The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 13, 2000
Michael David Maul, Lexington, KY (US);
Edward Alan Rush, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc, Lexington, KY (US);
Abstract
A fuser oil supply roller including an oil impregnated rubber roller and an outer metering layer of known fluid transfer characteristics for an electrophotographic printer fuser. The roller allows silicone oil to be secreted from the metering layer onto a fuser hot roller to prevent toner from adhering to the fuser hot roller, as well as serving to provide a smooth toner surface. Such a roller provides oil to the fuser hot roller without the need for a separate oil reservoir and delivery system. Therefore, a precisely metered supply of oil is provided to the fuser hot roller while reducing complexity and moving parts. A buffer layer is also provided for minimizing the roller volume given to the oil impregnated rubber roller. A barrier layer may be employed to prevent oil migration into the buffer layer. Furthermore, methods for applying a toner repelling substance to a fuser roller are provided.