Patent ID: 7113735
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: G03G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A precision release agent management system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus fuser device, said precision release agent management system comprising: a reservoir adapted to contain a release agent; a wick for absorbing release agent from said reservoir; a metering member for receiving release agent from said wick; a support for said wick resiliently urging said wick into operative contact with said metering member said wick support including a wick-supporting bracket supported for free rotation about a pivot pin at least one loading spring located to apply a force to said bracket to urge said bracket into uniform engagement with said metering member, said at least one loading spring being a compression spring supported on a post, urging a U-shaped portion of said bracket in a direction toward said metering member so as to urge said wick into engagement with said metering member at a predetermined force, substantially uniform along the length of the metering member, wherein said wick load on said metering member is substantially constant over a range of wick thicknesses, caused by tolerances in said wick material and the compression of said wick over its life; a blade member associated with said metering member to establish a desired thickness of release agent on said metering member; a donor member adapted to receive release agent from said metering member, and operatively contacting said fuser device to apply said release agent thereto; and a plurality of features associated with said reservoir for precise alignment of said donor member, metering member, and said metering blade.