Abstract: A method for generating ultrashort femtosecond pulses in the optical parametric oscillator pumped by long pulses, comprising governing dispersion and nonlinearity in the optical parametric oscillator, forming linearly-chirped long pulses with broad bandwidth in the optical parametric oscillator, compressing the linearly-chirped long pulses to femtosecond pulses by a second-order dispersion outside the optical parametric oscillator cavity. The ultrashort femtosecond pulse is generated in the OPO with long pulse pumping.

Abstract: There is provided a lens hood that, when attached to a front end portion of a lens barrel, enables easy operation of an optical member attached to the front end portion of the lens barrel and is strong against external shocks. The lens hood attachable to the front end portion of the lens barrel includes a hood body with which an opening is formed, an opening cover member configured to cover the opening, and a cover support member configured to slidably fix the opening cover member to the hood body, wherein the hood body or the cover support member includes a plurality of abutted portions to be abutted by the opening cover member in the sliding direction.

Abstract: Diffusing light illuminating a light target or subject of a film or video production including placing a diffusion panel between a light source and a light target, energizing said light source so as to direct light therefrom through the diffusion panel, and electrically adjusting the transparency of the diffusion panel by changing an electric potential applied to electrodes of the diffusion panel. The electrically adjustable diffusion panel eliminates the need for manually changing diffusion papers or other filters and provides a continuous range of selectable levels of transparency/diffusion.

Abstract: A camera mount for coupling a camera to a user's wrist is described. The camera mount includes a swivel component that rotates relative to a wrist component when an above-threshold amount of force is applied on the swivel component. A rippled spring component is coupled between the swivel component and the wrist component, and exerts an outward force upon the swivel component in response to a compressive force exerted on the rippled spring component by the swivel component. A strap couples to each of two sides of the wrist mount component, and is configured to secure the camera mount to the user's wrist. The camera mount can additionally include a base component and a padding component, and a screw to couple each camera mount component together.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus a receptacle configured to receive an image capture computing device. Further, the apparatus has a first handle having a first handle top portion that is operably connected to the receptacle and a first handle bottom portion that is operably connected to the receptacle. In addition, the apparatus has a first retraction device that retracts the first handle inwardly toward the receptacle and extends the first handle outwardly away from the receptacle. The apparatus has a second handle having a second handle top portion that is operably connected to the receptacle and a second handle bottom portion that is operably connected to the receptacle. Further, the apparatus has a second retraction device that retracts the second handle inwardly toward the receptacle and extends the second handle outwardly away from the receptacle.

Abstract: A universal adjustable lens adapter and rig system for smartphones, or similar electronic devices, that is modular in nature and provides a means for manipulating and stabilizing the smartphone. The universal adjustable lens adapter includes a clamp mount assembly, a lens mount assembly, and a handle assembly that includes a clamp mount support that is adjustably and removably connected to a lens mount support. The clamp mount assembly provides a means for securing a smartphone, while the lens mount assembly provides a means for securing a camera lens. The clamp mount assembly includes an adjustable first clamp and an adjustable second clamp between which the smartphone is secured. Both the clamp mount assembly and the lens mount assembly are slidably connected to the handle assembly, such that the camera lens of any smartphone can be properly aligned with the camera lens attached to the lens mount assembly.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus to focus light emitted from a light source onto an image generation element includes a light equalizer to receive the light emitted from the light source, equalize the received light by reflecting the received light on an inner face of the light equalizer, and exit the equalized light, and a light detector disposed near the light equalizer to detect light intensity of leak light leaked from the light equalizer.

Abstract: Provided is an illumination optical system that can approximate the radiation angle characteristics of synthesized fluorescent light and laser light to each other. Illumination optical system includes laser light source, fluorescent light source, synthetic optical system configured to synthesize laser light emitted from the laser light source and fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent light source, first lens, second lens, and third lens. The first lens is provided between the laser light source and the synthetic optical system. The second lens is provided immediately in front of the synthetic optical system on the optical path of the laser light that passed through the first lens. The third lens is provided immediately in front of the synthetic optical system on the optical path of the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent light source.

