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). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including subunits of: —(CH2 CF2)x-, —(CF2CF(CF3))y-, and —(CF2 CF2)z-, wherein: x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 89 mole percent, z is from 10 to 89 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: A fuser belt comprising in order a substrate comprising a high temperature thermoset polymer, an epoxy primer layer comprising an epoxy resin having the following structure: where R1 and R2 are each independently H or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently H, F, or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z is a carbonyl cross-linking group, and x is an integer from 1 to about 10 and said epoxy priming layer also comprising an anhydride crosslinking agent cyclic mono anhydride or dianhydride having the following structure: and mixture thereof where R is an alkyl group containing 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and a low surface energy polymeric release coating.

Abstract: An excavation tool having a lever with an end adapted for receiving force from a user's foot, an excavation head mounted to the other end of the lever, and a fulcrum mounted on the lever at the upper end of the excavation head for resting against the soil surface. The excavation tool may also have an excavation head with an upper end adapted for receiving a user's foot along the centerline of the excavation head, a lever fixedly mounted to the excavation head, having an end adapted for receiving force from a user's foot, and having an opening above the upper end of the excavation head for receiving a user's foot on the upper end of the excavation head along the centerline of the excavation head, a fulcrum mounted on the lever at the upper end of the excavation head for resting against the soil surface, and a handle pivotally mounted to the fulcrum having two legs which are separated to allow the lever to pivot between the handle legs.

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). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including 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 89 mole percent, z is from 10 to 89 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: A method of making a fuser member having a support comprising the steps of: A) providing a support; B) coating from an organic solvent onto the support a coating composition comprising a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent having a bisphenol residue, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, an aminosiloxane, and antimony-doped tin oxide particles, the fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer having 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; and C) curing the coating composition for 5 to 10 hours at a temperature in the range of 25° C. to 275° C.

Abstract: A roller for use as a fusing roller or a pressure roller or a drying roller in a system for treating printed ink image-bearing substrates and a composition for coating the outside of the roller. The composition is a reaction product of a high molecular weight, reactive cross-linkable poly(dialkylsiloxane), a cross-linked poly(dialkylsiloxane) including a filler and a silane cross-linking agent.

Abstract: A controlled modulus fusing-station member inclusive of a durable, tough, elastically deformable layer incorporating hollow flexible filler particles. The elastically deformable layer is preferably a single layer on a substrate, the substrate preferably a core member of a fuser roller or a pressure roller. The elastically deformable layer is made from a dry formulation inclusive of: a fluoro-thermoplastic polymer powder; microspheres in the form of unexpanded microspheres or expanded microballoons; and solid filler particles including strength-enhancing filler particles and thermal-conductivity-enhancing filler particles. The dry formulation can be thermally cured or electron-beam cured. Preferably, the dry formulation is thermally cured and further includes a curing catalyst, preferably a peroxide catalyst. Alternatively, the curing catalyst can be a bisphenol residue.

Abstract: A roller composition for forming an outer coating on the roller. The composition includes an addition cure polysiloxane component and a high molecular weight reactive polyfunctional poly(alkylsiloxane) component. The coated roller is effective for drying and fusing ink images on a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling the uniform application of a layer of a coating composition to a tubular substrate includes a shaft, and upper and lower circular rim members of equal diameter that are concentrically attached to the shaft. A pneumatically inflatable tube disposed on each circular rim member has an outer diameter that is variable with changes in its internal pressure. A first flexible cylindrical sheet in contact with the inflatable tubes has parallel edges that form a first slit sufficiently wide to permit movement of the first sheet in response to pressure variation in the tubes. A second flexible cylindrical sheet surrounding the first cylindrical sheet has parallel edges that form a second slit sufficiently wide to permit movement of the second sheet also in response to pressure variation. The second slit is laterally displaced from the first slit, and the second cylindrical sheet has a diameter nearly equal to the specified diameter of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fuser roller for use in a high speed fusing station where improved heat transfer from the fuser roller to the fused substrates is required. The invention also relates to an improved fuser system using the improved fuser roller of the present invention in combination with an improved pressure roller to produce an improved fuser section.

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). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including subunits of: —(CH2 CF2)x-, —(CF2CF(CF3))y-, and —(CF2 CF2)z-, wherein: x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 89 mole percent, z is from 10 to 89 mole percent, and x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a low camping fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer roller coating having a closely controlled curing agent content.

Abstract: A fuser member comprising a core and a layer overlying the core, the layer including a fluorocarbon random copolymer, a curing agent which cures the fluorocarbon random copolymer, the cured fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3))y—, or —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein x is from 30 to 90 mole percent, y is from 10 to 70 mole percent, z is from 0 to 34 mole percent; x+y+z equals 100 mole percent. The layer further including a particulate filler having aluminum oxide, having a total concentration in the layer of from 10 to 140 parts by weight per 100 parts of the fluorocarbon random copolymer, and alkaline earth metal oxides or alkaline earth metal hydroxides or combinations thereof; and siloxane polymer comprising one or more curable, silanol-terminated, polyfunctional poly(C1-6 alkyl)siloxane polymers.

Abstract: A controlled modulus fusing-station member inclusive of a durable, tough, elastically deformable layer incorporating hollow flexible filler particles. The elastically deformable layer is preferably a single layer on a substrate, the substrate preferably a core member of a fuser roller or a pressure roller. The elastically deformable layer is made from a dry formulation inclusive of: a fluoro-thermoplastic polymer powder; microspheres in the form of unexpanded microspheres or expanded microballoons; and solid filler particles including strength-enhancing filler particles and thermal-conductivity-enhancing filler particles. The dry formulation can be thermally cured or electron-beam cured. Preferably, the dry formulation is thermally cured and further includes a curing catalyst, preferably a peroxide catalyst. Alternatively, the curing catalyst can be a bisphenol residue.

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). In embodiments, the contact surface comprises a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer co-cured with a fluorinated resin including 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, and x +y+z equals 100 mole percent.

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 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 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.