Abstract: A member useful in printing including a substrate useful in printing, a first coating deposited on the substrate, the first coating having a first surface tension and forming an edge, a second coating deposited on the substrate adjacent the edge of the first coating, the second coating having a second surface tension. The first surface tension is different than the second surface tension. A method for forming a fuser system assembly, the method including: a) depositing a first coating having a first surface tension to form an edge on a substrate; and, b) depositing a second coating having a second surface tension on the substrate adjacent to the edge, the first surface tension is different than the second surface tension.

Abstract: A member useful in printing including a substrate useful in printing, a first coating deposited on the substrate, the first coating having a first surface tension and forming an edge, a second coating deposited on the substrate adjacent the edge of the first coating, the second coating having a second surface tension. The first surface tension is different than the second surface tension. A method for forming a fuser system assembly, the method including: a) depositing a first coating having a first surface tension to form an edge on a substrate; and, b) depositing a second coating having a second surface tension on the substrate adjacent to the edge, the first surface tension is different than the second surface tension.

Abstract: This invention provides a mandrel used to produce belts where materials are cured onto a belt. Specific examples for illustration purposes are directed to a mandrel used to produce fuser belts for use in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel provides for reduced heating temperature during the curing heating step because the only mass required to be heated during curing is the belt and not the prior art solid mandrel. This provides significant advantages, such as faster cycle time, less energy, and less degrading of layer materials. The present mandrel comprises two terminal caps connected by threaded rods around which the belt is positioned for coating and curing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frame having a first frame section connected to a second frame section. The frame also has at least one physical connection that allows the first frame section to move relative to the second frame section. A first roller is connected to the first frame section. The first roller has a crowned outer surface surrounding an axle. Also, first connectors connect the first roller to the first frame section. The first connectors allow the first roller to rotate around the axle and allow the first roller to move in a direction parallel to the axle. A second roller is also connected to the second frame section. At least one biasing member is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section. The biasing member applies a bias to cause the first frame section to move away from the second frame section. A belt substrate contacts the first roller and the second roller. A latch is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section.

Abstract: Fixing belts, fixing devices and methods of making fixing belts are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing belts includes an inner layer comprising a first surface forming an inner surface of the fixing belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the inner layer comprising a first polymer; an intermediate layer overlying the second surface of the inner layer, the intermediate layer including a third surface, a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face, the intermediate layer comprising silicone rubber; and an outer layer including a fourth surface forming an outer surface of the fixing belt, the outer layer overlying the third surface, the first end face, the second end face and portions of the second surface disposed outward from the first end face and second end face, the outer layer comprising a second polymer. The outer layer seals and protects the intermediate layer from exposure to a liquid release agent applied to the fourth surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frame having a first frame section connected to a second frame section. The frame also has at least one physical connection that allows the first frame section to move relative to the second frame section. A first roller is connected to the first frame section. The first roller has a crowned outer surface surrounding an axle. Also, first connectors connect the first roller to the first frame section. The first connectors allow the first roller to rotate around the axle and allow the first roller to move in a direction parallel to the axle. A second roller is also connected to the second frame section. At least one biasing member is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section. The biasing member applies a bias to cause the first frame section to move away from the second frame section. A belt substrate contacts the first roller and the second roller. A latch is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section.

Abstract: This is a mandrel used to fabricate seamless belts including those used in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel has a center core unit with two circular caps on each side. In between the caps is sandwiched a deformable O-ring which is outwardly deformed upon tightening of the two caps together. Once a tubular sheet is placed over the mandrel, the elastomeric O-ring will hold the sheet in place for further processing.

Abstract: Fixing belts, fixing devices and methods of making fixing belts are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the fixing belts includes an inner layer comprising a first surface forming an inner surface of the fixing belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the inner layer comprising a first polymer; an intermediate layer overlying the second surface of the inner layer, the intermediate layer including a third surface, a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face, the intermediate layer comprising silicone rubber; and an outer layer including a fourth surface forming an outer surface of the fixing belt, the outer layer overlying the third surface, the first end face, the second end face and portions of the second surface disposed outward from the first end face and second end face, the outer layer comprising a second polymer. The outer layer seals and protects the intermediate layer from exposure to a liquid release agent applied to the fourth surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a mandrel used to produce belts where materials are cured onto a belt. Specific examples for illustration purposes are directed to a mandrel used to produce fuser belts for use in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel provides for reduced heating temperature during the curing heating step because the only mass required to be heated during curing is the belt and not the prior art solid mandrel. This provides significant advantages, such as faster cycle time, less energy, and less degrading of layer materials. The present mandrel comprises two terminal caps connected by threaded rods around which the belt is positioned for coating and curing.

Abstract: This is a mandrel used to fabricate seamless belts including those used in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel has a center core unit with two circular caps on each side. In between the caps is sandwiched a deformable O-ring which is outwardly deformed upon tightening of the two caps together. Once a tubular sheet is placed over the mandrel, the elastomeric O-ring will hold the sheet in place for further processing.

Abstract: A primer composition of an organic titanate and an alkoxysilane achieves a strong bond between a silicone rubber and a fluoro-containing compound, thereby enabling a composite of these materials to have excellent adhesion. The composite is most useful as a fuser member in a copying device, the silicone rubber being upon an aluminum core. The primer composition preferably includes a solvent such as methyl isobutyl ketone that swells the silicone rubber, thereby permitting the primer composition to penetrate into the silicone rubber layer and further enhance the bond strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to apply a polymeric coating to the ends of a fuser roll. A wiper arm is constructed having a wiper edge with may be rotated into contact with the end to be coated. Coating solution is applied to the wiper edge and allowed to flow onto the end surface of the roll.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cross-linked polymer fuser member substrate that has been primed with a primer dissolved in a theta solvent. The substrate is contacted with the theta solvent in which the primer is dissolved. The solvent and the dissolved primer penetrate the cross-linked polymer network and cause it to swell. The solvent is removed such that the primer remains in the interstices and on the surface of the cross-linked polymer substrate.

Abstract: A guide for leveling the flow of a coating onto a substrate of a component in a machine is provided. The substrate is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, whereby the coating is spirally applied to the substrate. The guide includes a member operably associated with the flow of the coating and operably associated with a slide movable with a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The member has a first end fixedly secured to the slide. The member has a second end spaced from the first end and fixedly secured to the slide. The member is resiliently cooperable with the periphery of the substrate and has a surface thereof slightly spaced from the periphery of the substrate. At least a portion of the flow of the coating may be positionable between the periphery of the substrate and the surface of the member so as to assist in evenly distributing the coating on the periphery of the substrate.