Fixing (e.g., Fusing) Patents (Class 399/320)
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Patent number: 12169388Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion, a conveyance path, a roller pair, and a duct. The roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller, the first roller and the second roller being configured to nip a sheet conveyed in the conveyance path to cool the sheet. The duct is provided to extend in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveyance direction. The duct includes a ventilation path forming portion and an opening portion continuous with the ventilation path forming portion and facing the conveyance path, the ventilation path forming portion being disposed to face a side of the roller pair opposite to a nip of the roller pair across a center line of the first roller and configured to form a ventilation path configured to allow air to pass therethrough between the first roller and the ventilation path forming portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2023Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takanori Sakurai
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Patent number: 12164250Abstract: An example fixing unit includes a flexible fixing belt, a backup member located outside the fixing belt to form a fixing nip, and a plate heater in contact with the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt in the fixing nip, wherein the fixing belt includes a first abrasion prevention layer disposed on a surface facing the plate heater and including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and the plate heater includes a second abrasion prevention layer in contact with the first abrasion prevention layer and including glass.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Sunhyung Lee
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Patent number: 12147180Abstract: A heating device includes a pair of rotators, a heater, a temperature sensor, a conductor, a conductor support, and a component supporting the conductor. The pair of rotators is in contact with each other to form a nip through which a sheet passes. The heater heats at least one of the pair of rotators. The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the heater. The conductor has flexibility and is coupled to the temperature sensor. The conductor support supports the conductor such that a distance from the conductor to at least one position of the heater outside a predetermined region of the heater in a width direction of the sheet is larger than a distance from the conductor to a position of the heater inside the predetermined region in the width direction. The component has a first side facing the heater and a second side opposite the first side.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuusuke Furuichi, Yukimichi Someya, Shigeo Nanno
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Patent number: 12140887Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshioka, Tetsuro Kodera
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Patent number: 12130571Abstract: An example fixing unit includes a flexible fixing belt, a backup member located outside the fixing belt to form a fixing nip, and a plate heater in contact with the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt in the fixing nip, wherein the fixing belt includes a first abrasion prevention layer disposed on a surface facing the plate heater and including polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and the plate heater includes a second abrasion prevention layer in contact with the first abrasion prevention layer and including glass.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Sunhyung Lee
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Patent number: 12105449Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a varnish applying unit, a conveying unit, an irradiation unit, and a controller. The controller controls conveyance of a recording material so that a conveying speed of the recording material in a case that varnish is applied to the recording material with a toner image is formed is slower than a conveying speed of the recording material in a case that varnish is applied to the recording material with no toner image. The controller controls irradiation of the varnish with light so that intensity of the light with which the varnish is irradiated in a case that the varnish is applied to the recording material with the toner image is lower than intensity of the light with which the varnish is irradiated in a case that the varnish is applied to the recording material with no toner image.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shingo Hirota, Yoshiro Tsukada, Masami Hano, Toshiyuki Yamada, Kyohei Kikuchi, Daisuke Katayama, Taro Hanazato
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Patent number: 11912015Abstract: An air knife assembly is provided to jet an air current to control the landing of sheet of print media during transfer between two adjacent conveyors in a printer. The air knife forming unit is configured for jetting an air curtain formed such that said air curtain and air currents resulting from it flow substantially perpendicular to a transport direction of the conveyors. Thereby, lifting and consequently wrinkling of the leading edge during transfer and landing may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Peter G. La Vos, Adrianus A. Draad, Hendrikus G. M. Ramackers
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Patent number: 11822278Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit forming a transfer nip portion, a fixing unit forming a fixing nip portion, and first and second belt suction conveyance units to suck a sheet onto a first belt and a second belt, respectively. The fixing nip portion is arranged at a position above the transfer nip portion. In a sheet conveyance direction, an upstream end portion of the first belt in the first belt suction conveyance unit is provided below the transfer nip portion, a downstream end portion of the first belt is provided above an upstream end portion of the second belt in the second belt suction conveyance unit, and a downstream end portion of the second belt is provided below the fixing nip portion. The first and second belts are inclined from a lower position to an upper position from upstream to downstream in the sheet conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naoto Tokuma
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Patent number: 11281154Abstract: An imaging device has a fuser assembly and a removably insertable cartridge with an activation device. The fuser assembly has a fusing nip that heats during use. A shutter moves between a fully opened and fully closed position to allow or block access to the fusing nip. A frame has an opening to allow passage of the activation device of the cartridge. During use, the shutter blocks access to the fusing nip until the activation device of the cartridge passes through the opening of the frame and contacts a corresponding activation surface, whereby the shutter begins opening and travels through a range of movement until reaching the fully opened position when the cartridge is fully inserted into the imaging device. Removal of the cartridge reverses the action of the shutter.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Virgil Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 11277529Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a transfer member, a power source, a fixing unit, a photosensor, and a control unit configured to perform a mode to output a test chart which is formed by transferring a plurality of test toner images from the intermediate transfer member onto a plurality of sheets of the recording material, the test chart being used to adjust the transfer voltage applied to the transfer member. The control unit is configured to adjust the transfer voltage based on a detection result of the photosensor detecting the plurality of test toner images fixed on the recording material. In a case where a jam occurred during execution of the mode, the control unit is configured to resume the mode after the jam has been recovered.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Haruhiko Omata
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Patent number: 11022920Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform a rubbing mode in which a rubbing rotatable member moves from a separation position to an abutment position in a state where a fixing belt is in a stop state. The control unit is configured to control a contact-and-separation mechanism in the rubbing mode such that if a predetermined temperature to which the fixing belt is heated is a first temperature, the rubbing rotatable member moves from the abutment position to the separation position at a timing when a first time has elapsed since the rubbing rotatable member abutted against the surface of the fixing belt, and if the predetermined temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, the rubbing rotatable member moves from the abutment position to the separation position at a timing when a second time shorter than the first time has elapsed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Kozuma, Keisuke Yoshida, Asuna Fukamachi, Shohei Tsuzaki
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Patent number: 10884367Abstract: There is provided a heater according to an embodiment including a heat generating unit configured to generate heat by electric conduction; and a plurality of electrodes configured to be respectively disposed at facing side edges of the heat generating unit so as to be electrically connected to the heat generating unit and at least one side of the side edges is formed by cutting out a part thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignees: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOSHIBA HOKUTO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Takagi
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Patent number: 10859954Abstract: A heater includes an insulating substrate, a heat generating section formed in the insulating substrate and including a plurality of divided regions in a longitudinal direction, temperature sensors detecting temperature of the heat generating section and a wiring pattern for power feed to the temperature sensors, each formed in a layer different from a layer in which the heat generating section is formed in the insulating substrate. The heat generating section, the temperature sensors, and the wiring pattern are layer stacked.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignees: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOSHIBA HOKUTO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Takagi
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Patent number: 10816926Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a conveying device, a detecting member, an image forming unit, a first discharge tray, a fan, and an airflow unit. The conveying device conveys a sheet. The detecting member detects a sheet. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit is discharged to the first discharge tray. The fan sucks the air around the first discharge tray. The airflow unit forms an airflow path through which the air sucked by the fan flows. The detecting member detects the presence or absence of the sheet by switching the posture thereof between a first posture and a second posture. When the posture of the detecting member is switched, the airflow path is changed.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.Inventor: Atsuhiro Wakimoto
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Patent number: 10795298Abstract: A fixing member includes: a base containing a polyimide resin; an elastic layer disposed on the base and containing silicone rubber; and a bonding layer that is disposed between the base and the elastic layer, is a cured product of a composition containing an organic titanate compound, and contains a component originating from the organic titanate compound in an amount of from 5% by mass to 95% by mass inclusive.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Shogo Hayashi
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Patent number: 10663898Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a heating member, a supporting member that supports the heating member, a film slidably disposed on the heating member, and a pressing member that forms a nip portion, in collaboration with the film, through which the recording medium is conveyed. The fixing apparatus further includes a first thermally conductive member and a second thermally conductive member that are disposed between the heating member and the supporting member. The first thermally conductive member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of a substrate of the heating member. The thermal conductivity in in-plane directions of the second thermally conductive member is higher than the thermal conductivity in a thickness direction thereof. The second thermally conductive member is in contact with the heating member, and the first thermally conductive member is in contact with the second thermally conductive member.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Shinji, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda
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Patent number: 10564576Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms a toner image on a recording material, and a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, which form a nip therebetween in which the toner image, formed on the recording material by the image forming portion, is heated. A belt unit includes an endless belt that externally heats the first rotatable member, and a supporting mechanism rotatably supporting the endless belt. A moving mechanism moves the belt unit so as to be movable between a contact position and a spaced position. In addition, a controller executes a process in which one of the belt unit with a new endless belt and a new belt unit with a new endless belt is moved to the contact position, and then, the new endless belt is rotated for a predetermined time by the first rotatable member.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Tanaka, Taiya Hirayama, Takeshi Kozuma, Atsushi Ishigami, Koji Takematsu
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Patent number: 10527986Abstract: A heater includes an insulating substrate, a heat generating section formed in the insulating substrate and including a plurality of divided regions in a longitudinal direction, temperature sensors detecting temperature of the heat generating section and a wiring pattern for power feed to the temperature sensors, each formed in a layer different from a layer in which the heat generating section is formed in the insulating substrate. The heat generating section, the temperature sensors, and the wiring pattern are layer stacked.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignees: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOSHIBA HOKUTO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Takagi
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Patent number: 10503105Abstract: A tubular film used for a fixing apparatus includes a heat generating layer, and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer respectively provided at one end and another end of the film in a longitudinal direction of the film so as to contact the heat generating layer. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer each has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer. A low resistance layer is formed in an area of the heat generating layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the longitudinal direction, so as not to contact the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The low resistance layer has a volume resistivity that is less than that of the heat generating layer, and extends in a circumferential direction of the heat generating layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Imaizumi, Ken Nakagawa, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
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Patent number: 10481534Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device configured to fix a toner to a recording medium, a cooling device disposed so as to cool the fixing device with forced air, and a rotatable guide configured to guide the recording medium towards a first location when in a first position and towards a second location when in a second position. The rotatable guide partially blocks the forced air at the first position and forms a pathway for the forced air when at the second position. A control unit rotates the guide unit to the second position if an operating mode of the fixing device is changed from a first mode having a fixing temperature set point at a first temperature to a second mode having a fixing set point temperature lower than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Katakura
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Patent number: 10471708Abstract: A recording system includes: a recording apparatus; a post-processing apparatus; and a transport apparatus which transports the medium to which the recording is performed to the post-processing apparatus, and the transport apparatus includes a transport mechanism which transports a medium to which the recording is performed to the post-processing apparatus, and a loading stand which loads the discharged medium without transporting the medium to which the recording is performed to the post-processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hidetoshi Kodama
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Patent number: 10338522Abstract: A cooling device has: first and second guide rollers disposed in the body of a cooling device on upstream and downstream sides, respectively, as seen in a direction in which a continuous medium is fed, and guiding a cooling belt to move in that direction; and a path selection mechanism allowing selection between a non-abutting transport path which does not cause the continuous medium to abut against the cooling belt and an abutting transport path which causes the continuous medium to abut against the cooling belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Toshiaki Tomino
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Patent number: 10248055Abstract: A fixing device is provided that includes a fixing belt rotatable in a predetermined direction, a heater to heat the fixing belt, a pressure rotator in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt, a nip formation pad disposed inside a loop formed by the fixing belt and pressed against the pressure rotator via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip, and a pair of guides in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt at both ends of the fixing belt in a width direction thereof, to maintain a substantially cylindrical posture of the fixing belt. Each of the guides includes a guide portion in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt and a lubricant holder holding a lubricant that is disposed adjacent to the guide portion and not in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Yasuharu Kawarasaki, Kohichi Utsunomiya
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Patent number: 10191421Abstract: A fuser includes an endless belt, a base member, a sheet member including a first section pinched between an inner surface of the endless belt and the base member, a second section extending from an end of the first section, and a third section extending from another end of the first section, and a stationary member configured to pinch the second and third sections of the sheet member with a base member, the stationary member having a claw configured to stick in the second and third sections of the sheet member.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasumasa Fujii, Hisashi Tsukawaki
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Patent number: 10175598Abstract: A release agent material including a blend of a nonfunctional siloxane release agent fluid and at least two different organo-functional siloxane release agent materials having amino-functional groups or alkyl functional groups, useful in machines having gamut extension capability.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Varun Sambhy, David S Derleth, Juan A Morales-Tirado, Santokh S Badesha
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Patent number: 10162303Abstract: A fixing apparatus fixes a toner image on a recording material by conveying and heating the recording material at a nip portion, and includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member configured to form the nip portion with the first rotating member, the first and second rotating members being arranged such that rotation of the second rotating member causes rotation of the first rotating member, a frame configured to support the second rotating member, so as to be rotatable and an opening and closing part arranged to open and close relative to the frame on the downstream side of the nip portion in the conveyance direction of the recoding material, the opening and closing part having a duct through which air flows.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kataoka, Eiji Uekawa, Keisuke Mochizuki, Naoto Tsuchihashi, Takayuki Mizuta
