System and method for utilizing a user non-perceivable light source in a machine

An apparatus for fusing toner to media comprising:

• a heating element operable to produce radiant energy;
• a thermal spreader for converting said radiant energy into heat for fusing the toner to the media;
• a reflector positioned to reflect a portion of said radiant energy toward said thermal spreader;
• and
• a fusing element and wherein said heating element, said thermal spreader, and said reflector are disposed within said fusing element.

A fusing unit for fusing toner to media, comprising:

• a linear bulb heater element operable to produce radiant energy;
• a paraboloidal trough reflector positioned with its focal line in alignment with said linear bulb heater, said reflector operable to reflect and concentrate said radiant energy;
• a thermal spreader aligned to absorb said concentrated radiant energy and convert it to heat;
• a thermoplastic fusing roller rotatably supported about said heater, said reflector and said spreader, and held in slideable contact with said spreader, and
• a pressure roller supported to urge the media against said fusing roller and driven to rotate, thereby advancing the media through the fusing unit to fuse the toner thereto.

A method of fusing toner to media in a fusing unit having a heating element, a thermal spreader, and a reflector, comprising the steps of:

• radiating energy from the heating element;
• concentrating said radiated energy to the thermal spreader by the reflector;
• conducting said heat by the thermal spreader to the toner and media;
• and
• wherein a fusing film is disposed between the thermal spreader and the media, and wherein said conducting step includes conducting said heat through the fusing film.