Abstract: In a copier, printer, or similar device, paper is loaded in large quantities. To separate a top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet, a dam is used, which is an element having an inclined surface in the path of the top sheet. This invention addresses devices with variably compliant separation strips, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer such as Pellethane®, that are part of the dam, so that the leading edge of a media sheet will strike the inclined surface of the separation strip. By adjusting the compliance of the separation strip, different weights of media may be accommodated while minimizing the multi-feeds that may cause jamming of the device.

Abstract: In a copier, printer, or similar device, paper is loaded in large quantities. To separate a top sheet of a stack of sheets from the next adjacent sheet, a dam is used, which is an element having an inclined surface in the path of the top sheet. This invention addresses devices with variably compliant separation strips, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer such as Pellethane®, that are part of the dam, so that the leading edge of a media sheet will strike the inclined surface of the separation strip. By adjusting the compliance of the separation strip, different weights of media may be accommodated while minimizing the multi-feeds that may cause jamming of the device.

Abstract: An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position.

Abstract: A common media redrive system for use with either a hot roll fuser assembly and a belt roll fuser assembly installed an imaging device. The redrive systems includes an access door movable between a raised closed and a lowered open position. The access door has a media path channel and a deflector mounted over the channel. The deflector has a pivotable gate and includes upper and lower media guide members forming a media entrance and two exits for directing a media sheet from the fuser assembly exits to an output area and duplex path portion, respectively, via the gate and the first and second exits, respectively. A pair of media exit guide portions cantilever from the rear portion of the fuser assembly. The lower media guide members includes a pair of cutouts that receive the pair of media exit guide portions when the access door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A common media redrive system for use with either a hot roll fuser assembly and a belt roll fuser assembly installed an imaging device. The redrive systems includes an access door movable between a raised closed and a lowered open position. The access door has a media path channel and a deflector mounted over the channel. The deflector has a pivotable gate and includes upper and lower media guide members forming a media entrance and two exits for directing a media sheet from the fuser assembly exits to an output area and duplex path portion, respectively, via the gate and the first and second exits, respectively. A pair of media exit guide portions cantilever from the rear portion of the fuser assembly. The lower media guide members includes a pair of cutouts that receive the pair of media exit guide portions when the access door is in the closed position.

Abstract: An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position.

Abstract: An imaging device having a fuser and print engine architecture that enables complete interchangeability between fuser types with a common print engine. The imaging device has a frame configured to separately receive a first fuser assembly of a first fuser type and a second fuser assembly of a second fuser type different from the first fuser type. The first fuser assembly includes a first fuser frame having a first datum tab. The second fuser assembly includes a second fuser frame having a second datum tab. The frame of the imaging device has a datum aperture that is sized to receive the first datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the first fuser assembly to be positioned at a first operative position, and the second datum tab that when inserted into the datum aperture, causes the second fuser assembly to be positioned at a second operative position.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a frame plate having an opening and first and second camming profiles about the opening. A removable fuser assembly includes a housing having front and back plates, a mounting shaft extending from the front plate to the back plate of the housing, a pin member on a first end of the mounting shaft having a pair of segments engaging with the first and second camming profiles on the frame plate, and a handle on a second end of the mounting shaft pivotable at a predetermined angle and moving the mounting shaft therewith. Pivoting the handle in a first direction causes the segments to travel along the camming profiles, locking the fuser assembly onto the imaging device. Pivoting the handle in a second direction causes the segments to align with the opening and the fuser assembly to be unlocked with the imaging device allowing removal thereof.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The lubricant dispenser may include a reservoir containing the lubricant oil and an exit port for delivering the lubricant oil from the reservoir to the inner surface of the fuser belt upon the reservoir being heated by the heating element at a temperature above the fusing temperature of the belt fuser assembly.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. A controller coupled to the heating element activates the heating element to generate heat at a fusing temperature during a fusing operation and at at least one second temperature greater than the fusing temperature during a lubricant dispensing operation so as to cause lubricant to dispense from the lubricant dispenser.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The lubricant dispenser may include a reservoir containing the lubricant oil and an exit port for delivering the lubricant oil from the reservoir to the inner surface of the fuser belt upon the reservoir being heated by the heating element at a temperature above the fusing temperature of the belt fuser assembly.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The lubricant dispenser may include a reservoir containing the lubricant oil and an exit port for delivering the lubricant oil from the reservoir to the inner surface of the fuser belt upon the reservoir being heated by the heating element at a temperature above the fusing temperature of the belt fuser assembly.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. A controller coupled to the heating element activates the heating element to generate heat at a fusing temperature during a fusing operation and at at least one second temperature greater than the fusing temperature during a lubricant dispensing operation so as to cause lubricant to dispense from the lubricant dispenser.

Abstract: A belt fuser assembly which dispenses lubricant oil or other depleted lubricant component to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The belt fuser assembly may include a lubricant dispenser positioned to be heated by the heating element of the fuser assembly for dispensing a lubricant oil to the inner surface of the fuser belt. The lubricant dispenser may include a reservoir containing the lubricant oil and an exit port for delivering the lubricant oil from the reservoir to the inner surface of the fuser belt upon the reservoir being heated by the heating element at a temperature above the fusing temperature of the belt fuser assembly.