Patents by Inventor Martin F. Zess

Martin F. Zess has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8498559
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F Zess, Jason M Lefevre
  • Publication number: 20120020708
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin F. Zess, Jason M. Lefevre
  • Patent number: 7742732
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S Amico, Martin F Zess
  • Patent number: 7418230
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F. Zess, Alan R. Kuntz
  • Publication number: 20080101828
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin F. ZESS, Mark S. AMICO
  • Patent number: 7280793
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F. Zess, Mark S. Amico
  • Patent number: 7187897
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F. Zess, Mark S. Amico
  • Patent number: 7046948
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F. Zess, Mark S. Amico