Abstract: A fixing device includes: a rotating fixing body including a resistance heating layer disposed throughout an entire periphery; and a pressure-applying member pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the rotating fixing body to form a fixing nip. The rotating fixing body further includes: a pair of electrodes each of which is a layer disposed along a different one of edges of the resistance heating layer throughout an entire periphery; and a pair of resistor layers each of which is disposed between the resistance heating layer and a different one of the electrodes. An inner edge of each resistor layer is positioned at a location corresponding to or axially more inwardly of an inner edge of the electrode. The resistor layers are higher in volume resistivity than the electrodes.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has a heat-generating endless belt that includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers each disposed along a different one of widthwise edges of the heat-generating endless belt. The resistive heat layer has (i) reduced thickness portions each along a widthwise edge thereof and (ii) a middle portion between the reduced thickness portions. Each reduced thickness portion is thinner than the middle portion and connected to the middle portion with a wall surface upright in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the heat-generating endless belt to define a stair shape. Each electrode layer is disposed on the resistive heat layer to be in contact with a corresponding one of the wall surfaces.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of a pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing member are pressed together so that the applied particles indent the surface of the fixing member to form the gloss-watermark pattern. The pressure member and the fixing member can then be mechanically separated and a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. A gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is thus formed on the printed image.

Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an unfixed image formed on a recording sheet by passing the recording sheet through a fixing nip. The fixing device has: a heat-generating endless belt having, on a circumferential surface thereof, a sheet passing area through which the recording sheet passes; a first pressure member disposed inside a running path of the endless belt; and a second pressure member disposed to press the endless belt against the first pressure member from outside the running path to form the fixing nip. The endless belt includes: a resistive heat layer that generates heat upon receiving electric current; and a pair of electrode layers that receive electric current. The electrode layers flank the sheet passing area. The resistive heat layer is in contact with the electrode layers at a different one of end faces opposing each other in a width direction of the resistive heat layer.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser system for use in a xerographic apparatus. The fuser system includes a fuser roller and a pressure roller. The fuser roller and the pressure roller create a nip. The fuser roller has an outer layer of carbon nanotubes dispersed in a fluoropolymer wherein the carbon nanotubes comprise from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of the outer layer. The pressure roller comprises a static dissipative outer surface having a surface resistivity of less than about 1010 ?/cm.

Abstract: An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, comprising a base layer; a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer; an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer and having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction.

Abstract: There is provided a fixing member to be used in a pressured state, the fixing member including: a base member that is rotated; a resilient layer that is formed on an outer periphery of the base member; and a surface layer that is formed on an outer periphery of the resilient layer, wherein an axial direction end face of the resilient layer includes an inclined portion that is inclined such that an axial direction length thereof is longer at the base member side than at the surface layer side, and that is exposed in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fusing method and system of tuning gloss level on a copy substrate. The method includes obtaining an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium including a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon. The method includes applying toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop an electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge-retentive surface. The developed image is transferred from the charge retentive surface to a copy substrate. The toner images are fused to a surface of the copy substrate. The gloss is adjusted on the copy substrate by providing a fuser member having a surface layer a fluoroplastic matrix having dispersed therein aerogel particles wherein the greater a weight percent of the aerogel particles in the fluoroplastic matrix the lower the gloss.

Abstract: A seamless belt formed of a polyimide including a repeating unit represented by the formula (1): in which 25 mol % to 95 mol % of A is a tetravalent unit represented by the formula (2): 75 mol % to 5 mol % of A is a tetravalent unit represented by the formula (3): 15 mol % to 95 mol % of B is a divalent unit represented by the formula (4): and 85 mol % to 5 mol % of B is a divalent unit represented by the formula (5):

Abstract: A fixing device including a fixing member to fix a toner image on a sheet by application of heat and pressure and a pressing member to press the sheet against the fixing member. The pressing member is rotatable. A height difference is circumferentially provided to the pressing member, and is tapered from an end portion toward a portion contacting an edge of a small-size sheet. The pressing member has a greater hardness than the fixing member.

Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotatable image heating member including an elastic layer and a surface layer in which a filler is dispersed; and a fixed pressing member which is contacted to a surface of the rotatable image heating member and forms a nip, between itself and the rotatable image heating member, in which a recording material for carrying an image is to be nip-conveyed. The surface of the rotatable image heating member has a shape such that projections are distributed by the filler so that a coefficient of dynamic friction ?(hot) relative to said fixed pressing member when a surface temperature of the rotatable image heating member is a temperature during image heating and a coefficient of dynamic friction ?(cold) relative to the fixed pressing member when the surface temperature is a normal temperature satisfy, ?(hot)<1.2×?(cold).

Abstract: To provide a fixing member, which contains a base, and a polyorganosiloxane layer provided on the base, where the polyoranosiloxane layer contains polyoranosiloxane including a silicon atom bonded to three or four oxygen atoms, and wherein the fixing member is designed to be used in a process for heating a toner image on a recording medium to fix the toner image onto the recording medium.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a flexible tubular member defining an internal space and extending in an axial direction; a first fixing member disposed at the internal space; and a second fixing member configured to nip the flexible tubular member in cooperation with the first fixing member. The flexible tubular member includes a metal base tube having an outer peripheral surface configured of a first area and a second area other than the first area in the axial direction. The first area has a 10-point average roughness of equal to or larger than 3 ?m, and the second area has a 10-point average roughness of equal to or smaller than 3 ?m.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular belt holder, a rotatable flexible fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, and a heater. The belt holder extends in an axial direction thereof. The fuser belt is looped around the belt holder extending in the axial direction. The contact member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, accommodated in the belt holder. The pressure member has a central axis thereof extending in the axial direction, disposed opposite the belt holder with the fuser belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member presses against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed adjacent to the belt holder to heat a circumferential portion of the fuser belt. The belt holder includes a generally semi-cylindrical section to face the heated circumferential portion of the fuser belt.

Abstract: Provided is a resin material including at least one of a reaction product and a mixture of a polyimide and a polyurethane that is a polymer of an isocyanate with an acrylic resin containing a side chain having a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: An image heating rotatable member for heating an image on a recording material, comprising a base layer; a heat generation layer, provided on the base layer, for generating heat by being supplied with electric power; an electrode layer, provided outside of the heat generation layer with respect to a widthwise direction and having an electric resistance which is smaller than that of the heat generation layer, for supplying the electric power to heat generation layer; an elastic layer provided on the electrode layer and having a length longer than that of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction; and a parting layer provided on the elastic layer and having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the electrode layer measured in the widthwise direction;

Abstract: A fixing device includes a solid or hollow cylindrical heating member that heats a recording medium and has recesses or projections provided at axial ends thereof, over the entire outer circumferences; ring-shaped heat insulating members to be fitted to the axial ends of the heating member, the ring-shaped heat insulating members having, in the inner circumferences thereof, projections or recesses that fit into or receive the recesses or projections provided on the heating member; and bearings that rotatably support the axial ends of the heating member via the heat insulating members.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments herein provide materials and methods for a fusing apparatus including a fuser member comprising a substrate and a topcoat layer, wherein the topcoat layer comprises a flow-coated fluororesin and has a surface energy of about 25 mN/m or less.

Abstract: A heating member for a fusing apparatus includes a resistive heating layer including a base polymer and an electroconductive filler dispersed in the base polymer, where the resistive heating layer generates heat by receiving electric energy, and where a storage modulus of the resistive heating layer is about 1.0 megapascal or greater.

Abstract: A self-releasing fuser member for an image forming apparatus having a fluoropolymer with fluorocarbon chains bonded to the fluoropolymer via a linking group; a quaternary, tertiary, or secondary carbon atom; and a reactive group. The fluorocarbon chains are oriented nonparallel to the surface of the self-releasing fuser member. Image forming apparatuses having such self-releasing fuser members and methods of making such self-releasing fuser members.

Abstract: The invention provides a fixing pressure roller having an elastic layer formed of a porous material produced from an emulsion, the roller having improved durability. The fixing pressure roller has a core, a rubber layer which has a thickness of 1.0 mm or less and which is provided around the core, and an elastic layer which is formed of a porous elastomer produced from an emulsion composition and which is provided around the rubber layer, the emulsion composition having a continuous phase of a liquid rubber material which forms an elastomer through curing.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a rotatable fixing member and a rotatable pressing member which are configured to fix a toner image on a sheet at a nip therebetween, wherein the rotatable fixing member has a first toner parting layer formed of a fluorine-containing resin material, and the rotatable pressing member has a second toner parting layer formed of a fluorine-containing resin material in which an electroconductive filler is contained; and a contact member provided contactable to the second toner parting layer and being electrically grounded. The second toner parting layer has surface resistivity lower than that of the first toner parting layer and has a thickness smaller than that of the first toner parting layer.

Abstract: There is described a fuser roller including a surface layer of anodized aluminum oxide impregnated with a fluorine containing sealant. There is also described the method for producing the fuser member.

