Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Hons

Douglas A. Hons 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: 6043836
    Abstract: The present invention is for a vacuum drum (300) with countersunk holes (334). In one embodiment, vacuum holes (306), countersunk vacuum holes (334), and blind countersunk vacuum holes (336) on an outer surface of the vacuum drum are connected by vacuum grooves to facilitate holding multiple sheets of media on the vacuum drum (300), which revolves at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
  • Patent number: 6014162
    Abstract: The present invention is for an image processing apparatus (10) for sheet thermal print media. The image processing apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media (32) and dye donor sheet material (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the vacuum imaging drum (300) as the vacuum imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the dye donor sheet material (36) which causes color to transfer from the dye donor sheet material (36) to the thermal print media (32). The vacuum imaging drum (300), having media contours (328) on the outer surface to facilitate holding media onto a vacuum imaging drum (300) revolving at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
  • Patent number: 6002419
    Abstract: The present invention is for an imaging processing apparatus (10) for thermal print medium. The image processor apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media(32) and donor sheets (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the imaging drum (300) as the imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the donor (36) which causes color to transfer from the donor (36) to the thermal print media (32). At least part of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300) has micropaths over at least a portion of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300). In one embodiment the micropaths are produced by sandblasting (330). At least one vacuum hole or slot is located on the surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300), connecting to the micropaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger S. Kerr, Dean L. Smith, Douglas A. Hons
  • Patent number: 5061961
    Abstract: In an electrostatographic apparatus including a housing having a lower portion containing electrostatographic process stations and an upper portion connected thereto containing a dielectric member supported on a core, the upper housing portion is movable relative to the lower housing portion to a first (closed) position where the dielectric member is in operative relation to such electrostatographic process stations and a second (open) position wherein the dielectric member is remote from such electrostatographic process stations to enable ready access to such process stations. The dielectric member core is mounted in the upper housing portion for movement with the upper housing portion or movement relative thereto to a position intermediate the upper and lower housing portions when the upper portion is in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Jacobs, Douglas A. Hons
  • Patent number: 4875153
    Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus including an image receiving member, at least one support for mounting the image receiving member for movement along a travel path, and an electronic light emitting print head assembly including a focusing lens, a simplified mechanism for accurately locating an electronic print head assembly relative to the image receiving member, which enables the image receiving member to be readily changed and which does not impact tracking of the member. The mechanism comprises a frame with the print head assembly mounted at a preselected location in the frame. A first feature is defined in the frame, the first feature including a locating surface spaced at a preselected distance from the plane through the geometric center line of the focusing lens of the print head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hons