Patent ID: 8478178

Claim:
A fixing device for fixing marking material to a web, comprising: a first roll including a heated outer surface; a second roll forming a fixing nip with the heated outer surface of the first roll at which a continuous web on which marking material is received; a third roll positioned to contact the web prior to entering the fixing nip; and an adjustment mechanism connected to the third roll, the adjustment mechanism being operable to move the third roll to vary a wrap length of the web contacting the heated outer surface of the first roll upstream from the fixing nip to control pre-heating of the web and pre-heating of the marking material by contact with the heated outer surface prior to entering the fixing nip; wherein the first roll and second roll are operable to apply heat and pressure to the pre-heated web and marking material by contacting the pre-heated marking material at the fixing nip to fix the marking material to the pre-heated web.