Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods to adjust gloss of a fused toner image, and in particular to reduce differential gloss within the fused toner image so as to provide prints which more closely resemble lithographic prints in image quality. In embodiments, the apparatus and methods employ a finishing member having an outer contact surface thereon which contacts a previously fused toner image under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The contact surface is comprised of a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin, such as polyfluoroethylenepropylene (FEP).

Abstract: Disclosed are fuser members, apparatus and methods which employ compositions that can be varied to provide a fused toner image with a selected gloss level. In embodiments, the apparatus and methods employ a fusing member having an outer contact surface thereon which contacts a previously fused toner image under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The contact surface has a Gardner G60 gloss of up to about 35 and is comprised of a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin, such as polyfluoroethylenepropylene (FEP).

Abstract: A fusing apparatus for heat fixing toner images onto a receiver medium. The apparatus includes a fuser member including an elastomeric contact surface; a pressure member forming a fusing nip to receive the receiver medium; a heater member including a conformable base cushion layer and an outer polymeric layer disposed over the base cushion layer, the heater member being in contact with the fuser and external thereto; and a radiant heat subsystem positioned externally of the heater member to provide heat to the surface of the first heater member which then contacts the fuser member so as to transfer heat thereto. The heater member is adapted to controllably exert pressure on the fuser member in order to controllably transfer heat to the fuser member, thereby providing control over the fusing capabilities of an eletrophotographic process.

Abstract: A printer for printing color toner images on a receiver member of any of a variety of textures. The printer has a number of tandemly arranged electrophotographic image-forming modules respectively including a plurality of imaging subsystems to form a colored toner image transferred to a receiver member, the transfer of toner images from each of the modules forming a color print of the receiver member which is fused to form a desired color print. The image quality of the color print is produced by control of nonoperational co-optimization of fusing parameters and imaging subsystem parameters enabling printing on the variety of textures of receiver member.

Abstract: A laminator member for color proofing comprising a belt substrate; and a surface layer, said surface layer comprising: a polyamic-imide organic polymer binder; a fluorinated resin polymer; and a perfluoroalkylsubstituted fluororesin-reactive compound having the formula: where R5 is H or F; Q is OH, SiR6R7R8; R6, R7, and R8 being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, OH, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group containing 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an amino group containing 0 to about 4 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 1 to about 15; with the proviso that, at least one of R6, R7, and R8 is Cl, OH, or an alkoxy, acyloxy, or amino group; and wherein said surface layer is adhered to said belt substrate by the polyamide-imide polymer binder.

Abstract: A roller for use in a fuser assembly of a reproduction apparatus adapted to operate at an elevated temperature up to in the range of approximately 750° F. The roller includes a generally elongated substantially cylindrical tube. End gudgeons are provided for sealing the ends of the cylindrical tube. Each of the end gudgeons is respectively associated with an end of the cylindrical tube such that after a weld joint is formed between the cylindrical tube and the end gudgeon, the end gudgeon provides a compression joint to prevent the cylindrical tube from separating from the end gudgeon, due to material creep, at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A fusing station including an externally heated deformable fuser roller and a relatively harder pressure roller, the fuser roller including a heat distribution layer. A fuser roller embodiment includes a core member, a base cushion layer around the core member, a heat storage layer around the base cushion layer, a heat distribution layer around the heat storage layer, and a thin gloss control layer around the heat distribution layer. Ratios of thermal conductivity divided by thickness for the layers are, respectively: for the base cushion layer, less than approximately 13.3 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.; for the heat storage layer, approximately between 300 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.-1400 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.; for the heat distribution layer, approximately between 600 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.-4,800 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.; and, for the gloss control layer, approximately between 600 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.-6,000 BTU/hr/ft2/°F.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fusing apparatus for heat fixing toner images onto a receiver medium, the apparatus including:

Abstract: An improved donor member for applying a toner release agent to a toned receiver comprises a support an intermediate layer disposed on the support, and an outermost layer formed from a cured composition comprising a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, and a curable aminosiloxane, wherein the fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer has subunits of:

Abstract: A conformable roller for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine, the fusing station being provided with a pressure roller and a fuser roller for fusing a toner image on a receiver, the fuser roller made from a plurality of layers surrounding an axis of rotation, the conformable roller comprising a rigid cylindrically symmetric core member; a flexible replaceable removable compliant sleeve member in the form of a tubular belt surrounding and nonadhesively intimately contacting the core member; and the fusing station including an external heat source for the fuser roller, at least one of the plurality of layers being thermally resistive.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release agent donor roller, and methods and fusing systems which incorporate the donor roller, for applying a polymeric release agent to a fuser roller in an electrophotographic apparatus. The donor roller comprises a base member with a polymeric outer layer thereover comprising a silicone material with a controlled, relatively high swelling characteristic in the release agent, i.e., the layer has a swell in 300 cts poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil maintained at a temperature of 175° C. after 24 hours exposure of greater than 15% by weight. When operated in a fusing system, the donor roller exhibits relatively low toner contamination levels, even for relatively low melting polymer binder resins used in producing toners, such as polyester resins. The swell characteristic is still at an acceptable level such that the donor roller has adequate mechanical stability.

