Patent Publication Number: US-7215915-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for variable width surface treatment application to a fuser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/540,883, filed Jan. 30, 2004, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE WIDTH SURFACE TREATMENT APPLICATION TO A FUSER by Michael K. Baskin, et al. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to application of a surface treatment to a fuser, typically in a print process. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Fuser oil is applied to the fuser roller so that toner does not stick to the fuser roller. The paper width determines the width of oil that should be laid down on the fuser roller. Currently, in one example of the art, oil is applied to the fuser roller in a fixed width, as determined by a rotating oil wick. There are 11 different wick sizes, ranging from 8.50 inches up to 14.00 inches in half-inch increments excluding 9.00 inches. When a customer changes paper sizes, the corresponding size wick should also be installed in the machine if that job is of significant size (number of pages). This prevents under oiling or over oiling of the fuser roller. Using an under size wick (under oiling) can result in toner sticking to the fuser roller. This will cause paper jams and eventual failure of the fuser roller and the wick itself. Using an over size wick (over oiling) will contaminate other portions of the electrophotographic process (transfer/film) and the web cleaner with excessive oil. Either under or over oiling can lead to expensive service calls. 
   The oiled length of a rotating wick is determined by an oil barrier between the porous ceramic core and the surface layer of the wick. Since all of the wicks look identical (with the exception of a different colored dot), it is difficult for a user to identify what size wick is in the machine. Furthermore, most users simply will not change wicks based on the job width size. Still further, since the machine can be loaded with many paper width size jobs that run consecutively without the machine stopping, there is no opportunity to stop and change the wick size. All of the above can lead to the failure modes mentioned. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to various aspects of the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for applying surface treatment to a fuser comprising varying a width of surface treatment application to the fuser. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  presents a side schematic view of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  presents an end view of the  FIG. 1  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  presents a bottom view of the  FIG. 1  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 4A  presents an end schematic view of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 4B  presents an end schematic view of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  presents a top view of the  FIG. 4  method and apparatus according one configuration. 
       FIG. 6  presents a top view of the  FIG. 4  method and apparatus according another configuration. 
       FIG. 7  presents a top view of the  FIG. 4  method and apparatus according to further configuration. 
       FIG. 8  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for one configuration of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for another configuration the  FIG. 8  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 10  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for one configuration of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 11  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for another configuration the  FIG. 10  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 12  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for one configuration of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  presents graphical representations of surface treatment supply versus distance along a fuser for another configuration the  FIG. 12  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 14  presents a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a suitable construction for an applicator. 
       FIG. 15  presents an end view of an embodiment of a method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention. 
       FIG. 16  presents a perspective view of the  FIG. 15  method and apparatus. 
       FIG. 17  presents a perspective view of the  FIG. 16  from an opposite side as that presented in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  presents a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a suitable construction for an applicator. 
       FIG. 19  presents a side view of a one embodiment of a suitable construction for an applicator, with portions broken away. 
       FIG. 20  presents a side view of a one embodiment of a suitable construction for an applicator, with portions broken away. 
       FIG. 21  presents a detailed front of view of a traversal mechanism, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 22  presents a side detailed view (left elevation) of the  FIG. 21  traversal mechanism. 
       FIG. 23  presents detailed view of portions of the  FIG. 21  traversal mechanism from the opposite side of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 24  presents a partial cross-sectional view of an auxiliary applicator. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Various aspects of the invention are presented with reference to  FIGS. 1–24 , which are not drawn to any particular scale, and wherein like components in the numerous views are numbered alike. Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 1–3 , an apparatus and method according to one aspect of the invention are depicted. A fuser assembly  100  is presented comprising a fuser  102  and a pressure roller  104 , for example, of the type used in an electrographic process (for example an electrophotographic process, ionographic process, direct electrostatic printing process, etc.). The fuser  102  may take various forms including a roller (as shown in  FIGS. 1–3 ) and a belt. The fuser  102  is heated, generally internally and/or externally, and may include a fuser body, which may be of any material, such as aluminum and may include a coating of low surface energy filled with conductive material, all of which is well known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the embodiment shown is illustrative only and a variety of combinations may be used for supporting, heating and driving the pressure roller  104 , fuser  102  and, optionally, the heater rollers. The operation of such fuser rollers, pressure rollers and heater rollers is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be discussed further here. A media  106  bearing marking material  108 , for example toner, is passed through a nip where the fuser  102  and the pressure roller  104  are in closest proximity to each other, the motion being indicated by arrow  110 . Heat and pressure in the nip fuses the marking material  108  to the media  106 . The width  112  of the media  106  may vary. A width  116  of another media  114 , shown in dotted line, is presented in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
   According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided of applying surface treatment to the fuser  102  comprising varying a width of surface treatment application to the fuser  102 . The width may be varied as a function of media width. For example, a width  118  of surface treatment application may be implemented for media  106 , and a different width  120  of surface treatment application may be implemented for media  114 . The width of surface treatment application may be varied using a controller through an actuator, for example electrical, electromagnetic, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuators with gears linkages, cams, etc., as is apparent in light of the description provided herein. All such variations are contemplated in the practice of the invention. 
   According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided comprising applying surface treatment to the fuser  102  over a first width  112  corresponding to a predetermined first media size, and applying surface treatment to the fuser over a second width  120  corresponding to a second media size. The orientation of the media is determined in advance, so knowledge of the media size is sufficient to derive the width of the media. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 5 , an apparatus and method for applying surface treatment to a fuser is provided. A method and apparatus according to one aspect of the invention comprises contacting the fuser  102  with an applicator  122  defining a longitudinal axis  124 , contacting the applicator  122  with an auxiliary applicator  126 , and traversing the auxiliary applicator  126  parallel to the longitudinal axis  124 , the motion being indicated by arrow  128 . The applicator  122  may have an overall length approximately the same as fuser  102 . The applicator  122  and auxiliary applicator are preferably cylindrical so they can roll. A method and apparatus according to a further aspect of the invention may comprise contacting the applicator  122  with another auxiliary applicator  130 , and traversing the another auxiliary applicator  130  parallel to the longitudinal axis  124 , the motion being indicated by arrow  132 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  may be disengaged from the applicator  122 , for example while traversing the auxiliary applicators  126  and/or  130  in order to ameliorate surface wear. Preferably, the applicator  122  is disengaged from the fuser  102  at the same time. 
   As is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the auxiliary applicator  126  may be traversed parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  to a first location  134  corresponding to a first media size, and the auxiliary applicator  126  may be traversed parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  to a second location  136  corresponding to a predetermined second media size. Likewise, the another auxiliary applicator  130  may be traversed parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  to another first location  138  corresponding to the first media size, and traversed parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  to another second location  140  corresponding to a second media size. The minimum width of surface treatment application may be greater than the sum of the lengths of the auxiliary applicators  126 / 130 , or the length of the applicator  122  to which surface treatment is applied. Correspondingly, the maximum length may be the sum of the lengths of the auxiliary applicators  126 / 130  and the length of the applicator  122  to which surface treatment is applied. In a certain embodiment, the width of surface treatment application to the fuser  102  ranges from 8.25 inches to 14.33 inches, although this may be varied without limitation. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components. A plot  142  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the applicator  122 . An equal amount of surface treatment is applied along the length of the applicator  122  from about the 2.5 inch position to the 11.5 inch position, as indicated by plot  142 . A plot  144  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a first location corresponding to the first media size, for example 8.5×11 inch media (the eleven inch dimension being parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  of  FIGS. 5–7 ). A plot  146  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another first location corresponding to the first media size, for example 8.5×11 inch media (the eleven inch dimension being parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  of  FIGS. 5–7 ). According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  are adjacent the end portions of the applicator  122  (as shown in  FIGS. 5–7 ). The surface treatment supplies indicated by plots  142 ,  144 , and  146  complement each other and add together to provide a predetermined surface treatment supply distribution on the surface of the applicator  122 , and applied to the fuser  102 , as indicated by a plot  148 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components with the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  positioned for a different media size. The plot  142  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  as presented in the previous figure for the applicator  122  remains unchanged. A plot  150  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a second location corresponding to the second media size, for example 8.5×14 inch media (the fourteen inch dimension being parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  of  FIGS. 5–7 ). A plot  152  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another second location corresponding to the second media size, for example 8.5×14 inch media (the fourteen inch dimension being parallel to the longitudinal axis  124  of  FIGS. 5–7 ). In  FIG. 9 , the predetermined surface treatment distribution is a constant versus position along the longitudinal axis, as indicated by plot  154 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components, according to another embodiment of the invention. A plot  156  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented. More surface treatment may be applied to a center portion  162  of the applicator  122  than to an end portion of the applicator  122 , as indicated by plot  156 . Furthermore, the surface treatment may be applied to the applicator  122  with a stepwise increase in surface treatment supply from an initial section  158  of the end portion comprising no surface treatment supply, to an adjacent section  160  of the end portion comprising an intermediate quantity of surface treatment supply, to the center portion  162  comprising a greater quantity of surface treatment supply. 
