Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
399335000 | By heat | 85 |
20080267676 | FIXING DEVICE, COIL UNIT FOR FIXING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OF COIL UNIT - In a coil unit according to this invention in which an electromagnetic induction coil and a magnetic core are sealed by a coil mold, an insulating board that secures insulation between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core and that can adjust the distance between them is provided between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core. | 10-30-2008 |
20080267677 | Image forming apparatus and fixing device therefor - In order to efficiently utilize the energy of the flux leaked from the vicinities of the edges of a fixing roller having a part to be heated, which is made of magnetic material that has Curie point, the energy of the leaked flux is stored to be utilized as need arises, or is utilized to heat the vicinity of the center of the fixing roller. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273905 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - A manufacturing method for an image heating apparatus for heating an image on a recording material by a heat from a heat generating element for producing heat by a magnetic flux generated by magnetic flux generating means, the apparatus including a magnetic flux confining member for confining a magnetic flux directing toward a predetermined region of the heat generating element from the magnetic flux generating means, and a first drive transmission member, provided at one end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member and a second drive transmission member, provided at the other end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member, the method comprising an adjusting step of adjusting such that first and second drive transmission members are supported by the magnetic flux confining member with a predetermined rotational position relation, using marks provided on the first and second drive transmission members, respectively. | 11-06-2008 |
20080298863 | HEATING APPARATUS - The heating apparatus of a surface-heating type, includes a rotary member, an opposing member that forms a nip with respect to the rotary member, and a heating member for heating a portion of a rotary member surface other than the nip, in which temperature used for heating the rotary member by the heating member is controlled, and a heating material inserted in the nip to be nipped and conveyed therein is heated using heat of the rotary member. Accordingly, after insertion of the heating material in the nip starts, control temperature of the heating member is increased before the rotary member rotates by one revolution, thereby preventing an uneven heating phenomenon of the heating material in the first revolution and the second revolution or later, and preventing uneven gloss due to the uneven heating phenomenon in the fixing apparatus. | 12-04-2008 |
20080317528 | FUSING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE FUSING DEVICE, AND FUSING METHOD OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fusing device includes a preheating unit to preheat a developed image on a recording medium, and a heating unit to fuse the preheated developed image onto the recording medium by heating the image without pressing. The preheating unit includes a preheating plate heated by the heating unit and having an airtight interior space, and a phase transition fluid filled in the interior space. The heat generated by the heating unit is stored in the preheating plate using the phase transition fluid, and the temperature of the preheating plate uniform is kept uniform using a non-condensable gas filled in the airtight space of the preheating plate to condense and expand depending on a pressure of the phase transition fluid, and a heat sink arranged corresponding to a charge section of the non-condensable gas to absorb the heat of the preheating plate when the non-condensable gas is contracted. | 12-25-2008 |
20090154968 | Ultra-Heated/Slightly Heated Steam Zones For Optimal Control Of Water Content In Steam Fuser - A dual-zone steam fuser for a xerographic system includes a ultra-heated first zone maintained at 200-500° C. that quickly heats a paper substrate to an optimal toner fusing temperature (e.g., 120-150° C.), and a second, relatively cool second zone for maintaining the substrate at the optimal temperature during completion of the fusing process. A conveying system conveys the substrate so that it exits the first zone and enters the second zone immediately after the substrate temperature reaches the optimal toner fusing temperature, and is maintained in the second zone for a predetermined fusing operation time period. The gas (e.g., steam) temperatures and timing are selected such that surface condensation is minimized during initial heating, and such that moisture content is normalized at the end of the fusing process. | 06-18-2009 |
20090154969 | Pressure-Controlled Steam Oven For Asymptotic Temperature Control Of Continuous Feed Media - A non-atmospheric pressure vapor oven system that utilizes a controllable pressure zone to facilitate fast phase change heat transfer at any desired temperature to heat or cool flat substrates, and to level temperatures across different locations of the substrates. The system enables the use of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, without being limited to a particular temperature, such as the fluid's natural boiling point at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a vapor oven (hermetic enclosure) defining a pressure chamber having sealed entry and exit ports for transferring an object (e.g., a sheet of paper) with added material (e.g., toner) through the pressure chamber, and a pressure regulation apparatus for setting the saturation temperature (boiling point) of heat transfer fluid inside the vapor oven to an optimal heating/cooling temperature by selectively controlling the pressure inside the hermetic enclosure. | 06-18-2009 |
20090185841 | TONER-FIXER APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC PHOTOGRAPH PRINTER - A toner-fixer apparatus | 07-23-2009 |
20090252543 | METHOD FOR CONDUCTING WATER TRANSFER PRINTING PROCESS ON BAKING TRAY - A method for conducting a water transfer printing process on a baking tray comprises steps of: cleaning an inner object-supporting and an outer surface of the baking tray and forming a crystalline protective film thereon; oven-drying the cleaned baking tray; spray-coating the inner object-supporting surface with a silicone and baking the silicone; spray-coating the outter surface with a primer and baking the primer; transferring a pattern onto the outer surface by water transfer printing, wherein a water flow is used to flatten a transfer paper attached to the baking tray; over-drying residual water left from the water transfer printing process; spray-coating the outer surface with a silicone-based transparent varnish and baking the transparent varnish. The present invention allows a baking tray having an irregular shape to be provided with a pattern thereon and thus beutifies the baking tray. | 10-08-2009 |
