US5063128A — Conductive and blocking layers for electrophotogr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 120 words

A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising providing a substrate, applying to said substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic solution comprising a film forming polymer dissolved in a solvent, drying said coating to remove said solvent and form a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, forming a charge blocking layer on said semi-transparent conductive layer, and forming at least one photoconductive layer on said charge blocking layer, said substrate having a transparency sufficient to transmit at least about 10 percent visible and near infrared light in the spectrum range to which said photoconductive layer is sensitive.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 120 words

A process for preparing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising providing a substrate, applying to said substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic solution comprising a film forming polymer dissolved in a solvent, drying said coating to remove said solvent and form a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, forming a charge blocking layer on said semi-transparent conductive layer, and forming at least one photoconductive layer on said charge blocking layer, said substrate having a transparency sufficient to transmit at least about 10 percent visible and near infrared light in the spectrum range to which said photoconductive layer is sensitive.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said acidic or neutral outer surface of said conductive particles has a pH value of between about 3 and about 7.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said conductive particles are particles of an electron accepting metal oxide.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said conductive particles are particles of carbon black.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 35 words

A process according to claim 4 wherein said dispersion comprises between about 10 percent and about 40 percent by weight of particles of carbon black, based on the total weight of solids in said dispersion.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

A process according to claim 5 wherein said dispersion comprises between about 15 percent and about 25 percent by weight of particles of carbon black, based on the total weight of solids in said dispersion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said basic solution has a pH value of between about 8 and about 14.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said basic polymer comprises a polymer containing basic units selected from the group consisting of amine groups and tertiary amide groups.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said polymer comprises a copolymer of methyl acrylamidoglycolate alkyl ether and at least one other vinyl monomer.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said polymer comprises a copolymer of maleimide and a hydroxy polymer or diol molecule.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said polymer comprises a blend of at least two polymers, at least one of said polymers containing basic groups.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said polymer is crosslinkable and said polymer is at least partially cross-linked during said drying of said coating.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

A process according to claim 12 including forming said photoconductive layer by applying at least one photoconductive layer composition comprising a solvent in which at least one component of said electrically conductive layer is soluble prior to drying said conductive layer and substantially insoluble after drying said conductive layer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 43 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer has a thickness between about 0.1 micrometer and about 50 micrometers, a resistivity of less than about 10 8 ohms/square, and transmits at least about 10 percent visible light after drying.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said basic solution solvent has a pH value of between about 8 and about 14.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

A process according to claim 1 wherein said photoconductive layer comprises a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 97 words

An electrophotographic imaging member comprising a substrate coated with a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, said layer comprising electrically conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and an acidic or neutral outer surface dispersed in a continuous basic matrix comprising a film forming polymer, a charge blocking layer on said semi-transparent conductive layer, and at least one photoconductive layer on said charge blocking layer, said substrate having a transparency sufficient to transmit at least about 10 percent visible and near infrared light in the spectrum range to which said photoconductive layer is sensitive.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 97 words

An electrophotographic imaging member comprising a substrate coated with a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, said layer comprising electrically conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and an acidic or neutral outer surface dispersed in a continuous basic matrix comprising a film forming polymer, a charge blocking layer on said semi-transparent conductive layer, and at least one photoconductive layer on said charge blocking layer, said substrate having a transparency sufficient to transmit at least about 10 percent visible and near infrared light in the spectrum range to which said photoconductive layer is sensitive.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 133 words

An electrophotographic imaging process comprising providing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising a transparent supporting substrate, a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, said conductive layer comprising electrically conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and an acidic or neutral outer surface dispersed in a matrix comprising a film forming polymer, a charge blocking layer overlying said conductive layer and at least one photoconductive layer, applying a uniform electrostatic charge to said photoconductive layer, exposing said photoconductive layer to activating electromagnetic radiation in image configuration to form an electrostatic latent image, depositing toner particles to form a toner image in conformance with said electrostatic latent image, transferring said toner image to a receiving member, and projecting activating electromagnetic radiation through said substrate and said semi-transparent conductive layer to said photoconductive layer.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 133 words

An electrophotographic imaging process comprising providing an electrophotographic imaging member comprising a transparent supporting substrate, a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer, said conductive layer comprising electrically conductive particles having an average particle size less than about 1 micrometer and an acidic or neutral outer surface dispersed in a matrix comprising a film forming polymer, a charge blocking layer overlying said conductive layer and at least one photoconductive layer, applying a uniform electrostatic charge to said photoconductive layer, exposing said photoconductive layer to activating electromagnetic radiation in image configuration to form an electrostatic latent image, depositing toner particles to form a toner image in conformance with said electrostatic latent image, transferring said toner image to a receiving member, and projecting activating electromagnetic radiation through said substrate and said semi-transparent conductive layer to said photoconductive layer.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1994-11-04	1995-05-06	1995-11-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1998-11-04	1999-05-06	1999-11-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2002-11-04	2003-05-06	2003-11-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Conductive and blocking layers for electrophotographic imaging members

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