Patents by Inventor Gregory Lawrence Ream
Gregory Lawrence Ream 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: 8126342Abstract: A system for tailoring a transfer nip electric field includes a transfer roll, a backup roll forming a transfer nip with the transfer roll, and a pre-nip roll positioned upstream from the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer nip such that a toner image-supporting transfer belt moving past the pre-nip, transfer and backup rolls separately makes contact with, wraps partially around, and rotates each of the rolls as a media sheet is fed into the transfer nip after first passing through a gap defined between the pre-nip and transfer rolls such that by presetting the position, geometry and charge of the pre-nip roll relative to the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer belt an electrical field at the transfer nip can be tailored for enhanced toner transfer from the transfer belt to the media sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Fenley Gibson, Brandon Alden Kemp, Brad Edward Mattingly, Michael Todd Phillips, Peter Brown Pickett, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Christopher Michael Smith, Julie Ann Gordon Whitney
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Patent number: 8064787Abstract: A method for extending the operating life of a fuser used in an electrophotographic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A control algorithm monitors the number of substrates processed over the lifetime of the fuser and adjusts the fusing temperature of the fuser to compensate for changes occurring in the nip forming members of the fuser. The useful lifetime of the fuser is extended while fusing quality is maintained. A corresponding fuser assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Michael Blair, James Allen Lokovich, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Patent number: 8038591Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image forming device component that includes an elastomeric material having a surface and a triboelectric charging material that may be exposed on the elastomeric material surface. The triboelectric material may be exposed by a finishing process that results in removal of a portion of the material leaving voids in the surface. The surface may have a surface roughness in the range of about 0.1 to 5.0 Ra. The component may include a developer roller in an electrophotograhic printer and may provide contact electrification to a given toner during a printing operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Lee Barnes, Jenny Marie Berens, Bhaskar Gopalanarayanan, Jason Edward Gordon, David Starling MacMillan, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Ronald Lloyd Roe
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Patent number: 7965953Abstract: An image-forming device includes a media path extending through the image-forming device, and at least one image transfer nip positioned along the media path. An electrode is positioned subsequent to the nip with respect to the media path and is coupled to a voltage source. An electric field produced by the electrode and voltage source limits the degree of post-nip toner scattering by applying an electrostatic force to toner particles on media sheets passing along the media path. The image-forming device further includes a processor for monitoring a plurality of ambient conditions, for adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode, and optionally, for repositioning the electrode with respect to the media path.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Gordon Boyatt, III, Alexander Johannes Geyling, Brandon Alden Kemp, Niko Murrell, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Publication number: 20100316398Abstract: An image-forming device includes a media path extending through the image-forming device, and at least one image transfer nip positioned along the media path. An electrode is positioned subsequent to the nip with respect to the media path and is coupled to a voltage source. An electric field produced by the electrode and voltage source limits the degree of post-nip toner scattering by applying an electrostatic force to toner particles on media sheets passing along the media path. The image-forming device further includes a processor for monitoring a plurality of ambient conditions, for adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode, and optionally, for repositioning the electrode with respect to the media path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Richard Gordon Boyatt, III, Alexander Johannes Geyling, Brandon Alden Kemp, Niko Murrell, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Publication number: 20100142981Abstract: A system for tailoring a transfer nip electric field includes a transfer roll, a backup roll forming a transfer nip with the transfer roll, and a pre-nip roll positioned upstream from the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer nip such that a toner image-supporting transfer belt moving past the pre-nip, transfer and backup rolls separately makes contact with, wraps partially around, and rotates each of the rolls as a media sheet is fed into the transfer nip after first passing through a gap defined between the pre-nip and transfer rolls such that by presetting the position, geometry and charge of the pre-nip roll relative to the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer belt an electrical field at the transfer nip can be tailored for enhanced toner transfer from the transfer belt to the media sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Nicholas Fenley Gibson, Brandon Alden Kemp, Brad Edward Mattingly, Michael Todd Phillips, Peter Brown Pickett, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Christopher Michael Smith, Julie Ann Gordon Whitney
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Patent number: 7657198Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of controlling the transfer voltage in a transfer nip formed between the photoconductive member and the transfer member. The methods offset the effects of large transfer current spikes caused when a media sheet enters and exits the transfer nip. The control may include either ramping up or ramping down the transfer voltage. The ramped transfer voltage may include a series of alternating positive and negative steps that generally trend to ramp up or down. The size of the steps may further be adjusted to provide a smooth transition.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ryan David Brockman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Pramod K. Sharma
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Patent number: 7522863Abstract: In an image forming device where first and second components are disposed in rotating contact with one another, the first component is driven by a first motor and a second component is driven by a second motor through a gear train with some predetermined backlash. The first and second components can be controllably accelerated according to respective first and second velocity profiles. The second component may be accelerated at a rate faster than the first component by an amount sufficient to substantially eliminate backlash in the gear train by a time the first and second components reach a common process speed. The first and second profiles may be adapted such that the mathematical integral of the time area between curves defining the profiles substantially matches the backlash amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Anthony Reichert, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Publication number: 20090080925Abstract: A method for extending the operating life of a fuser used in an electrophotographic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A control algorithm monitors the number of substrates processed over the lifetime of the fuser and adjusts the fusing temperature of the fuser to compensate for changes occurring in the nip forming members of the fuser. The useful lifetime of the fuser is extended while fusing quality is maintained. A corresponding fuser assembly is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Bryan Michael Blair, James Allen Lokovich, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Patent number: 