Patents by Inventor Sarah J. Vella

Sarah J. Vella 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: 8906462
    Abstract: Processes for preparing structured organic films (SOFs) comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework. The processes for preparing structured organic film may include mixing a plurality of molecular building blocks each comprising a segment and a number of functional groups to form a mixture of molecular building blocks; heating the mixture to form a homogeneous liquid comprising pre-SOFs; depositing the homogeneous liquid comprising pre-SOFs as a wet layer; and drying the wet layer to form a dry SOF from the pre-SOFs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Wigglesworth, Sarah J. Vella, Brynn M. Dooley, Adrien P. Cote
  • Patent number: 8903297
    Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member comprises a support member and a layer comprising a elastomeric matrix disposed on the support member. The elastomeric matrix has dispersed therein a mixture of paraffin oil and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. McGuire, Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella
  • Patent number: 8903298
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide an electrostatically chargeable surface within a printing apparatus and cause a movable lubricant applicator to contact the electrostatically chargeable surface. The movable lubricant applicator is movable to be in contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface, or out of contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface. Such methods control the movable lubricant applicator to be in intermittent contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface during printing operations of the printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Klenkler, Sarah J. Vella, Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 8897675
    Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus including an imaging member having a charge retentive-surface for developing an electrostatic latent image thereon, a substrate and a photoconductive member disposed on the substrate. A bias charge roller for applying an electrostatic charge on the charge retentive surface to a predetermined electric potential is included in the image forming apparatus. The bias charge roller includes a first circumferential area in contact with the photoconductive member (CC[contact]), and a second circumferential area (CC[non-contact]) spaced a distance of from 1 ?m to 1 mm from the photoconductive member. The image forming apparatus includes a power supply for supplying an oscillating voltage signal to the bias charge roller wherein the oscillating voltage signal has a frequency Am[fAC] and an amplitude Am[VAC]. The following relationship is met: (CC[contact]/CC[non-contact])?(Am[fAC]/Am[VAC])?(CC[non-contact]/CC[contact]) by the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Johann E. Junginger, Gregory M. McGuire, Vladislav Skorokhod, Sarah J. Vella
  • Patent number: 8850908
    Abstract: A method and structure for a device including a non-contact gap control device for maintaining a distance between surfaces can include a pliable platform, a frame to which the pliable platform is secured, an aerodynamic floating (AF) head attached to the pliable platform and a probe for measuring, testing, and/or characterizing a substrate adjacent to the AF head. A pressurized gas source can be coupled to the AF head, such that a pressurized gas is ejected onto the substrate to maintain a distance between the substrate and the AF head during measurement. While the frame can be held immobile, the pliable platform can react in response to irregularities in the substrate to maintain a generally constant distance between the AF head and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Johann E. Junginger, Gaetano Lavigne, Vlad Skorokhod, Sarah J. Vella
  • Publication number: 20140294443
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to image forming systems comprising imaging apparatus members and toner compositions. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to an improved BCR xerographic system comprising (1) a cleaning blade comprising a material having a certain Share A Hardness; (2) a photoreceptor having a surface with a specified Young's Modulus and; and (3) a toner lubricant additive. The combined system demonstrates a significant increase an overall service life of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Klenkler, Gregory McGuire, Sarah J. Vella, Guiqin Song, Yu Liu, Adrien P. Cote
  • Publication number: 20140294424
    Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus including an imaging member having a charge retentive-surface for developing an electrostatic latent image thereon, a substrate and a photoconductive member disposed on the substrate. A bias charge roller for applying an electrostatic charge on the charge retentive surface to a predetermined electric potential is included in the image forming apparatus. The bias charge roller includes a first circumferential area in contact with the photoconductive member (CC[contact]), and a second circumferential area (CC[non-contact]) spaced a distance of from 1 ?m to 1 mm from the photoconductive member. The image forming apparatus includes a power supply for supplying an oscillating voltage signal to the bias charge roller wherein the oscillating voltage signal has a frequency Am[fAC] and an amplitude Am[VAC]. The following relationship is met: (CC[contact]/CC[non-contact])?(Am[fAC]/Am[VAC])?(CC[non-contact]/CC[contact]) by the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Johann E. Junginger, Gregory M. McGuire, Vladislav Skorokhod, Sarah J. Vella
  • Publication number: 20140295333
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to image forming systems comprising imaging apparatus members and toner compositions. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to specific toner compositions for use with electrophotographic imaging members comprising an overcoat layer protecting the imaging member surface and a contact type charging device, such as a “bias charge roll” (BCR). The toner compositions comprise a combination of additives that provide an image forming system that does not suffer from the commonly observed deletion and imaging member wear issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. Klenkler, Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Michael S. Hawkins, Richard P. Veregin, Vladislav Skorokhod, Thomas R. Pickering
  • Patent number: 8849160
    Abstract: A bias charge roller includes an electrically conductive core. An outer layer is axially supported on the core. The outer layer is either conductive or semi-conductive. The bias charge roller further includes a continuous raised pattern on the outer surface of the outer layer. The continuous raised pattern is configured to contact a charge-retentive surface of an electrophotographic imaging member so as to charge the charge-retentive surface. The bias charge roller can be employed in an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Johann E. Junginger, Greg McGuire, Vlad Skorokhod, Sarah J. Vella
