Abstract: A process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member has at least one of the following steps a) and b) and the following steps c) and d) of; a) etching an aluminum substrate with at least one of an acid and an alkali; b) abrading an aluminum substrate with an abrasive dispersion containing 5% by volume or more of an abrasive having a 50% diameter of from 5 &mgr;m to 60 &mgr;m as measured in cumulative percentage; c) subjecting the aluminum substrate having been processed by at least one of the steps a) and b), to chemical conversion with an aqueous acid solution containing a salt of titanium or a salt of zirconium; and d) forming a photosensitive layer on the aluminum substrate having been subjected to the chemical conversion.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member has at least one of the following steps a) and b) and the following steps c) and d) of; a) etching an aluminum substrate with at least one of an acid and an alkali; b) abrading an aluminum substrate with an abrasive dispersion containing 5% by volume or more of an abrasive having a 50% diameter of from 5 &mgr;m to 60 &mgr;m as measured in cumulative percentage; c) subjecting the aluminum substrate having been processed by at least one of the steps a) and b), to chemical conversion with an aqueous acid solution containing a salt of titanium or a salt of zirconium; and d) forming a photosensitive layer on the aluminum substrate having been subjected to the chemical conversion.

Abstract: A cylindrical structure is formed by a cylinder and a terminal engaging member, such as a gear or a flange for rotating the cylinder. The inner surface of the cylinder is processed for a socket joint. The engaging member has a head inserted to the cylinder and a plurality of recesses adjacent to the head, and is fastened to at least one end of the cylinder by bending and cutting the cylinder, at plural parts thereof, into the recesses of the cylinder. The engaging member is preferably equipped with a helical gear. The cylindrical structure is characterized by the joint between the cylinder and the terminal engaging member, which joint can be formed securely in a simple manner and at a high accuracy. The cylindrical structure may be embodied, e.g., as a photosensitive drum or a developing sleeve for electrophotography.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a cylindrical body manufacturing method capable of setting a high coaxiality and a high run-out accuracy between a cylindrical member and a flange member. To achieve this object, in a cylindrical body manufacturing method according to this invention, the diameter of an end portion of a sleeve is increased by heating the end portion. A flange held at the end of a robot hand is clearance-fitted in an inner-diameter processed hole in the end portion of the sleeve while the central axis of the flange is aligned with that of the sleeve. The flange is then pushed to make the outer periphery of the flange abut against the end face of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for forming a cylindrical structure by fastening an engaging member to an open end of a cylinder, including the steps of preparing an inner surface at the open end of the cylinder to provide the cylinder with a reduced thickness, providing an engaging member having a plurality of discrete recesses formed circumferentially around the periphery of the engaging member, and fitting the engaging member into the processed open end of the cylinder. The invention further comprises bending and cutting the processed open end of the cylinder around the open end of the cylinder such that plural projections project into the recesses of the engaging member. In this manner the engaging member is restricted from relative movement between the cylinder and the engaging member in both the longitudinal and rotational directions.

Abstract: A coating composition for an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a volatile levelling agent. A method for forming a coating film of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, comprises applying a coating composition for the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the coating composition containing a volatile levelling agent, and drying the coating composition by heating with volatilization of the levelling agent to form a coating film.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image includes a movable developer carrying member for carrying a one component developer to a developing zone in which the developer is supplied to an electrostatic latent image bearing member; and a regulating member for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developer to be carried to the developing zone on the developer carrying member; wherein the developer carrying member comprises a coating layer comprising a resin material in which fine graphite particles are dispersed, and wherein an inclination of a work function measurement curve of a surface of the coating layer is not less than 10 (cps/eV).

Abstract: The present invention provides a contact charging member having a conductive layer free from resistance unevenness, comprising a conductive pigment and at least two kinds of polymeric elastic materials A and B, wherein the elastic material A has a higher affinity for the conductive pigment than the elastic material B.

Abstract: A coating method is disclosed, wherein a substrate is coated with a paint discharged through an aperture in the form of not a spray but a continuous string. The coating method is suitably applied to a process for producing a photosensitive member for electrophotography, wherein a paint for providing the photosensitive member, such as the one for providing a photosensitive layer or intermediate layer, is discharged onto a rotating cylindrical substrate to be wound thereabout preferably like a thread on a spool, followed by leveling to form a coating film.

Abstract: The present invention is an image holding member for holding particulate dry process developer by electrical adsorption force, having from the side holding the dry process developer, a dielectric layer, a diffusion reflection layer having reflective fine particles dispersed in a resin and an electroconductive layer. The electrical resistance of the diffusion reflection layer is made smaller than that of the dielectric layer, and/or the ten-point average roughness of the dielectric layer is made 0.1 .mu.m to 5.0 .mu.m.

Abstract: A photosensitive member for electrophotography which is excellent in successive copying characteristics as well as mechanical durability is provided. The photosensitive member comprises a photosensitive layer, at least the surface portion of which comprises a lubricant, and a charge-transporting substance having an oxidation potential of 0.6 volt or above.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, the charge transport layer containing powders having a refractive index different from that of the charge transport layer excluding the powders.

Abstract: A light receiving member comprising an intermediate layer between a substrate of a metal of an alloy having a reflective surface and a photosensitive member, the reflective surface of said substrate forming a light-diffusing reflective surface, and the surface of said intermediate layer forming a rough surface. A light receiving member comprising a subbing layer having a light-diffusing reflective surface with an average surface roughness of half or more of the wavelength of the light source for image exposure provided between an electroconductive substrate and a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A light receiving member provided with a coating layer having a light receiving layer on a substrate, where the thickness of the coating layer is regularly changed within the minute width of the coating layer.