US3980494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of reducing friction in blade cleaning of imaging surfaces
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-29
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of abrasion resistant particles are embedded in the layer of photoconductive material on the conductive substrate of a conventional electrostatographic photoreceptor so that generally hemispherical portions of the particles protrude to a height of from 0.5 to 5 microns above the surface of the photoreceptor. The improved photoreceptor is readily adaptable to cleaning by applying a flexible doctor blade to its surface and providing relative motion therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L. Beatty
- 👤 Nero R. Lindblad
- 👤 Henry R. Till
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/04; G03G5/05; G03G5/0503; G03G5/0507; G03G5/0528; G03G5/0532; G03G5/0539; G03G5/0546; G03G5/0557; G03G5/0578; G03G5/0596
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of cleaning an electrostatographic photoreceptor comprised of a conductive substrate having a layer on its surface of a photoconductive material in operative connection with the substrate, wherein said photoreceptor contains a plurality of abrasion resistant particles partially embedded in the layer of photoconductive material so that generally hemispherical portions of the particles protrude above the surface of said layer, said protruding portions being further defined in that they protrude to a distance of about 0.5 to 5 microns above the layer of photoconductive material and are distributed so that less than 50 percent of the photoreceptor surface is covered by the protruding portions, said cleaning method comprising the steps of: a. applying a thin edged doctor blade having a contact width equal to or greater than the maximum average distance between the peripheries of the protruding portions of the abrasion resistant particles, and b. maintaining relative motion between the photoreceptor surface and the doctor blade.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of cleaning an electrostatographic photoreceptor comprised of a conductive substrate having a layer on its surface of a photoconductive material in operative connection with the substrate, wherein said photoreceptor contains a plurality of abrasion resistant particles partially embedded in the layer of photoconductive material so that generally hemispherical portions of the particles protrude above the surface of said layer, said protruding portions being further defined in that they protrude to a distance of about 0.5 to 5 microns above the layer of photoconductive material and are distributed so that less than 50 percent of the photoreceptor surface is covered by the protruding portions, said cleaning method comprising the steps of: a. applying a thin edged doctor blade having a contact width equal to or greater than the maximum average distance between the peripheries of the protruding portions of the abrasion resistant particles, and b. maintaining relative motion between the photoreceptor surface and the doctor blade.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded particles are ellipsoidal or parabolic in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded particles are spherical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protruding portions of the embedded particles cover no greater than about 30% of the photoreceptor surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded particles are made of a synthetic organic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the synthetic organic resin is a polyurethane, a polyamide, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polycarbonate, PMMA-acrylonitrile, PMMA or polystyrene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded particles are made of an inorganic material selected from the group of silica or glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the embedded particles are made of an inorganic ceramic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lower surfaces of the embedded particles are separated from the conductive substrate by the photoconductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the embedded particles are separated from the conductive substrate by a distance of at least one-half of the total thickness of the photoconductive layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the photoconductive material is amorphous selenium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the doctor blade is made of a non-metallic flexible material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the non-metallic, flexible material is a polysiloxane, a polyurethane, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a styrene/butadiene resin, a nitrile/silicone rubber or a polyethylene.
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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) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |