Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Roll fuser apparatus comprising: a heated roll structure; a pressure roll structure cooperating with said heated roll structure to form a nip through which substrates carrying toner images thereon move; means for effecting pressure engagement of said roll structures to form said nip during fusing of said toner images and for effecting disengagement thereof when images are not being fused; means for applying release agent material to at least one of said roll structures for minimizing the offsetting of toner thereto, said means for applying release agent material comprising an endless surface only a portion of which contacts said at least one roll structure at any given time; and means for effecting incremental movement of said release agent applying means whereby different portions of said endless surface are sequentially and periodically moved into contact with said at least one roll structure, said incremental movement effecting means being operably connected to said pressure engagement effecting means whereby movement of said release agent applying means is effected in response to actuation of said means for effecting pressure engagement and disengagement of said roll structures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Roll fuser apparatus comprising: a heated roll structure; a pressure roll structure cooperating with said heated roll structure to form a nip through which substrates carrying toner images thereon move; means for effecting pressure engagement of said roll structures to form said nip during fusing of said toner images and for effecting disengagement thereof when images are not being fused; means for applying release agent material to at least one of said roll structures for minimizing the offsetting of toner thereto, said means for applying release agent material comprising an endless surface only a portion of which contacts said at least one roll structure at any given time; and means for effecting incremental movement of said release agent applying means whereby different portions of said endless surface are sequentially and periodically moved into contact with said at least one roll structure, said incremental movement effecting means being operably connected to said pressure engagement effecting means whereby movement of said release agent applying means is effected in response to actuation of said means for effecting pressure engagement and disengagement of said roll structures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for effecting engagement and disengagement of said roll structures comprises a pivot arm structure supporting said pressure roll and means for effecting pivoting of said pivot arm structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said incremental movement effecting means comprises a ratchet wheel and pawl arrangement and wherein said pawl is pivotably connected to said pivot arm structure and said ratchet wheel is carried by said release agent applying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for applying release agent material comprises a cylindrical structure comprising a rigid core having a layer of material thereon capable of containing a quantity of release agent material and wicking same to the surface of said at least one of said roll structures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cylindrical structure is partially disposed in a reservoir of liquid release agent material whereby said layer of material provides communication between said release agent material and said at least one of said roll structures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said cylindrical structure comprises an outer layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said at least one of said roll structures comprises an internal source of thermal energy for elevating the surface temperature thereof to operating temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said incremental movement of said release agent applying means is accomplished during disengagement of said roll structures.