Patents by Inventor Merlin E. Scharfe

Merlin E. Scharfe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7226712
    Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of an optional supporting substrate, a hole blocking layer thereover, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, and wherein the hole blocking layer is comprised of a pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Helen R. Cherniack, Damodar M. Pai, Markus R. Silvestri, John F. Yanus, Yuhua Tong, Dale S. Renfer, Kenny-Tuan T. Dinh, Merlin E. Scharfe, Steven M. Sterling
  • Patent number: 7205081
    Abstract: An imaging method utilizing an imaging member containing a supporting substrate, a layer of a charge carrier injecting surface, a hole blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a layer of a charge carrier transport material, a layer of an charge carrier generating material, an optional charge trapping layer, a crossed linked silicone rubber, and an electrically insulating overcoating layer. The member is first charged with electrostatic charges of a first polarity, charged a second time with electrostatic charges of a polarity opposite to said first polarity in order to substantially neutralize the charges residing on the electrically insulating surface of the member and exposed to an imagewise pattern of activating electromagnetic radiation whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image may be developed to form a visible image which may be transferred to a receiver member. The imaging member may be reused after erasure and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, William W. Limburg, Damodar M. Pai, Dale S. Renfer, John F. Yanus, Paul J. DeFeo
  • Patent number: 7049038
    Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of an optional supporting substrate, a hole blocking layer thereover, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, and wherein the hole blocking layer is comprised of a pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Helen R. Cherniack, Damodar M. Pai, Markus R. Silvestri, John F. Yanus, Yuhua Tong, Dale S. Renfer, Kenny-Tuan T. Dinh, Merlin E. Scharfe, Steven M. Sterling
  • Publication number: 20040063011
    Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of a supporting substrate, and thereover a single layer comprised of a mixture of a photogenerator component, a charge transport component, an electron transport component, and a polymer binder, and wherein the photogenerating component is a pigment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Liang-Bih Lin, Merlin E. Scharfe, Harold F. Hammond, Cindy C. Chen, Richard H. Nealey, Andronique Ioannidis, Andrew R. Melnyk, Kenny-Tuan T. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20030113646
    Abstract: An imaging method utilizing an imaging member containing a supporting substrate, a layer of a charge carrier injecting surface, a hole blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a layer of a charge carrier transport material, a layer of an charge carrier generating material, an optional charge trapping layer, a crossed linked silicone rubber, and an electrically insulating overcoating layer. The member is first charged with electrostatic charges of a first polarity, charged a second time with electrostatic charges of a polarity opposite to said first polarity in order to substantially neutralize the charges residing on the electrically insulating surface of the member and exposed to an imagewise pattern of activating electromagnetic radiation whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image may be developed to form a visible image which may be transferred to a receiver member. The imaging member may be reused after erasure and cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, William W. Limburg, Damodar M. Pai, Dale S. Renfer, John F. Yanus, Paul J. DeFeo
  • Patent number: 6528226
    Abstract: A process for preparing an imaging member includes applying an organic layer to an imaging member substrate, treating the organic layer and/or a backside of the substrate with a corona discharge effluent, and applying an overcoating layer to the organic layer and/or an anticurl backing layer to the backside of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Satchidanand Mishra, Philip G. Perry, Robert W. Nolley, Gene W. O'Dell, Merlin E. Scharfe, John M. Magde, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6270850
    Abstract: A method for improving the quality of a dip coated layer that is deposited by flowing a solution along a substrate in a gap between the substrate and a wall, including: (a) determining a yield stress, a viscosity, a density, and a surface tension of the solution, and selecting a wet thickness of the coated layer; (b) determining a coating speed based on the determined viscosity, the determined density, the determined surface tension of the solution, and the selected wet layer thickness; and (c) selecting a distance for the gap and calculating the shear stress of the solution in the gap based on the gap distance, wherein the shear stress is greater than the yield stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Cai, Huoy-Jen Yuh, Merlin E. Scharfe, Robert F. Dunham
  • Patent number: 6245475
    Abstract: A method of forming one or more polymer containing layers on a substrate using ink jet nozzles. The method is particularly suited to forming one or more polymer containing layers of a photoreceptor. The polymer containing layers may be formed by moving a substrate, in particular a cylindrical substrate, past the ink jet nozzles, by moving the ink jet nozzles over the substrate, or both. The ink jet nozzles are capable of being independently controlled in order to permit precise location of the coating on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Merlin E. Scharfe, John M. Hammond, Robert F. Dunham, Jian Cai, Kenny Tuan Dinh, Roger T. Janezic
  • Patent number: 6183921
    Abstract: A crack resistant, curl-free electrophotographic imaging member includes a charge transport layer comprising an active charge transporting polymeric tetraaryl-substituted biphenyidiamine and a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, William W. Limburg, Merlin E. Scharfe, David H. Pan, Dale S. Renfer, Richard L. Schank, Surendar Jeyadev
  • Patent number: 6139999
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member includingat least one photographic imaging layer anda partially electrically conductive overcoat layer includingfinely divided charge injection enabling particles dispersed ina charge transporting continuous matrix including a cross linked polyamide, charge transport molecules and oxidized charge transport molecules, the continuous matrix being formed from a solution selected from the group includinga first solution includingcrosslinkable alcohol soluble polyamide containing methoxy methyl groups attached to amide nitrogen atoms,an acid having a pK.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Paul J. DeFeo, Anthony T. Ward, Dale S. Renfer, Harold F. Hammond, Merlin E. Scharfe, Markus R. Silvestri, William W. Limburg
  • Patent number: 6096470