Abstract: A light source unit including: a plurality of elemental light sources each including a light emitting element and a drive circuit; a control circuit configured to control the drive circuit; and a luminous flux characteristic measurement section configured to measure received output luminous fluxes to generate luminous flux chromaticity-intensity correlation data. The control circuit generates a single-color color-phase indicating value, based on the luminous flux chromaticity-intensity correlation data. The control circuit determines a ratio of intensity of additional light to intensity of main component light to allow the single-color color-phase indicating value to become equal to a target value thereof, and generates an integrated color-phase indicating value, based on the luminous flux chromaticity-intensity correlation data. The control circuit performs feedback control on the drive circuits to allow a difference between the integrated color-phase indicating value and a target value thereof to be small.

Abstract: A mask set includes a first mask, a second mask, and a third mask respectively include a first layout pattern, a second layout pattern, and a third layout pattern. The first layout pattern includes mandrel patterns and dummy mandrel patterns. The second layout pattern includes geometric patterns covering portions of the mandrel patterns and portions of the dummy mandrel patterns. The third layout pattern includes dummy pad patterns which are laterally spaced apart from the mandrel patterns and the dummy mandrel patterns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mask includes dividing an upper surface of a template having a design pattern into a plurality of regions, the template being arranged over a polymer layer on a mask substrate, correcting a distorted region among the regions, pressing the polymer layer with the template to form a mask pattern corresponding to the design pattern on the polymer layer; and curing the mask pattern.

Abstract: A resist composition includes (A1) a resin having an acid-labile group, (A2) a resin which includes a structural unit represented by formula (I), and an acid generator: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a C1 to C6 alkyl group in which a hydrogen atom can be replaced by a halogen atom, R2 represents a C1 to C12 fluorinated saturated hydrocarbon group, A1 represents a C2 to C6 alkanediyl group or *-A2-X1-(A3-X2)a-A4b-, * represents a binding site to an oxygen atom in —O—CO—, A2, A3 and A4 each independently represent a C1 to C6 alkanediyl group, X1 and X2 each independently represent —O—, —CO—O— or —O—CO—, and “a” represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: Sulfonium and iodonium salts of a carboxylate having an aromatic ring to which a nitrogen-containing alkyl or cyclic structure is attached are novel. The onium salt functions as an acid diffusion controlling agent in a resist composition, enabling to form a pattern of good profile with high resolution, improved MEF, LWR and DOF.

Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element comprising a plurality of relief printing dots. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing at least one photocurable layer disposed on the backing layer, the at least one photocurable layer being capable of being selectively crosslinked and cured upon exposure to actinic radiation, (b) imagewise exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer; and (c) developing the relief image printing element to separate and remove uncrosslinked and uncured portions of the at least one photocurable layer to reveal the relief image therein. The at least one photocurable layer comprises (i) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer; (ii) a binder; and (iii) a photoinitiator exhibiting a quantum yield of initiation (Qi) of more than 0.05 at a 365 nm wavelength.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a transparent base material provided with a cured film according to the present invention is characterized in that a photosensitive layer composed of a photosensitive resin composition containing a binder polymer, a photopolymerizable compound containing at least one (meth)acrylate compound selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylate compounds having a skeleton derived from ditrimethylolpropane and (meth)acrylate compounds having a skeleton derived from diglycerol, and a photopolymerization initiator is disposed on a transparent base material, a predetermined portion of the photosensitive layer is cured through irradiation with active light rays, and portions of the photosensitive layer other than the predetermined portion are then removed to form a cured film composed of a cured product of the photosensitive resin composition, the cured film coating part or all of the base material.

Abstract: A resist composition includes (A1) a resin having an acid-labile group, (A2) a resin which includes a structural unit represented by formula (I), and an acid generator: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a C3 to C18 alicyclic hydrocarbon group, A1 represents a single bond, a C1 to C6 alkanediyl group or *-A2-X1-(A3-X2)a-(A4)b-, * represents a binding site to an oxygen atom, A2, A3 and A4 each independently represent a C1 to C6 alkanediyl group, X1 and X2 each independently represent —O—, —CO—O— or —O—CO—, a represents 0 or 1, b represents 0 or 1, and R2 represents a C1 to C13 fluorinated saturated hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: Provided a resist composition for a semiconductor manufacturing process comprising (A) a compound expressed by General Formula (I) below: wherein, in General Formula (I) above, R1 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group, R2 represents a univalent organic group, each of R3 to R6 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or a halogen atom, R3 and R4, R4 and R5, or R5 and R6 may be bonded to each other to form an alicyclic ring or an aromatic ring, and X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a peripheral wiring unit of a touch panel includes the following steps: (a) forming a transparent conductive layer on a substrate, the substrate including a peripheral region and a window region surrounded by the peripheral region, and forming a photosensitive conductive layer on the peripheral region of the substrate, such that the photosensitive conductive layer at least partially overlies the transparent conductive layer; (b) exposing the photosensitive conductive layer by using a photomask; and (c) developing the exposed photosensitive conductive layer to form a peripheral wiring unit on the peripheral region of the substrate.

Abstract: A pattern-forming method includes applying an inorganic film-forming composition on an upper face side of a substrate to provide an inorganic film, forming a resist pattern on an upper face side of the inorganic film; and dry-etching once or several times using the resist pattern as a mask such that the substrate has a pattern The inorganic film-forming composition includes a polyacid or a salt thereof, and an organic solvent. The step for forming a resist pattern may include the steps of: applying a resist composition on an upper face side of the inorganic film to provide a resist film; exposing the resist film; and developing the resist film exposed.

Abstract: Digital imageable flexographic printing elements for producing flexographic printing plates, which are developable using hydrocarbon-comprising washout media and which, between the photopolymerizable layer and the digital imageable layer, have a polar, ultrathin, oxygen-blocking barrier layer. Methods for producing flexographic printing plates using such digital imageable flexographic printing elements, by imaging, exposing, washing out, drying, and post-treating, the washout being formed by means of hydrocarbon-comprising washout media.

Abstract: A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus contains an illumination system (12) for generating projection light (13) and a projection lens (20; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820; 920; 1020; 1120) with which a reticle (24) that is capable of being arranged in an object plane (22) of the projection lens can be imaged onto a light-sensitive layer (26) that is capable of being arranged in an image plane (28) of the projection lens. The projection lens is designed for immersion mode, in which a final lens element (L5; L205; L605; L705; L805; L905; L1005; L1105) of the projection lens on the image side is immersed in an immersion liquid (34; 334a; 434a; 534a). A terminating element (44; 244; 444; 544; 644; 744; 844; 944; 1044; 1144) that is transparent in respect of the projection light (13) is fastened between the final lens element on the image side and the light-sensitive layer.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate to light passing through liquid, and includes a stage that holds the substrate. The stage includes a substrate holder including a support member that supports a rear surface of the substrate and a first circumferential wall surrounding the support member. A second circumferential wall surrounds the substrate holder and forms a first groove between the second circumferential wall and the substrate holder, and a second groove on an outer side thereof. A plate member surrounds the substrate on the support member, and a recovery passage recovers liquid flowing from a liquid supply system to a gap between the plate member and the substrate. The second circumferential wall is under the gap so that part of an upper surface of the second circumferential wall faces the substrate rear surface and another part of the upper surface faces a rear surface of the plate member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measurement apparatus for measuring a position of a mark formed on a substrate, the apparatus including a detector configured to detect the mark to generate a detection signal, and a processor configured to process the generated detection signal to obtain a position of the mark, wherein the processor is configured to limit a range of the detection signal to be processed to obtain the position of the mark based on a statistic representing dispersion of a plurality of the position obtained with respect to a plurality of the mark.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding metrology modules and systems, which measure metrology parameter(s) of a previous layer of a metrology target and/or an alignment mark, prior to producing a current layer of the metrology target, derive merit figure(s) from the measured metrology parameter(s) to indicate an inaccuracy, and compensate for the inaccuracy to enhance subsequent overlay measurements of the metrology target. In an example embodiment, methods and corresponding metrology modules and systems use stand-alone metrology tool(s) and track-integrated metrology tool(s) at distinct measurement patterns to address separately different aspects of variation among wafers.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a charge transport layer containing (?) a charge transporting compound, (?) a binding resin in a proportion in the range of 50% by mass to 200% by mass relative to the mass of the charge transporting compound, (?) a compound being at least one of xylene and toluene with a content in the range of 0.01% by mass to 2.00% by mass relative to the total mass of the charge transport layer, and (?) a cycloalkanone with a content in the range of 0.01% by mass to 1.20% by mass relative to the total mass of the charge transport layer.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, including in the following order: a support; a charge-generating layer; and a charge-transporting layer, in which: the charge-generating layer includes a gallium phthalocyanine crystal in which an organic compound is contained; the organic compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylformamide, N-propylformamide, N-vinylformamide, and N-methylpyrrolidone; a content of the organic compound is 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less with respect to a mass of gallium phthalocyanine in the gallium phthalocyanine crystal; and the charge-transporting layer comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the formula (1), a compound represented by the formula (2), a compound represented by the formula (3), and a compound represented by the formula (4).

