Abstract: A ribbon machine which is capable of feeding ribbon to the inlet or feed opening of a ribbon cassette is improved by providing the ribbon machine with a support surface having a ribbon pathway thereon and at least two cassette adapters, each one of which can be positioned at one of a plurality of adapter positions on the support surface. The cassette adapters each are capable of holding at least one type of a variety of types of ribbon cassettes. Each of the adapter positions on the support surface includes a member capable of driving either an internal or external sprocket wheel or other drive wheel which feeds the ribbon into the cassette and a cassette adapter holding member which holds the cassette adapter at a particular adapter position. Each of the cassette adapters is constructed to include the capability of allowing the drive member at each of the adapter positions to interact with the cassette to feed the ribbon into the cassette.

Abstract: An image information recording device having a pair of image fixing rollers which hold a toner image bearing member between them under pressure to fix a toner image thereon during conveyance of the same, a toner-image-bearing-member-discharging-path-forming device disposed at a position subsequent to the pair of image fixing rollers with respect to a moving path of the toner image bearing member, a disengaging device to disengage, depending on necessity, the discharging path formation by the toner-image-bearing-member-discharging-path-forming device, and a device for decreasing a pressure between the pair of fixing rollers or separating the same in association with the disengagement of the discharging path formation.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a roller for fixing a toner image formed on a supporting element, a container for receiving an offset preventing liquid and an element for applying the offset preventing liquid on the surface of the roller. The liquid applying element is partially immersed in the offset preventing liquid and it includes a liquid applying member for applying the liquid from the end surface of the member by capillary action, and a member adjacent the end surface to affect the capillary action by squeezing the liquid applying member to control the amount of the liquid applied . Felt is preferably used for the liquid applying member.

Abstract: A fuser member has a composite layer including (1) a first layer of a first material which is an elastomer; (2) a second layer of a second material comprising elastomeric fluoropolymer which is a crosslinked polymer having repeating units of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinylether; and (3) a layer intermediate to and continuous with the first and second layers in which the proportion of the first material to the second material gradually varies from substantially only the first material to substantially only the second material.Methods of making the fuser member by a spray technique and of using the fuser member to fuse toner images to a receiver are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a toner-image by transporting a toner image bearing material as it is held between a heated fixing roll and a compression roll. The apparatus uses a porous tube of tetrafluoroethylene resin with both ends sealed which is placed in contact with the fixing roll in an axial direction and a release agent is applied onto the surface of the fixing roll through the porous tube.

Abstract: In an externally heated fusing system, the improvement which comprises providing an externally heated fuser member which is made of a base, a relatively thick layer of a foam of a fluoroelastomer on the base, and a relatively thin layer of a silicone elastomer on the foam layer. The silicone elastomer layer containing an iron oxide filler therein.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including an image forming station for causing an image bearing member to bear an unfixed image, a fixing station for fixing the unfixed image on the image bearing member, a transport member for transporting the image bearing member from the image forming station to the fixing station, and support device for supporting the transport member; wherein the transport member is provided with a second resistivity in the part thereof which is in contact with the image bearing member and with a first resistivity in other part thereof, the first and second resistivities being so selected as not to disturb the unfixed image on the image bearing member.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first, heated roller and a second roller movable from spaced apart condition in their nonoperative mode into mutual pressure contact with each other for operatively fixing a toner image to a support sheet passed therebetween, and a cleaning blade maintained in continuous contact with the first roller to clean contaminating matter from its surface. In operation, the first roller is rotated through at least one full revolution prior to contact with the second roller so that residual contaminating matter can be cleaned from the first roller surface before contact with the second roller and image fixing take place.

Abstract: A device for fixing a toner image on an image supporting member includes a first and a second roller for conveying the image supporting member while holding it therebetween and fixing the toner image on the image supporting member, and an applicator being in contact with the first roller and applying offset preventing liquid to the first roller. The portion of contact of the applicator with the first roller is provided with a first portion contacting the fixing action area of the first roller and a second portion including the end areas of the portion of contact with respect to the lengthwise direction of the first roller. The applicator has, in at least the portion of contact, a liquid amount control member formed of synthetic resin having fine continuous pores. The offset preventing liquid oozes out to the surface of the synthetic resin through the fine continuous pores and is applied to the first roller.

