Abstract: The toner fuser roll of the present invention, which is characterized by good thermal conductivity and resistance to degradation by release agents in addition to excellent wear properties, is capable of producing toner fused images with desirably high gloss. In accordance with the invention, the fuser roll comprises a cylindrical core and a base cushion layer comprising a condensation-cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer formed on the core. A barrier layer that comprises a cured fluorocarbon polymer and includes a particulate filler overlies the cushion layer. Overlying the barrier layer is a highly smooth outer surface layer comprising an addition-cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer and having a roughness value, Ra, no greater than about 10 microinches. Further in accordance with the invention is a process for forming the just described toner fuser roll.

Abstract: Coated fuser members such as a fuser roller, pressure roller, or fuser belt, and the method of making the coated fuser members are disclosed. The release coating comprises an outermost layer of fluoropolymer resin uniquely bonded to a fluoroelastomer layer.

Abstract: Coated fuser members such as a fuser roller, pressure roller, or fuser belt are coated with a release coating comprises an outermost layer of fluoropolymer resin powder directly bonded to an underlying fluoroelastomer layer.

Abstract: A release oil barrier layer is coated over the silicone rubber cushion layer of a toner fusing roll by means of a coating composition having a low VOC content and comprising an aqueous dispersion of a fluorocarbon polymer in particulate form and a water-dispersible polyurethane.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuser member comprising a core having a polymeric coating wherein said wrinkle index of said fuser member is less than 75, said wrinkle index (WI) being calculated by the following formula: ##EQU1## where: S is the stiffness of the core in megaPascals (MPa);T is the thickness of said polymeric coating in millimeters (mm); andH is the hardness (Shore A) of the polymeric coating.

Abstract: A fuser member useful for heat-fixing an electrographic toner to a substrate. The fuser member has a core and a layer overlying the core. That layer includes a cured fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits with the general structures: ##STR1## where x is from 30 to 90 mole percent, y is from 10 to 70 mole percent, and z is from 0 to 34 mole percent. The layer incorporates particulate filler. The filler includes aluminum oxide and a material selected from the group consisting of alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof. The filler has a total concentration in the layer of from about 25 to 50 percent of the total volume of the layer. The aluminum oxide has a concentration of from 20 to 40 percent of the total volume of the layer.

Abstract: Toner fusing members having a surface layer comprising a substrate coated with a fluorocarbon-silicone polymeric composition are obtained by concurrently curing a fluorocarbon copolymer, a nucleophilic fluorocarbon-curing agent and a heat-curable polyfunctional polymethylsiloxane polymer.

Abstract: Coated fuser members such as a fuser roller, pressure roller, or fuser belt, and the method of making the coated fuser members are disclosed. The release coating comprises an outermost layer of fluoropolymer resin uniquely bonded to a fluoroelastomer layer by means of a fluoropolymer-containing polyamide-imide primer layer.

Abstract: Toner fusing rolls having an oil barrier layer composed of a substrate coated with a fluorocarbon-silicone polymeric composition which is obtained by concurrently curing a fluorocarbon copolymer, a nucleophilic fluorocarbon-curing agent and a heat-curable polyfunctional poly(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)phenylsiloxane polymer.

Abstract: A fuser member useful for heat-fixing an electrographic toner to a substrate. The fuser member has a core and a layer overlying the core. That layer includes a cured fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits with the general structures:--(CH.sub.2 CF.sub.2).sub.x --, --(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2).sub.z --,and ##STR1## where x is from 30 to 90 mole percent, y is from 10 to 70 mole percent, and z is from 0 to 34 mole percent. The layer incorporates particulate filler. The filler includes tin oxide and a material selected from the group consisting of alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof. The filler has a total concentration in the layer of from about 25 to 50 percent of the total volume of the layer. The tin oxide has a concentration of from 20 to 40 percent of the total volume of the layer.

Abstract: A cut-off nozzle for use in dispensing increments of flowable products comprised of a liquid medium in which solids are dispersed, particularly burrito fillings. The cut-off nozzle structure incorporates a light-weight slide member which is shuttled with fast movement between "open" and "close" positions within a chamber having outlet openings in the bottom with which discharge openings in the slide member register or coincide when the slide member is shuttled to its "open" position. The geometry of the chamber-outlet and slide-discharge openings combines with the fast closing action of the slide to provide a sharp positive cut-off of increments of product dispensed from the nozzle with elimination of leakage or drip, plugging and separation of product constituents. The nozzle may be fed with a single stream of product or with two different streams.

Abstract: Apparatus for making food products, such as burritos, having fillings wrapped or enrobed in dough sheets, such as tortillas. Dough sheets are conveyed to a first station of the apparatus wherein a rotatably reversing crease-forming roller operates in conjunction with the discharge end of a dough sheet conveyor and its non-reversing end roller to form a downward crease or groove in each dough sheet while simultaneously a predetermined quantity of filling is deposited into the crease or groove. Each dough sheet having a crease or groove with a filling deposited therein is conveyed through a series of stations wherein the dough sheet is folded and formed into a wrapper encasing or enrobing the filling.

Abstract: In apparatus for folding a dough sheet to enclose a foodstuff filling, such as in a tortilla-forming machine, an improved means for folding opposite sides of the dough sheets having side belts with runs extending along opposite sides of the upper run of a flat conveyor belt and a stationary elongated dough sheet engager disposed over the upper run and between the side belt runs. The side belt runs are substantially co-planar with the conveyor belt adjacent the beginning of its upper run and twist spirally so that intermediate portions thereof become upwardly and inwardly inclined above the conveyor belt upper run. The opposite sides of the dough sheets riding on the conveyor upper run are engaged from their undersides by the side belts and turned upwardly, inwardly and downwardly while being slidably supported by opposite sides of the stationary elongated dough sheet engager.

Abstract: A stuffing pump for handling a food product having a helical gear metering pump with means for removing air from the material moving through the metering pump and a feed conveyor in a hopper continuously feeding material to the metering pump. The feed conveyer includes a pair of counter-rotating augers in the bottom of the hopper. Independent and infinitely variable drive mechanisms are provided for the metering pump and the feed conveyer.

Abstract: A fuser member useful for heat-fixing an electrographic toner to a substrate. The fuser member has a core and a layer overlying the core. That layer includes a cured fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits with the general structures: where x is from 30 to 90 mole percent, y is from 10 to 70 mole percent, and z is from 0 to 34 mole percent. The layer incorporates particulate filler. The filler includes aluminum oxide and a material selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and combinations thereof. The filler has a total concentration in the layer of from about 25 to 50 percent of the total volume of the layer. The aluminum oxide has a concentration of from 20 to 40 percent of the total volume of the layer.