External heater member and methods for fusing toner images
US6611670B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/2064
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fusing apparatus for heat fixing toner images onto a receiver medium. The apparatus includes a fuser member including an elastomeric contact surface; a pressure member forming a fusing nip to receive the receiver medium; a heater member including a conformable base cushion layer and an outer polymeric layer disposed over the base cushion layer, the heater member being in contact with the fuser and external thereto; and a radiant heat subsystem positioned externally of the heater member to provide heat to the surface of the first heater member which then contacts the fuser member so as to transfer heat thereto. The heater member is adapted to controllably exert pressure on the fuser member in order to controllably transfer heat to the fuser member, thereby providing control over the fusing capabilities of an eletrophotographic process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.