Doctor blade surface energy modification

US8238803B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard Kent Anderson · Georgetown, US
• Martin Victor DiGirolamo · Lexington, US
• Mark Duane Foster · Lexington, US
• Whitney April Greer · Lexington, US
• Mark W. Johnson · Glenshaw, US
• David Starling MacMillan · Winchester, US
• Robert Watson McAlpine · Lexington, US
• Donald Wayne Stafford · Georgetown, US
• Jason Carl True · Lexington, US
• James Thomas Welch · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 2, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G15/0812
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.