Device and method for fixing and glossing toner images

(19)

(11)

EP 0 848 304 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	10.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/06

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	17.06.1998 Bulletin 1998/25

(21)	Application number: 97308324.9

(22)	Date of filing: 20.10.1997

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: G03G 15/20

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV RO SI

(30)

Priority:

13.12.1996 EP 96309131
27.02.1997 US 807061

(71)	Applicant: XEIKON NV
	B-2640 Mortsel (BE)

(72)	Inventor:
	Billet, Patick 1860 Meise (BE)

(74)	Representative: Gambell, Derek
	D Gambell & Co, Melbury House, 34 Southborough Road Bickley, Kent BR1 2EB Bickley, Kent BR1 2EB (GB)

(54)	Device and method for fixing and glossing toner images

(57) The device for fixing an unfixed toner particle image (42) on a substrate (40) comprises a belt (12) in face-to-face contact with a reaction surface such as a further belt (14) to form an extended contact zone (Z1) therebetween, to define a substrate path extending through the contact zone (Z1) from an entrance (16) to an exit (18). Heating means (20) heat the belt (12) adjacent the entrance (16) to a temperature above the softening point T_g of the toner. Cooling means (24) forcibly cool the belt (12) intermediate the entrance (16) and the exit (18) to a temperature below the softening point T_g of the toner. Means (32, 34) are provided for applying pressure between the belts (12, 14) intermediate the entrance and exit. Second heating means (28) heat the belt (12) adjacent the exit (18) to a temperature above the softening point T_g of said toner. Thereby un-fixed toner images formed on the substrate can be fixed thereto and provided with a desirable level of gloss in one single device.

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