Patent ID: 6226474
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
In an electrographic reproduction apparatus wherein a marking particle image is fixed to a receiver member with application of heat by a fuser assembly, said receiver member traveling along a transport path, a device for cooling receiver members after image fixing by said fuser assembly, said cooling device comprising:an upper housing and a lower housing respectively associated with said receiver member transport path, on opposite sides thereof, immediately downstream, in the direction of receiver member travel along said transport path, of said fuser assembly, said upper and lower housings respectively having transport path guide plates extending from an entrance to an exit for guiding receiver members along said transport path;at least one source of pressurized air; anda plurality of ports defined in said upper housing transport path guide plate providing flow communication of pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said transport path, and a plurality of ports defined in said lower housing transport path guide plate providing flow communication of pressurized air from said pressurized air source to said transport path, said ports in said lower housing transport path guide plate being configured as a number of slots and a plurality of holes outboard of said slots, the orientation of said slots being particularly selected to direct air flow substantially toward said exit of said upper and lower transport path guide plates where receiver members exit therefrom to provide an air bearing for receiver members as they travel seriatim along said transport path; whereby air impingement provides for forced air convection cooling of receiver members traveling along said transport path and such air impingement also provides for transport of said receiver members via an air bearing thereby substantially preventing said receiver members from contacting said upper and lower path guide plates.