Xerography methods and systems employing addressable fusing of unfused toner image
First Claim
1. A fuser apparatus for selectively heating the surface of a substrate including an unfused toner image, comprising:
- an electronic image storage device to store electronic image information about the unfused toner image;
an array of individually addressable heating elements in radiative communication with the substrate; and
a programmable driver operably coupled to the array of individually addressable heating elements and to the electronic image storage device;
the programmable driver operative to receive the electronic image information from the electronic image storage device relating to the unfused toner image and to activate the individually addressable heating elements selectively based upon the electronic image information about the unfused toner image to heat substantially only an area of the substrate covered by the unfused toner image as the substrate moves past the array.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for performing addressable fusing and/or heating of a substrate undergoing xerographic processing are disclosed. The apparatus includes a fuser having an array of addressable heating elements in radiative communication with a substrate through a fuser roll or fuser belt. The array of addressable heating elements is operated to selectively heat portions of the substrate to achieve a desired effect on the substrate, such as changing its surface finish, or fusing unfused toner to the substrate. In the case of toner fusing, the array is operated such that substantially only an area covered by the unfused toner is heated. This eliminates the need for blanket fusing, and generally provides for greater flexibility in xerographically processing substrates. Apparatus and methods for performing two-sided selective fusing and/or heating are also disclosed.
24 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A fuser apparatus for selectively heating the surface of a substrate including an unfused toner image, comprising:
-
an electronic image storage device to store electronic image information about the unfused toner image; an array of individually addressable heating elements in radiative communication with the substrate; and a programmable driver operably coupled to the array of individually addressable heating elements and to the electronic image storage device;
the programmable driver operative to receive the electronic image information from the electronic image storage device relating to the unfused toner image and to activate the individually addressable heating elements selectively based upon the electronic image information about the unfused toner image to heat substantially only an area of the substrate covered by the unfused toner image as the substrate moves past the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A fuser apparatus for selectively heating a surface of a substrate including an unfused toner image on the surface, comprising:
-
an electronic image storage device to store electronic image information indicating positions of unfused toner of the unfused toner image on the substrate; an array of individually addressable heating elements in radiative communication with the substrate; and a programmable driver operably coupled to the array of individually addressable heating elements and to the electronic image storage device;
the programmable driver operative to receive the electronic image information from the electronic image storage device relating to the unfused toner image and to activate the individually addressable heating elements selectively based upon the positions of the unfused toner of the unfused toner image on the substrate as the substrate moves past the array.
-
Specification