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Patent number: 10114319Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing belt and an induced current generation section. The fixing belt includes a conductive layer. The induced current generation section faces the fixing belt. The induced current generation section includes a coil and a magnetic body. The coil generates a magnetic flux. The magnetic body faces the fixing belt across the coil. In the magnetic body, a part facing an end in a width direction of the fixing belt is set as a movable magnetic body capable of moving in a width direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuki Kawashima
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Patent number: 10114322Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is rotatable and a pressure rotator that is pressed against the fixing belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. A polishing roller separably contacts the fixing belt and slides over an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt while the polishing roller is pressed against the fixing belt. At least one support supports and stretches the fixing belt. A polishing aid, which is disposed opposite the polishing roller via the fixing belt, supports and stretches the fixing belt. The polishing roller is disposed opposite the polishing aid via the fixing belt to form a polishing nip between the polishing roller and the fixing belt while the polishing roller is pressed against the fixing belt. The polishing roller changes a rotation locus of the fixing belt along at least a part of a circumferential face of the polishing roller.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Hasegawa, Takashi Fujita, Hiroyuki Shimada, Kaori Hemmi
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Patent number: 10073401Abstract: A post processing apparatus is attachable to an image forming apparatus. In a state in which a concavely curled recording material is placed on a second placement unit, when a plurality of the recording materials which are convexly curled are discharged to the second placement unit, a control unit causes a post processing unit to perform specified post processing on at least one recording material of the plurality of recording materials, causes a discharging unit to discharge the at least one recording material to the second placement unit, and after the discharge, causes the post processing unit to perform the specified post processing on the recording material or the recording materials of the plurality of recording materials other than the at least one recording material.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuhisa Sato
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Patent number: 10061243Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, and a cleaning device. The cleaning device cleans a surface of at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The cleaning device includes a cleaning web, a web holder, a winder, a cleaning pressure rotator, a pressure applier, and a temporary holder. The cleaning web slides over and cleans the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The web holder holds and sends out the cleaning web. The winder winds the cleaning web. The cleaning pressure rotator presses the cleaning web against the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The pressure applier presses against the cleaning web along a width direction of the cleaning web perpendicular to a direction in which the cleaning web is wound. The temporary holder temporarily holds the pressure applier.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hironori Ohshima
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Patent number: 9921529Abstract: A fuser controller includes a memory configured to store a program, a processor configured to read the program from the memory and to execute the program, a communication unit configured to transmit/receive data to/from the main controller, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive an analog signal representing the temperature of the fuser from a thermistor and to convert the analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the processor controls power supplied to a fuser until the main controller completes initialization.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.Inventor: Chong-wan Lee
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Patent number: 9753429Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryo Yashiro, Hidekazu Maruta, Masayuki Tamaki, Ryo Suzuki, Mitsuru Hasegawa, Rikiya Takemasa, Koichi Kakubari, Shigeru Hirano
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Patent number: 9740154Abstract: An image forming device includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on paper fed from a paper housing unit; a heater lighting control unit configured to determine, based on a temperature detected by a temperature detecting unit in a fixing unit at least including a fixing roller that holds and carries the paper on which the image is formed, a pressure roller arranged in pressure-contact with the fixing roller, a heater that heats the fixing roller, and the temperature detecting unit arranged in a vicinity of the heater, a lighting rate of the heater; and a paper determination unit configured to determine information related to the paper based on lighting rates of the heater in standby and in printing which rates are determined by the heater lighting control unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Nobuyasu Tamura
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Patent number: 9696671Abstract: This invention discloses a polyimide fuser belt incorporating synthetic graphite or expanded synthetic graphite as a filler. The resulting fuser belt has increased thermal diffusivity without sacrificing mechanical strength. Fuser belts made with synthetic or expanded synthetic graphite enable electrophotographic printers to exhibit superior fuse temperatures and better print speeds across a range of different media types.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jean Marie Massie, Jemboy Tejana Pogoy, Giritharan Suppiah
