Patents by Inventor Curtis Ray Droege
Curtis Ray Droege 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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Publication number: 20160239727Abstract: A wide area printer is capable of printing large images on non-typical surfaces such as pavement, grass, or soil. The printer is a wheeled device that is capable of multiple configurations including a plurality of drop nozzle arrays and a plurality of spray nozzle arrays. Each nozzle is independently addressable. Alternately, a group of nozzles may be addressed simultaneously. Each array of nozzles contains a carrier and a colorant. The colorant may be pre-mixed in the carrier, or may be mixed in-situ.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Tungsten IPInventors: Ronald Trissel, John R. Creasy, JR., David Charles Weatherly, Frank Edward Anderson, Agnes K. Zimmer, Curtis Ray Droege
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Publication number: 20140129581Abstract: A search method for improving a user's search intention is disclosed. The search method includes a user interface for receiving a search request, input terms connected by input operators, and means for a user to visually associate input terms with an order of query operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventor: Curtis Ray Droege
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Patent number: 8070264Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
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Patent number: 7784916Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
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Publication number: 20100201752Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
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Publication number: 20080319845Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide printing incentive methods and systems. In one embodiment, a method of providing advertising content to a customer can be provided. The method can include receiving information associated with a customer. In addition, the method can include receiving information associated with at least one advertiser. Furthermore, the method can include associating at least one keyword with the at least one advertiser. Moreover, the method can include comparing the at least one keyword to a portion of information associated with the customer. Further, the method can include outputting advertising content to the customer based at least in part on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Alan Adkins, Frank Edward Anderson, Robert Lee Cornell, Curtis Ray Droege, Timothy Lowell Strunk
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Patent number: 7393079Abstract: A printhead garage for receiving an ink jet printhead cartridge includes a chassis defining an opening for receiving the ink jet printhead cartridge when the ink jet printhead cartridge is not installed for use by the imaging apparatus for printing. A maintenance assembly is coupled to the chassis and configured to perform at least one printhead maintenance operation. In one embodiment, a printhead firing unit is coupled to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Adam Jude Ahne, Jeffery James Buchanan, Curtis Ray Droege, Sam Norasak
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Publication number: 20080079778Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
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Publication number: 20080079779Abstract: Methods for improving the thermal conductivity of a substrate for a micro-fluid ejection head and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided. One such head includes a substrate having a thermal conductivity ranging from about 1.4 W/m-° C. to about 148 W/m-° C., a fluid ejection actuator, and a thermal bus thermally adjacent to the substrate and configured to dissipate heat associated with the operation of the actuator. Exemplary modified substrates have improved thermal conductivity characteristics as compared to a corresponding substrate not modified to include the thermal bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Robert Lee Cornell, Robert Wilson Cornell, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Timothy Lowell Strunk, Melissa Marie Waldeck
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Patent number: 7267431Abstract: A multi-fluid body and an ejection head substrate connected in fluid flow communication with the multi-fluid body for ejecting multiple fluids therefrom. The multi-fluid body includes at least two segregated fluid chambers. Independent fluid supply paths lead from each of the fluid chambers providing fluid to multiple fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate. The ejection head substrate is attached adjacent an ejection head area of the body. The fluid flow paths in the ejection head substrate have a flow path density of greater than about one flow paths per millimeter.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, Jeffery James Buchanan, Curtis Ray Droege, David Emerson Greer, Kin Ming Kwan, Gregory Alan Long, Ganesh Vinayak Phatak, Paul Timothy Spivey, Carl Edmond Sullivan, Kent Lee Ubellacker, Melissa Marie Waldeck
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Patent number: 7111916Abstract: An apparatus for the management of the fluid level in a media coating system. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a supply item for the storage of a media coating fluid and an applicator having a trough for receiving the media coating fluid from the supply item. The apparatus utilizes a fluid level detection sensor that is located within the applicator to measure whether the media coating fluid level within the trough of the applicator is either above or below a threshold position and to generates an output signal. The apparatus has a controller for receiving the output signal and controlling delivery of the media coating fluid from the supply item to the applicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Michael Wesley Baskette, Gary Scott Overall, Steven Andrew Rice, Johnny Ray Sears, Curtis Ray Droege, Randall Steven Gall, Andrew Charles Hogan
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Patent number: 6832829Abstract: An ink jet aerosol control includes a carrier frame, a carrier, at least one airflow channel and a filter. The carrier is disposed and moveable within the frame and selectively creates a high-pressure zone and a low-pressure zone. The airflow channel joins the high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone. The filter is disposed in association with the airflow channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Curtis Ray Droege, Calvin Dale Murphy
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Publication number: 20040189743Abstract: An ink jet aerosol control includes a carrier frame, a carrier, at least one airflow channel and a filter. The carrier is disposed and moveable within the frame and selectively creates a high-pressure zone and a low-pressure zone. The airflow channel joins the high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone. The filter is disposed in association with the airflow channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Curtis Ray Droege, Calvin Dale Murphy
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Publication number: 20030160835Abstract: An apparatus for the management of the fluid level in a media coating system. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a supply item for the storage of a media coating fluid and an applicator having a trough for receiving the media coating fluid from the supply item. The apparatus utilizes a fluid level detection sensor that is located within the applicator to measure whether the media coating fluid level within the trough of the applicator is either above or below a threshold position and to generates an output signal. The apparatus has a controller for receiving the output signal and controlling delivery of the media coating fluid from the supply item to the applicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, Michael Wesley Baskette, Gary Scott Overall, Steven Andrew Rice, Johnny Ray Sears, Curtis Ray Droege, Randall Steven Gall, Andrew Charles Hogan
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Patent number: 6530643Abstract: An ink jet printer for printing on a print medium includes an ink jet cartridge assembly movable at a scan velocity in scan directions. The ink jet cartridge assembly includes a nozzle plate. A rotary wiper is positioned in association with the nozzle plate for contacting the nozzle plate. The rotary wiper is rotatable with a tangential velocity which is greater than the scan velocity.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Laura Garcia Baxter, Curtis Ray Droege
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Patent number: 6502926Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: William Paul Cook, Stephen Francis DeFosse, Curtis Ray Droege, Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate, Eric Spencer Hall
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Publication number: 20020101482Abstract: The invention provides a printhead for an ink jet printer and a method for making a printhead for an ink jet printer. The printhead includes a printhead body having a chip surface side, an ink surface side opposite the chip surface side and a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A semiconductor chip containing ink ejector devices is adhesively attached to the chip surface side of the printhead body. A stiffener is adhesively attached to the ink surface side to provide body stiffening during curing of the adhesive. The semiconductor chip has a second CTE and the stiffener has a third CTE wherein the second and third CTE's have a similar value. The invention provides an improved structure for printheads which resist warpage and/or breakage of the semiconductor chips during the manufacturing process used to make the printheads.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: William Paul Cook, Stephen Francis DeFosse, Curtis Ray Droege, Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate, Eric Spencer Hall
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Patent number: 6394503Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for securing tubing which includes a reservoir, preferably being a printer cartridge, having a rigid wall with interior and exterior surfaces, a rigid restraining member for a tube, and the restraining member further having a passage therethrough. In one embodiment, the invention includes at least one locking lever with top and bottom ends, the locking lever having at least one notch proximate to the top end and the bottom end is pivotably attached to the interior surface of the reservoir wall, and the restraining member is alternately attached to the top end of the locking lever. In another embodiment, the locking lever is rigidly attached to the interior surface of the reservoir and the restraining member is alternately attached to the reservoir. In a further embodiment, the restraining member is attached to interior of the reservoir wall by at least two locking arms.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Francis DeFosse, Curtis Ray Droege
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Patent number: 6375304Abstract: An ink mist controller for a maintenance station including spit louvers and a spit wheel which serve as accumulating surfaces. A flow of air directs ink mist through the louvers and around the spit wheel. Mist that is not attracted to a surface is carried to a manifold which filters, then exhausts, air to the environment, thereby preventing contamination of articles surrounding the printer. Color ink droplets are ejected onto the spit louvers. Low pressure is created between and below the louvers, which increases air and mist velocity over the entire spit zone. An unrestricted air curtain occurs on three sides of the color printhead to further control the location of mist deposit. Black ink is ejected onto the spit wheel which holds the mist deposit during evaporation. At defined intervals, the spit wheel rotates a fraction of a revolution. A scraper removes the non-volatile residue from the wheel during rotation. An air curtain is created on all four sides of the spit wheel to direct mist to this surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Charles Stanley Aldrich, Benjamin Alan Askren, John Edward Borsuk, Donn Duane Bryant, Curtis Ray Droege, Laura Leigh Garcia, Edward Lawrence Kiely, Robert Flynt Strean
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Patent number: 6357853Abstract: A process of, and apparatus for controlling waste ink from an ink jet printer printhead, transfers waste ink to an absorptive diaper, and at least intermittently forces air across the absorptive diaper to promote evaporation of certain volatile ink components from the transferred ink. Waste ink may be received and temporarily retained on a plurality of spaced apart inclined louvers located above the absorptive diaper, and air conveyed across and between the louvers to promote evaporation of certain volatile components from the received ink.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, John Edward Borsuk, Donn Duane Bryant, Curtis Ray Droege, Laura Leigh Garcia, Edward Lawrence Kiely, Robert Flynt Strean