Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms a toner image on a recording medium, a heat fixing device provided adjacent to the image forming device to fix the toner image onto the recording medium by heat, and a heat shielding device that shields the image forming device from the heat radiated from the heat fixing device. The heat shielding device includes a heat shielding member interposed between the image forming device and the heat fixing device to receive the heat radiated from the heat fixing device, a heat transferring member attached to the heat shielding member to transfer the heat received by the heat shielding member to one end portion thereof, a heat radiating fin device provided at the one end portion of the heat transferring member to radiate the transferred heat, and a fan that supplies air to the heat radiating fin device.

Abstract: A pressure roll used in a fusing step of an electrophotographic system is provided with a higher abrasion material at the ends of the roll. This higher abrasion material extends the useful life of the roll and reduces debris caused by deterioration of the pressure roll.

Abstract: Embodiments use an apparatus comprising a media path that is adapted to transport media sheets within the printing apparatus. Fuser rolls are positioned along the media path, and the fuser rolls are adapted to fuse marking material on the media sheets as the media sheets pass the fuser rolls. A heating belt is positioned to pass a first location between the fuser rolls and to pass a second location separate from the fuser rolls. A heater is positioned in the second location, and the heater is adapted to heat the heating belt. In addition, an iso-thermalizing roller is in contact with the heating belt. In some embodiments, the elements can be positioned in any order. In other embodiments, the elements are positioned such that the heating belt passes the elements in the following order: the heater, the fuser rolls, and then the iso-thermalizing roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising: an exposing means and a developing means. The developing means comprises a plurality of developing devices, a rotating member rotatable while supporting the plurality of the developing devices, and a driving means for the rotation drive of the rotating member for selectively moving the plurality of the developing devices to the developing position such that the driving means transmits driving force to the rotating member via a gear at a drive transmitting position. An angle ?e(°) formed by a straight line linking the rotation center of the rotating member and the drive transmitting position and the tangent of the image bearing member at an exposing position in the image bearing member moving direction satisfies the following relationship with the premise that an pressure angle of the gear is ?(°) and the image bearing member rotating direction is positive:????e??.

Abstract: The image heating apparatus includes a flexible sleeve including a stainless base layer; a heater being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve; and an elastic roller being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve and forming a nip portion with the heater, in which: a recording material bearing an image is heated while being pinched and conveyed at the nip portion; and the stainless base layer has an outer diameter of 18 mm to 24 mm and a thickness of 25 ?m to 30 ?m, and includes an outer circumferential surface being subjected to a blasting process. Bu the present invention, an image heating apparatus is capable of ensuring durability and a flexible sleeve used for the image heating apparatus.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating member for heating a recording medium having a developer image; a pressing member for pressing the recording medium against the heating member; a supporting member for supporting the pressing member; a supporting shaft for supporting the supporting member to be freely rotatable; and an urging member for urging the supporting member in a specific rotational direction and urging the pressing member against the heating member.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes an auxiliary pressure member to press a belt to a heat roller side. A belt mechanism to integrally support the belt and the auxiliary pressure member is rotated so that the belt is spaced from the heat roller except for a necessary time. The temperature gradient characteristic of the surface temperature of the heat roller is compared with a reference temperature gradient characteristic, and a correction value of power supplied to a coil is estimated. The correction value is added to the supply power obtained from the detection result of a sensor, and control power for controlling an inverter drive circuit is obtained.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a heat roller 2 which comprises an elastic member 2b having an outer diameter which is different from another one in an axial direction, and an conductive layer 2c provided outside of the elastic member 2b, wherein a maximum outer diameter and a minimum outer diameter of the elastic member 2b has a difference therebetween ranging from 0.2 mm to 3.0 mm.

Abstract: A fusing unit of an image forming apparatus, includes: a heating lamp having a heating unit, and a tubular unit accommodating the heating unit; a heating roller accommodating the heating lamp; and a pressing roller to be pressed toward the heating roller; the tubular unit includes a reflecting film formed on at least one of an external circumference surface and an internal surface thereof so as to have a different reflectivity along a lengthwise direction of the heating unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing sheets from being crumpled due to compressive deformation of a resilient layer thereof when the sheets pass through a fixing unit, and a method for manufacturing the same. The pressure roller may include a reinforcing member that reinforces a side of the resilient layer to prevent an axial compressive deformation of the resilient layer, a reinforcing member received between the shaft and the resilient layer to increase hardness of the resilient layer, or a reinforcing member interposed between the shaft and the resilient layer to reduce the compressive deformation of the resilient layer.

