Patents by Inventor Donald Thomas Kral

Donald Thomas Kral 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: 20100160567
    Abstract: A method and system for producing rolls for electrophotography are provided. The rolls can be rotated and shifted laterally during an oxidative baking process to produce finished rolls having improved electrical and printing characteristics. The oxidation of the rolls may be controlled to provide a corresponding increase in surface electrical resistance to within plus or minus 25 microns of a selected roll thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Thomas Kral, Scott Alan Searls
  • Patent number: 7236730
    Abstract: There is provided a system and mechanism for substantially reducing or substantially eliminating vibration or noise of a doctor blade of an image forming apparatus during operation. The system and mechanism provided includes at least one contact in communication with a doctor blade surface, e.g., a front surface, to substantially reduce or substantially eliminate vibration and/or noise associated with a doctor blade during image forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Eric Dickerson, Robert Edward Hackett, Donald Thomas Kral, Donald Wayne Stafford
  • Patent number: 6397026
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the bias force between a developer half and a cleaner half of a process cartridge are disclosed. One or more springs are interposed between the cleaner half and the developer half of the process cartridge. These springs are of sufficient strength to maintain a constant separation between the developer and the photosensitive member of the process cartridge. Sources of force other than springs, such as weights or elastic members may also be employed to provide and increase the bias force urging the developer and photosensitive member together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Andrew Buxton, Geoffrey Kyle Canter, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Michael John Dixon, Mark Duane Foster, Kristoffer Alan Hazen, Donald Thomas Kral, James Caro Lurton, Kenneth Daniel Seevers, Robert Francis Soto
  • Patent number: 5926673
    Abstract: A supply cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a charge roller, a developer roller, and a supply of toner, is inserted into a conventional electrophotographic (EP) machine in operative association with the gear train for such machine. One end of a shaft passing through one end cap of the photosensitive drum is inserted into a receptacle in the EP machine. The free end of a drive transmitting member on the opposite end of the drum engages the drive train, and is driven by the gear train. The drive transmitting member is an integral part of a molded end cap inserted into the open end of the photosensitive drum. The drive transmitting member may assume diverse forms. The upper surface of the drive transmitting member may be triangular in shape, while the base may be circular or triangular; tapered sidewalls extend between the upper surface and the base, and the area of the upper surface exceeds the area of the base to maximize contact with the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Duane Foster, Donald Thomas Kral, James Caro Lurton, Kenneth Daniel Seevers, Tom E Stickler, Martin Joseph Zutt, Jr.
  • Patent number: D611090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Neal Hackney, Donald Thomas Kral, James John Molloy, Benjamin Keith Newman