Patent US4984027A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4984027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fusing apparatus with solid elastomeric fuser roller
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-12-28
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Granted: 1991-01-08
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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 04:32
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.
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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) | 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 |