Abstract: A fixer includes a fixing member configured to fix a toner image on a recording medium by application of heat, a coil part configured to extend in a width direction to face the fixing member, a core part configured to face the coil part and generate heat by electromagnetic induction to heat the fixing member when an electrical current passes through the coil part, and a shield configured to shield the core part partially to change a heating area thereof in the width direction. An amount of heat generated in an end portion of the core part in the width direction is changed when a predetermined number of sheets pass though the fixer during continuous feeding of sheets that are equal in size to a maximum heating area of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member; a pressing member to be pressed against the fixing member; a first heating member for heating the fixing member; a second heating member for heating the fixing member supplementarily; and a third heating member for heating the pressing member. The first heating member has a first rated output; the second heating member has a second rated output; and the third heating member has a third rated output. The first rated output is greater than the second rated output, and the second rated output is equal to or greater than the third rated output. Further, the second heating member and the third heating member are connected in series relative to a voltage applying device or a power source.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a developed image of developer onto a recording sheet by heating and fusing the developer includes a heating roller, a pressure roller and a driving force input element. The heating roller is configured to be heated by a heat source, such as a halogen heater. The pressure roller is disposed adjacent to the heating roller, such that a recording sheet is fed and conveyed between the pressure roller and the heating roller. The driving force input element is fixed to the pressure roller for causing the pressure roller to rotate. A diameter Dp of the pressure roller and a nip width N between the heating roller and the pressure roller in circumferential directions thereof have a relationship represented by the following expression: 0.24<N/Dp<0.6.

Abstract: The fixing device includes a fixing unit, a pressure unit that comes into pressure-contact with the fixing unit to form a nip, and control guides. The fixing unit includes a heat roller. The pressure unit includes a pressure belt, and a pressure pad. The pressure pad is attached to a holder and pressed by a spring through a stay, thereby bringing the pressure belt into pressure-contact with the heat roller. The control guides on both sides of the pressure pad control deformation of the pressure pad in an axial direction of the heat roller to make a nip shape uniform.

Abstract: A pressurizing unit includes an elastic member that has an entering portion on a side from where a recording medium enters a nip portion, an exit portion on a side from where the recording medium exits the nip portion, and a center portion between the entering portion and the exit portion. The elastic modulus of the center portion is higher than elastic moduli of the entering portion and the exit portion.

Abstract: A pressurizing member includes an elastic member having a uniform elastic modulus of K=EA/t, where E is a Young's modulus, A is an area of the nip portion, and t is a thickness of the elastic member in the direction of application of load. A supporting member that supports the pressurizing member has an entering portion, an exit portion, and a center portion between the entering portion and the exit portion. The thickness of the center portion in a direction of application of load is larger than thicknesses of the entering portion and the exit portion in the direction of application of load so that the supporting unit has a convex portion.

Abstract: A fixer (heater) includes a heat roller and a pressure roller pressing each other. The fixer heats a heated material by passing the heated material through a press region where the heat roller and the pressure roller meet. The fixer further includes an external heat roller heating the pressure roller from outside the pressure roller. A transit time taken for any given point on the heated material to pass through the press region is less than or equal to 2.3×10?2 sec. The surface temperature, T1 (° C.), of the heat roller and the surface temperature, T2 (° C.), of the pressure roller satisfy T1-T2?100 (° C.), and preferably satisfy T1-T2?70 (° C.). The load on the heat roller is reduced, and so is the power consumption.

Abstract: A fusing unit of an image forming apparatus is capable of controlling fusing pressure according to detailed types of printing medium without deteriorating printing speed. A first roller rotates about a first rotation shaft CR1. A second roller rotates in contact with the first roller about a second rotation shaft CR2 and is movable along the outer circumference of the first roller. A moving unit relocates the second roller according to a type of printing medium. A pressing unit presses the second roller toward the first roller by applying different pressures according to a position of the second roller with respect to the first roller.

Abstract: A fixer (heater) includes a heat roller and a pressure roller pressing each other. The fixer heats a heated material by passing the heated material through a press region where the heat roller and the pressure roller meet. The fixer further includes an external heat roller heating the pressure roller from outside the pressure roller. A transit time taken for any given point on the heated material to pass through the press region is less than or equal to 2.3×10?2 sec. The surface temperature, T1 (° C.), of the heat roller and the surface temperature, T2 (° C.), of the pressure roller satisfy T1?T2?100 (° C.), and preferably satisfy T1?T2?70 (° C.). The load on the heat roller is reduced, and so is the power consumption.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a recording medium onto the recording medium, the fixing device comprising a first fixing member equipped with a heating device and a second fixing member for making pressure contact of the recording medium to the first fixing member; a moving section for relatively moving the first fixing member and the second fixing member; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the first fixing member; and a controller for controlling the moving section so as to reduce a relative distance between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, when the temperature of the first fixing member detected by the temperature detector is higher than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A heat fixing member according to the invention has a surface layer formed on the surface of the substrate with a three-layer structure of a primer layer, an middle layer, and a topcoat layer. The binder-resin content decreases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The fluorocarbon-resin content increases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The topcoat layer is made of a fluorocarbon resin having high ability of release and a fluorocarbon resin having high abrasion resistance. Thus, the surface layer can be prevented from peeling without losing ability of release and can be decreased in abrasion.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus comprising first and second belts for forming a nip for heating an image on a recording material; a first pressing pad for pressing the first belt at the nip; a first roller, provided spaced from the first pressing pad with a gap therebetween, for pressing the first belt at the nip; a second pressing pad, provided opposed to the first pressing pad, for pressing the second belt at the nip; a second roller, provided opposed to the first roller and contacted to the second pressing pad, for pressing the second belt at the nip, the second roller having a friction coefficient which is smaller than that of the first roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a fixing section, including a heating member, a pressing member, in which the heating member and the pressing member are arranged to form a nipping section therebetween, and a belt member inserted through the nipping section for fixing a toner image on a recordig sheet by conveying the recording sheet through the nipping section; and a control section for controlling the fixing section and obtaining recording sheet information with respect to at least one of a plurality of conditions. The pressig member includes a plurality of pressing heads differing in shape and with respect to at least one of a plurality of characteristics, and the control section selects one of the plurality of pressing heads in accordance with the recording sheet information and controls the fixing section to press the recording sheet through the belt member with the selected one of the plurality of pressing heads.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming an unfixed image on a transfer medium and a fixing device for fixing the unfixed image by sandwiching and heating the transfer medium that holds the unfixed image, wherein, the fixing device includes a fixing roller that contacts with the unfixed image, a press roller that contacts with the fixing roller, a heat belt that contacts with the fixing roller and heats the fixing roller, a plurality of support rollers for supporting the heat belt in such a manner that the heat belt is wound around the support rollers, a heat source for heating the heat belt, and a press member for pressing the heat belt against the fixing roller in a portion of the contact area where the fixing roller and the heat belt contact with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes an image forming mechanism configured to form an image, and a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image formed on a recording medium. The fixing unit includes a fixing device having a first endless moving member configured to rotate, and a second endless moving member configured to rotate to form a nip area together with the first endless moving member to fix, at the nip area, a toner image disposed on the recording medium onto the recording medium with heat and pressure, the second endless moving member including a surface layer having a universal hardness HU and a maximum nip surface pressure P each within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An electro-photographic apparatus for conducting printing includes a fixing member fixing an unfixed toner image on a surface of a recording medium onto the recording medium. The fixing member includes a heating roller and a pressurizing member, and a mounting member on which the pressurizing member is mounted. The pressurizing member is supported by the mounting member in a substantially center part in a longitudinal direction of the pressurizing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image heating apparatus including: a conveying roller for conveying the recording material; a heat supply member which supplies heat to the conveying roller, the heat supply member being in contact with an external periphery of the conveying roller to form a heating nip portion; a back-up member which forms a conveying nip portion in cooperation with the conveying roller for nipping and conveying the recording material; wherein, in a rotating direction of the conveying roller, the heating nip portion has a width larger than a width of the conveying nip portion, and a total pressure applied to the conveying nip portion is larger than a total pressure applied to the heating nip portion.

Abstract: A belt-type fixing device is provided in which a wide fixing nip having a generally flat pressure distribution with respect to a paper feeding direction can be formed. The belt-type fixing device of the invention has a nip forming member that is fixed inside an endless-sheet-like fixing belt to be heated so as to be incapable of rotating, and a rotatable pressurizing roller that is in pressure contact with the nip forming member with the fixing belt interposed between. Contact part between the fixing belt and the pressurizing roller forms a fixing nip, and a surface of the nip forming member that is opposite to the pressurizing roller is configured as a curved surface extending along an outer circumferential surface of the pressurizing roller so that a pressure distribution in the fixing nip is made generally flat with respect to the paper feeding direction.

Abstract: A fusing unit used with a color laser printer includes a pair of rollers which heat and press a sheet of paper, onto which an image is transferred, and fuse the transferred image on the sheet of paper, and plastic mold bearings which rotatably support the rollers to be centered on frames.

