Patents by Inventor Andrew John Clippingdale
Andrew John Clippingdale 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: 11358383Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: John Lawton Sharp, Ian Philip Butler Ingham, Jeffrey Mark Woods, Simon John Edwards, Andrew John Clippingdale, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Patent number: 11298933Abstract: A system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: John Lawton Sharp, Ian Philip Butler Ingham, Jeffrey Mark Woods, Simon John Edwards, Andrew John Clippingdale, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Patent number: 11148423Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatic ink jet printhead, the printhead comprising: one or more ejection tips from which, in use, ink is ejected, the one or more ejection tips defining a tip region; a printhead housing, the printhead housing defining a cavity in which the one or more ejection tips are located; the method comprising the steps of, during a printing operation, passing a vapour into the cavity to reduce evaporation of ink in the tip region.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Robert James Greasty, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Publication number: 20190291406Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for transmitting rotational motion between a driving element and a driven element. The system comprises a driving element that is coupled to a torque input that causes the driving element to rotate about a drive axis. The driving element comprises a first magnetic element. A driven element is configured to rotate about a driven axis. The driven element comprises a second magnetic element. Both the first magnetic element and second magnetic element are susceptible to a magnetic field, and at least one of the first and second magnetic element produces a magnetic field. A magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element couples the rotational motion of the driving element and the rotational motion of the driven element. The driving and driven elements are coupled at a predetermined rotational orientation with respect to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: John Lawton Sharp, Ian Philip Butler Ingham, Jeffrey Mark Woods, Simon John Edwards, Andrew John Clippingdale, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Publication number: 20190248128Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling objects. The apparatus comprises a carrying device (104) that is configured to move along a track (102). A handling device (224) is adapted to hold an object (108) and is mounted to the carrying device (104) such that it is rotatable with respect to the carrying device about a handling axis (226). A drive device (310) is disposed at a position along the track (102) and configured to produce a torque around a drive axis. The carrying device (104) can be moved along the track (102) in a direction perpendicular to the drive axis into and out of a drive position. In the drive position, the handling axis (226) of the handling device (224) is in substantial alignment with the drive axis of the drive device (310) whereupon the drive device induces a torque in the handling device (224) causing the handling device to rotate, thereby causing the object (108) held by the handling device to rotate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: John Lawton Sharp, Ian Philip Butler Ingham, Jeffrey Mark Woods, Simon John Edwards, Andrew John Clippingdale, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Publication number: 20180281419Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatic ink jet printhead, the printhead comprising: one or more ejection tips from which, in use, ink is ejected, the one or more ejection tips defining a tip region; a printhead housing, the printhead housing defining a cavity in which the one or more ejection tips are located; the method comprising the steps of, during a printing operation, passing a vapour into the cavity to reduce evaporation of ink in the tip region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Robert James Greasty, Jonathan James Michael Halls
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Patent number: 10011121Abstract: An apparatus for printing on cylindrical objects (31) comprises a plurality of printheads (32); and at least one holding device movable relative to the printheads (32) such that, in use, the holding device moves the object between the printheads. The path of the at least one holding device comprises a plurality of vertical sections (34) which are horizontally offset from one another. Each vertical section (34) comprises at least two identically orientated printheads (32) arranged such that they are vertically displaced from one another, with one directly above the others. The at least one holding device moves the object (31) between the at least two printheads (32) such that part or all of its path between the printheads is vertical.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: TONEJET LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, John Lawton Sharp, Simon Edwards
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Patent number: 9630401Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row, the printhead having a row of ejection channels and each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes to which voltages are applied in use. During printing, in order to cause volumes of fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead for printing, voltage pulses having values of predetermined amplitude and duration as determined by respective image pixel bit values generated by a raster image processor are applied, at a given pulse period, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Peter James Brown, Ewan Hendrik Conradie, Ammar Lecheheb, John Lawton Sharp, Robin Timothy Bacon
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Publication number: 20170050446Abstract: An apparatus for printing on cylindrical objects (31) comprises a plurality of printheads (32); and at least one holding device movable relative to the printheads (32) such that, in use, the holding device moves the object between the printheads. The path of the at least one holding device comprises a plurality of vertical sections (34) which are horizontally offset from one another. Each vertical section (34) comprises at least two identically orientated printheads (32) arranged such that they are vertically displaced from one another, with one directly above the others. The at least one holding device moves the object (31) between the at least two printheads (32) such that part or all of its path between the printheads is vertical.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Andrew John CLIPPINGDALE, John Lawton SHARP, Simon EDWARDS
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Patent number: 9475281Abstract: A method of reducing and/or preventing the accumulation of concentrated ink at an ejection point of a printhead of an electrostatic inkjet printer when ink is not being ejected at the ejection point, the method comprising reversing the electric field at the ejection point of the printhead during a non-printing phase of operation to reduce the concentration of ink at the ejection point.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Jr., Ammar Lecheheb, John Lawton Sharp
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Patent number: 9463639Abstract: A method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row for printing using a plurality of overlapping printheads or a printhead or printheads indexed through overlapping positions, the or each printhead having a row of ejection channels, each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes, the method comprising: applying a voltage to the ejection channels sufficient to cause concentration of particles in the printing fluid at the ejection channels, applying voltage pulses of respective predetermined amplitude and/or duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels in order to cause volumes of printing fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the overlapping printheads, thereby forming a pixel of a predetermined optical density, adjusting, for each row of the image, the values of the voltage pulses to be applied to the overlapping printheads to form pixels printed by overlapped ejection chanType: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Robin Timothy Bacon
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Publication number: 20160271968Abstract: A method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row for printing using a plurality of overlapping printheads or a printhead or printheads indexed through overlapping positions, the or each printhead having in a row of ejection channels, each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes, the method comprising: applying a voltage to the ejection channels sufficient to cause concentration of particles in the printing fluid at the ejection channels, applying voltage pulses of respective predetermined amplitude and/or duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels in order to cause volumes of printing fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the overlapping printheads, thereby forming a pixel of a predetermined optical density, adjusting, for each row of the image, the values of the voltage pulses to be applied to the overlapping printheads to form pixels printed by overlapped ejection cType: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Andrew John CLIPPINGDALE, Robin Timothy BACON
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Patent number: 9352556Abstract: A method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row for printing is disclosed. The method and apparatus use either a plurality of overlapping printheads (300) or a printhead or plurality of printheads indexed through overlapping positions. The or each printhead has a row of ejection channels (301), each of which has associated ejection electrodes to which a voltage is applied to cause particulate concentrations to be formed from within a body of printing fluid. In order to cause volumes of charged particulate concentrations of one of a number of predetermined volume sizes to be ejected as printed droplets from selected ejection channels of the overlapping printheads, voltage pulses (VE) of respective predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, are applied to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: TONEJET LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Robin Timothy Bacon
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Publication number: 20160121603Abstract: A method of reducing and/or preventing the accumulation of concentrated ink at an ejection point of a printhead of an electrostatic inkjet printer when ink is not being ejected at the ejection point, the method comprising reversing the electric field at the ejection point of the printhead during a non-printing phase of operation to reduce the concentration of ink at the ejection point.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Andrew John CLIPPINGDALE, JR., Ammar LECHEHEB, John Lawton SHARP
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Publication number: 20160114578Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row, the printhead having a row of ejection channels and each ejection channel having associated ejection electrodes to which voltages are applied in use. During printing, in order to cause volumes of fluid to be ejected from selected ejection channels of the printhead for printing, voltage pulses having values of predetermined amplitude and duration as determined by respective image pixel bit values generated by a raster image processor are applied, at a given pulse period, to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: TONEJET LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John CLIPPINGDALE, Peter James BROWN, Ewan Hendrik CONRADIE, Ammar LECHEHEB, John Lawton SHARP, Robin Timothy BACON
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Patent number: 9156256Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, comprises depositing ink compositions of at least two colors onto the substrate to form the image, and fixing the image to the substrate, wherein the ink is deposited using an electrostatic printhead, which ejects chargeable marking particles dispersed in a carrier fluid by using an applied electric field to first concentrate and then eject the marking particles, and wherein all of the ink compositions are deposited onto the substrate before the image is fixed. An ink composition suitable for use in the invention comprises: 45-95% by weight of a carrier liquid; 6-40% by weight of insoluble chargeable marking particles; and 0.4-10% by weight of a soluble dispersant, characterized in that the ink does not contain an agent that can fix the marking particles to a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: TONEJET LIMITEDInventors: Sean Dennis Slater, Andrew John Clippingdale, Guy Charles Fernley Newcombe
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Publication number: 20150138280Abstract: A method of printing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image having a number of pixels per row for printing is disclosed. The method and apparatus use either a plurality of overlapping printheads (300) or a printhead or plurality of printheads indexed through overlapping positions. The or each printhead has a row of ejection channels (301), each of which has associated ejection electrodes to which a voltage is applied to cause particulate concentrations to be formed from within a body of printing fluid. In order to cause volumes of charged particulate concentrations of one of a number of predetermined volume sizes to be ejected as printed droplets from selected ejection channels of the overlapping printheads, voltage pulses (VE) of respective predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by respective image pixel bit values, are applied to the electrodes of the selected ejection channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: TONEJET LIMITEDInventors: Andrew John Clippingdale, Robin Timothy Bacon
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Patent number: 8777357Abstract: A method of preparing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image is disclosed in which the image has n pixels per row for printing using one or more printheads each having a row of ejection locations. Each ejection location has associated ejection electrodes to which a voltage is applied sufficient to cause particulate agglomerations to be formed from within a body of printing fluid. In order to cause charged particulate agglomerations to be ejected as printed droplets from selected ejection locations, voltage pulses of predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by the respective bit values of the individual pixels of rows of the image, are applied to the electrodes of the selected ejection locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Tonejet LimitedInventor: Andrew John Clippingdale
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Publication number: 20130076824Abstract: A method of preparing a two-dimensional bit-mapped image is disclosed in which the image has n pixels per row for printing using one or more printheads each having a row of ejection locations. Each ejection location has associated ejection electrodes to which a voltage is applied sufficient to cause particulate agglomerations to be formed from within a body of printing fluid. In order to cause charged particulate agglomerations to be ejected as printed droplets from selected ejection locations, voltage pulses of predetermined amplitude and duration, as determined by the respective bit values of the individual pixels of rows of the image, are applied to the electrodes of the selected ejection locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: TONEJET LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John Clippingdale
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Publication number: 20120218362Abstract: A process for forming an image on a substrate, comprises depositing ink compositions of at least two colours onto the substrate to form the image, and fixing the image to the substrate, wherein the ink is deposited using an electrostatic printhead, which ejects chargeable marking particles dispersed in a carrier fluid by using an applied electric field to first concentrate and then eject the marking particles, and wherein all of the ink compositions are deposited onto the substrate before the image is fixed. An ink composition suitable for use in the invention comprises: 45-95% by weight of a carrier liquid; 6-40% by weight of insoluble chargeable marking particles; and 0.4-10% by weight of a soluble dispersant, characterised in that the ink does not contain an agent that can fix the marking particles to a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Sean Dennis Slater, Andrew John Clippingdale, Guy Charles Fernley Newcombe