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:
Feb. 15, 2005
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2003
Robert G. Pirwitz, Pittsford, NY (US);
Robert G. Pirwitz, Pittsford, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A belt fuser includes fuser and tension rollers rotatably supported in a frame. A belt reeved over the fuser and tension rollers holds at least two idler rollers in place and forms a nip with the fuser roller. The tension roller is connected to a tension control mechanism that applies, through the tension roller, a tension force in the belt and a normal force against the fuser roller throughout the nip. Because the belt holds the idler rollers in place, they can be of low-cost, light-weight, compact construction and require no additional support. Fusing nip length, dwell time, and thermal efficiency are greatly improved over two roll fusers, and the fusing temperature can be significantly reduced as a result. The belt fuser is more compact than previous belt fusers, occupying only slightly more space than conventional two roll fusers.