Abstract: A brush, especially useful for conditioning the surface of a moving body such as a fuser roll in an electrostatic copying machine, comprises a fibrous pile containing wicking fibers which project outwardly from a liquid-absorbent sponge-like structure so as to conduct liquid from the sponge-like structure and apply it to the surface of the body. The pile may also contain cleaning fibers in the form of monofilaments which remove particulate matter from the surface of the body.

Abstract: A fixing device comprises a first rotatable roller in a fixed position, a heater provided in the first rotatable roller for heating the same, and a second rotatable roller facing the first rotatable roller and capable of being in contact therewith. The second rotatable roller is supported movably by shifting members. Each shifting member separates the second rotatable roller from the first roller at normal temperature and presses the second roller against the first rotatable roller when the shifting member is deformed by heat from the first roller heated by the heater.

Abstract: An electronic duplicator machine heats a toner attached to a copying paper and a fixing device fixes the toner to the paper. The fixing device includes a heat generating roller which includes a supporting body having a journal portion on either end surface and rotatably supported by the journal portion; a heat insulating layer formed on the outer circumferential surface of the supporting body to prevent the transmission of heat to the supporting body; a resistance heater layer through which a current flows to heat the toner and which covers the outer circumferential surface of the heat insulating layer.

Abstract: Apparatus to apply offset preventing liquid to a fixing roller. A web member is moved from a supply core to a take-up core via a pressure roller positioned to establish a contact nip for the web member with the fixing roller. The web member is supplied with the liquid from an offset preventing liquid applicator positioned to contact the web member between the supply core and the contact nip on the surface of the web member that is brought into contact with the fixing roller.

Abstract: A fuser roll apparatus in a toner fixing station associated with an electrophotographic or xerographic device for fixing a toner image onto a copy sheet by the application of heat and pressure. The fusing apparatus includes a pair of fuser rollers and a linkage mechanism coupling a control cam and the fuser rollers. An electromechanically operated latch, in the form of a solenoid, is interposed in the linkage mechanism coupling the control cam and fuser rollers. So long as the solenoid is energized, the opening of the rollers is controlled solely by the rotation of the cam. If the solenoid is deenergized however, the rollers are maintained in an open position. Thereafter, until the solenoid is again energized, the rollers remain open and are unaffected by rotational movement of the cam.

Abstract: A roller fuser including a driven roller and an idler roller which form a nip to fuse toner images to copy sheets. The idler roller is moved into and out of engagement with the driven roller by an expandable bladder which is inflated with a pressurized gaseous medium. A copy sheet detector is positioned very close to the nip exit of the rollers. In case of a copy sheet jam in the roller nip, the detector provides a jam detection signal which effects rapid exhaustion of gaseous medium from the bladder to disengage the rollers and prevent further driving of a copy sheet into the roller nip.

Abstract: A fixing and heating device for an electrostatic copying apparatus includes a fixing roller which (a) remains stationary at least until a toner is softened, (b) is driven at a low speed to even the surface temperature of the fixing roller when the surface temperature is lower than a temperature suitable for fixing, and is equal to the temperature suitable for fixing except during a fixing operation, and (c) is driven at a speed suitable for fixing when the surface temperature is suitable for fixing during the fixing operation.

Abstract: A fixing device provided with a heating roller having heating means, a pressure roller for fixing a toner image by transporting a toner image bearing member in cooperation with the heating roller, drive mechanism for rotating the heating roller and pressure roller, and a control for initiating the rotation of the heating roller and pressure roller when the heating roller reaches a determined surface temperature or at a determined time after the heating means is activated, wherein the heating means is so activated at the turning on of the power supply as to reduce the waiting time required by the rollers to reach a satisfactory fixing temperature, thus preventing defective fixing at the start of operation.

Abstract: A fixing device is provided for a wet type electrophotographic copying machine in which an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive sheet at its face is developed by a liquid developer, and then the liquid developer attached to the photosensitive sheet is squeezed out by a squeezing device before the developed image is thermally fixed on the sheet. The fixing device includes a heater for heating the photosensitive sheet while the latter is being held at its back against the heater as the sheet moves thereon, the heater having a source of heat such as an infrared lamp or tungsten halogen lamp or nicrome wire rubber heater, and a roller made of air-permeable moisture-absorptive spongy material and located in confronting relation to the heater, the roller being pressable against the face of the photosensitive sheet. With such an arrangement, the developed image on the photosensitive sheet can be fixed reliably and thoroughly without fixing marks.

