Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling belt member having a TEFLON FEP inner layer and a conformable silicone outer layer. A UV source is disposed to direct light through the belt onto a substrate at a leveling or pressure nip defined by the leveling beltz tube and a backing member such as a backing belt and chilled platen.

Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling member having a conformable surface. The leveling member is a quartz tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and connected to a mandrel, with conformable VITON O-rings interposing the mandrel and the quartz tube. A UV source is disposed within the quartz tube, and configured to emit light through the quartz tube and the conformable surface onto a surface of a substrate passing through a leveling or pressure nip defined by the quartz tube and a backing member or pressure belt.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, an apparatus for redistributing release agent on a fuser surface of an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes a fuser surface for contacting a sheet of media having an image formed thereon by the image forming device, the fuser surface moving in a traveling direction; and a flexible blade for redistributing the release agent on the fuser surface from a first post-fusing distribution to a second distribution, the flexible blade contacting the release agent on the fuser surface at a contact area and pressing the release agent against the fuser surface to redistribute the release agent from the first post-fusing distribution to the second distribution, wherein the flexible blade is adapted to redistribute the release agent such that the second distribution is more uniform across the fuser surface than the first post-fusing distribution.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, an apparatus for redistributing release agent on a fuser surface of an image forming device is provided. The apparatus has a fuser surface for contacting a sheet of media having an image formed thereon by the image forming device, the fuser surface moving in a traveling direction; and a smoothing roll for redistributing the release agent on the fuser surface from a first post-fusing distribution to a second distribution, the smoothing roll contacting the release agent on the fuser surface at a contact area and pressing the release agent against the fuser surface to redistribute the release agent from the first post-fusing distribution to the second distribution. The smoothing roll is adapted to redistribute the release agent such that the second distribution is more uniform across the fuser surface than the first post-fusing distribution.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing, fixing devices and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; at least one heating element for heating the first surface of the first member; a second member including a second surface forming a nip with the first surface, the nip including an inlet end at which a substrate enters the nip and an outlet end at which the substrate exits from the nip; and an air knife disposed downstream from the outlet end of the nip and extending along an axial direction of the first member, the air knife including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a plurality of axially-spaced nozzles disposed between the first end and second end; and at least one gas inlet through which gas is supplied to the air knife.

Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling belt member having a TEFLON FEP inner layer and a conformable silicone outer layer. A UV source is disposed to direct light through the belt onto a substrate at a leveling or pressure nip defined by the leveling beltz tube and a backing member such as a backing belt and chilled platen.

Abstract: Systems for leveling UV-curable gel ink include a leveling member having a conformable surface. The leveling member is a quartz tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and connected to a mandrel, with conformable VITON O-rings interposing the mandrel and the quartz tube. A UV source is disposed within the quartz tube, and configured to emit light through the quartz tube and the conformable surface onto a surface of a substrate passing through a leveling or pressure nip defined by the quartz tube and a backing member or pressure belt.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, an apparatus for redistributing release agent on a fuser surface of an image forming device is provided. The apparatus has a fuser surface for contacting a sheet of media having an image formed thereon by the image forming device, the fuser surface moving in a traveling direction; and a smoothing roll for redistributing the release agent on the fuser surface from a first post-fusing distribution to a second distribution, the smoothing roll contacting the release agent on the fuser surface at a contact area and pressing the release agent against the fuser surface to redistribute the release agent from the first post-fusing distribution to the second distribution. The smoothing roll is adapted to redistribute the release agent such that the second distribution is more uniform across the fuser surface than the first post-fusing distribution.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, an apparatus for redistributing release agent on a fuser surface of an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes a fuser surface for contacting a sheet of media having an image formed thereon by the image forming device, the fuser surface moving in a traveling direction; and a flexible blade for redistributing the release agent on the fuser surface from a first post-fusing distribution to a second distribution, the flexible blade contacting the release agent on the fuser surface at a contact area and pressing the release agent against the fuser surface to redistribute the release agent from the first post-fusing distribution to the second distribution, wherein the flexible blade is adapted to redistribute the release agent such that the second distribution is more uniform across the fuser surface than the first post-fusing distribution.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing, fixing devices and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; at least one heating element for heating the first surface of the first member; a second member including a second surface forming a nip with the first surface, the nip including an inlet end at which a substrate enters the nip and an outlet end at which the substrate exits from the nip; and an air knife disposed downstream from the outlet end of the nip and extending along an axial direction of the first member, the air knife including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a plurality of axially-spaced nozzles disposed between the first end and second end; and at least one gas inlet through which gas is supplied to the air knife.

Abstract: A release agent applicator applies release agent to an imaging drum and absorbs release agent metered from the drum to extend the operational life of a image drum maintenance unit. The applicator includes a reservoir for storing release agent, the reservoir having a plurality of perforations for enabling release agent to seep from the reservoir, a containment membrane mounted to the reservoir for wicking release agent from the perforations of the reservoir, and a delivery layer mounted to the containment membrane for delivering release agent from the containment membrane to an imaging drum that is in contact with the delivery layer. The delivery layer is matched to the containment membrane to maintain a saturation rate for the delivery layer in a predetermined range and the delivery layer has an uptake rate for release agent contacting an external boundary of the delivery layer that is greater than a release agent supply rate from the containment membrane to the delivery layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are several embodiments to facilitate the characterization of fuser stripping performance. Recognizing that the characteristics of a substrate exiting a fusing nip are indicative of the operation of the nip and the stripping operation itself, several contact and non-contact sensing methods are described to detect or predict degraded stripping performance, thereby permitting one or more compensation techniques to be employed, or to identify the need for fuser subsystem replacement.

Abstract: A sound attenuating device including an earmuff-like headset with two earpieces that is adjustable to accommodate different sized heads and includes a removable headband sleeve that eliminates hair entanglement. Additionally, one of the earpieces is fixedly attached to an end of the headband while the second earpiece is removable to allow for the removal and replacement of a fitted cotton sleeve which covers the headband. The headband washable cotton sleeve prevents hair entanglement, provides protection related to health and sanitary issues and also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition to the removable cotton sleeve for the headband, each of the earpieces is also provided with a removable fitted cotton cover.