Patent ID: 6980762

Claim:
A multi-stage fusing system for fixing toner images to copy substrates of various types, the system comprising: a first fuser module capable of fixing a toner image to a copy substrate in a simplex or duplex mode; a second fuser module in series with the first fuser module, the second fuser module having, a first fuser roll; and a second fuser roll in contact with the first fuser roll to form a fusing nip therebetween wherein pressure and heat from the first fuser roll and the second fuser roll are applied to both sides of the copy substrate, simultaneously; and a controller for controlling the transmission of the copy substrates in the multi-stage fusing system, wherein copy substrates of a first type are transmitted to the first fuser module for fixing toner images to the copy substrates and bypass the second fuser module, and wherein copy substrates of a second type are transmitted to the first fuser module for fixing toner images to the copy substrates and the second fuser module for further fusion of toner images on the copy substrates, and further wherein the controller recognizes when the second fuser module is busy.