Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, a heater, a heater support, and a belt tensioner. The endless fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof. The contact member extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The heater support is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to hold the heater in position. The belt tensioner is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to tighten the fuser belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a heater, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a tubular pipe cover. The heater is disposed adjacent to the metal pipe to heat a circumference thereof. The metal pipe has multiple through-holes provided at least at a circumferential perforated section thereof. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated circumference of the metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad, accommodated within the metal pipe, held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt, presses against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The tubular pipe cover is fitted around the metal pipe.

Abstract: In a vertical mill, a pulverization table (13) is supported with a vertical rotation axis core in a housing (11) so as to be capable of being driven and rotated, and a pulverization roller (18) rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the pulverization table (13) is disposed above the pulverization table (13) so as to be opposed to the pulverization table (13), and a cutter roller (19) rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the pulverization table (13) is disposed above the pulverization table (13) so as to be opposed to the pulverization table (13). Accordingly, a solid matter such as biomass can be efficiently pulverized, thereby achieving improvement in pulverization efficiency.

Abstract: A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes a first rotary member that rotates in a predetermined direction and a second rotary member that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the first rotary member. A stationary member is fixed inside the first rotary member to press the first and second rotary members together to form a nip portion between the rotary members. A reinforcement member is fixedly provided inside the first rotary member and pressed against the stationary member. The fixing device includes heat source to heat the first rotary member and a reflector to reflect heater light emitted from the heat source toward the first rotary member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a contact member provided inside a fixing member and pressed against a pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing atoner image passes. A sheet heat generator provided in the fixing member includes a flexible heat generation sheet contactable against the fixing member to heat the fixing member. A contact adjuster provided in the fixing member adjusts an area of contact of the heat generation sheet and the fixing member in the axial direction, supports the heat generation sheet at a first position at which the heat generation sheet contacts the fixing member, and bends a portion of the heat generation sheet at a second position to separate the heat generation sheet from the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressing member pressed against a fixing member to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A heater support provided inside the fixing member supports a laminated heater. The laminated heater is provided between the fixing member and the heater support and includes a flexible, first heat generation sheet that includes an insulating base layer, at least one resistant heat generation layer provided on the base layer to generate heat, and at least one electrode layer provided on the base layer to supply power to the at least one resistant heat generation layer.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless flexible fixing member, a supporting member having a pipe shape disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing member to support the fixing member, a pressing member disposed opposite the supporting member via the fixing member, and a nip formation member disposed opposite the pressing member via the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. The fixing member contacts an outer circumferential face of the supporting member at a side opposite a side at which the fixing member contacts the nip formation member at the fixing nip. The fixing member has slack portions formed upstream and downstream from the fixing nip in a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The slack portions extend toward the pressing member over the fixing nip without contacting either the supporting member or the pressing member.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by a fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. A pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The heat conduction member faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to guide the fixing member sliding over the heat conduction member and to transmit heat to the fixing member. The heat conduction member includes a plurality of convex portions provided on an outer circumferential surface of the heat conduction member and contacting the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a heat conductive member, a heater, a pressing member, a nip formation member, and a radiation member. The endless, flexible fixing member is formed into a loop. The heat conductive member is disposed within the loop formed by the fixing member to conduct heat to the fixing member. The heater is disposed near the heat conductive member to heat the heat conductive member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against the fixing member to form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member. A recording medium is conveyed through the fixing nip. The radiation member is detachably pressable against an outer circumference of the fixing member to contact the fixing member with the heat conductive member to cool the fixing member and the heat conductive member.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a pressing member rotates in a predetermined direction of rotation. A flexible endless fixing member rotates in accordance with rotation of the pressing member. A nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A first heat generator faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member at a position other than the nip to heat the fixing member. A second heat generator faces the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member at a position other than the nip to heat the fixing member, and is disposed adjacent to the first heat generator along the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a nip formation member, a pressing member, and a low-friction sheet. The nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. The pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The low-friction sheet, over which the fixing member slides, covers the nip formation member. The nip formation member includes a first sandwiching member covered by the low-friction sheet, and a second sandwiching member sandwiching the low-friction sheet together with the first sandwiching member.

Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body having a feedstock supply pipe, a pulverizing table for placing the supplied biomass feedstock thereon, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, and a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas, and the pulverizing apparatus further includes an erected weir that is provided around the pulverizing table, and a first extending weir that extends from the pulverizing apparatus body side at lower portions of the pulverizing rollers and is formed with a plurality of slits that forms a predetermined gap with the upper surface of the erected weir.

Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body including a feedstock supply pipe, the pulverizing apparatus body for supplying biomass feedstock from above in a vertical axial direction, a pulverizing table for placing the biomass feedstock, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, the pulverizing roller being operated in conjunction with the rotation of the pulverizing table, a blower unit for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas for conveying the pulverized biomass powder in an air stream, a classifier, the classifier for classifying the biomass powder accompanied with the conveying gas, and a blowing gas introduction section.

Abstract: In a vertical mill, a pulverization table (13) is supported with a vertical rotation axis core in a housing (11) so as to be capable of being driven and rotated, and a pulverization roller (18) rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the pulverization table (13) is disposed above the pulverization table (13) so as to be opposed to the pulverization table (13), and a roller swing mechanism (19) is provided so as to make the pulverization roller (18) parallel to a surface of the pulverization table (13) and swingable in a direction different from a direction of rotation of the pulverization table (13). Accordingly, a solid matter such as biomass can be efficiently pulverized, thereby achieving improvement in pulverization efficiency.

Abstract: A biomass pulverizing apparatus includes a pulverizing apparatus body including a feedstock supply pipe for supplying biomass feedstock from above in a vertical axial direction, a pulverizing table for placing the biomass feedstock, a drive section for rotationally driving the pulverizing table, a pulverizing roller for pulverizing the biomass feedstock by a pressing force, the pulverizing roller being operated in conjunction with the rotation of the pulverizing table, a blower means for forming an upward flow upward from below on the outer peripheral side of the pulverizing table so as to jet conveying gas for conveying the biomass powder in an air stream, and a classifier for classifying the biomass powder accompanied with the conveying gas.

Abstract: A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet of recording media, the fixing device includes a fixing rotary member to heat the toner image on the sheet of the recording media, a pressure rotary member pressed against the fixing rotary member, a conveyance guide member arranged to a fixing nip at the upstream side of a conveyance direction of the sheet to support the sheet going to the fixing nip, a scraper arranged to the conveyance guide member at the opposite side on the basis of the conveyance direction. The end of the conveyance guide member contacts with the scraper, when the conveyance guide member turns on a rotary axis of the guide member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless, flexible fixing member, a metal member, a heater, a pressing member, a temperature detector, and a supporting member. The fixing member is rotatably provided in the fixing device to heat a toner image thereon. The metal member is fixedly mounted in the fixing device so as to be opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, to maintain the fixing member in a substantially circularly loop shape. The heater is disposed near the metal member to heat the metal member. The pressing member is rotatably pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member. The temperature detector is disposed in contact with the metal member, to detect a temperature of the metal member. The supporting member is disposed between the heater and the temperature detector to support the temperature detector.

Abstract: A belt device includes a flange assembly including a tube inserted into a loop formed by an endless belt at each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof and a slip ring slidably contacting a groove mounted on the tube. An inner diameter ID 51 of the slip ring through a rotation axis of the slip ring is smaller than a minimum outer diameter OD50a of the tube through the rotation axis of the slip ring. The minimum outer diameter OD50a is smaller than a maximum outer diameter OD21 of a track of the endless belt rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation through the rotation axis of the slip ring. The maximum outer diameter OD21 is smaller than an outer diameter OD51 of the slip ring through the rotation axis of the slip ring.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a hollow, stationary metal roller, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, a reinforcing member, and a heating assembly. The metal roller has an outer circumference thereof subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal roller to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal roller. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed stationary within the roller interior. The heating assembly is disposed stationary within the roller interior to heat the metal roller from inside, and includes a first heater and a second heater. The first and second heaters are arranged in juxtaposition with each other along the inner circumference of the metal roller.

Abstract: A fixing device including a fixing member; a heat source to heat the fixing member; a power supply to supply power to the heat source; a thermostat provided in the middle of a circuit connecting the heat source and the power supply to block power supply from the power supply to the heat source upon detection of a temperature of the fixing member equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature; a support member to contact terminals fixed to the thermostat to support the thermostat; and electrode plates provided opposite the support member with a gap therebetween to form a part of the circuit by connecting to surfaces of the terminals of the thermostat opposite surfaces thereof contacting the support member while the terminals are positioned within the gap. The electrode plates include a first guide part to guide the terminals into the gap.