Patents by Inventor D Clay Johnson
D Clay Johnson 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: 10987945Abstract: A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object by heating a thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature, molding the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of a multi-dimensional object to form a holding portion for the multi-dimensional object, creating one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet, and applying one or more datum points on the molded thermoformed sheet. The one or more datum points may be configured to provide information relating to position of the one or more printable areas to a print system.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Patent number: 10457071Abstract: A system and method for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes at least one print head configured to eject marking material onto a surface of the multi-dimensional object, a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the at least one print head, and an object holder. The object holder includes a moving frame configured to traverse the support member, at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame and at least partially collapsible around the multi-dimensional object when a volume of air is withdrawn therefrom, and at least one inflatable bladder associated with the moving frame and configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Timothy P. Foley, D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20190308833Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, a platform comprising a plurality of cellular omni wheels, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the plurality of cellular omni wheels, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of each one of the plurality of cellular omni wheels based on the position of the print media.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: D. Clay Johnson, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Patent number: 10421631Abstract: A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes at least one sensor to detect a position of a print media, a platform comprising a plurality of cellular omni wheels, and a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the plurality of cellular omni wheels, wherein the processor calculates a desired movement of each one of the plurality of cellular omni wheels based on the position of the print media.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: D. Clay Johnson, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20190255862Abstract: A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object by heating a thermoforming sheet to a thermoforming temperature, molding the heated thermoforming sheet around at least a portion of a multi-dimensional object to form a holding portion for the multi-dimensional object, creating one or more printable areas on the molded thermoforming sheet, and applying one or more datum points on the molded thermoformed sheet. The one or more datum points may be configured to provide information relating to position of the one or more printable areas to a print system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20190217630Abstract: A system and method for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes at least one print head configured to eject marking material onto a surface of the multi-dimensional object, a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the at least one print head, and an object holder. The object holder includes a moving frame configured to traverse the support member, at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame and at least partially collapsible around the multi-dimensional object when a volume of air is withdrawn therefrom, and at least one inflatable bladder associated with the moving frame and configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Timothy P. Foley, D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Eliud Robles Flores
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Patent number: 10350826Abstract: A universal object holding mechanism for holding three-dimensional objects for printing thereon uses an array of suction cups mounted at the ends of retractable tubes. The array is pressed into an object which in turn is pressed against a datum surface that represents a print head. Vacuum is applied through the tubes to the suction cups which grip the object. The suction cup walls are hollow and filed with particulates that cause the cup to become rigid when the vacuum is applied. This contributes to keeping the object from moving due to flex in the suction cup when it is being moved past the print head.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Timothy P Foley, Mark A Atwood, Eliud Robles Flores, D Clay Johnson
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Patent number: 10308037Abstract: A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object via thermoforming. The customized object holder includes at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object. The method may then include mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder, attaching the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system, and controlling the movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads, and operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object. The movement of the moving sled may be controlled by determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object, and using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20180281316Abstract: A universal object holding mechanism for holding three-dimensional objects for printing thereon uses an array of suction cups mounted at the ends of retractable tubes. The array is pressed into an object which in turn is pressed against a datum surface that represents a print head. Vacuum is applied through the tubes to the suction cups which grip the object. The suction cup walls are hollow and filed with particulates that cause the cup to become rigid when the vacuum is applied. This contributes to keeping the object from moving due to flex in the suction cup when it is being moved past the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: TIMOTHY P. FOLEY, MARK A. ATWOOD, ELIUD ROBLES FLORES, D CLAY JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20180281458Abstract: A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object via thermoforming. The customized object holder includes at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object. The method may then include mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder, attaching the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system, and controlling the movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads, and operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object. The movement of the moving sled may be controlled by determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object, and using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
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Patent number: 9333760Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Q Lu, Robert B Anderson, John R Uchal, D. Clay Johnson, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20150283818Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: MICHAEL Q LU, ROBERT B ANDERSON, JOHN R UCHAL, D. CLAY JOHNSON, ELIUD ROBLES FLORES
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Patent number: 8727517Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Michael Q Lu, Robert B Anderson, Jr., John R. Uchal, D Clay Johnson, Eliud Robles Flores
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Publication number: 20130021418Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Q. Lu, Robert B. Anderson, JR., John R. Uchal, D. Clay Johnson, Eliud Robles Flores
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Patent number: 7457578Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning marking material from a surface portion of a movable photoconductive member. The system includes a first rotatable brush, a blade and a second rotatable brush arranged in sequential order along the movable photoconductive member. The first rotatable brush is for removing a first amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member as the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member moves past said first rotatable electrostatic brush. The blade, in engaging contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing a second amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member. The second rotatable brush, positioned in interference contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing substantially all residual marking material that was not removed by the first rotatable brush and the blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Lundy, D Clay Johnson, Bruce J. Parks, Michael Quoc Lu
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Patent number: 7433644Abstract: A photoconductor belt cleaning system is described. This system can utilize in one embodiment one cleaning brush and a cleaning blade, and in a second embodiment, two cleaning brushes, brush 1 and brush 2, with a cleaning blade. In the second embodiment, the cleaning blade is located in the system before brush 2, and adjacent to brush 1. The brushes are charged in an opposite polarity to the charge of the toner to be removed from the photoconductor belt.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Douglas Lundy, D. Clay Johnson, Bruce J. Parks, Michael Lu
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Publication number: 20070172275Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning marking material from a surface portion of a movable photoconductive member. The system includes a first rotatable brush, a blade and a second rotatable brush arranged in sequential order along the movable photoconductive member. The first rotatable brush is for removing a first amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member as the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member moves past said first rotatable electrostatic brush. The blade, in engaging contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing a second amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member. The second rotatable brush, positioned in interference contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing substantially all residual marking material that was not removed by the first rotatable brush and the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: July 26, 2007Inventors: Douglas A. Lundy, D. Clay Johnson, Bruce J. Parks, Michael Quoc Lu
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Patent number: 7231170Abstract: A surface-treating apparatus has a dual-purpose surface-treating blade assembly that includes a blade holder for holding and loading a blade member, and a one-piece blade member having a first edge mounted to the blade holder and a second edge for contacting and treating a surface. The one-piece blade member has a mid-portion for applying a first edge-loading force to lightly contact and remove random spots from a central imaging region of the surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The dual-purpose blade assembly also includes a first shim device and a second shim device assembled respectively to the first end portion and to the second end portion of the blade member for stiffening such end portions and increasing a magnitude of each of a second and a third different edge-loading forces at such end portions relative to the first edge-loading force.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Lundy, Anthony L. Paolini, D Clay Johnson, Robert B. Anderson, Jr., Michael Q. Lu