Abstract: A toner, including: colorant; resin; and release agent, wherein MTHF is 4.0×103 to 1.0×106, where MTHF is molecular weight of a peak-top of a peak whose differential molecular distribution value is maximum in differential molecular weight distribution curve derived from the resin, the molecular weight distribution being obtained by GPC of the toner using THF as solvent, and wherein there is no peak at higher molecular weight side of maximum peak (Pmax) present at a molecular weight of 5×104 or less in molecular weight distribution derived from the resin, the molecular weight distribution being obtained by GPC of the toner using HFIP as solvent, or there are one or more peaks at the higher molecular weight of the Pmax, total peak area is 35% or less of area of the Pmax, and the Pmax has half value width of 3.5×104 or less.

Abstract: A toner set is used in a printing system that is capable of recycling a print medium and includes a first image forming portion which forms a toner image on the medium with a decolorable toner which is decolored by being heated at a temperature Te (° C.) or higher, a second image forming portion which forms a toner image on the medium with a non-decolorable toner and forms an image on the medium with at least one of the toners, and a decoloring apparatus provided with a heating portion which heats the medium on which a toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus at the temperature Te (° C.) or higher. When heated by the decoloring apparatus, the decolorable toner may be decolored without causing hot offset.

Abstract: Fluorescing highlights can be provided in selected portions of non-color image areas of a printed toner image using fused fluorescing dry toner particles, such as fused fluorescing magenta or fused fluorescing yellow dry toner particles. Before fixing, each fluorescing dry toner particle comprises a polymeric binder phase and a fluorescing colorant that emits at one or more ?max wavelengths of at least 420 nm and up to and including 690 nm and that is dispersed within the polymeric binder phase. The resulting printed color images and fluorescent highlights can be provided on receiver materials of various types to accentuate or emphasize the printed color images with a variety of light-colored fluorescent shading.

Abstract: An optical writing device performing optical writing onto a photoreceptor, including: a light-emitting unit including a plurality of light-emitting elements that form a plurality of element rows spaced from one another in a sub scanning direction, each of the light-emitting elements having a main scanning direction position differing from a main scanning direction position of any other one of the light-emitting elements; a plurality of signal output units, one for each element row, each outputting a light amount signal for each light-emitting element in a corresponding element row, each light amount signal indicating an amount of light to be emitted by a corresponding light-emitting element; and a plurality of drive units, one for each light-emitting element, each, when receiving a light amount signal for a corresponding light-emitting element, supplying a drive current in accordance with the light amount signal to the corresponding light-emitting element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage chamber configured to store developer, a plurality of sheet members disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode and disposed in the storage chamber, and a detecting portion configured to detect an output value relating to the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The amount of the developer is detected on the basis of the degree of deterioration of any one of the plurality of sheet members and the output value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearer and a toner pattern bearer rotatable in a given direction of rotation to bear an adjustment toner pattern formed with the developer bearer. A toner pattern detector detects an amount of reflection light reflected by the adjustment toner pattern on the toner pattern bearer. A controller performs an adjustment mode to convert the detected amount of reflection light into a toner adhesion amount of toner of the adjustment toner pattern adhered to the toner pattern bearer. The controller forms an adhesion amount suppressing toner image on an upstream region on the toner pattern bearer that is upstream from the adjustment toner pattern in the direction of rotation of the toner pattern bearer. The upstream region is defined by a circumferential length of the developer bearer in the direction of rotation of the toner pattern bearer.

Abstract: A chip for a cartridge with dispensable material may be provided. In one aspect, the chip may comprise a non-volatile memory for storing a number tracking amount of dispensable material in the cartridge, a key storage for storing an encryption key, a signature verification module and circuit components. The circuit components may be configured to receive and process a first message, receive and validate a second message, and update the amount of dispensable material if the validation of the second message succeeds. The first message may comprise a first command and an operation input value for a print job at the cartridge, and to process the first message may comprise decreasing the amount of dispensable material. The second message may comprise a second command to increase the amount of dispensable material, and may be validated using the signature validation module and the encryption key.

Abstract: A developer supply container, the developer supply container includes a developer accommodating chamber; a rotatable feeding portion; a developer discharging chamber including a discharge opening; a driving force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force for rotating the feeding portion; an pump capable of changing an inside volume of the accommodating chamber in a longitudinal direction of the container to apply a pressure to the discharge opening; a driving force converter for converting the rotational force into a feeding driving force for feeding the developer by an operation of the pump in a longitudinal direction of the container; and wherein an expansion and contraction stroke of the pump provided by the converter in a initial predetermined number of rotations in a initial stage is different from that in a subsequent stage after the initial stage.

Abstract: In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. The developer supply container is provided with a drive converting mechanism for converting the rotational force received from the main assembly side to a force for operating a volume changing type pump.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a housing which accommodates developer therein, a receiving member provided which couples with a force output member of an image forming apparatus to receive a driving force, a developing roller which rotates by the driving force received by the receiving member; a detectable rotary member having a first detectable portion and a second detectable portion and rotates by the driving force from a first rotational position where the first detectable portion is detected by a detection member provided in the image forming apparatus to a second rotational position where the second detectable portion is detected by the detection member, and a cut-off mechanism which cuts off a transmission of the driving force from the receiving member to the detectable rotary member in a state where the detectable rotary member is positioned in the second rational position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developing device. In a case body of the developing device, a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber are formed. A first agitating screw is provided in the first storage chamber and a second agitating screw is provided in the second storage chamber. A developing roller is provided in the second storage chamber. A control portion controls driving of a first motor and a second motor. When toner installation is performed, the control portion controls driving of the first motor at a rotational speed higher than a rotational speed for development operation in a state where the second motor is stopped. When a certain condition is satisfied, the control portion starts control of driving of the second motor, to drive rotation of the second motor.

Abstract: A developer supplying container includes a rotatable developer discharging portion, a drive transmitting portion, a suppressing portion movable between an operating position and a non-operating position; and a recessed portion, provided on an outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container, for reducing a sliding load between an outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container and a wiping member of a developer receiving apparatus when the developer supply container is rotated in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit configured to form a first image to be transferred to a sheet with a first toner that is decolorizable and has a first brightness, and a second image forming unit configured to form a second image to be transferred to the sheet with a second toner that has a second brightness that is greater than the first brightness. At least a part of the first image transferred to the sheet is formed above the second image transferred to the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a post-processing unit capable of performing a post-processing on the sheet on which the toner image is formed. The image forming system is capable of executing a transfer cleaning operation to move toner from a transfer member to an image bearer by electrostatic force caused by cleaning bias applied by a bias applying unit in a state where the image bearer and the transfer member are rotated, to clean the transfer member, as an inter-sheet operation performed when at least one of inter-sheet areas that exist on the image bearer during a successive image forming period. The image forming system is capable of executing a rotation stop operation to stop rotation of the image bearer and the transfer member, as the inter-sheet operation when the post-processing is performed, in addition to the transfer cleaning operation, before or after the transfer cleaning operation is executed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a printer includes a device configured to form a semisolid toner film on a print substrate and a fixer configured to, without contacting the toner film, soften the toner film on the print substrate until polymers in the toner are mobile enough to allow polymer functional groups to bond with the print substrate.

Abstract: A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt (22), a pressuring member (23), a heat source (24), a reflecting member (25) reflecting the radiant heat radiated from the heat source (24) to an inner circumference face of the fixing belt (22), a pressing member (27) pressing the fixing belt (22) to a side of the pressuring member (23) and a supporting member (26) supporting the pressing member (27). The reflecting member (25) is arranged between the heat source (24) and the supporting member (26) and configured to be curved or bent so as to project toward a side of the heat source (24). Straight lines (L) connecting a center (Z) of the heat source (24) with both end parts of the supporting member (26) in a conveying direction of a recording medium pass through the reflecting member (25).