   A plot  164  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a first location corresponding to the first media size. More surface treatment may be applied to one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  than to another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  126 . The one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  may be proximate the end portion  157  of the applicator, and the another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  170  may be proximate the center portion  162  of the applicator  122 . The surface treatment may be applied to the auxiliary applicator  126  with a stepwise decrease in surface treatment supply from the one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator to the another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  126 . This generates application of surface treatment from the auxiliary applicator  126  to the applicator  122  with an amount that stepwise decreases with position along the auxiliary applicator  126  from the one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  to the another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  126 . 
   A plot  166  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another first location corresponding to the first media size. The applicator  122  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  are preferably configured such that the surface treatment supply/application is symmetric about the center of the applicator  130 . The surface treatment supplies indicated by plots  156 ,  164 , and  166  complement each other and add together to provide a predetermined surface treatment supply distribution on the surface of the applicator  122 , and applied to the fuser  102 , as indicated by a plot  168 . In  FIG. 10 , the predetermined surface treatment distribution is a constant versus position along the longitudinal axis, as indicated by plot  168 , which may be advantageous if the first media size is printed most often. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components with the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  positioned for a different media size. The plot  156  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  as presented for the applicator  122  remains unchanged. A plot  174  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a second location corresponding to the second media size. A plot  176  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another second location corresponding to the second media size. The surface treatment supply to the fuser  102  is indicated by plot  178 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components, according to another embodiment of the invention. A plot  180  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented. The surface treatment may be applied to the applicator  122  with a linear increase in surface treatment supply from the initial section  158  of the end portion comprising no surface treatment supply to the center portion  162  comprising a greater quantity of surface treatment supply. A plot  182  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a first location corresponding to the first media size. More surface treatment may be applied to one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  than to another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  126 . The one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  may be proximate the end portion  157  of the applicator, and the another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  170  may be proximate the center portion  162  of the applicator  122 . The surface treatment may be applied to the auxiliary applicator  126  with an amount that linearly decreases with position along the auxiliary applicator  126  from the one portion  126  of the auxiliary applicator to the another portion of the auxiliary applicator  172 . This generates application of surface treatment from the auxiliary applicator  126  to the applicator  122  with an amount that linearly decreases with position along the auxiliary applicator  126  from the one portion  170  of the auxiliary applicator  126  to the another portion  172  of the auxiliary applicator  126 . A plot  184  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another first location corresponding to the first media size. The applicator  122  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  are preferably configured such that the surface treatment supply/application is symmetric about the center of the applicator  130 . The surface treatment supplies indicated by plots  180 ,  182 , and  184  complement each other and add together to provide a predetermined surface treatment supply distribution on the surface of the applicator  122 , and applied to the fuser  102 , as indicated by a plot  186 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 13 , surface treatment distribution is presented for various components with the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  positioned for a different media size. The plot  180  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  as presented for the applicator  122  remains unchanged. A plot  188  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the auxiliary applicator  126  at a second location corresponding to the second media size. A plot  190  of surface treatment supply versus position along the fuser  102  is presented for the another auxiliary applicator  130  at another second location corresponding to the second media size. The surface treatment supply to the fuser  102  is indicated by plot  192 . 
