Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor comprising at least an electroconductive support and a photoconductive layer which is formed on said electroconductive support, the outermost layer of the photoconductor contains particles comprising a polyorganosiloxane-containing phase which contains polyorganosiloxane and an organic polymer-containing phase which contains organic polymer without silicon and has a polyorganosiloxane content which is less than the polyorganosiloxane-containing phase, each phase being exposed at the top surface of the photoconductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoconductive organic pigment comprising granular cores and an organic pigment having photoconductive properties which organic pigment adheres to the surfaces of the granular cores, a photoconductive organic pigment dispersion liquid comprising the photoconductive organic pigment, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive substrate laminated with a photosensitive layer containing the photoconductive organic pigment and an electrophotographic device using the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with imaging systems and wear indicators are provided. In one example system, an imaging device is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media. A photoconductor includes a photosensitive surface layer and a wear indicator layer under the surface layer. The wear indicator layer is visually distinct from the surface layer so that when the wear indicator layer is exposed, it indicates worn areas of the surface layer.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer consisting of magnetic carriers and toners by using a development apparatus and a latent image supporter including a filler in an outermost layer thereof, the development apparatus having a developer supporter, which has an internally fixed magnetic body and rotates while supporting a developer on a surface thereof, and a developer quantity controller controlling a quantity of the developer which is supported by the developer supporter facing the magnetic body and controlling a height of magnetic brushes and consisting of materials having rigidity or rigidity and magnetic properties, wherein a ratio (Gp/Gd) of a development gap to a doctor gap between the developer supporter and the controller is from 0.7 to 1.0, and a weight-averaged particle diameter of a developer carrier is from 20 to 60 ?m.

Abstract: Electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer containing an amino compound selected from formulae 1 to 22 in the specification.

Abstract: A polycarbonate comprised of a repeating unit represented by Formula (I) with R1, R2, R3 and R4 being, for example, alkyl; Ar being, for example, aryl; and m representing the number of groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image carrier, for example, for use in electro-photography, containing at least one elastomer with cavities. The image carrier can be used, inter alia, in electrography, electrophotography (as a photoconductor) or magnetography and in color printing processes.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a substrate corresponding to a pixel. The substrate carries thereon a light receiving section, which is a stack of, in this order, a photoconductive layer for absorbing light in a wavelength region for red, a photoconductive layer for absorbing light in a wavelength region for green, and a photoconductive layer for absorbing light in a wavelength region for blue. A transparent electrode layer is provided on each of the photoconductive layers. The transparent electrode layer placed above the photoconductive layer and the transparent electrode layer placed below the photoconductive layer are sandwiching a translucent reflective layer for reflecting the light in the green wavelength region. Similarly, a translucent reflective layer is sandwiched between the transparent electrode layer placed above the photoconductive layer and the transparent electrode layer placed below the photoconductive layer for reflecting the light in the blue wavelength region.

Abstract: An image forming method including charging an upper surface of a photoconductor having a photoconductive layer with a charger located in contact with or spaced apart a distance of not greater than 100 &mgr;m from the upper surface, and scanning the charged upper surface with a light beam having a wavelength of &lgr; &mgr;m and a spot diameter &phgr; &mgr;m to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The upper surface of the photoconductor and a lower surface of the photoconductive layer have such roughness that the maximum heights in a unit length of &phgr; &mgr;m give minimum values R1 and R2, respectively, satisfying the following conditions: R1≦&lgr;/2n &mgr;m, R2≦&lgr;/2n &mgr;m and (R1+R2)≧&lgr;/2n &mgr;m.

Abstract: An image forming method wherein a surface of a photoconductor having a photoconductive layer provided on a conductive support is scanned at least along a main scanning direction of the photoconductor with a writing light beam having a wavelength of &lgr; &mgr;m and a spot diameter &phgr; &mgr;m to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The surface of the photoconductor has such a roughness that the sectional curve thereof along the main scanning direction is represented by a function y=f(x) when the main scanning direction and the direction of the vertical height are assumed to be the X-axis and the Y-axis, respectively. The maximum height of the sectional curve in a region from an arbitral position x on the X-axis to a position (x+&phgr;) on the X-axis is at least &lgr;/2n &mgr;m where n is a refractive index of the photoconductive layer at the wavelength of the light beam.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible belt including: providing a flexible member; providing a work surface; forming the flexible member in a loop shape including an overlap region; positioning the overlap region of the flexible member in pressure contact with the work surface such that the photosensitive surface and the work surface is on the outside of the loop shape; positioning a welding tool on an inside surface of the loop shape of the flexible member opposite the overlap region; and ultrasonically welding the flexible member at one or more locations.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a conductive substrate, and provided thereon a photoconductive layer containing at least an amorphous material composed chiefly of silicon atoms and, deposited on the photoconductive layer, a layer region containing an amorphous material composed chiefly of silicon atoms, which layer region contains at least partly a periodic-table Group 13 element, the content of the periodic-table Group 13 element based on the total amount of constituent atoms in the layer region deposited on the photoconductive layer has distribution having at least any two of maximum value(s) and maximum region(s) in the thickness direction of the layer region. This electrophotographic photosensitive member can be improved in charging performance, can prevent image defects due to pressure mars and can form high-quality images over a long period of time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor, wherein the photoreceptor includes an image forming portion having two ends substantially parallel to the rotating direction and a gap forming member located outside of each of the two ends of the image forming portion; a charging roller configured to charge the photoreceptor, wherein the charging roller contacts the gap forming members of the photoreceptor to form a gap g between the surface of the image forming portion and the peripheral surface thereof; an imagewise light irradiator; an image developer; and an image transfer device, wherein the relationship t≧2g is satisfied, where g represents the gap and t represents a distance between an inside edge of one of the gap forming members and nearer one of the two ends of the image forming portion of the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of a supporting substrate, and thereover a single layer comprised of a mixture of a photogenerator component, charge transport components, and a certain electron transport component, and a certain polymer binder.

Abstract: A photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer located overlying the substrate, and a protective layer overlying the photosensitive layer, wherein the photoreceptor has a property such that when the photoreceptor is charged so as to have a potential of −700 V and then exposed to light with exposure of 0.4 &mgr;J/cm2, the potential (PL) of a lighted portion of the photoreceptor decreases at a rate not greater than 700 V/sec during a time period of from a time 35 msec after the exposure to the transition time of the photoreceptor. An image forming apparatus and a process cartridge including the photoreceptor are also provided.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed which comprises an electrophotographic photoreceptor and a flash fixing means. The photoreceptor has a photoconductive layer formed on top of a support substrate, and the photoconductive layer contains a charge generating agent and a charge transport agent therein. The half maximum wavelength region of the charge transport agent's absorption peak is in a visual region that includes the wavelength region of the flash light when its intensity is 50% or greater of its maximum but does not include the wavelength region of the exposure light. This photoreceptor will not produce electrostatic irregularities even if light from the flash fixing means leaks thereon, and its sensitivity and its ability to be electrostatically charged will not decrease even if repeatedly used.

Abstract: A compound having the Formula I wherein: R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of a hetero atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety; R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halogen, a hetero -atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety; and R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen containing group, a sulfur containing group, a hydroxyl group, a silicon containing group, hydrogen, a halogen, a hetero atom containing group and a hydrocarbon group that is optionally substituted at least once with a hetero atom moiety.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer consisting of magnetic carriers and toners by using a development apparatus and a latent image supporter including a filler in an outermost layer thereof, the development apparatus having a developer supporter, which has an internally fixed magnetic body and rotates while supporting a developer on a surface thereof, and a developer quantity controller controlling a quantity of the developer which is supported by the developer supporter facing the magnetic body and controlling a height of magnetic brushes and consisting of materials having rigidity or rigidity and magnetic properties, wherein a ratio (Gp/Gd) of a development gap to a doctor gap between the developer supporter and the controller is from 0.7 to 1.0, and a weight-averaged particle diameter of a developer carrier is from 20 to 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor has an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon containing as an effective component an aromatic polycarbonate resin having a structural unit of formula (2) and a structural unit with charge transporting properties, each of the structural units being contained in an amount of 5 wt. % or more of the total weight of the polycarbonate resin. There is disclosed an aromatic polycarbonate resin having a structural unit of formula (1) and the structural unit of formula (2), with the relationship between the composition ratios being 0<k/(k+j)<1 when the composition ratio of the structural unit (1) is k and that of the structural unit (2) is j, or an aromatic polycarbonate resin having a repeat unit of formula (3). The formulas (1) to (3) are specified in the specification.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate and a photosensitive layer on the electroconductive substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer includes at least a compound having a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group and a charge transport material, and wherein an oxidation potential (Eox1) of the substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group and an oxidation potential (Eox2) of the charge transport material satisfy the following relationship (I):

Abstract: Disclosed is an active energy ray-curable polyimide resin composition which comprises a polymerizable polyimide resin (I) having an isocyanurate ring, an alicyclic structure, an imide ring and a (meth)acryloyl group and being capable of patterning with a dilute alkali aqueous solution.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of recording management information for managing the electrophotographic photoreceptor in a noncontact manner, and improving management of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive base, a photosensitive layer and a flange portion, wherein a noncontact information medium provided with an antenna part which communicates in a noncontact manner with a reader/writer of a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a control part which stores management information for managing the electrophotographic photoreceptor and controls the antenna part so as to communicate with the reader/writer is disposed onto the conductive base.

Abstract: An electrophotographic article having a complex of charge generating material and at least one transfer material selected from the group consisting of electron transfer material and hole transfer material is formed by admixing the charge generating material, at least one transfer material, and an organic binder in a solvent to form a coatable dispersion comprising a complex of charge generating material and said at least one transfer material; and coating said coatable dispersion onto a conductive substrate to form a charge transfer layer on the electrophotoconductive article. A novel S-form titanyl oxyphthalocyanine is also preferred, the novel form displaying major peaks of Bragg's 2theta angle to the CuK-alpha characteristic X-ray (wavelength 1.541 Angstrom) at least at 9.5±0.2 degrees, 9.7±0.2 degrees, 11.7±0.2 degrees, 13.5±0.2 degrees, (optionally at 21±0.2 degrees and/or 23.5±0.2 degrees,) 24.1±0.2 degrees, 26.4±0.2 degrees, and 27.3±0.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of a supporting substrate, and thereover a single photoactive layer comprised of a mixture of a photogenerator component, an electron transport component, a transport component, and a polymeric binder; and wherein said photogenerating component is comprised of a mixture of a metal free phthalocyanine and a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus contains a photoconductor having a support and a photoconductive layer disposed thereon. I(S) at the surface of the photoconductor and I(S) at the interface of the photoconductive layer on the support side are 5.0×10−3 or less and the sum of I(S)s is 3.0×10−3 or more. I(S)s are determined according to following Equations 2 and 3 after subjecting a group of data of N samples of height×(t) [&mgr;m] of a profile curve at the surface or of one at the interface to discrete Fourier transform according to following Equation 1, the N samples being taken at intervals of &Dgr;t [&mgr;m] in a reference line direction.

Abstract: An organic optoelectronic device includes a solution coatable thin film having a hole transporting material, an electron transporting material, and a photogenerating component uniformly dispersed therein. The thin film is about 0.2 microns or less, and can be spin-coated onto a substrate and further coated with electrodes.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate and a photoreceptive layer formed on the conductive substrate wherein the photoreceptive layer charged uniformly is exposed to light corresponding to an image information to form an electrostatic latent image, the surface free energy (&ggr;) is determined to be at least 20 mN/m and at most 35 mN/m. The determination of &ggr; on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 in the appropriate range makes it possible to suppress excessive adhesion of a toner to the surface of the photoreceptor, to suppress adhesion of foreign matters such as a paper powder and to make easy the separation thereof from the surface, which results in improving the cleanability of the photoreceptor. Since the image is formed with the photoreceptor 1 having always the clean surface, the damage or the decrease in image quality does not occur over a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin. The invention further describes a method for making the imaging member, comprising extruding a foam polymer sheet, orienting the foam polymer sheet, bringing a stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the oriented foam polymer sheet, and applying an imaging layer above the stiffening layer. A second method of forming an imaging member comprises extruding a foam polymer sheet, bringing at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the foam polymer sheet, orienting said foam polymer sheet and said stiffening layer and applying an imaging layer above said stiffening layer.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus develops an electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer consisting of magnetic carriers and toners by using a development apparatus and a latent image supporter including a filler in an outermost layer thereof, the development apparatus having a developer supporter, which has an internally fixed magnetic body and rotates while supporting a developer on a surface thereof, and a developer quantity controller controlling a quantity of the developer which is supported by the developer supporter facing the magnetic body and controlling a height of magnetic brushes and consisting of materials having rigidity or rigidity and magnetic properties, wherein a ratio (Gp/Gd) of a development gap to a doctor gap between the developer supporter and the controller is from 0.7 to 1.0, and a weight-averaged particle diameter of a developer carrier is from 20 to 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A member including for example, a supporting layer and a single photogenerating layer, the photogenerating layer comprising particles including hydroxygallium phthalocyanine phthalocyanine Type V, x polymorph metal free phthalocyanine, or chlorogallium phthalocyanine dispersed in a matrix comprising an arylamine hole transporter and an electron transporter selected from the group consisting of N,N′bis(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide, 1,1′-dioxo-2-(4-methylphenyl)-6-phenyl-4-(dicyanomethylidene)thiopyran, and a quinone selected from the group consisting of carboxybenzylhaphthaquinone, and tetra (t-butyl) diphenoquinone, and mixtures thereof, and a film forming binder.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support at least the surface of which is conductive, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon containing an amorphous material composed chiefly of silicon, the photoconductive layer has two or more layer regions, and protuberances in a layer region adjoining to a layer region that is closest to the free surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member have been stopped from growing at the surface of that layer region in which the protuberances occur. The protuberances has been stopped from growing not to become so large as to appear as image defects on images. Also disclosed is a process for producing such an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A flexible electrophotographic imaging member comprising a supporting substrate, at least one imaging layer on one side of the supporting substrate, a charge blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a charge-generating layer, a charge transporting layer, a seam overcoat layer comprising a coating solution of a co-polyester resin and having a thickness of from about 2 to about 4 micrometers and having a width of from about 2 to about 10 millimeters and wherein said co-polyester resin is present in an amount of from about 2 to about 40 percent by weight based on the total weight of said overcoat layer, and a binder. The imaging member exhibits an excellent life cycle; excellent wear resistance, excellent electrical performance, and outstanding print quality.

Abstract: An electrophotography photosensitive body has a single layer photosensitive layer on top of a conductive substrate, directly or via an undercoat layer. The single layer photosensitive layer contains at least a resin binder, a charge generating substance, and a charge transport substance, wherein at least one of the charge generating substances is a titanyl phthalocyanine, which, in a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having a radiation source of CuK &agr; and within a range of a Bragg angle 2&thgr;=5˜35°, a ratio, R, of a value, P, of a diffraction intensity of a highest peak and a value, B, of a diffraction intensity of the background satisfies the equation R=(P−B)/B≦7.0. The resulting electrophotographic photosensitive layer shows excellent electrical properties with positive charging as well as excellent stability when repeatedly used.

Abstract: A process for metallizing a substrate part includes the following three steps: coating the part with a precursor composite material layer consisting of a polymer matrix doped with photoreducer material dielectric particles, irradiating the surface to be metallized of the substrate part with a light beam emitted by a laser, and immersing the irradiated part in an autocatalytic bath containing metal ions, with deposition of the latter in a layer on the irradiated surface. The dimension of the dielectric particles is less than or equal to 0.5 microns. The method is intended in particular for producing a metallized part including a substrate part consisting of a flexible film.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved organophotoreceptor that comprises an electrically conductive substrate; a photoconductive element comprising a charge generation compound and a salt of an electron transport compound. In some embodiments, the photoconductive element has a photoconductive layer with the charge generation compound and an overcoat layer with the salt of the electron transport compound in which the photoconductive layer is on the electrically conductive substrate and the overcoat layer is on the photoconductive layer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive support and a photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive support, wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a silicon compound-containing layer containing a silicon compound, and the silicon compound-containing layer further contains a resin, and wherein the photosensitive layer has a peak area in the region of −40 to 0 ppm (S1) and a peak area in the region of −100 to −50 ppm (S2) in a 29Si-NMR spectrum satisfying the following equation (1):

Abstract: Coupled alcohol ethoxylates made by reacting alcohol ethoxylates with a diisocyanate have been found to improve the thermal properties of toner compositions and powder coatings. The alcohol ethoxylates have saturated linear alcohol portions of from about 20-70 carbon atom chain lengths. The diisocyanates may be aromatic diisocyanates such as toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). Preferably, about one mole of diisocyanate is reacted with about two moles of the alcohol ethoxylates to form the coupled alcohol ethoxylates that are useful compatibilizers to improve the homogeneity of toner compositions and powder coating compositions.

Abstract: An imaging member including, for example, a substrate, a charge blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a charge generating layer, a charge transporting layer comprising, and a film forming polymer binder substantially free of low molecular weight fractions.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor containing a charge generation material composition comprising a sandwich-type metal bisphthalocyanine compound represented by the general formula (I), having a primary particle diameter of 1 micron or less, and a phthalocyanine-based charge generation material represented by the general formula (II):

Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed, in which a toner image on an organic photorecptor developed by a two-component is primarily transferred to an imtermediate transferring member, and secondarily transferred to a recording material, and a toner remained on the organic photoreceptor is cleaned after the transfer of the toner to the recording material, and the organic photoreceptor has a creeping modulus measured by pressing a Vickers indenter applying a load of 20 mN is not less than 1% and less than 3.5%. An image forming apparatus is also 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 liquid crystalline compound having a novel structure and a process for producing the same are provided. The liquid crystalline compound is represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a straight-chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and may be attached directly to the aromatic ring without through X1 or X2; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a fluorine atom, or a methyl group; and X1 and X2 each independently represent an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a —CO—, —OCO—, —COO—, —N═CH—, —CONH—, —NH—, —NHCO—, or —CH2— group.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor and method of manufacturing thereof exhibits excellent characteristics of residual potential and repetition potential by containment of an additive of a compound. The electrophotographic photoconductor includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer on the substrate, in which the photosensitive layer contains tri(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate.

Abstract: An electrophotosensitive material comprising a supporting substrate, an intermediate layer containing a thermosetting resin formed on the supporting substrate, and a photosensitive layer formed on the intermediate layer, wherein a contact angle of the surface of the intermediate layer is not less than a value (A°) represented by the formula: A°=B°−2° in which B° is a contact angle corresponding to an intersection of a first approximation linear line and a second approximate linear line minus 2° in a correlation curve between a residual potential of the photosensitive material comprising the predetermined photosensitive layer formed on the intermediate layer containing the thermosetting resin and a contact angle of the intermediate layer containing the thermosetting resin. According to this photosensitive material, it is possible to obtain a good image, which has a low residual potential and is free from fog.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoconductive organic pigment comprising granular cores and an organic pigment having photoconductive properties which organic pigment adheres to the surfaces of the granular cores, a photoconductive organic pigment dispersion liquid comprising the photoconductive organic pigment, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive substrate laminated with a photosensitive layer containing the photoconductive organic pigment and an electrophotographic device using the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotosensitive material which realizes uniform dispersion of phthalocyanines in a photosensitive layer and has high sensitivity to a digital light source, and also excellent in charge stability under the high temperature atmosphere, weatherability and NOx resistance.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum structure for an image forming apparatus. The photosensitive drum structure includes a cylindrical rotary drum having steps at both ends of the circumferential surface thereof, and a photosensitive belt being wound around the rotary drum and attached thereto with an adhesive that is adhered to the steps. Here, a gap is formed between the circumferential surface of the rotary drum and the photosensitive belt. Thus, an inexpensive photosensitive belt is wound around a rotary drum, and a photosensitive drum can be manufactured with a low cost. Also, a nip having a predetermined width is formed on a contact surface between a developer roller and the photosensitive drum, thereby improving development of the image.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible belt including: providing a flexible member; providing a work surface; forming the flexible member in a loop shape including an overlap region; positioning the overlap region of the flexible member in pressure contact with the work surface such that the photosensitive surface and the work surface is on the outside of the loop shape; positioning a welding tool on an inside surface of the loop shape of the flexible member opposite the overlap region; and ultrasonically welding the flexible member at one or more locations.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided by forming a photosensitive layer on an electroconductive support.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoconductor, and an exposing device for irradiating a surface of the photoconductor imagewise with a coherent light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The surface of the photoconductor has such roughness as to provide I(S) of at least 3.