Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Carl F. Ruoff
  • Patent number: 7732116
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrophotographic photoconductor having a photosensitive layer on a conductive substrate. The photosensitive layer contains N-arylphthalimides additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David S. Weiss, William T. Gruenbaum, John C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7696270
    Abstract: The present invention is method of manufacturing a wax dispersion. The method includes forming a solution of a solvent and a dispersant, the dispersant being a polymer of partially or fully hydrogenated styrene butadiene wherein the styrene to butadiene ratio is from 20 to 90. Wax is added to the solution to form a slurry. The particle size of the wax is reduced through communition of the slurry. The wax dispersion can be sued for the manufacture of toner particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Lobo, Lori A. VanEpps
  • Patent number: 7687218
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for the preparation of electrostatographic toner including the following steps. A first dispersion is prepared with a solvent, a silicone wax, and a hyperdispersant. The first dispersion is added to an organic solvent containing a polymer material to form an organic phase. The organic phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer to form a second dispersion. The second dispersion is homogenized. The organic solvent is evaporated from the second dispersion and the resultant product is recovered, washed and dried. In an alternate method the hyperdispersant is added directly to the organic phase before mixing with the aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Dinesh Tyagi
  • Patent number: 7687213
    Abstract: The present invention provides a custom color toner having a first particle size. Colored particles are attached to the surface of the base toner in an amount sufficient to provide a predetermined color to the base toner. The colored particles have a second particle size less than the first particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Lobo, Eric C. Stelter
  • Patent number: 7678445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver sheet for electrophotography comprising a base material having thereon at least one toner receiver layer comprising a mixture of polyolefin and at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin copolymers, amide containing polymers, and ester containing polymers, wherein a measured Tg of said at least one receiver layer is less than 5° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Narasimharao Dontula, Terry A. Heath, Michael R. Brickey, Mridula Nair
  • Patent number: 7670642
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of printing which includes providing a substrate having an inked surface. The inked surface is typically achieved using an offset lithographic printing press. A thermoplastic polymer powder is applied to the inked surface. The surface is then fused. An advantage of the prepared substrate is that there is reduced contamination of electrostatographic fusing systems when fused by heat and pressure fixing. Another aspect of the invention further provides a method of fusing a substrate having an inked surface wherein a thermoplastic powder has been applied to the inked surface prior to stacking the uncured offset prints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jerry A. Pickering, Xin Jin, Dinesh Tyagi, Kurt E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7666329
    Abstract: The invention provides conductivity control agent comprised of a polymeric material containing hydroxyalkylphosphonium (2-hydoxyethoxycarbonyl) arylsulfonate salts. The conductivity control agents can be used with semi-conductive rolls, belts and other biasable members. The inclusion of the conductivity control agent in the polymeric or polyurethane elastomers extends the electrical life of the polyurethane biasable member in low humidity environments. Additionally, the resistivity of the elastomeric polyurethane or polymer on the biasable member is controlled to a desirable value by adjusting the conductivity control agent level in the polymeric or polyurethane elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Cristina B. Dejesus, John C. Wilson, Charles E. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 7662535
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for the preparation of electrostatographic toner that includes the following steps. A polymer material is dissolved in an organic solvent to form an organic phase that includes a metal complex of zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate; zinc diethyldithiocarbamate; dibenzyldithiocarbamate, zinc di-n-butyldithiocarbamate. The organic phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase that includes a particulate stabilizer to form a dispersion and the resultant dispersion is homogenized. The organic solvent is evaporated and the resultant product is recovered, washed and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Sandra G. Taft, Mridula Nair
  • Patent number: 7655375
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for the preparation of electrostatographic toner including the following steps. A polymer material is dissolved in an organic solvent to form an organic phase. The organic phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase that includes a particulate stabilizer and a salt including an anion selected from chloride, oxychloride, sulfate, perchlorate, nitrate, dihydrogen phosphate, lactate, trifluoromethylsulfonate, and trifluromethylhydrate and a cation selected from aluminum, iron (III), tin (II) and zirconium (IV), to form a dispersion. The dispersion is homogenized. The organic solvent is evaporated from the dispersion and the resultant product is recovered, washed and dried. In an alternate method the salt is added directly to the dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Dinesh Tyagi, Lloyd A. Lobo, Patrick M. Lambert, Sandra G. Taft
  • Patent number: 7641819
    Abstract: The present invention provides conductivity control agents derived from the trans esterification of dialkyl phosphonium 5-sulfoisophthalate salts with poly(alkylene glycols). The conductivity control agents can be used with semi-conductive rolls, belts and other biasable members. The inclusion of the conductivity control agent in the polymeric or polyurethane elastomers extends the electrical life of the polymer biasable member in low humidity environments. Additionally, the resistivity of the elastomeric polymers or polyurethane on the biasable member is controlled to a desirable value by adjusting the conductivity control agent level in the polymer elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Cristina B. Dejesus, John C. Wilson, George R. Walgrove, III, Charles E. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 7629097
