Patents by Inventor Robert Watson McAlpine

Robert Watson McAlpine 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: 11156941
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine, Katrina Rosit Lactuan
  • Publication number: 20210072667
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL NUESTRO BAYUBAY, SALVADOR CAPURIHAN BONANCIAR, BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, DONATO AUSTRIA MARMOL, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN
  • Patent number: 10921730
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10921746
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10884357
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine, Katrina Rosit Lactuan
  • Publication number: 20200310341
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
  • Publication number: 20200278623
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: MICHAEL NUESTRO BAYUBAY, SALVADOR CAPURIHAN BONANCIAR, BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, DONATO AUSTRIA MARMOL, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN
  • Patent number: 10719050
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20200166869
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
  • Patent number: 10656559
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine, Katrina Rosit Lactuan
  • Publication number: 20200089156
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
  • Patent number: 10591846
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10579003
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoconductive drum charged by a charge roll and opposed by a transfer roll to transfer an image from the drum. The drum becomes biased to a negative voltage by setting charges of negative voltage on both the charge roll and transfer roll. A controller switches the bias of the transfer roll to a positive voltage from the negative voltage and a delta or difference in a charge of the drum is determined from before and after the switching. Based on the delta, the voltage on the charge roll is boosted by a boost voltage to improve the charge on the drum. In this way, deteriorating or defective charge rolls can be still used to charge the drum to a proper voltage for imaging. Techniques for determining the delta, the boost and the magnitude of voltage charges are further embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brian Bacelieri, Douglas Anthony Able, Andrew Pryse Dale, Jared Kuohui Lin, Robert Watson McAlpine, Matthew Russell Smither
  • Patent number: 10488780
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoconductive drum charged by a charge roll and opposed by a transfer roll to transfer an image from the drum. The drum becomes biased to a negative voltage by setting charges of negative voltage on both the charge roll and transfer roll. A controller switches the bias of the transfer roll to a positive voltage from the negative voltage and a delta or difference in a charge of the drum is determined from before and after the switching. Based on the delta, the voltage on the charge roll is boosted by a boost voltage to improve the charge on the drum. In this way, deteriorating or defective charge rolls can be still used to charge the drum to a proper voltage for imaging. Techniques for determining the delta, the boost and the magnitude of voltage charges are further embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brian Bacelieri, Douglas Anthony Able, Andrew Pryse Dale, Jared Kuohui Lin, Robert Watson McAlpine, Matthew Russell Smither
  • Patent number: 10488811
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20190243301
    Abstract: 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
  • Patent number: 10303111
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable unit including 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 pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20190121260
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: MICHAEL NUESTRO BAYUBAY, SALVADOR CAPURIHAN BONANCIAR, BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, DONATO AUSTRIA MARMOL, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN
  • Patent number: D841730
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Daniel Anderson, Jr., Masahito Cho, Jason Paul Hale, Kyle Bradley Martin, Robert Watson McAlpine, Jeremy Keith Payne, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: D854078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Daniel Anderson, Jr., Brian Scott Carpenter, Masahito Cho, Jason Paul Hale, Kyle Bradley Martin, Robert Watson McAlpine, Jeremy Keith Payne, Thomas Eugene Pangburn, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edward Lynn Triplett