Abstract: Heat fixing rolls for electrophotographic dry toner processes are made with a silicone rubber outer layer which contains substantial amounts of siliceous filler, including reinforcing silica filler. The heat fixing rolls produce an increased number of copies before offset occurs.

Abstract: A xerographic hot roll fuser whose hot roll's soft, elastomeric outer surface is formed of a mixture of 70 parts polymethylvinylsiloxane where the vinyl groups are terminating groups, and 30 parts of a blended polymer consisting of the polymethylvinylsiloxane and polymethyl-H-siloxane in which the hydride function is greater than two.

Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing device having a heat roller covered with a layer of silicone rubber, and an oil applying assembly for coating the surface of the heat roller with an offset preventing agent, such assembly comprising a felt impregnated with the offset preventing agent, and a metallic roller in surface rubbing contact with the felt to prevent offset of a toner image formed on a sheet passing over the heat roller surface, the present fixing device having a surface of its metallic roller roughened and in contact with a doctor blade of a material having a lower hardness than the material of the metallic roller. The doctor blade is in pressing contact with the roughened surface at a location to the rear of the position of rubbing contact between the felt and the metallic roller relative to the direction of rotation of the metallic roller.

Abstract: An extruder having a vertically disposed feed screw depositing a hot melt adhesive as an extrudate laterally across a carrier member. A blade with a back-up roller regulates the flow onto the moving carrier member which along with the film formed thereon is cooled and thence selectively either rolled up with the carrier member into a roll or separated therefrom and rolled up onto itself as a supply roll of adhesive.

Abstract: Roll fuser apparatus and a release agent management system therefor. The fuser comprises a pair of pressure engageable rolls one of which is heated and has a relatively thick silicone rubber outer layer. The fuser is adapted to accommodate various size copy sheets resulting in a number of areas of the silicone rubber undergoing physical changes due to the effects of sheet edge contact therewith. The release agent management system is designed to minimize the adverse effects caused by the sheet edges contacting the silicone rubber outer layer. To this end the system which serves to dispense silicone oil onto the surface of the silicone rubber is provided with a plurality of apertures which are strategically located such that a quantity of the oil is introduced into the silicone rubber in these areas of sheet edge contact whereby the adverse effects noted are counteracted.

Abstract: A heat fixing device for use in an electrophotographic copying machine in which an electroconductive layer is provided in the surface of one of the fixing and pressure rolls for preventing charge built up upon the surface of the roll. The layer is preferably provided as an aluminum plated layer covered by a non-adhesive releasing layer made of a material such as tetrafluoroethylene or HTV or RTV silicone rubber. Provision of the electroconductive layer prevents an electric field from forming extending through a sheet carrying an image to be fixed thereby substantially entirely, eliminating any offset produced on the roll.

Abstract: An improved fluid applicating wick for use in applying release fluids to a fuser member surface of a fusing system for fusing toner images is described. The wick comprises a working surface material which contacts the fuser member surface, and a backing material to which the working surface material is needled. A preferred fluid applicating wick comprises a layer of Teflon felt or fiber as a working surface material is needled to a fibrous or felted Nomex material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixing the binding agent of a dye-stuff to a printed web of material by means of heat applied to the web within a treatment or polymerization chamber. The treatment time of the web is increased by effecting a loop formation of the web upon a slowly moving belt traveling within the treatment chamber. After the web is first introduced into the chamber, it is then heated. Thereafter, the loop formation takes place. Upon leaving the treatment chamber, the web is passed over a stationary, curved shape heated plate, which smooths the web.

Abstract: A coating apparatus in which a coating film is transferred from a film carrying roll leaf, onto the surface of a product. A positioning platform, together with a pressure member which acts against the platform, define a transfer station at which the roll leaf and product are concurrently aligned. A continuously moving and guided thermal belt preheats the foil sufficiently to effect separation of the roll leaf decorative layer from the carrier, and assure its transfer to the product surface.

Abstract: Offset of toner powder upon a heated surface is prevented by applying an emulsion of a high viscosity release agent and a low viscosity dispersion liquid upon the heated surface by an applicator means in contact with the heated surface. The preferred emulsion is a mixture of high viscosity silicone oil and water. There is also described a method of manufacturing a fibrous applicator and the article formed thereby which includes the impregnation of the fibrous applicator with an emulsion of high viscosity liquid and a low viscosity dispersion liquid and the removal of low viscosity dispersion liquid after impregnation with the emulsion is complete. A preferred applicator is a fibrous wick having water removed therefrom after the fibrous wick is impregnated with an emulsion of a polydimethylsiloxane liquid and water.

Abstract: A fixing device for an electrophotographic copying machine which includes a pair of rollers forming a nip therebetween through which the copy paper passes and an applicator which is capable of feeding a sufficient quantity of offset-preventing liquid only to the portion of the rollers where the leading end of the copy paper, will contact with the supply of offset-printing liquid to the remaining portion of the rollers being minimized to a quantity necessary for the preventing of offset. The consumption of offset-preventing liquid is reduced and the swelling of the silicone rubber coatings on the rollers, when used, is inhibited.

Abstract: A couple of copy sheet stripping members are provided for scraping away a copy sheet adhered strictly to one of two rollers which are driven to fix images of an original document on the copy sheet in pressure engagement. At least one of the copy sheet stripping members is secured removably from the roller while the copy sheet is not transferred out of the rollers. The copy sheet stripping member becomes pressed against the roller in accordance with the transferring of the copy sheet which is detected by a sensing means. The copy sheet stripping member is free of residue attached on the roller because the period of time where the engagement between the roller and the copy sheet stripping member is kept is very short. The other copy sheet stripping member can be further disposed to assure both the scrape of the copy sheet and the removal of the residue on the roller, the copy sheet stripping member being continuously pressed against the roller.

Abstract: A heat fuser roll and the method of manufacture thereof. The roll comprises a deformable layer on a base member and the deformable layer is produced by coating the base member with a silicone rubber material, curing the silicone rubber material and treating the roll by irradiating its surface with a predetermined level of ultra violet radiation for a predetermined time to produce an improved silicone rubber deformable layer.

Abstract: Roll fuser apparatus for fixing toner images on copy substrates. This apparatus is characterized by simplicity of design and serviceability. To this end, the fuser roll, pressure roll and a weighted wick are all supported for vertical movement such that raising the pressure roll which is below the fuser roll which, in turn, is below the wick causes engagement with the fuser roll and then engagement between the fuser roll and wick. Downward movement of the pressure roll will effect disengagement of the pressure roll from the fuser roll as well as automatic disengagement of the wick from the fuser roll.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition containing thermoplastic synthetic resin emulsion is applied to a paper web to form a coating layer and dried at a temperature to maintain the coating layer below the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic synthetic resin emulsion. The coated paper web is passed on a finishing roll having a mirror-like metal surface heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the emulsion. The surface of the coating layer of the coated paper web is brought into pressing contact with the finishing roll and heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the emulsion, while the coated paper web is passed on the finishing roll. The coated paper web is cooled until the temperature of the surface of the coating layer is reduced to a level not exceeding the glass transition temperature of the emulsion by 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A fusing rolls fixing unit having a toner antisticky liquid supply device wetting the surface of the fixing rolls to prevent adhesion of toner particles thereto. The antisticky liquid supply device is discontinuously operated for applying liquid to the fixing rolls only one time for each copy-run executed.

