Patent US5729818A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5729818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus having a fixing device and a conveyer means for conveying a recording member to the fixing device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-02
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2016-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording member includes an unfixed image forming device for forming an unfixed image on the recording member, a fixing section which has a nip, and which holds and conveys the recording member carrying the unfixed image through the nip to fix the unfixed image on the recording member, and a conveyor for conveying the recording member to the fixing section. The conveyor can convey the recording member at a first speed, or at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. The conveyor conveys the recording member at the first speed before a leading end of the recording member is held by the nip, and at the second speed after the leading end is held by the nip. With such a construction, the recording member can be forcibly inserted into the nip, and can be prevented from slipping at the entrance of the nip.
Inventors
- 👤 Jiro Ishizuka
- 👤 Rie Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:47
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6555; G03G15/657; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: unfixed image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording member; fixing means having a nip, said fixing means for holding and conveying the recording member carrying the unfixed image through said nip and fixing the unfixed image onto the recording member; and conveyor means for conveying the recording member to said fixing means, wherein said conveyor means can convey the recording member at one of a first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed, and wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed before a leading end of the recording member enters said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end of the recording member enters said nip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: unfixed image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording member; fixing means having a nip, said fixing means for holding and conveying the recording member carrying the unfixed image through said nip and fixing the unfixed image onto the recording member; and conveyor means for conveying the recording member to said fixing means, wherein said conveyor means can convey the recording member at one of a first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed, and wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed before a leading end of the recording member enters said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end of the recording member enters said nip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said unfixed image forming means is positioned upstream of said conveyor means relative to a direction of conveyance of the recording member and delivers the recording member to said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a speed of conveying the recording member by said fixing means is the same when the speed of said conveyor means is the first speed and when the speed of said conveyor means is the second speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means conveys the recording member at the second speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a speed of conveying the recording member by said fixing means is the same when the speed of said conveyor means is the first speed and when the speed of said conveyor means is the second speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means conveys the recording member at a third speed which is faster than the second speed and slower than the first speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a speed of conveying the recording member by said fixing means is the same when the speed of said conveyor means is the first speed and when the speed of said conveyor means is the second speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nip of said fixing means is formed by a rotation member and a press-contact member pressed into contact with said rotation member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a surface of said rotation member has a release agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a surface of said press-contact member pressed into contact with said rotation member has a release agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said press-contact member is rotatably mounted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means fixes the unfixed image on the recording member at a different time than the unfixed image is formed on the recording member by said unfixed image forming means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance the recording member is conveyed by said conveyor means is greater than a maximum length of the recording member in a direction on conveyance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixing means and said conveyor means are driven separately during conveyance of the recording member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said unfixed image forming means comprises a plurality of transfer means for transferring images onto the recording member by sequentially superimposing the images.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed before the leading end of the recording member is held at said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end is held at said nip, when the recording member has a resin layer on the surface thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed before the leading end of the recording member is held at said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end is held at said nip, when the recording member is thicker than a predetermined thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: unfixed image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording member conveyed at a first speed; fixing means for fixing the unfixed image on the recording member; and conveyor means for conveying the recording member to said fixing means, wherein said conveyor means selectively conveys the recording member at one of the first speed and a second speed which is faster than the first speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: unfixed image forming means for forming an unfixed image on a recording member conveyed at a first speed; fixing means for fixing the unfixed image on the recording member; and conveyor means for conveying the recording member to said fixing means, wherein said conveyor means selectively conveys the recording member at one of the first speed and a second speed which is faster than the first speed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed and at the second speed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said conveyor means conveys the recording member at the first speed while the unfixed image is being formed by said unfixed image forming means, and conveys the recording member at the second speed after the unfixed image is formed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said fixing means conveys the recording member at a third speed which is slower than the second speed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said fixing means fixes the unfixed image on the recording member at a different time than the unfixed image is being formed on the recording member by said unfixed image forming means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said unfixed image forming means comprises a plurality of transfer means for transferring images onto the recording member by sequentially superimposing the images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said fixing means comprises a nip at which the recording member is held and conveyed, and wherein a distance between said nip and a final transfer position of said unfixed image forming means is greater than a maximum length of the recording member in a direction of conveyance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said unfixed image forming means is positioned upstream of said conveyor means relative to a direction of conveyance of the recording member and delivers the recording member to said conveyor means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fixing device, comprising: a rotation member having a release agent on a surface thereof; and a press-contact member pressed into contact with said rotation member and forming a nip therebetween, wherein said rotation member can rotate at one of a first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed, and wherein said rotation member rotates at the first speed before a leading end of a recording member is held by said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end of the recording member is held by said nip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fixing device, comprising: a rotation member having a release agent on a surface thereof; and a press-contact member pressed into contact with said rotation member and forming a nip therebetween, wherein said rotation member can rotate at one of a first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed, and wherein said rotation member rotates at the first speed before a leading end of a recording member is held by said nip, and at the second speed after the leading end of the recording member is held by said nip.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fixing device according to claim 26, wherein said rotation member comprises a heating roller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fixing device according to claim 26, wherein said press-contact member is rotatably mounted.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A fixing device according to claim 26, wherein said release agent comprises an oil.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fixing device according to claim 26, further comprising application means for applying said release agent to said rotation member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said conveyor means conveys a recording material while said fixing means is fixing unfixed image on said recording material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said unfixed image forming means comprises a transfer means for transferring image onto the recording member, and said conveyor means conveys a recording material while said transferring means is transferring image onto said recording member.
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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |