Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (500) that detects the travel direction of media in a media path in an image marking and fusing system is disclosed. The apparatus can include a media transport (110) configured to transport media. The apparatus can include a media marking engine (120) coupled to the media transport, the media marking engine configured to mark an image on media transported by the media transport to create unfused marked media (115). The apparatus can include a fusing member (130) coupled to the media transport, the fusing member having an axis of rotation (132), the fusing member configured to fuse the image on the media. The apparatus can include a media motion sensor (140) configured to sense travel information based on an unfused marked media travel direction (116) and configured to output a media motion sensor signal corresponding to the travel information.

Abstract: Fuser roller edgewear is reduced by a prior beveling of the inboard edge, the outboard edge, or both, of paper sheets that are to be provided to the fuser.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing onto media and methods for stripping print media from belts are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus useful in printing onto media includes a first member including a first surface; a second member; a fixing belt supported on the second member, the fixing belt including an inner surface and an outer surface, the first surface and the second surface forming a nip at which media are received; and a vibrating stripping device disposed between the second member and the inner surface of the fixing belt. The vibrating stripping device includes a stripping member including a stripping surface and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism produces vibration of the stripping surface and the fixing belt, and the vibration of the fixing belt assists separation of media passed through the nip from the outer surface of the fixing belt adjacent to the stripping surface of the stripping member.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing onto media and methods for stripping print media from belts are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus useful in printing onto media includes a first member including a first surface; a second member; a fixing belt supported on the second member, the fixing belt including an inner surface and an outer surface, the first surface and the second surface forming a nip at which media are received; and a vibrating stripping device disposed between the second member and the inner surface of the fixing belt. The vibrating stripping device includes a stripping member including a stripping surface and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism produces vibration of the stripping surface and the fixing belt, and the vibration of the fixing belt assists separation of media passed through the nip from the outer surface of the fixing belt adjacent to the stripping surface of the stripping member.

Abstract: A fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus for cleaning and rejuvenating an external surface of a fusing member of a toner image producing machine. The fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus include (a) a cleaning cartridge including a movable cleaning material movable at a first speed for contacting and removing residual toner and dirt from an external surface of the fusing member; (b) a first articulating device connected to the movable cleaning cartridge for selectively moving the movable cleaning cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member; (c) a scouring cartridge including a movable scouring material movable at a second speed for contacting and scouring the external surface of the fusing member; and (d) a second articulating device connected to the movable scouring cartridge for selectively moving the movable scouring cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member.

Abstract: Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods, methods of fusing toner on media are disclosed. An embodiment of the fusers for fusing toner on a medium includes a rotatable fuser member including an outer fusing surface; a first indenter adapted to form a first indentation in the fusing surface at a first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the first indenter; and a second indenter adapted to form a second indentation in the fusing surface at a second location laterally spaced from the first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the second indenter.

Abstract: Fusers, printing apparatuses and methods, methods of fusing toner on media are disclosed. An embodiment of the fusers for fusing toner on a medium includes a rotatable fuser member including an outer fusing surface; a first indenter adapted to form a first indentation in the fusing surface at a first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the first indenter; and a second indenter adapted to form a second indentation in the fusing surface at a second location laterally spaced from the first location during movement of the fuser member relative to the second indenter.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (500) that detects the travel direction of media in a media path in an image marking and fusing system is disclosed. The apparatus can include a media transport (110) configured to transport media. The apparatus can include a media marking engine (120) coupled to the media transport, the media marking engine configured to mark an image on media transported by the media transport to create unfused marked media (115). The apparatus can include a fusing member (130) coupled to the media transport, the fusing member having an axis of rotation (132), the fusing member configured to fuse the image on the media. The apparatus can include a media motion sensor (140) configured to sense travel information based on an unfused marked media travel direction (116) and configured to output a media motion sensor signal corresponding to the travel information.

Abstract: Fuser roller edgewear is reduced by a prior beveling of the inboard edge, the outboard edge, or both, of paper sheets that are to be provided to the fuser.

Abstract: A fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus for cleaning and rejuvenating an external surface of a fusing member of a toner image producing machine. The fusing member rejuvenating method and apparatus include (a) a cleaning cartridge including a movable cleaning material movable at a first speed for contacting and removing residual toner and dirt from an external surface of the fusing member; (b) a first articulating device connected to the movable cleaning cartridge for selectively moving the movable cleaning cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member; (c) a scouring cartridge including a movable scouring material movable at a second speed for contacting and scouring the external surface of the fusing member; and (d) a second articulating device connected to the movable scouring cartridge for selectively moving the movable scouring cartridge into and out of contact with the external surface of the fusing member.

Abstract: A sanitary brush cover system (10) for breathably isolating the bristled portion (2) of a brush (1) from contaminant particles and organisms is provided. The sanitary brush cover system (10) comprises a shroud member (20) which substantially enshrouds the bristled portion (2) of a given brush (1). The shroud member (20) includes a flexible body portion (25) formed of an air-permeable composition which is substantially impermeable to the contaminant atmospheric particles and organisms from which the bristled portion (2) is to be protected. The shroud member (20) also includes an inlet portion (30) through which bristled portion (2) of brush (1) is received. The shroud member (20) has coupled thereto adjacent the inlet portion (30) a closure mechanism (40) for selectively closing and opening the inlet portion (30) to, thereby, substantially enclose the bristled portion (2) therewithin. In one embodiment, the air-permeable composition is a fibrous fabric typically employed in forming surgical masks.

Abstract: A sleeping bag enclosure (10, 10', 100, 200, 200') is provided which includes an envelope (20, 20', 120, 220, 220') extending longitudinally from a closed end (26, 126, 226) to an open end (28, 128, 228). The sleeping bag enclosure (10, 10', 100, 200, 200') further includes a vented cover member (40, 40', 240) secured to the open end (28, 128, 228) of envelope (20, 20', 120, 220, 220') for forming a closure therefor. Vented cover member (40, 40', 240) includes a plurality of ventilation openings (42, 242) formed therethrough to allow air to be exchanged between the external environment and an internal space (34). The internal space (34) is maintained in an open condition to allow the user to be comfortably enclosed within the space (34).