Abstract: A fixation device includes: a rotation member provided to be rotatable; a conveyance member provided in contact with the rotation member and configured to convey media; and a first press member configured to press the conveyance member against the rotation member. The first press member includes, at an area in contact with the conveyance member, a slide part including convex surfaces, each of which is a part of a spherical surface.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser member comprises a release layer comprising microcrystalline cellulose particles dispersed in a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices, wherein the fuser member can include an outermost layer containing a plurality of nanosized cellulosic particles dispersed in and/or bonded to a fluoropolymer matrix.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt which is supported by one or more rollers; and a fixing roller which is in pressed contact with at least one of the rollers across the fixing belt, wherein the fixing roller includes a core portion which is rotatably provided, an elastic portion which covers the core portion so as to form a cylindrical shape with a rotation axis of the core portion being defined as a center, and a release portion which covers a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the elastic portion, and an end of the elastic portion in a direction along the rotation axis and an end of the release portion in the direction along the rotation axis project from an end of the core portion, in the direction along the rotation axis, at a part where the core portion and the elastic portion are in contact with each other.

Abstract: An endless belt for fixing includes a base layer made of nickel, wherein the base layer includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer provided between the first layer and the second layer, and a toner parting layer provided on the base layer, wherein a content rate of an element for enhancing hardness in the first layer and the second layer is lower than that in the third layer.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser member includes a substrate layer comprising a polyimide polymer and a fluoro acid. A method of manufacturing a fuser member is also described.

Abstract: A heating roller including a resistive heating layer and a fusing device including the heating roller. By separately disposing a plurality of electrodes in an axis direction of the heating roller, and by independently controlling each electrode, the heating roller may correspond to various papers having different sizes. Accordingly, the temperature of the heating roller may be stably controlled.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pressing member for fixing includes a substantially cylindrical substrate; a first layer that is disposed on an outer surface of the substrate, that contains bubbles, and that is elastic; a second layer disposed on an outer surface of the first layer; and an adhesive layer bonding together the first layer and the second layer. The pressing member has an adhesive-free unbonded region between the first layer and the second layer. The unbonded region extends to at least one end of the pressing member in an axial direction.

Abstract: A ceramic heater according to one embodiment includes a substrate (1) composed of a ceramic, a conductive pattern (patterns (21 to 26)) formed on the substrate (1), a heating element (heating elements (41 to 45)) formed on the substrate (1) so as to be electrically connected to the patterns (21 to 26), and an overcoat layer (5) formed so as to cover at least the heating elements (41 to 45). The heating elements (41 to 45) contain graphite and an alloy composed of silver and palladium, and the percentage of the amount of graphite with respect to the total amount of the alloy and the graphite is from 16 to 47%.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a heating member or a sliding member arranged in contact with the surface of a fusing roller is moved in an intersecting direction with the rotational direction of the fusing roller in a contact state with the heating member or the sliding member so as to prevent a scratch from being generated on the surface of the fusing roller or to repair the scratch.

Abstract: A fixing belt includes a heat-insulating layer formed of a glass fiber or a porous ceramic and a metal heat-generating layer disposed outside the heat-insulating layer. The metal heat-generating layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: Fixing belts, fixing devices and methods of making fixing belts are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing belts includes an inner layer comprising a first surface forming an inner surface of the fixing belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the inner layer comprising a first polymer; an intermediate layer overlying the second surface of the inner layer, the intermediate layer including a third surface, a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face, the intermediate layer comprising silicone rubber; and an outer layer including a fourth surface forming an outer surface of the fixing belt, the outer layer overlying the third surface, the first end face, the second end face and portions of the second surface disposed outward from the first end face and second end face, the outer layer comprising a second polymer. The outer layer seals and protects the intermediate layer from exposure to a liquid release agent applied to the fourth surface.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing on a recording material a toner image formed on the recording material includes: a flexible sleeve including a resinous base layer, a parting layer, and an adhesive layer for bonding the base and parting layers; a heater contacting the sleeve; a pressor for forming a nip with the sleeve, in which the recording material is nipped and conveyed; a member for applying a voltage, with the same polarity as toner; and a grounder contacting the recording material in the nip, for grounding the recording material. In a thickness direction of the layers, the electric resistance of the adhesive layer is larger than that of the parting layer, which is larger than that of the base layer. The member applies the voltage to the sleeve in contact with the base layer.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer media, such as a belt, that includes a first optional polyimide substrate layer, and a second layer of a fluoropolyimide polymer.

