Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Avery

Stephen T. Avery 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: 9482969
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend binder consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and a low surface energy polysiloxane/polycarbonate random copolymer and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a low surface energy graft polysiloxane/polycarbonate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9201318
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible electrophotographic imaging member comprising a single novel polymer binder in the formulation of the imaging layers. In particular, the present embodiments provide multi-layered electrophotographic imaging members prepared by using the same polymer binder in the two contiguous imaging formation layers to improve mechanical and photoelectrical performance. The embodiments also include a process for making and using the imaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato, J. Robinson Cowdery-Corvan, Dennis J. Prosser
  • Patent number: 9091949
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate plus a slippery nano POSS particle dispersion in its material matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato
  • Publication number: 20150177629
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend binder consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and a low surface energy polysiloxane/polycarbonate random copolymer and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a low surface energy graft polysiloxane/polycarbonate copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Robert C.U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9046798
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend binder consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and a low surface energy polysiloxane/polycarbonate random copolymer and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a low surface energy graft polysiloxane/polycarbonate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 9017908
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to flexible imaging members used in electrophotographic imaging apparatuses. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to electrophotographic imaging members which have imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a novel polymer blended binder comprising a bisphenol type polycarbonate and an organic acid-containing copolyester doped into the polycarbonate which provides improved properties and performance to the resulting imaging member. The formulated imaging layer(s) may further include a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato, J. Robinson Cowdery-Corvan, David Skinner, Dennis J. Prosser
  • Publication number: 20150056546
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to flexible imaging members used in electrophotographic imaging apparatuses. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to electrophotographic imaging members which have imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a novel polymer blended binder comprising a bisphenol type polycarbonate and an organic acid-containing copolyester doped into the polycarbonate which provides improved properties and performance to the resulting imaging member. The formulated imaging layer(s) may further include a plasticizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT C.U. YU, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato, J. Robinson Cowdery-Corvan, David Skinner, Dennis J. Prosser
  • Publication number: 20150050587
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate plus a slippery nano POSS particle dispersion in its material matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT C.U. YU, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato
  • Publication number: 20150050588
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member which has improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise a charge transport compound and a polymer blended binder to render photoelectrical stability, tune-ability, and surface contact friction reduction for providing service life extension. The polymer blended binder used in the imaging layer(s) is a binary polymer blend binder consisting of: (1) an A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate and a low surface energy polysiloxane/polycarbonate random copolymer and (2) an A-B diblock copolymer and a low surface energy graft polysiloxane/polycarbonate copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT C.U. YU, STEPHEN T. AVERY, JIMMY E. KELLY
  • Publication number: 20150024310
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible electrophotographic imaging member comprising a single novel polymer binder in the formulation of the imaging layers. In particular, the present embodiments provide multi-layered electrophotographic imaging members prepared by using the same polymer binder in the two contiguous imaging formation layers to improve mechanical and photoelectrical performance. The embodiments also include a process for making and using the imaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: ROBERT C.U. YU, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly, Mark Muscato, J. Robinson Cowdery-Corvan, Dennis J. Prosser
  • Patent number: 8394560
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to layer(s) that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotography, including digital, apparatuses. More particularly, the present embodiments provide the negatively charged electrophotographic imaging members with a novel cross-linked charge blocking undercoat layer, which is created to comprise of a binary composition of melamine and formaldehyde or a triple composition consisting of a hydroxyl functional acrylic polyol binder and a methylolation of melamine-formaldehyde, and methods for making the same. The charge blocking layer provides stabilized cyclic photo-electrical properties, enhanced mechanical adhesion bonding, and improved copy print out quality for service life extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Yuhua Tong, Min-Hong Fu, Stephen T. Avery
  • Patent number: 8343700
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to electrostatography comprising improved features in the flexible imaging member that enhance function when used in the electrostatographic imaging system. These embodiments pertain, more particularly, to a structurally simplified curl-free flexible electrostatographic imaging member belt containing a stress/strain free ground strip layer and stress/strain free imaging layer(s) to improve dynamic belt cyclic motion quality and extend service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Yuhua Tong, Michael S. Roetker, Jimmy E. Kelly, Kyle B. Tallman
  • Patent number: 8304151
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to electrophotographic imaging members, such as layered photoreceptor structures, and processes for making and using the same. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to the incorporation of an ozone quenching compound into the charge transport layer to quench the corona effluents and protect the polycarbonate binder of the charge transport layer from being attacked by ozone species, thereby enhancing wear resistance and fatigue cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8278017
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to electrophotographic imaging members, such as layered photoreceptor structures, and processes for making and using the same. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to the development of a structurally simplified flexible electrophotographic imaging member without the need of an anticurl back coating layer and a post treatment process for effecting the imaging member service life extension in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Michael S. Roetker
  • Patent number: 8263298
    Abstract: Embodiments provide novel imaging members used in electrostatography. More particularly, there is provided flexible electrophotographic imaging members which have improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a plasticizer in a material matrix of a solid solution comprising a charge transporting compound and a film forming polymer binder which is a novel A-B diblock copolymer or a binary polymer blend of a novel A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate. The flexible imaging members thus prepared have improved photoelectrical cyclic function stability, chemical resistive property, and are curl-free, and thus eliminate the need for an additional anticurl back coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8263301
    Abstract: Present embodiments pertain to an improved electrostatographic imaging member having low contact friction surfaces to ease sliding mechanical interaction and suppressing abrasion/wear failure and methods of preparing thereof. The improved imaging member has layers comprising one or two low surface energy polymeric materials that enhance the physical and mechanical functions and reduce the layers surface contact friction of the imaging member to extend service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Kathleen M. Carmichael
  • Publication number: 20120219893
    Abstract: Embodiments provide novel imaging members used in electrostatography. More particularly, there is provided flexible electrophotographic imaging members which have improved imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a plasticizer in a material matrix of a solid solution comprising a charge transporting compound and a film forming polymer binder which is a novel A-B diblock copolymer or a binary polymer blend of a novel A-B diblock copolymer and a bisphenol polycarbonate. The flexible imaging members thus prepared have improved photoelectrical cyclic function stability, chemical resistive property, and are curl-free, and thus eliminate the need for an additional anticurl back coating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C.U. Yu, Stephen T. Avery, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8241825
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a flexible imaging member used in electrostatography and processes for making and using the imaging member. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to a structurally simplified flexible electrophotographic imaging member that has reasonable flatness and exhibits good performance without the need of an anticurl back coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Yuhua Tong, Stephen T. Avery, Michael S. Roetker, Jimmy E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8232030
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to the improvement of flexible imaging members used in electrophotography. More particularly, embodiments pertain to a structurally simplified curl-free flexible electrophotographic imaging member without the need for an anticurl back coating, having a functionally improved top outermost exposed slippery imaging layer which furthers extends service life, and provides a process for making and using the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Yuhua Tong, Stephen T. Avery
  • Patent number: 8232032
    Abstract: Present embodiments pertain to an improved electrostatographic imaging member having low contact friction surfaces to ease sliding mechanical interaction and suppressing abrasion/wear failure and methods of preparing thereof. The improved imaging member has layers comprising one or two low surface energy polymeric materials that enhance the physical and mechanical functions and reduce the layers surface contact friction of the imaging member to extend service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. U. Yu, Edward F. Grabowski, Kathleen M. Carmichael, Stephen T. Avery, Satish Parikh