Abstract: A fuser belt that is used in an electrostatographic printing machine. The fuser belt has a thickness ranging from about 3 to about 20 mils and has a substrate layer and a toner release layer. The substrate layer is composed of a base material and a first thermally conductive additive, wherein the base material is composed of fibers or a polymeric film. The toner release layer is composed of an elastomeric material and a second thermally conductive additive.

Abstract: Multiple layer fuser belts having a woven fabric layer and a high conformability, low surface energy elastic layer. The fabric layer is formed from high modulus, high temperature fibers that are woven together at acute angles to the circumference of the belt fibers. The fabric layer forms a substrate with preferential stretching along the circumference of the fuser belt. The elastic layer is bonded to the fabric layer and is made from a highly conformable, low durometer material having a low surface tension. When the fuser belt is partially wrapped around a driven roller so as to form a nip with a pressure roller the fuser belt stretches in the direction of belt motion. As the fuser belt passes through the nip the fuser belt contracts, releasing surface tension and thus reduces sticking between the fuser belt and fused toner.

Abstract: A "green" rapid recovery fusing apparatus is provided and a frame; a moveable heated fusing member, such as a rotatable heated fuser roller, mounted to the frame; a moveable pressure member, such as a rotatable pressure roller, mounted to the frame and forming a pressure fusing nip against the moveable heated fusing member; and a thermal loss preventing enclosure surrounding the heated fusing member and having low thermal conductivity walls including thermal insulating matter therein for reducing thermal loss from the heated fusing member, and for enabling rapid recovery of the heated fusing member from a standby energy saving temperature to a higher fusing temperature.

Abstract: An image drying and fixing apparatus for affixing an image to a copy substrate, wherein a drying oven defining a copy substrate inlet and outlet is provided with a conveyor for advancing the copy substrate through the drying oven, and an image impacting system disposed along the path of travel of the copy substrate for pressing the image onto the copy substrate in image configuration. The image impacting system includes a pair of cooperating roll members forming a nip through which the copy substrate having the image thereon passes, with the image impacting system being selectively positionable along the path of travel of the copy substrate for optimizing the process of affixing the image to the copy substrate. The image drying and fixing apparatus may also include a radiant heating device situated within the drying oven, positioned for radiating thermal energy in the direction of the copy substrate immediately prior to passage of the copy substrate through the copy substrate output.

Abstract: Copy sheet decurling mechanism employed in conjunction with a heat and pressure fuser for reducing or eliminating the curl induced into the copy sheets by the fuser roll of the fuser. Stripper fingers, the position and/or angle of which can be selectively varied, are provided for reverse (i.e. direction opposite to bending caused by the pressure roll) bending of the copy sheets while they are in a plastic state, that is while the sheets are still at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of xerography and analogous graphic arts and more particularly to a copy sheet decurling mechanism employed in conjunction with a heat and pressure fuser for reducing or eliminating the curl induced into the copy sheets by the pressure roll of the fuser. To this end, means are provided for reverse (i.e. direction opposite to bending caused by the pressure roll) bending of the copy sheets while they are in a plastic state, that is while the sheets are still at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A method of depositing and affixing a layer of a copolymer of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether and tetrafluoroethylene upon a metal surface and the article prepared thereby, is disclosed. A flame sprayed metal surface having an optional fluoropolymer primer thereon is powder coated with the copolymer of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether and tetrafluoroethylene and the powder is fused thereon. An improved long life fuser member for use in a fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to copy sheets by the application of heat and pressure is described.

Abstract: An improved oil metering blade device for maintaining a uniform film of oil on the surface of a fuser roll of a heated pressure fusing apparatus for fusing toner images. The blade member is made from any suitable elastic material such as rubber with durometer between 57 and 67 and has a rectangular cross-section. In vicinity where it contacts the fuser roll surface the blade with a radially curved surface of between about 5 to about 20 mils.

Abstract: A method for preparing polymer coated rolls for use in a xerographic reproducing apparatus is given whereby coatings of tetrafluoroethylene primer and enamel are applied, dried at low temperatures and baked at temperatures below the fusion temperature followed by a final heating step to fuse the tetrafluoroethylene enamel coating.