Lexmark International, Inc.

Bryan Michael Blair

James Douglas Gilmore

Edward Alan Rush

James Allen Lokovich

Miranda Elizabeth Oaks

Paul Douglas Horrall

Gregory Lawrence Ream

Daniel Lee Carter

Michael David Maul

Darin Michael Gettelfinger

Philip Jerome Heink

Kelly Ann Killeen

James Philip Harden

Julie Ann Gordon Whitney

Peter Brown Pickett

Alexander D Meade

John Melvin Olson

Bartley Charles Gould, Ii

Robert Leonard Burdick

Stacy Marie Pargett

Kathryn Dowlen Mullins

Michael Thomas Moore

Thomas Judson Campbell

Michelle Kathryn Morris

Billy Joe Jones

Matthew Lowell McKay

Krikor Yosmali

Christopher Lee Baker

Billy Carl Chappel

Charles Robert Dunn, Ii

Jodi Lynne Walsh

A toner transfer station of an electrophotographic imaging device employs a backup roll having an inner electrically grounded cylindrical metal base core and an outer surface layer disposed about the inner base core. The outer surface layer may be formed of a polyurethane elastomer material to provide a capacitive coating with a thickness greater than 15 microns, a dielectric constant less than 12 and a resistivity of less than 3.00E+13 Ohm-cm.

Backup roll with capacitive coating and an imaging device transfer station employing the backup roll

A method for extending the operating life of a fuser used in an electrophotographic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A control algorithm monitors the number of substrates processed over the lifetime of the fuser and adjusts the fusing temperature of the fuser to compensate for changes occurring in the nip forming members of the fuser. The useful lifetime of the fuser is extended while fusing quality is maintained. A corresponding fuser assembly is also disclosed.

Fuser life extension

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for fusing an unfixed toner image to a substrate comprising a rotatable hot fusing roll and a backup belt assembly. The belt assembly may comprise a backup belt and a housing structure including a nip forming pressure roll. The backup belt may be wrapped about the housing structure including the nip forming pressure roll. Preferably, the pressure roll applies a force to the belt so as to form the sole nip region between the rotatable fusing roll and the backup belt.

Fusing system including a backup belt assembly

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for fusing an unfixed toner image to a substrate including a rotatable hot fusing roll and a backup belt assembly. The belt assembly may include a backup belt and a housing structure having a nip forming pressure roll. The backup belt may be wrapped about the housing structure including the nip forming pressure roll. The pressure roll includes a crown shape and the housing structure preferably includes structure for creating a generally uniform tension across the length of the belt in a direction transverse to a process direction.

Fusing system including a tensioned belt with crowned roller

A cleaning apparatus in a waste toner removal system of an image forming device includes a waste toner moving device that is movably mounted in a waste toner housing. The housing has an inlet where waste toner enters the housing. The toner moving device is movable between a first position and a second position to displace accumulated toner within the housing. The toner moving device is spring-biased toward the first position. A rotating actuator displaces the toner moving device from the first position to the second position to move the toner in the housing away from the inlet. The toner moving device is also self-cleaning via vibration and impact movements.

Methods and devices for moving waste toner within an image forming device

A diverter to direct media within an image forming apparatus along one of three media paths. A first gate and a second gate are positioned in an overlapping arrangement and each is movable between up and down positions. Each of the gates includes a biasing member to bias the gates towards the down position. An actuator contacts the second gate to move it to the up position. The overlapping arrangement of the first and second gates causes the first gate to also be moved to the up position when the second gate moves to the up position. A second actuator contacts the first gate to move the gate from the down position to the up position independently of the second gate.

Dual overlapping gates to control media movement through an image forming apparatus

A dry, powder electrostatic toner having polyester resin as a binder, pigment as a colorant, charge control ingredients polyethylene wax as a release agent, and extra particulate elements to improve flow and to scrub the doctor blade, one extra particular element is hydrophilic rutile acicular titanium oxide with aluminum oxide surface treatment, two silicas are blended within the bulk of the toner, one of BET surface area of about 30 m /g and one of BET surface area of about 380 m /gn; and an organoboron complex negative exchange control agent is blended with a quaternary ammonium salt of an aluminosilicate compound negative charge control agent. Improved functioning as a toner is realized.

Toner formulations

Provided is a release agent composition useful in an electrophotographic process. The composition is comprised of certain heat-stable grafted silicone interpolymers. The interpolymers have a melting point such that it is in the form of a liquid on a hot fuser roll, but solidifies to a waxy solid at room temperature. The compositions of the invention were found to reduce transparency streaking in wiper pad systems and when used in felt roll applications, were found to be equal to silicone oil in transmission ratio and transparency streaking. Accordingly, the release agent compositions are especially efficacious in duplex and transparency printing. The release agent compositions of the present invention also exhibit superior release performance and facilitate clean release of toner from fuser rolls in an electrophotographic imaging process.

Release agent composition

A toner fuser system suitable for producing high quality color transparencies is provided. The fuser system includes a media conditioning assembly located directly downstream of a fuser assembly, which may be a roll fuser or an instant-on belt fuser. The conditioner assembly includes a convective heat source, a heating zone, and a convective circulation path past the heat source and the heating zone to provide convective heat transfer to a transparency in the heating zone. A transparency (or other media) with toner to be fused travels on a media path first through the fuser assembly and then through the heating zone of the conditioner assembly. The fuser assembly causes toner to adhere to the transparency just well enough to allow the transparency to pass into the conditioner. In the conditioner, the toner is reheated, thereby causing the surface of the toner to reflow into a smooth, glossy, and uniform surface that increases light transmission efficiency of color transparencies. Additionally, the system eliminates the need for silicone oil, which is used in some prior art systems to prevent sticking of the transparency to the fuser assembly.

Toner fuser system having post-fuser media conditioner

A multi-level oiling device drive mechanism suitable for use in an imaging apparatus is disclosed. The drive mechanism includes a prime mover and gear train mounted to a frame of the base machine. A driven member of the oiling device, such as a web take-up spool in an oil web system, is driven by the gear train. When replacement of the oiling device is required, the driven member is disconnected from the gear train, and the device is replaced, without the need for replacing the drive mechanism.

Multi-level oiling device drive mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Bryan Michael Blair