Air impingement post fuser receiver member cooler device

Abstract

A device for cooling receiver members after image fixing by the fuser assembly in an electrographic reproduction apparatus wherein a marking particle image is fixed to a receiver member with application of heat by the fuser assembly, the receiver member traveling along a transport path. The cooling device includes an upper housing and a lower housing respectively associated with the receiver member transport path, on opposite sides thereof, immediately downstream, in the direction of receiver member travel along the transport path, of the fuser assembly. The upper and lower housings respectively have transport path guide plates for guiding receiver members along the transport path. A plurality of ports defined in the upper housing transport path guide plate provide flow communication of pressurized air from a pressurized air source to the transport path, and a plurality of ports in the lower housing transport path guide plate provide flow communication of pressurized air from the pressurized air source to the transport path. Accordingly, air impingement for forced air provides convection cooling of receiver members traveling along the transport path and such air impingement also provides for transport of the receiver members via an air bearing thereby substantially preventing the receiver members from contacting the upper and lower guide path plates.