Dry powder or liquid toner image transfixing system

Abstract

An imaging system carries an image defined by a dry powder or liquid toner. The imaging system includes a first transfer roll that electrostatically or adhesively accumulates the color image from a photoconductor, and a second transfer roll in transfixing contact with the first transfer roll. The second transfer roll possessing a central radiant heat source and a radiant heat source located adjacent to the first transfer roll in radiant proximity to an entering media sheet and the transfixing contact between the first and second transfer rolls. The first transfer roll includes at least a first basecoat layer and a topcoat layer. The basecoat layer includes a material that is electrically conductive and exhibits elastomeric and macrocompliant properties enabling the media to wrap through a significant arc under the transfixing contact and heat of the second transfer roll. The topcoat layer includes a specially formulated Fluorosilicone topcoat material that has a low surface energy and exhibits a microcompliance and resiliency enabling the first layer to compliantly mate with the photoconductor surface. The second transfer roll includes an outer, liquid carrier phobic layer and an inner compliant layer for enabling direct transfer of an image from the first transfer roll to a media sheet. The second transfer roll is optionally electrically biased with a polarity to prevent premature transfer of the image on the first transfer roll.