Abstract: An image fixing apparatus in which a recording material having an unfixed image through a nip formed between rotatable rollers. At least one of the rollers is provided with a surface layer containing straight-needle like single-crytal fibers.

Abstract: An elastic rotatable member conveniently usable as an image fixing member has a base member, a first primer layer, an elastic layer, a second primer layer and a resin layer in the order named. The first primer layer has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the second primer layer. Using the elastic rotatable member, its sheet conveying properties, releasability, wear resistance and durability are improved. When used for an image fixing rotatable member, its image fixing properties are improved.

Abstract: An elastic rotatable member includes a base member, an elastic layer on the base member, the elastic layer defining a plurality of opening extending in a longitudinal direction of the elastic rotatable member, wherein the openings are arranged such that any radial line in a cross-section of the elastic rotatable member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, crosses at least two of such openings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein an unfixed image is formed on a recording material at an unfixed image forming station, such as an image transfer station or a station for developing an electrostatic latent image. The unfixed image is fixed by a fixing device including a couple of fixing rollers, one of which is substantially frustoconical. The present invention is effective to avoid the possible disturbance to the image caused by the frustoconical shape of the roller. The preferable arrangement is such that the distance between the image forming station and the nip formed between the rollers is shorter than the length of the recording material, and that the nip is non-parallel with respect to the leading edge of the on-coming recording material. Further, the small diameter side of the conical roller receives the leading edge of the sheet earlier than the large diameter side of the frustoconical roller.

Abstract: A heating device for heating an object with a heating element composed of ceramic particles having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A heating-fixing device provided with a heating source emitting heat radiation, a roller having the heating source therewithin, a power source for supplying power to the heating source, and a heat-responsive member connected between the heating source and the power source. The heat-responsive member directly senses the heat radiation emitted by the heating source, whereby it quickly responds to the overheating of the heating source. A reflecting member or adiabatic member is disposed on the side of the heat-responsive member opposite the heating source for intercepting the heat which passes by the heat-responsive member.

Abstract: A fixing device for heating and fixing an unfixed image such as a toner image on an image supporting medium such as paper, in which the wait time is greatly shortened. The fixing device has a heating-fixing roller and a pressing roller. The pressing roller has a cellulars layer formed chiefly of HTV silicone rubber and having a number of isolated cells containing gases therein, and a relatively thin silicone rubber layer on the cellulars layer. The heating-fixing roller basically includes a thin-walled metal roller having substantially the same diameter as the pressing roller. Preferably, the heating-fixing roller is provided on the side which contacts the toner image.

Abstract: A dielectric or induction heating fixing device utilizing a high-frequency wave such as microwave for fixing an unfixed image on an image bearing member stabilizes the fixing effect in accordance with the size of the image bearing member. A control device controls the applied high-frequency wave in accordance with the size of the image bearing member, a conveyer conveys one side edge of the image bearing member of each size along a conveyance standard or reference, and a device regulates the area to which the high-frequency wave is applied, in accordance with each size. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a control device for controlling the applied high-frequency wave so that the fixativeness of the unfixed image after the image bearing member has passed the area to which the high-frequency wave is applied becomes equal irrespective of the size of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including an image forming station for causing an image bearing member to bear an unfixed image, a fixing station for fixing the unfixed image on the image bearing member, a transport member for transporting the image bearing member from the image forming station to the fixing station, and support device for supporting the transport member; wherein the transport member is provided with a second resistivity in the part thereof which is in contact with the image bearing member and with a first resistivity in other part thereof, the first and second resistivities being so selected as not to disturb the unfixed image on the image bearing member.

Abstract: A device for fixing a toner image on an image supporting member includes a first and a second roller for conveying the image supporting member while holding it therebetween and fixing the toner image on the image supporting member, and an applicator being in contact with the first roller and applying offset preventing liquid to the first roller. The portion of contact of the applicator with the first roller is provided with a first portion contacting the fixing action area of the first roller and a second portion including the end areas of the portion of contact with respect to the lengthwise direction of the first roller. The applicator has, in at least the portion of contact, a liquid amount control member formed of synthetic resin having fine continuous pores. The offset preventing liquid oozes out to the surface of the synthetic resin through the fine continuous pores and is applied to the first roller.