20090274499 | EXTENDED ZONE LOW TEMPERATURE NON-CONTACT HEATING FOR DISTORTION FREE FUSING OF IMAGES ON NON-POROUS MATERIAL - A system for heated gas fusing of toner on non-porous substrates is provided. The system uses (1) an extended fusing zone held at lower temperatures than needed for a roll nip or radiant fuser, and (2) a very low melt toner which can be fused at greatly reduced temperatures compared to conventional toners. In one form, the system is realized through (a) the use of heated gas as the low temperature extended zone fusing technology, and (b) the use of ultra-low melt (ULM) toner—which requires significantly reduced temperature compared to conventional toner. On non-porous packaging substrates the use of heated gas can limit the substrate temperature to 100° C. | 11-05-2009 |
20110044740 | LASER FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A laser fixing apparatus includes: a laser light generator that generates laser light to be projected onto a recording medium. A first condenser reflects and condenses the light generated by reflection of the laser light at an irradiation position of the recording medium, such that the reflected and condensed light is re-projected at the irradiation position and/or near the irradiation position | 02-24-2011 |
20110044741 | LASER FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A laser fixing apparatus includes a laser light generator that generates laser light to be projected onto a recording medium; and a first condenser that reflects and condenses light reflected at an irradiation position of the laser light, such that the reflected light reenters at the irradiation position or near the irradiation position. The first condenser has a concave cylindrical surface and is arranged such that a center axis position of the cylindrical surface is located at the irradiation position of the laser light or near the irradiation position, and a reflecting surface of the first condenser is covered by a light transmitting body. | 02-24-2011 |
20110058867 | FIXING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND TONER IMAGE FIXING METHOD - According to an aspect of the invention, a fixing device includes a laser beam irradiation unit and a conveying unit. The laser beam irradiation unit includes a plurality of laser beam sources and emits a plurality of laser beams to a surface of a recording medium. The conveying unit conveys the recording medium and/or the laser beam irradiation unit so that irradiated regions irradiated with the laser beams are moved in a given direction. When the plurality of laser beams is emitted to a toner image to fix the toner image, the plurality of laser beams satisfies conditions (A) and (B). The condition (A) is that the plurality of laser beams has substantially the same beam power and substantially the same width. The condition (B) is that the plurality of laser beams is independently emitted to the toner image. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058868 | Apparatus for electrographic printing or copying - In an apparatus for the electrographic printing or copying of an object wherein a toner is applied to a medium according to the object to be printed or copied and the toner is fixed to the medium by the application of heat, a hot air blower is provided which directs hot air onto the medium and whose inlet is connected to a suction line having an intake end remote from the hot air blower arranged in close proximity of the medium being heated. | 03-10-2011 |
20110262195 | Fixing Device and Image Forming Apparatus - A fixing device includes: a frame forming a transport path; a heating member disposed on the transport path; first and second transport rollers which are disposed so as to face the heating member in the transport direction and hold the recording sheet between the first and second transport rollers to transport the recording sheet, the first transport roller including a rotation shaft; and a spring which includes a holding portion holding the rotation shaft of the first transport roller, a support portion supported by the frame and an arm part between the holding portion and the support portion, and is configured to bias the transport roller to the second transport roller; and a restriction portion which contacts a part of the spring between the holding portion and the support portion and restricts the first transport roller from being moved in a direction separated from the second transport roller. | 10-27-2011 |
20110311285 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a developer image on a recording medium while rotating; an external heating member that heats the fixing member, the external heating member being driven-rotated by rotation of the fixing member while contacting with an outer peripheral face of the fixing member; an oil supply member that supplies oil to a surface of the external heating member; a switching unit that switches between contact and non-contact of the external heating member to the outer peripheral face of the fixing member, the switching unit causing the external heating member to contact with the outer peripheral face of the fixing member after a fixing operation by the fixing member is started; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the fixing member and rotates the external heating member in a state where the external heating member is separated from the fixing member by the switching unit. | 12-22-2011 |
20120155938 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus for heating a toner image formed on a recording material includes a first rotatable member contactable to the toner image; and a heating unit, including a second rotatable member rotating while contacting a surface of the first rotatable member, for heating the first rotatable member. The toner image on the recording material is heated by receiving heat from the first rotatable member heated by the heating unit. The image heating apparatus further includes a potential controller for maintaining a polarity of a surface potential of the second rotatable member so as to be opposite to a charge polarity of the toner. | 06-21-2012 |
20120201583 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable image heating member for heating an image on a recording material, a magnetic flux generator for generating magnetic flux for heating the image heating member, an adjustor for adjusting the magnetic flux distribution so that the magnetic flux acting on an end portion region of the image heating member with respect to a rotational axis direction of the image heating member is decreased, a changing portion for changing a sheet passing position of the recording material with respect to the rotational axis direction within a set range, and a switching portion for switching, when the adjustor is actuated and sheets of the recording material are continuously passed, the set range from a range in which the sheet passing position does not overlap with the end portion region to a range in which the sheet passing position overlaps the end portion region. | 08-09-2012 |
20120207525 | RESISTANCE HEATING COMPOSITION AND HEATING COMPOSITE, HEATING APPARATUS, AND FUSING APPARATUS, INCLUDING RESISTANCE HEATING COMPOSITION - A resistance heating composition including carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid, and a binder resin. | 08-16-2012 |
20120213564 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit arranged in an apparatus main body and adapted to perform a fixing process to fix an image to a recording sheet by heat, first conveyance path for conveying the recording sheet via an image forming unit and the fixing unit, second conveyance path for conveying the recording sheet having the fixing process performed thereon to an upstream side of the image forming unit in the case of performing the image forming process on both sides of the recording sheet, a first cover openably and closably attached to the apparatus main body, a second cover for covering the second conveyance path, the second cover being openably and closably attached to the apparatus main body and openable and closable when the first cover is in an open state, and fans provided on the second cover for supplying air streams to the second conveyance path. | 08-23-2012 |
20120230743 | FIXING DEVICE EMPLOYING ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION HEATING SYSTEM CAPABLE OF EFFECTIVELY USING MAGNETIC FLUX AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device comprises a fixing member having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to cause the fixing member to induce electromagnetic heat, and a magnetic core to form a continuous magnetic path guiding a magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member. A holder is provided to accommodate and hold the excitation coil and the magnetic core. A first core included in the magnetic core and is arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member not via the excitation coil along a line extended from an axis of the fixing member in a radius direction. An end face of the first core arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member is substantially perpendicular to the line. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230744 | HEATING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A heating apparatus includes a switching circuit configured to switch on/off current-feeding from an AC power source to the heater, a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the heater, and a current-feed controller configured to execute a first current-feed mode of changing a current-feed ratio of current-feeding time to unit time by controlling switching of the switching circuit so that the temperature detected by the temperature detector falls within a target range. The current-feed controller executes a second current-feed mode of fixing the current-feed ratio to almost 100% or almost 0% during execution of the first current-feed mode in place of the first current-feed mode. | 09-13-2012 |
20120269560 | ROLLER FOR FIXING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS HAVING ROLLER FOR IMAGE FIXING APPARATUS - A roller for a fixing device includes a foam layer; an elastic layer containing a thermo-conductive filler and provided outside of the foam layer; a middle layer provided between the foam layer and elastic layer; wherein a content of all filler in the middle layer is smaller than a content of all filler in the elastic layer. | 10-25-2012 |
20120269561 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a non-transparent image forming device for forming a non-transparent toner image on a sheet; a transparent image forming device for forming a transparent toner image on a sheet; a partial heating device for heating an area, designated by a user, of the sheet having a toner image; and a control device for controlling the transparent image forming device such that the transparent toner is overlaid on an area where an amount, per unit area, of the non-transparent toner image formed in the area designated by the user is 0 or less than a predetermined amount. | 10-25-2012 |
20130039684 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus which prevents evaporation of moisture applied to a sheet by virtue of an aqueous solution containing a deliquescent material, and maintains a state in which curling or wavelike distortions are reduced. The structure of the image forming apparatus is characterized by including an image forming parts that forms toner images on paper sheets, and a fixing device which thermally fixes a toner image onto a sheet, and an aqueous solution applying portion which applies an aqueous solution to the sheet, the aqueous solution applying portion applies the aqueous solution containing a deliquescent material which prevents moisture evaporation to a sheet having a toner image thermally fixed thereonto by a fixing device. | 02-14-2013 |
20130084113 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus characterized by comprises: mode determination means for determining a print mode; fixing temperature acquisition means for acquiring fixing temperature information corresponding to the print mode determined by the mode determination means; image adjustment means for, after the fixing temperature information is acquired by the fixing temperature acquisition means, accepting an instruction of an adjustment value for image data and performing image adjustment corresponding to the adjustment value for the image data; and control means for controlling a fixing temperature of a fixing device in accordance with the fixing temperature information acquired by the fixing temperature acquisition means before and after the image adjustment is performed by the image adjustment means. | 04-04-2013 |
20140003848 | HEATER AND IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME | 01-02-2014 |
20140112693 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet using a first colorant to be heat-fixed on the sheet; a second image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet using a second colorant that is erasable by heating; and a fixing device arranged further on a downstream side in a sheet conveying direction than the first image forming unit and further on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the second image forming unit and capable of executing fixing processing for heat-fixing the image, which is formed on the sheet by the first image forming unit, on the sheet and executing erasing processing for heating the sheet, on which the image is formed with the second colorant, to erasing temperature to thereby erase the second colorant on the sheet. | 04-24-2014 |
20140119790 | TRANSPORTED MEDIUM HEATING-LIQUID-BARRIER TONER FIXER - A system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a reservoir containing heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than a toner glass transition temperature. A rotatable liquid-blocking barrier has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path. The transported receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member barrier so that the receiver medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. The liquid-blocking barrier member and the reservoir are arranged so that an entrained portion of the receiver medium passes through the reservoir and is submerged in the warmed heating liquid, which contacts the inner surface. Heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119791 | TONER FIXER WITH HEATING LIQUID IN CAVITY - A toner fixing system has a heating member rotatable around an axis. The heating member includes a liquid-blocking barrier and a backing layer that define a liquid cavity not including the axis. The liquid cavity contains a heating liquid warmed above a glass transition temperature of the toner. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the warmed heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119792 | TONER FIXER IMPINGING HEATING LIQUID ONTO BARRIER - A toner fixing system for fixing toner onto a receiver medium includes a liquid-supply system for providing a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the toner. A rotatable liquid-blocking barrier has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the receiver medium along a transport path in which the receiver medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking barrier in a contact zone. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto the inner surface of the liquid-blocking barrier. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking barrier from the heating liquid to the toner, raising a temperature of the toner to a level above the toner glass transition temperature. | 05-01-2014 |
