Appeal No. 2000-1347
Application No. 08/740,283
apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or the like”
(specification, page 1). The fixing device, which is heated
by an electrical resistance member, is particularly designed
to reduce the possibility of electrical shock to an operator
and current leak damage to other electrical components (see,
for example, pages 8 and 9 in the appellant’s specification).
Claim 1 is illustrative of the subject matter on appeal and
reads as follows:
1. A fixing device for heating and fixing an unfixed
image to a record member bearing said unfixed image,
comprising:
a heating roller having a core roller and a layer of
a resistance heating material formed on an outer peripheral
surface of said core roller and operable to generate heat
when an electric current flows therethrough;
a pair of carriers rotatably carrying end portions of
said heating roller;
a pair of ring-shaped current receiver members each
located between said carrier and a center of said heating
roller, being adapted to rotate together with said
heating roller and electrically connected to said resistance
heating material layer;
a pair of current supply members being in contact
with and electrically connected to said current receiver
members, respectively; and
insulating members made of an electrical insulation
material, each being in contact with an outer end of said
current receiver member and extending toward said carrier
2
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