Abstract: A pressure member for use in fixing toner to a receiver comprises a support an intermediate layer disposed on the support, and an outermost layer formed from a cured composition comprising a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, and a curable aminosiloxane, wherein the fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer has subunits of:

Abstract: A fusing belt comprising a substrate and a coating on the substrate wherein the coating comprises a resin containing a cured silsesquioxane polymer and wherein the belt is used in combination with a photographic element.

Abstract: A heater roller assembly for use with a fuser apparatus includes a housing comprising a radiation shield enclosing a radiant heat source, and a heater roller that is disposed within the housing and is externally heated by the radiant heat source. The heater roller includes a core, a base cushion layer overlying the core, and an outer layer overlying the base cushion layer. The outer layer of the heater roller includes a fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits of wherein x is from 10 to 90 mole %, y is from 10 to 90 mole %, x+y equal 100 mole %, and ORf is a perfluoroalkoxy group. A fuser apparatus includes a fuser roller whose outer surface is in contact with the outer layer of a heater roller included in a heater roller assembly.

Abstract: For fusing toner images to receiver members, a fusing station is disclosed including an externally heated deformable fuser roller, and a relatively harder pressure roller. The fuser roller includes a core member, a base cushion layer around the core member, a heat storage layer around the base cushion layer, and a thin gloss control layer around the heat storage layer, which fuser roller has an improved fusing efficiency. A ratio of thermal conductivity of the heat storage layer divided by thermal conductivity of the base cushion layer is preferably in a range of approximately between 1.5-7.

Abstract: A conformable roller for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine, said fusing station being provided with a pressure roller for fusing a toner image on a receiver, said fuser roller made from a plurality of layers surrounding an axis of rotation, said conformable roller comprising a rigid cylindrically symmetric core member; a compliant base-cushion layer formed on the core member; a stiffening layer in intimate contact with and surrounding the base-cushion layer; a compliant release layer coated on the stiffening layer; and said fusing station including an external heat source for said fuser roller, at least one of said plurality of layers being thermally resistive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an externally heated, external heater member for transferring heat to a fusing member used to heat fix a toner image to a substrate, such as a fuser employed in an electrophotographic process. The heater member includes: a core; a conformable base cushion layer overlying the core; and an outer layer overlying the base cushion layer, the outer layer comprising a cured fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer. In embodiments, the copolymer has subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3))y—, and —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 90 mole percent, z is from 10 to 90 mole percent, x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: A roller for use in a fuser assembly of a reproduction apparatus adapted to operate at an elevated temperature up to in the range of approximately 750° F. The roller includes a generally elongated substantially cylindrical tube. End gudgeons are provided for sealing the ends of the cylindrical tube. Each of the end gudgeons is respectively associated with an end of the cylindrical tube such that after a weld joint is formed between the cylindrical tube and the end gudgeon, the end gudgeon provides a compression joint to prevent the cylindrical tube from separating from the end gudgeon, due to material creep, at elevated operating temperatures.

Abstract: A deformable toner fuser roller, for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine comprising a rigid cylindrical core member; an overdrive-controlling, elastically deformable structure surrounding the core member; and wherein the fuser roller is adapted to be heated by a heat source external to the roller and the overdrive-controlling elastically deformable structure comprises an effective or operational Poisson's ratio between 0.2 and 0.4.

Abstract: A release coating layer comprising a continuous phase of an organic polymer binder; a discontinuous phase of a fluorinated resin having a molecular weight between 2500 and 10,000,000, wherein the ratio of organic polymer binder to fluorinated resin is between 60:39.9 to 80:18 by weight; and a priming agent composition comprising a perfluoroalkylsubstituted fluororesin-reactive compound having the formula: where R5 is H or F, Q is OH, SiR6R7R8, R6, R7, and R8 being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, OH, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group containing 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an amino group containing 0 to about 4 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 1 to about 15; with the proviso that, at least one of R6, R7, and R8 is Cl, OH, or an alkoxy, acyloxy, or amino group.