Apparatus and method for image fusing
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsMichael F. Deily, Ronald F. Burr, Donald R. Titterington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and related method for improved image fusing in an ink jet printing system are provided. An ink image is transferred to a final receiving substrate by passing the substrate through a transfer nip. The substrate and ink image are then passed through a fusing nip that fuses the ink image into the final receiving substrate. Utilizing separate image transfer and image fusing operations allows improved image fusing and faster print speeds. The secondary fusing operation enables the image transfer process to use reduced pressures, whereby the load on the drum and transfer roller is reduced. Additionally, the secondary fusing operation may be utilized to apply a supplemental coating to the transferred image.
Claims24
A method of offset printing in an ink jet printer, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) forming an ink image on a preliminary receiving surface;
- b) preheating a final receiving substrate;
- c) passing the final receiving substrate through a first nip;
- d) exerting a first pressure on the final receiving substrate in the first nip to transfer the ink image from the preliminary receiving surface to the final receiving substrate, the first pressure being sufficient to transfer the ink image, but insufficient to fuse the ink image into the final receiving substrate;
- e) passing the final receiving substrate through a second nip;
- and
- f) exerting a second pressure on the final receiving substrate in the second nip to fuse the ink image into the final receiving substrate.
An ink jet printing system for forming an ink image on a final receiving substrate, comprising:
- a print head for ejecting drops of ink into a preliminary receiving surface to form an ink image thereon;
- a first nip formed by the preliminary receiving surface and an opposing surface, the first nip receiving the final receiving substrate and exerting a first pressure on the final receiving substrate to transfer the ink image to the final receiving substrate, the first pressure being sufficient to transfer the ink image, but insufficient to fuse the ink image into the final receiving substrate;
- and
- a second nip for receiving the final receiving substrate after the final receiving substrate passes through the first nip, the second nip exerting a second pressure on the final receiving substrate to fuse the ink image into the final receiving substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.