Patent ID: 6094560
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An electrostatographic reproduction machine for producing a high quality toner particle image of an original image on a copy sheet, the reproduction machine comprising:(a) a movable image bearing member mounted drivably to a frame, said image bearing member having an image bearing surface defining a path of movement thereof;(b) electrostatographic imaging elements mounted at various distributed locations along said path of movement for forming the toner particle image onto said image bearing surface;(c) transfer means for transferring the toner particle image onto the moving copy sheet;(d) a fusing apparatus mounted downstream of the transfer means relative to a direction of movement of the copy sheet, for applying heat to the copy sheet and to the toner particle image thereon, so as to fuse such toner image onto the copy sheet, said fusing apparatus due to the heat applied, melting toner particles forming the toner particle image, and reducing a moisture content of the copy sheet, thereby inducing a curl in the copy sheet; and(e) a moisturizing and decurling apparatus mounted immediately downstream of said fusing apparatus for removing any curl from the copy sheet in order to produce a high quality toner particle image of the original image on a copy sheet, said moisturizing and decurling apparatus including means for applying moisture onto the copy sheet within a critical period of time after fusing, and means for constraining and stabilizing the copy sheet into a desired flat condition before the melted toner particles cool below a set critical temperature, said means for constraining and stabilizing the copy sheet including a flat vacuum transport belt assembly for transporting while holding the copy sheet flat.