Image forming apparatus
US6832831B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J15/005
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit having a print head for applying ink to a surface layer of a recording medium transported thereto; a loop-forming unit capable of temporarily storing the recording medium discharged from the printing unit; and a heating unit for heating the recording medium fed from the loop-forming unit for fixing the ink applied to the surface layer onto its fixing layer. The heating unit includes a preliminary heating subunit for heating the recording medium from a normal temperature level to a ink fixing temperature level, a main heating unit for heating the recording medium at the ink fixing temperature level and a slow cooling subunit for slowly cooling the recording medium to the normal temperature level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.