Patents by Inventor Eric J. Johnson

Eric J. Johnson 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).

  • Patent number: 6224186
    Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and optionally, an ink solvent application system. The application system has a reservoir body impregnated with an ink solvent, and a solvent distribution member including a unitary applicator wick having a ramped portion located to apply the ink solvent to the printhead when an edge of the printhead is brought into contact with the wick. A wick support spring is preloaded to supply a substantially consistent amount of ink solvent to the printhead, regardless of vertical spacing or tolerance variations therebetween. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Johnson, Todd R. Medin, Antoni Murcia
  • Patent number: 6155667
    Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and an ink solvent application system, all supported by a base. The snout wiper cleans ink residue from a non-ink-ejecting snout portion of an inkjet printhead cartridge installed in the printing mechanism. The snout wiper is supported by the base for movement between a rest position and a wiping position to wipe ink residue from the cartridge snout portion through motion of the cartridge while the base remains stationary at the wiping position. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with an inkjet printing mechanism employing such a snout wiping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: B Michael Eckard, Eric J. Johnson, Christopher Taylor, Antoni Murcia
  • Patent number: 6135585
    Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and optionally, an ink solvent application system. A service station pallet moves a replaceable base between rest and sealing positions, with the base defining a cam surface. A sled has a cam follower that rides along the cam surface, with the sled supporting a cap lip. An activation wall extends from the sled to engage the printhead and move the sled along the cam surface to the sealing position through linear motion of the pallet while the printhead remains stationary. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a capping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Johnson, Antoni Murcia, B. Michael Eckard
  • Patent number: 5886718
    Abstract: An off-axis ink delivery system for an ink-jet hard copy apparatus includes a multifunctional ink pump and flow switch device. A semipermanent, negative pressure, pen and printhead has a fluidic coupling to a static, refillable or replaceable, off-axis, ink reservoir via the ink pump and flow switch device.. The pen's mechanism for creating the negative pressure operational condition is used to pull ink from the reservoir when the ink pump and flow switch device is in an "open" position. Negative pressure reset, nozzle priming, pen air purging functions are also provided by the same ink pump and flow switch device. A system for each color ink is employed in the hard copy apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Johnson, Brian D. Gragg
  • Patent number: 5238975
    Abstract: A microwave radiation absorbing adhesive comprises dissipative particles bound in a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive The absorbing adhesive may be applied directly to the surface of any object, or to an irregularly shaped object, or into cracks or crevices in or between objects, including conventional absorbers. Several types of dissipative particles and adhesives may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Johnson, Charles E. Boyer, III, Edmond J. Nielson, Chris A. Minick
  • Patent number: 5189078
    Abstract: A microwave radiation absorbing adhesive comprises dissipative particles bound in a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive. The absorbing adhesive may be applied directly to the surface of any object, or to an irregularly shaped object, or into cracks or crevices in or between objects, including conventional absorbers. Several types of dissipative particles and adhesives may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Johnson, Charles E. Boyer, III, Edmond J. Nielsen, Chris A. Minick
  • Patent number: 5130342
    Abstract: A microporous particulate-filled thermoplastic polymeric article is provided. The article can be in the form of a film, a fiber, or a tube. The article has a thermoplastic polymeric structure having a plurality of interconnected passageways to provide a network of communicating pores. The microporous structure contains discrete submicron or low micron-sized particulate filler, the particulate filler being substantially non-agglomerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventors: Jerome W. McAllister, Kevin E. Kinzer, James S. Mrozinski, Eric J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4957943
    Abstract: A microporous particulate-filled thermoplastic polymeric article is provided. The article can be in the form of a film, a fiber, or a tube. The article has a thermoplastic polymeric structure having a plurality of interconnected passageways to provide a network of communicating pores. The microporous structure contains discrete submicron or low micron-sized particulate filler, the particulate filler being substantially non-agglomerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerome W. McAllister, Kevin E. Kinzer, James S. Mrozinski, Eric J. Johnson, James F. Dyrud