Abstract: Fuser members having surfaces of gold and the platinum groups metals and alloys thereof are described for fuser assemblies in office copier machines. Preferred fuser assemblies include cylindrical rolls having at least an outer surface of gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof. Electroscopic thermoplastic resin toner images are fused to a substrate by using a bare gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof fuser member coated with polymeric release agents having reactive functional groups for example, a mercapto-functional polysiloxane release fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling corona generated ozone emissions in electrostatographic copying equipment. This is achieved by directing ozone rich gases through a novel fluidized bed reactor located in an exhaust channel of an electrostatographic copier. The novel reactor is provided with means for continuously or periodically purging fine particles from the perforated wall of the catalyst containing chamber proximate to the exhaust end of the reactor; thereby, preventing such fine particles from becoming permanently entrained within such perforation and creating a substantial pressure drop between the interior of the catalyst containing chamber and the exterior of said chamber proximate to exhaust end of the reactor. The preferred ozone neutralization system contemplated for use in this invention is a multiple stage device wherein a number of reactors are connected to one another in series.

Abstract: A silicone rubber surface for fixing resinous powder images to a substrate at elevated temperatures in a xerographic reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The silicone rubber surface prevents offset of the image by supplying inherently a release material to the surface. Dispersed in the silicone rubber is a catalytic agent which in the presence of water or moisture, promotes the degradation of the silicone rubber over a period of time at elevated temperatures. The release material is the degradation product of the silicone rubber, and release is possible throughout the lifetime of the fuser surface without the external application of release materials.

Abstract: Butadiene copolymers having controlled electrical life and controlled resistivity are described. A method is disclosed for enhancing the electrical life of butadiene copolymers having solubilized conductivity control agents incorporated therein by varying specified quantities of terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon nitriles in copolymers of the butadiene and the specified nitriles by using mixtures of such copolymers having conductivity control agents therein. The method and polymers are useful for enhancing the electrical life and polymer stability in xerographic devices where control of conductivity and/or relaxation behavior is important, e.g., in bias transfer rolls.

Abstract: A silicone rubber surface for fixing resinous powder images to a substrate at elevated temperatures in a xerographic reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The silicone rubber surface prevents offset of the image by supplying inherently a release material to the surface. Dispersed in the silicone rubber is a catalytic agent which in the presence of water or moisture, promotes the degradation of the silicone rubber over a period of time at elevated temperatures. The release material is the degradation product of the silicone rubber, and release is possible throughout the lifetime of the fuser surface without the external application of release materials.

Abstract: Polymeric release agents having functional groups such as carboxy, hydroxy, epoxy, amino, isocyanate, thioether or mercapto groups are applied to a heated fuser member in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus to form thereon a thermally stable, renewable, self-cleaning layer having excellent toner release properties for conventional electroscopic thermoplastic resin toners. The functional polymeric fluids interact with the fuser member in such a manner as to form a thin, thermally stable interfacial barrier at the surface of the fuser member while leaving an outer film or layer of unreacted release fluid. The interfacial barrier is strongly attached to the fuser member surface and prevents electroscopic thermoplastic resin toner material from contacting the outer surface of the fuser member. The material on the surface of the fuser member is of minimal thickness and thereby represents a minimal thermal barrier.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the conditioning of reusable imaging surfaces after the liquid development thereon of a charge pattern and the transfer therefrom of the developed image to eliminate subsequent transfer of residual liquid developer from the imaging surface cleaned by conventional methods, is described. The imaging surface is prepared for a subsequent cycle by bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with the advancing, transversely-oriented foam belt having a pattern of raised and depressed areas redistributing streaks and deposits of liquid developer remaining on an imaging surface after bringing the imaging surface into moving contact with conventional cleaning means.

Abstract: A pressure roll for use in a roll fuser for fixing toner images to copy sheets by the application of heat and pressure, is described. The roll is characterized by a rigid core covered with a relatively thick layer of organic rubber with a relatively thinner sleeve or layer of material acting as an air barrier to the organic rubber to prevent oxidative degradation. The organic rubbers are characterized by small compression deflection decreases even after exposure to high temperatures, under pressure for prolonged periods of time. Highly crosslinked organic rubbers cured with non-sulfur crosslinking agents are preferred organic rubbers.

Abstract: Polymer fluids having oxidizable side chains are used on fusing devices in photocopiers to fix particulate thermoplastic toner to a substrate while the toner is in a fused state. Typical polymers are the polysiloxanes having oxidizable alkyl side chains. The polymers can be continuously applied in minimal thicknesses on the fusing device to form a thermally stable, renewable, self-cleaning layer having excellent toner release properties.

Abstract: Silicone rubber is employed as an outer coating material on a fuser member and is applied to the base member by means of a novel construction which prevents the separation of the outer silicone rubber coating from the roll even when silicone oil is applied thereto. The fuser member comprises a base member, a layer of a heat-resistant resin formed on the base member and a layer of a silicone rubber formed on the heat-resistant resin layer, the silicone rubber being vulcanized after the formation of the layer of silicone rubber on the resin layer. A primer layer may be used between the heat-resistant resin layer and the silicone rubber layer.

Abstract: Fuser members having hard, abrasion resistant bare metal alloy surfaces which are chemically reactive, are described for fuser assemblies in office copier machines. Preferred fuser assemblies include cylindrical rolls having at least an outer surface of a chemically reactive copper alloy.

Abstract: A silicone rubber surface for fixing resinous powder images to a substrate at elevated temperatures in a xerographic reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The silicone rubber surface prevents offset of the image by supplying inherently a release material to the surface. Dispersed in the silicone rubber is an agent capable of supplying water over a period of time at elevated temperatures, and the release material is a degradation product of the silicone rubber provided by the hydrolysis of the silicone rubber.

Abstract: Polyarylsiloxanes are used on fusing devices in photocopiers to fix particulate thermoplastic toner to a substrate while the toner is in a fused state. The polyarylsiloxanes can be continuously applied in minimal thicknesses on the fusing device to form a thermally stable, renewable, self-cleaning layer having excellent toner release properties. A preferred polyarylsiloxane is polyphenylmethyl dimethyl siloxane.

Abstract: Silicone rubber is employed as a coating material on a fuser member and adhered to the base member by means of a novel polysiloxane composition. The novel polysiloxane composition comprises specified quantities of two moieties of organopolysiloxane, an allyl ester of a polybasic acid, an aliphatic salt of a metal, and a silane, and strongly adheres the silicone rubber outer layer to the base member or core even when silicone oil is used as a release agent on the fuser member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extending the electrical life of copolymers of butadiene and terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon nitriles by incorporating salts having asymmetrical quaternary ammonium cations or salts having structural charge specific anions therein. The method and polymers are useful for extending the functional electrical life and electrical stability of materials used in xerographic devices where control of and minimizing of the variations in the resistivity under applied voltages vs. time is important, e.g., in bias transfer rolls.

Abstract: A method and ink composition for development of an electrostatic latent image with liquid developer is disclosed. The liquid developer has a viscosity suitable for convenient application to an imaged surface in the development of latent electrostatic images and has improved conductivity resulting from incorporating conductivity control agents in the form of quaternary ammonium compounds which are soluble in the carrier of the ink composition. The conductive ink composition comprises a coloring agent, optionally a binder and a dispersing agent, a carrier and a quaternary ammonium compound soluble in the liquid carrier.

Abstract: Butadiene copolymers having controlled electrical life and controlled resistivity are described. A method is disclosed for enhancing the electrical life of butadiene copolymers having solubilized conductivity control agents incorporated therein by varying specified quantities of terminally unsaturated hydrocarbon nitriles in copolymers of the butadiene and the specified nitriles by using mixtures of such copolymers having conductivity control agents therein. The method and polymers are useful for enhancing the electrical life and polymer stability in xerographic devices where control of conductivity and/or relaxation behavior is important, e.g., in bias transfer rolls.

Abstract: A thermal fusing assembly having an extended release life is described. Offset preventing fluid depleted from elastomeric offset preventing material on fuser members is replaced by offset preventing fluid from fluid supply means comprising specified elastomeric materials having an inherent capacity for offset preventing fluid, the fluid supply means being journaled in contact with the fuser members.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying water or moisture to the surfaces of fuser members comprising water-degradable silicone rubbers. The water or moisture produces a degradation product of the silicone rubber which is a release material for electroscopic resin toners used in xerographic copiers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for developing a selected image by the electrostatic attraction of development fluid is disclosed. The system utilizes an interposer, adapted to be movably superimposed over a photoreceptor which preferably comprises the outer surface of a rotatable drum. A source of electrostatic charge for applying a first charge of a selected polarity to an area of the photoreceptor, and optical system for subsequently applying a light and shadow representation of the selected image to the area of the photoreceptor are also provided. The system further includes a source of electrostatic charge for applying a second charge, opposite in polarity from the first charge, to a portion of the interposer superimposed over the area of the photoreceptor. The portion of the photoreceptor is adapted to receive a quantity of electrostatic fluid, corresponding to the light and shadow representation applied by the optical system, when moved out of superimposition with the photoreceptor.