Apparatus and method for image fusing

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EP 0 938 975 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	23.02.2000 Bulletin 2000/08

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	01.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/35

(21)	Application number: 99301400.0

(22)	Date of filing: 25.02.1999

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B41J 2/01, B41J 2/005

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

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Priority:

17.04.1998 US 62521
19.03.1998 US 45216
25.02.1998 US 30672

(71)	Applicant: TEKTRONIX, INC.
	Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-1000 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Burr, Ronald F. Wilsonville, Oregon 97070 (US) Titterington, Donald R. Tualatin, Oregon 97062 (US) Deily, Michael F. Tigard, Oregon 97223 (US)

(74)	Representative: Eddowes, Simon et al
	Hepworth Lawrence Bryer & Bizley, Merlin House, Falconry Court, Bakers Lane Epping, Essex CM16 5DQ Epping, Essex CM16 5DQ (GB)

(54)	Apparatus and method for image fusing

(57) A method of offset printing in an ink jet printer (10), the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an ink image on a preliminary receiving surface (9);
(b) passing a final receiving substrate (11) through a first nip (32) where it comes into contact with the preliminary receiving surface (9);
(c) exerting a first pressure on the final receiving substrate (11) in the first nip (32) to transfer the ink image from the preliminary receiving surface (9) to the final receiving substrate (11);
(d) passing the final receiving substrate (11) through a second nip (39); and
(e) exerting a second pressure on the final receiving substrate (11) in the second nip (39) to fuse the ink image into the final receiving substrate (11).