399336000 | Radiant, infrared, or microwave | 51 |
20080199233 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC FIXING MEMBER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, FIXING APPARATUS, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic fixing member is provided, which is excellent in toner releasability and hard to change in rubber elasticity of a silicone rubber elastic layer. The fixing member is laminated with a substrate, a cured silicone rubber layer, a cured silicone rubber adhesive layer and a fluorine resin layer, wherein when infrared light absorption strength ratios (1020 cm | 08-21-2008 |
20080267678 | POWER SPLITTER FOR A MICROWAVE FUSER OF A REPRODUCTION APPARATUS - A microwave fuser device for heating printing matter in a reproduction apparatus with microwave energy from a suitable microwave source. The microwave fuser device supplies microwave energy through the bottom of a multi-channel resonator including a gap to enable transport of printing matter therethrough. The device includes a power splitter having plural channels for dividing microwave energy from the microwave source between the channels of the multi-channel resonator. The power splitter has a mechanism to provide variable geometry of its plural channels, whereby the effective width of microwave energy from the resonator of the microwave fuser device can be matched to the width of such printed matter having an image fused thereto substantially preventing undesirable high loss of energy and low yield. | 10-30-2008 |
20080267679 | MICROWAVE FUSER APPARATUS WITH OVERLAPING HEATER APPLICATORS - A microwave fuser apparatus, for a reproduction apparatus, the microwave fuser apparatus having at least two microwave applicators, staggered relative to a receiver member transport path with an area of overlap, for applying microwave energy to a receiver member traveling on such transport path relative to the microwave applicators to have toner images fused thereto. The microwave fuser apparatus has at least one additional microwave applicator, located adjacent to the overlapping area between the at least two staggered microwave applicators that applies microwave energy to the receiver member. The at least one additional microwave applicator effectively maintains an elevated temperature of a receiver member. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273906 | PRINTING ROLL HAVING A CONTROLLABLE HEAT ABSORBING INTERNAL SURFACE - A roll useful in fusing marking material to a print sheet includes a coating disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface thereof. A lamp disposed inside the roll supplies radiant energy to the inner surface. The coating changes its absorptivity (such as color) as desired, to obtain specific desired temperatures at different portions of the roll. The coating can be thermochromic, changing its absorptivity in response to local temperature; or electrochromic, changing its absorptivity in response to an external electrical stimulus. | 11-06-2008 |
20080304883 | FIXING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING METHOD - The fixing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus and fixing an image on a recording medium, the fixing apparatus is provided with: a flash lamp that emits flash light for fixing the image; and a reflection member that has a reflection surface reflecting the flash light emitted from the flash lamp to the recording medium. A shape of the reflection surface is configured so as to be deformable. | 12-11-2008 |
20090010690 | CONDUCTIVE ROLLER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME - This invention relates to a conductive roller having high adhesion property between an elastic layer and a coating layer, and more particularly to a conductive roller | 01-08-2009 |
20090257796 | NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED IMAGE REPRODUCTION DEVICE - An image reproduction device (e.g., a photocopy machine) uses carbon nanotube material and a microwave generator(s) to heat internal rollers to “set” image colorant/toner. The ability to rapidly heat the nanotube material with relatively low-power microwave generators permits the development of power efficient image reproduction devices. The principle of heating carbon nanotube material embedded within a roller with microwave energy may also be used in a number of other applications such as, for example, laminating, embossing, drying, annealing, calendering, and film orientation. In these embodiments, the material being processed or heated may be paper, film, plastic, rubber, film and the like. | 10-15-2009 |
20100086336 | TONER FIXING APPARATUS AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING DEVICE - A toner fixing apparatus characterized by provision of a provisional fixing portion provided with a provisional fixing component having an infrared heater irradiating infrared radiation onto a printed surface of the web and a main fixing portion provided downstream in the web flow in the provisional fixing portion and nipping the web with heat rollers performing a main fixing operation or having a plurality of main fixing units. According to this invention, a toner fixing apparatus and an electrophotographic printing device including the toner fixing apparatus are provided which display excellent fixing properties during multicolor image formation, excellent heating efficiency and excellent economy with respect to installation space. | 04-08-2010 |
20100196067 | IMAGE-DRIVABLE FLASH LAMP - A flash lamp including an integrated plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a transparent first electrode; a cell including a gas coupled to the transparent first electrode; and a second electrode having a non-uniform surface coupled to the cell. | 08-05-2010 |
20110026991 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER - An electrophotographic printer is configured such that an infrared heater is installed at a position between a plurality of electrophotographic print units installed in of the flow direction of a recording material, and a part (an inter-unit extension part) situated between print units of the recording material is irradiated with infrared light from the infrared heater to perform a partial evaporative removal of a carrier liquid of the recording material and a partial fixing of a toner. | 02-03-2011 |
20110038653 | FIXING DEVICE, FIXING METHOD, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to an aspect of the invention, a fixing device includes a first laser unit and a second laser unit. The first laser unit outputs a first laser beam to irradiate a visible image formed of image forming material on a recording medium with the first laser beam. The second laser unit outputs a second laser beam to irradiate the visible image with the second laser beam after being irradiated with the first laser beam. The first laser beam and the second laser beam is configured to satisfy relations: W1t2, W1 is an optical output per unit area of the first laser beam, W2 is an optical output per unit area of the second laser beam, t1 is an irradiation time per unit area of the first laser beam, and t2 is an irradiation time per unit area of the second laser beam. | 02-17-2011 |
