Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Kralles

Christopher J. Kralles 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: 11231509
    Abstract: A DR detector is formed from a housing with a cover attached to the housing. Shaped gaps formed in the housing and/or cover include a bonding agent or adhesive therein to fix the cover to the housing. Other attachment means such as screws or pins may be used instead of, or in combination with, the bonding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Nathan Kalpin, Steven D. Daniels, Robert J. Stanchus
  • Publication number: 20210041583
    Abstract: A DR detector is formed from a housing with a cover attached to the housing. Shaped gaps formed in the housing and/or cover include a bonding agent or adhesive therein to fix the cover to the housing. Other attachment means such as screws or pins may be used instead of, or in combination with, the bonding agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher J. KRALLES, Nathan KALPIN, Steven D. DANIELS, Robert J. STANCHUS
  • Patent number: 8678648
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a single secure access apparatus and/or methods to control at least two of (i) a transport mechanism, (ii) x-ray generator control, (iii) remote detector control and image processing control, or (iv) secured storage for at least one radiographic detector by a single operator action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Christopher J. Kralles, Martin E. Trzcinski
  • Patent number: 8672543
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a portable transport frame. A sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame defines a vertical axis and has a base section having a fixed vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least one movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source and extends outward from the movable section and has an adjustable height relative to the vertical axis. A counterweight is operatively coupled to the boom apparatus to support displacement of the boom apparatus to any of a plurality of vertical positions along the movable section, wherein the counterweight, in cooperation with boom apparatus movement, travels along a shaft that extends within the movable section, wherein, at one or more of the height positions of the boom apparatus, a portion of the counterweight extends upward above the shaft of the sectioned vertical column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 8568028
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a wheeled transport frame and a sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame, defining a vertical axis and having a base section with a first vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least a first movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position along the vertical axis. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source, wherein the boom apparatus is coupled to the first movable section for positioning of the x-ray source along the vertical axis and extends outward with respect to the sectioned vertical column for positioning of the x-ray source in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Wendlandt, James H. Ogle, James G. Coyne, Anthony DiRisio, Christopher J. Kralles
  • Publication number: 20120093294
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a optional second display (also adjustably mounted). Embodiments of methods and/or apparatus by which mobile radiography carts can provide a single secure access apparatus and/or methods to control at least two of (i) a transport mechanism, (ii) x-ray generator control, (iii) remote detector control and image processing control, or (iv) secured storage for at least one radiographic detector by a single operator action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Lalena, Christopher J. Kralles, Martin E. Trzcinski
  • Publication number: 20110249804
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a wheeled transport frame and a sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame, defining a vertical axis and having a base section with a first vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least a first movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position along the vertical axis. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source, wherein the boom apparatus is coupled to the first movable section for positioning of the x-ray source along the vertical axis and extends outward with respect to the sectioned vertical column for positioning of the x-ray source in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: William C. Wendlandt, James H. Ogle, James G. Coyne, Anthony DiRisio, Christopher J. Kralles
  • Publication number: 20110249805
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a portable transport frame. A sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame defines a vertical axis and has a base section having a fixed vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least one movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source and extends outward from the movable section and has an adjustable height relative to the vertical axis. A counterweight is operatively coupled to the boom apparatus to support displacement of the boom apparatus to any of a plurality of vertical positions along the movable section, wherein the counterweight, in cooperation with boom apparatus movement, travels along a shaft that extends within the movable section, wherein, at one or more of the height positions of the boom apparatus, a portion of the counterweight extends upward above the shaft of the sectioned vertical column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Anthony DiRisio
  • Publication number: 20110249806
    Abstract: A mobile radiography apparatus has a portable transport frame and a sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame and defining a vertical axis, with a base section having a first vertical position relative to the vertical axis and a top section and at least one intermediate section between the top section and base section, wherein the top and the at least one intermediate sections are translatable along the vertical axis to vary the height of the sectioned vertical column. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source, wherein the boom apparatus is coupled to the at least one intermediate section for positioning of the x-ray source along the vertical axis and extends outward with respect to the sectioned vertical column for positioning of the x-ray source in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: William C. Wendlandt, James H. Ogle, James G. Coyne, Anthony DiRisio, Christopher J. Kralles
  • Patent number: 7482613
    Abstract: A multicassette autoloader for vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes includes a front, a back and opposite sides. The autoloader includes an input bin for receiving multiple vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes stacked together in face-to-face contact, wherein the cassettes are oriented front-to-back with faces facing the autoloader sides, and wherein each of the cassettes contains a storage phosphor which is removable from the cassette; a storage phosphor read location at which a storage phosphor is removed from and replaced in a storage phosphor cassette positioned at the storage phosphor read location; and an output bin for receiving storage phosphor cassettes from the storage phosphor read location for subsequent removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Wendlandt, Christopher J. Kralles, Michael Kenin
  • Patent number: 7478895
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a printing apparatus that includes an automatic backprinting assembly. The automatic backprinting assembly includes a movable ink jet printhead that is movable between at least a printing position to print on the backside of photographic media and a priming position where the printhead is pressurized to force a stream of ink through discharge jets of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Edward R. Schranz, Carl J. Rosati, Bradley C. DeCook
  • Patent number: 7368747
    Abstract: A storage phosphor reader includes a multicassette autoloader for vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes, the autoloader having a front, back, and opposite sides. The autoloader includes an input bin for receiving multiple vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes stacked together in face-to-face contact such that said cassette faces face front and back; wherein each of said cassettes contains a storage phosphor which is removable from said cassette; and an output bin located beside said input bin, said output bin having a storage phosphor read location at which a storage phosphor is removed from and replaced in a storage phosphor cassette positioned at said storage phosphor read location, and having an output region for read cassettes to be subsequently removed from said output bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, William C. Wendlandt
  • Patent number: 7148501
    Abstract: A storage phosphor reader apparatus for reading exposed storage phosphors. The reader includes an outer frame assembly including a cassette handling assembly for handling cassettes; an inner frame assembly; a first set of vibration isolators; a storage phosphor scanning assembly; and a second set of vibration isolators. A frame locker assembly is provided for locking the scanning assembly to the outer frame assembly when a cassette is transferred between the cassette handling assembly and the scanning assembly and for unlocking the scanning assembly during scanning of a storage phosphor removed from the cassette, so that the first and second sets of vibration isolators isolate the scanning assembly during storage phosphor scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, William C. Wendlandt, Michael Kenin, David E. Foeller
  • Patent number: 6435743
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, John G. Weigand, Michael J. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20010010774
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, John G. Weigand, Michael J. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6227731
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, John G. Weigand, Michael J. Chapman
  • Patent number: 5631776
    Abstract: A zoom lens apparatus having a first pair of substantially parallel guide rods. A pair of carriage assemblies are mounted to the first pair of parallel guide rods each having lens element. A pair of lead screws are provided for driving the carriage assemblies. The screws are each mounted to the apparatus by a bearing block assembly such that the longitudinal axis of the lead screw is substantially parallel to the first pair of guide rods. The bearing block constrains the movement of the first lead screw along the longitudinal axis. A zero constraint threaded drive coupling is provided with each lead screw for moving the carriage along the guide rods. A motor is provided for rotating each of the drive screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John G. Weigand, Christopher J. Kralles, Noel L. Reyner
  • Patent number: 5406352
    Abstract: A film flattening apparatus and method of operation for a printer particularly operable in a film flattening mode for flattening image frames of filmstrip segments attached by a side attached tow web and transported through a transport path gap between the flattening apparatus and an aperture formed in a stationary film transport base. The flattening apparatus is formed of first and second clamping members suspended apart from the base in a retracted position during the web transport and moved toward the base to a contact position pressing against the longitudinal or lateral and the transverse edges of the filmstrip image frame in a film flattening mode. The first and second clamping members are formed with longitudinally and transversely extending clamping elements, respectively and are suspended apart from one another and the base in the retracted position and advance sequentially in a nested relation toward the base and the contact position in the film flattening mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Thomas C. Jessop
  • Patent number: 5111241
    Abstract: A web flattening system for holding a filmstrip (web) or filmstrip and paper carrier combination (web) against the aperture of a linear array scanner. The foregoing is accomplished by providing: a platen having at least two orifices over which the bottom surface of a web moves; a plate that is positioned above the top surface of the web and the platen so that the bottom surface of the web will be positioned in close proximity to the orifices; and means for supplying a high velocity gas stream to the orifices so that a pressure differential will exist between the top and bottom surfaces of the web; whereby the pressure differential will push the bottom surface of the web towards the orifices and a thin layer of gas will form between the bottom surface of the web and the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kralles
  • Patent number: 5055874
    Abstract: Film flattening apparatus and method wherein a base (30) having a flat surface (32) contacts the film (12) as it moves thereacross in a given direction, the surface having an aperture (34) defined therein, respective portions (50, 52) of the base (30) in the vicinity of the aperture lateral edges (36, 38) define film contacting surfaces (54, 56) each having curvature sufficient to provide lateral column strength in the film as it is moved thereabove, and flattener elements (90) substantially near the aperture longitudinal edges (40, 42) apply edge flattening force to the edges of the film outwardly of the aperture longitudinal edges. Edge guides (110) contact opposite edges of the film in the vicinity of one of the base portions (50, 52), and first and second deflectors (270, 272) can be provided adjacent corresponding ones of the base portions (50, 52) for deflecting film along a serpentine path. An optical film notch detector (390, 392) can be operatively associated with one of the base portions (50, 52 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Michael T. Wolf