Fusing apparatus and method for liquid toner electrophotography using multiple stations having different prefusing and fusing temperatures

摘要

A fusing apparatus for fixing images made from a liquid toner onto a substrate using an electrophotographic process, the apparatus including a prefusing roller, a backup roller positioned to create a first nip area between the prefusing roller and the backup roller, and a fusing roller positioned to create a second nip area between the fusing roller and the backup roller, wherein at least one of the prefusing roller and the backup roller is heated to a temperature that provides a prefusing temperature within the first nip area, and wherein at least one of the fusing roller and the backup roller is heated to a temperature that provides a fusing temperature in the second nip area that is different than the prefusing temperature of the first nip area.