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic core shell toner which includes as a core material of at least two nonpolymeric compounds each independently corresponding to the structure (R1Y1)p[(Z1Y2)mR2Y3]nZ2Y4R3. M is zero or one, n is zero up to an integer at which said compound starts to become a polymer and p is an integer of from one to eight. Each of R1 and R3 is independently a monovalent aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group an aromatic group or a multicyclic aromatic nucleus. Each of R2, Z1 and Z2 independently represent multivalent aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon groups or an aromatic group. Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 each independently represent one or more linking groups. The core material is surrounded by a shell that includes an amorphous matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michel F. Molaire
  • Patent number: 7601473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a developer for developing electrostatic images. The developer includes magnetic carrier particles at a loading of from 60 to 99 weight percent of the developer. Toner particles are at a loading of 1 to 40 weight percent of the developer. The toner particles include a resin core particle having an outer surface and 0.05 to 5 weight percent a first metal oxide powder is substantially fixed to the outer surface. The toner particles further include 0.05 to 2 weight percent of a second metal oxide powder that is substantially free to transfer between outer surface of the toner particles and an outer surface of the magnetic carrier surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin D. Lofftus, Satyanarayan Srinivsan, David D. Putnam, Peter S. Alexandrovich
  • Patent number: 7596347
    Abstract: A separating agent, in particular silicon oil, applied to the surface of a fuser mechanism, preferably in an electrophotographic printing machine. Contamination of the surfaces of the printing media is substantially prevented or reduced when the separating agent is diluted with at least one solvent with a boiling point equal to or greater than 60° C., preferably equal to or greater than 100° C., but below 160° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Udo Dräger, Detlef Schulze-Hagenest, Cumar Sreekumar, Dinesh Tyagi
  • Patent number: 7579127
    Abstract: The present invention is a photoconductive element containing an electrically conductive support, an electrical barrier layer disposed over said electrically conductive support and a charge generation layer capable of generating positive charge carriers when exposed to actinic radiation disposed over the barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed from a blocked polyisocyanate containing tetracarbonylbisimide groups. The present invention also discloses a new composition of a blocked polyisocyanate containing tetracarbonylbisimide groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michel F. Molaire
  • Patent number: 7565091
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for refurbishing a fusing member. The apparatus includes a fusing member that contacts the toner image on a receiver medium and fuses the toner image to the receiver medium. The fusing member has an outer contact surface of a fluorothermoplastic resin The apparatus includes a tooling member positionable adjacent to the outer contact surface of the fusing member such that a pressure nip is formed between the outer contact surface of the fusing member and the tooling member. A heat source is provided for transferring heat to the fusing member and the tooling member, wherein the surface of the fuser member is engagable with the tooling member to rotate at a speed of at least 1 rpm at a pressure of at least 5 psi and at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature of the outer contact surface for a time sufficient to resurface of the outer surface of the fuser member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shyh-Hua E. Jao, Jiann-Hsing Chen, James D. Shifley, Muhammed Aslam, Joseph A. Pavlisko
  • Patent number: 7550244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a UV curable electrostatographic toner. The process includes the steps of dispersing a polymeric material and a UV curable material and a UV photoinitiator in an organic solvent to form an organic phase. The organic phase is dispersed in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer to form a dispersion. The dispersion is homogenized and the organic solvent is removed from the dispersed particles in the dispersion which are then recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Xin Jin, Lloyd A. Lobo, Dinesh Tyagi
  • Patent number: 7550240
    Abstract: This invention relates to electrophotographic elements containing a layer formed from coating compositions containing a mixture of polymeric binders, including a polyvinyl butyral and a polyester ionomer and a crystalline mixture of unsubstituted titanyl phthalocyanine pigment, titanyl phthalocyanine pigments or mixtures thereof dispersed in the mixture. More particularly the invention relates to electrophotographic elements containing photoconductive layers which are especially useful for forming a photoconductive layer that is very uniform and highly absorptive at relatively thin coverage with good inter layer adhesion. The electrophotographic elements produced using this coating composition are particularly suited for high quality applications such as providing copy images with very low grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Jane R. Cowdery-Corvan, Lloyd Lobo, Theodore Zubil, Edward T. Miskinis, Dennis R. Fronheiser
  • Patent number: 7541124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photoconductive elements having an electrically conductive support, an electrical barrier layer and, disposed over the barrier layer, a charge generation layer capable of generating positive charge carriers when exposed to actinic radiation. The electrical barrier layer, which restrains injection of positive charge carriers from the conductive support, comprises a crosslinker, a crosslinkable condensation polymer having as a repeating unit a planar, electron-deficient, tetracarbonylbisimide group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, John C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7541130
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrostatographic toner having a sulfone charge control agent having the structure X—SO2—Y wherein X is an alkyl or aromatic group and Y is an alkyl or aromatic group. The present invention is also directed to an electorstatographic developer containing the electrostatographic toner having a sulfone charge control agent having the structure X—SO2—Y wherein X is an alkyl or aromatic group and Y is an alkyl or aromatic group and carrier particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Guistina, Dinesh Tyagi, Jason Morgan
  • Patent number: 7540981
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric material containing conductivity control agents derived from a hydroxyalkylphosphonium sulfonate salt. The conductivity control agents can be used with semi-conductive rolls, belts and other biasable members. The inclusion of the conductivity control agent in polymeric or polyurethane elastomers extends the electrical life of the polymer biasable member in low humidity environments. Additionally, the resistivity of the elastomeric polyurethane or polymer on the biasable member is controlled to a desirable value by adjusting the conductivity control agent level in the elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: M. Cristina B. Dejesus, John C. Wilson, Charles E. Hewitt