US4266115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hot roll fusing device
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1979-05-21
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Granted: 1981-05-05
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Expires: 1999-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A heated fuser roll for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface. The fuser roll includes an electrically conductive core member having a plurality of axially disposed longitudinal channels lying along the outer surface of the core member, and a heating element formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of the material increases with increasing temperature positioned in each of the channels. A layer of a thermally conductive material covers the outer exposed surfaces of both the core member and heating elements, and a sleeve member is positioned around the thermally conductive material.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh St. L. Dannatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:43
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/0095; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A heated fuser roll for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface, said fuser roll comprising: an electrically conductive core member including a plurality of axially disposed longitudinal channels lying along the outer surface of said core member; a heating element formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of said material increases with increasing temperature positioned in each of said channels; a layer of a thermally conductive material covering the outer exposed surfaces of both said core member and said heating elements; and a sleeve member positioned around said thermally conductive material, said thermally conductive material being in a resilient form to withstand repeated thermal cycles and remain in contiguous contact with said core member, heating elements and sleeve member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A heated fuser roll for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface, said fuser roll comprising: an electrically conductive core member including a plurality of axially disposed longitudinal channels lying along the outer surface of said core member; a heating element formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of said material increases with increasing temperature positioned in each of said channels; a layer of a thermally conductive material covering the outer exposed surfaces of both said core member and said heating elements; and a sleeve member positioned around said thermally conductive material, said thermally conductive material being in a resilient form to withstand repeated thermal cycles and remain in contiguous contact with said core member, heating elements and sleeve member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of each of said heating elements are coated with a metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll according to claim 2 wherein said metal coated on said heating elements is silver or aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein said heating elements have a rectangular cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein each channel contains a plurality of heating elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein said ceramic material exhibits a Curie temperature ranging from about 150° C. to about 220° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A roll according to claim 6 wherein said ceramic material comprises barium titanate, strontium titanate and/or lead titanate, and lanthanum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said heating element is at a higher radial elevation than the upper surface of said core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A roll according to claim 8 wherein said thermally conductive material is a metallic foil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A roll according to claim 9 wherein said metallic foil is corrugated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A roll according to claim 9 wherein the thickness of said metallic foil is in the range of about 0.001" to about 0.003".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roll according to claim 9 wherein said metallic foil is made of copper or brass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein said core is made of aluminum, copper, or brass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roll according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is made of aluminum, copper or brass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A roll according to claim 1 further comprising an outer layer of silicone rubber covering said sleeve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roll according to claim 1 further comprising an outer layer of polytetra-fluoroethylene covering said sleeve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3562489A
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US3582968A
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US3645785A
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US3632971A
Cited
US3720808A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-04 | 1984-11-03 | 1985-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-04 | 1988-11-03 | 1989-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-04 | 1992-11-03 | 1993-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |