the heat generating portion, and wherein said temperature detecting means detects a temperature of the supporting member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the intermittent power supply to said heat generating element is effected by pulse-wide power supply, and wherein width of power supply pulses is controlled in accordance with an output of said temperature detecting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said heat generating element includes a heat generating portion for generating heat by being supplied with the power, and wherein said temperature detecting means detects a temperature in the vicinity of the heat generating portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein power supply ,to said heat generating element is controlled to mountain a constant peak value of the output of said temperature detecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising safety means for shutting off the power supply to said heat generating element upon extreme temperature rise of said heat generating element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sheet member includes a heat resistive base layer and a parting layer provided at least on the side of said sheet member remote from said heat generating element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said parting layer is of fluorine resin.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sheet member is non-endless wound sheet member, said apparatus comprising means for rewinding said sheet member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising means for detecting a remaining amount of said sheet member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising pressing means for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said pressing means is in the form of a rotatable member and is movable away from said sheet member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the unfixed image is formed with toner which is heat-fusible, and wherein said sheet member and the image carrying member are separated after the toner is solidified.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising radiating means for promoting solidification of the toner.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said heat generating element includes a linear heat generating layer which is fixed in use, said heat generating layer extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element including a heat generating portion extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element so as to satisfy the following: τ<1Vp where τ is energy supply duration (ms) per one power supply by said power supply means; 1 is a heat generating width (micron) of said heat generating element; and Vp is a speed of the conveyance (mm/sec) of the image carrying member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element including a heat generating portion extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element so as to satisfy the following: τ<1Vp where τ is energy supply duration (ms) per one power supply by said power supply means; 1 is a heat generating width (micron) of said heat generating element; and Vp is a speed of the conveyance (mm/sec) of the image carrying member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the intermittent power supply to said heat generating element by said power supply means is effected pulse-wisely, wisely, and wherein the power supply duration per one power supply is equal to a width of a pulse.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said sheet member includes a heat resistive base layer and a parting layer provided at least on the side of said sheet member remote from said heat generating element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said parting layer is of fluorine resin.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said sheet member is non-endless wound sheet member, said apparatus comprising means for rewinding said sheet member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising means for detecting a remaining amount of said sheet member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising pressing means for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said pressing means is in the form of a rotatable member and is movable away from said sheet member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the unfixed image is formed with toner which is heat-fusible, and wherein said sheet member and the image carrying member are separated after the toner is solidified.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising radiating means for promoting solidification of the toner.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said heat generating element is fixed in use.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
146 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element including a heat generating portion extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element so as to satisfy the following: Vp/1≦ν<2Vp/1 where Vp is a speed of the conveyance (mm/sec) of the image carrying member; 1 is a heat generating width (micron) of said heat generating element; and ν is a frequency (1/ms) of the intermittent power supply to said heat generating element.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
146 words
An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element including a heat generating portion extending in a direction crossing with a direction of conveyance of the image carrying member; and power supply means for intermittently supplying electric power to said heat generating element so as to satisfy the following: Vp/1≦ν<2Vp/1 where Vp is a speed of the conveyance (mm/sec) of the image carrying member; 1 is a heat generating width (micron) of said heat generating element; and ν is a frequency (1/ms) of the intermittent power supply to said heat generating element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the intermittent power supply by said power supply means is effected in the form of pulse-wise power supply.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said sheet member includes a heat resistive base layer and a parting layer provided at least on the side of said sheet member remote from said heat generating element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said parting layer is of fluorine resin.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said sheet member is non-endless wound sheet member, said apparatus comprising means for rewinding said sheet member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising means for detecting a remaining amount of
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising pressing means for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said pressing means is in the form of a rotatable member and is movable away from said sheet member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the unfixed image is formed with toner which is heat-fusible, and wherein said sheet member and the image carrying member are separated after the toner is solidified.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, further comprising radiating means for promoting solidification of the toner.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said heat generating element is fixed in use.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image forming apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element having a linear heat generating portion, and said heat generating portion being fixed in use and being maintained substantially at a predetermined temperature; detecting means for substantially detecting a temperature of said heat generating element, wherein power supply to said heat generating portion is controlled in accordance with an output of said detecting means to maintain said heat generating element at the predetermined temperature; and an insulating layer provided between said heat generating portion and said temperature detecting means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image forming apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element having a linear heat generating portion, and said heat generating portion being fixed in use and being maintained substantially at a predetermined temperature; detecting means for substantially detecting a temperature of said heat generating element, wherein power supply to said heat generating portion is controlled in accordance with an output of said detecting means to maintain said heat generating element at the predetermined temperature; and an insulating layer provided between said heat generating portion and said temperature detecting means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
161 words
An image forming apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element having a linear heat generating portion, and said heat generating portion being fixed in use; and a rotatable member for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating element; wherein said heat generating portion is within a width of contact area between said rotatable member and the image carrying member and the width of the contact area is larger at ends of said rotatable member in a direction of rotational axis thereof than at a middle position, whereas said heat generating member has a uniform width.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
161 words
An image forming apparatus for fixing an unfixed image formed by toner on an image carrying member, comprising: a sheet member movable together with the image carrying member in contact with the unfixed image carried thereon; a heat generating element contacted to such a side of said sheet member as is opposite to a side thereof contactable to the unfixed image, said heat generating element having a linear heat generating portion, and said heat generating portion being fixed in use; and a rotatable member for press-contacting the image carrying member to said sheet member and press-contacting said sheet member to said heat generating element; wherein said heat generating portion is within a width of contact area between said rotatable member and the image carrying member and the width of the contact area is larger at ends of said rotatable member in a direction of rotational axis thereof than at a middle position, whereas said heat generating member has a uniform width.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said heat generating portion is disposed within the width near to an image carrying member inlet side of the contact area.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein a width of the heat generating portion is smaller than a minimum width of the contact area.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heater which is stationary in use; a sheet slidable relative to the heater and movable with a recording material, a visualized image on the recording material being heated by said heater through said sheet; a pressing member press-contactable to the sheet to form a nip; wherein said heater includes only one heat generating resistor for generating heat upon application of an electric power supply thereto and extending in said nip in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of said sheet, and a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of said heater to control the electric power supply to said heater, said temperature detecting element being integral with said heat generating resistor and being disposed within a width of said heat generating resistor and within said nip.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heater which is stationary in use; a sheet slidable relative to the heater and movable with a recording material, a visualized image on the recording material being heated by said heater through said sheet; a pressing member press-contactable to the sheet to form a nip; wherein said heater includes only one heat generating resistor for generating heat upon application of an electric power supply thereto and extending in said nip in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of said sheet, and a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of said heater to control the electric power supply to said heater, said temperature detecting element being integral with said heat generating resistor and being disposed within a width of said heat generating resistor and within said nip.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 58, further comprising control means responsive to said temperature detecting element to control the power supply to said heat generating resistor to provide a constant temperature.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
61 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heat generating resistor fixed in use for generating heat upon application of an electric power supply thereto; a sheet substantially slidable relative to said heat generating resistor; a thermally low conductivity material integral with said heat generating resistor and disposed at such a side of said heat generating resistor as is remove from said sheet.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
61 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heat generating resistor fixed in use for generating heat upon application of an electric power supply thereto; a sheet substantially slidable relative to said heat generating resistor; a thermally low conductivity material integral with said heat generating resistor and disposed at such a side of said heat generating resistor as is remove from said sheet.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising insulative material between said heat generating resistor and said low conductivity material.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising a protecting layer on a surface of said heat generating resistor for protecting from sliding, said protection layer slides on said sheet.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heater disposed in a fixed location; a sheet slidable relative to said heater and movable with a recording material bearing a visualized image which is heated by said heater through said sheet; and a grounded conductive member contacted to a side of said sheet as is contactable to said heater.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image fixing apparatus, comprising: a heater disposed in a fixed location; a sheet slidable relative to said heater and movable with a recording material bearing a visualized image which is heated by said heater through said sheet; and a grounded conductive member contacted to a side of said sheet as is contactable to said heater.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 63, wherein said side of said sheet is of a heat resistive layer without filler material therein.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said heat resistive layer is of polyimide resin.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein said sheet is in the form of an endless belt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-22 | 1996-03-23 | 1996-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-22 | 2000-03-23 | 2000-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-22 | 2004-03-23 | 2004-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |