US5196895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating apparatus using endless film
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-02-14
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Granted: 1993-03-23
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Expires: 2012-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A heating apparatus includes a heater; an endless film; a back-up member cooperative with the endless film to form a nip therebetween, wherein a recording material is conveyed with its lateral end aligned with a conveyance reference and has an image thereon, which is heated by heat from the heater; wherein a lateral shifting force of the endless film when the recording material is not passed through the nip is directed always toward the conveyance reference.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Setoriyama
- 👤 Akira Kuroda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; a back-up member cooperative with said endless film to form a nip therebetween, wherein a recording material is conveyed with its lateral end aligned with a conveyance reference and has an image thereon, which is heated by heat from said heater; wherein a lateral shifting force of said endless film when the recording material is not passed through the nip is directed always toward the conveyance reference.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; a back-up member cooperative with said endless film to form a nip therebetween, wherein a recording material is conveyed with its lateral end aligned with a conveyance reference and has an image thereon, which is heated by heat from said heater; wherein a lateral shifting force of said endless film when the recording material is not passed through the nip is directed always toward the conveyance reference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting member for limiting a lateral end of said film adjacent the conveyance reference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said limiting member limits a lateral edge of said film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is capable of heating images of recording materials having different sizes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus is capable of heating an envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lateral shifting force of said film when a small size recording material is passed through the nip is smaller than the lateral shifting force when no sheet is passed through the nip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a direction of said film lateral shifting force when a small size recording material is passed through the nip is opposite from the direction of said film lateral shifting force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heater is stationary in use, and said film is in slidable contact with said heater.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus heats and fixes an unfixed image on the recording material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; a back-up rotatable member urged to said heater with said endless film therebetween; driving means for driving said back-up rotatable member at one end of said back-up rotatable member; wherein pressure between said heater and said back-up rotatable member when said back-up rotatable member is not driven is larger at said one side of said back-up rotatable member than at the opposite side where said back-up rotatable member is not driven.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; a back-up rotatable member urged to said heater with said endless film therebetween; driving means for driving said back-up rotatable member at one end of said back-up rotatable member; wherein pressure between said heater and said back-up rotatable member when said back-up rotatable member is not driven is larger at said one side of said back-up rotatable member than at the opposite side where said back-up rotatable member is not driven.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a difference between the pressures at said one side at said opposite side is less than 1.5 kg.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said film is rotated by said back-up rotatable member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said back-up rotatable member has a gear at said one end, and said driving means includes a transmission gear engaged with said gear of said back-up rotatable member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said recording material is conveyed with its lateral end aligned with a conveyance reference which is adjacent said one end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a limiting member for limiting a lateral end of said film adjacent the conveyance reference.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said limiting member limits a lateral edge of said film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said limiting member is provided at each side of said film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said heater is stationary in use, and said film is in slidable contact with said heater.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording material carries an unfixed toner image which is fixed by heat and pressure applied in the nip formed between said film and said back-up rotatable member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; driving rotatable member for driving said endless film; wherein a circumferential length of said driving rotatable member increases from its one end to the opposite end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless film; driving rotatable member for driving said endless film; wherein a circumferential length of said driving rotatable member increases from its one end to the opposite end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said driving rotatable member drives an outer circumferential surface of said endless film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the recording material having the image is passed through a nip formed between said driving rotatable member and said endless film to heat the image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a limiting member for limiting said endless film adjacent a large circumferential length side of said driving rotatable member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said limiting member limits a lateral edge of said film.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the recording material is conveyed with its lateral end aligned with a conveyance reference, and the circumferential length of said driving rotatable member is larger adjacent the conveyance reference.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said heater is stationary in use, and said film is in slidable contact with said heater.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein an unfixed image on the recording material is heated and fixed by heat from said heater through said film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-09-21 | 1997-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-22 | 2000-09-21 | 2001-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-22 | 2004-09-21 | 2005-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |