US 12,235,601 B2
Nip forming device including a separator for separating a conveyed object having passed through a nip from an endless belt, fixing device including the nip forming device, and image forming apparatus including the nip forming device
Yukimichi Someya, Saitama (JP); Yuusuke Furuichi, Kanagawa (JP); Tomoya Adachi, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Shimada, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Yukimichi Someya, Saitama (JP); Yuusuke Furuichi, Kanagawa (JP); Tomoya Adachi, Kanagawa (JP); and Hiroyuki Shimada, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/184,190.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-042543 (JP), filed on Mar. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0297016 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2057 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2064 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2038 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A nip forming device comprising:
an endless belt that is flexible, the endless belt configured to rotate;
a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential face of the endless belt, wherein the nip formation pad includes a heater configured to heat the endless belt;
a pressure rotator configured to rotate, the pressure rotator configured to press against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, the nip through which a conveyed object is conveyed;
a housing configured to support the pressure rotator;
a separator disposed downstream from the nip in a conveyance direction in which the conveyed object is conveyed, the separator configured to separate the conveyed object from the endless belt, the separator configured to move toward and away from the endless belt; and
a restrictor configured to restrict motion of the separator that moves toward the endless belt, the restrictor mounted on the housing.