Patents by Inventor Michael Craig Leemhuis
Michael Craig Leemhuis 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: 10921730Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 10684577Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Christopher Michael Bennett, Matthew David Heid, Gina Marie Johns, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Christopher David Strack
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Publication number: 20200174403Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Christopher Michael BENNETT, Matthew David HEID, Gina Marie JOHNS, Michael Craig LEEMHUIS, Christopher David STRACK
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Publication number: 20200174404Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL BENNETT, MATTHEW DAVID HEID, GINA MARIE JOHNS, MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, CHRISTOPHER DAVID STRACK
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Publication number: 20200166869Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
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Patent number: 10591846Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Publication number: 20200026221Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. An extension from the rotatable shaft is rotatable with the rotatable shaft around the axis of rotation. The extension is pivotable independent of the rotatable shaft about a pivot axis that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation. A magnet is positioned at the pivot axis of the extension and is pivotable with the extension such that an orientation of the magnet varies relative to the pivot axis as the extension pivots about the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, GARY ALLEN DENTON
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Patent number: 10474060Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of toner in a reservoir of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes rotating a shaft positioned in the reservoir. By rotating the shaft, a first magnet and a second magnet having a variable angular offset between them are rotated around an axis of rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are continually sensed at a point in their rotational paths. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet is continually determined from the sensing. An estimate of the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir is continually updated based on a predetermined correlation between the determined amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet and the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Michael Craig Leemhuis
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Patent number: 10451998Abstract: A toner level detection assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a magnet connected to a rotatable shaft and rotatable with the shaft around an axis of rotation of the shaft. The magnet is pivotable independent of the shaft about a pivot axis that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation. A magnetic sensor is positioned to sense a magnetic field of the magnet at a point in a rotational path of the magnet and is configured to measure an orientation of the magnetic field of the magnet at the point in the rotational path of the magnet. Processing circuitry in communication with the magnetic sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in a toner reservoir correlating with the measured orientation of the magnetic field of the magnet at the point in the rotational path of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Gary Allen Denton
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Patent number: 10451997Abstract: A toner level detection assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a magnet connected to a rotatable shaft and rotatable with the shaft around an axis of rotation of the shaft. The magnet is pivotable independent of the shaft about a pivot axis that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation. A magnetic sensor is positioned to sense a magnetic field of the magnet at a point in a rotational path of the magnet and is configured to measure an orientation of the magnetic field of the magnet at the point in the rotational path of the magnet. Processing circuitry in communication with the magnetic sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in a toner reservoir correlating with the measured orientation of the magnetic field of the magnet at the point in the rotational path of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Gary Allen Denton
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Patent number: 10429765Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet is rotatable with the shaft around the axis of rotation. An arm connected to the shaft leads the first magnet around the axis of rotation in an operative rotational direction of the shaft. A second magnet connected to the shaft trails the first magnet around the axis of rotation in the operative rotational direction. The arm is operatively connected to the second magnet such that an angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet increases as an angular offset between the first magnet and the arm increases and the angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet decreases as the angular offset between the first magnet and the arm decreases.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Michael Craig Leemhuis
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Patent number: 10345736Abstract: A toner level detection assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a rotatable shaft is positioned within a toner reservoir. A magnet is connected to the shaft and is rotatable with the shaft around an axis of rotation of the shaft. The magnet is pivotable independent of the shaft about a pivot axis that is spaced radially from the axis of rotation such that a radial distance of the magnet from the axis of rotation varies as the magnet pivots about the pivot axis. A first magnetic sensor is positioned to sense the magnet within a first range of radial distances from the axis of rotation. A second magnetic sensor is positioned to sense the magnet within a second range of radial distances from the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Michael Craig Leemhuis
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Patent number: 10289024Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of toner remaining in a reservoir of a replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes receiving by processing circuitry pulses from a magnetic sensor. Each pulse is indicative that the magnetic sensor detected a magnet on a moving paddle positioned in the reservoir. The processing circuitry counts the number of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor. Upon receiving a request from a controller of the image forming device, the processing circuitry sends to the controller of the image forming device the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor and resets the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Allen Abler, Charles Alan Bast, Todd Alan Dutton, David Anthony Schneider
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Patent number: 10228636Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner and a drive shaft positioned in the reservoir. The drive shaft is rotatable about a rotational axis in an operative rotational direction. A toner agitator extends from the drive shaft in the reservoir. The toner agitator is rotatable around the rotational axis of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates. The toner agitator folds relative to the drive shaft counter to the operative rotational direction if resistance to rotation of the toner agitator provided by toner in the reservoir exceeds a threshold amount. The toner agitator is biased relative to the drive shaft in the operative rotational direction. A radial length of the toner agitator decreases when the toner agitator folds relative to the drive shaft counter to the operative rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Michael Craig Leemhuis
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Patent number: 10108142Abstract: A replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable drive coupler and a rotatable shaft that has a cross pin on an axial end of the shaft, generally orthogonal to the shaft. At least a portion of the drive coupler is exposed on an exterior of the housing and unobstructed to receive rotational force when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A pocket is formed in a first axial side of the drive coupler. The axial end of the shaft and the cross pin are removably positioned in the pocket such that upon rotating the drive coupler in an operative direction rotational force is transferred from surfaces of the drive coupler forming the pocket to the cross pin causing the shaft to rotate with the drive coupler.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Harald Portig
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Publication number: 20180246439Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
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Publication number: 20180231921Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner and a drive shaft positioned in the reservoir. The drive shaft is rotatable about a rotational axis in an operative rotational direction. A toner agitator extends from the drive shaft in the reservoir. The toner agitator is rotatable around the rotational axis of the drive shaft as the drive shaft rotates. The toner agitator folds relative to the drive shaft counter to the operative rotational direction if resistance to rotation of the toner agitator provided by toner in the reservoir exceeds a threshold amount. The toner agitator is biased relative to the drive shaft in the operative rotational direction. A radial length of the toner agitator decreases when the toner agitator folds relative to the drive shaft counter to the operative rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventor: MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS
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Patent number: 10042319Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device includes a replaceable unit having a body with a toner reservoir. A drive element on a rear end of the body is unobstructed to mesh with a corresponding drive element in the image forming device. A toner outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body near the rear end of the body. A latch catch is positioned on a first side of the body to receive a corresponding latch when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A latch actuator at the front end of the body is movable between a home position and a releasing position. A release handle at the front end of the body is operatively connected to the latch actuator such that actuation of the release handle causes the latch actuator to move from the home position to the releasing position to unlatch the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Thomas Eugene Pangburn
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Patent number: 9983506Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Publication number: 20180143563Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of toner remaining in a reservoir of a replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes receiving by processing circuitry pulses from a magnetic sensor. Each pulse is indicative that the magnetic sensor detected a magnet on a moving paddle positioned in the reservoir. The processing circuitry counts the number of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor. Upon receiving a request from a controller of the image forming device, the processing circuitry sends to the controller of the image forming device the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor and resets the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, JEFFREY ALLEN ABLER, CHARLES ALAN BAST, TODD ALAN DUTTON