Image fixing

An apparatus for fixing a visible pigment image to a sheet to support material comprising:

• a first heated body having a surface thereof;
• a layer of elastomeric material formed on said surface;
• a second body having a surface thereof;
• a layer of material formed on said surface of said body;
• said first and second bodies positioned for providing contact between surfaces of said layers at a nip formed therebetween;
• means for imparting motion of said bodies for providing that a sheet of material introduced to said nip between said bodies is transported through said nip;
• a source of a binder material for fixing visible image on a sheet;
• means for contacting a surface of said elastomeric material with said binder in a fluid state;
• and
• means for introducing and transporting through said nip an image support sheet, said support sheet having an image formed thereon by a material consisting essentially of a colorant and wherein an images surface of said support sheet is positioned during transit through said nip for coating said imaged surface with said binder material;
• means positioned to contact with said first body for removal of residual contaminant particles from said elastomeric surface as said surface is advanced away from said nip;
• means for discharging an accumulated electrostatic charge on the surface of said layer of said second body.