Abstract: A three dimensional electrical component having a first side and a second side formed from an electrically insulating polymer matrix capable of heat conversion to an electrically conducting polymer matrix has at least one passageway from the first side to the second side having a tapered wall slope configuration from the first side to the second side with constantly changing cross section of the passageway from the first side through the passageway to the second side, an electrically conducting path between the first side and the second side formed by the in situ heat conversion of the walls of the passageway in the electrically insulating polymer matrix. In a preferred embodiment the electrically conducting path is formed by directing a laser beam to the walls of the passageway to heat the insulating polymer matrix to a temperature sufficient to convert it to an electrically conducting polymer matrix.

Abstract: An electrical component is made from an electrically insulating polymer matrix filled with electrically insulating fibrous filler which is capable of heat conversion to electrically conducting fibrous filler and has at least one continuous electrically conductive path formed in the matrix by the in situ heat conversion of the electrically insulating fibrous filler. In a preferred embodiment, the fibrous filler is thermally stabilized polyacrylonitrile fibers and the conductive path is formed by in situ heat converted thermally stabilized polyacrylonitrile fibers which have been converted by directing a laser beam through a mask having a predetermined pattern to melt the polymer and to heat convert the thermally stabilized polyacrylonitrile fibers.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for electrostatographic reproducing apparatus has electroconductive fibers of nylon filamentary polymer substrate have finely divided electrically conductive particles of carbon black suffused through the surface of the filamentary polymer substrate and being present inside the filamentary polymer substrate as a uniformly dispersed phase independent of the polymer substrate in an annular region located at the periphery of the filament and extending inwardly along the length thereof. The electrically conductive carbon black is present in an amount sufficient to render the electrical resistance of the fiber from about 1.times.10.sup.3 ohms per centimeter to about 1.times.10.sup.9 ohms per centimeter. In a preferred embodiment, the fibers form the cut plush pile of a cut plush pile woven fabric which is wound spirally on a cylindrical core and includes conductive yarns spaced 2 to 3 centimeters apart running substantially parallel to the strip edges.

Abstract: A contact brush charging device together with a method for charging an insulating layer are provided wherein the charging brush comprises a plurality of resiliently, flexible thin fibers having an electrical resistivity of from about 10.sup.2 ohms-cm to about 10.sup.6 ohms-cm and being substantially resistivity stable to changes in relative humidity and temperature. In a preferred embodiment the plurality of fibers are arranged in a uniform distribution of fibers along the length of the brush and comprise partially carbonized polyacrylonitrile fibers having an electrical resistivity from about 10.sup.3 ohms-cm to about 10.sup.5 ohms-cm and being substantially homogeneous in composition.

Abstract: A cylindrical fiber brush useful in electrostatic charging and cleaning in an electrostatographic imaging process comprises an elongated cylindrical core having bound thereto a spirally wound conductive pile fabric strip forming a spiral seam between adjacent windings of the fabric strip, the fiber fill density of said fabric strip at the strip edge being at least double the fiber fill density in the center portion of the fabric strip. The increased fiber fill density at the strip edges provides additional fibers to fill the seams between the adjacent windings and improves the charging and cleaning performance at low rotational speeds.

Abstract: A cylindrical fiber brush useful in electrostatic charging and cleaning in an electrostatographic imaging process comprises an elongated cylindrical core having bound thereto a spirally wound conductive pile fabric strip forming a spiral seam between adjacent windings of the fabric strip, the fiber fill density of said fabric strip at the strip edge being at least double the fiber fill density in the center portion of the fabric strip. The increased fiber fill density at the strip edges provides additional fibers to fill the seams between the adjacent windings and improves the charging and cleaning performance at low rotational speeds.

Abstract: Cleaner apparatus for electrostatographic reproducing apparatus comprises a cleaning blade in cleaning engagement with the endless charge retentive surface and end seals at each end of the charge retentive surface comprising a dense fibrous brush of resiliently flexible fibers fixed to a backing with the fibers being oriented in compression interference sealing contact with the charge retentive surface and in sealing engagement with the ends of the cleaning blade to provide a physical containment wall for bulk toner in the cleaner housing and a seal between the wall and the charge retentive surface.

