Patent ID: 6165670
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B29C,B29L,G03G

Abstract:
A method of treating an electrostatographic imaging member web, comprising:(a) providing an electrostatographic imaging member web including a support substrate and at least one imaging layer formed over the support substrate, the imaging layer comprising a polymeric material having a glass transition temperature;(b) moving a first portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web into contact with and parked over a surface to form the first portion into an arcuate shape, the imaging layer of the first portion being disposed outwardly from the support substrate relative to the surface;(c) heating the imaging layer of the first portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web to a temperature above the glass transition temperature while the first portion is in the arcuate shape;(d) cooling the first portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the imaging layer while the first portion is in the arcuate shape, so that the imaging layer of the cooled first portion is substantially stress free as conformed in the arcuate shape;(e) subsequent to (d), moving the electrostatographic imaging member web relative to the surface so that the cooled first portion is not in contact with the surface and a second portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web is in contact with and parked over the surface to form the second portion into the arcuate shape; and(f) repeating (c) and (d) for the second portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web so that the imaging layer of the second portion is substantially stress free;wherein the second portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web is at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the imaging layer while the first portion is in the arcuate shape and being heated; andwherein the first portion of the electrostatographic imaging member web is at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the imaging layer while the second portion is in the arcuate shape and being heated.