US5987294A — Toner fixing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 96 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, wherein when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said first pressing roller is Hp1, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, said heat roller and said first and second pressing rollers are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Hh/Hp≧1.5 and Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 96 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, wherein when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said first pressing roller is Hp1, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, said heat roller and said first and second pressing rollers are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Hh/Hp≧1.5 and Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 112 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotations of said heat roller; and a quantity of oil applied to an outer surface of said heat roller, wherein the hardness of said first pressing roller is made to be lower than the hardness of said heat roller, the quantity of oil is 0.0063 mg/cm 2 or smaller, and when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, the following condition is satisfied Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 112 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotations of said heat roller; and a quantity of oil applied to an outer surface of said heat roller, wherein the hardness of said first pressing roller is made to be lower than the hardness of said heat roller, the quantity of oil is 0.0063 mg/cm 2 or smaller, and when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, the following condition is satisfied Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 125 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, a quantity of oil applied to an outer surface of said heat roller, wherein when the quantity of oil which is applied to said heat roller is Y mg/cm 2 , the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, and the hardness of said first pressing roller is Hp1, the quantity Y of oil is 0.0063 mg/cm 2 or smaller, and said heat roller and said first pressing roller are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Y<0.021×Hh/Hp1-0.0147.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 125 words

A fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against said heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, a quantity of oil applied to an outer surface of said heat roller, wherein when the quantity of oil which is applied to said heat roller is Y mg/cm 2 , the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, and the hardness of said first pressing roller is Hp1, the quantity Y of oil is 0.0063 mg/cm 2 or smaller, and said heat roller and said first pressing roller are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Y<0.021×Hh/Hp1-0.0147.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

The fixing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, said heat roller and said second pressing roller are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Y≧0.021×Hh/Hp2-0.0147.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 118 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and first and second pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions, respectively, in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, said first pressing roller disposed in the upstream position presses a recording medium against the heat roller with a first pressure so as to heat and soften a toner adhered to the recording medium, said second pressing roller presses the recording medium against the heat roller with a second pressure, wherein said first pressure is larger than said second pressure, and the radius of curvature of said second pressing roller is larger than the radius of curvature of said first pressing roller.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 118 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and first and second pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions, respectively, in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, said first pressing roller disposed in the upstream position presses a recording medium against the heat roller with a first pressure so as to heat and soften a toner adhered to the recording medium, said second pressing roller presses the recording medium against the heat roller with a second pressure, wherein said first pressure is larger than said second pressure, and the radius of curvature of said second pressing roller is larger than the radius of curvature of said first pressing roller.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 56 words

A toner fixing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first pressing roller, has a smaller curvature than a curvature of said second pressing roller, thereby forming a nipping portion of the first pressure roller which is larger than a nipping portion of the second pressure roller, thereby causing said first pressing roller to melt toner.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 57 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the outer diameter of a nipping portion of said first pressing roller to be larger than that of said second pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second pressing roller disposed at the downstream position fixes the toner on a printing sheet.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the frictional force of a nipping portion of said upstream pressing roller which acts on a recording medium, and said heat roller is made to be larger than that of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 94 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotations of said heat roller in a region in which the contact with a recording medium is made, wherein said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the friction coeffcient of a nipping portion of said upstream pressing roller to be larger than that of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 94 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotations of said heat roller in a region in which the contact with a recording medium is made, wherein said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the friction coeffcient of a nipping portion of said upstream pressing roller to be larger than that of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 103 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotation of said heat roller in a region, wherein said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the pressing load of said upstream roller larger than that of said pressing roller disposed in the downstream position, and wherein when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, the following condition is satisfied: Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 103 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotation of said heat roller in a region, wherein said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is caused to have a main function of melting toner by making the pressing load of said upstream roller larger than that of said pressing roller disposed in the downstream position, and wherein when the hardness of said heat roller is Hh, the hardness of said second pressing roller is Hp2, the following condition is satisfied: Hh/Hp2≦0.7.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 103 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having an outer surface; two pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotation of said heat roller; recording-medium guide means disposed between said two pressing rollers and structured to cover the surface of said heat roller so as to block heat radiation from said heat roller; a heat preservation cover for covering said heat roller and serving as a guide for the recording medium; and a roller member further acting to support said heat preservation cover and guide the recording medium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 103 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller having an outer surface; two pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotation of said heat roller; recording-medium guide means disposed between said two pressing rollers and structured to cover the surface of said heat roller so as to block heat radiation from said heat roller; a heat preservation cover for covering said heat roller and serving as a guide for the recording medium; and a roller member further acting to support said heat preservation cover and guide the recording medium.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 24 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said heat preservation cover is formed into a rib shape made of a heat-resistant material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 51 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the distance from an end of said heat preservation cover in an upstream direction of rotation of said heat roller to a nipping portion of said upstream pressing roller is shorter than the width of a non-printing region of the recording medium.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said heat preservation cover has an interval-restraining roller arranged to be brought into contact with said upstream pressing roller so as to be rotated.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said roller member is made of a heat-resistant material.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, said roller member comprises at least two roller members disposed at an upstream position and a downstream position in a direction of rotation of heat roller, respectively.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 29 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said rolling member is sectioned into a plurality of members in the axial direction so as to be independently rotated.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a distance from said roller member disposed in an upstream position to a nipping portion of said upstream pressing roller is shorter than the width of a non-printing region of the recording medium.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 41 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a portion of said heat preservation cover and a portion of said roller member are removed in a region through which a recording medium having a small width is allowed to pass.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 106 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising; a heat roller having an outer surface; and first and second pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions, respectively, in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, wherein the curvature radius of a nipping portion of said second pressing roller is made to be larger than the curvature radius of said heat roller and the curvature radius of a nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed at the upstream position, and wherein said first pressing roller melts a toner and said second pressing roller fixes the toner on a printing sheet.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 106 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising; a heat roller having an outer surface; and first and second pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions, respectively, in a direction of rotation of said heat roller, wherein the curvature radius of a nipping portion of said second pressing roller is made to be larger than the curvature radius of said heat roller and the curvature radius of a nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed at the upstream position, and wherein said first pressing roller melts a toner and said second pressing roller fixes the toner on a printing sheet.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 40 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a recording-medium guide means is disposed between said first and second pressing rollers and structured to cover the outer surface of said heat roller so as to guide the recording medium.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 32 words

A toner fixing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said first and second pressing rollers are made of first and second materials, wherein said first material is softer than said second material.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 109 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotations of said heat roller, wherein the temperature of the surface of the nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be lower than the temperature of the surface of the nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position, and the heat capacity of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be larger than the heat capacity of said pressing roller at the downstream position.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 109 words

A toner fixing apparatus comprising: a heat roller; and two pressing rollers disposed to be in contact with said heat roller at upstream and downstream positions respectively in a direction of rotations of said heat roller, wherein the temperature of the surface of the nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be lower than the temperature of the surface of the nipping portion of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position, and the heat capacity of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be larger than the heat capacity of said pressing roller at the downstream position.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the thermal conductivity of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be smaller than the thermal conductivity of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 39 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the outer diameter of said pressing roller disposed in the upstream position is made to be larger than the outer diameter of said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 36 words

The toner fixing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said pressing roller disposed at the upstream position melts a toner and said pressing roller disposed at the downstream position fixes the toner on a printing sheet.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-15	2003-05-17	2003-11-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-15	2007-05-17	2007-11-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-15	2011-05-17	2011-11-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Toner fixing apparatus

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