20110058869 | LASER FIXING DEVICE - A laser fixing device, which is for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including: a carrying device for carrying a sheet; and a laser array section which is made up of a plurality of laser sources arrayed in a line, the plurality of laser sources irradiating a non-fixed toner image, which is attached to the sheet that is being carried by the carrying device, with a laser beam so that the non-fixed toner image is fused and fixed to the sheet. In the laser fixing device, an irradiation region length and a sheet carrying speed are set so that tn≧0.259·mt | 03-10-2011 |
20110116851 | LASER FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE LASER FIXING DEVICE - A defective laser element detector gives a fault detection of every laser element in each laser array. A controller determines whether the fault can be compensated for by the other laser elements, taking into account the arrangement, variation and other factors of available laser elements. If it is determined that the fault can be compensated, the controller increases the power of other laser elements individually based on comprehensive evaluation from the parameters such as irradiation areas, amounts of irradiation, irradiation timing and the like of the other adjacent laser elements in the same array including the fault and in the other arrays, so as to compensate the area of irradiation to be irradiated by the defective laser element as a whole. | 05-19-2011 |
20110158721 | LASER FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A laser fixing device includes: a laser beam irradiating device which irradiates a recording medium that is conveyed while carrying an unfixed toner image, with a laser beam; and a laser beam absorbing member which is disposed in an optical path of the laser beam that is emitted to a back side of a position where the recording medium is conveyed, and which absorbs the laser beam. | 06-30-2011 |
20110222935 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a laser source that irradiates an image with laser light, the image being formed on a moving recording material with a thermoplastic image-forming material; and a support member arranged to face the laser source and having a curved portion, the curved portion being curved to extend in a recording-material moving direction and to protrude toward the laser source, the curved portion having a supporting portion of the recording material corresponding to at least an irradiation area of the laser light in a curved manner. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222936 | FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes a light irradiation unit and a reflector. The light irradiation unit irradiates a recording medium conveyed in a conveying direction with laser light along a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. The reflector reflects first to fourth angular components of a part of the laser light reflected at an irradiation position at which the recording medium is irradiated, such that a first intersection point between the first and third angular components after the reflection and a second intersection point between the second and fourth angular components after the reflection as seen in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction and the first direction are at different positions in a direction of displacement of the recording medium, the direction of displacement crossing the conveying direction. A developing agent on the recording medium is melted by the laser light. | 09-15-2011 |
20110236093 | SAFE RADIANT TONER HEATING APPARATUS WITH MEMBRANE - Apparatus for heating toner on a receiver having an ignition energy, having an energy source for providing input energy; and a membrane disposed adjacent to the receiver. The membrane receives the input energy from the energy source; stores a portion of the input energy; and radiates emitted energy that is absorbed by the toner, the receiver, or a combination thereof, wherein the absorption causes the temperature of the toner to rise above a desired temperature. The stored portion of the input energy is less than the ignition energy. | 09-29-2011 |
20110262196 | LASER FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - In a fixing device, the surface of the recording paper carrying belt passes through a position satisfying a relation:
| 10-27-2011 |
20110299905 | DEVICE AND METHOD TO FIX PRINT IMAGES ON A RECORDING MATERIAL - In a device or method to fix print images on a recording material, a printing fluid comprising a carrier fluid and chromophoric solid particles are applied to the recording material, the chromophoric solid particles being applied in a form of the print images to be fixed. Hot waste gas and infrared radiation are generated with aid of a porous burner. The infrared radiation is directed towards the recording material in a drying chamber such that the carrier fluid polymerizes or is vaporized, whereby a gaseous air/oil mixture arises in the drying chamber. The air/oil mixture is influenced with aid of the hot waste gas of the porous burner. | 12-08-2011 |
20120076557 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a conveying unit that conveys a recording material with an image formed thereon toward a predetermined conveying direction so as to cross a fixing area where the image is heated to be fixed; a laser light source that has an irradiation area as the fixing area slantingly extending relative to a predetermined image arrangement reference direction along a width direction of the recording material crossing the conveying direction of the recording material, and irradiates the irradiation area with laser light; and a reflecting member that is provided so as to surround the irradiation area and has a reflecting face that reflects reflected light from the irradiation area so that the irradiation area is again irradiated with the reflected light. | 03-29-2012 |
20120093552 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a laser light source that irradiates an irradiation region with a laser light, the irradiation region extending along a direction crossing a transporting direction of a recording medium with respect to a heating-fixable image which is on the recording medium. The fixing device further includes; a reflective member that is provided to enclose the irradiation region and includes a reflective surface reflecting a reflected light so that the irradiation region is re-irradiated with the reflected light from the irradiation region by the laser light radiated from the laser light source; and a light absorption member that is provided so as to continue to an end of a side of the reflective member directed to the recording medium and includes a portion facing a transporting surface of the recording medium and extending toward an outside of the reflective member, and is capable of absorbing the laser light. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093553 | OPTICAL FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical fixing device is provided that is capable of improving fixability as well as improving smoothness of an image on a recording medium that is formed after fixing, and forming a high-quality image of high gloss level. An optical fixing device includes a recording sheet fixing conveyance section that conveys a recording sheet on which a toner image is formed; a laser irradiation section that irradiates with light the toner image formed on the recording sheet that is conveyed by the recording sheet fixing conveyance section; and a pressurizing section that is disposed on a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the recording sheet from the light irradiation section and pressurizes the toner image on the recording sheet after irradiation of light by the light irradiation section. | 04-19-2012 |
