Patents by Inventor John C Fournier

John C Fournier 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: 6731885
    Abstract: A toner level detector assembly includes an electrically conductive container body that defines a container cavity and an orifice. A sensor assembly includes a holder and a probe. The holder is sealingly associated with the orifice. The probe is disposed within the holder. The holder electrically isolates the probe from the container body. The probe senses a level of material within the container cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: James D. Anthony, John C. Fournier, Kurt E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6670817
    Abstract: A container having an electrically conductive container body. The container body defines a container cavity. A sensor assembly is disposed within said container cavity. The sensor assembly is electrically isolated from the container body, and is configured for sensing a level of material within the container cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: John C. Fournier, James D. Anthony, Todd C. Beehler
  • Publication number: 20030016957
    Abstract: A toner level detector assembly includes an electrically conductive container body that defines a container cavity and an orifice. A sensor assembly includes a holder and a probe. The holder is sealingly associated with the orifice. The probe is disposed within the holder. The holder electrically isolates the probe from the container body. The probe senses a level of material within the container cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: James D. Anthony, John C. Fournier, Kurt E. Jones
  • Publication number: 20020186027
    Abstract: A container having an electrically conductive container body. The container body defines a container cavity. A sensor assembly is disposed within said container cavity. The sensor assembly is electrically isolated from the container body, and is configured for sensing a level of material within the container cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: John C. Fournier, James D. Anthony, Todd C. Beehler
  • Patent number: 6435024
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of particulate material in a particulate material collection vessel and a level indicator particulate material collection vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Victor L. Alvarez, John C. Fournier
  • Patent number: 6405016
    Abstract: A bottle for collecting untransferred developer material and debris cleaned from a dielectric member of a reproduction apparatus. The collection bottle is a container having an opening adapted to receive untransferred developer material and debris therethrough for storage within the container. The container is made of a conductive material. The conductive material is a carbon-doped plastic having a volume resistivity of less than 108 omhs cms with the carbon dopent being approximately 15-20% by weight. The container is coupled to electrical ground via an electrical tap, whereby static charge build-up is substantially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: John C Fournier, Gerald L Kelly, III, John F Crichton, Thomas J Benedetto
  • Patent number: 6153888
    Abstract: A control system for an optical sheet sensor device, including at least one light emitter and at least one light detector associated therewith for sensing a sheet in a sheet travel path for automatically controlling the sheet sensor device in order to provide an intensity of light from the light emitter to compensate for varying background reflectance and background-to-light emitter distance. The control provided for determining a light emitter current level corresponding to an operating condition where a sheet is known to be absent from the sheet travel path and where there is a close, reflective background to the light emitter. A light emitter current operating level corresponding to a reduced level with respect to the above determined current level is stored. A current startup error level at a preset amount off-set from the stored current level is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: John C. Fournier, John P. Marcelletti
  • Patent number: 5852761
    Abstract: A fuser for fixing a toner image to a receiver sheet includes a housing, a fusing roller mounted for rotation within the housing, and a rotatable wick for applying offset-preventing liquid to the fusing roller. The rotatable wick is adjustable between a first position in frictional contact with the fusing roller, wherein the rotatable wick is rotated by the fusing roller and applies an amount of offset-preventing liquid to the fusing roller, and a second position spaced from the fusing roller. An actuation structure selectively moves the rotatable wick between its first and second positions. A motor and a transmission interconnecting the motor and the rotatable wick, at least when the rotatable wick is in its second position, are provided to effect rotation of the rotatable wick to inhibit settlement of offset-preventing liquid in the rotatable wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Marcelletti, John C. Fournier, Jr., James A. Micket
  • Patent number: 5805292
    Abstract: A control system for an optical sheet sensor device, including at least one light emitter and at least one light detector associated therewith for sensing a sheet in a sheet travel path, having a control system for automatically adjusting the intensity of said light from said light emitter. The control system stores a light emitter current level corresponding to a known valid operating condition where, when a sheet is absent from the sheet travel path, light detected at a light detector beyond a threshold level. A current level at a preset amount off-set from said stored current level is determined. A current is applied to a light emitter, the applied current rising toward a level at which the threshold level for the light detector is reached. The instantaneous applied current level is compared with the determined current level, and an error signal is provided when the applied current level reaches the determined current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John C. Fournier, John Marcelletti, Edward P. Furlani, John A. Winterberger
  • Patent number: 5660385
    Abstract: An apparatus for diverting paper along at least two paper paths in photocopiers, the apparatus comprises a paper diverter for diverting paper from one path to another path. A magnet is attached to and moves the paper diverter which movement, in turn, permits the paper to be directed from one path to another paper path. Means for creating a magnetic field interacts with the magnet for permitting the magnet to move in response to the magnetic field for enabling the magnet to move the paper diverter for ultimately permitting paper re-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward P. Furlani, John C. Fournier