US5227853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compliant fusing roller
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1991-10-16
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A duplex fusing system has a pressure roller which includes a compliant surface which evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce displacement of a previously fused image. The compliant layer conforms to the surface of a substrate sheet and toner on that surface, thereby ensuring that the toner does not migrate when the toner is reheated to a liquid state.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney Proulx
- 👤 Robert Simms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:24
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/24; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/206; G03G15/23; G03G15/231; G03G15/232; G03G15/234; G03G15/235; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/16; G03G2215/1676; G03G2215/1695; G03G2215/20; G03G2215/207; G03G2215/2083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A duplex toner image fusing system comprising a heating roller and a pressure roller forming a fusing nip, said pressure roller having a compliant outer surface with a hardness of no more than about 70 Shore Å and having roughness of an amplitude of no greater than about two microns and a wavelength no less than about ten microns, wherein said compliant outer surface evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant outer surface conforming to a substrate surface and a toner image on said substrate surface facing said compliant outer surface thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said first toner image when melted during fusing of an image on an opposite side of a substrate in said duplex image fusing system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A duplex toner image fusing system comprising a heating roller and a pressure roller forming a fusing nip, said pressure roller having a compliant outer surface with a hardness of no more than about 70 Shore Å and having roughness of an amplitude of no greater than about two microns and a wavelength no less than about ten microns, wherein said compliant outer surface evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant outer surface conforming to a substrate surface and a toner image on said substrate surface facing said compliant outer surface thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said first toner image when melted during fusing of an image on an opposite side of a substrate in said duplex image fusing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 1, wherein said compliant outer surface is about 0.002 inch thick to about 0.008 inch thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 1, wherein said compliant outer surface is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 1, further comprising a core and a compliant backing layer covering said core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 4, further comprising a coating layer positioned between said compliant backing layer and said compliant outer surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of fusing duplex images, comprising: forming a fused first toner image on one side of a substrate sheet; and subsequently forming a second toner image on an opposite side of said substrate sheet, and fusing said second toner image by application of pressure and heat to said substrate sheet in a nip between a pressure roller and a heating roller; wherein said fused first toner image is melted and contacts said pressure roller while fusing said second toner image, said pressure roller comprising a compliant outer surface with a compliant backing layer, said compliant outer surface characterized by a lower durometer than the durometer of said compliant backing layer, such that said compliant outer surface evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant outer surface conforming to a substrate surface and the first toner image on said substrate surface facing said outer surface thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said first toner image when melted during fusing of said second toner image on an opposite side of the substrate when fusing said duplex image.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of fusing duplex images, comprising: forming a fused first toner image on one side of a substrate sheet; and subsequently forming a second toner image on an opposite side of said substrate sheet, and fusing said second toner image by application of pressure and heat to said substrate sheet in a nip between a pressure roller and a heating roller; wherein said fused first toner image is melted and contacts said pressure roller while fusing said second toner image, said pressure roller comprising a compliant outer surface with a compliant backing layer, said compliant outer surface characterized by a lower durometer than the durometer of said compliant backing layer, such that said compliant outer surface evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant outer surface conforming to a substrate surface and the first toner image on said substrate surface facing said outer surface thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said first toner image when melted during fusing of said second toner image on an opposite side of the substrate when fusing said duplex image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said compliant outer surface is about 0.002 inch thick to about 0.008 inch thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said compliant outer surface is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said compliant outer surface has a surface roughness of an amplitude no greater than about two microns and a wavelength no less than about ten microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6, said pressure roller further comprising a core, the compliant backing layer covering said core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 10, said pressure roller further comprising a coating layer positioned between compliant backing layer and said compliant outer surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said first and second toner images are transferred from an intermediate sheet to said substrate sheet while said intermediate sheet and said substrate sheet are passing through said nip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
115 words
A duplex fusing system comprising a heating roller and a pressure roller, said pressure roller comprising: a core; a compliant backing layer covering said core; and an elastomeric compliant overcoat layer covering said compliant backing layer, wherein said elastomeric compliant overcoat layer is characterized by a lower durometer than the durometer of said compliant backing layer and evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant overcoat layer conforming to a substrate surface and a toner image on said substrate surface facing said overcoat layer thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said toner image when melted during fusing of an image on an opposite side of the substrate in said duplex image fusing system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
A duplex fusing system comprising a heating roller and a pressure roller, said pressure roller comprising: a core; a compliant backing layer covering said core; and an elastomeric compliant overcoat layer covering said compliant backing layer, wherein said elastomeric compliant overcoat layer is characterized by a lower durometer than the durometer of said compliant backing layer and evenly distributes contact pressures to reduce image displacement, said compliant overcoat layer conforming to a substrate surface and a toner image on said substrate surface facing said overcoat layer thereby avoiding migration of toner forming said toner image when melted during fusing of an image on an opposite side of the substrate in said duplex image fusing system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant backing layer is about 0.1 inch to about 0.6 inch thick.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant overcoat layer is from about 0.002 inch thick to about 0.008 inch thick.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant backing layer has a hardness of about 60 shore Å to about 85 shore Å.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant overcoat layer has a hardness of about 30 shore Å to about 70 shore Å.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant backing layer is comprised of a thermally conductive material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant backing layer is comprised of an electrically conductive material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant backing layer is selected from a group consisting of natural and silicon rubbers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant overcoat layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, further comprising a high temperature adhesive adhering said compliant backing layer to said core.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein the overcoat layer has a smooth surface, said surface having surface roughness of an amplitude no greater than two microns and a wavelength no less than about ten microns.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said overcoat layer has a surface energy of no more than 20-25 dynes/cm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, further comprising a coating layer positioned between said backing layer and said overcoat layer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 25, wherein said coating layer is comprised of an electrically conductive material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 25, wherein said coating layer is comprised of a thermally conductive material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 25, wherein said coating layer is dimensionally stable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 25, wherein said coating layer is comprised of a polyamine.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 25, wherein said coating layer is compatible with any toner dispersant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A duplex fusing system according to claim 13, wherein said compliant overcoat layer is comprised of a fluorosilicon elastomer.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |