EP0198363A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Amorphous silicon photoreceptors for electrophotography, process for the preparation and/or regeneration thereof, and method for the electrophotography using such materials
Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp
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Filing: 1986-04-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An amorphous silicon photoreceptor for electrophotography having a specific surface roughness is disclosed herein. Also provided are a process for the preparation and/or regeneration of the material and improved methods for electrophotography, which use a special abrasive. The material enables the electrophotography without occurrence of any image blurring under high humidity conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshihiko Yoshitomi
- 👤 Hiromi Horiuchi
- 👤 Yukio Yamaguchi
- 👤 Yasuo Kamoshita
- 👤 Kiyoshi Sekihara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/04; G03G5/08; G03G5/082; G03G5/08214; G03G21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An amorphous silicon photoreceptor for electrophotography having at least one of the following properties: (i) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester of 190 A or less; (ii) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less; (iii) a variance of mean surface roughnesses along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 70 A or less; (iv) a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 450 A or less; and (v) a difference between the mean of five largest values of surface roughness as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An amorphous silicon photoreceptor for electrophotography having at least one of the following properties: (i) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester of 190 A or less; (ii) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less; (iii) a variance of mean surface roughnesses along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 70 A or less; (iv) a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 450 A or less; and (v) a difference between the mean of five largest values of surface roughness as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for preparing and/or regenerating an amorphous silicon photoreceptor for electrophotography, characterized by mechanically removing at least a part of a solid phase reaction product produced by bringing a substance which is capable of causing the reaction with the photoreceptor into contact wth the surface of said material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for preparing and/or regenerating an amorphous silicon photoreceptor for electrophotography, characterized by mechanically removing at least a part of a solid phase reaction product produced by bringing a substance which is capable of causing the reaction with the photoreceptor into contact wth the surface of said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the substance capable of causing the solid phase reaction with the photoreceptor is selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method for electrophotography, the improvement comprising using a developer containing at least one external additive selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a method for electrophotography, the improvement comprising using a developer containing at least one external additive selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a method for electrophotography, the improvement wherein the method further comprises a step for polishing the surface of a photoreceptor on which an image is formed by using at least one substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a method for electrophotography, the improvement wherein the method further comprises a step for polishing the surface of a photoreceptor on which an image is formed by using at least one substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for electrophotography comprising a step for intermittently contacting a cleaning member which contains at least one substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure as an abrasive, with an amorphous silicon photoreceptor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for electrophotography comprising a step for intermittently contacting a cleaning member which contains at least one substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals, triiron tetraoxide, and mineral clays having a layer structure as an abrasive, with an amorphous silicon photoreceptor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor for electrophotography having a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor for electrophotography having a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7, wherein the mean surface area roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 40 A or less.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7, wherein the mean surface area roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 30 A or less.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7, further having a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester of 190 A or less.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 10, wherein the mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester is 150 A or less.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 10, wherein the mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester is 120 A or less.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7 or 10, further having a variance of mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 70 A or less.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 13, wherein the variance of mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 50 A or less.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 13, wherein the variance of mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 40 A or less.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7 or 10, further having a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 450 A or less.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 13, further having a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 450 A or less.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 16 or 17, wherein the maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 350 A or less.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 16 or 17, wherein the maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus is 250 A or less.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 7 or 10, further having a difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 13, further having a difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 16, further having a difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 20, 21, or 22, wherein the difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 300 A or less.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor of claim 20, 21, or 22, wherein the difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 250 A or less.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
165 words
A polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor for electrophotography having at least one of the following properties: (i) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester of 190 A or less; (ii) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less; (iii) a variance of mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 70 A or less; (iv) a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measurig apparatus of 450 A or less; and (v) a difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
165 words
A polished amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptor for electrophotography having at least one of the following properties: (i) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a needle type surface roughness tester of 190 A or less; (ii) a mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 60 A or less; (iii) a variance of mean surface roughness along the center line as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus of 70 A or less; (iv) a maximum surface amplitude as measured by a coordinate-measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measurig apparatus of 450 A or less; and (v) a difference between the mean of five largest values of the surface roughness as measured by a coordinates measuring scanning electron microscope and a section measuring apparatus and the mean of five smallest values of said surface roughness of 420 A or less.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for preparing and/or regenerating an amorphous sillicon hydride photoreceptor useful in electrophotography, comprising removing at least a part of a solid phase reaction product produced by contacting the photoreceptor with a soft abrasive substance which is capable of causing a solid phase reaction therewith.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for preparing and/or regenerating an amorphous sillicon hydride photoreceptor useful in electrophotography, comprising removing at least a part of a solid phase reaction product produced by contacting the photoreceptor with a soft abrasive substance which is capable of causing a solid phase reaction therewith.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 26, wherein the soft abrasive substance capable of causing a solid phase reaction with the photoreceptor is selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals; triiron tetraoxide; and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 26 or 27, wherein the removal of the solid phase reaction product is accomplished by mechanical means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 28, wherein the mechanical means comprises a magnetic brush developing unit containing the abrasive.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 28, wherein the mechanical means comprises a blade-like jig.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 28, wherein the mechanical means comprises a solidified cleaning member having the abrasive as a component thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 31, wherein the cleaning member is selected from the group of blades, roCls, brushes, sponges or pads.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 27, wherein the soft abrasive substance is in an admixture comprising developer suitable for use in electrophotography.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 29, wherein the admixture further comprises toner suitable for use in electrophotography.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 27, 28, 29, or 30, wherein the soft abrasive substance is selected from the carbonates of alkaline earth metals and rare earth metals.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the method of electrophotography utilizing amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptors, the improvement comprising using a developer containing at least one soft abrasive additive selected from the group consisting of the carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals, transition metals; triiron tetraoxide; and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the method of electrophotography utilizing amorphous silicon hydride photoreceptors, the improvement comprising using a developer containing at least one soft abrasive additive selected from the group consisting of the carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals, transition metals; triiron tetraoxide; and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the soft abrasive additive is selected from the carbonates of alkaline earth metals and rare earth metals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
65 words
In the method of electrophotography utilizing amorphous silicon hyride photoreceptors, the improvement comprising adding a step for polishing the surface of the photoreceptor on which the image is formed by using at least one soft abrasive substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals; triiron tetraoxide; and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
65 words
In the method of electrophotography utilizing amorphous silicon hyride photoreceptors, the improvement comprising adding a step for polishing the surface of the photoreceptor on which the image is formed by using at least one soft abrasive substance selected from the group consisting of carbonates and sulfates of alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals and transition metals; triiron tetraoxide; and mineral clays having a layer structure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the polishing step is conducted as part of the cleaning sequence of the electrophotography.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the cleaning sequence of the electrophotography comprises two steps; a first cleaning process which does not include the soft abrasive; and a second cleaning process which includes the soft abrasive.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the second cleaning process occurs intermittently.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 38, 39, 40, or 41, wherein the soft abrasive substance is selected from the group consisting of the carbonates of alkaline earth metals and rare earth metals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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