Patent ID: 8862038
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing device for fixing a toner image in place on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising: a rotary fuser member subjected to heating; a rotary pressure member pressed against the fuser member to form a fixing nip therebetween through which the recording medium is passed in a media conveyance direction under heat and pressure as the fuser and pressure members rotate together; at least one pneumatic nozzle disposed adjacent to the fuser member to direct compressed gas toward the fixing nip along the fuser member for stripping the recording medium from the fuser member; at least one contact finger disposed in contact with the pressure member to slide against the pressure member during rotation for stripping the recording medium from the pressure member; and a controller operatively connected to the at least one pneumatic nozzle to activate or deactivate the at least one pneumatic nozzle depending on one or more operating parameters dictating tendency of the recording medium to wrap around the fuser member, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of a thickness of recording medium in use, a density of the toner image being fixed onto the recording medium, and a mode of printing being executed, and wherein the pneumatic nozzle is deactivated where the thickness of the recording medium in use exceeds a threshold thickness.