Patents by Inventor Donald Wayne Stafford
Donald Wayne Stafford 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: 10365586Abstract: A developer unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a developer roll rotatably mounted on a housing. The developer roll includes a roll body cylindrically disposed around a shaft and forming an outer circumferential surface of the developer roll. An axial end of the roll body includes an undercut forming a hollow region in the axial end of the roll body. An elastomeric end seal has a curved rotary seal portion that is sandwiched between a portion of the housing and the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll at the axial end of the developer roll. An interference between the curved rotary seal portion of the end seal and the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll decreases along an axial dimension of the developer roll in a direction from an axially outboard edge of the end seal toward an axially inboard edge of the end seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Richard Louis Goin, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 9261812Abstract: A toner adder roll according to one example embodiment includes an electrically conductive shaft defining an axis of rotation of the toner adder roll. A foam member is cylindrically disposed about the shaft and forms an outer circumferential surface of the toner adder roll. The foam member is composed of a polymeric open-cell foam material. An abrasive agent is dispersed on the outer circumferential surface of the toner adder roll.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Billie Jo Enciu, Kelly Ann Killeen, Kurt Daniel Lambert, Johnny Dale Massie, II, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20150293469Abstract: A roll for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation of the roll. The roll includes an outer circumferential surface having a pair of axial ends. Recessed grooves and/or raised ribs are present in the outer circumferential surface near the axial ends. The recessed grooves and/or raised ribs are angled relative to the axis of rotation of the roll away from a direction of rotation of the roll from the axial ends inward or parallel to the axis of rotation of the roll to direct toner away from the axial ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Marc Frazier Baker, Kyle Benjamin Freels, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 8948649Abstract: A sealing member for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a molded body formed of an elastomer material and internal lubricant additives. The lubricant additives include at least about 20% by weight of the molded body. The lubricant additives include a wet lubricant, a dry lubricant and rounded beads.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jody Evan McCoy, Gregory Keith Norris, St. Claire Devon Skepple, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20130259514Abstract: A sealing member for use in an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a molded body formed of an elastomer material and internal lubricant additives. The lubricant additives include at least about 20% by weight of the molded body. The lubricant additives include a wet lubricant, a dry lubricant and rounded beads.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Jody Evan McCoy, Gregory Keith Norris, St. Claire Devon Skepple, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20130243500Abstract: An endless electrophotographic member, such as a developer roller, which indicates an improved resistance to nip banding. The improvement to nip banding may be provided by the use of an organic salt within a roller surface region. The roller may provide, at a nip location, a resistive surface layer having an electrical resistance that avoids the development of nip banding and relatively dark regions on printed media.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Mark Duane Foster, Kevin Scott Kennedy, Kelly Ann Killeen, Chao Li, Ronald Lloyd Roe, Richard Nicholas Schrantz, JR., Scott Alan Searls, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 8448336Abstract: An endless electrophotographic member, such as a developer roller, which indicates an improved resistance to nip banding. The improvement to nip banding may be provided by the use of an organic salt within a roller surface region. The roller may provide, at a nip location, a resistive surface layer having an electrical resistance that avoids the development of nip banding and relatively dark regions on printed media.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jane Elece Barcelo, Bradley Leonard Beach, Liam Ruan De Paor, Mark Duane Foster, Terence Edward Franey, Bhaskar Gopalanarayanan, Kevin Scott Kennedy, Kelly Ann Killeen, Chao Li, Jean Marie Massie, Ronald Lloyd Roe, Richard Nicholas Schrantz, Jr., Scott Alan Searls, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 8304066Abstract: A toner release coating may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade. The toner release coating may reduce toner adhesion at a doctoring pre-nip location of the doctor blade. The toner release coating may be formed from a mixture of lubricating particulate and polymeric binder resin in a liquid carrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True
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Patent number: 8238803Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark Duane Foster, Whitney April Greer, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True, James Thomas Welch
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Patent number: 8017192Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of radiation cured coatings that may be used in a device within an image forming apparatus. The coating composition may include a reactive oligomer capable of radiation curing having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of greater than 1500. A reactive diluent may then be combined with the reactive oligomer, which diluent is also capable of radiation curing and which has a Mn of less than or equal to 1500. The reactive diluent may be present at a level of less than fifty percent by weight of the coating composition. The coating composition may be present at a solids level of 90-100%.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Mark William Johnson, Kelly Ann Killeen, David Starling MacMillan, Bart Mansdorf, Donald Wayne Stafford, Mark Stephen Weisman, Jr.
