Abstract: A toner container has an opening through which toner is dispensed. It is covered by a web seal which is removable by an operator to dispense the toner. A cleaning edge is positioned to engage the seal as it is removed and clean toner off the seal to prevent its soiling the hands or clothing of an operator removing it.

Abstract: A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A plastic syringe adapted for use with power injector systems comprises a cylindrical barrel for receiving a liquid, a plunger axially reciprocable within the barrel for discharging the liquid therefrom, a discharge extension at the distal end of the barrel terminating in a discharge outlet, at least one radially outwardly extending mounting lug located at or near the outer proximal end of the barrel, the lug having a distal surface having first and second ends defining a constrained portion of the barrel, and the lug being crown shaped such that the center of the distal surface of the lug is distally offset from the ends of the lug. In another embodiment, the syringe comprises a cylindrical collar adapted to fit over and attach to the proximal end of the cylindrical barrel, and the crowned lug is located at or near the outer proximal end of the collar.

Abstract: A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A fuser for an image-forming apparatus includes a fusing roller which is replaceable in a cartridge. The fusing roller cartridge includes a cover for covering an access opening providing access to the fusing roller. The cover is openable, either directly by an operator to a latched condition, by the apparatus in response to insertion of the cartridge, by the operator before insertion but held in an uncovering position by the receiving apparatus or by suitable mechanism in the apparatus after insertion of the cartridge. Preferably, the cover closes early in the removal motion so that the fingers of the removing operator cannot touch a hot fusing roller. A metallic heat shield between the fusing roller and the cartridge housing helps prevent the housing from becoming too hot to touch.

Abstract: A fuser includes a pressure roller and a fusing roller and a skive for the fusing roller. The fusing roller is replaceable in a cartridge which has a housing which protects the fusing roller. The housing defines an access opening to the fusing roller and includes a skive for assisting in the separation of a receiving sheet from the fusing roller. The skive defines at least a portion of one edge of the access opening and is preferably molded integrally with the housing. A heat shield is positioned between the fusing roller and the housing to prevent the housing from becoming too hot to handle.

Abstract: Image-forming apparatus includes a fusing roller which is replaceable in the apparatus in a cartridge. The cartridge includes a temperature sensitive fuse which blows when it passes a temperature during the initial operation of the fusing roller. The unblown fuse is sensed by a receiving apparatus as an indication of a new cartridge which can be used to reset a counter keeping track of usage of the cartridge. The cartridge also includes a lamp for heating the fusing roller and one or more temperature sensors for sensing the fusing roller temperature. The fuse, lamp and sensors are automatically connectable by a leading end connector to the receiving apparatus as part of inserting the cartridge in the apparatus.

Abstract: A fusing roller is replaceable in an image-forming apparatus in a fusing roller cartridge. The cartridge includes the fusing roller mounted for rotation in a housing, oil-applying structure, heating lamp, temperature sensors and an access opening. A pressure roller in the receiving apparatus frictionally engages the fusing roller to drive it during operation. No separate drive connections are necessary for the fusing roller. Electrical connection with a heating lamp and temperature sensors is provided with a cartridge electrical connector extending from a leading end of the cartridge. The cartridge electrical connector mates with a receiving electrical connector in the image-forming apparatus when the cartridge is inserted by movement parallel to the axis of rotation of the fusing roller. Receiving support structure for the cartridge is tilted to cause the bottom and one side surface of the cartridge to rest gravitationally on the support structure when inserted.

Abstract: A fusing roller is replaceable in an image-forming apparatus in a fusing roller catridge. The cartridge includes the fusing roller mounted for rotation in a housing, oil-applying device, heating lamp, temperature sensors and an access opening. A pressure roller in the receiving apparatus frictionally engages the fusing roller to drive it during operation. The oil-applying device in the cartridge is accessible from outside the cartridge for adjustment between a condition applying oil and a condition not applying oil. Oil is supplied from a source in the receiving apparatus. A connector on the cartridge mates with a check valve on the receiving apparatus in response to insertion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A toner image fixing apparatus includes first and second fixing members, at least the first member including a rotatable roller. The rotatable roller includes a bearing support that has a shaft eccentrically positioned and fixed in it. The bearing support supports rotation of the roller about a primary axis of rotation, while the shaft is rotatable around a secondary axis of rotation displaced from the primary axis of rotation. The rotation of the shaft changes the position of the primary axis of rotation with respect to a pair of shaft support arms to move the roller away from the second fixing member to relieve the pressure between the fixing members.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fusing station in an electrostatographic copier or printer includes a level detecting apparatus for detecting a low oil level condition in a release oil reservoir of such a fusing station. The level detecting apparatus includes a temperature responsive thermistor connected to a voltage divider and a voltage comparator circuit, and supported within the reservoir so as to be exposed and above the level of release oil in the reservoir when there is a low oil condition in the reservoir.

Abstract: A rotatable wick for a fuser or other fixing device includes a feed tube having distribution holes through which release liquid can be pumped. One or more grooves in the outer surface of the feed tube extend around the tube. The feed holes open into the groove. A thin porous sheath around the tube covers the groove while leaving an air space between the distribution holes and the sheath. A wicking material is wrapped around the outside of the sheath. The sheath protects the distribution holes from contact with the wicking material.

Abstract: A fuser and pressure roller type fusing apparatus for fusing toner images onto a suitable receiver in an electrostatographic copier or printer includes a passive release oil application cartridge for positively supplying and applying release oil to the surface of the fuser roller therein. The cartridge includes a release oil reservoir, a release oil application roll which contacts and is driven by the rotation of the fuser roller, and an oil feeding and pumping assembly for delivering oil from the reservoir to the application roll.

Abstract: A fusing member suitable for use as a fuser roller in an electrostatographic fusing apparatus, is made entirely of elastomeric materials and has a smooth surface that can be heated. Such a fuser roller is particularly inexpensive to manufacture, not susceptible to delamination failure, and particularly suitable for use in a fusing apparatus as an externally heated and axially unsupported roller.

Abstract: A roller type fusing apparatus, in which a fuser or pressure roller is movable, includes a device for forming a fusing nip, having a desired nipwidth, by moving the movable roller from a first light surface-to-surface contact position, to a compressing and deforming contact second position with the other roller. The fusing apparatus further includes a mechanism for automatically correcting or adjusting for fusing nipwidth misadjustments which are caused by a reduction in the size of any of rollers. Such misadjustments normally result in poor and unacceptable fusing quality due to the nipwidth of subsequently formed fusing nips being undesirably narrower than the desired nipwidth setting. The mechanism includes a displacement assembly, operative with the nip forming device, for automatically displacing the movable roller from a misadjusted gapped or spaced third position back to the adjusted, light surface-to-surface contact first position, prior to formation of a fusing nip.

Abstract: An apparatus for fusing toner images to a receiver or copy sheet of paper includes a pressure roller and an axially unsupported fuser roller that is nested rotatably between the pressure roller and a pair of heater rollers. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for fusing toner images to the receiver or copy sheet without generating fuser related defects such as copy distortions, copy curls, wrinkles or image voids.