Abstract: A Release Agent Management (RAM) system for a heat and pressure fuser apparatus utilized for fixing color toner images on substrates such as plain paper and transparency material such as Mylar.TM.. A donor/metering roll arrangement is provided with two oil metering blades, one of which is operative during two modes of operation and the other of which is operative during only one of the two modes of operation. During one mode of operation when color toner images are formed on a substrate such as plain paper, only one of the two blades is utilized. During a second mode of operation when color toner images are created on a transparent substrate such as Mylar.TM., both blades engage the surface of the metering roll so that a lesser amount of oil is ultimately conveyed to the surface of the heated fuser roll.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fuser and Release Agent Management (RAM) systems therefor. The RAM system deposits release agent material on toner images on a substrate such as plain paper. The RAM system includes a rigid metering roll and a pressure roll supported for pressure engagement to form a nip through which a substrate carrying the toner images passes with the toner images contacting the metering roll. Release agent material is applied to the metering roll from a supply with subsequent transfer primarily to the toner images on the substrate.

Abstract: A Nip Forming Fuser Roll (NFFR) fuser. The fuser is constructed to be self-stripping, that is, the roll contacted by the substrate carrying the toner images is fabricated from a relatively thick elastomeric material which under pressure exerted through contact of the nip forming members is sufficiently strained as the substrate passes in and out of the nip that the fuser roll is self-stripping. An external source of energy in addition to an internal source is used for elevating the surface temperature of the fuser roll member contacted by the toner image carrying substrate. A shield is provided for precluding contact of the external heat source by the substrate in the event of a misstrip. The shield which is fabricated from an infrared radiation transmissive polymer material is supported in intimate contact with the heated fuser member to minimize the presence of oxygen for minimizing the possibility of substrate combustion.

Abstract: An improved method for estimating toner usage in digital xerographic printers and copiers. The method is characterized by taking into account digital image dot spreading which results in the area of a pixel not being developed fully and some areas outside of the pixel being developed. Thus, the improved method takes into account the departure of a developed image from an ideal shape (i.e. square). To this end, the improved method compensates for departure of a developed image from an ideal shape. In carrying out the method estimated toner usage is based on pixel groupings rather than simple pixel counting.

Abstract: A contact fuser assembly for use in a electrostatic reproducing apparatus including an internally heated fuser roll structure comprising a rigid or non-deformable thermally conductive core capable of interacting with a release material applied thereto in such a manner as to form a thermally-stable interfacial coating intermediate the surface of the core and a release coating comprising portions of the release material. The interfacial coating strongly adheres to the core surface and prevents toner material from contacting the outer surface of the core. The combined coatings have a sub-micron thickness and therefore represent a minimal thermal barrier to the energy being conducted outwardly by the core.