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing device configured to include a heating roller heated by a heating section and a pressing roller for pressing the heating roller; and a cleaning sheet configured to be stretched between a first reel and a second reel and wound on at least one of the first reel and the second reel to clean the heating roller; wherein the cleaning sheet is separated from or contacted with the heating roller by a movable member.

Abstract: A fixing device according to the present invention includes a fixing belt (21), a cap member (28) attached to an end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21) and an elastic member (29) arranged between the fixing belt (21) and the cap member (28). The cap member (28) includes a main body part (55) covering an outside of the end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21) and a flange part (56) extending from the main body part (55) to an inside and covering an outer diameter side of the end part (21a) of the fixing belt (21). A step (s) is formed in an inner circumference face of the flange part (56). An outer circumference face of the elastic member (29) comes into contact with an inside part from the step (s) in the inner circumference face of the flange part (56).

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member, a heating stop device and a deformation preventing member. The deformation preventing member is configured to face an inner circumferential face of the fixing belt. In a state where the fixing belt is not broken in a circumferential direction, the fixing belt and the deformation preventing member are arranged at an interval, and when the fixing belt is broken in the circumferential direction, the fixing belt is deformed and comes into contact with the deformation preventing member so that the fixing belt is prevented from being deformed to a side far from the heating stop device.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member, a heating stop device, shape restricting members and biasing members. The fixing belt is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The pressing member is provided to be rotatable and to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The heat source heats the fixing belt. The pressing member presses the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The heating stop device faces an outer circumferential face of the fixing belt and to operate at an operating temperature so as to stop the heat source from heating the fixing belt. The shape restricting members are attached to both end parts of the fixing belt and restricts a shape of the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a first surface being in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat-generating resistor; a heat-conductive member being in contact with a second surface of the heater opposite to the first surface, the heat-conductive member having a higher thermal conductivity than the substrate; and a supporting member supporting the heater with the heat-conductive member interposed therebetween. The heat-conductive member includes first and second parts at upstream and downstream ends, respectively, in a conveyance direction, and a third part between the first and second parts. The first to third parts are each held between the supporting member and the heater. A non-contact area between the heat-conductive member and the supporting member is provided between the first part and the second part in the conveyance direction. The heat-conductive member is shorter than the heater in the conveyance direction.

Abstract: A fixing device fixing an image on a recording medium includes a fixing belt rotatable around a first rotation axis, a pressuring member, a heat source body and a cover member. The pressuring member forms a nip part pressuring and making the recording medium pass through with the fixing belt. The heat source body is arranged inside the fixing belt and heats the fixing belt by emitting radiant heat. The cover member is arranged between the fixing belt and the heat source body and covers the heat source body. The nip part has a passing area where the recording medium passes through and a non-passing area outside the passing area in an axial direction. The cover member covers a part of the heat source body corresponding to the non-passing area and includes through holes formed so as to adjust surface temperature of the heat source body.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring member, a heat source, a pressing member and a first heating stop device. The fixing belt is provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis. The pressuring member is configured to be rotatable and to come into pressure contact with the fixing belt so as to form a fixing nip. The heat source is arranged at an inner diameter side of the fixing belt, provided at a position displaced from the rotation axis and configured to heat the fixing belt. The pressing member is configured to press the fixing belt to a side of the pressuring member. The first heating stop device is configured to face an outer circumferential face of a closest part to the heat source of the fixing belt and to operate at a first operating temperature so as to stop the heat source from heating the fixing belt.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus including a flexible belt having a heat generating layer, an outer ring provided on one edge side of the belt and along an outer peripheral surface of the belt, the outer ring being electrically connected to the heat generating layer, an inner ring provided on the one edge side of the belt and along an inner peripheral surface of the belt to face the outer ring through the belt, and a power supply unit that is electrically connected to the outer ring and that feeds power. A difference obtained by subtracting a diameter of the inner ring at a normal temperature from a diameter of the inner ring at a fixing temperature is equivalent to or larger than a difference obtained by subtracting a diameter of the outer ring at the normal temperature from a diameter of the outer ring at the fixing temperature.