US5347348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image fixing apparatus with detector for detecting movement of endless belt
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-12-16
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Granted: 1994-09-13
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Expires: 2013-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An image fixing apparatus includes a heater; a rotatable endless film, wherein an unfixed image on a recording material is heated and fixed by heat from the heater through the endless film; a displaceable member made of heat resistive resin material displaceable in accordance with movement of the endless film in a direction perpendicular to movement of the endless film; detecting element for detecting the displaceable member, the detecting element detecting the displaceable member to detect a lateral shift of the endless film.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsunetoshi Nagata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:34
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; B; B65; B65G; B65G23/00; B65G23/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An image heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable in sliding contact with said heater; a first roller, disposed downstream of said heater with respect to a movement direction of said endless belt, said endless belt being stretched around said first roller; a second roller, disposed upstream of said heater with respect to the movement direction of said endless belt, said endless belt being stretched around said second roller; a displaceable member contacting an edge of said endless belt at a position downstream of said first roller and upstream of said second roller, said movable means comprising heat insulative resin; and a photosensor for optically detecting said displaceable member to determine a lateral shift of said endless belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image heating apparatus, comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable in sliding contact with said heater; a first roller, disposed downstream of said heater with respect to a movement direction of said endless belt, said endless belt being stretched around said first roller; a second roller, disposed upstream of said heater with respect to the movement direction of said endless belt, said endless belt being stretched around said second roller; a displaceable member contacting an edge of said endless belt at a position downstream of said first roller and upstream of said second roller, said movable means comprising heat insulative resin; and a photosensor for optically detecting said displaceable member to determine a lateral shift of said endless belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further including means for laterally shifting said endless belt in a direction opposite from a direction of a lateral shift detected by said photosensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said lateral shifting means laterally shifts the endless belt such that said endless belt is maintained in a predetermined range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first roller drives said endless belt, and said second roller is driven by said endless belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulative resin is pholyphenylene sulfide or polyamide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displaceable means comprises a rotatable pulley contactable to said endless belt.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claims 1, said endless belt comprises a reinforced lateral edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photosensor is disposed outside said heater in a direction of lateral shift of said endless belt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-12 | 1998-03-14 | 1998-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-12 | 2002-03-14 | 2002-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-03-14 | 2006-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |