Patents Represented by Attorney Maginot, Moore & Beck LLP

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Heat element configuration for a reservoir heater
    Patent number: 8092000
    Abstract: A heater for use in a phase change ink printhead reservoir is provided that includes a first insulating layer having at least one ink supply path opening, and a second insulating layer having at least one ink supply path opening that aligns with the at least one ink supply path opening in the first insulating layer. The heater includes a resistance heating trace arranged in a serpentine pattern between the first and the second insulating layers. The resistance heating trace is configured to receive electric current and to convert the electric current to heat. The resistance heating trace includes a trace ring for each ink supply path opening in the first and second insulating layers that forms a continuous perimeter around the corresponding ink supply path opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nasser Alavizadeh, Christopher Jon Laharty, Chad Johan Slenes
  • Label configured to indicate an object reaching a predetermined temperature
    Patent number: 8091503
    Abstract: An apparatus indicates a temperature of an object. The apparatus includes a porous substrate, a mirror image of a first image pattern printed with a first phase-change ink having a first phase change temperature on a first side of the porous substrate, and an adhesive layer applied to the first side of the porous substrate to enable the porous substrate to be affixed to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Michael J. Severn, Michael J. Levy
  • Ink umbilical interface to a printhead in a printer
    Patent number: 8083333
    Abstract: An ink umbilical interface facilitates removal of the umbilical from a printhead while better preserving the integrity of the interface seal. The ink umbilical interface includes an ink umbilical connector having a plurality of conduits terminating within the connector and a tapered nozzle extending from each conduit in the plurality of conduits, each conduit communicating with a liquid ink reservoir, a backplate of a printhead having a plurality of openings, each opening being positioned to receive one of the tapered nozzles extending from the ink umbilical connector, and at least one sealing member positioned between the backplate and the ink umbilical connector, the sealing member having at least one opening to align with one of the backplate openings and receive one of the tapered nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chad David Freitag, David Roland Koehler, Edward Charles Grenier
  • Ink stick jam detection and recovery system and method
    Patent number: 8083336
    Abstract: An ink jam detection and recovery system for use in a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink stick conveyance configured move ink sticks in a forward direction toward a melt plate at a melt end of an ink stick feed path and a reverse direction away from the melt plate. A sensor system is configured to generate a first signal indicative of whether an ink stick is present at the melt plate. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to actuate the ink stick conveyance to move in at least one of the forward direction and the reverse direction in response to the first signal indicating that no ink stick is present at the melt plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Ryan Gold, Michael Kenneth Oehl
  • Device centric controls for a device controlled through a web portal
    Patent number: 8086678
    Abstract: A system controls computer network communication devices in a background session in accordance with a control database. The system includes a computer network communication device having a non-volatile memory containing a unique device identifier and a communication module for communicating with a control site, the communication module being configured to generate monitor messages containing the unique device identifier and data corresponding to entry of a command by a user and to parse command messages received from the control site, and a control site comprising a device database and a control database, the control site being configured to compare data in the monitor message to control data stored in the control database in response to the monitor message having a unique device identifier that is also stored in the device database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Zipit Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Heredia, Frank U. Greer, IV, Michael Wayne Crowe
  • Foam plate for reducing foam in a printhead
    Patent number: 8079691
    Abstract: A reservoir assembly for use in an imaging device, the reservoir assembly includes an ink input port configured to receive liquid ink from an ink source and an ink tank configured to receive ink from the input port. A filter is positioned between the input port and the ink tank configured to filter ink received via the input port prior to reaching the ink tank. The reservoir assembly includes a foam reducing path configured to guide ink that passes through the filter to the ink tank, the foam reducing path having a varying cross-sectional size and/or shape configured to collapse, compress, stretch, and/or shear air bubbles in foam that passes through the filter prior to reaching the ink tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Roland Koehler, David Paul Platt, Edward F. Burress
  • Method for reconfiguring ink loaders to accept different ink stick identifiers
    Patent number: 8079690
    Abstract: A method of using a phase change ink imaging device includes receiving an nth ink stick in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device where n is a predetermined number. The nth ink stick includes at least one sensor contour formed thereon. The at least one sensor contour is associated with an ink stick identifier. The at least one sensor contour on the nth ink stick is detected using a sensor system in the ink loader. At least one signal is generated based on the detection of the at least one sensor contour, the at least one signal being indicative of the ink stick identifier. The ink stick identifier indicated by the at least one signal is then stored as a designated ink stick identifier for use with the phase change ink imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: R. Scott Johnson, Christopher Ryan Gold, Frederick T. Mattern, Brent Rodney Jones, William Loren Emery, Karen Vicki Zocchi
  • Solid ink pastilles
    Patent number: 8079696
    Abstract: A particulate composition of solid phase change ink includes sub-granular size pastilles composed of at least a salt, an ink vehicle compound, a viscosity modifying amide compound and a colorant, and each sub-granular size pastille of the particulate composition is at most the size of very coarse sand, and has a diameter of at most 2 mm on the Wentworth-Udden particle-sizing scale for increasing a melting rate thereof at a melting temperature of the solid phase change ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Leighton
  • Power generation from solid aluminum
    Patent number: 8080233
    Abstract: A fuel for splitting water into hydrogen and an oxide component comprises a substantially solid pellet formed from a solid-like mixture of a solid-state source material capable of oxidizing in water to form hydrogen and a passivation surface layer of the oxide component, and a passivation preventing agent that is substantially inert to water in an effective amount to prevent passivation of the solid-state material during oxidation. The pellets are brought into contact with an alloy of the passivation preventing agent having a melting point temperature below that of the solid-like mixture to initiate the hydrogen-producing reaction at a lower temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Woodall, Charles R. Allen, Jeffrey T. Ziebarth
  • System and method for optimizing printing throughput and print quality by evaluating image content
    Patent number: 8075129
    Abstract: A method adjusts operation of a printer in accordance with an analysis of image content used to generate printed images. The method includes measuring image content of a first print image, comparing the measured image content to a predetermined threshold, and altering a print process parameter to adjust operation of a printer component in response to the measured image content exceeding the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Russell Kohne, Trevor James Snyder, Audrey Ann Lester, Brent E. Fleming, Paul L. McConville, Walter Sean Harris, Brent R. Jones
  • Method for feeding solid ink stick with multiple interlocking axis in a solid ink printer
    Patent number: 8075119
    Abstract: A method of feeding solid ink sticks to a melting device in a phase change ink imaging device enables the solid ink sticks to move through the ink delivery system without buckling or being diverted from the feed path. The ink sticks fed to the ink delivery system have first and second contoured ends that complement the feed path to resist buckling due to feed forces and the bosses of one contoured end nest in the boss recesses of another contoured end of an adjacent ink stick to resist the effects of the feed forces as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Alan Fairchild
  • Method of printing images to compensate for pile height differential
    Patent number: 8075209
    Abstract: A method of printing a plurality of images on a length of media comprises feeding the media from an input roll of media to a printing device where images are printed on the media. After images are printed on the media, the media is delivered to an output roll. The method further comprises determining a pile height differential on the printed media for at least one initial image. Based on the determined pile height differential, subsequent images printed on the media are modified. The subsequent images are modified in a manner designed to compensate for the determined pile height differential. Accordingly, a method of roll-to-roll printing is disclosed that may be used to balance the ink layer across the width of the roll of media and maintain the cylindrical shape of the output roll in various printing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Shriram V. Revankar
  • Segmented ink stick
    Patent number: 8075118
    Abstract: A method facilitates insertion of a segmented ink stick into an ink feed system of a phase change ink jet printer. The method includes bending of a flexible strand between ink stick segments during insertion of the ink stick segments and then straightening the flexible strand to orient the ink stick segments in the ink feed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Chambers, Brent R. Jones, David L. Knierim, Barry D. Reeves, Edward F. Burress, Ernest I. Esplin, Jasper Wong
  • Image transfer element with balanced constant force load
    Patent number: 8075128
    Abstract: An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connector with a distal end attached to the lever system load attachment point so that displacement of the lever system attachment point causes longitudinal movement of the load connector. The load mechanism applies a load that is substantially constant throughout the range of position of the lever system load attachment point. The load mechanism includes a spring and a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector. The crank is configured so that a change in the spring force produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Park, Donald B. Maclane, Richard G. Chambers, Timothy L. Crawford, Darrell R. Finneman, William Y. Pong
  • Linear friction welder
    Patent number: 8070039
    Abstract: A linear friction welding system in one embodiment includes a ram configured to vibrate along a welding axis, a cam follower operably connected to the ram, an eccentric including an eccentric outer periphery operably engaged with the cam follower, and an inner periphery, a first power shaft slidingly engaged with the eccentric, and a second power shaft eccentrically engaged with the inner periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: APCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Thaddeus W. Gorski
  • Ink level sensor
    Patent number: 8065913
    Abstract: A probe assembly for use with an ink reservoir level sensing apparatus comprises an insulating support frame formed of an electrically insulating material. The insulating support frame includes a lower portion to be positioned in a lower portion of an ink reservoir and an upper portion configured to be positioned in an upper portion of the ink reservoir. The insulating support frame has a lower probe and an upper probe each partially encapsulated by the electrically insulating material of the insulating support frame such that the lower and upper probes are physically and electrically isolated from each other, and positioned with respect to each other such that at least a portion of the lower probe is positioned in the lower portion of the frame, and the upper probe is positioned above the lower probe in the support frame extending to the upper portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, William Bruce Weaver
  • Release agent applicator for imaging members in solid ink jet imaging systems
    Patent number: 8066366
    Abstract: A release agent applicator applies release agent to an imaging drum and absorbs release agent metered from the drum to extend the operational life of an image drum maintenance unit. The applicator includes a reservoir for storing release agent, the reservoir having a plurality of perforations for enabling release agent to seep from the reservoir, a containment membrane for wicking release agent from the perforations of the reservoir, and a delivery layer for delivering release agent from the containment membrane to an imaging drum, the delivery layer having pores in a range of about 50 ?m to about 200 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander J. Fioravanti, Paul J. McConville, James J. Padula, Michael Jon Levy
  • System and method for joining non-transparent parts by means of a radiation curable adhesive
    Patent number: 8062462
    Abstract: A system and a method for joining non-transparent parts (1, 2) by means of an electromagnetic radiation curable adhesive comprises at least one at least partly transparent element (3) inserted between the parts (1, 2) to be joined together such that electromagnetic radiation beamed into the element (3) initiates curing of a film of adhesive applied to the element (3) and/or to a non-transparent part (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Fluid separator collection card
    Patent number: 8062608
    Abstract: A device for separating and drying a fluid sample in one embodiment includes an upper layer including a sample window and a viewing window extending therethrough, the viewing window spaced apart from the sample window, an absorbent layer, having a width and a length, positioned beneath the upper layer and extending beneath the sample window and the viewing window, and a non-absorbent layer positioned beneath the absorbent layer, the non-absorbent layer having a width and a length greater than the width and the length of the absorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Advance Dx, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Lee Pankow
  • Actuation mechanism for a tarping system
    Patent number: 8061759
    Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a tarping system includes a double coil spring mountable on a pivot shaft of the mechanism. A bushing is mounted on the pivot shaft and within the double coil spring. The bushing includes an eccentric external periphery that limits the deflection of the spring, particularly at the transition points between the center portion and each of the coil portions of the spring. As the spring winds or coils, the coil portions progressively contact the eccentric periphery of the bushing to not only limit further movement of the coil portions, but also to provide support for those portions under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Conner