Electrophotography – Image formation – Fixing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-04-10
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Image formation
Fixing
C015S256510, C399S357000, C399S358000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215975
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cleaning systems for electrostatographic printing machines, and more particularly this invention relates to a cleaning station engaging the fusing member of a printing machine.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Electrostatic printers are known in which a toner image is fused or fixed to a substrate to form a final document. The fusing can occur after transfer of the toner image to the substrate, or generally simultaneously with the fusing in a transfuse process. In either arrangement the substrate is fed into a fusing nip where a combination of fusing members such as fusing or transfuse belts and rollers apply heat and pressure to the toner image and substrate to fix or fuse the toner image to the substrate. Toner particles from the toner image can adhere to the fusing member. These toner particles can transfer from the fusing member to subsequent substrates resulting in print defects. In addition, build ups of toner particles on the fusing member can degrade the quality of fusing of the toner image on subsequent documents.
Therefore it is preferred to clean the fusing members to remove toner particles and other debris such as dirt and fiber that effect final print quality.
One prior cleaner employed a cleaning roller engaging the surface of a fuser roll to remove toner particles. Toner particles preferentially adhered to the roller. However, as excess toner particles accumulate on the cleaning roller, the surface can become uneven, resulting in uneven cleaning of the fuser roll. The toner layer on the cleaning roller can become excessively thick, requiring maintenance to remove the excess toner of the toner layer.
In one alternative assembly, the cleaning roller is formed of a hollow cylinder and apertures are provided in the cylinder to permit excess toner to be driven inward through the openings. Excess toner therefore is collected on the inside of the cylinder, extending the period between servicing. However, the openings can result in gaps in the cleaning surface of the roller, requiring multiple cycles of the fusing roller to clean the entire surface of the fusing roller. Therefore toner particles on the fusing member can continue to disrupt fusing, or be transferred to the substrate, before their removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, a cleaner station in accordance with the invention has first and second cleaner rollers. The first cleaner roller is coated with a sticky toner layer. The first cleaner roller is in contact with a fusing member to collect toner particles and other debris therefrom. The second cleaning roller is in rolling contact with the first cleaning roller. The second cleaning roller is preferably formed of a tube defining a reservoir therein. At least one aperture extends through the tube. The aperture can be a spiral wound cut extending the longitudinal length of the second cleaning roller, or a series of staggered openings such as circular holes. Excess toner build up on the first cleaning roller is transferred to the second cleaning roller. As the layer of toner on the second cleaning roller increases, the pressure contact between the first and second cleaner roller drives the excess toner through the aperture and into the reservoir of the second cleaning roller.
The use of a solid surface first cleaning roller allows for effective single pass cleaning of the member. The second cleaning roller extends the operational life of the cleaning station between services to remove excess toner. Single pass cleaning is particularly important for transfuse systems where toner images are cyclically transferred to and from the transfuse member, increasing the likelihood of stray toner particles adhering to the fusing member.
In addition, the toner layer on the first cleaning roller is maintained at a temperature to be adhesive or sticky to debris on the fusing member. Therefore, not only toner particles, but other contaminants such as dust and fibers from the substrate adhere to the first cleaning roller and are removed from the fusing member.
The cleaner station in accordance with the invention is described in combination with a transfuse belt fuser member. The cleaner station is additionally applicable with other fuser members such as transfuse rollers, fuser rollers and fuser belts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4018555 (1977-04-01), Thettu
patent: 4607947 (1986-08-01), Ensing et al.
patent: 4926218 (1990-05-01), Fukao
patent: 5233397 (1993-08-01), Till
patent: 5640659 (1997-06-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 5749037 (1998-05-01), Takayuki
patent: 5890048 (1999-03-01), Hirota
Berkes John S.
Fletcher Gerald M.
Chen Sophia S.
Cunningham Reid K.
Kepner Kevin R.
Xerox Corporation
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