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Patent number: 9645547Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image electro-photographically is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing formed to have an opening; a cover being movable between an open position and an exposing position and having a ventilation port, through which air is allowed to flow; a cartridge having a developer roller and being detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus through the opening; a discharging fan arranged on an opposite side from the opening across the cartridge; a handle arranged on the cartridge to extend from the cartridge in a direction toward the opening in an upper position with respect to the ventilation port, when the cartridge is attached to the body and the opening is covered by the cover; and a facing part arranged on the cover to face the handle in a vertically displaced position with respect to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Saya Minoshima
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Patent number: 9507300Abstract: A fixing device having: a heating unit; a first rotating member and rotating in a first rotational direction; a second rotating member contacting the first rotating member and thereby forming a nip through which a printing medium passes, wherein the second rotating member rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; a reflective member provided around the first rotating member and having a reflection surface provided so as to face the first rotating member; and an inhibitory member inhibiting air in a space between the reflective member and the first rotating member from flowing out through a first gap between a downstream end of the reflective member in the first rotational direction and a closest portion of the first rotating member to the downstream end of the reflective member, wherein the inhibitory member overlaps with a part of the first gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Toru Hayase, Mamoru Fukaya, Naoki Kataoka, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
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Patent number: 9417577Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat source, a heat transfer member, a pressure-contacting member, a housing, and a shutter. The heat transfer member is heated by the heat source. The pressure-contacting member abuts on the heat transfer member. The housing stores the heat transfer member and the pressure-contacting member and is formed with a detection hole for detecting inner property from outside. The fixing device heats recording paper passing through between the heat transfer member and the pressure-contacting member to fix a toner image on the recording paper. The shutter opens and closes the detection hole in accordance with supply of the recording paper to a nip part by the heat transfer member and the pressure-contacting member.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Tatsuya Yamanaka
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Patent number: 9361554Abstract: A printer is described having a control unit and/or image processor to determine a number of pixels by which to scale an image along an axis of the image, wherein, the scaling of the image is less than 10% of the image along the axis. The control unit and/or image processor is also to identify locations along the axis equal to the number. The control unit and/or image processor is also to remove a region of more than one pixel along the axis at each of the locations. The control unit and/or image processor is also to insert a region of more than one pixel along the axis at each of the locations, where, a difference between pixels removed and pixels inserted accounts for the number.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mikel John Stanich, Kartheek Chandu, Larry M. Ernst
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Patent number: 9342010Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes: a heater including a substrate and a heat generating element; a supporting member; and a high heat-conductive member. The recording material on which an image is formed is heated by heat from the heater. The supporting member has a bottom region, where the supporting member supports the heater, including a first region where the supporting member contacts the high heat-conductive member so as to apply pressure between the heater and the high heat-conductive member and including a second region where the supporting member is recessed from the high heat-conductive member relative to the first region. At least a part of the first region overlaps, with respect to a movement direction of the recording material, with a region where the heat generating element is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Shimura, Hideaki Yonekubo, Hisashi Nakahara, Akira Kato, Noriaki Tanaka, Hideyuki Matsubara, Yuji Fujiwara
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Patent number: 9291970Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a fixing unit that includes a pipe-shaped fixing member which includes an outermost layer including at least one selected from a group consisting of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a denatured hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and heats and pressurizes the recording medium to fix an unfixed developer image on a recording medium by bringing the outermost layer into contact with a surface of the recording medium which holds the developer image, the recording medium being transported while holding the unfixed developer image, and a heating unit that is disposed on an upstream side of the fixing unit in a transport direction of the recording medium, and heats the recording medium transported while holding the unfixed developer image.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Kawahata, Nobuhiro Katsuta, Keitaro Mori
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Patent number: 9274468Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rollers forming a nip therebetween to heat a toner image on a sheet; a rubbing roller for rubbing an outer surface of said first roller; a moving mechanism for moving said rubbing roller between a contact position for contacting with said first roller and a spacing position spaced from said first roller; a measuring portion for measuring time elapsed from start of a rubbing process; a controller for discriminating, upon receipt of image heating instructions during the rubbing process execution, whether to continue the rubbing process or to interrupt the rubbing process and execute the image heating process, on the basis of the time measured by said measuring portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takuma Tadomi
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Patent number: 9267733Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes a first conveyance belt, a second conveyance belt, a first driving roller, a second driving roller, a first gear, and a second gear. In switching between sandwich and separation states, an axial center of a rotation shaft of the first or second gear moves on a movement plane substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the first conveyance belt and the second conveyance belt convey a sheet. Where L represents diameter of a tooth edge circle of the second gear in unit of millimeter and T1 represents a chordal tooth thickness of the second gear, an acute-side angle ? in unit of degree (°) formed by the movement plane and an interaxial-center plane including the axial center of the rotation shaft of each of the first gear and the second gear in the sandwich state is within a range represented by the following Formula 1: Tan?1(2×T1/L)<|?|<45°.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Karikusa, Kenji Ishii
