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. 04, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1997
Masaru Tsuji, Nara, JP;
Shinichi Azumi, Yamatotakada, JP;
Kouji Yamaji, Soraku-gun, JP;
Atsushi Kadoya, Nara, JP;
Toshiaki Kagawa, Sakurai, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A heat-resistant sheet, which has slits formed therein, is provided between a fixing roller and a pressure member. The heat-resistant sheet, which has a thickness of 300 .mu.m, is coated with a synthetic resin material having superior toner-releasing and heat-resisting properties, or incorporates such a synthetic resin material inside thereof. Here, a recording material is transported between the fixing roller and the heat-resistant sheet. As the surface temperature of the fixing roller rises, the heat-resistant sheet starts expanding gradually, causing its surface to be warped. However, unless the temperature of the fixing roller exceeds a set temperature, the expansion of the heat-resistant sheet and its surface deflection are all absorbed by the slits, and the slit width becomes zero. Therefore, it is possible to keep an optimal nip width while maintaining a proper applied pressure of the pressure member, without the necessity of using a heat-releasing device or increase the thickness of the heat-resistant sheet. As a result, a superior fixing operation is available by using the heat-resistant sheet having the slits.