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. 20, 2018
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2016
Arinobu Yoshiura, Miyagi, JP;
Hideo Nagafuji, Kanagawa, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Yutaka Ikebuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Motoyoshi Yamano, Kanagawa, JP;
Arinobu Yoshiura, Miyagi, JP;
Hideo Nagafuji, Kanagawa, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Yutaka Ikebuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Motoyoshi Yamano, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater that heats the fixing rotator. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A pressure rotator presses against the nip formation pad via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A low-friction member is sandwiched between the nip formation pad and the fixing rotator and bears a lubricant that flows in a flow direction. A thermal absorber is mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. At least one irregular portion, mounted on the thermal absorber, blocks the lubricant flowing in the flow direction.