US Patent 7330200 Thermal processor employing replaceable sleeve

A thermal processor for thermally developing an image in an imaging material. The processor includes an oven, at least one rotatable member positioned within oven, and a sleeve adapted to slideably fit over and selectively couple to at least a portion of the rotatable member. The sleeve has an exterior surface coated with a layer of polymer material and is positioned such that the layer of polymer material contacts and transports the imaging material through the oven as the at least one rotatable member rotates.