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: Fusing of a toned sheet of copy paper is accomplished by a fusing nip formed by a resilient hot roll and a rigid backup roll. The sheet is introduced to the fusing nip in a unique manner such that the sheet's initial contact to the hot roll fuser is substantially only a point on the sheet's leading edge. This is accomplished by orientation means operable to bow the sheet's leading edge, and/or to produce skew between the fusing nip and the sheet's leading edge.

Abstract: Pressure rolls useful in printing, embossing, coating, calendering, conveying, and fixing images to substrates. The pressure rolls are prepared by cryogenically cooling a core component to about the temperature of liquid nitrogen, removing the core component therefrom and inserting a sleeve component over the core component. The composite roll is allowed to warm to ambient temperature whereby during warming the core component thermally expands and secures the sleeve component to the core component. Also disclosed is apparatus and a method for fixing a toner material image pattern on a substrate such as a paper sheet.

Abstract: Pressure rolls useful in printing, embossing, coating, calendering, conveying, and fixing images to substrates. The pressure rolls comprise a cylindrical core provided with an array of axial slots, a heating element disposed in the slots, and a shell around the core. The pressure rolls may be employed in apparatus for fixing a toner material image pattern on a substrate such as a paper sheet. The pressure contact between the sheet and the pressure rolls is established by a hydrostatic assembly which may be pre-set.

Abstract: A copying machine having a thermal fixing circuit, and a fixing temperature controlling system for regulating a desired fixing temperature in accordance with variations of copy paper characteristics. A first manual copy switch is actuated for selecting a normal fixing temperature when a normal, thin copy paper is used. A second manual copy switch is actuated for selecting a higher fixing temperature when a thick copy paper is used.

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 fuser roll apparatus in a toner fixing station associated with an electrophotographic or xerographic device for fixing a toner image onto a copy sheet by the application of heat and pressure. The fusing apparatus includes a pair of fuser rollers and a linkage mechanism coupling a control cam and the fuser rollers. An electromechanically operated latch, in the form of a solenoid, is interposed in the linkage mechanism coupling the control cam and fuser rollers. So long as the solenoid is energized, the opening of the rollers is controlled solely by the rotation of the cam. If the solenoid is deenergized however, the rollers are maintained in an open position. Thereafter, until the solenoid is again energized, the rollers remain open and are unaffected by rotational movement of the cam.

Abstract: A fixing and heating device for an electrostatic copying apparatus includes a fixing roller which (a) remains stationary at least until a toner is softened, (b) is driven at a low speed to even the surface temperature of the fixing roller when the surface temperature is lower than a temperature suitable for fixing when the surface temperature and is equal to the temperature suitable for fixing except during a fixing operation, and (c) is driven at a speed suitable for fixing when the surface temperature is suitable for fixing during the fixing operation.

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 recording apparatus having a roller type fixing device made up of a first roller and a second roller for fixing the image to the transfer paper. The recording apparatus has an upper guide plate placed over the transfer paper passage on the inlet side of the roller type fixing device, the upper guide plate being curved down gradually toward the front end and extending near the lower portion of the first roller. The upper guide plate has on its underside a plurality of projecting strips extending in the direction of the paper feed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved heated can roll for papermaking machines having a high thermal efficiency. The improvement is in a means for insulating the ends of the internally heated can rolls to provide segmental heat insulating part spaced from the roll end or head to provide an air space adjacent to the head or roll ends, resulting in a large reduction in heat loss through natural convection, convection due to rotation, forced convection due to air draft, and radiation and resulting in a more uniform drying surface temperature.

Abstract: Heat and pressure fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to substrates passing through a nip formed between two pressure engaged roll structures, at least one of the roll structures being heated and contacting the toner images as the substrates pass through the nip. The apparatus being characterized by a heated fuser roll structure having a thin circumferential wall wherein reinforcing structure is provided internally thereof for rendering the thin circumferential wall sufficiently rigid to withstand the pressures to which it is subjected during fusing.

Abstract: An electrographic apparatus by which powder images corresponding to electrostatic images can be formed on receiving material and fixed onto the receiving material by heat and contact is provided with a control system which regulates the quantity of receiving material transported to the fixing device per unit of time so as to keep the heat content of heated surface elements of the fixing device suited for the heat capacity of the receiving material even when receiving materials of different weights are used. The control system can also make the formation of either electrostatic or powder images dependent upon the existance of heat content in the fixing device suited for the heat capacity of the receiving material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal pressure fixing device for a copier, comprising a pressure roll and a fixing roll for heating and pressing an image-receiving material carrying a toner image, whereby during the passage of the image-receiving material between the rolls the latter are in pressure contact with each other, whereas during a standstill of the copier or in the case of a copier malfunction, the pressure of the rolls is discontinued. There are provided a device for lifting the pressure roll toward the fixing roll and for separating the two rolls, and a clutch and brake mechanism interacting with this device. Resilient elements adapt the center distance between the pressure roll and the fixing roll to the changes occurring in diameter of these rolls, in such a way that the preset roll pressure between the rolls remains constant.

Abstract: A cold pressure fusing apparatus for use in a xerographic copying machine for fixing a developed toner image to a copy sheet has the combination of elements including a first roller rotatably-mounted in the copying machine; a mechanism for driving the first roller; a second rotatably mounted roller in pressure contact with the first roller whereby a nip is formed through which copy sheets being fused pass; and a braking device operatively connected to the second roller for applying a controlled braking torque to the second roller, the torque being of such magnitude sufficient to facilitate the fusing of toner particles into the copy sheet without producing substantially any smudging of these particles, but of a magnitude insufficient to cause skidding of the second roller relative to the first roller.

Abstract: A heat and pressure roll fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to copy substrates, the toner being made of a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes an internally heated fuser roll cooperating with a back-up 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 silicone rubber. Sheet removal or supporting member in the form of flexible finger structures are provided. The fingers contact the surface of the heated fuser roll and therefore are constructed so as to preclude damage to the soft fuser roll surface should they tend to gouge it. In operation the fingers are sufficiently flexible so that when a misstrip occurs they can be deflected out of contact with the fuser roll and partially rotated thereby. Each finger structure may have either a single finger or two fingers. The fingers are mounted for 360.degree.

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 pressure fusing apparatus for use in a xerographic copying machine for fixing a developed toner image to a copy sheet. The apparatus includes in combination a first roller adapted to be rotatably mounted and driven within the copying machine; an arcuately shaped support member, the inner surface of which is spaced from and lies substantially parallel to a portion of the outer surface of the first roller; and a plurality of second smaller rollers mounted for rolling contact about the arcuately shaped support member, the second rollers and the first roller adapted to form a series of nips through which copy sheets being fused pass.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing images of an original document on a copy material is provided for a plain paper copier. The fixing device comprises a pair of rollers for stressing under pressure the copy material carrying toner powder thereon. The toner powder is tightly adhered to the surface of the copy material to correspond to the images of the original document. In a preferred form, the toner powder is a pressure-fixable developing powder which consists of a wax component and a thermoplastic resin. A developing powder supplier is disposed within a developer powder reservoir for supplying developer powder to a magnet brush. A rotatable cylindrical magnet is provided within said developing powder supplier for generating a non-uniform magnetic field to stir the developer powder within the reservoir.

Abstract: An image fixing device for an electrophotographic copying apparatus and the like including a fixing roller and a pressing roller in pressing contact with each other. The fixing roller includes a metallic core, a resilient material layer and an offset preventing layer superposed one over another in the indicated order and having a heating member disposed therein for heating the metallic core. A copy sheet formed thereon with a toner image is passed between the two rolls so that the toner image will be fixed to the copy sheet by melt adhesion by being pressed between them while being heated. The offset preventing layer has a higher heat intake than the toner image so as to be highly responsive to heat. The offset preventing layer is formed of a material containing a synthetic resinous material, such as silicone rubber, silicone resin, etc., which is highly resistant to heat and which has a high parting property, added with over 1% by weight of metal powder of high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An improved heated fuser roll for use in a fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to a support surface is disclosed. The fuser roll includes a circular sleeve member having at least one heating unit positioned within the sleeve member. Each heating unit includes (i) a plurality of axially disposed thermally conductive members each formed of a chordal section having a curved surface positioned in contiguous relation to the inside curved surface of the sleeve member and a substantially flat surface, (ii) a plurality of wafer shaped heating elements formed of a semiconducting ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity and exhibiting a Curie temperature transition point at which the resistance of the material increases with increasing temperature, and (iii) resilient means. Each of the heating units is separated from each other by an insulating member.

