Patent ID: 6485878
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming method comprising developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor to form a toner image employing a developer comprising a toner, transferring the toner image onto an image forming material, and fixing the transferred toner image employing a fixing unit, whereinthe fixing unit comprises a heating roller and a pressure roller which is brought into contact with said heating roller, the heating roller is comprised of a cylinder having an interior diameter of from 10 to 70 mm and a wall thickness of from 0.1 to 2 mm comprised of a metal or a metal alloy, and a heating member being incorporated in the interior, a surface of the cylinder being covered with an elastic material having an Asker hardness C of less than 70 degrees at a thickness of 0.1 to 30 mm, and the pressure roller is comprised of a metal cylinder whose surface is covered with an elastic material having an Asker hardness C of less than 80 degrees at a thickness of from 0.1 to 30 mm.