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. 16, 2018
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2016
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideo Nagafuji, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Miyagi, JP;
Yutaka Ikebuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Motoyoshi Yamano, Kanagawa, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideo Nagafuji, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Miyagi, JP;
Yutaka Ikebuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Motoyoshi Yamano, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a heater to heat the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad presses against the pressure rotator via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The nip formation pad includes an upstream portion disposed upstream from the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing rotator. A recess is disposed in the upstream portion of the nip formation pad. A friction reducer is sandwiched between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator and bears a lubricant.