Abstract: Apparatus for fixing toner images carried on a long footage of continuous web such as rolled paper or folded paper, uniformly but intermittently from end to end of the web. The apparatus includes a heating roller and a second roller and control circuitry. During fixation, the image bearing surface of the web is urged against the heated roller which is rotated to move the web, and during the intermission of fixation, the web is disengaged from the heating roller. Preferably, when the web is urged against the heating roller and/or when the web is disengaged from the heating roller, rotation thereof is stopped and the web is maintained in pressure contact with the stopped heating roller for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A heat and pressure roll fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to copy substrates, the toner comprising a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes a heated, either internally or externally, fuser roll cooperating with a backup or pressure roll to form a nip through which the copy substrates pass with the images contacting the heated roll. The heated fuser roll is characterized by an outer layer or surface fabricated from a silicone rubber material to which a low viscosity polymeric release fluid is applied, the silicone rubber being susceptible to swelling in the presence of the release fluid. A release fluid metering system is provided which includes a tapered roll that is adapted to apply release fluid to the entire outer fuser roll surface or to only a portion thereof depending upon the size substrate being utilized.

Abstract: A process and machine are disclosed for reflowing solder plated continuous flexible circuit webs. During reflow in a vapor environment, the flexible web is maintained in a planar orientation to produce a relatively uniform distribution of solder. Virtually all of the heat transfer fluid used in producing the vapor is recovered and retained.

Abstract: A heat and pressure roll fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to copy substrates, the toner comprising a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes an internally heated, fuser roll cooperating with a backup or pressure roll to form a nip through which the copy substrates pass with the images contacting the heated roll. The heated fuser roll is characterized by an outer layer or surface which by way of example is fabricated from a silicone rubber, Viton or metal clad with a low surface energy material such as Teflon to which a low viscosity polymeric release fluid is applied. Liquid release fluid is contained in a sump from which it is applied either directly or indirectly to the fuser roll. When release agent is applied directly to the fuser roll an air seal must be used on the surface of the fuser roll to insure that the release material contacts the fuser roll. Alternatively, when the release fluid is applied indirectly as by, for example, a metering roll, then the air seal contacts the metering roll.

Abstract: A device for fixing an image formed by electrostatic adhesion of toner particles on a copy sheet, wherein such copy sheet is passed between a pair of fixing rollers consisting of a fixing roller and a follower roller, the fixing roller having an offset preventing oil fed to its surface and being heated as required. The fixing roller and the follower roller each include a base material layer made of silicone rubber which is not caused to swell by the offset preventing oil and is swellable thereby. The fixing roller further include a thin surface layer formed on the outer surface of the base material layer and made of silicone rubber which has affinity with a silicone oil. The offset preventing oil may be a fluoroalkyl radical containing silicone oil or a mixture of such oil with an alkylpolysiloxane oil.

Abstract: A heat-pressure fusing apparatus that exhibits high thermal efficiency is disclosed.

Abstract: An oil supply apparatus for use with copying machines comprises a tank for holding an offset preventing oil therein, a pump for sucking the oil from the tank, a container for holding the sucked oil therein, an oil application device for applying the oil taken from the container to an image fixing roller and an oil recovery means device for recovering an excessive amount of the oil which was taken from the container and returning it to the tank. The oil is always circulated in the oil supply apparatus and the container can be detached from the tank. When the container is detached from the tank, a stopper is engaged in a drain hole formed in the container concurrently with the detachment action so as to prevent the oil from being spilled.

Abstract: A method of fixing toner images carried on a long footage of continuous web such as rolled paper or folded paper, uniformly but intermittently from end to end of the web. During fixation, the image bearing surface of the web is urged against a fixing member such as heated roller or the like and the fixing member is rotated to move the web, and during the intermission of fixation, the web is disengaged from the fixing member. Preferably, when the web is urged against the fixing member and/or when the web is disengaged from the fixing member, rotation of the fixing member is stopped and the web is maintained in pressure contact with the fixing member as it is stopped from rotating.

Abstract: A heat and pressure roll fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to copy substrates, the toner comprising a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes an internally heated, fuser roll cooperating with a backup or pressure roll to form a nip through which the copy substrates pass with the images contacting the heated roll. The heated fuser roll is characterized by an outer layer or surface which by way of example is fabricated from a silicon rubber or Viton material to which a low viscosity polymeric release fluid is applied. Release fluid is contained in a sump from which it is dispensed by means of a metering roll and a donor roll, the former of which contacts the release fluid in the sump and the latter of which contacts the surface of the heated fuser roll.

Abstract: A contact fusing apparatus comprising a heated roll structure cooperating with a pressure roll structure to form a nip through which support material carrying toner images thereon is moved with the toner images contacting the heated roll structure. The contact fuser is characterized by the provision of stripping means for insuring removal of the support material from the heated fuser roll and a roller structure interposed between the stripper means and the nip which roller contacts the support material to thereby restrain the material while the leading portion of the material is being stripped from the heated roll structure. The result of stripping while restraining is to minimize the degree of curling of the copy paper.

Abstract: A fixing member having an abhesive surface for fusing a heat-softenable toner powder image to an appropriate receiving member is disclosed together with a fixing apparatus, e.g., a roller-fuser device, and a fixing process which employs such a fixing member. The surface of the fixing member bears an abhesive elastomeric fluoropolymer composition containing a crosslinked polymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene repeating units and perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinylether repeating units.

Abstract: A liquid feeding device for feeding a liquid accommodated in a reservoir through a liquid holding member to an object, onto which the liquid is to be fed, wherein the liquid holding member takes up the liquid in the reservoir and holds the same therein, and the feeding quantity of the liquid to the object can be maintained constant by controlling a vertical distance between the liquid surface level in the reservoir and a point where the liquid holding member and the object contact each other, this vertical distance being made variable depending on whether the device is in operation, or not, and on the liquid temperature as well.

Abstract: Heat curable liquid polyvinylchloride plastisol or organosol resin is coated onto a porous fiber web in an amount sufficient to saturate the web. Liquid resin on one surface of the web is gelled by passing the web around a heated roll which, together with another heated roll, forms a compression nip. The web passes through the nip and around the second heated roll to gell the resin on the other surface of the web, after which the curing of the resin is completed in an oven.

Abstract: An applicator mechanism for applying fuser oil to a fixing roller of an electrostatic copying device includes an apparatus for supplying the oil to a first wick means, or to selected portions thereof. A second wick means includes a web interposed between the first wick means and the roller. The web is movable between take-up and supply reels.

Abstract: Polyarylsiloxanes are used on metal fusing devices in photocopiers to fix particulate thermoplastic toner to a substrate while the toner is in a fused state. The polyarylsiloxanes can be continuously applied in minimal thicknesses on the fusing device to form a thermally stable, renewable, self-cleaning layer having excellent toner release properties. A preferred polyarylsiloxane is polyphenylmethyl dimethyl siloxane.

Abstract: A hot roll fuser includes a heated roller and a substantially non-deformable backup roll forming a nip through which a carrier with unfused toner may pass, the toner becoming fused by virtue of the heating action from the hot roll. A cleaning arrangement for cleaning the backup roll comprises a support and a pair of scraping blades, each supported in contacting relationship with the backup roll. To insure good scraping action, each of the blades has a serrated or interrupted scraping edge, and the serrations or interruptions of the first and second blades are offset so that the entire surface area of the backup roll is scraped either by the first or second blades, or both.

Abstract: Sheet stripping mechanism for effecting removal of copy sheets, having toner images substantially fused thereto, from a heated fuser member forming a part of a xerographic or the like, reproducing apparatus. The sheet stripping mechanism is characterized by the provision of a stripping blade which is substantially coextensive with the dimension of the copy sheet to be stripped from the fuser member. The blade is attached to a pivotal support structure by means of a heat insulating block interposed between the blade and the pivotal support. A pair of springs serve to bias the blade into contact with the heated fuser member, the pivot point of support members being in line with the plane of the blade whereby the blade during stripping is substantially tangential to the surface of the heated fuser member.

Abstract: Liquid is applied onto the circumference of a transfer roller by an applicator and thereby onto the circumference of an operating roller. The coefficients of friction in the apparatus are selected so that the transfer roller will be rotated by the operating roller to pick up liquid from the applicator when the thickness of the liquid on the transfer roller is below a selected value, and the transfer roller is prevented from rotating by the applicator when the thickness of the liquid slightly exceeds the selected value so that a uniform liquid film is applied onto the circumference of the operating roller.

