US4512650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuser apparatus having a uniform heat distribution
Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1983-11-04
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Granted: 1985-04-23
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Expires: 2003-11-04
Abstract
Abstract Fuser apparatus includes a heated fuser member, such as a fuser roller, for fusing a toner image carried by a support moved into contact with the member at a fusing region. The apparatus includes an assembly located in advance of the fusing region and external to the fuser member for maintaining the temperature of the fuser member at the fusing region substantially uniform along the length thereof by redistributing heat from hotter regions to colder regions along the length of the member. The assembly preferably includes a heat pipe which engages the fuser member in advance of the fusing region. The heat pipe may also apply release material to the fuser member and be heated to heat the fuser member.
Inventors
- 👤 Haribhajan S. Kocher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2039; G03G15/2042; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Fuser apparatus comprising: a movable heated fuser member for fusing a toner image carried by a support moved into contact with the member at a fusing region; and means for maintaining the temperature of said fusing member substantially uniform along the length thereof by redistributing heat from hotter regions to cooler regions of the member, said temperature maintaining means being located in advance of said fusing region relative to the direction of support movement, and said temperature maintaining means being in engagement with said fuser member and movable relative to the fuser member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Fuser apparatus comprising: a movable heated fuser member for fusing a toner image carried by a support moved into contact with the member at a fusing region; and means for maintaining the temperature of said fusing member substantially uniform along the length thereof by redistributing heat from hotter regions to cooler regions of the member, said temperature maintaining means being located in advance of said fusing region relative to the direction of support movement, and said temperature maintaining means being in engagement with said fuser member and movable relative to the fuser member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature maintaining means includes a heat pipe engaging said fusing member in advance of said fusing region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 2 including means for supplying release material to said heat pipe and wherein said heat pipe applies said release material to said fuser member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fuser member is a roller having an elastomeric layer which contacts said support and including a heat source located inside said roller for heating said elastomer layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
Fuser apparatus comprising: a first roller which is heated, said first roller having an external fusing surface; a second roller, said first and second rollers forming a nip for fusing toner image carrying supports moved through said nip; and means for maintaining the temperature of said first roller substantially uniform along the length thereof at least in the region of said nip by redistributing heat from hotter regions to cooler regions of the roller, said temperature maintaining means being located external to said first roller and in advance of said nip relative to the direction of support movement, and said temperature maintaining means being in thermal contact with the external fusing surface of said first roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
Fuser apparatus comprising: a first roller which is heated, said first roller having an external fusing surface; a second roller, said first and second rollers forming a nip for fusing toner image carrying supports moved through said nip; and means for maintaining the temperature of said first roller substantially uniform along the length thereof at least in the region of said nip by redistributing heat from hotter regions to cooler regions of the roller, said temperature maintaining means being located external to said first roller and in advance of said nip relative to the direction of support movement, and said temperature maintaining means being in thermal contact with the external fusing surface of said first roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 5 including a heater element located internally of said first roller for heating said roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 5 wherein said temperature maintaining means includes an externally located heat pipe engaging said first roller in advance of the nip between said first and second rollers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 7 including means for supplying release material to said heat pipe and wherein said heat pipe applies said release material to said first roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat pipe is heated by external means and wherein said first roller is heated by said heat pipe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fuser apparatus of claim 9 including means for supplying release material to said heat pipe and wherein said heat pipe applies said release material to said first roller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-10-22 | 1989-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-22 | 1992-10-22 | 1993-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-22 | 1996-10-22 | 1997-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |