Fuser and intermediate transfer drums
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
InventorsBenzion Landa, Avner Schneider, Amiran Lavon, Marc Aronhime
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for use as an intermediate transfer member or fusing member in an image forming device includes a cylindrical member having a thickness that is insufficient to support it in use and which is secured between two round end plates to form a cylindrical structure which is unsupported between the endplates. A liquid is incorporated within the cylindrical structure and a heater is also located within the cylindrical structure so as to heat the liquid to produce a vapor wherein the vapor is of a sufficient pressure to support the cylindrical member during use.
Claims52
Apparatus for use as a fuser or intermediate transfer member in an imager, comprising:
- a cylindrical member, having a thickness that is insufficient to support it in use, secured to two round end plates to form a cylindrical structure mounted in said apparatus wherein the cylindrical member is unsupported between the endplates;
- a liquid incorporated within the cylindrical structure;
- and
- a heater that heats the liquid to form vapor therefrom,
- wherein the vapor is at a sufficient pressure to support the cylindrical member in use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.