Fusing method and apparatus

Claim 2

A fusing device for heating a toner image to a fusing temperature on a receiver sheet, said device comprising: an endless heat-conductive web movable along a path; drive means for moving said web along said path; at least one heat source means for heating said web to said fusing temperature; means for stripping said receiver from said web at a point along said path downstream from said heat source means; and means for feeding said toner image on said receiver sheet into contact with said web to fuse said image to said sheet, said receiver acting as a sump to cool said image to a relatively high viscosity before said receiver reaches said stripping means.

Claim 3

A fusing device, as claimed in claim 1, said device further comprising: means for urging said receiver sheet against said web to provide intimate contact between said toner image and said web.

Claim 4

A fusing device, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said urging means includes: a corona-discharge device for causing electrostatic attraction between said receiver and said web.

Claim 5

A fusing device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means feeds said receiver sheet onto said web at said heat source means.

Claim 6

A fusing device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means feeds said receiver sheet onto said web downstream from said heat source.

Claim 7

A fusing device, as claimed in claim 1, further including: means for applying an offset-preventing material to said web to minimize offset of said toner image onto said web.

Claim 8

A fixing device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat source means includes at least two heating elements spaced along said path for heating said web.

Claim 9

A fusing device for fixing a toner image to a receiver sheet, said device comprising: an endless heat-conductive web movable along a path; at least two spaced rotatable supports for said web; drive means for moving said web along said path; a heating element in at least one of said supports for heating said web, said web having a decreasing temperature gradient in the direction of movement of said web; feed means for feeding said receiver sheet into intimate contact with said web with said toner image facing said web; a corona discharge means for electrostatically urging said receiver sheet against said web to assure intimate contact between said toner image and said web, to melt said toner image so that it is fused to said receiver; and means for stripping said receiver from said web after fusing, said receiver serving as a sump to cool said toner image after fusing so that it reaches a relatively high viscosity prior to stripping.

Claim 10

A fusing device for fixing a toner image to a receiver sheet, said device comprising: an endless heat-conductive web movable along a path; at least two spaced rotatable supports for said web; drive means for moving said web along said path; a heating element in at least one of said supports for heating said web, said web having a decreasing temperature gradient in the direction of movement of said web; feed means for feeding said receiver sheet into intimate contact with said web with said toner image facing said web; a corona discharge means for electrostatically urging said receiver sheet against said web to assure intimate contact between said toner image and said web, to melt said toner image so that it is fused to said receiver; and means for stripping said receiver from said web after fusing, said receiver serving as a sump to cool said toner image after fusing so that it reaches a relatively high viscosity prior to stripping.