Low load fuser member and a fusing apparatus and a color image reproduction machine including same
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsLouis D. Fratangelo, Patrick J. Finn, Richard G. Labombard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low load fuser member for heating and fusing high quality toner images onto an image carrying substrate is provided. The low load fuser member includes a soft, low durometer and thermally non-conductive first elastomeric material member for forming a relatively large fusing nip at a relatively low load; a second and thermally conductive elastomeric material forming an intermediate layer over the first elastomeric material member; and a toner image release layer formed over the intermediate layer for facilitating release of fused toner images.
Claims15
A low load elastomeric fuser roller for heating and fusing toner images, the low load elastomeric fuser roller comprising:
- (a) a first elastomeric material member forming a generally cylindrical roller core for forming a relatively large fusing nip at a relatively low load;
- (b) a second elastomeric material forming a fusing layer having a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 7.0 mm over said cylindrical roller core;
- and
- (c) a toner image release layer formed over said fusing layer for facilitating release of fused toner images.
A low load fusing apparatus comprising:
- (a) a pressure roller;
- (b) an external heating device;
- and
- (c) a low load fuser roller mounted in heat receiving relationship with said external heating device and in fusing nip engagement with said pressure roller, said low load fuser roller including:
- (i) a first elastomeric material forming a generally cylindrical core for forming a relatively large fusing nip;
- (ii) a second elastomeric layer forming a fusing layer having a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 7.0 mm over said cylindrical core;
- and
- (iii) a toner image release layer formed over said fusing layer.
An electrostatographic reproduction machine for producing high quality toner images, the electrostatographic reproduction machine comprising:
- (a) a moveable image bearing member including an image bearing surface;
- (b) xerographic devices for forming toner images on said image bearing surface;
- (c) means for transferring said toner images onto an image carrying substrate;
- and
- (d) a low load fusing apparatus including a pressure roller;
- an external heating device for heating a fusing surface;
- and a low load fuser roller mounted in heat receiving relationship with said external heating device and in fusing nip engagement with said pressure roller, said low load fuser roller having a first elastomeric material forming a generally cylindrical core for forming a relatively large fusing nip;
- a second elastomeric layer forming a fusing layer having a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 7.0 mm over said cylindrical core, and a toner image release layer formed over said fusing layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.