Patents by Inventor Anne F. Lairmore
Anne F. Lairmore 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: 8457513Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
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Patent number: 8452204Abstract: A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
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Patent number: 8406642Abstract: Apparatus for removing toner after a selected time interval from a longitudinal member in a dry electrophotographic printer for printing a visible image on a receiver. An end block is disposed at one end of a rotatable development member, and a longitudinal member is disposed adjacent to the development member or photoreceptor and is connected to the end block. A backup bar is disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor and can selectively make physical contact with at least one point on the end block. When a measured time interval of printer operation reaches the selected time interval, a controller causes the backup bar to apply a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the longitudinal member to be removed from the member.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
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Patent number: 8265505Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
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Publication number: 20110299865Abstract: A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
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Publication number: 20110299864Abstract: Apparatus for removing toner after a selected time interval from a longitudinal member in a dry electrophotographic printer for printing a visible image on a receiver. An end block is disposed at one end of a rotatable development member, and a longitudinal member is disposed adjacent to the development member or photoreceptor and is connected to the end block. A backup bar is disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor and can selectively make physical contact with at least one point on the end block. When a measured time interval of printer operation reaches the selected time interval, a controller causes the backup bar to apply a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the longitudinal member to be removed from the member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
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Publication number: 20110194867Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
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Publication number: 20110194868Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
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Patent number: 7343108Abstract: The invention is in the field of timing control of electrographic machines. The invention is particularly suited for changing from one frame mode to another. Printing processes and apparatus are provided wherein timing signals are generated, such as one periodic timing signal having a period corresponding to a first frame size, and another alternative periodic timing signal having a period corresponding to a second frame size that is different from the first period The printing process and apparatus creates indicium that are at variable distances and create alternate frame modes to improve productivity with receiver sheets of various sizes. A splice indicium indicating a location of a splice in the electrographic imaging member may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Anne F. Lairmore, James A. Zimmer, Jr.
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Patent number: 7054014Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
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Patent number: 6946225Abstract: A multi-active electrophotographic charge generation element comprises a conductive support, a charge generation layer (CGL) disposed on the conductive support, and a charge transport layer (CTL) disposed on the charge generation layer. The charge generation layer (CGL) includes a charge-generation material comprising an aggregated or crystalline form of a first dye or pigment and a first polymeric binder. The charge transport layer (CTL) comprises at least one charge-transport agent, a second dye or pigment having absorption in a selected spectral region that at least partially overlaps the absorption of a dissolved non-aggregated or non-crystalline form of the first dye or pigment, and a second polymeric binder. The second dye or pigment in the charge transport layer absorbs radiation in the selected spectral region that is incident on the charge transport layer, thereby shielding the charge generation layer from that radiation and mitigating visible radiation-induced photofatigue.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Albert V. Buettner, Dennis R. Fronheiser, Anne F. Lairmore, David S. Weiss, Jeffrey R. Murray, Marie B. O'Regan
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Publication number: 20040196479Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
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Publication number: 20030054270Abstract: A multi-active electrophotographic charge generation element comprises a conductive support, a charge generation layer (CGL) disposed on the conductive support, and a charge transport layer (CTL) disposed on the charge generation layer. The charge generation layer (CGL) includes a charge-generation material comprising an aggregated or crystalline form of a first dye or pigment and a first polymeric binder. The charge transport layer (CTL) comprises at least one charge-transport agent, a second dye or pigment having absorption in a selected spectral region that at least partially overlaps the absorption of a dissolved non-aggregated or non-crystalline form of the first dye or pigment, and a second polymeric binder. The second dye or pigment in the charge transport layer absorbs radiation in the selected spectral region that is incident on the charge transport layer, thereby shielding the charge generation layer from that radiation and mitigating visible radiation-induced photofatigue.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Albert V. Buettner, Dennis R. Fronheiser, Anne F. Lairmore, David S. Weiss, Jeffrey R. Murray, Marie B. O'Regan
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Patent number: 6360064Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method wherein a primary image forming member (PIFM) is moved along a closed path. The PIFM is sufficiently large to form a series of images thereon in the direction of movement of the PIFM during a production run. Plural series of toner images are formed on the PIFM during production runs. The toner images are transferred from the PIFM by engaging the PIFM with a transfer device. A cycle-down of the apparatus is provided to stop movement of the PIFM so that the PIFM is stopped to park the transfer device in a predetermined location on the PIFM preferably a seam area of the PIFM.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLCInventors: Matthias H. Regelsberger, Anne F. Lairmore, Alfred Gonnella, Jr.
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Patent number: 6295424Abstract: Electrostatographic recording method and apparatus that includes a primary image-forming member (PIFM) which moves along a closed path at high-speed. The PIFM may be in the form of an endless belt, which has a row of image frame synchronizing indicia. The indicia are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the PIFM. The indicia are not all uniformly spaced from one another so that an interframe area larger than other smaller interframe areas on the PIFM can exist. During a production run toner images are formed on the image frames by sensing the image frame synchronizing indicia. The larger interframe area is provided preferably at a splice or seam area to provide sufficient time for a change in a process element for which sufficient time is not available at a smaller interframe area.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Heidelberg Digital L.L.C.Inventors: Matthias H. Regelsberger, Anne F. Lairmore, James D. Anthony, Philip A. Stern
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Patent number: 5956544Abstract: An electrometer probe is used in an electrophotographic apparatus as part of a process control system to measure charge on a photoconductive film belt. This measurement is used to control voltage level or other process parameter of the electrophotographic process. The probe is supported in an electrometer probe holder so that a sensor aperture of the probe is at a fixed distance from the film belt. In order to ensure proper operation of the electrometer probe, a method and an apparatus for independently calibrating the electrometer probe is provided. A curved plate is provided on the electrometer probe holder. The plate is mounted at the same spacing from the probe aperture as the film belt. This plate has a receptacle for the service person's test lead to attach. The other end of the test lead is attached to a test point for the toning station bias supply. The probe may be reoriented on the probe holder to position the probe aperture at the fixed distance to the plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Philip A. Stern, Anne F. Lairmore, Allen J. Rushing
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Patent number: 5780192Abstract: A multiactive photoconductive element exhibiting reduced black spots in discharged area development systems. The element includes (A) a conductive layer, (B) an aggregate charge generation layer in direct physcial contact with the conductive layer and (C) a charge transport layer. The charge generation layer contains (i) a binder an adhesive polymer. The charge transport layer contains a binder according to formula II: ##STR1## wherein the Ar, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 and x are defined in the specification.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Marie B. O'Regan, Anne F. Lairmore, Jeffrey R. Murray, Louis J. Sorriero, Albert V. Buettner, David S. Weiss
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Patent number: 5600407Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus creates two toner images on a single portion of an image member. The first toner image formed has multiple density levels. It is recharged before creating the second toner image. An aspect of the potential associated with the toner in the first toner image after the recharge step is monitored and used to control the process, for example, by setting a development bias on a development station used to tone the second toner image or by controlling the recharging step.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: W. Charles Kasiske, Anne F. Lairmore