Patent ID: 8320810

Claim:
A fuser for an image forming device, comprising: an endless belt having opposite marginal side edge portions and opposite exterior and interior surfaces on said belt extending between said opposite marginal side edge portions wherein lubricant is applied to said endless belt interior surface; a heater housing disposed within said endless belt such that said interior surface thereof surrounds said housing lengthwise between opposite ends of said housing; a heater disposed within said heater housing and having a lengthwise surface disposed in heat transfer relationship with said endless belt; a protuberance extending from the lengthwise surface of said heater opposite the interior surface of said endless belt and positioned in transverse relationship to the interior surface of said endless belt; and a pressure roller defining a nip with said belt wherein said nip has an entrance side and an exit side, wherein the position of said protuberance at the nip creates pressure upon said endless belt and wherein pressure is applied by the pressure roller to the belt to drive a print media sheet through the nip, thereby directing said lubricant from said endless belt surface within said nip; wherein said protuberance comprises a plurality of thick film glass layers and extends substantially across a length of said heater from said lengthwise surface thereof.