US4434353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fusing system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1981-09-30
•
Granted: 1984-02-28
•
Expires: 2001-09-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which includes a plurality of heating elements to fuse a powder image onto a copy sheet. Selected heating elements of the apparatus are energized in an ordered sequence corresponding to the surface area of the powder image being fused.
Inventors
- 👤 Dana G. Marsh
- 👤 David R. Shuey
- 👤 John L. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2007; G03G15/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
As apparatus for fusing a powder image onto a copy sheet, including: a plurality of heating elements; and means, responsive to the size of the copy sheet, for energizing selected ones of said plurality of heating elements in an ordered sequence to produce a radiant energy output therefrom corresponding in surface area to substantially about the surface area of the copy sheet to heat the powder image on the copy sheet so as to permanently affix the powder image thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
As apparatus for fusing a powder image onto a copy sheet, including: a plurality of heating elements; and means, responsive to the size of the copy sheet, for energizing selected ones of said plurality of heating elements in an ordered sequence to produce a radiant energy output therefrom corresponding in surface area to substantially about the surface area of the copy sheet to heat the powder image on the copy sheet so as to permanently affix the powder image thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of heating elements includes a flash lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said energizing means includes: a voltage source; and means for controlling said voltage source to supply electrical power to the selected ones of said plurality of flash lamps to energize the selected ones of said plurality of flash lamps in an ordered sequence to produce radiation of sufficient intensity to fix the powder image to the copy sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said controlling means controls said voltage source to supply electrical power to successive adjacent ones of said plurality of flash lamps with the number of said plurality of flash lamps being supplied with electrical power being sufficient to generate radiant energy having a surface area corresponding to the size of the copy sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a toner powder image formed on a copy sheet, wherein the improved apparatus for fusing the toner powder image to the copy sheet includes: a plurality of heating elements; and means, responsive to the size of the copy sheet, for energizing selected ones of said plurality of heating elements in an ordered sequence to produce a radiant energy output therefrom corresponding in surface area to substantially about the surface area of the copy sheet to heat the toner powder image on the copy sheet so as to permanently affix the toner powder image thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a toner powder image formed on a copy sheet, wherein the improved apparatus for fusing the toner powder image to the copy sheet includes: a plurality of heating elements; and means, responsive to the size of the copy sheet, for energizing selected ones of said plurality of heating elements in an ordered sequence to produce a radiant energy output therefrom corresponding in surface area to substantially about the surface area of the copy sheet to heat the toner powder image on the copy sheet so as to permanently affix the toner powder image thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine according to claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of heating elements includes a flash lamp.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printing machine according to claim 6, wherein said energizing means includes: a voltage source; and means for controlling said voltage source to supply electrical power to the selected ones of said plurality of flash lamps to energize the selected ones of said plurality of flash lamps in an ordered sequence to produce radiation of sufficient intensity to fix the toner powder image to the copy sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A printing machine according to claim 7, wherein said controlling means controls said voltage source to supply electrical power to successive adjacent ones of said plurality of flash lamps with the number of said plurality of flash lamps being supplied with electrical power being sufficient to generate radiant energy having a surface area corresponding to the size of the copy sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2990278A
Cited
US3465203A
Cited
US3474223A
Cited
US3745307A
Cited
US4205220A
Cited
US3832524A
Cited
DE2505416A1
Cited
US4075455A
Cited
US4161644A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-27 | 1987-08-29 | 1988-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-27 | 1991-08-29 | 1992-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-08-29 | 1996-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |