Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A roll-fusing apparatus, comprising: an internally heated fusing roller; a pressure roller positioned adjacent to said fusing roller for fusing a toner image on a copy support which is conveyed between said rollers, said pressure roller comprising a radially symmetrical, non-cylindrical hollow roller core supported on a shaft, and a coating applied to the roller core, wherein the coating varies in thickness over the length of the roller core and has a complimentary configuration to the wall thickness of the core including a cylindrical outer configuration; and a shrunk-on film tubing having a central zone with a uniform thickness and two end zones which are conically tapered toward the end faces of the pressure roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A roll-fusing apparatus, comprising: an internally heated fusing roller; a pressure roller positioned adjacent to said fusing roller for fusing a toner image on a copy support which is conveyed between said rollers, said pressure roller comprising a radially symmetrical, non-cylindrical hollow roller core supported on a shaft, and a coating applied to the roller core, wherein the coating varies in thickness over the length of the roller core and has a complimentary configuration to the wall thickness of the core including a cylindrical outer configuration; and a shrunk-on film tubing having a central zone with a uniform thickness and two end zones which are conically tapered toward the end faces of the pressure roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure roller coating comprises a silicone elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shrunk-on tubing is axially symmetrical about its midpoint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure roller coating comprises a silicone elastomer, and a thickness of the pressure roller coating combined with the tubing does not exceed about 5 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure roller comprises a hollow aluminum tube having a wall thickness of from about 4 to 7 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressure roller comprises a convex outer profile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising temperature-sensing means disposed near the surface of the fusing roller, and a control means for regulating the temperature of the fusing roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film tubing comprises a perfluoroethylenepropylene copolymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A roll-fusing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a shrunk-on film tubing disposed on the outside of the pressure roller coating, wherein the thickness of the pressure roller coating is from about 3 to 10 mm at the midpoint thereof, and the thickness of the film tubing does not exceed about 1 mm.