Patents by Inventor Michel F. Molaire

Michel F. Molaire 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: 7033716
    Abstract: An amorphous mixture consisting essentially of TiOFPc and TiOPc and containing more than 75 weight percent of substantially chlorine-free TiOPc is produced by forming a mixture of crude crystalline TiOFPc and crude crystalline, substantially chlorine-free TiOPc that contains less than 80 weight percent TiOPc, treating the mixture under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous mixture of TiOFPc and TiOPc containing less than 75 weight percent TiOPc, which is then treated with water, and dried. A further amount of crude crystalline, substantially chlorine-free TiOPc sufficient to form a new mixture containing more than 75 weight percent of substantially chlorine-free TiOPc is added, and the new mixture is converted to a substantially amorphous mixture of TiOFPc and TiOPc. A nanoparticulate cocrystalline composition is obtained by forming a slurry in an organic solvent of the dried substantially amorphous mixture, and wet milling the slurry to form the cocrystalline composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Theodore Zubil
  • Patent number: 7026084
    Abstract: In a process for forming an amorphous TiOPc/TiOFPc pigment mixture containing a low concentration of TiOFPc, a mixture containing phthalonitrile and titanium tetrachloride is subjected to reaction conditions effective to form lightly chlorine-substituted crude crystalline Cl—TiOPc. The lightly chlorine-substituted crude crystalline Cl—TiOPc is combined with crude crystalline TiOFPc in a weight ratio from about 75:25 Cl—TiOPc:TiOFPc to about 99.5:0.5 Cl—TiOPc:TiOFPC to form a crude crystalline pigment mixture, which is treated under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous pigment mixture of Cl—TiOPc and TiOFPc. The substantially amorphous mixture can subsequently be converted to a nanocrystalline Cl—TiOPc/TiOFPc pigment composition containing a low concentration of TiOFPc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Theodore Zubil, Jeffrey R. Murray
  • Patent number: 7011919
    Abstract: In a process for forming a self-dispersing crystalline phthalocyanine pigment composition of monodisperse nanoparticles, a mixture containing titanyl fluorophthalocyanines, unsubstituted titanyl phthalocyanine, and an organic monomeric dispersant but substantially free of organic solvents or inorganic salts is dry milled, thereby forming a substantially amorphous phthalocyanine pigment composition. The substantially amorphous composition is contacted with an organic solvent having a hydrogen bonding parameter gammac lower than about 8, thereby forming a self-dispersing cocrystalline phthalocyanine pigment composition of monodisperse nanoparticles containing titanyl fluorophthalocyanines and titanyl phthalocyanine, which can be used to form the charge generation layer of an electrophotographic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Louis J. Sorriero
  • Patent number: 7008742
    Abstract: A process for forming a cocrystalline mixture of titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) and titanyl fluorophthalocyanine (TiOFPc) includes: dry milling a mixture of crude TiOPc and crude TiOFPc, thereby forming an amorphous pigment mixture of TiOPc and TiOFPc; and heating the amorphous pigment mixture at a temperature effective to form a cocrystalline composition comprising titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) and titanyl fluorophthalocyanine (TiOFPc), the cocrystalline composition being characterized by an X-ray diffraction spectrum exhibiting intensity peaks at 7.2°, 12.9°, 16.3°, 22.3°, 24.6°, 26.2°, and 28.8° with respect to X-rays of Cu K?at a wavelength of 1.54 1 ? of the Bragg angle 2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michel F. Molaire
  • Patent number: 6949139
    Abstract: In a process for forming an amorphous pigment mixture consisting essentially of TiOPc and TiOFPc and containing more than about 75 weight percent of TiOPc, a mixture of crude crystalline TiOPc and TiOFPc pigments in a weight ratio of at least 75:25 TiOPc:TiOFPc is combined with at least about 5 wt. %, based on the total weight of TiOPc and TiOFPc, of an organic milling aid. The mixture is treated under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous pigment mixture of TiOPc and TiOFPc. The organic milling aid can be separated from the substantially amorphous pigment mixture, which can be converted to a nanoparticulate cocrystalline TiOPc/TiOFPc composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Louis J. Sorriero
  • Patent number: 6866977
    Abstract: Disclosed are photoconductive elements including a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum, or belt, on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is disposed. An electrical barrier layer is disposed between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges, but transports electrons under an applied electric field. In embodiments, the barrier layer can transport charge by electronic mechanisms, and, is not substantially affected by humidity changes. The barrier layer includes a polyamide-co-imide having covalently bonded as repeat units in the polymer chain, aromatic tetracarbonylbisimide groups of the formula: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 respectively represent tetravalent or trivalent aromatic groups of 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is O, C(CF3)2, S?O or SO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Michel F. Molaire, Marie B. O'Regan, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, Jane Robin Cowdery
  • Publication number: 20040161692
    Abstract: In a process for forming a self-dispersing crystalline phthalocyanine pigment composition of monodisperse nanoparticles, a mixture containing titanyl fluorophthalocyanines, unsubstituted titanyl phthalocyanine, and an organic monomeric dispersant but substantially free of organic solvents or inorganic salts is dry milled, thereby forming a substantially amorphous phthalocyanine pigment composition. The substantially amorphous composition is contacted with an organic solvent having a hydrogen bonding parameter gammac lower than about 8, thereby forming a self-dispersing cocrystalline phthalocyanine pigment composition of monodisperse nanoparticles containing titanyl fluorophthalocyanines and titanyl phthalocyanine, which can be used to form the charge generation layer of an electrophotographic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC and Heidelberg Digital LLC
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Louis J. Sorriero
  • Publication number: 20040110075
    Abstract: In a process for forming an amorphous TiOPc/TiOFPc pigment mixture containing a low concentration of TiOFPc, a mixture containing phthalonitrile and titanium tetrachloride is subjected to reaction conditions effective to form lightly chlorine-substituted crude crystalline Cl—TiOPc. The lightly chlorine-substituted crude crystalline Cl—TiOPc is combined with crude crystalline TiOFPc in a weight ratio from about 75:25 Cl—TiOPc:TiOFPc to about 99.5:0.5 Cl—TiOPc:TiOFPC to form a crude crystalline pigment mixture, which is treated under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous pigment mixture of Cl—TiOPc and TiOFPc. The substantially amorphous mixture can subsequently be converted to a nanocrystalline Cl—TiOPc/TiOFPc pigment composition containing a low concentration of TiOFPc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Theodore Zubil, Jeffrey R. Murray
  • Publication number: 20040106053
    Abstract: An amorphous mixture consisting essentially of TiOFPc and TiOPc and containing more than 75 weight percent of substantially chlorine-free TiOPc is produced by forming a mixture of crude crystalline TiOFPc and crude crystalline, substantially chlorine-free TiOPc that contains less than 80 weight percent TiOPc, treating the mixture under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous mixture of TiOFPc and TiOPc containing less than 75 weight percent TiOPc, which is then treated with water, and dried. A further amount of crude crystalline, substantially chlorine-free TiOPc sufficient to form a new mixture containing more than 75 weight percent of substantially chlorine-free TiOPc is added, and the new mixture is converted to a substantially amorphous mixture of TiOFPc and TiOPc. A nanoparticulate cocrystalline composition is obtained by forming a slurry in an organic solvent of the dried substantially amorphous mixture, and wet milling the slurry to form the cocrystalline composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Jeanne E. Kaeding, Theodore Zubil
  • Publication number: 20040106055
    Abstract: In a process for forming an amorphous pigment mixture consisting essentially of TiOPc and TiOFPc and containing more than about 75 weight percent of TiOPc, a mixture of crude crystalline TiOPc and TiOFPc pigments in a weight ratio of at least 75:25 TiOPc:TiOFPc is combined with at least about 5 wt. %, based on the total weight of TiOPc and TiOFPc, of an organic milling aid. The mixture is treated under conditions effective to form a substantially amorphous pigment mixture of TiOPc and TiOFPc. The organic milling aid can be separated from the substantially amorphous pigment mixture, which can be converted to a nanoparticulate cocrystalline TiOPc/TiOFPc composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicants: NexPress Solutions LLC, Heidelberg Digital LLC
    Inventors: Michel F. Molaire, Louis J. Sorriero
  • Publication number: 20040106052
    Abstract: In a process for forming a nanoparticulate crystalline titanium phthalocyanine pigment composition, a titanium phthalocyanine pigment is contacted with substantially pure 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCE) under conditions effective to convert the titanium phthalocyanine pigment to the nanoparticulate crystalline composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Michel F. Molaire
  • Publication number: 20040069217
    Abstract: A cleaning brush and method for removing a coating solution from the inner end of a flexible, tubular substrate to be fitted over a mandrel or drum. After a tubular substrate is dipped endwise in a coating solution, some solution coats the inner face of the substrate at one end. By using moderate deformation of the substrate, changes to the profile of the cleaning brush, or both, the cleaning brush is fitted inside the end of the tubular substrate without damaging the substrate. The cleaning brush engages and cleans the substrate's inner surface. The substrate is then free from any coating so as to readily fit on the mandrel or drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Murray, Michel F. Molaire, Colin M. Davey
  • Publication number: 20030162109
    Abstract: Disclosed are photoconductive elements including a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum, or belt, on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is disposed. An electrical barrier layer is disposed between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges, but transports electrons under an applied electric field. In embodiments, the barrier layer can transport charge by electronic mechanisms, and, is not substantially affected by humidity changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Michel F. Molaire, Marie B. O' Regan, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, Jane Robin Cowdery
