Patents by Inventor David Lee Merrifield

David Lee Merrifield 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).

  • Publication number: 20250068096
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are accessible from below at the bottom of the body by the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are spaced from each other along a horizontal dimension that is orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container. A nominal position of the horizontal dimension along which the electrical contacts are spaced from each other is angled relative to a front-to-rear dimension of the toner container and a side-to-side dimension of the toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 12164244
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are accessible from below at the bottom of the body by the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are spaced from each other along a horizontal dimension that is orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container. A nominal position of the horizontal dimension along which the electrical contacts are spaced from each other is angled relative to a front-to-rear dimension of the toner container and a side-to-side dimension of the toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20240402645
    Abstract: A toner container for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for holding toner. The toner container includes an electrical connector having an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical connector is positioned in one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the body corresponding to at least one of a toner color and a toner type of the toner container for limiting installation of the toner container to one of a plurality of toner container receptacles in the image forming device corresponding to at least one of the toner color and the toner type of the toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 12092990
    Abstract: A toner container for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for holding toner. The toner container includes an electrical connector having an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical connector is positioned in one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the body corresponding to at least one of a toner color and a toner type of the toner container for limiting installation of the toner container to one of a plurality of toner container receptacles in the image forming device corresponding to at least one of the toner color and the toner type of the toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20240069466
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are accessible from below at the bottom of the body by the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are spaced from each other along a horizontal dimension that is orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container. A nominal position of the horizontal dimension along which the electrical contacts are spaced from each other is angled relative to a front-to-rear dimension of the toner container and a side-to-side dimension of the toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240069488
    Abstract: A toner container for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for holding toner. The toner container includes an electrical connector having an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical connector is positioned in one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the body corresponding to at least one of a toner color and a toner type of the toner container for limiting installation of the toner container to one of a plurality of toner container receptacles in the image forming device corresponding to at least one of the toner color and the toner type of the toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240069465
    Abstract: A system for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of toner containers having substantially the same construction. Each of the plurality of toner containers includes a respective first electrical connector having a first electrical contact. Each first electrical connector of the plurality of toner containers is positioned in a different orientation relative to the other first electrical connectors of the plurality of toner containers. A plurality of toner container receptacles are each configured to receive a corresponding toner container. Each of the plurality of toner container receptacles includes a respective second electrical connector having a second electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 11829085
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of electrical contacts for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in an image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are accessible from below at the bottom of the body by the corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are spaced from each other along a horizontal dimension that is orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container. A nominal position of the horizontal dimension along which the electrical contacts are spaced from each other is angled relative to a front-to-rear dimension of the toner container and a side-to-side dimension of the toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Patent number: 11703777
    Abstract: An assembly for use in an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. The housing includes a wall having an inner surface forming a boundary of the reservoir and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotatable shaft. The shaft includes an end portion that passes through an opening in the wall. A gear is mounted on the end portion of the shaft outside of the reservoir and is rotatably coupled to the shaft. An annular seal encircles and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The annular seal is positioned between an inner axial face of the gear and the outer surface of the wall. The inner axial face of the gear contacts the annular seal and presses the annular seal against the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, David Lee Merrifield
  • Patent number: 11561489
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20220350277
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 11402770
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20220236665
    Abstract: An assembly for use in an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. The housing includes a wall having an inner surface forming a boundary of the reservoir and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotatable shaft. The shaft includes an end portion that passes through an opening in the wall. A gear is mounted on the end portion of the shaft outside of the reservoir and is rotatably coupled to the shaft. An annular seal encircles and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The annular seal is positioned between an inner axial face of the gear and the outer surface of the wall. The inner axial face of the gear contacts the annular seal and presses the annular seal against the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 11327417
    Abstract: An assembly for use in an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. The housing includes a wall having an inner surface forming a boundary of the reservoir and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotatable shaft. The shaft includes an end portion that passes through an opening in the wall. A gear is mounted on the end portion of the shaft outside of the reservoir and is rotatably coupled to the shaft. An annular seal encircles and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The annular seal is positioned between an inner axial face of the gear and the outer surface of the wall. The inner axial face of the gear contacts the annular seal and presses the annular seal against the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20210181656
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Publication number: 20210116844
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: 10962905
    Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, David Lee Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20210018864
    Abstract: An assembly for use in an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. The housing includes a wall having an inner surface forming a boundary of the reservoir and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A toner agitator is positioned in the reservoir and has a rotatable shaft. The shaft includes an end portion that passes through an opening in the wall. A gear is mounted on the end portion of the shaft outside of the reservoir and is rotatably coupled to the shaft. An annular seal encircles and is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. The annular seal is positioned between an inner axial face of the gear and the outer surface of the wall. The inner axial face of the gear contacts the annular seal and presses the annular seal against the outer surface of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, DAVID LEE MERRIFIELD
  • Patent number: D929496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, David Lee Merrifield, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D934340
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Brian Lee Hawes, David Lee Merrifield, Jay Scott Siekmann