US5465146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fixing device for electrophotographic apparatus
Assignee: SYNZETEC Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-03-08
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Granted: 1995-11-07
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Expires: 2014-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A fixing device to be used in electrophotographic apparatus for providing a clear fixed image with no offset with use of no oil or the least amount of oil, wherein an endless fixing belt provided with a metal body having a release thin film thereon is stretched between a fixing roller having a elastic surface and a heating roller, a pressing roller is arranged to press the surface of the elastic fixing roller upwardly from the lower side thereof through the fixing belt to form a nip portion between the fixing belt and the pressing roller, a guide plate for unfixed image carrying support member is provided underneath the fixing belt, between the heating roller and the nip portion, to form substantially a linear heating path between the guide plate and the fixing belt, and the metal body of the fixing belt has a heat capacity per cm 2 within a range of 0.001 to 0.02 cal/°C.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuichiro Higashi
- 👤 Youichi Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2053; G03G15/2057; G02; G02B; G02B15/00; G02B15/14; G02B15/142; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2028; G03G15/2064; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/2025; G03G2215/2032; G03G2215/2041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A fixing device for electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a fixing roller having an elastic surface; a heating roller for supplying a heat; an endless fixing belt comprising a metal body and a release thin film formed on a surface thereof, said fixing belt being stretched between the fixing roller and the heating roller, said metal body having a heat capacity per cm 2 in the range of 0.001 to 0.02 cal/°C.; a pressing roller for pressing said fixing roller through the fixing belt, said pressing roller forming a nip portion together with the fixing belt therebetween; and a guide plate disposed between the heating roller and the nip portion to guide an unfixed image carrying support member to said nip portion, said guide plate forming substantially a linear heating path together with said fixing belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fixing device for electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a fixing roller having an elastic surface; a heating roller for supplying a heat; an endless fixing belt comprising a metal body and a release thin film formed on a surface thereof, said fixing belt being stretched between the fixing roller and the heating roller, said metal body having a heat capacity per cm 2 in the range of 0.001 to 0.02 cal/°C.; a pressing roller for pressing said fixing roller through the fixing belt, said pressing roller forming a nip portion together with the fixing belt therebetween; and a guide plate disposed between the heating roller and the nip portion to guide an unfixed image carrying support member to said nip portion, said guide plate forming substantially a linear heating path together with said fixing belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said metal body is formed by nickel electroforming.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said metal body has a thickness of 45 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said release thin film is made of a silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said release thin film has a thickness within a range of 10 to 200 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fixing device according to claim 1 wherein said release thin film has a thickness within a range of 50 to 100 μm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing belt has a thickness within a range of 0.01 to 0.2 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said guide plate is arranged with a clearance within a range of 0.5 to 10 mm relative to the fixing belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said heating roller is kept at a temperature within a range of 140° to 190° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing roller is kept at a temperature within a range of 100° to 138° C. at the nip portion .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing belt is kept at a temperature within a range of 135° to 185° C. in the heating path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5149941A
Cited
US5162634A
Cited
JPH02158780A
Cited
US5115279A
Cited
JPH0450883A
Cited
JPH04124267A
Cited
JPH04273274A
Cited
JPH0511651A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-06 | 1999-05-08 | 1999-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | 2003-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-06 | 2007-05-08 | 2007-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |