Abstract: A donor roller for use in a fuser assembly of an electrophotographic printing apparatus, the donor roller includes a core; a silicone cushion surrounding the core; wherein the silicone cushion includes a surface gloss greater than 5G60 and a concave shaped surface with a diameter differential of greater than 0.3 mm.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of the surface. The applied particles are pressed against a pressure member so that the applied particles indent the surface to form the gloss-watermark pattern. At least some of the pressed particles are removed from the surface. After the removing step, a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. The printed image can include toner, phase-change ink, or hot-melt ink, so that a gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is formed on the printed image by the fixing process.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of a pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing member are pressed together so that the applied particles indent the surface of the fixing member to form the gloss-watermark pattern. The pressure member and the fixing member can then be mechanically separated and a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. A gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is thus formed on the printed image.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of a pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing member are pressed together so that the applied particles indent the surface of the fixing member to form the gloss-watermark pattern. The pressure member and the fixing member can then be mechanically separated and a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. A gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is thus formed on the printed image.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of the surface. The applied particles are pressed against a pressure member so that the applied particles indent the surface to form the gloss-watermark pattern. At least some of the pressed particles are removed from the surface. After the removing step, a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. The printed image can include toner, phase-change ink, or hot-melt ink, so that a gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is formed on the printed image by the fixing process.

Abstract: A method for producing a gloss watermark includes depositing a heat-softenable marking material onto a receiver. A heatable fixing member is surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. The surfaced fixing member is heated. After the deposition step, pressure is applied to the marking-material-bearing portion of the receiver using the heated fixing member, so that the marking material flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a gloss watermark on a receiver includes a rotatable fixing member surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. A heater heats the fixing member or the receiver. A rotatable pressure member is arranged to form a fixing nip with the fixing member. A drive rotates the fixing member or the pressure member to draw the receiver through the fixing nip after the fixing member or receiver is heated. Marking material on the receiver flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material.

Abstract: A method for producing a gloss watermark includes depositing a heat-softenable marking material onto a receiver. A heatable fixing member is surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. The surfaced fixing member is heated. After the deposition step, pressure is applied to the marking-material-bearing portion of the receiver using the heated fixing member, so that the marking material flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material.

Abstract: A releasing fluid is disclosed. The releasing fluid includes: an end functional polydimethylsiloxane formed of Formula (i): a pendent functional polydimethlysiloxane formed of Formula (ii): a combination of end and pendent functional siloxane formed of Formula (iii): and wherein the release fluid comprises less than 0.5% by weight of the sum of Formula (i) where e+g>1 and Formula (iii) where e+g are >1.

Abstract: A printer adapted to produce a print having a selected finish on a receiver moving along a transport path includes a first fixing member with a compliant non-smooth surface. A second fixing member has a compliant smooth surface. A fixing station, arranged along the transport path, includes a pressure member. A receptacle is adapted to receive the first or second fixing member and to retain it in operative arrangement with the pressure member to form a fixing nip. An applicator applies a release lubricant to the received fixing member. A printing module is arranged along the transport path ahead of the fixing station for depositing toner on the receiver. A controller is adapted to receive operational settings of the fixing station to draw the receiver through the fixing nip, so that the toner pattern on the receiver is fixed into a print with the selected finish.

Abstract: A method of producing a print having a matte finish on a receiver having a surface type includes depositing toner with a viscosity of less than about 10 kpoise in a selected pattern on a receiver. A fixing system is provided including a rotatable fixing member and a pressure member arranged to form a fixing nip between them. The fixing member has a selected non-smooth surface that includes silicone. A release lubricant is applied to the fixing member. A fixing temperature and a fixing speed are selected based on the receiver surface type. The fixing member is heated to have a surface temperature substantially equal to the selected fixing temperature. The fixing member is rotated at the selected fixing speed to draw the toned receiver through the fixing nip, so that the toner is heated and fixed to the receiver and the resulting print has a matte finish.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fuser member having as its outermost layer, a cured composite comprising: a) a continuous phase of an elastomer; and b) thermally conductive particles dispersed in the elastomer, where the conductive particles comprise inorganic particles coated with a layer of fluoroplastic.