Precision release agent management system

A precision release agent management system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus fuser device, said precision release agent management system comprising:

• a reservoir adapted to contain a release agent;
• a wick for absorbing release agent from said reservoir;
• a metering member for receiving release agent from said wick;
• a support for said wick resiliently urging said wick into operative contact with said metering member said wick support including a wick-supporting bracket supported for free rotation about a pivot pin at least one loading spring located to apply a force to said bracket to urge said bracket into uniform engagement with said metering member, said at least one loading spring being a compression spring supported on a post, urging a U-shaped portion of said bracket in a direction toward said metering member so as to urge said wick into engagement with said metering member at a predetermined force, substantially uniform along the length of the metering member, wherein said wick load on said metering member is substantially constant over a range of wick thicknesses, caused by tolerances in said wick material and the compression of said wick over its life;
• a blade member associated with said metering member to establish a desired thickness of release agent on said metering member;
• a donor member adapted to receive release agent from said metering member, and operatively contacting said fuser device to apply said release agent thereto;
• and
• a plurality of features associated with said reservoir for precise alignment of said donor member, metering member, and said metering blade.