Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an image forming apparatus provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a cylindrical body and a photosensitive layer formed on a circumferential surface of the cylindrical body and including a latent image forming area and a non-latent image forming area. The photosensitive layer includes a stress relaxation portion at the non-latent image forming area for releasing stress applied between the cylindrical body and the photosensitive layer. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor having high performance that hardly generates image defects such as black spots, color spots, and interference fringes is provided. The electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an undercoat layer containing metal oxide particles and a binder resin on an electroconductive substrate having a maximum height surface roughness Rz in the range of 0.8?Rz?2 ?m, and a photosensitive layer disposed on the undercoat layer, wherein the metal oxide particles have a volume average particle diameter of 0.1 ?m or less and a 90% cumulative particle diameter of 0.3 ?m or less which are measured by a dynamic light-scattering method in a liquid containing the undercoat layer dispersed in a solvent mixture of methanol and 1-propanol at a weight ratio of 7:3.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording medium can have a first layer of base material and a second layer formed on one or both surfaces of the first layer for fixing toner. The second layer can include a hollow pigment, an inorganic material and a binder resin. The amount of the hollow pigment can be in the range of about 10% to about 50% by weight based on the total weight of the second layer. The ratio of the white paper glossiness before and after printing on the recording medium may be greater than 1.5.

Abstract: An electrophotographic recording medium is disclosed. The electrophotographic recording medium can include a base layer acting as the substrate, a undercoating layer formed on a surface of the base layer and a toner fixing layer formed on the undercoating layer. The undercoating layer may include one or more resins selected from a group consisting of an acryl resin, a polyurethane resin, a vinyl resin and a polyol resin. The electrophotographic recording medium disclosed herein may advantageously exhibit curling preventive characteristics and improved smoothness and glossiness.

Abstract: To provide a fixing member for fixing to a recording medium an unfixed image formed with a developer, the fixing member including: a base material; an elastic layer which is provided outside the base material and has an elastic deformation property; and a release layer which is provided outside the elastic layer and promotes separation of the recording medium from the fixing member, wherein the release layer has a plurality of through-holes formed between its front surface and its surface on the opposite side to the front surface, and part of the elastic layer in contact with the release layer can fill the through-holes upon provision of pressure for fixing the unfixed image to the recording medium.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member having excellent electrophotographic properties while being prevented from the generation of blade turn-up, a method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. The surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymer having a specific repeating structural unit.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic hybrid material, including a charge transportable organic polymer and a metal oxide.

Abstract: A method for producing a solid body having depressed portions on its surface is provided. The method includes: using a solution which includes a solvent A, a solvent B, a solvent C, and a polymer compound, where the solvent B is a hydrophobic solvent, the solvent A is a hydrophilic solvent having a boiling point not lower than the boiling point of the solvent B, and the solvent C is a non-hydrophobic solvent having a boiling point lower than the boiling point of the solvent B, and the contents of the solvent A, solvent B, and solvent C satisfy specific conditions; and solidifying the solution while forming depressed portions on the surface of the solution by condensation during the process of evaporating the solvents included in the solution.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor and method for forming a photoreceptor is disclosed which is provided with an anticorrosion layer on the interface between the supporting substrate surface and the undercoat layer. The photoreceptor has a high mechanical strength and minimizes defects in print for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A method for preparing in high productivity and stably an electrophotographic photosensitive member having depressed portions on its surface, is provided. The method is characterized in that a coating liquid for a surface layer which includes a solvent including a hydrophilic solvent and a hydrophobic solvent and a polymer compound soluble in the hydrophobic solvent is used; the hydrophilic solvent has a boiling point equal to or higher than that of the hydrophobic solvent; the hydrophilic solvent has a dipole moment of 0 or more and less than 2.8, obtained by a structure optimized calculation using a semiempirical molecular orbital calculation; the total mass of the hydrophobic solvent is 50 mass % or more and less than 100 mass % of the total mass of the solvent included in the coating liquid for a surface layer; and after the coating liquid for a surface layer is applied, the depressed portions are formed by condensation on the surface on which the coating liquid for a surface layer is applied.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor substrate which can be easily produced with high productivity and prevents the occurrence of image defects, and which has fine grooves formed in the surface thereof and is characterized in that the grooves are curved and discontinuous when the substrate surface is developed on a plane.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and coating a used organic photoconductive drum is disclosed. Using this method remanufacturers can reliably reuse certain used organic photoconductive drums which could not be reused without this method. The method comprises providing a used organic photoconductive drum, cleaning the surface of the used organic photoconductive drum, applying a new surface layer comprising a non-volatile non-polar dielectric fluid such as a silicone oil with a viscosity of less than 200 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius. The resulting liquid surface on the used organic photoconductive drum provides wear resistance, and improved electrical characteristics allowing the used organic photoconductive drum to be used at least a second time.