   Although shown with particular combinations of surface treatment application applicator  122 , auxiliary applicator  126 , and another auxiliary applicator  130  in  FIGS. 8–13 , any combination is contemplated in the practice of the invention. For example, the stepwise and linearly decreasing surface treatment application with the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  may be implemented with the linear surface treatment application to the applicator  122  of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and vice versa. 
   Various applicator and auxiliary applicator configurations are useful in the practice of the invention implement metals, plastics, elastomers and/or ceramics. Referring now  FIG. 14 , and example of a configuration for the applicator and the auxiliary applicator is presented comprising an annular porous core  194  the surface treatment being applied inside the annular porous core  194 , for example through a tube  196  having one or more perforations  198 . A porous covering  201  may be provided over the porous core  194 , for example a fibrous material. Suitable fibrous materials comprise bulk fiber, woven fabrics, and non-woven fabrics, without limitation. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 15 , an end view of an apparatus  200  for applying surface treatment to the fuser  102  is presented according to a further aspect of the invention. The apparatus  200  comprises the applicator  122  operative to contact the fuser  102 . The auxiliary applicator  126  contacts the applicator  122 . A traversing mechanism  202  operative to move the auxiliary applicator  126  parallel to the longitudinal axis  124 . The traversing mechanism  202  may implement numerous components including motors, stepper motors, pneumatic actuators, gears, pulleys, belts, chains, cams, linkages, worms, lead-screws, etc., as may be desired in order to achieve a particular motion, such variations being well within ordinary skill in the mechanical arts in light of the description provided herein, and may be controlled by a controller  230 . The fuser  102  is externally heated by a pair of heater rollers  228 , which are heated, for example, by internal heat lamps (not shown) and other suitable methods, without limitation. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , perspective views from opposites sides of the apparatus  200  are presented. The apparatus  200  may comprise the another auxiliary applicator  130  contacting the applicator  122 , the traversing mechanism  202  being operative to move the another auxiliary applicator  130  parallel to the longitudinal axis  124 . Flexible tubes  226  are provided to supply surface treatment to the applicator  122 , auxiliary applicator  126 , and the another auxiliary applicator  130  (portions of the tubes are now shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  in order avoid obscuring other structure). The flexibility of the tubes  226  allows the assembly  200  to move, and the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  to translate with reasonable force. In the example presented, the applicator is rotatable and is driven at the interface with the fuser  102  by friction. Similarly, the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  are rotatable and are driven at their interface with the applicator  122 . Rotating seals are provided on the applicator  122 , the auxiliary applicator  126 , and the another auxiliary applicator  130  in order to allow feed of surface treatment to these components without leakage. A pump or other means (not shown) is provided to regulate the rate of flow of surface treatment. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the applicator  122  is carried on an applicator carriage  232 . The applicator carriage  232  rotates about pivot  234  by way of an axle  236 . The traversing mechanism  202  comprises a frame  238 . A clevis  240  is captive on the axle  236  and fixed to the frame  283  (best shown in  FIG. 17 ). Opposing ends of the frame  238  are provided with an elongate slot  242  (shown hidden in  FIG. 15 ). The combined effect of these features permits the traversing mechanism  202  to rotate about a gimbal axis  244 . The gimbal facilitates full contact of the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator  130  to the applicator  122  with an approximately equal pressure. 
   The applicator  122  may be unloaded and loaded from and to the fuser  102  by pivoting the applicator carriage  232  about the pivot  234  with a motor and a suitable linkage, not shown, as indicated by arrow  248 . 
