Abstract: A fuser member which comprises a base member, a silicone elastomer cushion layer, a vinyl- and hydride-containing silane adhesive layer, and a fluoroelastomer layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for labelling digital discs. In the method, a disc is provided that has an alignment mark. An image is printed onto the disc in registration with the alignment mark.

Abstract: An adhesion layer disposed in a fuser member between an underlying base cushion layer and an outer release layer comprises the reaction product of vinyl- and hydride-containing polydimethylsiloxanes.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus fuser providing for tuning of the fuser operating parameters to match the gloss of a fused marking particle image to the gloss of a receiver member to which such image is fused. The fuser includes a heated fuser roller, with a pressure roller in adjustable nip relation with the heated fuser roller. A mechanism regulates the speed of transport of a receiver member through the nip between the heated fuser roller and the pressure roller. A control device selectively, individually adjusts the temperature of the heated fuser roller, the pressure in the nip between the heated fuser roller and the pressure roller, and the receiver member transport speed regulating mechanism in an optimum predetermined manner based upon the characteristics of a receiver member upon which a marking particle image is to be fused.

Abstract: A fuser member having improved toner offset release and wear characteristics. The outermost layer comprises a fluoroelastomer with thermally conductive fillers which are surface treated with a coupling agent that is interactive with the fluoroelastomer and with a release agent which may, optionally, be used on the surface of the fluoroelastomer layer.

Abstract: A belt fusing accessory, for a reproduction apparatus, the belt fusing accessory providing selectable image gloss. The belt fusing accessory, as disclosed, includes a heated fuser roller and a pressure roller in nip relation with the fuser roller. A steering roller is located downstream of the nip between the fuser roller and the pressure roller. A fusing belt is entrained about the fuser roller and the steering roller. Heat to the fuser roller is controlled dependent upon the desired gloss condition for the colorant image on the receiver member.

Abstract: A toner fuser member having improved toner release properties comprises a substrate and an outermost layer comprising a cured fluoroelastomer that includes at least about 21 mole percent of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and at least 10 parts per weight of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of cupric oxide, plumbous oxide, and mixtures thereof. Applying to the outermost layer of the fuser member an effective amount of a polymethyldisiloxane (PDMS) release agent that, optionally, includes at least one functional group reactive with the fluoroelastomer, followed by incubation at an elevated temperature, produces a surface having enhanced toner release characteristics on the outermost layer. A process for forming a toner fuser member having improved toner release properties comprises forming on a substrate an outermost layer having the above-described composition of cured fluoroelastomer and metal oxide.

Abstract: A toner fuser member having improved toner release properties comprises a substrate and an outermost layer comprising a cured fluoroelastomer that includes at least about 21 mole percent of hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and at least 10 parts per weight of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of cupric oxide, plumbous oxide, and mixtures thereof. Applying to the outermost layer of the fuser member an effective amount of a polymethyldisiloxane (PDMS) release agent that, optionally, includes at least one functional group reactive with the fluoroelastomer, followed by incubation at an elevated temperature, produces a surface having enhanced toner release characteristics on the outermost layer. A process for forming a toner fuser member having improved toner release properties comprises forming on a substrate an outermost layer having the above-described composition of cured fluoroelastomer and metal oxide.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus capable of producing duplex copies, an intermediate transfer member is utilized for transferring a marking particle image from a member upon which such marking particle image is initially formed to the intermediate transfer member and thereafter from the intermediate transfer member to a receiver member. A fuser assembly, dispensing fuser oil to prevent offset of a marking particle image to the fuser assembly, is then utilized for fixing a transferred image on the receiver member. In order to prevent fuser oil contamination defects on copies produced by such reproduction apparatus, the intermediate transfer member and the member upon which a marking particle image is initially formed are rotated in timed relation to effect registered transfer of such marking particle image from the member to the intermediate transfer member during a print cycle.

Abstract: A fuser for fixing toner, for example, toner images, includes thermoelectric control devices for controlling temperature. Preferably, the thermoelectric control devices are used to heat the toner in a heating zone and cool the toner in a cooling zone prior to separation of the toner from a fusing surface. The cooling improves both the gloss and the separation characteristics of the toner.

Abstract: A toner release agent composition for electrostatography comprises a polydialkoxysilane oil and a concentration of a nonionic surfactant that is effective to prevent or substantially suppress triboelectric charging of pressure and fuser members during fusion of thermoplastic toner on a receiver. The nonionic surfactant preferably comprises about 1 to 10 weight percent, more preferably about 2 to 5 weight percent, of the release agent composition.

Abstract: To assist transfer of toner images from a first transfer surface to a second transfer surface, the first transfer surface is actively cooled to prevent the toner sticking to it. Preferably, the cooling is accomplished by thermoelectric control device strips positioned in heat conducting relation with the first transfer surface. A thermoelectric control device can also be used to heat a second or receiving surface to which the toner is to be transferred to farther assist the transfer process.

Abstract: A process and system for inhibiting toner offset in a electrostatographic apparatus of the kind wherein toner images are contact fused to a copy sheet. Drops of offset inhibiting liquid are discretely directed to predetermined locations on the contacting surface of the apparatus fuser member. For example, a drop on demand, piezoelectric drop generator can controllably jet drops of silicone oil to form desired offset inhibiting patterns in accord with apparatus control signals, indicative of particular copy sheet and image requirements.

Abstract: A system for assisting the transfer of a toner image formed by electrostatographic apparatus and process to a copy sheet. The transfer assistance system and process utilize drop generators to form a release liquid pattern for joining with such toner image and a supply mechanism delivers release material, e.g., heat wax material, to the drop generators. In a preferred mode release liquid is applied, in a patterns customized to toner patterns, to an intermediate transfer member.

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: 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: Image forming apparatus includes a logic and control which receives an input indicative of the compliance of a fusing roller and adjusts the temperature of the fuser in response to that input. The apparatus also can receive an input indicative of the melt viscosity of one or more toners making up an image to be fused to similarly adjust the fusing temperature. Alternatively, the pressure in a fusing nip can be adjusted in response to either or both inputs. The inputs can be received in the logic and control from a fusing roller cartridge having machine readable indicating device, indicative of the compliance of the fusing roller. Similarly, the melt viscosity of the toner can be input from a machine readable indicia or the like on a toner bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus including a fixing assembly for fixing an image onto a medium as the medium travels in a path through the assembly, the fixing assembly having a wide nip along the path of travel of the medium formed by a pair of nip forming rollers, at least one of which rollers contains a hydraulic fluid and maybe heated. The hydraulic roller has an aluminum core encased in a sealed stainless steel flexible hydraulic sleeve. In the space between the core and sleeve of each roller is a pressurized fluid. The apparatus also has a hydraulic piston for pressurizing the fluid.

Abstract: A dry toner image is embedded in a thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet by pressing a ferrotyping web against the image in the presence of sufficient heat to soften the layer. Preferably, the layer is preheated and the web and image are pressed together by a pair of hard rollers to a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch.A curl preventing layer opposite thermoplastic layer does not offset on a backing roller because it has a melting point above the temperature of the process.

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.