Sheet wrapping avoidable fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus
US7693471B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/2028
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fixing apparatus includes a fixing member to be heated and a pressure-contacting member for pressure contacting the fixing member. The fixing apparatus directs and conveys a recording member through a nip formed between the fixing member and pressure applying member in such a manner that a toner image carried on a recording member contacts the fixing member in order to be fixed thereto with heat and pressure. The fixing apparatus is configured to direct a tip margin of the recording member toward the pressure applying member across a virtual linear extension line drawn from a downstream end to upstream end of the nip when only the tip margin exits from the nip. A fixing member side separation device may be separately provided from the surface of the fixing apparatus so as to separate the recording member exiting from the nip. A gap formed between the downstream end of the nip and the tip of the fixing member side separation device is set smaller than the width of the tip margin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.