Toner fixing apparatus

Claim 2

In a xerographic machine of the type wherein toner images are electrostatically held to a support material which is moved along a support material feed path through the machine, fixing means including: a radiant energy power source located along the support material feed path to fix the toner images to the support material moved therepast; and roller means located adjacent the support material feed path in advance of said radiant energy power source, said roller means providing at least 50 pounds pressure per linear inch and extending generally transversly of said support material feed path and of such length as to precompact the effective toner image on said support material.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said roller means are unheated stainless steel rollers adapted to apply between 50 and 200 pounds pressure per linear inch to the toner images.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said radiant energy source is a xenon flash tube within a reflective cavity.

Claim 5

A xerographic reproducing machine including means to electrostatically adhere a toner image to a support material, a receiving station to receive the support material with the toner image, means to move the support material along a support material feed path from said image-adhering means to said receiving station and fusing means located along the support material feed path, said fusing means including: a pair of rollers positioned on opposite sides of the support material feed path through which the support material must pass as it is moved to said receiving station said roller means providing at least 50 pounds pressure per linear inch and extending generally transversely of said support material feed path and of such length as to partially fix the effective toner image on said support material; means to rotate said rollers at a linear speed equal to that of the movement of the paper; and radiant fusing means positioned between said rollers and said receiving station to complete the fix of the toner image to the support material.

Claim 6

A xerographic reproducing machine including means to electrostatically adhere a toner image to a support material, a receiving station to receive the support material with the toner image, means to move the support material along a support material feed path from said image-adhering means to said receiving station and fusing means located along the support material feed path, said fusing means including: a pair of rollers positioned on opposite sides of the support material feed path through which the support material must pass as it is moved to said receiving station said roller means providing at least 50 pounds pressure per linear inch and extending generally transversely of said support material feed path and of such length as to partially fix the effective toner image on said support material; means to rotate said rollers at a linear speed equal to that of the movement of the paper; and radiant fusing means positioned between said rollers and said receiving station to complete the fix of the toner image to the support material.

Claim 7

The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said radiant energy source is a xenon flash tube capable of emitting energy at a wavelength whereat it is absorbed by the toner image but not the support material.

Claim 8

The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said roller means are stainless steel and are adjustably mounted with respect to each other to apply between 50 and 200 pounds pressure per linear inch to the toner images and support material passed therebetween.

Claim 9

Fusing apparatus for a xerographic reproducing machine of the type wherein a support material is fed along a support material feed path from a supply station to a receiving station, a transfer means located along the support material feed path between the supply and receiving station whereat toner images are electrostatically transferred to the support material, said fusing apparatus including: a pair of stainless steel rollers located on opposite sides of the support material sheet feed path between the transfer means and the receiving station said roller means extending generally transversely of said support material feed path and of such length as to partially fix the effective toner image on said support material; means to adjustably support said rollers so as to apply between 50 and 200 pounds pressure per linear inch to support material and toner images passed therebetween; means to rotate said rollers at a speed equal to the linear speed of the support material passed therebetween; a xenon flash tube located in a reflective cavity along the support material feed path between said rollers and said receiving station and adapted to emit radiant energy at a wavelength whereby it will be absorbed by toner images but not absorbed by support material moved therepast to complete the fix; and brush means located along the support material feed path between said flash tube and said receiving means adapted to rotate and remove unfused toner from the support material.

Claim 10

Fusing apparatus for a xerographic reproducing machine of the type wherein a support material is fed along a support material feed path from a supply station to a receiving station, a transfer means located along the support material feed path between the supply and receiving station whereat toner images are electrostatically transferred to the support material, said fusing apparatus including: a pair of stainless steel rollers located on opposite sides of the support material sheet feed path between the transfer means and the receiving station said roller means extending generally transversely of said support material feed path and of such length as to partially fix the effective toner image on said support material; means to adjustably support said rollers so as to apply between 50 and 200 pounds pressure per linear inch to support material and toner images passed therebetween; means to rotate said rollers at a speed equal to the linear speed of the support material passed therebetween; a xenon flash tube located in a reflective cavity along the support material feed path between said rollers and said receiving station and adapted to emit radiant energy at a wavelength whereby it will be absorbed by toner images but not absorbed by support material moved therepast to complete the fix; and brush means located along the support material feed path between said flash tube and said receiving means adapted to rotate and remove unfused toner from the support material.