Patent 7691551 was granted and assigned to Xerox on April, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A layer on the reverse side of an imaging member provides excellent crack resistance to the imaging layer(s) on the front side. The crack-deterring backing layer can be a laminated self-adhesive, such as tape, or a coating. Because the crack-deterring backing layer is on the reverse side, it does not affect the electrical properties of the imaging member. Overcoat layers may be used whose function is limited to improved scratch resistance.