Patents Represented by Attorney Donna Suchy
  • Patent number: 7120379
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to processes for electrographic image development. An electrographic development apparatus is provided wherein a film is adjacent a cylindrical toning shell and a mixture of toner and carrier is particles disposed on the cylindrical toning shell in contact with the film. The cylindrical toning shell is closest to the film at a first location, the mixture of toner and carrier particles being movable through the first location with a flow direction. A magnetic core disposed within the cylindrical toning shell offset toward the cylindrical shell such that a magnetic field strength is greater at the second location than the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward Michael Eck, Thomas Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 7120380
    Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus includes: a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to the latent image to form a developed toner image on the receiver, a fuser assembly for fixing the developed toner image to form a fused toner image on the receiver, and a transport member for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly. The transport member includes a substrate and an oil-absorbing layer that contains inorganic particles dispersed in an organic binder and is capable of absorbing release oil applied to the receiver bearing the fused toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Jeffrey R. Murray, Larry H. Judkins, Cumar Sreekumar, David M. Rakov, Lixin Chu, Douglas E. Garman
  • Patent number: 7110706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine, including flow of toner through a toner replenisher and sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle. According to the numerous aspects of the invention, a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine are provided, including improved flow of toner through a toner replenisher and/or improved sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Barnes, Paul Essic Thompson, Edward M. Eck
  • Patent number: 7068953
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating that a fuser member presumptively belongs to a class of fuser member for imparting a certain surface finish to an electrophotographic output print, and/or validating that the fuser member has a heating behavior within specification. Utilizing a temperature-sensing device for measuring temperature of the fuser member during heating thereof, a validation number is computed for comparison with a range of validation numbers associated with the class. If the validation number is included in the range, membership in the class is confirmed and/or the fuser member is shown to be within specification. Additionally, an auxiliary measuring device can be associated with the fuser roller to generate signals for computing, from measurements of a temperature-dependent property of the roller, a validation number relating to the temperature-dependent property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas N. Tombs, Joseph A. Pavlisko
  • Patent number: 7013572
    Abstract: A skive plate assembly for aiding receiver sheet removal from a roller in a fuser in an electrographic process, comprises a base plate, a skive plate having a central portion, and a skive plate attachment rigidly connecting the skive plate to the base plate such that the base plate and the skive plate define an air passage slot intermittently interrupted by the skive plate attachment, the skive plate defining a terminal edge positioned to face the roller, wherein a distance between the terminal edge and the base plate decreases with distance from the skive plate central portion. According to a further aspect of the invention, the terminal edge defines a gap with the roller, wherein the gap between the terminal edge and the roller is constant along the length of the skive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Terry N. Morganti, Richard C. Baughman