Fusing apparatus having a pneumatic member

#This invention relates generally to electrostatographic reproduction machines, and more particularly to a fusing apparatus including a pneumatic member for increasing fusing nip width, and fusing dwell time.

#In a typical electrophotographic printing process, a photoconductive member is charged to a substantially uniform potential so as to sensitize the surface thereof. The charged portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to selectively dissipate the charges thereon in the irradiated areas. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the electrostatic latent image is developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith. Generally, the developer material comprises toner particles adhering triboelectrically to carrier granules. The toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules either to a donor roller or to an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member and form a toner powder image on the photoconductive member. The toner powder image is transferred from the photoconductive member to a copy substrate. The toner powder image is then heated to permanently fuse and affix it to the copy substrate.

#In order to fix or fuse toner material onto a support member permanently by heat, it is necessary to elevate the temperature of the toner material to a point at which constituents of the toner material coalesce and become tacky. This action causes the toner to flow to some extent onto the fibers or pores of the support members or otherwise upon the surfaces thereof. Thereafter, as the toner material cools, solidification of the toner material occurs causing the toner material to be bonded firmly to the support member.

#In the detailed description of the invention presented below, reference is made to the drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrostatographic reproduction machine incorporating the fusing apparatus including a pneumatic member in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the fusing apparatus including a pneumatic member in accordance with the present invention; and

#While the present invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#For a general understanding of the features of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to identify identical elements.

#Referring now to the drawings, where the showings are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and not for limiting same, and where the various processing stations employed in an electrostatographic reproduction machine as illustrated in FIG. 1, will be described only briefly.