7505705Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly or method for use with an image forming device. The device may include an image transfer device capable of receiving an extraneous electrostatic charge from a source. A discharge path may then be configured to remove all or a portion of the extraneous electrostatic charge from the image transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Scott Overall, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Publication number: 20080240810Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image forming device component that includes an elastomeric material having a surface and a triboelectric charging material that may be exposed on the elastomeric material surface. The triboelectric material may be exposed by a finishing process that results in removal of a portion of the material leaving voids in the surface. The surface may have a surface roughness in the range of about 0.1 to 5.0 Ra. The component may include a developer roller in an electrophotograhic printer and may provide contact electrification to a given toner during a printing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Jonathan Lee Barnes, Jenny Marie Berens, Bhaskar Gopalanarayanan, Jason Edward Gordon, David Starling MacMillan, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Ronald Lloyd Roe
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Patent number: 7424253Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method that is capable of adjusting the position of a developing agent metering device. Developing agent may therefore be metered in an image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Willard Baker, Marc Cousoulis, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Publication number: 20080131156Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of controlling the transfer voltage in a transfer nip formed between the photoconductive member and the transfer member. The methods offset the effects of large transfer current spikes caused when a media sheet enters and exits the transfer nip. The control may include either ramping up or ramping down the transfer voltage. The ramped transfer voltage may include a series of alternating positive and negative steps that generally trend to ramp up or down. The size of the steps may further be adjusted to provide a smooth transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Ryan David Brockman, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Pramod K. Sharma
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Patent number: 7289757Abstract: An image transfer assembly in a color printer or the like includes four image forming units. Each of the image forming units includes a photoconductive unit and a transfer device. A voltage is applied to the transfer device thereby creating a voltage potential between the photoconductive unit and the transfer device to facilitate the transfer of toner to a media substrate, such as paper. The transfer devices in the first two image forming units share a single high voltage power supply while separate high voltage power supplies supply the necessary voltage to the transfer devices of the other two image forming units.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Mark Kevin DeMoor, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Patent number: 7272328Abstract: An image forming device and method of detecting the presence or absence of components of one or more image forming units. Each image forming unit includes a replaceable component. A power supply transmits an input signal to the replaceable component. A detection circuit is coupled to the replaceable component and generates an output signal indicative of the presence or absence of an electrical coupling that is established when the replaceable component is installed. The detection circuit thus senses the input signal propagating through the replaceable component. A controller may be adapted to halt image formation or generate an error indication if the detection circuit detects the absence of necessary components or the presence of components not necessary for a current mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lawrence Ream, Mark Kevin DeMoor
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Patent number: 7257358Abstract: A method of forming a registration pattern to enable detection of registration errors in an image forming device includes forming a first registration mark on a substrate at a first image forming station, and partially erasing the first registration mark formed on the substrate at a second image forming station to form the registration pattern. A method of automatically detecting the registration errors further comprises sensing the registration pattern, and detecting registration errors based on the registration pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gary Scott Overall, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Patent number: 7149449Abstract: A method of determining a relative speed between two separately driven members in an image forming apparatus, includes the steps of: transporting a print medium using a print media transport assembly including a first nip, the print media transport assembly operable at a first transport speed; driving a rotatable member associated with a second nip at a second transport speed which is independent from the first transport speed; printing a first image on the print medium when the print medium is in at least one of the first nip and the second nip; printing a second image on the print medium when the print medium is in each of the first nip and the second nip, the second image overlapping the first image; detecting a moiré pattern caused by the first image and the second image; and determining a speed relationship between the first transport speed and the second transport speed, dependent upon the detected moiré pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: John William Kietzman, Gregory Lawrence Ream
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Patent number: 7050734Abstract: A method of determining a relative speed between two separately driven members in an image forming apparatus, includes the steps of: transporting a print medium using a print media transport assembly including an exit nip, the print media transport assembly operable at a first transport speed; driving a rotatable member associated with an entrance nip using an electric motor at a second transport speed which is independent from the first transport speed; transferring the print medium from the exit nip to the entrance nip; detecting an electrical characteristic of the motor when the print medium is present in each of the exit nip and the entrance nip; and determining a relative speed between the first transport speed and the second transport speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: John William Kietzman, Calvin Dale Murphy, Gregory Lawrence Ream, Brian Anthony Reichert, Samuel Carter Sipper
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Patent number: 6989852Abstract: A method of correcting plane-to-plane registration in an electrophotographic machine having a plurality of color planes includes the steps of printing a calibration pattern using each of the color planes; measuring at least one misregistration between the color planes on the calibration pattern; adjusting at least one top margin by setting a first time delay before a first line; adjusting one of a right margin and a left margin by setting a second time delay; determining a longest line length of the calibration pattern; and adjusting an other of the right margin and the left margin to match the longest line length.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lawrence Ream, David Anthony Schneider, Earl Dawson Ward, II
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Patent number: 6989853Abstract: A method of correcting registration in an electrophotographic machine includes the steps of adjusting one of a right margin and a left margin by setting a time delay, determining a longest line length of a calibration pattern, and adjusting an other of the right margin and the left margin to match the longest line length.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lawrence Ream, David Anthony Schneider, Earl Dawson Ward, II