Patent ID: 6317577
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method for extending the useful life of a fuser roller having ends, a length greater than a central portion of the fuser roller, the central portion of the fuser roller having ends, and end portions of the fuser roller extending from ends of the central portion of the fuser roller to the ends of the fuser roller, the fuser roller being coated during operation with a release agent by contact with a wick roller, the wick roller comprising a porous wick roller body having ends, a length greater than a central portion of the wick roller, the central portion of the wick roller having ends, a release agent supply line in fluid communication with a central cavity in the wick roller body, a release agent impervious coating over lengths of the wick roller body between the ends of the wick roller and the ends of the central portion of the wick roller, a release agent transfer surface over the outside of the wick roller and the release agent impervious coating, the method comprising:a) positioning at least one opening with a total opening area being equal to from about 0.7 to about 3.0 percent of the total outside area of the release agent impervious coating in the release agent impervious coating and in fluid communication with the wick roller body and release agent transfer surface between the ends of the wick roller and the ends of the central portion of the wick roller; and,b) adjusting the quantity of release agent transferred to the end portions of the fuser roller to a selected amount.