Abstract: A device for neutralizing static electric charge on a surface comprising a support means, a plurality of resilient, flexible thin fibers having an electrical resistivity of from about 2.times.10.sup.3 ohm-cm to about 1.times.10.sup.6 ohm-cm., the fibers being supported by the support means in such manner that the fibers are oriented and extend in a uniform direction, in a brush like configuration from the support means so that the distal ends of the fibers may extend toward a surface which has a static charge which one wishes to neutralize. Preferably, the resilient fibers have a resistivity of from about 4.times.10.sup.4 ohm-cm. to about 4.times.10.sup.5 ohm-cm., and are arranged in a linear array of spaced discrete bundles of fibers in a conductive potting composition in the support holder. Preferably the fibers are made of a partially carbonized polyacrylonitrile fiber and the device may be used in an electrostatographic reproducing machine having at least one dicorotron charging device.

Abstract: A method for making reticulated foam structure of a crosslinkable thermosetting polymer which includes the steps of dissolving the polymer in a relatively volatile solvent, forming the resultant solution into an emulsion with a relatively less volatile emulsifying vehicle, forming the emulsion into the desired structure, removing the solvent from the structure, removing the vehicle and curing the structure to form a reticulated foam structure.

Abstract: A method for making conductive brushes which comprises providing a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal recesses on its surface, and winding electrically conductive fibers from a supply around the mandrel by rotating the mandrel. The brush backing or base may be formed by a number of methods utilizing the recesses on the surface of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the brush backing is formed by placing a strip of a conductive material in each of the recesses, and after the conductive fibers have been wound thereover, the conductive fiber windings are caused to adhere to each other by adhesive means and another strip of conductive material is placed over the windings to mate with the strip in the recess to form the backing for the conductive brush. Individual conductive brushes are obtained by cutting the conductive fibers in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved fluid applicating wick for use in applying release fluids to a fuser member surface of a fusing system for fusing toner images is described. The wick comprises a working surface material which contacts the fuser member surface, and a backing material to which the working surface material is needled. A preferred fluid applicating wick comprises a layer of Teflon felt or fiber as a working surface material is needled to a fibrous or felted Nomex material.

Abstract: Offset of toner powder upon a heated surface is prevented by applying an emulsion of a high viscosity release agent and a low viscosity dispersion liquid upon the heated surface by an applicator means in contact with the heated surface. The preferred emulsion is a mixture of high viscosity silicone oil and water. There is also described a method of manufacturing a fibrous applicator and the article formed thereby which includes the impregnation of the fibrous applicator with an emulsion of high viscosity liquid and a low viscosity dispersion liquid and the removal of low viscosity dispersion liquid after impregnation with the emulsion is complete. A preferred applicator is a fibrous wick having water removed therefrom after the fibrous wick is impregnated with an emulsion of a polydimethylsiloxane liquid and water.

Abstract: Fuser members coated with a release layer of silicone rubber are treated with a solvent to remove low molecular weight siloxanes, polysiloxanes and other impurities from the silicone rubber. The solvent must be one which removes or extracts the low molecular weight siloxanes, polysiloxanes and other impurities without dissolving or otherwise adversely effecting the integrity of the silicone rubber layer coated upon a base member. Generally solvent extraction is continued until the components in the cured silicone rubber which interfer with the release properties of the rubber in releasing toner from the fuser member surface, are depleted to concentration where they do not inhibit release of the toner.

Abstract: Fuser members having surfaces of gold and the platinum groups metals and alloys thereof are described for fuser assemblies in office copier machines. Preferred fuser assemblies include cylindrical rolls having at least an outer surface of gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof. Electroscopic thermoplastic resin toner images are fused to a substrate by using a bare gold, a platinum group metal or alloys thereof fuser member coated with polymeric release agents having reactive functional groups for example, a mercapto-functional polysiloxane release fluid.