Reconditioning primary charge rollers for electrostatographic imaging machines

US5823929A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Genicom Corp. · US

Inventors

• Vytas A. Kavolius · Charlottesville, US
• Joseph E. White · Covington, US
• Bradford G. Buttner · Charlottesville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 1996
• Grant date: Oct 20, 1998
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2918
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Used, spent or physically degraded primary charge rollers (PCR's) may be rejuvenated to an extent that is operationally comparable to (or exceeds) the print quality and service life of an OEM-supplied PCR. The used PCR is treated so as to apply an overcoating of a dispersion which includes an electrically conductive particulate material, such as graphite or carbon black, and a polymeric binder (e.g., polyurethane latex). The electrically conductive material imparts the necessary electrical properties to the PCR for purposes of "rejuvenation", while the presence of the polymeric binder serves to impart long-term service life to the PCR and also permits the use of less electrically conductive material.