Abstract: Fuser members having surfaces of gold and the platinum groups metals and alloys thereof are described for fuser assemblies in office copier machines. Preferred fuser assemblies include cylindrical rolls having at least an outer surface of gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof. Electroscopic thermoplastic resin toner images are fused to a substrate by using a bare gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof fuser member coated with polymeric release agents having reactive functional groups for example, a mercapto-functional polysiloxane release fluid.

Abstract: A contact heat fixing apparatus comprising heat roll 1 having metal core 3 coated with heat resistant toner releasing material 4 on the surface thereof and provided with a heating element to the inside thereof. Temperature control circuit A comprising detection circuit 15 for the detection of the surface temperature of heat roll 1, comparison circuit 16 for comparing the level of a signal issued from said detection circuit 15 with that of a reference signal, pulse generation circuit 17 for converting the signal produced from said comparison circuit 16 into a pulse and an alternating current power source 12 whose electric power to be supplied to said heating element 11 is controlled by the signal from said pulse generation circuit, and switching circuit B for applying, to said temperature control circuit A, control signals which control the surface temperature of said heat roll 1 to set temperature T.sub.1 during a copy stand-by period, to set temperature T.sub.2 lower than said set temperature T.sub.

Abstract: A copy sheet is fed between a heated fixing roller and a nip roller to fix a toner image to the sheet. An applicator applies an offset preventing liquid to a transfer roller which transfers the liquid to the fixing roller. A spring arrangement presses the applicator against the transfer roller and another spring arrangement presses the transfer roller against the fixing roller in such a manner that the transfer roller is normally held against rotation and is caused to rotate when the liquid thickness on the fixing roller drops below a predetermined value at which the coefficient of friction between the transfer roller and the fixing roller becomes greater than the ratio of the tangential to the normal forces therebetween. The transfer roller through rotation applies the liquid to the fixing roller to increase the liquid thickness thereon.

Abstract: Toner images are fixed by selectively elevating the temperature of the toner image portions and supplying a fixing agent to the toner image portions at the elevated temperature by utilizing the temperature difference between the toner image portions and the non-image portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for inking ribbons used in printing devices. Ribbon to be inked is unwound under tension from a core and passed over a heated roller and between a pair of transfer rollers. The transfer rollers lie in contact with inking rollers disposed in troughs of ink. The inking rollers have metering rollers in contact with the transfer rollers to meter a predetermined quantity of ink onto the transfer rollers. Once ink is transferred to the ribbon, the ribbon is passed over another heated roller to spread the ink and smooth the ribbon. A take-up roller winds the inked ribbon about a second core. The heated rollers on opposite sides of the transfer rollers engage opposite sides of the ribbon.

Abstract: A silicone rubber surface for fixing resinous powder images to a substrate at elevated temperatures in a xerographic reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The silicone rubber surface prevents offset of the image by supplying inherently a release material to the surface. Dispersed in the silicone rubber is a catalytic agent which in the presence of water or moisture, promotes the degradation of the silicone rubber over a period of time at elevated temperatures. The release material is the degradation product of the silicone rubber, and release is possible throughout the lifetime of the fuser surface without the external application of release materials.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copier having a hot roll fuser assembly. This assembly is slidably supported by a pair of rails. When the fuser assembly is locked into its fusing position, within the copier, it is relatively inaccessible for purposes of inspection, cleaning and/or jam clearance. In its withdrawn, inoperative position, a single manually operable jam clearance handle is operator accessible. Manual actuation of this handle, from a folded to an extended position, is effective to move both a sheet peeler or detach bar, and a sheet transport channel away from the fusing nip. When the handle is moved back to its folded position, the sheet detach bar and transport channel are accurately positioned, and locked in an operative position closely adjacent to the downstream side of the fusing nip, so as to aid in release of the sheet from the fusing nip, and to guide the sheet away from this nip.