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 internally heated fusing device is provided which is made of a base having a thermally conductive layer coated thereon. The thermally conductive layer is made of a plurality of thermally conductive fibers substantially coextensive with the thickness of that layer and being impregnated with an elastomer possessing adhesive properties.

Abstract: Fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to copy substrates by passing the substrates between two pressure engaged fuser members one of which is heated. A control for effecting movement of the members at two different speeds is provided such that the members are moved at the higher speed when a small number of copies are made and at the higher speed and then at the lower speed when a large number of copies are being made. The control includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heated member which is used to generate a signal when the temperature of the member falls to a predetermined value, the signal being employed for changing the speed of the members from the higher speed to the lower speed.

Abstract: A fixing and heating device for an electrostatic copying apparatus includes a fixing roller which (a) remains stationary at least until a toner is softened, (b) is driven at a low speed to even the surface temperature of the fixing roller when the surface temperature is lower than a temperature suitable for fixing and when the surface temperature is equal to the temperature suitable for fixing except during a fixng operation, and (c) is driven at a speed suitable for fixing when the surface temperature is suitable for fixing during the fixing operation.

Abstract: A copying apparatus has imaging equipment provided along the upstream end of a transport path for a copying sheet through its housing, and a fuser assembly including a fuser casing and a fuser heater downstream of this imaging equipment along the path. The entire fuser assembly is pivotal about a horizontal pivot in the housing from an operative position with the heater facing downwardly toward the conveyor path to a servicing position with the fuser assembly completely outside the housing and the fuser heater facing upwardly for servicing.

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 fixing device in which a toner image support member is pressure-held between and conveyed by a pair of rollers at least one of which is heated to a temperature at which the toner image may be fixed on the support member, characterized in that the end of at least one of the rollers which tends to be higher in temperature is cooled or the opposite end of said at least one roller is supplied with heat, whereby the thermally expanded state of said at least one roller and the thermally expanded state of the other roller are maintained in such a condition that the toner image support member is not laterally displaced from a predetermined conveyance path.

Abstract: A heat regulator for a fuser in a reproduction machine. The heat regulator includes a fuser cooling fan, and a controller having a cooling fan counter. The cooling fan counter manifests the number of copies reproduced up to a predetermined maximum in response to a document scan switch. The contents of the cooling fan counter is the basis for determining the length of time of operation of the cooling fan at the end of a reproduction run. Specifically, the machine cooling fan maintains operation during machine cycle out at the end of a reproduction run for a three second period for each count in the cooling fan counter up to a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: A heat roller type fixing apparatus having a heat roller accommodating a heating element and adapted for fixing a toner image to a copying paper, a temperature sensing element for sensing the temperature of the heat roller surface and a control circuit adapted to cooperate with the temperature sensing element in controlling the heat roller surface temperature. The heat roller and the heating element are so arranged, in the temperature rising period from the start of the power supply to the heating element till the heat roller surface is heated up to a set temperature, that the highest roller surface temperature is observed at portions of the heat roller between the center and both axial ends of the roller, and that the temperature sensing element is disposed on or in the close proximity of one of the portions of the highest roller surface temperature.

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 pressure fusing apparatus for an electrostatic reproducing machine having a vacuum hold-down plenum across which a sheet is guided before being passed through pressure fuser rollers. It has been found that passing the sheet over such a plenum under vacuum reduces the frequency of creasing in the sheets as they pass through the rollers.

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: 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: 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: A fuser member and method of fusing or fixing thermoplastic resin powder images to a substrate in a fuser assembly of the type wherein a polymeric release agent having functional groups is applied to the surface of the fuser member is disclosed. The fuser member comprises a base member having an elastomer surface with metal-containing filler therein. Metal containing fillers include metals, metal alloys, metal oxides and metal salts. Exemplary of such a fuser member is an aluminum base member coated with poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer having lead oxide filler dispersed therein and utilizing mercapto-functional polyorganosiloxane as a release agent.

Abstract: A unit for heat fixing xerographic images makes use of a fuser roller and a self adjusting pressure roller. The fuser roller is internally heated and it may be associated with a self adjusting cleaning roller. The preceeding elements may be combined into a unit which can be provided moreover with scraper elements and supplementary feeding rollers located downstream of the fuser and fusing rollers and which rotate at a peripheral speed exceeding that of the latter rollers.