   Detailed views of the traversing mechanism  202  are presented in  FIGS. 21–23 . The traversing mechanism  202  comprises a pair of opposing racks  208  aligned with the longitudinal axis  124  and a pinion  210  interposed between the racks  208 . A stepper motor  211  is operative to drive the pinion  210 , for example by a motor shaft pressed into the pinion  210 . A slide  212  and an auxiliary applicator carriage  214  carried on the slide  212  are provided. The slide  212  is fastened or otherwise fixed to the frame  238  ( FIGS. 15 and 17 ). The auxiliary applicator  126  is carried on the auxiliary applicator carriage  214 . Another auxiliary applicator carriage  216  is carried on the slide  212 , and the another auxiliary applicator  130  is carried on the another auxiliary applicator carriage  216 . The slide  212  comprises a multitude of ball bearings  226 . One of the opposing racks  208  is pivotally mounted at pivot  218  to the auxiliary applicator carriage  214  and another of the opposing racks  208  is pivotally mounted at pivot  220  to the another auxiliary applicator carriage  216 . A pair of guides  222  is positioned to maintain the opposing racks  208  in contact with the pinion  210 . A stepper motor  224  drives the pinion  210 , and the pair of stops  222  may be attached to the stepper motor  224  (the stepper motor  224  is shown in phantom in  FIG. 21  in order to avoid obstructing the view). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , end and side views of the applicator  122  are presented according to a further aspect of the invention. The applicator  122 , the auxiliary applicator  126 , and/or the another auxiliary applicator  130  may be at least partially porous. According to one embodiment, the applicator  122  comprises the porous core  194 , the end portion  157  and the center portion  162 . An impervious coating  204  is provided on the end portion  157 . The impervious coating  204  may be on the inside and/or outside of the porous core  194 , but putting the coating on the outside is easier. A coating on the inside may be advantageous depending upon the surface treatment distribution desired, for example that presented in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The porous covering  201  may cover at least part of the porous core  194 . The auxiliary applicator  126  and/or the another auxiliary applicator  130  and any further applicators and auxiliary applicators may be configured in like manner. As shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the impervious coating  204  generates a stepwise distribution in surface treatment supply or application. Referring now to  FIG. 20 , surface treatment supply may be altered by providing slots  206 . Various distributions may be generated by appropriately arranging and dimensioning the slots  206 . Different geometries for the slots  206  may be implemented, for example trapezoidal or triangular slots, without limitation. An array of holes or other varying porosity in the impervious coating  204  may also be implemented in order to provide a desired surface treatment distribution, for example the distribution shown in  FIGS. 10 through 13 . A slotted wick roller is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,577 B1 issued to Baruch et al. on Nov. 13, 2001, entitled METHOD AND IMPROVED WICK ROLLER FOR CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUSER OIL ON A FUSER SURFACE, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
   A predetermined distribution may also be generated by appropriately spacing the perforations  198  along the length of the supply tube  196 . For example, surface treatment supply may be increased over the center portion  162  relative to the end portion  157  by placing perforations  198  closer together in the center portion  162  than in the end portion  157  (that also included placing more perforations  198  in the center portion), for example to achieve the distribution shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
   The porous material in the porous core  194  may be any suitably porous material which is stable at the temperature of the applicator  122  and which functions to permit surface treatment to wick through the porous material as the applicator  122  rotates. One suitable material is porous alumina/silica carbide. The surface treatment may be a release agent supplied to the cavity  34  in a quantity on the order of 0.5 to 10 microliters per copy processed by the fuser, and may be on the order of 0.5 to about 3 microliters per copy. Typical surface treatments are silicone oils which have viscosities from about 100 to about 100,000 centistokes and preferably from about 10,000 to about 80,000 centistokes at 70° F. and may include electrostatic control agents or other additives known to those skilled in the art to facilitate the release of marking material from fuser  102 . 
   Typically end caps are sealingly positioned over each end of the applicator  122 , auxiliary applicator  126 , and the another auxiliary applicator  130 . The oil impervious coating  204  may be any suitable material which is impervious to the oil used at the temperatures and pressures encountered. One suitable material is marketed under the trademark MAGNABOND by Crossfield Products Corporation, 2153 Sacramento Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 
   A suitable material for the porous covering  201  is an aramid fiber material supplied under the trademark NOMEX by Dupont de Nemours &amp; Company, 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del. The exposed surface is singed to remove loose fiber ends and to increase friction implemented to drive the applicator  122 , the auxiliary applicator  126 , and the another auxiliary applicator  130 . 
