Abstract A fixing apparatus, for fixing a toner on a recording material by using Joule heat which is generated by applying a voltage across the conductors or across the electrodes to supply a current mostly to a fixing portion, (I) comprises a heating device having a first conductive layer, a pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer which is formed on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer formed on the pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer, (II) comprises a heating device having a first conductor and a fixing sheet substantially made of a pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer and a second conductive layer, or (III) comprises a heating device having a fixing sheet made of a heat-generating resistor and first and second electrodes insulated from each other.
A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a first conductor, a pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer which is formed on said first conductor and in which a volume resistivity of a pressed area becomes lower than that of a non-pressed area, and a second conductive layer formed on said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer; and current supplying means for supplying a current to a low-resistance pressed area of said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer by applying a voltage across said first and second conductive layers, wherein a non-fixed toner image on a recording material partially pressed against said heat roller is fixed by using Joule heat generated by flowing of the current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a first conductor, a pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer which is formed on said first conductor and in which a volume resistivity of a pressed area becomes lower than that of a non-pressed area, and a second conductive layer formed on said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer; and current supplying means for supplying a current to a low-resistance pressed area of said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer by applying a voltage across said first and second conductive layers, wherein a non-fixed toner image on a recording material partially pressed against said heat roller is fixed by using Joule heat generated by flowing of the current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber is used as said pressure-sensitive conductive resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first conductor has a core or hollow roll shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second conductive layer comprises a metal layer formed on said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer by vapor deposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second conductive layer comprises a conductive composition coating formed on said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the volume resistivity when pressed is between 1/10 and 1/10 6 of the volume resistivity when non-pressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the volume resistivity when pressed is measured when said pressure-sensitive conductive resin layer is pressed with a pressure of 2 kg/cm 2 .