Patents by Inventor Brian Scott Carpenter

Brian Scott Carpenter 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: 11754969
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11635706
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet is positioned on a front of the toner cartridge for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. First, second and third electrical contacts are positioned on a first side of the toner cartridge for contacting corresponding first, second and third electrical contacts in an image forming device. Each of the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to a respective imaging component positioned on the toner cartridge. The first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge are positioned such that an imaginary line that angles downward in a direction from a rear of the toner cartridge toward the front of the toner cartridge passes through the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11402766
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet is positioned on a front of the toner cartridge for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. First, second and third electrical contacts are positioned on a first side of the toner cartridge for contacting corresponding first, second and third electrical contacts in an image forming device. Each of the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to a respective imaging component positioned on the toner cartridge. The first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge are positioned such that an imaginary line that angles downward in a direction from a rear of the toner cartridge toward the front of the toner cartridge passes through the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11340554
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11126112
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable developer roll is mounted on the housing. A doctor blade has a distal end in contact with the outer surface of the developer roll along a length of the developer roll for metering toner on the outer surface of the developer roll. The doctor blade has a proximate end positioned against a portion of the housing. A toner agitator in the reservoir has a shaft. A support in the reservoir is positioned in close proximity to the shaft to limit bending of the shaft. A first end of the support contacts an inner surface of the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against. The support stiffens the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 10942486
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • 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: 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: 10884353
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet is positioned on a front of the toner cartridge for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. First, second and third electrical contacts are positioned on a first side of the toner cartridge for contacting corresponding first, second and third electrical contacts in an image forming device. Each of the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to a respective imaging component positioned on the toner cartridge. The first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge are positioned such that an imaginary line that angles downward in a direction from a rear of the toner cartridge toward the front of the toner cartridge passes through the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10809661
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 10725424
    Abstract: An assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge and an imaging unit. Contact between first and second guide posts of the toner cartridge and first and second alignment guides of the imaging unit define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. Contact between an engagement member of the toner cartridge and a hold-down of the imaging unit biases the toner cartridge about the pivot axis relative to the imaging unit and biases a developer roll of the toner cartridge against a photoconductive drum of the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10698363
    Abstract: An imaging unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a rotatable photoconductive drum. A frame at a rear of the housing is positioned to matably receive a toner cartridge and is open to a portion of an outer surface of the photoconductive drum. An electrical contact is positioned along a first side wall of the frame for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. The electrical contact of the imaging unit faces upward and is unobstructed from above. A cam surface is positioned along an inner side of the first side wall of the frame for contacting an electrical connector of the toner cartridge and moving the electrical connector of the toner cartridge from a retracted position to an operative position upon mating of the toner cartridge with the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Patent number: D947936
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D947937
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D947938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: D952030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Kyle Bradley Martin, Jay Scott Siekmann, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges, Randal Scott Williamson, Trey Dustin Gilliam
  • Patent number: D1060721
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gururaj Govindasamy, Jasmin B. Farshi, Brian Scott Carpenter