   Typically the surface of fuser  102  is heated to a temperature from about 330 to about 385° F. The use of the oil as discussed above is effective with silicone rubbers and will be useful with other materials, as is well known to those skilled in the art. As mentioned above, the surface treatment is typically silicone oil having a viscosity between 100 and 100,000 centistokes at 70° F. A suitable oil is marketed under the trademark DC  200  by Dow Corning, Midland, Mich. A typical additive for use with such oils is marketed under the trademark SILWET by Union Carbide Corporation, Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury, Conn. 
   In a certain embodiment, the applicator  122  is about 14.4 inches long, and the end portions are coated between the core and covering, as just described, so the surface treatment is limited to the center portion  162  of about 8.3 inches in length. A stepwise distribution is implemented, and the auxiliary applicator  126  and the another auxiliary applicator are about 3.1 inches in length with uniform release application over their entire lengths. This produces the surface treatment distributions presented in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . This embodiment is particularly advantageous for a center registered printer, where changes in paper size require equal oil width adjustment about a paper centerline. There is a relationship between the lengths of the applicator and auxiliary applicators, which enables the most even application of oil obtainable by the invention. Specifically, the oiled length of the applicator  122  is wider than the combined oiled lengths of the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  plus the distance between the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  when they are at the minimum spacing. In addition, the combined oiled widths of the applicator  122  and auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  must meet or exceed the widest paper, with some overlap to account for tolerances. It is recognized that other combinations may be used in other embodiments to accommodate other specific ranges of paper width. The auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  may overlap. It is further recognized that the applicator  122  and only one auxiliary applicator  126  may be implemented for an application in which the media is edge registered. 
   As described, oil is supplied internally to the applicator  122  and auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  by distribution tubes disposed inside these components. The relative flow of oil to the 3 wicks may be controlled by the number of holes in each distribution tube, which impose a very large resistance to oil flow, and may thus be “tuned” for a particular ratio of oil flow. The desired oil flow into each applicator  122  and auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  is proportional to the applicator oiled length. Thus, only one oil pump, and no oil control devices such as solenoids may be implemented. It is recognized that other embodiments may have a different number of holes in each distribution tube, or add solenoids in the oil lines leading to the distribution tubes or a plurality of pumps to generate a preferred ratio of oil supplied to each applicator  122  and auxiliary applicators  126  and  130 . Pertinent information regarding surface treatment applicators is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,394, 5,267,004 and 5,732,317, the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference as if set forth herein. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the applicator  122  is pressed against the fuser  102  only when the fuser  102  is in operation, that is when it is used to fuse marking material to a substrate, usually paper. (During standby, the applicator  122  is separated from the fuser  102 , so that no oil is applied to the fuser  102 .) The auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  are pressed against the applicator  122  at all times by springs, with a force that is sufficient to transfer oil to the surface of the main wick, and to cause the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  to be driven rotatably by the applicator  122 , which is driven rotatably by the fuser  102 . We have found the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  are translatable, even when pressed against the main wick. In this manner, the auxiliary applicators may be adjusted while the fuser  102  is in operation, if paper size is changed in the middle of a print run. Other embodiments within the scope of the invention can separate the applicator  122  and auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  during standby, if an advantage is gained from doing so. 
   A porous covering  201  on applicator  122 , for example felt, may absorb some amount of surface treatment when wider paper is run. This surface treatment may be applied to the fuser  102  even when narrower paper is run, which may be undesirable. Changing the material on “donor” sections (only) of the applicator  122 , to one that is non-absorbent may minimize the amount of residual surface treatment on those sections of the applicator  122 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 24 , a partial cross-sectional view is presented, with parts broken away, of the auxiliary applicator  126  comprising the annular porous core  194  and porous covering  201 . The surface treatment supply tube  196  enters the annular porous core  194  through a rotary seal  250  held in place by a snap ring  252  and a mating groove in the core  194 . The tube  196  comprises a recess  254  on its outside diameter that mates with the rotary seal  250 . The tube  196  is held to the frame  238  ( FIGS. 15 and 17 ) by a clip (not shown). 