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrophotographic imaging member includingforming a charge generating layer,forming an undried charge transport layer coating by applying to the charge generating layer a solution selected from either or both the group consisting ofa solution including a charge transport molecule, a first film forming binder and at least a first solvent anda solution including a charge transporting polymer and at least a first solvent,forming an undried overcoat layer coating by applying to the undried charge transport layer coating an overcoat layer coating solution including a second film forming polymer and at least a second solvent, the charge transport molecule and first film forming polymer or either or both a charge transporting polymer being substantially insoluble in the second solvent and the second polymer being substantially insoluble in the first solvent,applying heat to both the undried charge transport layer coating and the undried overcoat layer coating to migrate the first solve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Anthony T. Ward, Harold F. Hammond, Merlin E. Scharfe, Paul J. DeFeo
  • Patent number: 6075959
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine has a photoreceptive member. The photoreceptive member is charged and then exposed with a light image representation to form a latent image. An electric field, less than that required to re-charge the photoreceptive member, is applied to the latent image to increase the rate of discharge of the exposed portions of the latent image. The latent image is then developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Surendar Jeyadev, Merlin E. Scharfe, James M. Markovics, Damodar M. Pai
  • Patent number: 6025102
    Abstract: A flexible electrophotographic imaging member including a supporting substrate coated with at least one imaging layer comprising charge transport material free of long chain alkyl carboxylate groups and a small amount of a different second hole transporting material containing at least two long chain alkyl carboxylate groups dissolved or molecularly dispersed in a film forming binder and coated from a mixture of solvents containing low boiling component and a small concentration of high boiling solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Timothy J. Fuller, Merlin E. Scharfe, Paul J. DeFeo, Markus R. Silvestri
  • Patent number: 5997974
    Abstract: An endless flexible seamed belt with a mechanically and electrically invisible seam, substantially equivalent in performance to a seamless belt, is formed by joining two ends of substrate material, each end of which has a plurality of mutually mating elements in a puzle cut pattern which are in interlocking relationship. After the two ends are joined, an bonding is applied to the seam of the belt. When the belt is to be an electrostatographic imaging member, the electrostatics of the belt become very important. The two ends of a flexible substrate with a conductive coating applied thereto are interlocked and a conductive bonding is applied to the gap between the interlocking surfaces. The undercoating layer can then be applied to the adhered seam in order to smooth the seamed surface for application of the charge generating layer and the charge transfer layer. The undercoating layer may be relatively thicker than current undercoating layers to insure that the seam surface is smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Schlueter, Jr., William W. Limburg, Merlin E. Scharfe
  • Patent number: 5805964
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for reducing accumulation of toner from the surface of an electrode member in a development unit of an electrostatographic printing apparatus by providing an inorganic coating on at least a portion of the electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Santokh S. Badesha, Arnold W. Henry, George J. Heeks, J. Stephen Kittelberger, John G. VanDusen, Suresh K. Ahuja, Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, Mark J. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 5787329
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for reducing accumulation of toner from the surface of an electrode member in a development unit of an electrostatographic printing apparatus by providing an organic coating on at least a portion of the electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Laing, Edward J. Gutman, J. Stephen Kittelberger, John G. VanDusen, Suresh K. Ahuja, Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, Mark J. Hirsch, Santokh S. Badesha, Arnold W. Henry, George J. Heeks
  • Patent number: 5761587
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing accumulation of toner from the surface of an electrode member in a development unit of an electrostatographic printing apparatus which includes providing a low surface energy coating on at least a portion of the electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Laing, Edward J. Gutman, J. Stephen Kittelberger, John G. VanDusen, Suresh K. Ahuja, Merlin E. Scharfe, Richard L. Schank, Mark J. Hirsch, Santokh S. Badesha, Arnold W. Henry, George J. Heeks
  • Patent number: 5728498
    Abstract: A flexible electrophotographic imaging member including a supporting substrate coated with at least one imaging layer comprising hole transporting material containing at least two long chain alkyl carboxylate groups dissolved or molecularly dispersed in a film forming binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Yanus, William W. Limburg, Dale S. Renfer, Richard L. Schank, Merlin E. Scharfe, Damodar M. Pai, Paul J. DeFeo
  • Patent number: 5681679
    Abstract: A flexible electrophotographic imaging member including a supporting substrate and a resilient combination of at least one photoconductive layer and an overcoating layer, the at least one photoconductive layer comprising a hole transporting arylamine siloxane polymer and the overcoating comprising a crosslinked polyamide doped with a dihydroxy amine. This imaging member may be utilized in an imaging process including forming an electrostatic latent image on the imaging member, depositing toner particles on the imaging member in conformance with the latent image to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image to a receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Schank, William W. Limburg, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Dale S. Renfer, Paul J. DeFeo, Merlin E. Scharfe
  • Patent number: 5336577
    Abstract: A thick organic ambipolar layer on a photoresponsive device is simultaneously capable of charge generation and charge transport. In particular, the organic photoresponsive layer contains an electron transport material such as a fluorenylidene malonitrile derivative and a hole transport material such as a dihydroxy tetraphenyl benzadine containing polymer. These may be complexed to provide photoresponsivity, and/or a photoresponsive pigment or dye may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Spiewak, John F. Yanus, Damodar M. Pai, Joseph Mammino, Dennis A. Abramsohn, William W. Limburg, Dale S. Renfer, Chei-Jen Chen, Paul DeFeo, Steven J. Grammatica, J. Michael Ishler, Merlin E. Scharfe, Donald S. Sypula