  • Patent number: 6605399
    Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image-forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible, replaceable, removable, photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and nonadhesively intimately contacts the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Steven Cormier, Dennis Grabb, Diane M. Herrick, John W. May, Edward T. Miskinis, Michel F. Molaire, Biao Tan, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Patent number: 6593046
    Abstract: Disclosed are photoconductive elements including a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum, or belt, on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is disposed. An electrical barrier layer is disposed between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges, but transports electrons under an applied electric field. In embodiments, the barrier layer can transport charge by electronic, or both electronic and ionic mechanisms, and, is not substantially affected by humidity changes. The barrier layer includes a polyester-co-imides, polyesterionomer-co-imides, or polyamide-co-imides having covalently bonded as repeat units in the polymer chain, aromatic tetracarbonylbisimide groups of the formula: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 respectively represent tetravalent or trivalent aromatic groups of 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is O, C(CF3)2, S═O or SO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Michel F. Molaire, Marie B. O'Regan, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, Jane Robin Cowdery
  • Patent number: 6541171
    Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image-forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible replaceable removable photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and non-adhesively intimately contacts the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Steven Cormier, Dennis Grabb, Diane M. Herrick, John W. May, Edward T. Miskinis, Michel F. Molaire, Biao Tan, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20030044704
    Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible replaceable removable photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and nonadhesively intimately contacts the central member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Steven Cormier, Dennis Grabb, Diane M. Herrick, John W. May, Edward T. Miskinis, Michel F. Molaire, Biao Tan, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20020155365
    Abstract: Disclosed are photoconductive elements including a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum, or belt, on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is disposed. An electrical barrier layer is disposed between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges, but transports electrons under an applied electric field. In embodiments, the barrier layer can transport charge by electronic, or both electronic and ionic mechanisms, and, is not substantially affected by humidity changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Michel F. Molaire, Marie B. O'Regan, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, Jane Robin Cowdery
  • Patent number: 6451956
    Abstract: In a photoconductive element comprising a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum or belt on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is formed, an electrical barrier layer is formed between the support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges but transports electrons under an applied electric field. The barrier layer of the invention transports charge by electronic rather than ionic mechanisms and, therefore, is not substantially affected by humidity changes. The barrier layer comprises a polyester-co-imide, polyesterionomer-co-imide or polyamide-co-imide having covalently bonded as repeating units in the polymer chain, aromatic tetracarboxylbisimide groups of the formula: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 represent, respectively, tetravalent and trivalent aromatic groups of 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Nex Press Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Marie B. O'Regan, Michel F. Molaire
  • Patent number: 6377772
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a reproduction method including forming a toner image on a moving primary image-forming member (PIFM) which is a first double-sleeved roller including a rigid cylindrical core member, a replaceable removable compliant inner sleeve member (ISM) in nonadhesive intimate contact with and surrounding the core member, and a replaceable removable photoconductive outer sleeve member (OSM) in nonadhesive intimate contact with and surrounding the ISM; electrostatically transferring the toner image, from the PIFM to a counter-rotating intermediate transfer member (ITM) which is a second double-sleeved roller, in a first transfer nip width produced by a pressure contact between the PIFM and the ITM, an electric field urging the toner image from the PIFM to the ITM, wherein the ITM includes a rigid cylindrical core member, a compliant ISM in nonadhesive intimate contact with and surrounding the core member, and a compliant resistive OSM in nonadhesive intimate contact wi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Craig M. Cody, Steven Cormier, Dennis Grabb, Diane M. Herrick, John W. May, Edward T. Miskinis, Michel F. Molaire, Biao Tan, Thomas Tombs, Joseph A. Pavlisko