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Patent number: 7899384Abstract: An image forming equipment, e.g., a laser printer includes a photoconductive (PC) drum and an associated charge roller and incorporates a conductive polymer cleaner blade having an electrical potential to sufficiently charge contamination particles on the PC drum to electrically repel from a charged surface, such as the charge roller.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Matthew David Heid, James Christopher Piotrowski, Joshua Carl Poterjoy, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20100111581Abstract: The present invention relates generally to image forming equipment, e.g., a laser printer of the type which includes a photoconductive (PC) drum and an associated charge roller. The invention is disclosed in exemplary embodiment as a laser printer incorporating a cleaner element with an electrical potential to sufficiently charge contamination particles on the PC drum to electrically repel from a charged surface, such as the charge roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Matthew David Heid, James Christopher Piotrowski, Joshua Carl Poterjoy, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20100003610Abstract: An endless electrophotographic member, such as a developer roller, which indicates an improved resistance to nip banding. The improvement to nip banding may be provided by the use of an organic salt within a roller surface region. The roller may provide, at a nip location, a resistive surface layer having an electrical resistance that avoids the development of nip banding and relatively dark regions on printed media.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Jane Elece Barcelo, Bradley Leonard Beach, Liam Ruan De Paor, Mark Duane Foster, Terence Edward Franey, Bhaskar Gopalanarayanan, Kevin Scott Kennedy, Kelly Ann Killeen, Chao Li, Jean Marie Massie, Ronald Lloyd Roe, Richard Nicholas Schrantz, JR., Scott Alan Searls, Robert Francis Soto, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20090181236Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a toner release coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner adhesion at a doctoring pre-nip location. The toner release coating may be formed from lubricating particulate and a polymeric binder resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True
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Publication number: 20090169273Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark Duane Foster, Whitney April Greer, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True, James Thomas Welch
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Patent number: 7519308Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for removal of image forming deposits between two contacting surfaces in an image forming device or image forming device cartridge. The method includes positioning an insert between the contacting surfaces which insert is capable of removing the deposits when the insert is inserted or removed from the device. The deposits may include those that may ultimately adhere or weld to the surfaces of the device during shipping and/or storage and upon exposure to differential environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Inventors: Peter Wallace Bracken, Donn Duane Bryant, Scott Richard Castle, Kevin Scott Kennedy, Abigail Susanne Marsh, David Lawrence Peter, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Publication number: 20090022902Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of radiation cured coatings that may be used in a device within an image forming apparatus. The coating composition may include a reactive oligomer capable of radiation curing having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of greater than 1500. A reactive diluent may then be combined with the reactive oligomer, which diluent is also capable of radiation curing and which has a Mn of less than or equal to 1500. The reactive diluent may be present at a level of less than fifty percent by weight of the coating composition. The coating composition may be present at a solids level of 90-100%.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Mark William Johnson, Kelly Ann Killeen, David Starling MacMillan, Bart Mansdorf, Donald Wayne Stafford, Mark Stephen Weisman, JR.
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Patent number: 7356278Abstract: The present invention relates to printing devices and particularly to devices and a method for the reduction of contamination on a charging device. A cleaning member is supplied that has a cleaning material affixed to a substrate. The cleaning material is positioned to contact the charge roller and the substrate is flexed to provide an elastic response.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: James Christopher Piotrowski, Donald Wayne Stafford, DeAndre Stevis Thompson
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Publication number: 20080038009Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for removal of image forming deposits between two contacting surfaces in an image forming device or image forming device cartridge. The method includes positioning an insert between the contacting surfaces which insert is capable of removing the deposits when the insert is inserted or removed from the device. The deposits may include those that may ultimately adhere or weld to the surfaces of the device during shipping and/or storage and upon exposure to differential environmental conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Peter Wallace Bracken, Donn Duane Bryant, Scott Richard Castle, Kevin Scott Kennedy, Abigail Susanne Marsh, David Lawrence Peter, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 7310494Abstract: An apparatus and method for the transport and/or storage of developing agent in an image forming apparatus. A cartridge may be employed having a reservoir for developing agent and a component, such as a drum, which may include an interior region capable of storing developing agent. A transport device may be included that is capable of transporting developing agent between the reservoir and a location in the image forming apparatus such as the drum interior.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Alfred Louis Fahmy, Robert Watson McAlpine, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, William Dale Smith, Donald Wayne Stafford, Gregory Scott Tigges