Method and apparatus for creating or restoring high friction surface to media roller

A method for increasing friction of an elastomeric surface of a media roller within a media handling device, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a passive scrubbing apparatus into the media handling device at a media sheet path adjacent to the media roller, the scrubbing apparatus comprising an abrasive pad and a base assembly, the base assembly comprising a support plate to which the abrasive pad is attached and a base frame mechanically coupled to the support plate, the support plate movable relative to the base frame along a first edge of the support plate and fixed relative to the base frame toward a second edge of the support plate, the base assembly defining an open edge and a hinged edge between the support plate and base frame, the base frame comprising a deflection limiting structure which limits travel of the support plate first edge in a first direction relative to the base frame;
• biasing the abrasive pad toward the elastomeric surface at a controlled force;
• spinning the media roller relative to the abrasive pad to scrub the elastomeric surface without significantly reducing roller diameter over a time period which induces fatigue to the elastomeric surface;
• and
• wherein initially the controlled force acts to clean the elastomeric surface of contaminants, and subsequently to fatigue the elastomeric surface, while fatigued pieces of the elastomeric surface tear away resulting in creping the surface to increase surface coefficient of friction;
• and
• removing the passive scrubbing apparatus from the media handling device.

An apparatus removably inserted into a media handling system at a media path of the system, the system having a media roller for acting upon an elastomeric surface of the media roller to increase surface friction of the roller, the apparatus comprising:

• an abrasive pad for scrubbing the elastomeric surface;
• a base assembly to which the abrasive pad is attached, the base assembly comprising:
• a support plate, a base frame and a biasing means, in which the abrasive pad is attached to the support plate and the base frame is mechanically coupled to the support plate, and
• wherein the biasing means is for applying a controlled force between the abrasive pad and the elastomeric surface via the support plate, the applying means positioned between the base frame and support plate for biasing the support plate with abrasive pad toward the media roller while the apparatus is inserted in the media handling system;
• and
• wherein the support plate is movable relative to the base frame along a first edge of the support plate and fixed relative to the base frame toward a second edge of the support plate, and
• wherein the abrasive pad scrubs the elastomeric surface as the roller spins to clean and fatigue the surface over time and cause pieces of the elastomeric surface to tear away from the fatigued surface so as to increase surface coefficient of friction.