20120201584 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A recording sheet has an unfixed toner image that is formed thereon, and is conveyed to a fixing device. A surface reforming device of the fixing device performs surface reformation for the surface of the toner on the recording sheet by, for example, plasma irradiation or the like, thereby generating a polar group of a hydrophilic property on the surface of the toner. Next, the recording sheet is conveyed to a laser irradiation portion by a recording sheet conveyance device to be irradiated with a laser, in which the toner is fused to be fixed to the recording sheet. The toner on the recording sheet is subjected to surface reforming treatment, thus having increased affinity (adhesion force) with the recording sheet, so that it is possible to secure favorable fixability without pressing. | 08-09-2012 |
20120294661 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR APPLYING AND FUSING A TONER IMAGE ON A SUBSTRATE - A device and a method for applying and fusing a toner image on a substrate is described. The device has at least one printing unit, a transport unit for transporting the substrate through a print area of the printing units and a fusing unit for fusing toner on the substrate. The transport unit has an endless transport belt which passes continuously around at least two rollers to form a transport side. The fusing unit is in a transport direction of the endless transport belt behind the at least one printing unit and has at least one microwave applicator arranged adjacently to the endless transport belt for introducing microwaves into the substrate while the latter is being transported through it. With the method, a substrate to be printed is held on an endless transport belt and moved thereon through a print area of at least one printing unit and then through a fusing unit. In the print area of the at least one printing unit, a toner image is applied to the substrate, and inside the fusing unit the toner image is fused on the substrate by heating up the toner image by means of microwaves. | 11-22-2012 |
20130071160 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A fixing device includes an irradiation unit, disposed opposite a recording medium, that includes laser light sources arranged in a direction crossing a movement direction of the recording medium and capable of emitting laser light with variable emission intensity and that irradiates a surface of the recording medium with the laser light emitted from the laser light sources in a substantially elongated irradiation region extending at a corresponding position in the arrangement direction of the laser light sources; an irradiation-width changing unit that changes the irradiation width of the irradiation region in a longitudinal direction thereof, with all the laser light sources of the irradiation unit turned on; and an irradiation-intensity adjusting unit that adjusts the irradiation intensity in the irradiation region having the irradiation width thereof changed by the irradiation-width changing unit to a predetermined required irradiation intensity. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071161 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a transport member that transports a recording medium in a first direction, the recording medium having on one side thereof an image formed of an image forming material that is to be fixed by absorbing light; a first chip that has a first light-emitting area in which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward the one side of the recording medium are arranged two-dimensionally; and a second chip that has a second light-emitting area in which a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light toward the one side of the recording medium are arranged two-dimensionally. A gap between the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area extends at an angle with respect to the first direction, and a portion of the first light-emitting area and a portion of the second light-emitting area overlap each other in the first direction. | 03-21-2013 |
20130071162 | COLOR TONER FOR OPTICAL FIXING AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color toner for optical fixing containing an infrared light absorbent and being compatible with an optical fusing device to irradiate an unfixed toner attached on a surface of a recording medium with infrared light to melt and fix the unfixed toner on the recording medium, wherein | 03-21-2013 |
20130108338 | Microwave Heating Device and Image Fixing Apparatus Using the Same | 05-02-2013 |
20130164061 | LIQUID ENHANCED FIXING METHOD - Printing methods are provided. In one method, an inkjet image is printed on a receiver using an inkjet ink having a liquid with a boiling point and a toner image conforming to the ink jet image is generated using toner particles with a glass transition temperature that is below the boiling point and the toner image is transferred into an unabsorbed volume of liquid ink of the inkjet image on the receiver. A first energy is applied to the toner and the liquid sufficient to bring the liquid to the boiling point without bringing a heated surface into contact therewith. The toner particles are heated above the glass transition temperature by the combination of heat from the liquid and heating of the toner particles by the radiant energy without requiring that the receiver is heated to the glass transition temperature of the toner. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164062 | PRINTER WITH LIQUID ENHANCED FIXING SYSTEM - Printers are provided. One printer has an ink jet printer with an inkjet printhead to print an inkjet image on a receiver using an inkjet ink having a liquid with a boiling point a toner print engine to generate a toner image conforming to the ink jet image using toner particles with a glass transition temperature that is below the boiling point and to transfer the toner image into an unabsorbed volume of liquid ink of the inkjet image on the receiver and a fixing system having a first energy source to apply a first energy to the toner and the liquid sufficient to bring the liquid to the boiling point without bringing a heated surface into contact therewith. The toner particles are heated above the glass transition temperature by the combination of heat from the liquid and heating of the toner particles by the first energy. | 06-27-2013 |
20130183073 | EFFICIENT FUSING AND FIXING FOR TONERS COMPRISING OPTO-THERMAL ELEMENTS - Various embodiments provide materials, apparatus, and methods for forming an image. Exemplary imaging apparatus can include one or more light sources configured to treat toner images after they are transferred on an image receiving substrate (e.g., a copy sheet). The toner images can be formed of an opto-thermal toner containing opto-thermal elements in a toner composition. The fuser subsystem may or may not be configured in the disclosed imaging apparatus. | 07-18-2013 |
20130216285 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, includes: a flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable; a heating element; a nip member disposed in such a manner as to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member; a reflecting plate configured to reflect radiant heat from the heating element in a direction toward the nip member; a backup member configured to nip the flexible fusing member with the nip member to thereby form a nip portion for the recording sheet between the flexible fusing member and the backup member; and a stay configured to support both end portions of the nip member. The reflecting plate has at least one flange portion, and the flange portion is held and supported between the nip member and the stay. | 08-22-2013 |
20130243502 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a first radiating portion that includes plural light sources arranged along a first direction at a determined interval, and radiates light on a recording medium on which a toner image is formed and which is transported in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and an optical member that includes plural transmission regions through which the light radiated by the plural light sources is transmitted and includes plural light diffusion portions diffusing the light in the first direction on each of the plural transmission regions. | 09-19-2013 |
20130251430 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A fixing device to fix a toner image on a sheet includes a first rotary member that rotates in a predetermined direction and a second rotary member that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the first rotary member. A stationary member is fixed inside the first rotary member to press the first and second rotary members together to form a nip portion between the rotary members. A reinforcement member is fixedly provided inside the first rotary member and pressed against the stationary member. The fixing device includes heat source to heat the first rotary member and a reflector to reflect heater light emitted from the heat source toward the first rotary member. | 09-26-2013 |
20130302075 | Fixing Device Provided with Temperature Sensor - There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The stay covers the reflection plate and supports the nip member, the stay having a profile in conformance with the outer profile of the reflection plate, and the stay being formed with one of a through-hole and a notch. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and extends through the one of the through-hole and the notch. | 11-14-2013 |
20130315640 | Fixing Device - A fixing device includes: a fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a reflection member; a stay; and a backup member. The fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and is circularly movable. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection member reflects a radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The reflection member includes a reflection portion and an extending portion. The stay covers the reflection portion and supports the nip member. The extending portion extends outside of the stay. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the nip member upon nipping the tubular flexible fusing member between the backup member and the nip member. The extending portion extends between the nip member and the stay. The extending portion is positioned exclusively downstream of the reflection portion in a sheet feeding direction. | 11-28-2013 |
20130336692 | Fixing Device Including Reflecting Plate With Tilted Ends - A fixing device includes a heating element disposed inside a flexible fusing member, a nip member disposed to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member, a reflecting plate for reflecting radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member, and a backup member for nipping the flexible fusing member with the nip member. The reflecting plate includes a central reflecting portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating element at least in a region corresponding to along a heat generating portion of the heating element, and end reflecting portions stationarily provided on both ends of the central reflecting portion. The end reflecting portions are disposed in positions longitudinally outward of the heat generating portion and each has a reflecting surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating element. | 12-19-2013 |
20140064808 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an irradiation section that irradiates a recording medium with light, the recording medium having thereon an image formed by an image forming material to be fixed by absorbing light and being transported along a transporting path, and a preventing member that is provided with a first hole that allows the light to pass therethrough, and prevents the image forming material irradiated with the light from adhering to the irradiation section. | 03-06-2014 |
20140105660 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes an irradiation section that has plural light emitting elements arranged in a first direction and emits light, a condensing section that condenses the light emitted from the irradiation section in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a supporter that includes a contact location which supports a recording medium by a surface thereof at a position of a focal length of the condensing section, and a noncontact location which is located outside the contact location in the first direction and has a surface which does not come into contact with the recording medium, wherein a distance between the surface of the noncontact location and the condensing section is different from a distance between the surface of the contact location and the condensing section. | 04-17-2014 |
20140119793 | Microwave Heating Device and Image Fixing Apparatus Using the Same - A microwave heating device enhances heating efficiency by a simple configuration. A microwave is led from one end of a conductive heating chamber in direction d | 05-01-2014 |
20140126941 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, FIXING DEVICE, AND DRYING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device forming an image on a recording medium; and a light source that, after the image has been formed by the image forming device, irradiates the recording medium with light to fix the image on the recording medium, while the recording medium moves relatively in a predetermined movement direction. The light source includes a current supply section, a light emitting section, and a current output section. Current for light emission is supplied to the current supply section. The light emitting section includes light emitting elements that are disposed two-dimensionally. At least the light emitting elements provided side by side in the movement direction are electrically connected in parallel. The current output section outputs the current that has passed through the light emitting section. The current supply section and the light emitting section are provided side by side in the movement direction. | 05-08-2014 |
20140140743 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a curved member that supports a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming material that absorbs light and is fixed, and an irradiating portion that irradiates the curved member with light from the recording medium side, wherein the light axis of the light does not intersect with a center axis of the curved member, and is substantially perpendicular to a tangential line in a middle point in a transporting direction of the recording medium in a region of the curved member supporting the recording medium. | 05-22-2014 |
