Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer roller. The transfer roller includes an elastic layer disposed on a metal core bar. The elastic layer is made of a non-foamed solid rubber. The surface of the elastic layer includes a plurality of convex portions extending in a line in the axis direction of the transfer roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image thermal apparatus including a flexible metallic sleeve, the inner peripheral surface of which contacts a heater. In order to provide increased durability for the sliding face of the heater, an imide resin that contains silicon nitride elementary particles is used to coat the sliding face of the heater.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, the apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying a recording material, the conveying roller including a metal core and an elastic layer provided outside the metal core, wherein the metal core has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and tapered shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually decreases toward ends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the elastic layer has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and inverted crown shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually increases toward ends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a temperature sensing part of temperature sensing means is arranged to come into contact with the surface opposite to the image surface of a recording material at the time of one-sided printing without providing such an opposed member that comes into contact with the image surface of the recording material at least in a position corresponding to the position of the temperature sensing part that is in contact with the recording material.

Abstract: Image heating apparatus capable of preventing an excessive temperature increase in a sheet non-passing area and heater for use in the image heating apparatus including: a substrate, a heat generating resistor formed on the substrate, and first and second electrodes for supplying an electric power to the heat generating resistor. Each of the first and second electrodes has a first area to contact a power supplying connector and a second area provided at an end portion electrically opposite to the first area along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the heat generating resistor is provided to electrically connect the second area of the first and second electrode so that when the heater is at a set temperature for an image heating operation a resistance value Rc of the second area, and a resistance value Rt between a portion within the second area of the first and second electrode and electrically closest to the first area satisfy a relation Rc/Rt<=1/30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image thermal apparatus including a flexible metallic sleeve, the inner peripheral surface of which contacts a heater. In order to provide increased durability for the sliding face of the heater, an imide resin that contains silicon nitride elementary particles is used to coat the sliding face of the heater.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, the apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying a recording material, the conveying roller including a metal core and an elastic layer provided outside the metal core, wherein the metal core has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and tapered shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually decreases toward ends in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the elastic layer has, in a central portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a straight shape area having a substantially uniform diameter along the longitudinal direction and inverted crown shape areas, on both sides of the straight shape area, in which a diameter gradually increases toward ends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus has an endless film which has a metal layer; a device for increasing the temperature of the film; a regulating member for preventing the lopsided movement of the film; and a lubricating part disposed in a contact part between the film and the regulating member. An image on a recording material is heated by heat from the film.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a temperature sensing part of temperature sensing means is arranged to come into contact with the surface opposite to the image surface of a recording material at the time of one-sided printing without providing such an opposed member that comes into contact with the image surface of the recording material at least in a position corresponding to the position of the temperature sensing part that is in contact with the recording material.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an image heating apparatus capable of preventing an excessive temperature increase in a sheet non-passing area and a heater for use in such apparatus, and the heater for use in the image heating apparatus of the invention is constructed by including: a substrate; a heat generating resistor formed on the substrate; and first and second electrodes for supplying an electric power to the heat generating resistor; wherein each of the first and second electrodes has a first area to be contacted with a power supplying connector and a second area provided at an end portion electrically opposite to the first area, the second areas are provided along a longitudinal direction of the substrate, and the heat generating resistor is so provided as to electrically connect the second area of the first electrode and the second area of the second electrode; wherein, within the second area of the first electrode, a portion electrically closest to the first area of the first electrode is provided in th

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, including a metallic sleeve, a heater contacting with the inner surface of the sleeve, the heater being controlled so as to maintain a set temperature, a backup member cooperating with the heater through the sleeve to form a nip for nipping and transporting the recording material, and a metallic reinforcing member disposed in the interior of the sleeve, wherein during a heating operation of heating the recording material by the heater, the surface temperature of the reinforcing member is 80% or less of the surface temperature of the sleeve.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for an image forming apparatus comprises a heater and a rotary member having plasticity and rotated in contact with the heater. The rotary member in the image heating apparatus has an external shape becoming larger toward the end portions in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing generation of wrinkles or unevenness in the conveyed recording medium.

Abstract: A heater has a top-surface layer made of an imide-based resin formed on an electrical insulation layer. The heater can generally used for an image heating apparatus incorporated in an image forming apparatus. Since the top-surface layer has preferable sliding and insulating characteristics, the heater provides good heat efficiency and durability.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member; back-up means for cooperating with the rotatable member to form a feeding nip for feeding a recording material; heating means for heating an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, the heating means including a heater in the form of a plate cooperable with the rotatable member to form a heating nip.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus comprises an endless film which has a metal layer; means for increasing the temperature of the film; a regulating member for preventing the lopsided movement of the film; and a lubricating part disposed in a contact part between the film and the regulating member. An image on a recording material is heated by heat from the film. Thus, the destruction of the end of the film which has the metal layer can be prevented, and the driving of the film can be facilitated.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, including a metallic sleeve, a heater contacting with the inner surface of the sleeve, the heater being controlled so as to maintain a set temperature, a backup member cooperating with the heater through the sleeve to form a nip for nipping and transporting the recording material, and a metallic reinforcing member disposed in the interior of the sleeve, wherein during a heating operation of heating the recording material by the heater, the surface temperature of the reinforcing member is 80% or less of the surface temperature of the sleeve.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus has a heater and a rotary member rotated while contacting with the heater, and the rotary member has a metal layer contacting with the heater. In the image heating apparatus, a surface roughness Rz of a contact surface of the metal layer with the heater is 3 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member contactable to a recording material carrying an image; a regulating member for regulating a movement of rotatable member in the direction of a generating line of rotatable member; wherein the regulating member is fixed so as not to rotate and has a surface opposed to an outer surface of an end portion of the rotatable member.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member; back-up means for cooperating with the rotatable member to form a feeding nip for feeding a recording material; heating means for heating an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, the heating means including a heater in the form of a plate cooperable with the rotatable member to form a heating nip.

Abstract: A heater has a top-surface layer made of an imide-based resin formed on an electrical insulation layer. The heater can generally used for an image heating apparatus incorporated in an image forming apparatus. Since the top-surface layer has preferable sliding and insulating characteristics, the heater provides good heat efficiency and durability.