Patent · US Expired

Fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet-shaped recording medium

US7024145B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
3References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 2004
Grant dateApr 4, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/2064
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet-shaped recording medium is disclosed. A first roller incorporates a heat source therein. A second roller is pressed toward the first roller. A part of an endless belt is wound on an outer periphery of the second roller to be circulated. A non-rotatable belt stretcher stretches the endless belt together with the second roller such that the circulated endless belt is slid on a first face extending in a widthwise direction of the endless belt, and such that a tensile force is applied to both widthwise end portions of the endless belt. The circulated endless belt is nipped between the first roller and the second roller to form a first nip portion through which the unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording medium with heat from the heat source. The first face is curved in the widthwise direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.