US5849443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making multilayer electrophotographic elements
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1998-02-13
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Granted: 1998-12-15
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Expires: 2018-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a photoconductive element comprises the steps of: a) providing an electrically conductive base and depositing thereon, in any order, photoconductive layers comprising at least one charge transport layer and at least two charge generation layers; b) placing the layers formed in step a) in a reaction chamber with at least one feed gas selected from a hydrocarbon compound and a fluorocarbon compound in their gas phase; and c) decomposing the gas by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition thereby forming on the photoconductive layers an outermost protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content of between 0 and 65 atomic percent of the protective layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Susan A. Visser
- 👤 Donald S. Rimai
- 👤 Paul M. Borsenberger
- 👤 Suryadevara V. Babu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/14; G03G5/147; G03G5/14704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of making a photoconductive element comprising the steps of: a) providing an electrically conductive base and depositing thereon, in any order, photoconductive layers comprising at least one charge transport layer and at least two charge generation layers; b) placing the layers formed in step a) in a reaction chamber with at least one feed gas selected from a hydrocarbon compound and a fluorocarbon compound in their gas phase; and c) decomposing said gas by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition thereby forming on said photoconductive layers an outermost protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content of between 0 and 65 atomic percent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of making a photoconductive element comprising the steps of: a) providing an electrically conductive base and depositing thereon, in any order, photoconductive layers comprising at least one charge transport layer and at least two charge generation layers; b) placing the layers formed in step a) in a reaction chamber with at least one feed gas selected from a hydrocarbon compound and a fluorocarbon compound in their gas phase; and c) decomposing said gas by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition thereby forming on said photoconductive layers an outermost protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content of between 0 and 65 atomic percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon compound is selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons represented by the formula C n H 2n+2 , where n is 1 to 10; olefinic hydrocarbons represented by formula C n H 2n , where n is 2 to 10; acetylenic hydrocarbons represented by C n H 2n-2 , where n is 2 to 10; alicyclic hydrocarbons; and aromatic hydrocarbons with up to 12 carbon atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said fluorocarbon compound is selected from the group consisting of paraffinic fluorocarbons represented by the formula C n F x H y , where n is 1 to 10, x+y=2n+2, and x is 3 to 2n+2; olefinic fluorocarbons represented by the formula C n F x H y , where n is 2 to 10, x+y=2n, and x is 2 to 2n; acetylenic fluorocarbons represented by C n F x H y , where n is 2 to 10, x+y=2n-2, and x is 1 to 2n-2; alkyl metal fluorides; aryl fluorides having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms; alicyclic fluorides having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; styrene fluorides; fluorine-substituted silanes; fluorinated ketones; fluorinated aldehydes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an additional element selected from hydrogen and oxygen is present in the reaction chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an intermediate layer is deposited on the electrically conductive base prior to depositing the photoconductive layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
The element formed by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reducing dark decay in a photoconductive element comprising the steps of: providing a photoconductive element having an electrically conductive base, two or more charge generation layers, and at least one charge transport layer; and depositing on said element an outermost protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content between 0 and 65 atomic percent of the protective layer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of reducing dark decay in a photoconductive element comprising the steps of: providing a photoconductive element having an electrically conductive base, two or more charge generation layers, and at least one charge transport layer; and depositing on said element an outermost protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content between 0 and 65 atomic percent of the protective layer.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of reducing dark decay in an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: a) charging a photoconductive element in the dark, said photoconductive element comprising an electrically conductive base, two or more charge generation layers, at least one charge transport layer, and a protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content between 0 and 65 atomic percent of the protective layer; b) exposing said photoconductive element to image-wise radiation to form an electrostatic latent image charge pattern on said protective layer; c) moving said photoconductive element through a development zone; and d) transporting electrophotographic developer into a development station, through said development zone in contacting developing relation with the electrostatic latent image charge pattern.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of reducing dark decay in an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: a) charging a photoconductive element in the dark, said photoconductive element comprising an electrically conductive base, two or more charge generation layers, at least one charge transport layer, and a protective layer comprising diamond-like carbon having a fluorine content between 0 and 65 atomic percent of the protective layer; b) exposing said photoconductive element to image-wise radiation to form an electrostatic latent image charge pattern on said protective layer; c) moving said photoconductive element through a development zone; and d) transporting electrophotographic developer into a development station, through said development zone in contacting developing relation with the electrostatic latent image charge pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protective layer is a single layer having uniform composition.
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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) | 2001-12-14 | 2002-06-15 | 2002-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-06-15 | 2006-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-14 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |