The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2024
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2023
Shogo Nakamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Kanagawa, JP;
Daisuke Inoue, Tokyo, JP;
RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing device includes an endless fixing rotator, a slide aid, a pressure rotator, a nip formation plate, a support, a heat source, and a reflector. The endless fixing rotator has flexibility. An inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator slides over the slide aid. The pressure rotator contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The nip formation plate is disposed inside the fixing rotator to contact the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator and the slide aid to form a nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The nip formation plate has a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 10 W/mK. The support supports the nip formation plate. The heat source is disposed inside the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator. The reflector reflects radiant heat from the heat source.