Abstract: A seamless draper belt formed from an elongated flat base structure of fabric and rubber. Transverse cleats having a structural core embedded in rubber are connected to the base. The elongated base structure and cleats are cured and adhere to one another except for end sections to form a flexible elongated structure, the ends of the base structure being overlapped and cured to form a seamless belt. An elongated guide is integrally formed on the base structure face opposite the face containing the cleats.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member hard to cause the problem of chatter and wear-out of the cleaning blade and the problem of a rubbing memory, and both a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the photosensitive member are provided. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive member has a plurality of dimple-shaped concaves, a 10-point average roughness Rzjis (A) as measured by sweeping along the circumference of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive member is 0.3 to 2.5 ?m, a 10-point average roughness Rzjis (B) as measured by sweeping along the generating line of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive member is 0.3 to 2.

Abstract: A seamless flexible electrophotographic imaging member comprising a flexible substrate strip material having an unmelted photodecomposed seam of carbon-black loaded polyimide polymer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive body which has both good image stability and wear resistance under high temperature and high humidity conditions can be obtained by using a novel polycarbonate resin, which contains a structural unit represented by the general formula (I) below and having a long-chain unsaturated hydrocarbon group having a double bond, as a binder resin for a charge transport layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive body. In the formula (I), R1-R4 preferably represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, respectively; a represents a number of 7-20; and R6 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a phenyl group. Particularly preferably, the structural unit represented by the general formula (I) below is derived from 1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-10-undecene or 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10-undecene.

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 an improved electrophotographic imaging member having a protective overcoat layer comprising a low surface energy polymeric material to enhance the imaging member physical/mechanical function as well as render its service life extension and a process for making and using the member.

Abstract: Post treatment processes of an ultrasonically welded seamed flexible imaging member belt for providing a smooth surface and substantially eliminating protrusions by applying heat and/or pressure to an overlap region of the seam to compress and reform the seam.

Abstract: The invention relates to printing of documents, for example bank checks. According to the various aspects of the invention, a printing system, process and product with microprinting are provided. Documents printed as described may include digitally variable microprint and other enhancements. The invention is particularly useful for enhanced security documents and the production thereof.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member includes a substrate, a photo generating layer, and an optional overcoating layer, wherein the photo generating layer includes a cyclic triphenylamine derivative material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to incorporation of boron nitride in the charge transport layer of a photoconductor. The boron nitride may have an aspect ratio of greater than 1.0, a D50 mean particle size of less than about 10.0 ?m and be present at about 5.0% (wt) or less in the charge transport layer. The cartridge may also include toner particles wherein the toner particles have a size range of about 1-25 ?m and an average degree of circularity of about 0.90-1.0. The photoconductor containing boron nitride when used in an electrophotographic printer may then provide acceptable dark decay and/or photoinduced decay (PID) curves relative to photoconductors that do not contain boron nitride along with improved resistance to toner filming.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrophotographic photoconductor, which prevents filler material in a coating liquid from aggregating onto etching pits formed on a surface of an aluminum raw drum. A photoconductor produced by the method of invention scarcely generates printing defects. The method includes steps of cutting a surface of an aluminum cylindrical substrate, degreasing and cleaning the surface of the aluminum cylindrical substrate with an aqueous detergent after the cutting step, and applying and forming a coating layer containing a filler material on the aluminum cylindrical substrate after the degreasing and cleaning step. Nickel concentration in the aluminum cylindrical substrate used in the method of invention is at most 50 ppm by weight.

Abstract: An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate and a cross linking surface layer comprising a charge transport curing compound and located overlying the photosensitive layer, wherein the charge transport curing compound includes a material including a structure unit represented by the following Chemical formula A: Chemical formula A where R1 to R5 and R1? to R5? independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R6 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and X represents an alkylene group having a straight chain or a branched chain having 2 to 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Methods for making dispersions, which are of various rheologies, various pigment/binder ratios, various particle sizes, and possess less impurities or large particles are provided. These dispersions may be utilized to form layers of photoreceptors.

Abstract: A polyimide film having a polyimide as the primary constituent and containing at least a polymeric electroconductive material, wherein in a weight-decrease vs. temperature-increase curve when the polyimide film is heated gradually from 30° C., a weight-decrease rate at a first inflection point, where an amount of difference in weight-decrease rates decreases first from 30° C., is in the range of ?1.9% or more and ?1.4% or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving chemical stability in a metal or metallized substrate, such as an aluminum substrate, of an electrophotographic-imaging member by treating the substrate with a composition containing a rare-earth metal.

Abstract: Use of a wax in a toner, such as carnauba wax, to give an increase in charge control agent in a toner, such as a magenta toner, to give an increased glass transition temperature is disclosed. The toner may contain a resin comprising amorphous and crystalline polyesters to provide good low melt characteristics.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is arranged to hold an intermediate transfer belt and a photoconductive drum out of contact with each other. In a non image formation process in a first mode, the intermediate transfer belt and the photoconductive drum are separated from each other upon completion of the image formation, thereby preventing contamination of the photoconductive drum due to back transfer. In a non image formation process in a second mode, the intermediate transfer belt and the photoconductive drum are separated from each other upon completion of the image formation, and then the intermediate transfer belt and the photoconductive drum are contacted with each other again upon completion of secondary transfer of an image. They are driven for a predetermined time with a speed difference therebetween, thereby abrading the surface of the photoconductive drum to refresh it.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to anticurl back coatings useful in electrophotography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an electrophotographic imaging member with an improved anticurl back coating including a low surface energy polymeric material to prevent curling, render surface lubricity, eliminate electrostatic charge built-up, and reduce friction, and a process for making and using the member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor substrate which can be easily produced with high productivity and prevents the occurrence of image defects, and which has fine grooves formed in the surface thereof and is characterized in that the grooves are curved and discontinuous when the substrate surface is developed on a plane.

Abstract: In the aim of providing a photoreceptor which is highly sensitive, highly abrasion-resistant, and reduced in cost, a production method for the photoreceptor, and an electrophotographic apparatus using the photoreceptor, the photoreceptor has a structure wherein an organic film (or an amorphous silicon film) used as a charge generation layer 2 and formed on an electroconductive support 1 and an inorganic metal oxide having optical transparency and used as a charge transport layer 3 are stacked. Further, a buffer layer 4 is formed between the charge generation layer 2 and the charge transport layer 3 when so required. Also, the metal oxide used as the charge transport layer 3 and having optical transparency is formed by employing an aerosol deposition method.

Abstract: Methods for texturing the surface of photoreceptors are provided.

Abstract: The electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention includes a cylindrical support, a photosensitive layer and an outermost surface layer that are layered onto the cylindrical support in this sequence from the cylindrical support side. The outermost surface layer includes a charge transport material and a curable resin. The proportion of the content of the curable resin in the outermost surface layer increases in the layer thickness direction with distance from the photosensitive layer side. The process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention are provided with the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to anticurl backing layers useful in electrostatography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an electrostatographic imaging member with an improved anticurl backing layer including a low surface energy polymeric material to prevent curling and reduce friction, and a process for making and using the member.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides photoreceptors and methods for fabricating photoreceptors. Photoreceptor device surfaces and fabrication methods have been designed to suppress a “plywood effect.” One method includes providing a substrate, rotating the substrate, lathing the substrate with a cutting tool and a cutting fluid by at least one pass, cleaning the substrate to remove the cutting fluid, and depositing onto the substrate at least one layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a conductive belt composed of a base resin containing polybutylene naphthalate resin at not less than 50 mass % nor more than 100 mass % and 1 to 3 mass % of carbon nano-fibers having a DBP oil absorption amount at not less than 150 ml/100 g. The method includes the steps of forming a conductive master batch by mixing the carbon nano-fibers with resin for use in a master batch containing the polybutylene naphthalate resin; mixing the obtained conductive master batch and resin for blending use containing the polybutylene naphthalate resin and not containing the carbon nano-fibers with each other in an unmelted state by setting a mixing mass ratio of the conductive master batch smaller than that of the resin for blending use; and meltingly molding an obtained mixture by an extrusion molder.

Abstract: A method of coating a photoconductive element for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an apparatus therefore are disclosed. A plurality of cylindrical bodies are immersed in a bath, which stores a coating liquid, at the same time and then lifted out of the bath. As a result, a photoconductive film is formed on each cylindrical body.

Abstract: A method of making an endless image-forming medium starting from a strip of semi-crystalline support material, which strip extends between a first and second end, wherein the ends of the strip are brought together and fused to form an endless support, and the fused ends are post-crystallized, wherein prior to the application of the image-forming layer to the support at least a portion of the support is stretched, and the stretched part of the support is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the support material.

Abstract: A method for producing a substrate for a photoconductive member includes etching the substrate with a self-limiting acid that removes the metal oxides from but does not affect the surface roughness of the substrate inner and outer surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member is disclosed having a cylindrical support and an organic photosensitive layer provided on the cylindrical support. The peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is composed of grooves formed substantially in its peripheral direction and flat portions, and in the grooves, the number of grooves each having a width in the range of from 0.5 ?m to 40 ?m is from 20 to 1,000 lines per 1,000 ?m in width in the generatrix direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image forming method having: developing a latent image formed on a cylindrical electrophotographic photoreceptor having a cylindricity of 5 to 40 ?m, with a developer comprising a toner which comprises a ratio Dv50/Dp50 of a 50% volume particle diameter Dv50 to a 50% number particle diameter Dp50 of 1.0 to 1.15, a ratio Dv75/Dp75 of a cumulative 75% volume particle diameter from a largest volume particle diameter Dv75 to a cumulative 75% number particle diameter from a largest number particle diameter of Dp75 of 1.0 to 1.20, and toner particles having a particle diameter of 0.7×Dp50 or less in an amount of 10 percent by number or less.

Abstract: A multi-layered electrophotographic positively charged organic photoconductor includes a conductive substrate, a charge transport layer formed on the conductive substrate, and a charge generating layer formed on the charge transport layer. A composition to form the charge transport layer includes at least one hole transport material, a binder resin and an organic solvent, and a composition to form the charge generating layer includes a charge generating material, a binder resin, an organic solvent and a hole transport material. An organic photoconductor has improved static electrical properties by controlling interfacial conditions of the charge transport layer and the charge generating layer. The charge generating layer may be readily coated on the charge transport layer. In addition, the organic photoconductor has excellent electric properties such as an improved sensitivity and a low discharge voltage.

Abstract: In a process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support and a photosensitive layer provided thereon, the process comprises a coating step of coating the surface of the support with a coating fluid to form a wet coating; a drying step of drying the wet coating formed by the coating step, to form a dried coating film; a cutting step of making a cut in the dried coating film formed by the drying step, in its peripheral direction at a preset position; and a removal step of removing, by jetting a gas, the dried coating film on its end side extending from the cut made by the cutting step. Also disclosed are an electrophotographic photosensitive member produced by this production process, and a electrophotographic photosensitive member and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive support having formed thereon a specific photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer comprises a siloxane resin-containing layer containing a siloxane resin having a structural unit represented by general formula (1) shown below, a structural unit represented by general formula (2) shown below, and an organic group derived from a compound having hole transport capability, or comprises a siloxane resin-containing layer containing a siloxane resin obtained by using an organic silicon compound having a structural unit represented by general formula (1) shown below and a hydrolytic group, and a compound represented by general formula (3) shown below: The formulas are defined in the specification.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate characterized by having in the molecule a unit represented by Chemical Formula (1): wherein n may assume any one integral value within the range of from 1 to 8. Also disclosed are a process for producing the polyhydroxyalkanoate by the use of a microorganism having the ability to produce the polyhydroxyalkanoate and accumulate it in the bacterial body; a charge control agent, a toner binder and a toner which contain this polyhydroxyalkanoate; and an image-forming method and an image-forming apparatus which make use of the toner.

Abstract: A method of coating a photoconductive element for an electrophotographic image forming-apparatus and an apparatus therefore are disclosed. A plurality of cylindrical bodies are immersed in a bath, which stores a coating liquid, at the same time and then lifted out of the bath. As a result, a photoconductive film is formed on each cylindrical body.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member is disclosed which has an aluminum substrate and a photosensitive layer. The substrate contains aluminum, oxygen and titanium, or aluminum, oxygen and zirconium, at the surface portion on the side of the photosensitive layer. Also, a process for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the photosensitive member are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible electrostatographic imaging member. The electrostatographic imaging member contains an optically transparent thermoplastic anti-curl back coating, which enables the imaging member to maintain desirable structural flatness, mechanical robustness, flexibility, longevity, and copy image qualities over extended use. The present invention also relates to a process of fabricating a flexible electrostatographic imaging member.

Abstract: A binder resin which forms a resin powdery product such as a toner for developing electrostatic latent images. The binder resin comprises a biodegradable resin comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate produced by culturing a microorganism and having as a specific monomer unit a 3-hydroxyalkanoic acid such as 3-hydroxy-5-phenylvaleric acid. This binder resin has very good properties as a binder resin and also has a high safety to human bodies and environment. Also disclosed are a toner for developing electrostatic latent images which contains such a binder resin, and an image-forming method and an image-forming apparatus which make use of the toner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing a 3-hydroxyalkanoic unit which has at its side chain terminal a substituted phenylsulfinyl group and/or a substituted phenylsulfonyl group, and a production process thereof. The novel PHA can be produced by oxidizing with a peroxide a biosynthetic PHA containing a 3-hydroxyalkanoic unit which has at its side chain terminal a substituted phenylsufanyl group. The novel PHA has a superior function as a charge control agent, besides is biodegradable, hence is contributable to environmental conservation.