  • Publication number: 20140272154
    Abstract: Processes for preparing structured organic films (SOFs) comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework. The processes for preparing structured organic film may include mixing a plurality of molecular building blocks each comprising a segment and a number of functional groups to form a mixture of molecular building blocks; heating the mixture to form a homogeneous liquid comprising pre-SOFs; depositing the homogeneous liquid comprising pre-SOFs as a wet layer; and drying the wet layer to form a dry SOF from the pre-SOFs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. WIGGLESWORTH, Sarah J. VELLA, Brynn M. DOOLEY, Adrien P. COTE
  • Publication number: 20140270880
    Abstract: Methods and devices provide an electrostatically chargeable surface within a printing apparatus and cause a movable lubricant applicator to contact the electrostatically chargeable surface. The movable lubricant applicator is movable to be in contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface, or out of contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface. Such methods control the movable lubricant applicator to be in intermittent contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface during printing operations of the printing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. Klenkler, Sarah J. Vella, Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 8831501
    Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a support member and a first layer including an elastomeric matrix, a porous material and a functional material dispersed therein. The first layer is disposed on the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Nan-Xing Hu, Yu Liu, Richard A. Klenkler
  • Publication number: 20140233980
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an electrophotographic photoconductive member, a charging unit, a delivery unit and a cleaning unit. The charging unit is disposed in contact with the surface of the photoconductive member and the delivery unit disposed in contact with the surface of the charging unit. The delivery unit applies a layer of functional material to a surface of the charging unit and the charging unit in turn applies a layer of the functional material onto the surface of the photoconductive member. The cleaning unit is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging unit to clean the charging unit and reduce contamination of a surface of the delivery unit. The cleaning unit is disposed in an upstream direction of the delivery roller relative to a rotation direction of the charging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Gregory McGuire, Gaetano Lavigne, Nan-xing Hu, Johann Junginger
  • Publication number: 20140234881
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: George M. WHITESIDES, Scott T. PHILLIPS, Andres W. MARTINEZ, Manish J. BUTTE, Amy WONG, Samuel W. THOMAS, Hayat SINDI, Sarah J. VELLA, Emanuel CARRILHO, Katherine A. MIRICA, Yanyan LIU
  • Patent number: 8805241
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising: a) an imaging member, b) a bias charging roller in contact with the surface of the imaging member, and c) a delivery unit in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery unit is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member from the delivery unit via the bias charging roller. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced friction and deletions in high humidity conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nan-Xing Hu, Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Richard A. Klenkler, Vladislav Skorokhod
  • Patent number: 8805262
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus including a delivery member for delivering a functional material in contact with an intermediate transfer belt such that functional material is transferred onto one or more imaging members via the intermediate transfer belt. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced friction and deletions in high humidity conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory McGuire, Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Vladislav Skorokhod
  • Publication number: 20140219679
    Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus that includes an imaging member having a charge retentive-surface for developing an electrostatic latent image thereon. The imaging member includes a substrate and photoconductive member disposed on the substrate. The image forming apparatus includes a charging unit for applying an electrostatic charge on the imaging member to a predetermined electric potential wherein the charging unit is spaced from the photoconductive member a distance of from about 3 ?m to about 300 ?m. The image forming apparatus includes a delivery member in contact with the surface of the photoconductive member. The delivery member includes an elastomeric matrix impregnated with a liquid lubricant wherein the delivery member applies a layer of liquid lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor wherein in the layer has a thickness of from about 1 nm to about 15 nm during steady state operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Nan-Xing Hu, Sarah J. Vella
  • Patent number: 8774696
    Abstract: There is described an applicator for use in an image forming apparatus. The applicator comprises a blade applicator comprising an elastomeric matrix and a functional material dispersed therein. The applicator blade is positioned in a trailing position with respect to a surface and wherein the functional material diffuses from the elastomeric matrix to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Vladislav Skorokhod, Gaetano J. Lavigne, Nan-Xing Hu, Gregory M. McGuire
  • Patent number: 8768234
    Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a support member, an inner layer comprising a elastomeric matrix and a functional material dispersed therein, the inner layer disposed on the support member and an outer layer disposed on the inner layer. A method for manufacturing the delivery member and its function are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Nan-Xing Hu, Yu Liu, Richard A. Klenkler
  • Patent number: 8765340
    Abstract: A imaging member, such as a photoreceptor, having an outermost layer that is a structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers including a first fluorinated segment, a second electroactive segment and fluorinated secondary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J. Vella, Matthew A. Heuft, Adrien P. Cote, Paul Gerroir