   Applicators and auxiliary applicators other than those specifically described herein are contemplated in the practice of the invention. For example, without limitation, they may be comprised of an elastomer coated metal core, the surface treatment may be applied by a wick or a pan, and a doctor blade may be used to squeegee or otherwise control the thickness of the surface treatment. 
   The basic control strategy for positioning the adjustable wicks may be a closed loop sensing scheme. The paper size signal may come from the position of the media guides on the media supply in use and may then be used to position the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130  in a predetermined manner. Sensors may also be implemented to sense the width of the media. A paper catalogue and job scheduling may also be implemented to determine the width of the media since the paper catalogue may be used to determine the characteristics of each individual sheet, and job scheduling tracks the sheet throughout the machine. As such, the characteristics of each and every sheet approaching the fuser may be determined. Concepts relating to scheduling and jam recovery are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/673,602 entitled “Ordered Media Jam Recovery System and Method”, filed Sep. 29, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. In addition, the actual auxiliary applicator position may also be sensed, and fed back to the motion control software, to insure proper positioning of the auxiliary applicators  126  and  130 . Of course, combinations of these are contemplated in the practice of the invention. 
   The concepts described herein are equally applicable to other fuser configurations, such as a fuser belt. A fuser belt system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,427 issued Aug. 1, 2000 to Chen et al. This patent is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference as if fully set for herein. 
   As used herein “fuser” and “fusing” refers to apparatus and processes for stabilizing an image on a receiver by heat and/or pressure. The image may be rendered by inkjet, electrographic, or other means that apply marking material  108  to the sheet  106 . The marking material  108  may comprise ink, dye, and/or toner. The particular type of marking material  108  is not critical in the practice of the invention. 
   A controller and supporting software, not shown, are implemented to control the various functions described herein. Such implementation is well within ordinary skill in the relevant art. It should be understood that the programs, processes, methods and apparatus described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computer or network apparatus (hardware or software), unless indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or specialized computer apparatus may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein. The control implementation may be expressed in software, hardware, and/or firmware. 
   Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific illustrative embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the invention be limited to those illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims that follow. It is therefore intended to include within the invention all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, and any claim without the word “means” is not so intended. 
   PARTS LIST 
   
       
         100  fuser assembly 
         102  fuser roller 
         104  pressure roller 
         106  media 
         108  toner 
         110  arrow 
         112  width 
         114  another media 
         116  width 
         118  width of release agent application 
         120  different width of release agent application 
         122  applicator 
         124  longitudinal axis 
         126  auxiliary applicator 
         128  motion being indicated by arrow 
         130  another auxiliary applicator 
         132  motion being indicated by arrow 
         134  first location 
         136  second location 
         138  another first location 
         140  another second location 
         142  plot 
         144  plot 
         146  plot 
         148  plot 
         150  plot 
         152  plot 
         154  plot 
         156  plot 
         157  end portion 
         158  initial section 
         160  adjacent section 
         162  center portion 
         164  plot 
         166  plot 
         168  plot 
         170  one portion 
         172  another portion 
         174  plot 
         176  plot 
         178  plot 
         180  plot 
         182  plot 
         184  plot 
         186  plot 
         188  plot 
         190  plot 
         192  plot 
         194  annular porous core 
         196  tube 
         198  perforations 
         201  porous covering 
         200  apparatus 
         202  traversing mechanism 
         204  impervious coating 
         206  slots 
         208  pair of opposing racks 
         210  pinion 
         211  motor 
         212  slide 
         214  auxiliary applicator carriage 
         216  another auxiliary applicator carriage 
         218  pivot 
         220  pivot 
         222  pair of stops 
         224  stepper motor 
         226  flexible tubes 
         228  heater rollers 
         230  controller 
         232  applicator carriage 
         234  pivot point 
         236  axle 
         238  frame 
         240  clevis 
         242  elongate slot 
         244  gimbal axis 
         248  arrow 
         250  rotary seal 
         252  snap ring 
         254  recess