Patent ID: 7645491
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: B05C,G03G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for reducing the frequency of defects of dip coated drum photoreceptors, the process performed using a dip coating apparatus including (i) a tank for holding a dip coating liquid, (ii) a plurality of dip tubes vertically arranged within the tank, and (iii) a plurality of vent tubes vertically arranged within the tank to uniformly surround each dip tube, wherein the plurality of vertical vent tubes extend through the depth of the dip coating liguid and through a bottom wall of the tank, and wherein each vent tube has a vapor withdrawing end located above the surface of the dip coating liquid and an end in communication with a venting manifold, the process comprising: providing a dip coating liquid to the tank; dip coating a plurality of drums by inserting each drum within a corresponding dip tube and thereby contacting the outer circumferential surface of the drum with the dip coating liquid; removing the drums from the dip coating liquid to produce a uniform coat on the drum's exterior surface; and removing, in a relatively uniform fashion, vapors residing above a surface of the dip coating liquid in the tank by withdrawing the vapors through the plurality of vent tubes, whereby such uniform removal of vapors promotes uniform drying of the coated drums and reduction in the frequency of defects.