Intermediary transfer apparatus, fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus

• US 20050025534A1
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,202 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 intermediary transfer apparatus for transferring an unfixed image from an intermediary transfer member to a recording medium, the intermediary transfer apparatus comprising:

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.

2. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member in synchronization with the conveyance of the unfixed image.

3. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating in a range larger than a minimum resolution spot size for recording the unfixed image.

4. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member is heated in the vicinity of where the unfixed image is transferred to the recording medium and upstream with respect to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed.

5. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member in a state not contacting the intermediary transfer member and the recording medium.

6. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the intermediary transfer member by irradiating a laser beam thereto.

7. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intermediary transfer member has a light energy absorbing property.

8. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intermediary transfer member has a light transmittable property.

9. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the laser beam is transmitted from a side of the intermediary transfer member that is opposite to the side on which the unfixed image is situated.

10. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a protective member disposed at a prescribed position for receiving the laser beam via the intermediary transfer member.

11. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protective member is a member capable of reflecting light.

12. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the protective member is a member capable of diffusing light.

28. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising:

the intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

29. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the formed image is at least one of a monochrome image and a color image.

30. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing crystalline polyester.

31. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing an infrared absorbing agent.

32. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein a tracking pattern is formed in an area encompassing the image.

13. An intermediary transfer apparatus for transferring an unfixed image from an intermediary transfer member to a recording medium, the intermediary transfer apparatus comprising:

a heating unit for selectively heating a prescribed portion of the recording medium in a width direction of the intermediary transfer member, the width direction of the intermediary transfer member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed.

14. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the recording medium in synchronization with the conveyance of the unfixed image.

15. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating in a range larger than a minimum resolution spot size for recording the unfixed image.

16. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the prescribed portion of the recording medium is heated in the vicinity of where the unfixed image is transferred to the recording medium and upstream with respect to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed.

17. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the recording medium in a state not contacting the intermediary transfer member and the recording medium.

18. The intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the recording medium by irradiating a laser beam thereto.

33. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising:

the intermediary transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13.

34. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the formed image is at least one of a monochrome image and a color image.

35. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing crystalline polyester.

36. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing an infrared absorbing agent.

37. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein a tracking pattern is formed in an area encompassing the image.

19. A fixing apparatus for transferring an unfixed image from an intermediary transfer member to a recording medium via a fixing member, the fixing apparatus comprising:

a heating unit for selectively heating a prescribed portion of the fixing member to which the unfixed image is to be transferred from the intermediary transfer member, in a width direction of the fixing member, the width direction of the fixing member perpendicularly intersecting the direction in which the unfixed image is conveyed.

20. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the fixing member in synchronization with the conveyance of the unfixed image.

21. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating in a range larger than a minimum resolution spot size for recording the unfixed image.

22. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the prescribed portion of the fixing member is heated in the vicinity of where the unfixed image is transferred to the recording medium and upstream with respect to the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed.

23. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the fixing member in a state not contacting the fixing member and the recording medium.

24. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating the prescribed portion of the fixing member by irradiating a laser beam thereto.

25. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fixing member has a light energy absorbing property.

26. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fixing member has a light transmittable property.

27. The fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the laser beam is transmitted from a side of the fixing member that is opposite to the side on which the unfixed image is situated.

38. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising:

the fixing apparatus as claimed in claim 19.

39. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the formed image is at least one of a monochrome image and a color image.

40. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing crystalline polyester.

41. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the image is formed by using a toner containing an infrared absorbing agent.

42. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein a tracking pattern is formed in an area encompassing the image.