US3849905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fusing apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1973-12-04
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A fusing apparatus is provided for heat fusing a toner image to a sheet of final support material. The apparatus includes a source of heat radiation for application to the sheet. A fusing zone is defined wherein the heat source is effective to fuse the image to the sheet and a flow of air is present at the zone. Means are provided cooperating with the fuser for reducing curl of the sheet during fusing. The curl reducing means comprise at least one seal adjacent the fusing zone for limiting air flow at the zone to an amount at which curl of the sheet is substantially reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 D Bierworth
- 👤 F Hynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In a fusing apparatus for heat fusing a toner image to a sheet of final support material including: a fuser having a source of heat radiation for application to said sheet, said fuser defining a fusing zone wherein said heat source is effective to fuse said image to said sheet, and a flow of air at said zone; the improvement wherein said apparatus further includes; first transport means for transporting said sheet, said transport means being located adjacent said fuser, an air channel being defined between said transport means and said fuser; and means cooperating with said fuser for reducing curl of said sheet during fusing, said curl reducing means comprising at least one seal extending over a gap between said fuser and said transport means for limiting air flow at said zone to an amount at which curl of said sheet is substantially reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a fusing apparatus for heat fusing a toner image to a sheet of final support material including: a fuser having a source of heat radiation for application to said sheet, said fuser defining a fusing zone wherein said heat source is effective to fuse said image to said sheet, and a flow of air at said zone; the improvement wherein said apparatus further includes; first transport means for transporting said sheet, said transport means being located adjacent said fuser, an air channel being defined between said transport means and said fuser; and means cooperating with said fuser for reducing curl of said sheet during fusing, said curl reducing means comprising at least one seal extending over a gap between said fuser and said transport means for limiting air flow at said zone to an amount at which curl of said sheet is substantially reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said seal comprises an elongated strip-like member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said seal is biased against said transport means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said strip-like member is formed of a resilient polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first transport means is located at a first side of said fuser and wherein a second transport means is provided at the opposing side of said fuser and wherein at least one of said first and second transport means includes suction means cooperating therewith to hold said sheet to said one of said transport means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 including a plurality of said seals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein a plurality of air channels are formed between the respective transport means and the fuser and wherein seals are interposed in the channels exteding over respective gaps between the fuser and the respective transport means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said first transport means comprises a pair of pinch rolls and wherein said second transport means comprises a vacuum transport having said suction means and wherein said first transport is located downstream of said fuser and wherein said second transport is located upstream of said fuser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said air flow is reduced to below 1 cubic foot per minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said air flow is reduced to below 0.2 cubic foot per minute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3090134A
Cited
US3207129A
Cited
US3291468A
Cited
US3505497A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |