Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William R. Zimmerli
  • Patent number: 8336995
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes an upstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The upstream edge includes a radius of curvature when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8338291
    Abstract: A method of producing a transistor includes providing a substrate including in order a first electrically conductive material layer and a second electrically conductive material layer. A resist material layer is deposited over the second electrically conductive material layer. The resist material layer is patterned to expose a portion of the second electrically conductive material layer. Some of the second electrically conductive material layer is removed to create a reentrant profile in the second electrically conductive material layer and to expose a portion of the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer is caused to overhang the first electrically conductive material layer by removing some of the first electrically conductive material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Shelby F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8337003
    Abstract: A catcher and a method of printing are provided. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact face. The liquid drop contact face includes an opening that creates an air cushion upon which liquid flows after a liquid drop contacts the drop contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chang-Fang Hsu, Shan Guan
  • Patent number: 8328335
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr., Carolyn R. Ellinger, Maria J. Lehmann, Ali G. Lopez, Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 8328334
    Abstract: Each liquid dispensing element of an array includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels positioned on a substrate. The liquid dispensing channel, in communication with the supply and return channels, includes an outlet opening and is associated with a diverter member. Liquid supply and return passages, in communication with liquid supply and return channels, respectively, extend through the substrate. Liquid supply and return ducts of a liquid manifold are in communication with each liquid supply passage and liquid return passage, respectively. Liquid flows from the liquid supply duct through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct. A liquid drop is ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel of one of the liquid dispensing elements by selectively actuating the associated diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang, Carolyn R. Ellinger
  • Patent number: 8322825
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels. A portion of a first wall of the liquid dispensing channel defines an outlet opening. A second wall of the liquid dispensing channel, opposite the first wall, extends along portions of the liquid supply and return channels. A liquid supply passage, in communication with the supply channel, extends through the second wall. A liquid return passage, in communication with the return channel, is positioned through the second wall and overlaps the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the supply passage through the supply, dispensing, and return channels to the return passage. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 8308037
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web includes a roller, a first arm and a second arm, a plurality of devices, and a plurality of links. The roller includes a shaft, about which the roller rotates, that defines an axis of rotation. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to opposite sides of the shaft of the roller and to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices such that each device is allowed two degrees of rotational freedom about the arm to which it is coupled. Each of the devices is pivotably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of links such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a first axis. Each link is pivotably coupled to a stationary frame such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Muir, Randy E. Armbruster, Ruth H. Parker, Nathan J. Turner
  • Patent number: 8308275
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the substrate. The liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the substrate. A diverter member is associated with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid return channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A liquid return passage extends through the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from each liquid supply channel through each liquid dispensing element to each liquid return channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 8302308
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead includes providing a polymeric substrate having a surface; providing a patterned material layer on the surface of the polymeric substrate; and removing at least some of the polymeric substrate not covered by the patterned material layer using an etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos, John A. Lebens
  • Patent number: 8303107
    Abstract: A method of printing includes providing a printhead and providing a roller positioned downstream from the printhead. The printhead is used to selectively moisten at least a portion of the web of print media as the web of print media is guided through the printing system. The print media is caused to contact and wrap around a portion of the roller as the print media moves past the roller. The roller, having an axis of rotation, includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: W. Charles Kasiske, Jr., Michael J. Piatt, Harsha S. Bulathsinghalage, John L. Hryhorenko, Randy E. Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8303106
    Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a printhead configured to selectively moisten at least a portion of the web of print media as the web of print media is guided through the printing system. A roller, positioned downstream from the printhead, contacts the print media and causes the print media to wrap around a portion of the roller as the print media moves past the roller. The roller, having an axis of rotation, includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: W. Charles Kasiske, Jr., Michael J. Piatt, Harsha S. Bulathsinghalage, John L. Hryhorenko, Randy E. Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8302880
    Abstract: A method of creating substantially monodisperse droplets comprising supplying a first fluid (1) and a second immiscible fluid (2) within a set of channels, the second fluid surrounding the first fluid and filling the channels to form a composite jet. The composite jet passes through an entrance channel (4) into a wider cavity (3), where the first fluid breaks into droplets (5), the resulting composite of droplets of the first fluid within the second fluid passing through an exit channel (6). The cross sectional area of the exit channel perpendicular to the flow is smaller than the cross sectional area of the cavity and the passage of a droplet of the first fluid out of the cavity via the exit perturbs the composite flow field within the cavity such that the incoming jet of the first fluid is perturbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Andrew Clarke
  • Patent number: 8304347
    Abstract: A method of actuating a semiconductor device includes providing a transistor. The transistor includes a substrate. A first electrically conductive material layer is positioned on the substrate. A second electrically conductive material layer is in contact with and positioned on the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer includes a reentrant profile. The second electrically conductive material layer also overhangs the first electrically conductive material layer. An electrically insulating material layer is conformally positioned over the second electrically conductive material layer, the first electrically conductive material layer, and at least a portion of the substrate. A semiconductor material layer conforms to and is in contact with the electrically insulating material layer. A third electrically conductive material layer is nonconformally positioned over and in contact with a first portion of the semiconductor material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lee W. Tutt, Shelby F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8303091
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. Another portion of the wall defines a drain located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Carolyn R. Ellinger, Maria J. Lehmann, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 8287101
    Abstract: A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows throug
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Michael F. Baumer, Ali G. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8277035
    Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the membrane includes a heater. The second portion of the membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Yonglin Xie
  • Patent number: 8273654
    Abstract: Producing a vertical transistor includes providing a substrate including a gate material layer stack with a reentrant profile. An electrically insulating material layer is deposited over a portion of the gate material layer stack and over a portion of the substrate. A patterned deposition inhibiting material is deposited over the electrically insulating material layer. A semiconductor material layer is deposited over the electrically insulating material layer using a selective area deposition process in which the semiconductor material layer is not deposited over the patterned deposition inhibiting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shelby F. Nelson, David H. Levy, Lee W. Tutt
  • Patent number: 8272716
    Abstract: A liquid jet is ejected out of a nozzle, the liquid comprising one or more components, the flow of one or more of said components, the active components, being separated such that the liquid that flows within a boundary layer thickness ?, of the nozzle wall is substantially comprised of a liquid without the active components, the continuous phase, and the said active components flow substantially outside said boundary layer where ? is defined by formula (I): where ? is the continuous phase viscosity in Pa·s, U is the jet velocity in m/s ? is the continuous phase density in kg/m3 and x is the length of the nozzle in m in the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Andrew Clarke
  • Patent number: 8267504
    Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. At least one of the plurality of pores overlaps the nozzle when viewed from a direction through the nozzle. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Baumer, Ali G. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8259401
    Abstract: An optical assembly has a lens element having a plurality of radially extending tabs and a mounting structure having a plurality of retaining members. The retaining members extend in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis defined by the mounting structure and are positioned complementary to the radially extending tabs of the lens element. A portion of the mounting structure is in an interference fit with the a portion of the lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James A. Schmieder, Paul D. Ludington