Fixing device having self loading mechanism and image forming apparatus using the same
AssigneeTokyo Kenki Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorToshitsugu Ishiguro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fixing device includes fixing and pressure rollers rotatably supported by the frame, and a compressible cleaning pad supported by the holder, which is inserted into and engaged with the frame. The cleaning pad is in contact with the fixing surface of the fixing roller such that the cleaning pad is not compressed when the fixing roller is not rotated and is compressed to effect the cleaning operation when the fixing roller is rotated.
Claims19
A fixing device which receives a medium on which a toner is supported, comprising:
- rotatable fixing means the fixing the toner on the medium, the fixing means having a cylindrical fixing surface which is subject to transfer of part of the toner;
- and
- compressible cleaning means, contacting with a portion of the fixing surface of the fixing means, for cleaning the transferred toner on the fixing surface of the fixing means, the cleaning means being caused to compress to effect a cleaning operation only while the fixing means is rotated.
A fixing device which receives a medium on which a toner is supported, comprising:
- means for fixing the toner on the medium, the fixing means having a cylindrical fixing surface which is subject to transfer of a part of the toner;
- compressible cleaning means for cleaning the transferred toner on the cylindrical fixing surface of the fixing means, the cleaning means being located at a first position on the fixing surface at which the cleaning means is not substantially compressed when the fixing means is not activated;
- and
- loading means for moving the cleaning means from the first position to a second position on the fixing surface at which the cleaning means is compressed to effect a cleaning operation when the fixing means is activated.
A fixing device which receives a medium on which a toner is supported, comprising:
- a frame;
- an elongated fixing roller, having a rotational center, rotatably supported by the frame;
- an elongated pressure roller rotatably supported by the frame and forcibly engaged with the fixing roller to carry out a fixing operation in which the toner on the medium is fixed;
- an elongated cleaning holder, having an inclined elongated surface, detachably located in the frame;
- a compressible cleaning pad supported by the inclined elongated surface of the cleaning holder so that a surface of the compressible cleaning pad is slanted, the surface of the compressible cleaning pad being in contact with a portion of a surface of the fixing roller offset by a prescribed amount from a perpendicular line passing through the rotational center of the fixing roller;
- and
- engaging means for performing an engagement of the cleaning holder and the frame when the cleaning holder is located at a predetermined position in the frame.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- image forming means for forming an image on a medium, as a toner image, by using a toner;
- a frame;
- an elongated fixing roller, having a rotational center, rotatably supported by the frame;
- an elongated pressure roller rotatably supported by the frame and forcibly engaged with the fixing roller to carry out a fixing operation in which the toner image is fixed on the medium;
- an elongated cleaning holder, having an inclined elongated surface, detachably inserted in the frame;
- a compressible cleaning pad supported by the inclined elongated surface of the cleaning holder so that a surface of the compressible cleaning pad is slanted, the surface of the compressible cleaning pad being in contact with a portion of a surface of the fixing roller offset by a prescribed amount from a perpendicular line passing through the rotational center of the fixing roller;
- and
- engaging means for performing an engagement of the cleaning holder and the frame when the holder is located at a predetermined position in the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.