Patents by Inventor Tom E Stickler
Tom E Stickler 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: 7330680Abstract: A photoconductive drum may be located and supported in an image forming apparatus via bushings at each end of a drum axle. The bushings may be produced from a single die cavity and may include orientation features which may be employed to key the bushings with a housing, such as a toner cartridge cleaner housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Donn Duane Bryant, Tom E Stickler
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Patent number: 7280776Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a drive control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a frequency control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. An extension may be employed whereby movement of the toner distributing member creates interference between the toner distributing member and the container when the toner distributing member reaches a predetermined position. The interference may be detectable from the drive control circuit as an indication of a full condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: William Paul Cook, Derek Masami Inouye, Tom E. Stickler
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Patent number: 7263325Abstract: A helical auger member for transporting toner in an image forming apparatus. The auger member may be implemented as part of a waste toner removal system for removing toner from a photoconductive member of a toner cartridge. Toner that is removed by a cleaner member is transported through a cleaner housing with a helical member, such as a coil wire, having a pitch to outer diameter ratio from about 1.5 to 2.5.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Claudia A. Marin, John W. Kietzman, Tom E. Stickler, Michael L. Pawley
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Patent number: 7149467Abstract: A waste toner removal system for an image forming device. The invention includes a mechanism for removing the waste toner from the cartridge and transporting it through a toner chute to a waste toner tank. One or more actuators within the device allow for the connection between the various elements to seal the waste toner path and prevent toner leakage. Methods of moving waste toner are also disclosed that include moving the waste toner through the cartridge and into a waste toner chute. The waste toner is moved through the chute and into a waste toner tank where it may be removed from the device.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Lenmark International, Inc.Inventors: Tom E Stickler, Larry Steven Foster, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Benjamin Alan Askren
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Patent number: 7085507Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a motor-driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a motor control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a speed control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. Whether or not the motor is speed controlled, the apparatus may use a shared motor that drives one or more image forming process members and the toner distributing member. A drive arrangement may be used to selectively drive the toner distributing member based on motor direction to avoid interfering with image forming operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: William Paul Cook, Tom E Stickler, Larry Steven Foster, David Erwin Rennick
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Patent number: 6775498Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may include a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of an electrically conductive material such that a charge introduced to the bracket is delivered to the charge roller.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Palumbo, Tom E Stickler, David Clay Blaine, David Francis Carter, Matthew Lee Rogers
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Patent number: 6741829Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may include a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of an electrically conductive material such that a charge introduced to the bracket is delivered to the charge roller.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Tom E Stickler, David Clay Blaine, David Francis Carter, Frank J. Palumbo, Matthew Lee Rogers
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Publication number: 20030210927Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may comprise a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of an electrically conductive material such that a charge introduced to the bracket is delivered to the charge roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Tom E. Stickler, David Clay Blaine, David Francis Carter, Frank J. Palumbo, Matthew Lee Rogers
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Publication number: 20030086725Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may comprise a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of an electrically conductive material such that a charge introduced to the bracket is delivered to the charge roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Frank J. Palumbo, Tom E. Stickler
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Patent number: 6553195Abstract: An end seal for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an array of ridges (or grooves) to urge toner inwardly so as to help prevent toner escape. The end seal works in conjunction with a cleaning blade. The end seal includes a blade pocket for mating with the end portions of the cleaning blade and a middle portion having an array of ridges thereon. The ridges are angled inward to urge any toner trapped therebetween inward away from the end seals, where the toner can be directed to a waste reservoir in a normal fashion. This “snowplowing” action of the ridges helps prevent outward migration of toner, thereby minimizing toner escape. The end seal may be composed of two or more layers of differing materials. There may be an end seal at each end of the cleaner blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Inventors: Kurt Matthew Korfhage, Michael David Maul, Alexander Douglas Meade, Tom E Stickler, Liqun Larry Wang
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Publication number: 20030059227Abstract: An end seal for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an array of ridges (or grooves) to urge toner inwardly so as to help prevent toner escape. The end seal works in conjunction with a cleaning blade. The end seal includes a blade pocket for mating with the end portions of the cleaning blade and a middle portion having an array of ridges thereon. The ridges are angled inward to urge any toner trapped therebetween inward away from the end seals, where the toner can be directed to a waste reservoir in a normal fashion. This “snowplowing” action of the ridges helps prevent outward migration of toner, thereby minimizing toner escape. The end seal may be composed of two or more layers of differing materials. There may be an end seal at each end of the cleaner blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Kurt Matthew Korfhage, Michael David Maul, Alexander Douglas Meade, Tom E. Stickler, Liqun Larry Wang
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Patent number: 6522851Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may include a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of a molded thermoplastic polymer.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Tom E. Stickler
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Patent number: 6487383Abstract: An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal has a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, Jarrett Clark Gayne, Jason Paul Hale, Benjamin Keith Newman, Tom E Stickler
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Publication number: 20020150402Abstract: An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal comprises a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, Jarrett Clark Gayne, Jason Paul Hale, Benjamin Keith Newman, Tom E Stickler
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Publication number: 20020114644Abstract: A bracket to mount a charge roller and a blade against a photoconductive drum within an image forming apparatus. Bracket may comprise a pair of guides that extend outward to receive the ends of the charge roller. A biasing device may be positioned to bias the charge roller against the photoconductive drum. The guides may include an opening sized to allow the charge roller to move and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum. A mounting surface may be positioned on the bracket for receiving adhesive to mount the blade. In one embodiment, the bracket is constructed of a molded thermoplastic polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventor: Tom E. Stickler
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Patent number: 6249659Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrostatic printer or copier includes an electrophotographic drum, a toner container, a fixed electrode for receiving a developing bias voltage, and a developer roller for supplying the toner to an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic drum. A drive hub is press fit into an end of the developer roller. The drive hub has a unitary nonconducting plastic body, with a plug portion for elastically and slidably press-contacting the end of the developer roller, an elongated axle portion with an uninterrupted bearing surface, a shoulder portion for supporting a spring, and a longitudinal passage running through the axle and shoulder portions. A wire is disposed in the passage and makes an electrical connection with the spring and the developer roller.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Tom E Stickler
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Patent number: 5926673Abstract: A supply cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a charge roller, a developer roller, and a supply of toner, is inserted into a conventional electrophotographic (EP) machine in operative association with the gear train for such machine. One end of a shaft passing through one end cap of the photosensitive drum is inserted into a receptacle in the EP machine. The free end of a drive transmitting member on the opposite end of the drum engages the drive train, and is driven by the gear train. The drive transmitting member is an integral part of a molded end cap inserted into the open end of the photosensitive drum. The drive transmitting member may assume diverse forms. The upper surface of the drive transmitting member may be triangular in shape, while the base may be circular or triangular; tapered sidewalls extend between the upper surface and the base, and the area of the upper surface exceeds the area of the base to maximize contact with the drive train.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Mark Duane Foster, Donald Thomas Kral, James Caro Lurton, Kenneth Daniel Seevers, Tom E Stickler, Martin Joseph Zutt, Jr.
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Patent number: D448042Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jason Paul Hale, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, Tom E Stickler
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Patent number: D550762Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Alan Askren, Peter Alden Bayerle, Donn Duane Bryant, Jason Paul Hale, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Steven Wayne Parish, Tom E Stickler