US4921773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-30
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer contiguous to the charge generating layer, the process comprising preparing a dispersion of finely divided photoconductive particles in a liquid in which the particles are insoluble, the liquid comprising at least 0.25 percent by weight of an alcohol based on the total weight of the liquid, applying a thin coating of the dispersion on a substrate, evaporating substantially all of the liquid from the coating, and embedding the particles in a film forming polymer matrix to form the charge generating layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew R. Melnyk
- 👤 Richard H. Nealey
- 👤 Paul J. Brach
- 👤 Leon A. Teuscher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/04; G03G5/05; G03G5/0525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer contiguous to said charge generating layer, said process comprising preparing a dispersion of finely divided photoconductive particles in a fugitive liquid in which said particles are substantially insoluble, said liquid comprising at least 0.25 percent by weight of an alcohol, based on the total weight of said liquid, said dispersion being substantially free of any film forming polymer, applying a thin coating of said dispersion on a substrate, evaporating substantially all of said liquid from said coating, and embedding said particles in a film forming polymer matrix to form said charge generating layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer contiguous to said charge generating layer, said process comprising preparing a dispersion of finely divided photoconductive particles in a fugitive liquid in which said particles are substantially insoluble, said liquid comprising at least 0.25 percent by weight of an alcohol, based on the total weight of said liquid, said dispersion being substantially free of any film forming polymer, applying a thin coating of said dispersion on a substrate, evaporating substantially all of said liquid from said coating, and embedding said particles in a film forming polymer matrix to form said charge generating layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said finely divided photoconductive particles have an average particle size of less than about 1 micrometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said finely divided photoconductive particles have an average particle size of less than about 0.1 micrometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said alcohol is a compound represented by the general formula C n H 2n-1 OH where n is a number from 1 to 6.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said alcohol has a boiling point between about 40° C. and about 140° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said dispersion has a solids concentration of between about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of said dispersion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said charge generating layer has a thickness of between about 0.01 micrometer and about 1 micrometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said charge generating layer has a thickness of between about 0.1 micrometer and about 0.3 micrometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying an adhesive layer comprising a softenable film forming polymer to said electrically conductive surface, applying a layer of said dispersion to said adhesive layer, said fugitive liquid comprising a solvent for said softenable film forming polymer whereby said solvent softens said adhesive layer and said particles penetrate into said adhesive layer, drying said layer of said dispersion whereby said particles are imbedded in a matrix comprising said film forming polymer to form said charge generation layer overlying said adhesive layer, and applying said charge transport layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying a blocking layer to said electrically conductive surface, applying a layer of said dispersion to said adhesive layer, drying said layer of said dispersion to form a layer of said particles on said blocking layer, applying a solution of a charge transport molecule and a film forming polymer in a solvent to said layer of said particles, and drying said solution to form said charge transport layer whereby said particles are imbedded in a matrix comprising said charge transport molecule and said film forming polymer to form said charge generating layer underlying said charge transport layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying said charge transport layer to said electrically conductive surface, said charge transport layer comprising a softenable film forming polymer, applying a layer of said dispersion to said charge transport layer, said fugitive liquid comprising a solvent for said softenable film forming polymer whereby said solvent softens said charge transport layer and said particles penetrate into said charge transport layer, and drying said layer of said dispersion to form said charge generating layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying said charge transport layer to said electrically conductive surface, said charge transport layer comprising a softenable film forming polymer, applying a layer of said dispersion to said charge transport layer, drying said layer of said dispersion to form a layer of said particles on said charge transport layer, applying an overcoating layer mixture comprising a solution of a film forming polymer in a solvent to said layer of said particles, and drying said solution to form an overcoating layer whereby said particles are imbedded in a matrix comprising said film forming polymer to form said charge generating layer underlying said overcoating layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying said charge transport layer to said electrically conductive surface, said charge transport layer comprising a charge transport molecule and a softenable film forming polymer, applying a layer of said dispersion to said charge transport layer, heating said layer of said dispersion to remove said fugitive liquid, soften said film forming polymer and imbed said particles into the adjacent surface of said charge transport layer whereby said particles are imbedded in a matrix comprising said charge transport molecule and said film forming polymer to form said charge generating layer overlying said charge transport layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 including applying said charge transport layer to said electrically conductive surface, said charge transport layer comprising a charge transport molecule and a polycarbonate resin, applying a layer of said dispersion to said charge transport layer, heating said layer of said dispersion to remove said fugitive liquid and form a layer of said particles, and softening said polycarbonate resin adjacent said coating of particles whereby said particles penetrate into the softened polycarbonate resin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 14 comprising including softening said polycarbonate binder by applying a halogenated solvent prior to applying a layer of said dispersion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 14 comprising including softening said polycarbonate binder by applying a halogenated solvent while applying a layer of said dispersion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 14 comprising including softening said polycarbonate binder by applying a halogenated solvent subsequent to applying a layer of said dispersion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member according to claim 1 wherein said liquid comprises between about 2 percent by weight and about 10 percent by weight of said alcohol, based on the total weight of said liquid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |