Abstract: Methods for leveling phase change gel inks are disclosed. More particularly, the methods employ ultrasound irradiation to level the phase change gel inks in a non-contact manner. Phase change gel inks are relatively new inks characterized by being a gel-like consistency at room temperature and a low viscosity liquid at an elevated temperature for jetting on a substrate. Due to these unique properties, conventional methods of leveling gel inks have failed. Also disclosed are systems which implement the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser system member including a substrate and a topcoat layer disposed over the substrate. The topcoat layer comprises a fluoroelastomer cross-linked with amino silane wherein the topcoat is substantially free of copper oxide. A mercapto-functionalized oil is disposed on the topcoat layer.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fusing method and system of tuning gloss level on a copy substrate. The method includes obtaining an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon. The method includes applying toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop an electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge-retentive surface. The developed image is transferred from the charge retentive surface to a copy substrate. The toner images are fused to a surface of the copy substrate. The gloss is adjusted on the copy substrate by providing a fuser member having a surface layer a fluoroplastic matrix having dispersed therein aerogel particles wherein the greater a weight percent of the aerogel particles in the fluoroplastic matrix the lower the gloss.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, methods, and systems for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices and processes, wherein the fuser member can include a coating material containing a plurality of aerogel fillers dispersed in and/or bonded to a polymer matrix for providing a desired gloss level of fused toner images.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser member includes an outer layer comprising a composite of a fluoropolymer and a networked siloxyfluorocarbon polymer.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a fuser member. The fuser includes a layer of a siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer.

Abstract: Treatments are described for surfaces of substrates to improve adhesion with a phase change ink. A method of forming an image on a coated substrate with a phase change ink includes treating a surface of the coated substrate with a corona discharge treatment, a plasma treatment and/or an electron-beam treatment prior to image formation, and subsequently forming an image on the surface of the treated coated substrate with a phase change ink, wherein the image formed on the substrate has an LV Index that is reduced compared to that of an image formed on the untreated substrate. A phase change ink printing apparatus includes a corona discharge, plasma and/or electron-beam treatment device; and a phase change ink printing device, wherein the corona discharge, plasma and/or electron-beam treatment device is located upstream, in a process direction, from the phase change ink printing device.

Abstract: A system and a method to protect an image on a substrate. The method includes applying a coating to the surface of a substrate having an unspread ink image thereon, wherein the image is formed by droplets of solid ink, and wherein the coating interacts with the ink. Moreover, the method includes spreading the coated ink on the surface of the substrate, wherein the ink and the coating interact during the spreading process and wherein the spread ink on the surface of the substrate forms the continuous image.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments there is provided a cassette cleaning web having an agent metering tube that can apply oil via a drip pipe to a web as it enters a nip within the fusing surface. Dispensing the oil as it enters the nip increases the transportation and the holding capacity of the web. The cassette cleaning web can reduce the oil-on-copy to less than 3 mg/copy and more specifically to less than 1 mg/copy which would allow for adequate post finishing applications while still using amino functionalized fuser oil in the fuser subsystem. The cassette cleaning web reduces the contamination of the oil-sump because used web materials are wound up and oil or contaminate materials like wax, toner are retained in the spent web cartridge. This invention enables reduced oil-on-copy, eliminates the bulky and expensive release agent management system, and also provides a direct cleaning to the surface of the fuser roll.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a xerographic print comprising a substrate having a printed image thereon comprising a low melt temperature toner, and a polyolefin wax coating formed over the printed image having a dry thickness in the range of about 0.5 to about 5 microns. The wax coating substantially prevents toner offset at temperatures up to at least 70° C. A printing system and coating method also are disclosed. The prints, printing system and method are useful for making brochures and books that will be subjected to high temperatures, pressures, and/or humidity levels, such as manuals stored in automobile glove compartments.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing contamination build-up within a fuser roll system are disclosed. The method and system includes a donor roll in rotational combination with a fuser roll. The donor roll can be configured to transfer a toner release agent to the fuser roll to reduce toner build-up on the surface of the fuser roll. A grounded static brush can be located proximate to the donor roll. The grounded static brush can be configured to inductively remove electrostatic discharge from the surface of the donor roll. The reduced electrostatic reduces contamination build-up on the fuser roll, and therefore increases the cycle life of the components of the fuser roll system.

