Abstract: An apparatus for steering a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the belt being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A roll for steering the belt is adapted for rotational movement about a first axis and tilting movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The steering roll further is cylindrical along its length, however the ends of the cylindrical portion of the roll are radiused to reduce the stress induced on the belt edge when the roll is tilted to effect steering of the belt. Additionally, the radiused ends may be filled with a compliant material to provide needed edge support while still reducing the stress induced at the belt edge.

Abstract: A process including providing a hollow imaging drum having a first end, a second end, an outside surface, an inside surface and coating material on both the inside surface and the outside surface at at least the first end, simultaneously contacting the coating material on both the inside surface and the outside surface at the first end of the drum with resilient foam material, flowing liquid solvent for the coating material to the foam material where the foam material contacts the first end of the drum, the foam material being insoluble in the flowing solvent, producing relative movement between the foam material and the drum to simultaneously wipe both the inside surface and the outside surface of the first end of the drum with the foam material and solvent material and simultaneously remove coating material from the inside surface and the outside surface of the first end of the drum, and flowing the solvent away from the drum to carry away coating material removed from the inside surface and the outside sur

Abstract: There is disclosed a chuck apparatus for holding and shaping a hollow, flexible, endless substrate during dip coating comprising: (a) a hollow, flexible bladder adapted to be disposed within the substrate; and (b) a first spindle and a second spindle which are partially disposed within the bladder, the second spindle being movable to press the bladder against the substrate and to shape the bladder and the substrate into an elongated shape.

Abstract: A method is disclosed including rubbing an edge region of an applicator across a surface of a substrate at a sufficient pressure and at a sufficient speed relative to the substrate surface, wherein the edge region of the applicator comprises an aramid material, to deposit a portion of the aramid material from the applicator to the substrate in an adherent coating on the substrate surface, wherein the method is accomplished in the absence of a solvent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coating method involving a dispensing apparatus defining a particulate material exit opening including: (a) rotating a first applicator and an adjacent second applicator against a substrate, wherein the first applicator and the second applicator define a gap region therebetween; and (b) introducing particulate material into the gap region from the particulate material exit opening positioned at the gap region and moving a portion of the particulate material across the gap region to the substrate, wherein the rotation of the first applicator and the second applicator rubs the particulate material against the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising: (a) rotating a hollow cylindrical substrate having a coating thereon; (b) employing a gas bearing around the circumference of the rotating substrate along a portion of the length of the substrate to provide support to the substrate during its rotation; and (c) removing a portion of the coating.

Abstract: A laser ablation apparatus includes a nozzle, disposed through a housing, wherein the nozzle has: (i) a nozzle housing comprised of a bottom surface; (ii) a first orifice defined by the bottom surface; (iii) a second orifice defined by the bottom surface; (iv) a first passageway defined by the nozzle housing in communication with the first orifice; and (v) a second passageway defined by the nozzle housing in communication with the second orifice, wherein the portion of the second passageway adjacent the second orifice forms an angle .theta..sub.3 with the portion of the first passageway adjacent the first orifice, wherein the angle .theta..sub.3 is effective for directing a first fluid stream through the second orifice at the surface of the enclosed substrate portion to facilitate removal of the coating in the form of coating debris during or subsequent to exposure of the coating of an enclosed substrate portion to high energy radiation.

Abstract: A separation process including providing a flexible belt photoreceptor comprising a photoconductive layer on the outer surface of a flexible metal belt substrate, the photoconductive layer including amorphous selenium or selenium alloy, transporting the substrate through an arcuate path having a small radius of curvature to apply stress to the photoconductive layer, and abrasively removing substantially all of the selenium or selenium alloy remaining on the substrate. This process may be carried out in an apparatus which includes at least one member having an arcuate surface with a small radius of curvature, means to transport the belt photoreceptor in an arcuate path over the arcuate surface, and abrasive means adapted to to contact and remove substantially all of the photoconductive layer from the substrate.

Abstract: A seamless substrate is elastically stretched over a hollow cylindrical porous mandrel having a thermal expansion coefficient not greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate by applying fluid under pressure through the mandrel and relieving the pressure of the fluid so that the substrate relapses to a shape in close contact with the mandrel. A substrate carrier includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical mandrel formed of a porous material, the mandrel having an outer diameter not greater than the inner diameter of the tubular substrate and means for supplying a pressurized fluid to the interior of the mandrel, wherein the porous material is a material having a thermal expansion coefficient not greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for loading a plurality of cylindrical members, initially oriented to longitudinally extend in a first direction, into a processing module adapted to receive the plurality of cylindrical members longitudinally extending in a second direction, is disclosed. The system is particularly adapted for use in a rotary atomization manufacturing system for manufacturing photoreceptors from the cylindrical member in the form of substrate members. The system includes a first support structure for receiving and retaining removably thereon the plurality of cylindrical members oriented to longitudinally extend in the first direction. The system transfers the plurality of cylindrical members, longitudinally extending in the first direction, to the first support structure. The system includes a second support structure for receiving and retaining removably thereon the plurality of cylindrical members oriented to longitudinally extend in the second direction.

Abstract: A system for for removing a band of coating material from a first end of a coated cylinder having a second opposite end including ablating the band of coating material with a laser beam and directing an annular curtain of compressed fluid against the band in a direction away from the second opposite end to create an air curtain along the outer surface of the cylinder in a direction from the second opposite end toward the band and the first end.

Abstract: A seamless belt is fabricated by application of a coating to an endless substrate. The substrate is elastically stretched over a hollow cylindrical elongated support mandrel. The mandrel is formed of a porous material. Fluid is applied under pressure through the mandrel to form a layer of fluid between the outer surface of the mandrel and the inner surface of the substrate. The flow of fluid is manipulated to axially displace and to rotate the substrate on the outer surface of the mandrel. The flow of fluid is manipulated to orient a selected portion of the surface of the substrate to an angle to a direction of application of a coating. The temperature of fluid is manipulated to assist in substrate temperature control at steps of the coating and drying process.

Abstract: A process for treating a predetermined portion of a coating on a photoreceptor to remove at least part of the coating involves directing a source of high energy irradiation at the coating in the presence of at least one fluid medium to remove at least part of the coating from the predetermined portion of the coating. The source of high energy irradiation is preferably a laser beam, ultrasonic energy, or a source of high intensity heat. The at least one fluid medium is preferably at least one gas jet, liquid jet or a liquid solvent.

Abstract: A fluidized bed jet mill has a grinding chamber with a peripheral wall, a base, and a central axis. An impact target is mounted within the grinding chamber and centered on the chamber's central axis. Multiple sources of high velocity gas are mounted in the peripheral wall of the grinding chamber, are arrayed symmetrically about the central axis, and are oriented to direct high velocity gas along an axis intersecting the center of the impact target. In another embodiment, a fluidized bed jet mill has a grinding chamber with a peripheral wall, a base, and a central axis. Multiple sources of high velocity gas are mounted in the peripheral wall of the grinding chamber, are arrayed symmetrically about the central axis, and are oriented to direct high velocity gas along an axis intersecting the central axis of the grinding chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating photoreceptors used in copying machines. Prior to coating, an elastically deformable material is placed about the external surface of a mandrel to accommodate the belt. The thickness of the material is such that when the belt is pushed over the mandrel the deformable material is deformed and engages the interior surfaces of the belt facing the mandrel. As a result of heating and cooling steps involved during the coating process, the belt contracts and expands differently than the mandrel. The deformable material deforms accordingly to maintain consistent contact throughout between it and the undersurface of the belt.