Patents by Inventor Christopher David Strack

Christopher David Strack 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: 10809641
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoconductive drum charged by a charge roll and opposed by developer roll. The developer roll adds toner to the drum to develop a latent image on the drum for transfer to media or an intermediate transfer member at a transfer roll. One or more high voltage power supplies communicate with a controller to set voltages on the rolls. During times of non-imaging, but rotation of the drum, the charge roll charges the drum to less than a Paschen breakdown voltage of the drum. A voltage of the transfer roll is determined that corresponds to a temperature and relative humidity of an operating environment of the imaging device and the developer roll is charged based thereon. The charge of the transfer roll is set close to the charge of the drum, but higher in magnitude. A laser may also discharge the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Able, Andrew Pryse Dale, Jared Kuohui Lin, Matthew David Heid, Christopher David Strack
  • Patent number: 10782627
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoconductive drum charged by a charge roll and opposed by developer roll. The developer roll adds toner to the drum to develop a latent image on the drum for transfer to media. One or more high voltage power supplies communicate with a controller to set voltages on the rolls. The controller determines whether imaging of the media is to occur at a time when the drum is rotating. If not, a laser beam discharges the drum and the voltage on the charge roll is decreased to reduce the charge on the drum, but the controller maintains the voltage differential between the drum and the developer roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Pryse Dale, Matthew David Heid, Christopher David Strack
  • Patent number: 10684577
    Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Bennett, Matthew David Heid, Gina Marie Johns, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Christopher David Strack
  • Publication number: 20200174403
    Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Michael BENNETT, Matthew David HEID, Gina Marie JOHNS, Michael Craig LEEMHUIS, Christopher David STRACK
  • Publication number: 20200174404
    Abstract: An imaging device has first image transfer from photoconductive drums to an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and second image transfer from the ITM to media. Transfer rolls oppose the drums from an opposite side of the ITM and electrically ground to a frame of the imaging device by mechanical connection. The rolls may be laterally offset from the drums. The ITM has relatively low surface and volume resistivity. An imaging subassembly may include the frame, the ITM, and the transfer rolls grounded to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL BENNETT, MATTHEW DAVID HEID, GINA MARIE JOHNS, MICHAEL CRAIG LEEMHUIS, CHRISTOPHER DAVID STRACK
  • Publication number: 20070297827
    Abstract: A shield may be provided over a printer developer roll, adjacent to a doctor blade, to reduce toner dusting and toner accumulations. The shield may slightly conform to the curvature of the developer roll in some embodiments. As a result, toner accumulations on surfaces which the customer must touch may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: David Clay Blaine, Brian Lester Boettcher, John Paul Bradley, James Anthany Carter, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher David Strack, Devon Jean Vaccaro Strain
  • Publication number: 20070286634
    Abstract: A shield may be provided over a printer developer roll, adjacent to a doctor blade, to reduce toner dusting and toner accumulations. The shield may slightly conform to the curvature of the developer roll in some embodiments. As a result, toner accumulations on surface which the customer must touch may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: David Clay Blaine, Brian Lester Boettcher, John Paul Bradley, James Anthony Carter, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher David Strack, Devon Jean Vaccaro Strain
  • Patent number: 6238759
    Abstract: Rubber charge roller cores are coated with loose particulate silicon carbide. Excess powder is removed, and the rollers are used in normal operation without an additional outer layer. Consistent, long-life operation of the charge roller is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kermit Arnold Meece, Christopher David Strack, Troy Dustin Smith Tomson
  • Patent number: 6122460
    Abstract: An improved electrophotographic printer is provided in which the voltage applied to the charge roller is automatically adjusted to compensate for its changing characteristics over its life span. A high voltage DC power supply includes an output that is connected to the charge roller, and the input side of this high voltage DC power supply is controlled by a microprocessor of the print engine. The print engine controls the output voltage of the high voltage DC power supply by changing the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated control signal that is supplied to the input of the high voltage DC power supply. A look-up table contains the correct duty cycle for the pulse-width modulated control signal with respect to the number of prints that have been made. The result of the inspection of the look-up table is used by the microprocessor of the print engine to control the correct duty cycle for the pulse-width modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kermit Arnold Meece, Christopher David Strack, Troy Dustin Smith Tomson