Patents by Inventor Alan E. Rapkin
Alan E. Rapkin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8740131Abstract: Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8682224Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel; wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8660467Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8582988Abstract: In a multi-printer system with two marking engines, the jobs printed are monitored and the remaining lives of consumables in replaceable units (RUs) in the engines are estimated. A decision unit responsive to the estimated lives of the consumables determines that the first RU in the first marking engine should be moved to the second marking engine at a selected service time, so that a remaining amount of the consumable in the first RU is not discarded.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Walter B. Sherwood
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Patent number: 8478170Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a development station. A method comprises the steps of applying a first force at a first end of an auger and applying a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by a developer and a replenishment toner being moved by rotation of the auger; and, tensioning the auger along a length of the auger by urging the first end of the auger away from the second end and by urging the second end of the auger away from the first end.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Patent number: 8478169Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A drive transmission has a first output mechanically linked for movement with a first end of the auger and a second output mechanically linked for movement with a second end of the auger and distributes a force at an input end between a first force provided at the first output and at a second force provided at the second output to rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are each less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Publication number: 20130120494Abstract: A printing system includes one or more printing system components positioned opposite a moving print media. A wick assembly can be attached to a printing system component to wick condensation away from a surface of the printing system component that is opposite the moving print media. A heating element can be in contact with one or both of the wick assembly and a printing system component. A protective layer can be attached to the surface of a printing system component that is opposite the moving print media to prevent condensation from forming on the component. A vacuum assembly can be positioned opposite the moving print media to produce suction over the print media that pushes humid air or some condensation into the vacuum assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Thomas A. Henderson, James H. Hurst, John L. Hryhorenko, W. Charles Kasiske, JR., Alan E. Rapkin, Timothy J. Hawryschuk, Andrew Ciaschi
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Publication number: 20130078002Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Publication number: 20130078003Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller (11) across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel (19); wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Jerry E. Livadas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8401433Abstract: Methods for operating a development station are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of: applying a first force at a first end of an auger and a second force at a second end of the auger with the first force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the auger against a drag exerted by the developer and the replenishment toner. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative auger to rotate the alternative auger against the drag and wherein the auger has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Arun Chowdry, Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter
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Publication number: 20130051881Abstract: An apparatus for collecting electrophotographic waste includes a toning station containing fresh toner; an auger for transferring waste toner to the toning station; and a member or membrane for separating waste toner in the toner bottle from fresh toner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Alan E. Rapkin
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Publication number: 20130051861Abstract: A method of applying toner to a photoconductor in an electrophotographic printing apparatus includes feeding developer from a feed auger channel to a roller; transferring toner from the development roller to a photoconductor; removing depleted developer from the development roller to a return auger channel; refreshing the depleted developer with fresh toner; combining the refreshed developer with unused developer in the feed auger channel; transferring the combined refreshed developer to a mixing channel; transferring the mixed developer to the feed auger channel; and wherein an axis of the development roller is tilted with respect to an axis of the toning roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: Alan E. Rapkin
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Publication number: 20130051862Abstract: An apparatus for applying toner to a photoconductor in an electrophotographic printing apparatus includes a feed auger for feeding developer from a channel to a toning roller. The toning roller transfers toner to a photoconductor. Depleted developer is removed from the toning roller to a return auger channel where it is refreshed with fresh toner. The refreshed developer is combined with the unused developer in the feed auger channel. The combined refreshed developer is transferred to a mixing channel. The mixed developer is transferred to the feed auger channel. An axis of the feed auger is tilted with respect to an axis of the toning roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: Alan E. Rapkin
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Patent number: 8385785Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along part of the recirculation path. A first output is at a first end of the auger through which a first urging force urging the first end of the auger away from the second end can be applied and a second output at a second end of the auger through which a second urging force urging the second end away from the first end can be applied. At least one actuator generates an input force from which at least one of the first force and the second force can be provided; and a separator provides the first urging force and the second urging force to create a tension in the auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Eric C. Stelter, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
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Patent number: 8385784Abstract: Development stations are provided. A development station has a housing having a recirculation path and an auger being rotatable to move the developer along at least part of the recirculation path. A first actuator drives a first end of the auger and a second actuator drives a second end. A first sensor senses a rotational position of the first end while a second sensor senses a rotational position of the second end of the auger. An auger controller causes the actuators to act so that a first force and a second force rotate the auger against a drag. The first force and the second force are less than a third force to drive an alternative auger from a driven end. The auger has a first end yield strength and a second end yield strength that are less than a driven end yield strength of the alternative auger.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Rodney R. Bucks, Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter
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Publication number: 20120321354Abstract: A method for filling a developer station for an electrophotographic printer includes mixing or transporting developer in a sump with an auger; driving the auger with a motor; measuring a speed of the motor or a torque applied by the motor or power used by the motor; sending speed, torque, or power information to a filling mechanism for filling the sump with developer; and stopping or reducing the flow of developer into the sump when the speed, torque, or power reaches a predetermined setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai
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Publication number: 20120321353Abstract: A system for filling a developer station for an electrophotographic printer including a sump containing developer; an auger in the sump to transport the developer; a shaft on the auger to drive the auger; a motor to drive the shaft of the auger; a mechanism for measuring speed or torque of the motor; a feedback mechanism; a filling mechanism for filling the sump with developer; and wherein filling is stopped or reduced when the speed or the torque reaches a predetermined setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Alan E. Rapkin, Donald S. Rimai
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Patent number: 8301061Abstract: The adjustment method aligns printing engines in a print assembly that is capable of printing on a receiver to form one or more final prints and includes corrections for cross-track misregistration. These adjustments are made in one embodiment by aligning two or more printing engines in an x and y direction relative to a paper path cross track reference and then aligning each printing engines in a cross track direction (z direction) relative to the paper path cross track reference based on measurements in the cross track direction (z direction) relative to the paper path cross track reference.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Alan E. Rapkin, Michael T. Dobbertin
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Publication number: 20120195671Abstract: Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin
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Publication number: 20120193468Abstract: Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin