Patents by Inventor Richard J. Lugen

Richard J. Lugen 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).

  • Method and system for ink jet printing images to complex contoured surfaces of ceramic and glass items such as dishware
    Patent number: 9758684
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Michael J. Sullivan, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INK JET PRINTING IMAGES TO COMPLEX CONTOURED SURFACES OF CERAMIC AND GLASS ITEMS SUCH AS DISHWARE
    Publication number: 20160068698
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Michael J. Sullivan, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk
  • Method and system for ink jet printing images to complex contoured surfaces of ceramic and glass items such as dishware
    Patent number: 9217090
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Michael J. Sullivan, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk
  • Method and System for Ink Jet Printing Images to Complex Contoured Surfaces of Ceramic and Glass Items Such as Dishware
    Publication number: 20130224445
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, to the surface of the dishware from an ink composite by using a silicone transfer substrate. The ink composite is dispensed by an inkjet head. Methods and systems for producing ink composites and dishware using ink composites are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Michael J. Sullivan, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk
  • Method and system for printing electrostatically or electrographically generated images to contoured surfaces of ceramic and glass items such as dishware
    Patent number: 7887904
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item having a contoured surface with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred to the contoured surface from a layered ink composite. The layered ink composite is created by depositing a first layer of thermoplastic ink onto a silicone substrate. A ceramic toner configured as an image is electrographically deposited onto the first layer of thermoplastic ink. A second layer of thermoplastic ink is then deposited onto the ceramic toner. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, from the layered ink composite to the contoured surface of the dishware item by moving the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface into contact. The dishware item is then fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRINTING ELECTROSTATICALLY OR ELECTROGRAPHICALLY GENERATED IMAGES TO CONTOURED SURFACES OF CERAMIC AND GLASS ITEMS SUCH AS DISHWARE
    Publication number: 20080220188
    Abstract: A glass or ceramic dishware item having a contoured surface with an image disposed thereon is provided. The image is transferred to the contoured surface from a layered ink composite. The layered ink composite is created by depositing a first layer of thermoplastic ink onto a silicone substrate. A ceramic toner configured as an image is electrographically deposited onto the first layer of thermoplastic ink. A second layer of thermoplastic ink is then deposited onto the ceramic toner. The image is transferred, at ambient temperature, from the layered ink composite to the contoured surface of the dishware item by moving the second layer of thermoplastic ink and the contoured surface into contact. The dishware item is then fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: John Donohoe, Richard J. Lugen, Kenneth A. Kirk