US 11,681,250 B2
Nip former, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Kanagawa (JP); Takashi Seto, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP); Kentaro Yamashita, Shizuoka (JP); and Daisuke Inoue, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to RICOH COMPANY, LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Toshiyuki Kabata, Kanagawa (JP); Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Kanagawa (JP); Takashi Seto, Kanagawa (JP); Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Chiba (JP); Kentaro Yamashita, Shizuoka (JP); and Daisuke Inoue, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/900,880.
Claims priority of application No. JP2021-153761 (JP), filed on Sep. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0093465 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/2057 (2013.01) [G03G 15/206 (2013.01); G03G 15/2014 (2013.01); G03G 15/2017 (2013.01); G03G 15/2053 (2013.01); G03G 2215/20 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2003 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2048 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2054 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A nip former for forming a nip between an endless belt and a pressure rotator, the nip former comprising:
a base being made of aluminum and having a nip forming face disposed opposite the nip; and
an anodic oxidation coating treated with sealing and configured to coat at least the nip forming face, the anodic oxidation coating having a thickness being not smaller than 22 μm and not greater than 45 μm and a variation in thickness being not greater than 20 percent,
the base and the anodic oxidation coating defining a nip forming portion disposed opposite the nip, the nip forming portion having a thickness being not smaller than 0.40 mm and not greater than 1.20 mm.