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:
Jan. 22, 2002
Filed:
May. 03, 2001
Hiroshi Yokoyama, Yokohama, JP;
Toshiaki Higaya, Kawasaki, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A device configured to be heated to a temperature sufficient to fuse an image forming substance to a sheet includes a hollow roller made of a conductive material and a coil arranged in a hollow portion of the hollow roller. The coil is configured to carry an electrical current that induces a current in the conductive material of the hollow roller such that the hollow roller becomes heated so as to fuse toner to a sheet. The coil is mounted on a member that is disposed in the hollow portion of the roller. The member includes various combinations of features that permit a reliable and safe operation of the induction heating apparatus such as recess and projections formed in the member to separate respective turns in the coil, a hollow center of the member that can be ventilated with a ventilation fan, and predefined gaps being maintained between the inside surface of the hollow roller and an outer surface of the coil.