Abstract: This disclosure relates to a lubricating supply system for a fuser assembly of a printing process having a perforated sleeve, the perforated sleeve supporting a semi-porous foam roll. The perforated sleeve slips around the outer surface of a rotating shaft in order that the lubricant supplied to the hollow of the rotating shaft is diffused through the perforated sleeve and foam roll to lubricate a heated surface of the fuser assembly. A lubricant port connects a source of lubricant to the hollow portion of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a lubricating supply system for a fuser assembly of a printing process having a perforated sleeve, the perforated sleeve supporting a semi-porous foam roll. The perforated sleeve slips around the outer surface of a rotating shaft in order that the lubricant supplied to the hollow of the rotating shaft is diffused through the perforated sleeve and foam roll to lubricate a heated surface of the fuser assembly. A lubricant port connects a source of lubricant to the hollow portion of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A fuser assembly comprises a fusing member and a pressure member, where the fusing member and the pressure member cooperatively rotate to form a fuser nip. The fuser is arranged so that the pressure member speed is reduced with respect to the fusing member speed, thus forming a reduced pressure member speed. The reduced pressure member speed stretches or retards the surface of the fusing member elastomer enough to assist in stripping or peeling the media sheet lead edge from the fusing member. As a result of initially stripping or peeling the media sheet lead edge, the remaining media body likewise is assisted to be stripped or peeled from the fusing member. In various embodiments the media stripping or peeling process is assisted by means of one or more air knives, one or more stripping fingers, or any combination of these items.

Abstract: A pressure roll used in a fusing step of an electrophotographic system is provided with a higher abrasion material at the ends of the roll. This higher abrasion material extends the useful life of the roll and reduces debris caused by deterioration of the pressure roll.

Abstract: Cleaning systems for cleaning fuser devices in electrostatographic printing apparatuses and methods of cleaning fuser devices using such cleaning systems are provided. The disclosed cleaning systems include flexible substrates having a surface coated with a high surface-energy film and optionally having an abrasive surface opposite the coated surface. The high surface-energy film contacts a surface of a fuser member and removes contaminants. Optionally, the fuser surface may be pre-cleaned by the abrasive surface prior to contacting the high surface-energy film.

Abstract: A fuser assembly includes a pressure member motion speed reduction device which slows the pressure member speed when the printed paper lead edge exits the nip. The temporarily slower pressure member speed stretches or retards the surface of the fusing member elastomer enough to assist in peeling the lead edge from the fusing member thereby allowing the rest of the paper to peel off. In one embodiment, the paper stripping or peeling process is assisted by means of one or more air knives, one or more stripping fingers, or any combination of these items.

Abstract: An improvement in a Release Agent Management system that alleviates the buildup of dirt, toner and paper debris on a wick in the system includes a metering roll, a supply of release agent material into which the wick is positioned and a pair of metering blades positioned on opposite sides of the metering roll before and after a nip formed between the metering roll and a donor roll. A first metering blade meters release agent material onto the metering roll and a second blade scrapes the surface of the metering roll to remove contaminants before the surface of the metering roll reaches the supply of release agent material in order to prevent contaminants from plugging the wick and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the wick.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus that has a fuser roll/belt in pressure contact with a pressure roll that forms a nip, a meter roll that receives a release agent, a donor roll in press contact with the meter roll and is disposed between the meter roll and the fuser roll/belt to transport the release agent from the meter roll to the fuser roll/belt, a metering blade disposed adjacent to the meter roll that regulates an amount of release agent on the surface of the meter roll, and a smoothing/camouflaging device in contact with a surface of one or more of the fuser roll/belt, the meter roll and the donor roll, that smoothes/camouflages a non-uniform application of the release agent.