Toner image fusing apparatus
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsAntoun I. Ateya, Walter A. Stryjewski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for fusing a toner image carried by a support. The apparatus includes first and second members, at least one of which is heated, which are supported in variable pressure engagement to fuse a toner image carried by a support passed between the members. A sensor senses the temperature of the heated member(s) and the pressure of engagement force is varied as a function of the temperature in order to maintain consistent fused image quality.
Claims8
In apparatus for fusing a toner image carried by a support, and including first and second members forming a nip through which a support bearing a toner image is passed, means for heating at least one of said members and means for sensing the temperature of said at least one heated member, the improvement comprising:
- means for supporting said members in variable pressure engagement;
- and
- means for varying the pressure of engagement of said members while said members are engaged in response to the sensing by said sensing means of a change in temperature of said at least one heated member.
Apparatus for fusing a toner image carried by a support comprising:
- a first member,
- a second member,
- means for heating at least one of said members,
- means for supporting said members in variable pressure engagement to fuse a toner image carried by a support passed between said member;
- means for sensing the temperature of said at least one heated member;
- and
- means for varying the pressure of engagement of said members while said members are engaged in response to the sensing by said sensing means of a change in temperature of said at least one heated member.
In the method of fusing including the steps of applying heat and pressure to a support bearing a toner image, the improvement comprising:
- sensing the temperature of the heat applied to the support;
- and
- while the pressure is applied to said support varying the pressure applied to the support in response to the sensing of a change in said temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.