Abstract: A fixing device forms a fixing nip by pressing a first roller, which is inside a rotation path of a rotating belt, with a second roller via the belt, and thermally fixes an unfixed image formed on a sheet S by passing the sheet S through the fixing nip while heating the belt by electromagnetic induction. The fixing device includes an excitation coil positioned outside said path, and a fixed plate that (i) is inside the path, substantially facing the excitation coil via the belt, (ii) contacts an inner surface of the belt, and (iii) keeps the belt on the path. A base member of the belt is a conductive heat generation layer containing no magnetic shunt alloy. The fixed plate includes a conductive layer and a magnetic shunt alloy layer that is closer to the belt than the conductive layer.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser member includes a substrate layer comprising a thermoplastic polyimide/polybenzimidazole blend. A method of making the fuser member is provided.

Abstract: A fixing-unit roller includes: a core bar; and an elastic layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of the core bar. The elastic layer is formed from a porous material that contains a plurality of cells. Cells in a cross section obtained by cutting across the porous material are 0.1 ?m or greater and 50 ?m or less in size. A ratio of an area occupied by composite cells, which are made of partially-overlapping spherical cells, in a 200-?m square in the cross section to an area of the square is 60% or greater and 70% or less.

Abstract: A fixing roller that may include: a rotary shaft; an elastic layer that is provided at the circumference of the rotary shaft, and a surface layer that covers the circumference of the elastic layer and includes creases, wherein the creases are provided at both axial end portions of the surface layer, and a portion of the surface layer between the axial end portions thereof is smoother than the axial end portions.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose a surface coating. The surface coating includes a fluoroplastic having dispersed therein aerogel particles wherein the aerogel particles comprise from about 0.1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of the surface coating. The surface coating is useful as an out layer for fuser members.

Abstract: A fixing belt includes: a base layer formed of a nickel alloy; and a surface layer provided on said base layer, said surface layer having a thickness and being formed of a first polyimide resin material. The surface layer includes a filler dispersed therein and having an average particle size not less than the thickness. The filler is formed of a second polyimide resin material.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming a composition including mixing an anhydride, a silane and a solvent to form a solution. Carbon black and an isocyanate are mixed to form a carbon black mixture. The solution and the carbon black mixture are homogenized to form a carbon black dispersion.

Abstract: A fixing roller/fixing belt having an elastic layer and a surface layer formed on a substrate material in the enumerated order, wherein the surface layer is a layer formed by thermally shrinking a PFA tube, and the surface layer and the elastic layer are bonded together through a PFA-containing adhesive material. In particular, a fixing roller/fixing belt in which the ratio of heat shrinkage of the PFA tube forming the surface layer is 3 to 20%. Also, a fixing roller/fixing belt, in which the quantity of PFA contained in the PFA-containing adhesive material is 20 to 30 wt %.

Abstract: Copper complexes of aminoorgano group-containing organosilicon compounds exhibit high thermal stability and can be used to impart thermal stability to a wide variety of polymer compositions. The complexes are particularly useful as constituents of xerographic rollers and fuser oils, and are simply and economically prepared.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a belt including a heat generating layer for generating heat by energization and including a power receiving portion which has electroconductivity and is electrically connected to the heat generating layer; a stationary back-up member, provided inside the belt, for sliding on an inner peripheral surface of the belt; a pressing member for pressing the belt against the back-up member to form a nip in which a recording material is to be nip-conveyed between the belt and itself; and an electroconductive portion, provided on the back-up member, for supplying electric power to the power receiving portion by being electrically connected to the power receiving portion.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image on a recording material, while conveying the recording material bearing the toner image, at a nip portion includes a tubular film, a heater configured to heat the film, and a pressure member configured to form the nip portion with the film, wherein the film has a property that a resistance value per unit area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the film becomes 5×1011 (?·cm2) or more when a voltage of 500 V or less is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a resistance value per unit area between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes 5×109 (?·cm2) or less when a voltage of 1000 V or more is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic-field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a substantially cylindrical fixing rotational body that faces the magnetic-field generating unit, generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and melts and fixes a developer image to a recording medium; a temperature-sensitive contact part that contacts an inner side of the fixing rotational body, and faces the magnetic-field generating unit, its permeability decreasing if its temperature becomes a permeability-change start temperature or higher; and a temperature-sensitive non-contact part arranged at the inner side of the fixing rotational body to face the magnetic-field generating unit in a range different from the contact part, and spaced from the fixing rotational body. An angle defined by the contact part and the center of the fixing rotational body is 60° or larger.