Patents by Inventor Michael T. Leckinger

Michael T. Leckinger 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).

  • Active sheet-edge airflow control for vacuum conveyors
    Patent number: 11932008
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly including a platen including one or more holes arranged in rows in a cross process direction, and a belt displaceable with respect to the platen in a process direction, the valve assembly including a flexible plate, including a first end, a second end, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, and a first actuator connected to the second end and operatively arranged to displace the flexible plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, Michael T. Leckinger
  • ACTIVE SHEET-EDGE AIRFLOW CONTROL FOR VACUUM CONVEYORS
    Publication number: 20230280734
    Abstract: A method of controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly including a platen including one or more holes arranged in rows in a cross process direction, and a belt displaceable with respect to the platen in a process direction, the method including enabling airflow through the one or more holes, receiving information related to one or more sheets of a print job, based on the information, disabling airflow through the one or more holes at an inboard edge of the one or more sheets, based on the information, disabling airflow through the one or more holes at a lead edge of the one or more sheets, and based on the information, disabling airflow through the one or more holes at a trail edge of the one or more sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, Michael T. Leckinger
  • ACTIVE SHEET-EDGE AIRFLOW CONTROL FOR VACUUM CONVEYORS
    Publication number: 20230278351
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly including a platen including one or more holes arranged in rows in a cross process direction, and a belt displaceable with respect to the platen in a process direction, the valve assembly including a flexible plate, including a first end, a second end, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, and a first actuator connected to the second end and operatively arranged to displace the flexible plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, Michael T. Leckinger
  • ACTIVE SHEET-EDGE AIRFLOW CONTROL FOR VACUUM CONVEYORS WITH MAGNET ASSIST
    Publication number: 20230278352
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling airflow along sheet edges on a vacuum transport assembly, the valve assembly including a flexible plate, including a first end, a second end, a first top surface, and a first bottom surface, and a first actuator connected to the second end and operatively arranged to displace the flexible plate. Added is at least one magnet member designed to assist in controlling the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, Michael T. Leckinger