Patent ID: 6996362
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fusing apparatus for fixing images made from a liquid toner onto a substrate using an electrophotographic process, the apparatus comprising: a first fusing station comprising first and second prefusing rollers, the second prefusing roller being positioned to contact the first prefusing roller and create a first nip area between the first and second prefusing rollers, wherein at least one of the first and second prefusing rollers is heated to a temperature that provides a prefusing temperature within the first nip area; and a second fusing station spaced from the first fusing station and having first and second final fusing rollers, the second final fusing roller being positioned to contact the first final fusing roller and create a second nip area between the first and second final fusing rollers, wherein at least one of the first and second final fusing rollers is heated to a temperature that provides a fusing temperature within the second nip area; wherein the fusing temperature of the second nip area is higher than the prefusing temperature of the first nip area.