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:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1996
Chikara Hiraoka, Chiyoda-machi, JP;
Junichi Matsuno, Tsuchiura, JP;
Hiromitsu Fukuda, Chiyoda-machi, JP;
Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In a color electrophotographic apparatus, a belt fixing device which includes a pressure roller and a plurality of belt transport rollers for rotating a belt are provided for fixing unfixed toner. In the belt fixing device, a heating roller and a driving roller, which constitute the belt transport rollers, are always kept in contact with the pressure roller so that a fixing belt is curved in contact with the pressure roller, and after fused toner has been cooled, the driving roller applies pressure to the toner to separate the toner from the belt. According to this arrangement, a small-sized fixing device is achieved in which no silicone oil is needed and in which the running stability of sheets and the fixing belt is superior so that a high-quality fixed image can be obtained. A color electrophotographic apparatus using such a fixing device is also achieved.