Abstract: A toner having high mechanical strength and being capable of exhibiting a sufficient fixing property in a wide temperature range, and a method for manufacturing such a toner are provided. Further, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus in which such a toner can be suitably used are also provided. The method for manufacturing a toner comprises a step of spreading a dispersion liquid, in which a dispersoid containing polyester-based resin is dispersed in a dispersion medium, into a laminar flow by pressing it against a smooth surface using a gas flow and then jetting the dispersion liquid in the form of fine particles and a step of solidifying the fine particles of the dispersion liquid while they are being conveyed in a solidifying section. The polyester-based resin includes block polyester mainly composed of a block copolymer, and amorphous polyester having crystallinity lower than that of the block polyester.

Abstract: A fixing device in an image forming device that includes a rotating heating roller, a coil provided on the outside of the heating roller, a heating mechanism using the coil to heat the heating roller through electromagnetic induction, and a pressure roller that contacts the heating roller with pressure and, together with the heating roller, pinches and conveys a recording paper in order to fix developer that has been transferred onto the recording paper, wherein a magnetic layer is formed over the pressure roller to increase the amount of magnetic flux passing through the surface of the heating roller.

Abstract: A toner having high mechanical strength and being capable of exhibiting a sufficient fixing property in a wide temperature range is provided. Further, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus in which such a toner can be suitably used are also provided. The toner contains polyester-based resin as a main resin component. The polyester-based resin includes block polyester mainly composed of a block copolymer, and amorphous polyester having crystallinity lower than that of the block polyester. The block polyester has a crystalline block obtained by the condensation of a diol component with a dicarboxylic acid component, and an amorphous block having crystallinity lower than that of the crystalline block. The compounding ratio between the block polyester and the amorphous polyester is in the range of 5:95 to 45:55 in weight ratio.

Abstract: A thermal processor including an oven for thermally developing an image in a media. The oven includes an entrance and a guide positioned at the entrance. The guide includes a receiver having a major surface configured to contact and receive the media and a separator configured to lift and separate the media from at least a portion of the major surface and to direct the media into the oven.

Abstract: A toner having high mechanical strength and being capable of exhibiting a sufficient fixing property in a wide temperature range is provided. Further, a fixing device and an image forming apparatus in which such a toner can be suitably used are also provided. The toner is composed of a material containing a resin as a main component and rutile-anatase type titanium oxide. The resin is mainly composed of polyester-based resin. The polyester-based resin includes block polyester mainly composed of a block copolymer, and amorphous polyester having crystallinity lower than that of the block polyester. The block polyester has a crystalline block obtained by the condensation of a diol component with a dicarboxylic acid component, and an amorphous block having crystallinity lower than that of the crystalline block. The compounding ratio between the block polyester and the amorphous polyester is in the range of 5:95 to 45:55 in weight ratio.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus equipped with a heat fixing device includes a heating member having an elastic layer on a substrate and a fluorine resin coated on the elastic layer, a pressure member having a substrate covered with a fluorine resin tube through an elastic layer or without the elastic layer in pressure contact with the heating member, and at least one heater as a heat source. The surface roughness of the fluorine resin of the heating member is greater than the surface roughness of the fluorine resin tube of the pressure member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating roller, electromagnetic induction heater for heating the heating roller, and a pressurization roller disposed in contact with the outer periphery of the heating roller. The electromagnetic induction heater has a support extending like a tube along the outer periphery of the heating roller containing both ends in an axial direction orthogonal to a rotational direction of the heating roller and both sides parallel with the axial direction outside the heating roller. A coil is wound around the outer face of the support so as to contain a center axis of the heating roller inside the tubular part. The fixing device nips and transports recording paper to which toner has been transferred in a press contact nip part between the heating roller and the pressurization roller so as to fix an image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a both-side image forming unit for forming images on both sides of a recording material; a rotatable belt for heating a toner image on a recording material through a belt; a rotatable supporting member, having an elastic layer, for supporting the belt; a rotatable pressing member, pressed toward the supporting member with the belt interposed therebetween, for forming the nip for nipping and feeding the recording material; the pressing member has a surface hardness which is larger than a surface hardness of the rotatable supporting member, wherein a surface hardness of the rotatable supporting member through the belt is different from a surface hardness of the pressing rotatable member by +4 degrees to ?8 degrees.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus for fixing images made from a liquid toner onto a substrate using an electrophotographic process, the apparatus including a first fusing station having first and second prefusing rollers, the second prefusing roller contacting the first prefusing roller to create a first nip area, wherein at least one of the prefusing rollers is heated to a temperature that provides a prefusing temperature within the first nip area, and a second fusing station spaced from the first fusing station and having first and second final fusing rollers, the second final fusing roller contacting the first final fusing roller to create a second nip area, wherein at least one of the final fusing rollers is heated to a temperature that provides a fusing temperature within the second nip area, wherein the fusing temperature of the second nip area is higher than the prefusing temperature of the first nip area.

Abstract: Polyetherimide-b-polysiloxane block copolymers are useful as surface layers for fuser and fixing members in various printing devices, including electrostatographic imaging systems and ballistic aerosol marking devices. Optionally, the polyetherimide-b-polysiloxane block copolymers are fluorinated, or include at least 50% by weight siloxane.

Abstract: A heater including a plurality of first dielectric vanes and a plurality of second dielectric vanes arranged about a longitudinal axis, each first dielectric vane and second dielectric vane having a plurality of wire guiding grooves, a heater wire structure wound around the first and second dielectric vanes in wire guiding grooves, and wherein the heater wire structure substantially avoids contact with bottoms of the wire guiding grooves of the second dielectric vanes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image-fixing member which has excellent heat-resistance, wear resistance, and mold releasability and which performs heating or pressurizing for fixing an image on a recording medium. The preset invention also provides an image-fixing apparatus and image-forming apparatus using the image-fixing member. The image-fixing member of the present invention has a surface layer formed from a heat-resistant resin a nitrogen-containing heat-resistant principal chain segment and a side chain segment having a polysiloxane structure. The heat-resistant resin can also be contained in other portion than the surface layer.

Abstract: A fixing device for forming a toner image formed on a recording medium includes a heat roller accommodating a halogen heater. The halogen heater includes a glass tube formed of transparent quartz and provided with a wall thickness of 0.8 mm or below to increase transmission thereof. The increased transmission reduces a heat loss ascribable to the glass tube at the time of warm-up of the fixing device. The heat roller has such a thermal capacity that it can be warmed up in 10 seconds or less. The glass tube is filled with inactive gas whose major component is krypton or xenon. A tungsten filament accommodated in the glass tube has its diameter reduced in order to implement a color temperature of 2,500 K or above. An image forming apparatus using the fixing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fusing system for fusing toner to a recording medium. The system includes a fuser roller, a pressure roller in contact with the fuser roller, and an external heating roller. In addition, the disclosure relates to a method for heating a fuser roller of a fusing system. The method includes the steps of providing an external heating roller, contacting an outer surface of the fuser roller with the external heating roller, heating the external heating roller, and rotating the external heating roller and the fuser roller such that heat is transferred from the external heating roller to the fuser roller.

Abstract: A fuser is disclosed that includes a pair of outer rollers with one or more inner rollers displaced within at least one of the outer rollers. Each inner roller may optionally have a convex outer surface.

Abstract: A fuser roll as used in xerographic printing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical surface. On an interior surface of the roll is defined one or more spiral ribs to support the structure of the roll. The rib may be formed of one piece with the outer wall, or the rib can be attached to the inner surface by an adhesive.

Abstract: This invention comprises a fuser belt (1) of polyimide incorporating surface-oxidized boron nitride. The resulting enhanced flexibility provides continuing strength without physical damage during use of the belt in a belt fuser while thermal conductivity is preserved. The extent of flexibility enhancement observed is dependent on the degree of oxidation. Therefore, oxidation temperature and time of oxidation are key variables that are used to control the degree of oxidation and thereby the resulting improvement in the flex fatigue.

Abstract: A toner including toner particles including a binder resin and a release agent, wherein when the toner is molded into a plate upon application of a pressure of 478 kg/cm2, the toner plate has a surface having a coefficient of static friction of from 0.20 to 0.40. An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an image developer to form a toner image on the image bearing member, an image transferer configured to transfer the toner image on a receiving material and a fixer configured to fix the toner image thereon, wherein the apparatus has a waiting time not longer than 15 seconds, and a maximum power consumption not greater than 1.5 KW and 30 W in an image forming state and in a standby state, respectively, wherein the toner is the toner mentioned above.

Abstract: An induction heating type fixing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed. An inducting heating coil has a plurality of bobbins each having a particular diameter and assembled in a telescopic manner. A particular conductor is wound round each bobbin beforehand with leads being laid inside of the conductor. The bobbin may be implemented as a plurality of bobbin members removably connected together.

Abstract: In a fixing device according to this invention, coils are formed on a coil bobbin having a predetermined shape at an induction heating portion including a plurality of coils. In order to minimize the temperature difference of a heating roller in the axial direction, the coil bobbin has a shape for holding the interval between the coils at a predetermined interval.