W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Richard Andrew Bucher

Robert L Sassa

Tit-Keung Lau

This invention provides a liquid metering and surface coating device which can satisfactorily perform the operation of applying a release liquid to at least the surface of toner image fixation rolls in plain paper copying, with exceptional accuracy, uniformity, and durability. The device comprises a porous support layer adhered to a metal shaft. The porous support layer is comprised of an open-celled thermosetting polymer foam internally reinforced to obtain the strength, resilience, and heat resistance needed for high durability in use as part of a hot toner image fixation mechanism in a PPC machine. The porous support is comprised of materials having high compatibility with and wettability by the liquids to be distributed and having high liquid holding capacity so as to provide smooth continuous liquid delivery. Adhered to the porous support layer is a liquid permeation control layer which is comprised of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film in which the pores contain a mixture of silicone oil and silicone rubber. Adhered to the outer surface of the liquid permeation control layer is a release layer which is comprised of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film.

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Newark, DE, United States of America

Richard Andrew Bucher