Abstract: A heat and pressure belt fuser structure having an endless belt and a pair of pressure engageable members between which the endless belt is sandwiched for forming a fusing nip through which substrates carrying toner images pass with the toner images contacting an outer surface of the endless belt, at least one of the pressure engageable members has a deformable layer, and the endless belt has a thickness of from about 1 to about 8 mm; and the fuser structure includes an external source of thermal energy for elevating a pre-nip area of the belt. The thick belt in combination with a deformable layer of at least one of the pressure member(s) cooperate to provide a large nip and adequate creep for intrinsic paper stripping.

Abstract: A heat and pressure belt fuser structure having an endless belt and a pair of pressure engageable members between which the endless belt is sandwiched for forming a fusing nip through which substrates carrying toner images pass with the toner images contacting an outer surface of the endless belt, at least one of the pressure engageable members has a deformable layer, and the endless belt has a thickness of from about 1 to about 8 mm; and the fuser structure includes an external source of thermal energy for elevating a pre-nip area of the belt. The thick belt in combination with a deformable layer of at least one of the pressure member(s) cooperate to provide a large nip and adequate creep for intrinsic paper stripping.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction machine including a contact belt fusing apparatus for fusing copy sheets without belt skew defects. The fusing apparatus includes an endless fusing belt having an external fusing surface defining a path of movement and a plurality of support rollers for supporting and moving the endless fusing belt along the path of movement. The endless fusing belt as supported has a preferred fusing position properly aligned on the plurality of support rollers. The fusing apparatus includes a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt for contacting and moving toner image carrying sheets therethrough. Importantly, the fusing apparatus also includes a dual function belt deskewing and oiling assembly for oiling the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt and deskewing the fusing belt from a sensed skewed position to the preferred fusing position.

Abstract: A contact belt fusing apparatus is provided for reducing sheet edge wear defects in fused copies. The fusing apparatus includes an endless fusing belt having an external fusing surface defining a path of movement and a plurality of support rollers for supporting and moving the endless fusing belt along the path of movement. The endless fusing belt as supported has a first fusing position aligned on the plurality of support rollers at a first location, and at least a second fusing position aligned on the plurality of support rollers at a second location that is spaced axially from the first location thereon. The fusing apparatus also includes heating member for heating the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt, and a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt for contacting and moving toner image carrying sheets therethrough, the toner image carrying sheets having edges that induce wear on the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction machine including a contact belt fusing apparatus for fusing copy sheets without belt skew defects. The fusing apparatus includes an endless fusing belt having an external fusing surface defining a path of movement and a plurality of support rollers for supporting and moving the endless fusing belt along the path of movement. The endless fusing belt as supported has a preferred fusing position properly aligned on the plurality of support rollers. The fusing apparatus includes a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt for contacting and moving toner image carrying sheets therethrough. Importantly, the fusing apparatus also includes a dual function belt deskewing and heating assembly for heating the external fusing surface of the endless fusing belt and deskewing the fusing belt from a sensed skewed position to the preferred fusing position.