Intermediary transfer apparatus, fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus

• US 7,127,202 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Kunii, Hiroyuki, Someya, Yukimichi, Ue, Kohji, Fujita, Takashi, Kikuchi, Hisashi, Nakafuji, Atsushi, Kurotaka, Shigeo, Echigo, Katsuhiro, Baba, Toshihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HOAN H
• Application Number:
  US10/873,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20050025534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 399/297, 399/298, 399/302, 399/307, 399/308, 399/107, 399/121, 430/124, 430/126, 347/131
• US Class Current: 399/307
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/1665 by introducing the second base in the nip formed by the recording member and at least one transfer member, e.g. in combination with bias or heat
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/1695 at the second or higher order transfer point

Abstract

An intermediary transfer apparatus for transferring an unfixed image from an intermediary transfer member to a recording medium is disclosed. The intermediary transfer apparatus includes a heating unit for selectively heating a prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member on which the unfixed image is situated, in a width direction of the intermediary transfer member, the width direction of the intermediary transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the unfixed image is conveyed.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a transfer member for carrying a toner image on a surface thereof and transferring the toner image to a recording medium; and

a heating unit for selectively heating the toner image on the surface of the transfer member in a width direction of the transfer member, the width direction of the transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the toner image is conveyed;

wherein the heating unit is configured to separately heat plural heating parts of the transfer member in an axial direction in a range larger than a minimum resolution spot size for recording the toner image.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is configured to separately heat plural heating parts of the transfer member in an axial direction in a range of 600/72 or more with respect to the minimum resolution spot size for recording the toner image.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is configured to heat the transfer member in synchronization with the conveyance of the toner image.

4. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is configured to heat the transfer member by irradiating a laser beam thereto.

5. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transfer member has a light energy absorbing property.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transfer member has a light transmittable property.

7. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the laser beam is transmitted from a side of the transfer member that is opposite to the side on which the toner image is situated.

8. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a protective member disposed at a prescribed position for receiving the laser beam via the transfer member.

9. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the protective member is a member configured to reflect light.

10. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the protective member is a member configured to diffuse light.

11. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit includes a thermal head.

12. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toner image is formed by using a toner containing crystalline polyester.

13. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toner image is formed by using a toner containing an infrared absorbing agent.

14. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a transfer member for carrying a toner image on a surface thereof and transferring the toner image to a recording medium; and

a heating unit for selectively heating a part of the surface of a recording medium corresponding to the toner image in a width direction of the transfer member, the width direction of the transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed;

wherein the heating unit is configured to separately heat plural heating parts of the recording medium in an axial direction in a range larger than a minimum resolution spot size for recording the toner image.

15. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating unit is configured to separately heat plural heating parts of the recording medium in an axial direction in a range of 600/72 or more with respect to the minimum resolution spot size for recording the toner image.

16. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating unit is configured to heat the recording medium in synchronization with the conveyance of the toner image.

17. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating unit is configured to heat the recording medium by irradiating a laser beam thereto.

18. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heating unit includes a thermal head.

19. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the toner image is formed by using a toner containing crystalline polyester.

20. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the toner image is formed by using a toner containing an infrared absorbing agent.

21. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

a heating unit for selectively heating a toner image in a width direction of a transfer member, the width direction of the transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the toner image is conveyed;

wherein a tracking pattern is formed in an area encompassing the toner image.