Welded polyimide intermediate transfer belt and process for making the belt
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsJohn J. Darcy, III, Scott J. Griffin, David W. Martin, Michael S. Roetker, Felix J. Santana
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A welded intermediate transfer belt and process for making the same having a substrate made primarily of at least one polyimide polymer. The weld may be ultrasonically or otherwise welded and may have favorable properties such as relatively thin seam thickness and small weld steps. The weld may be overlapped or miter cut.
Claims34
An intermediate transfer belt, comprising:
- a belt substrate comprising primarily at least one polyaniline filled polyimide polymer;
- and
- a non-interlocking welded seam.
A process for welding an intermediate transfer belt including at least one polyaniline filled polyimide polymer, the process comprising:
- mounting two non-interlocking end sections of an unseamed polyimide belt in proximity to a welding energy source;
- moving the welding energy source into physical contact with at least one of the two end sections;
- and
- imparting sufficient energy, with the welding energy source, to raise temperatures within at least a portion of the end sections above the glass transition temperature of the polyaniline filled polyimide polymer forming a non-interlocking welded seam.
An apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising:
- a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon;
- a development component to apply toner to said charge-retentive surface to develop said electrostatic latent image and to form a developed image on said charge retentive surface;
- an intermediate transfer belt, comprising a belt substrate that includes at least one polyaniline filled polyimide polymer;
- and a non-interlocking welded seam;
- and
- a fixing component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.