Abstract: An emulsion aggregation toner composition includes toner particles including: an unsaturated polymeric resin, selected from amorphous resins, crystalline resins, and mixtures thereof; an optional colorant; an optional wax; an optional coagulant; and a photo initiator capable of initiating crosslinking of said unsaturated polymeric resin.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments there is provided a cassette cleaning web having an agent metering tube that can apply oil via a drip pipe to a web as it enters a nip within the fusing surface. Dispensing the oil as it enters the nip increases the transportation and the holding capacity of the web. The cassette cleaning web can reduce the oil-on-copy to less than 3 mg/copy and more specifically to less than 1 mg/copy which would allow for adequate post finishing applications while still using amino functionalized fuser oil in the fuser subsystem. The cassette cleaning web reduces the contamination of the oil-sump because used web materials are wound up and oil or contaminate materials like wax, toner are retained in the spent web cartridge. This invention enables reduced oil-on-copy, eliminates the bulky and expensive release agent management system, and also provides a direct cleaning to the surface of the fuser roll.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides toners having a tunable gloss level, electrophotographic apparatuses for using such toners as well as processes for making such toners.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides toners having a tunable gloss level, electrophotographic apparatuses for using such toners as well as processes for making such toners.

Abstract: A process for overcoating an image and enhancing the adherence of the overcoat to the image by applying heat and/or infrared light to the image. The image may be formed with a toner containing a resin and colorant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is printing system comprising a first printer configured to print a first set of data on a document, the first printer including a fuser employing fuser oil, and an in-line spray coater configured to deposit a wax coating on a portion of the document to repel or cover fuser oil. A corresponding method is also described. The method and system are useful for preparing MICR encoded documents such as checks.

Abstract: A system and a method to protect an image on a substrate. The method includes forming an unfused toner image, partially fusing the unfused toner image at a first temperature by exposing the composition to radiation to prevent disruption of the image upon application of the wax-hybrid composition to form a partially fused toner image, cooling the partially fused toner image to a second temperature, providing a protective coating composition comprising a wax-hybrid, applying the protective coating composition over the partially fused toner image, permanently fixing the protective coating composition and partially fused toner image to form a final printed image.

Abstract: A process of MICR and non-MICR electrostatic magnetic imaging of two independent electrostatic latent images including (a) forming a first electrostatic latent image in a MICR printing apparatus; (b) developing the first electrostatic latent image by contacting the first electrostatic latent image with a MICR toner to produce a developed MICR toner image; (c) transferring the developed MICR toner image onto a check; (d) forming a second electrostatic latent image in a non-MICR printing apparatus; (e) developing the second electrostatic latent image by contacting the second electrostatic latent image with a non-MICR toner to produce a developed non-MICR image; (f) transferring the developed non-MICR toner image to the check; (g) fusing the MICR toner image and the non-MICR toner image to the check, wherein a fuser oil is supplied to the check during fusing; (h) coating the check having fused developed MICR toner image and non-MICR toner image with an aqueous coating comprising a polymer and a surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a xerographic print comprising a substrate with a toner-based image printed thereon, the printed substrate including low surface tension portions having a surface tension of no more than about 22 mN/m at 25 Deg. C. resulting in a surface tension gradient field on the substrate, the printed substrate being coated with a coating comprising at least one surfactant and a film-forming polymer, the coating having a liquid phase surface tension at 25 Deg. C. not exceeding the surface tension of the low surface tension portions of the printed substrate by more than about 2 mN/m, the coating having substantially no pinholes and being sufficiently resistant to permeation by the fuser oil to exhibit an effective absence of haze 24 hours after application. A system and a method of applying a substantially pinhole-free and haze-free coating substantially immediately after print fusing also are disclosed.