Patents by Inventor Gary Allen Denton

Gary Allen Denton 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: 8145083
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating toner measurement in an image forming device. A toner patch is deposited onto a control surface, the toner patch reflecting light in a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. A toner patch sensor emits light at the plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum onto the toner patch. The amount of incident light reflected from the toner patch at the plurality of wavelengths from the emitted light is measured, and used to generate measured signals indicative of the reflectivity of the toner patch. An operating parameter of the image forming device is adjusted based upon the measured signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Munn Carter, Jr., Gary Allen Denton, John William Kietzman
  • Patent number: 8133647
    Abstract: A toner formulation is disclosed comprising a binder, an IR absorbing colorant, and one or more infrared transmissive colorants, wherein the colorants are configured to provide a low reflectivity in the visible region of the spectrum and an intermediate reflectivity in the near infrared region of the spectrum when the toner is printed and fused onto paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Cary Patterson Ravitz
  • Patent number: 7995939
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating an image forming device using a toner patch sensor which emits and detects light in at a given wavelength. A plurality of toner patches may be deposited onto a control surface, wherein the toner patches include a first toner patch including a first toner, a second toner patch including the first toner deposited over a second toner, and a third toner patch including the second toner. Signals indicative of the reflectivity of the plurality of toner patches and the control surface may be measured by emitting light of a given wavelength in the infrared spectrum and detecting the amount of incident light reflected from said plurality of toner patches and said control surface. The signals indicative of reflectivity may then be used to adjust operating parameters of the image forming device which may then control toner mass density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Mann Carter, Jr., Gary Allen Denton, Cary P. Ravitz
  • Patent number: 7894732
    Abstract: A toner patch including a toner having a given excitation wavelength and a given emission wavelength may be deposited onto a control surface. Light may be provided onto the toner patch and at least a portion of emitted light may be detected from the toner patch at the given emission wavelength by a detector. Furthermore, an operating parameter may be adjusted based on the detected emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Kurt Matthew Korfhage, Wilson M. Routt, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100233606
    Abstract: A black toner formulation includes at least one non-black colorant selected from the group consisting of dyes, pigments, and combinations thereof. The black toner formulation has a total pigment loading of about 2 percent to less than or equal to about 9.5 percent by weight of total weight of the black toner formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Gary Allen Denton
  • Publication number: 20100150589
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating toner measurement in an image forming device. A toner patch is deposited onto a control surface, the toner patch reflecting light in a plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. A toner patch sensor emits light at the plurality of wavelengths in the infrared spectrum onto the toner patch. The amount of incident light reflected from the toner patch at the plurality of wavelengths from the emitted light is measured, and used to generate measured signals indicative of the reflectivity of the toner patch. An operating parameter of the image forming device is adjusted based upon the measured signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Albert Munn Carter,, JR., Gary Allen Denton, John William Kietzman
  • Patent number: 7702267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device or method which may reduce starvation in the transfer of an image forming substance to a developing location within an image forming apparatus. The device may include a first roller having a surface which is capable of supplying an image forming substance to a developing location. A second roller may then be included having a surface in rotating contact with the first roller. The second roller is capable of supplying image forming substance to the first roller. The second roller may comprise foam having a specified porosity, electrical conductivity, and/or be configured to rotate in a desired direction and/or desired speed relative to the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Stirling Campbell, Scott Richard Castle, Gary Allen Denton, Jarrett Clark Gayne, Jason Edward Gordon, Royden Thomas Kern, Julie Ann Gordon Whitney
  • Publication number: 20100074656
    Abstract: A seamless conductive toner supply brush may comprise conductive fibers flocked onto a metal shaft or rigid conductive core. The shaft/core may be coated with a conductive adhesive and then flocked with fibers about 2-5 mm in length. The brush may be useful as a toner supply brush for supplying toner to a developer member in electrophotographic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Gary Allen Denton
  • Publication number: 20090280425
    Abstract: Black toner formulations for electrophotography. The black toner formulations include an optimum concentration of one or more black colorants. Further, the black toner formulation includes either a polymeric dispersant, a binder, a wax, or combinations thereof. The one or more black colorants exhibit a low absorption in near infrared spectrum ranging from a wavelength of about 700 nanometers (nm) to a wavelength of about 1100 nm. Moreover, the black toner formulations exhibit a bulk toner powder reflectivity of greater than about 8 percent and less than about 60 percent, at a wavelength of about 940 nm, for toner particles having sizes ranging from about 5.5 to about 10 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, John Joseph Kraseski, Jing X. Sun
  • Publication number: 20090220260
    Abstract: A toner patch including a toner having a given excitation wavelength and a given emission wavelength may be deposited onto a control surface. Light may be provided onto the toner patch and at least a portion of emitted light may be detected from the toner patch at the given emission wavelength by a detector. Furthermore, an operating parameter may be adjusted based on the detected emitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Kurt Matthew Korfhage, Wilson M. Routt, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090098476
    Abstract: A toner formulation is disclosed comprising a binder, an IR absorbing colorant, and one or more infrared transmissive colorants, wherein the colorants are configured to provide a low reflectivity in the visible region of the spectrum and an intermediate reflectivity in the near infrared region of the spectrum when the toner is printed and fused onto paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Cary Patterson Ravitz
  • Publication number: 20090098477
    Abstract: A toner formulation is disclosed comprising a binder and an IR absorbing black pigment at a concentration of 0.25-2.0% by weight, including one or more infrared transmissive pigments, wherein the infrared transmissive pigments are configured to provide a black color. Such toner formulation may provide a response to a toner patch sensor to indicate a mass per unit area of 0.1-1.5 mg/cm2 or a reflectance relative to a substrate to define a reflectance ratio that varies relative to L* values for the toner over the range L*=0-50 or a bulk reflectivity of greater than 6.0% for a portion of the wavelength range of 850-2000 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Albert Mann Carter, JR., Gary Allen Denton, Joseph Edward Johnson, John Melvin Olson, Trent Peter, Cary Patterson Ravitz, Tao Yu
  • Publication number: 20090080920
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and apparatus for calibrating an image forming device using a toner patch sensor which emits and detects light in at a given wavelength. A plurality of toner patches may be deposited onto a control surface, wherein the toner patches include a first toner patch including a first toner, a second toner patch including the first toner deposited over a second toner, and a third toner patch including the second toner. Signals indicative of the reflectivity of the plurality of toner patches and the control surface may be measured by emitting light of a given wavelength in the infrared spectrum and detecting the amount of incident light reflected from said plurality of toner patches and said control surface. The signals indicative of reflectivity may then be used to adjust operating parameters of the image forming device which may then control toner mass density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Albert Mann Carter, JR., Gary Allen Denton, Cary P. Ravitz
  • Publication number: 20080280125
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conductive component that may be used in an image forming device. The component includes a compressible material such as open cell foam having external and internal surfaces and a conductive material disposed thereon to a selected thickness. The conductive material includes copper sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, James Joseph Semler
  • Publication number: 20080089715
    Abstract: A component for an image forming apparatus may include a seamless knit fabric which may be applied to a shaft. Both the fabric and the shaft may be electrically conductive. The fabric and the shaft may be separated by foam. The component may be employed in an image forming apparatus or in an image forming device cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Allen Denton
  • Publication number: 20080008504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device or method which may reduce starvation in the transfer of an image forming substance to a developing location within an image forming apparatus. The device may include a first roller having a surface which is capable of supplying an image forming substance to a developing location. A second roller may then be included having a surface in rotating contact with the first roller. The second roller is capable of supplying image forming substance to the first roller. The second roller may comprise foam having a specified porosity, electrical conductivity, and/or be configured to rotate in a desired direction and/or desired speed relative to the first roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Stirling Campbell, Scott Richard Castle, Gary Allen Denton, Jarrett Clark Gayne, Jason Edward Gordon, Royden Thomas Kern, Julie Ann Gordon Whitney
  • Patent number: 7006250
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an electrophotographic machine having an image-bearing surface includes estimating a reflectivity of the image-bearing surface based upon an amount of usage of the electrophotographic machine. At least one electrophotographic condition is adjusted dependent upon the estimating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Stanley Coy Tungate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6628426
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an electrophotographic machine having an image bearing surface includes depositing a toner patch on the image-bearing surface. The toner patch has a nominal coverage that varies substantially continuously from end to end. Light is emitted onto a selected one of the areas of the toner patch. An amount of light that is reflected off of the selected one area of the toner patch is measured. The emitting and measuring steps are repeated for each of a plurality of different areas of the toner patch. At least one electrophotographic condition is adjusted. The adjusting is dependent upon the measuring steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Cary Patterson Ravitz
  • Patent number: 6628398
    Abstract: A toner patch sensor arrangement in an electrophotographic machine includes a substantially hollow chamber having a reflective interior surface, a first opening exposing a toner patch, a second opening and a third opening. A light emitting element emits light onto the toner patch through the first opening and the second opening. A light detecting element receives through the third opening light reflected off of the toner patch such that the reflected light is received only after the light has also reflected off the interior surface of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Allen Denton, Wilson Morgan Routt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6560418
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a multi-color electrophotographic machine having an image bearing surface includes forming toner patches of cyan, magenta, and yellow solid areas individually and in superimposed combination to form a series of single layer and multi-layer test patches. Light is emitted onto these single and multi-layer test patches. The amount of light that is reflected off of each test patch is measured. Light is also emitted onto a bare section of the image-bearing surface. The bare section has substantially no toner thereon. An amount of light that is reflected off of the bare section is measured. The step of measuring an amount of light reflected off single layer solid area test patches is repeated for a series of laser power and developer bias conditions. A laser power and/or a developer bias is adjusted dependent upon each of the three measuring steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Stirling Campbell, Gary Allen Denton, Stanley Coy Tungate, Jr.