US4287280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Release agent applicators and method of applying release agent emulsions upon fusers in electrostatic copiers
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1979-06-27
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 1999-06-27
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Swift
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2017; G03G15/2025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for preventing the offset of toner powder to a heated surface used to fix the toner powder to a substrate when the substrate is in pressure engagement with the heated surface comprising applying to the heated surface a high viscosity release agent liquid by continuously replenishable applicator means in contact with the heated surface, said applicator means in contact with a reservoir of a low viscosity emulsion of the high viscosity release agent and an inert vaporizable dispersion liquid for supplying and transporting said high viscosity release agent liquid to the heated surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for preventing the offset of toner powder to a heated surface used to fix the toner powder to a substrate when the substrate is in pressure engagement with the heated surface comprising applying to the heated surface a high viscosity release agent liquid by continuously replenishable applicator means in contact with the heated surface, said applicator means in contact with a reservoir of a low viscosity emulsion of the high viscosity release agent and an inert vaporizable dispersion liquid for supplying and transporting said high viscosity release agent liquid to the heated surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid is evaporated by the heat of the heated surface whereby substantially high viscosity release agent remains on said heated surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising heating the applicator means in contact with the heated surface to vaporize the inert vaporizable dispersion liquid whereby substantially high viscosity release agent is applied to the heated surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the applicator is a wick and is heated by the heated surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the high viscosity release agent is a polydimethylsiloxane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid is water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising supplying emulsion to said applicator means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for heat fusing toner powder to a substrate by containing the toner powder with a heated surface comprising: a. means for applying pressure contact between the substrate and the heated surface; b. continuously replenishable applicator means in contact with the heated surface for providing a substantially high viscosity release agent upon the heated surface; said applicator means being in contact with a reservoir of a low viscosity emulsion of the high viscosity release agent and an inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid for supplying and transporting said high viscosity release agent to the heated surface; and c. means for removing the inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid from the low viscosity emulsion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
110 words
A device for heat fusing toner powder to a substrate by containing the toner powder with a heated surface comprising: a. means for applying pressure contact between the substrate and the heated surface; b. continuously replenishable applicator means in contact with the heated surface for providing a substantially high viscosity release agent upon the heated surface; said applicator means being in contact with a reservoir of a low viscosity emulsion of the high viscosity release agent and an inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid for supplying and transporting said high viscosity release agent to the heated surface; and c. means for removing the inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid from the low viscosity emulsion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the applicator means is heated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the applicator means is heated by contact with the heated surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the applicator means is a wick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said wick is heated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the applicator means is a pad.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the pad is heated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the low viscosity emulsion is supplied to the applicator means from a reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the low viscosity emulsion is pre-soaked into the applicator means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the applicator means presoaked with low viscosity emulsion is heated to remove inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the applicator means presoaked with low viscosity emulsion is subjected to reduced atmospheric pressure to remove inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the applicator means presoaked with low viscosity emulsion is subjected to reduced atmospheric pressure and heat to remove inert, vaporizable dispersion liquid therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the low viscosity emulsion comprises a polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity of at least 10,000 centistokes and water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 20 wherein water is present as a dispersion liquid in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the polydimethylsiloxane by at least 75%.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 8 further comprising supply means for replenishing the applicator with emulsion depleted therefrom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
An article comprising a heat resistant, fibrous applicator for the contact application of fluid upon the surface of a heated member, said fibrous applicator being impregnated with an emulsion of a high viscosity liquid and a dispersion liquid and thereafter reduced of dispersion liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
An article comprising a heat resistant, fibrous applicator for the contact application of fluid upon the surface of a heated member, said fibrous applicator being impregnated with an emulsion of a high viscosity liquid and a dispersion liquid and thereafter reduced of dispersion liquid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 23 further comprising depletion of the dispersion liquid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 23 wherein the fibrous applicator is a heat resistant copolymer of meta-phenylenediamine and isophthaloyl chloride.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 23 wherein the high viscosity liquid comprises a polydimethylsiloxane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 23 wherein the dispersion liquid is water.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The article of claim 23 wherein the dispersion liquid is reduced in the applicator by heat, by vacuum or by a combination of heat and vacuum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |