Xerox Corporation

Martin Franklin Zess

Mark Steven Amico

Jason Mathew LeFevre

Alan Richard Kuntz

This disclosure relates to a lubricating supply system for a fuser assembly of a printing process having a perforated sleeve, the perforated sleeve supporting a semi-porous foam roll. The perforated sleeve slips around the outer surface of a rotating shaft in order that the lubricant supplied to the hollow of the rotating shaft is diffused through the perforated sleeve and foam roll to lubricate a heated surface of the fuser assembly. A lubricant port connects a source of lubricant to the hollow portion of the rotating shaft.

Oil pressurized foam roll

Pressure rolls for apparatuses useful in printing, apparatuses useful in printing and methods of making pressure rolls are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a pressure roll for an apparatus useful in printing includes a first layer including silicone rubber, the first layer including a first outer surface, a first end face and an opposite second end face; a second layer including a polymer overlying the first layer, the second layer including a second outer surface, a third end face and an opposite fourth end face; and a sealing material bonded to and covering the first, second, third and fourth end faces. The sealing material includes a polymer that is impervious to, and chemically resistant to, a release agent comprising silicone oil.

Pressure rolls, apparatuses useful in printing and methods of making pressure rolls

Apparatuses useful in printing, printing apparatuses and methods of fixing marking material on media are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a marking device; a first transport device which transports a first medium and a successive second medium to the marking device in a process direction with the first medium and second medium separated from each other by a first inter-document zone in the process direction; a fixing device including a first member including a first outer surface and a second member including a second outer surface forming a nip with the first outer surface; a second transport device which transports the first medium and second medium from the marking device to the nip; and a controller configured to control a speed of the marking device, the first member and the second transport device to reduce the first inter-document zone between the first medium and second medium to a second inter-document zone in the process direction between the marking device and the nip.

Apparatuses useful in printing, printing apparatuses and methods of fixing marking material on media

Liquid delivery systems, fuser assemblies, printing apparatuses and methods of delivering release agents to fusing imaging surfaces are disclosed. An embodiment of the liquid supply systems for delivering a liquid to a fusing imaging surface of a fusing member includes a first roll having a first outer surface adapted to contact a liquid contained in a sump; a first shim adapted to contact the first outer surface and the liquid in the sump; a second roll having a second outer surface adapted to contact the liquid in the sump, the first and second rolls contacting each other at an interface; and a second shim adapted to contact the second outer surface and the liquid in the sump. At least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface is comprised of a compressible material which is compressed along the interface. The first and second shims define a liquid passage through which the liquid is metered from the sump to the interface, and the first and second rolls are rotatable to meter the liquid through the interface to the fusing imaging surface of the fusing member.

Liquid delivery systems, fuser assemblies, printing apparatuses and methods of delivering release agents to fusing imaging surfaces

A fuser assembly comprises a fusing member and a pressure member, where the fusing member and the pressure member cooperatively rotate to form a fuser nip. The fuser is arranged so that the pressure member speed is reduced with respect to the fusing member speed, thus forming a reduced pressure member speed. The reduced pressure member speed stretches or retards the surface of the fusing member elastomer enough to assist in stripping or peeling the media sheet lead edge from the fusing member. As a result of initially stripping or peeling the media sheet lead edge, the remaining media body likewise is assisted to be stripped or peeled from the fusing member. In various embodiments the media stripping or peeling process is assisted by means of one or more air knives, one or more stripping fingers, or any combination of these items.

Fuser arranged for reduced pressure member speed, and an image forming device including the same

A pressure roll used in a fusing step of an electrophotographic system is provided with a higher abrasion material at the ends of the roll. This higher abrasion material extends the useful life of the roll and reduces debris caused by deterioration of the pressure roll.

Pressure roll for fusing operation

A release agent application apparatus includes a liquid-permeable member, a first release agent metering member abutting the liquid-permeable member, and a pump operatively connected to the liquid-permeable member to pump the release agent therethrough.

Release agent application apparatus and method

A fuser assembly includes a pressure member motion speed reduction device which slows the pressure member speed when the printed paper lead edge exits the nip. The temporarily slower pressure member speed stretches or retards the surface of the fusing member elastomer enough to assist in peeling the lead edge from the fusing member thereby allowing the rest of the paper to peel off. In one embodiment, the paper stripping or peeling process is assisted by means of one or more air knives, one or more stripping fingers, or any combination of these items.

Fuser arranged for braking and an image forming device including the same

An improvement in a Release Agent Management system that alleviates the buildup of dirt, toner and paper debris on a wick in the system includes a metering roll, a supply of release agent material into which the wick is positioned and a pair of metering blades positioned on opposite sides of the metering roll before and after a nip formed between the metering roll and a donor roll. A first metering blade meters release agent material onto the metering roll and a second blade scrapes the surface of the metering roll to remove contaminants before the surface of the metering roll reaches the supply of release agent material in order to prevent contaminants from plugging the wick and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the wick.

Roll fuser apparatus

An image formation apparatus that has a fuser roll/belt in pressure contact with a pressure roll that forms a nip, a meter roll that receives a release agent, a donor roll in press contact with the meter roll and is disposed between the meter roll and the fuser roll/belt to transport the release agent from the meter roll to the fuser roll/belt, a metering blade disposed adjacent to the meter roll that regulates an amount of release agent on the surface of the meter roll, and a smoothing/camouflaging device in contact with a surface of one or more of the fuser roll/belt, the meter roll and the donor roll, that smoothes/camouflages a non-uniform application of the release agent.

Growing community of inventors

Churchville, NY, United States of America

Martin Franklin Zess