US4984027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fusing apparatus with solid elastomeric fuser roller
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1988-12-28
•
Granted: 1991-01-08
•
Expires: 2008-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A fusing member suitable for use as a fuser roller in an electrostatographic fusing apparatus, is made entirely of elastomeric materials and has a smooth surface that can be heated. Such a fuser roller is particularly inexpensive to manufacture, not susceptible to delamination failure, and particularly suitable for use in a fusing apparatus as an externally heated and axially unsupported roller.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Derimiggio
- 👤 Linn C. Hoover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A fuser roller in an electrostatographic copier or printer for use in an apparatus for fusing toner images to a receiver through the application of heat and pressure, the fuser roller consisting entirely of: (a) a solid cylindrical inner portion having no internal cavity, said inner portion being made of a first elastomeric material; and (b) an annular outer portion made of a second elastomeric material overlaying said cylindrical inner portion said second portion having a smooth surface suitable for contacting the toner images during fusing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fuser roller in an electrostatographic copier or printer for use in an apparatus for fusing toner images to a receiver through the application of heat and pressure, the fuser roller consisting entirely of: (a) a solid cylindrical inner portion having no internal cavity, said inner portion being made of a first elastomeric material; and (b) an annular outer portion made of a second elastomeric material overlaying said cylindrical inner portion said second portion having a smooth surface suitable for contacting the toner images during fusing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fuser roller of claim 1 wherein said first elastomeric material for said cylindrical inner portion is strong but compliant, and has a low thermal conductivity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fuser roller of claim 1 wherein said second elastomeric material for said annular outer portion is softer than, and has high toner release properties and substantially higher thermal conductivity than said first elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuser roller of claim 1 wherein said first and second elastomeric materials are the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuser roller of claim 2 or 4 wherein said first elastomeric material is a dimethyl polysiloxane RTV.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuser roller of claim 3 or 4 wherein said second elastomeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electrostatographic copier or printer having an apparatus for fusing toner images to a receiver through the application of heat and pressure, the apparatus including: (a) a fuser roller consisting entirely of (i) a solid cylindrical inner portion having no internal cavity, said inner portion being made of a first elastomeric material, and of (ii) an annular outer portion made of a second elastomeric material said second portion having a smooth surface suitable for contacting the toner images during fusing; (b) a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with said fuser roller; and (c) means for heating said fuser roller to a suitable fusing temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electrostatographic copier or printer having an apparatus for fusing toner images to a receiver through the application of heat and pressure, the apparatus including: (a) a fuser roller consisting entirely of (i) a solid cylindrical inner portion having no internal cavity, said inner portion being made of a first elastomeric material, and of (ii) an annular outer portion made of a second elastomeric material said second portion having a smooth surface suitable for contacting the toner images during fusing; (b) a pressure roller forming a fusing nip with said fuser roller; and (c) means for heating said fuser roller to a suitable fusing temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heating means consists of a pair of heater rollers for externally heating said fuser roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fuser roller is simply nested, axially unsupported on said heater rollers below said pressure roller in a stacked arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the stiffness of said heater rollers is equal to the stiffness of said pressure roller, about said fuser roller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3345937A
Cited
US3152387A
Cited
US3612820A
Cited
US3849628A
Cited
US4309803A
Cited
US4430406A
Cited
US4583272A
Cited
US4810564A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-07 | 1994-07-09 | 1995-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-07-09 | 1999-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-07 | 2002-07-09 | 2003-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |