Processes for forming polymeric seamless belts and imaging members
US5128091A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S264/904
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process which includes providing a preform including a polymeric material formed to permit the introduction of a fluid under pressure into the preform, heating the preform to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the polymeric material and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material, placing the heated preform into a substantially cylinderical mold with a polished seamless inside surface, introducing a fluid under pressure into the heated preform while maintaining the preform axially centered in the mold, thereby causing the preform to expand without contacting the mold surface, subsequently causing the preform to expand until it contacts the mold surface, heating the expanded preform to an appropriate heat setting temperature above the stretching temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymeric material while maintaining fluid pressure, and subsequently cooling the set preform, resulting in formation of a biaxially oriented seamless belt. The thin walled, high surface quality biaxially oriented seamless belt thus formed is then either used as a substrate for an electrophotographic or ionographic imaging member or used as a paper …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.