US4565439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low mass heat and pressure fuser
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1984-10-31
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Granted: 1986-01-21
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Expires: 2004-10-31
Abstract
Abstract Heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing toner images. The fusing apparatus is characterized by the separation of the heat and pressure functions such that the heat and pressure are effected at different locations on a thin flexible belt forming the toner contacting surface. A pressure roll cooperates with a non-rotating mandrel to form a nip through which the belt and copy substrate pass simultaneously. The belt is heated such that by the time it passes through the nip its temperature together with the applied pressure is sufficient for fusing the toner images passing therethrough. The non-rotating mandrel is adapted to having its axis skewed relative to the axis of the pressure roll. A pair of edge sensors are provided for activating as mandrel skewing mechanism. Skewing of the mandrel by such mechanism effects proper belt tracking.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott D. Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/2003; G03G2215/2016; G03G2215/2035; G03G2215/2038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Heat and pressure fuser apparatus for fixing toner images on substrates, said apparatus comprising: belt structure adapted to contact toner images; means including a non-rotating mandrel for supporting said belt structure; means for effecting movement of said belt structure about said mandrel; means cooperating with said non-rotating mandrel to exert pressure on said belt and toner images contacted by the belt structure; and means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel thereby causing it to be skewed relative to the axis of said cooperating means whereby proper tracking of said belt as it moves about said belt supporting structure is accomplished.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Heat and pressure fuser apparatus for fixing toner images on substrates, said apparatus comprising: belt structure adapted to contact toner images; means including a non-rotating mandrel for supporting said belt structure; means for effecting movement of said belt structure about said mandrel; means cooperating with said non-rotating mandrel to exert pressure on said belt and toner images contacted by the belt structure; and means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel thereby causing it to be skewed relative to the axis of said cooperating means whereby proper tracking of said belt as it moves about said belt supporting structure is accomplished.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel comprises a pair of sensors which sense the pressure of the edges of said belt structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said belt structure is relatively thin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said thin belt comprises electroformed nickel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 including a layer of conformable material adhered to the surface of said belt that contacts the toner images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including temperature elevating means for said belt structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said temperature elevating means comprises a rotating tube heater having an internal source of heat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said belt structure supporting means includes said rotating tube heater.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
Printing apparatus comprises: means for forming toner images on substrates, said apparatus comprising: belt structure adapted to contact toner images; means including a non-rotating mandrel for supporting said belt structure; means for effecting movement of said belt structure about said mandrel; means cooperating with said non-rotating mandrel to exert pressure on said belt and toner images contacted by the belt structure; and means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel thereby causing it to be skewed relative to the axis of said cooperating means whereby proper tracking of said belt as it moves about said belt supporting structure is accomplished.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
Printing apparatus comprises: means for forming toner images on substrates, said apparatus comprising: belt structure adapted to contact toner images; means including a non-rotating mandrel for supporting said belt structure; means for effecting movement of said belt structure about said mandrel; means cooperating with said non-rotating mandrel to exert pressure on said belt and toner images contacted by the belt structure; and means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel thereby causing it to be skewed relative to the axis of said cooperating means whereby proper tracking of said belt as it moves about said belt supporting structure is accomplished.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for effecting movement of said non-rotating mandrel comprises a pair of sensors which sense the pressure of the edges of said belt structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said belt structure is relatively thin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said thin belt comprises electroformed nickel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including a layer of conformable material adhered to the surface of said belt that contacts the toner images.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 including temperature elevating means for said belt structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said temperature elevating means comprises a rotating tube heater having an internal source of heat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said belt structure supporting means includes said rotating tube heater.
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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) | 1989-01-20 | 1989-07-22 | 1990-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-20 | 1993-07-22 | 1994-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-20 | 1997-07-22 | 1998-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |