Copying machine fire snuffer

Claim 1

A printing machine for printing images on individual copy sheets comprising: a copy-sheet transporting system for transporting copy sheets along a predetermined path through a plurality of stations; a transfer means at a transfer station for transferring heat sensitive developing material to said copy sheets in concentrations representative of said images; a fusing means at a fusing station for heating said developing material on said copy sheets when said copy sheets are transported through said fusing station; a fire-extinguishing snuffer for extinguishing fires on said copy sheets caused by the heat of said fusing means said fire-extinguishing snuffer being located downstream of said fusing means at an extinguishing station, said fire snuffer including a pair of flat metallic plates for defining a flat-shaped 0.1 to 0.125 inch gap therebetween and being arranged so that said copy sheets pass through said gap, said plates having a width at said gap which is greater than the widths of said copy sheets; and, a guidance means including upper and lower wire-like guidance springs upstream of said fire-extinguishing snuffer for directing the leading edges of said copy sheets into said gap.