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:
Oct. 21, 2025
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2024
Mototaka Iwama, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Kanagawa, JP;
Shogo Nakamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Takamasa Hase, Kanagawa, JP;
Kentaro Yamashita, Kanagawa, JP;
Daisuke Inoue, Tokyo, JP;
Mototaka Iwama, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Kanagawa, JP;
Shogo Nakamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Takamasa Hase, Kanagawa, JP;
Kentaro Yamashita, Kanagawa, JP;
Daisuke Inoue, Tokyo, JP;
RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator to fix an unfixed image on a recording medium, a pressure member disposed opposite the fixing rotator to press an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator; a heating source disposed inside an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator, and a composite member disposed inside the inner circumferential surface. The composite member includes a first member, a second member attached to the first member, and an inspection region for measurement of glossiness. The first member and the second member have a difference in glossiness. The inspection region allows identification of which one of the first member and the second member is present on a surface of the inspection region based on the glossiness of the inspection region, and determination of that the fixing device has a desired fixing configuration based on a result of the identification.