20150086254 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a paper with pigment, a heating unit configured to heat the pigment and the paper from one or both surfaces of the paper, a microwave generator, and a microwave applicator arranged downstream of the heating unit and configured to heat the pigment and the paper by applying microwaves generated by the microwave generator. | 03-26-2015 |
20150093170 | FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH SAME - 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. | 04-02-2015 |
20160026122 | HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a heating device including a transparent endless pressurizing member that pressurizes a heating target, a contact member that transmits light which is emitted from a light source to heat the heating target, and comes in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the pressurizing member, a support member that supports the contact member within the pressurizing member, and a reflection section that is provided between the contact member and the support member, and reflects light toward a side opposite to the support member. | 01-28-2016 |
20160062282 | LIGHT IRRADIATION DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a light irradiation device including plural first irradiation units that irradiate an irradiation target area on a surface to be irradiated with light beams and are disposed in a specific direction, and plural second irradiation units that irradiate an outside of the irradiation target area with light beams and are disposed at an outer side of the first irradiation units in the specific direction, wherein light beams emitted from two adjacent irradiation units among the plural first irradiation units and the plural second irradiation units are superimposed with each other in the specific direction, and a first irradiation width that is not superimposed with the light beam from the adjacent first irradiation unit is smaller than a second irradiation width that is not superimposed with the light beam from the other adjacent first irradiation unit. | 03-03-2016 |
20160070212 | FIXING DEVICE - A fixing device includes: a non-contact heating portion that includes at least one non-contact heating unit which heats a toner image on a sheet; and a pressurizing and heating unit that is provided downstream in a sheet transport direction with respect to the non-contact heating portion and that pressurizes and heats the toner image. A time from a first point of time when the toner image reaches a toner melting temperature by heating of the non-contact heating portion to a second point of time when the toner image enters the pressurizing and heating unit is set equal to or more than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time when a ratio between the weight of the toner in the toner image before the entrance and the sum of the weight of the toner and the weight of the carrier liquid is equal to or more than 70%. | 03-10-2016 |
20160077476 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a light source that emits laser light; a condensing member including a lens having a first surface from which the laser light enters and a second surface from which the laser light emerges, the lens condensing the laser light that has entered from the first surface and emitting the laser light from the second surface; and a roller provided in contact with the condensing member and that transports a recording medium advanced into a position between the roller and the condensing member. A portion of the second surface is made of a material that blocks the laser light. In a section perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the roller, a plane of contact between the roller and the condensing member includes at least a part of the portion made of the material that blocks the laser light. | 03-17-2016 |
20160077477 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A fixing device includes a light source that radiates a laser beam, a converging member that converges the laser beam, and a roller that is positioned so as to be in contact with the converging member and that transports a recording medium, which enters between the roller and the converging member. The converging member includes a lens that converges the laser beam, which is incident on a first surface of the lens, and emits the laser beam from a second surface of the lens and a holding member made of a material that does not transmit the laser beam, the holding member holding the lens. In the cross-sectional view perpendicular to a rotation axis of the roller, a contact surface in which the roller and the converging member are in contact with each other includes at least a portion of a surface of the holding member and the second surface. | 03-17-2016 |
20160132000 | FIXING LIQUID TONER - In one embodiment, a printer includes a device configured to form a semisolid toner film on a print substrate and a fixer configured to, without contacting the toner film, soften the toner film on the print substrate until polymers in the toner are mobile enough to allow polymer functional groups to bond with the print substrate. | 05-12-2016 |
20160195840 | LENS, FIXING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 07-07-2016 |
399338000 | Contact | 3 |
20120269562 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes a belt member for heating in a nip an image formed on a recording material; an urging portion, contacted to an inner surface of the belt member, for forming the nip; a guide portion, contacted to the inner surface of the belt member at an end portion, for guiding rotation of the belt member; a belt unit, including at least the belt member, the urging member and the guide portion, integrally detachably mountable to the image heating apparatus, wherein the belt member is detachably mountable to the belt unit; a frame for supporting the belt unit; and a limiting portion, provided on the frame, for limiting the belt member by abutment to an edge of the belt member. | 10-25-2012 |
20130101326 | METALLIZATION PROCESS FOR MAKING FUSER MEMBERS - The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved metallization process for making fuser members which avoids the extra steps of metal nanoparticle seeding or special substrate treatment. In embodiments, a metallized substrate, formed by dip-coating or spraying with a metal nanoparticle dispersion which is subsequently thermally annealed, is used for the complete fabrication of the fuser member. | 04-25-2013 |
20160098001 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image to a recording material includes a cylindrical film, a heater configured to make contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate, and a heat conduction member configured to make contact with a surface of the heater opposite to a surface thereof being in contact with the film, the heat conduction member having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the substrate, and being divided into parts in a generatrix direction of the film. The toner image formed on the recording material is fixed on the recording material by using heat of the film, and one of the parts of the heat conduction member is configured to make contact with the heater continuously from a center to an end of a heat generation region of the heater in the generatrix direction. | 04-07-2016 |