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Patent number: 9256176Abstract: A fixing belt includes an inner layer, serving as a sliding layer, in which filler particles having an aspect ratio of 5 or more are oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiro Miyahara
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Patent number: 9229412Abstract: A gloss applier includes a heating roller disposed inside a loop formed by an endless belt to heat the endless belt; a pressing rotary body pressed against the heating roller via the endless belt; a cooler disposed inside the loop formed by the endless belt and downstream from the heating roller in a direction of rotation of the endless belt, the cooler to cool the endless belt as a recording medium in contact with the endless belt is conveyed by the endless belt; a separation roller disposed inside the loop formed by the endless belt and downstream from the cooler in the direction of rotation of the endless belt, the separation roller to separate the recording medium from the endless belt; and a cooler shifter contacting the cooler to move the cooler bidirectionally to cause the cooler to contact and separate from the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Akiyasu Amita, Hiroyuki Kunii
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Patent number: 9207600Abstract: A relationship X<Y?Z is satisfied, where X is a width of a roughening roller in a longitudinal direction, Y is a width, in the longitudinal direction, of an area where an image is able to be formed on a sheet having a maximum width usable in an apparatus, and Z is a width, in the longitudinal direction, of an area where a fixing belt is able to be rubbed by the roughening roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Youichi Chikugo
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Patent number: 9046841Abstract: A gloss applicator includes a heater member to be heated by a heat source; an endless belt to rotate while being heated by the heater member; a pressure member that presses against the heater member via the endless belt, thereby forming a nip; a cooling unit to cool the endless belt, wherein a recording medium on which a toner image is formed is conveyed into the nip, the recording medium is further conveyed from the nip while being in contact with the endless belt to be cooled by the cooling unit and separated from the endless belt; a temperature sensor configured to detect a surface temperature of the endless belt, disposed between the separating position of the recording medium and a heating position by the heater member; and a cooling controller to control the cooling unit to vary a cooling amount based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Akiyasu Amita, Hiroyuki Shimada
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Patent number: 9037025Abstract: Provided is a fixing device including a transparent cylindrical body that is formed in a cylindrical shape to be rotatable, an opposing member that is arranged to oppose the transparent cylindrical body and forms a contact region in a portion between the transparent cylindrical body and the opposing member, a laser beam radiation device that is provided in an external portion of the transparent cylindrical body and radiates the laser beams, a light converging member that is provided in an internal portion of the transparent cylindrical body and is disposed to be in contact with portions of the transparent cylindrical body, and a liquid filling body that fills an air interface layer between a portion of the transparent cylindrical body and the light converging member, with a transparent liquid enabling the laser beams to pass therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuro Kodera
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Patent number: 9034423Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuser member is described. The method includes obtaining a substrate and coating a composition of an anhydride capped polyamic acid oligomer, a multi-amine and a solvent on the substrate to form a polyimide gel layer on the substrate. The solvent is extracted from the polyimide gel layer with an extraction solvent. The extraction solvent is removed to form a polyimide aerogel layer having a porosity of from about 50 percent to about 95 percent. A fluoropolymer is coated on the polyimide aerogel layer and cured or melted to form a release layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Yu Qi, Nan-Xing Hu
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Patent number: 9037057Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface and circularly moving in a moving direction while the developing agent image is thermally fixed; a heater; a nip member being in sliding contact with the tubular member; a backup member nipping the tubular member in cooperation with the nip member; a stay covering the heater and supporting the nip member; an electric component positioned opposite to the heater with respect to the stay; and a frame supporting the electric component. The frame includes: an isolating portion interposed between the tubular member and the electric component for isolating the electric component from the tubular member; and a guide portion guiding the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member while the flexible tubular member is moving in the moving direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Takuji Matsuno, Yoshihiro Miyauchi
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Patent number: 9037062Abstract: A fixing member is provided which is excellent in durability and hardly undergoes the peeling of the surface layer even when used in a heating apparatus over a long term. The fixing member is an electrophotographic fixing member including a substrate, an elastic layer, an intermediate layer and a fluororesin-containing surface layer. The elastic layer includes a silicone rubber and sodium ions, and the intermediate layer includes an amino group-containing polysiloxane. The surface layer is formed by forming, on the intermediate layer, a primer layer including a copolymer, to which a phosphate group is bound, of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether), forming, on the primer layer, a coating film including the copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) or a coating film including a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, and melting the copolymer in the primer layer and the copolymer in the coating layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mamo Matsumoto, Masahito Omata