Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Schultz

Douglas E. Schultz 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: 9248646
    Abstract: A printhead having a drop generator for creating print and non-print drops and a drop deflector for causing the trajectories of the print drops and the non-print drops to diverge includes a liquid extraction channel for removing liquid from the gas flow duct; the liquid extraction channel having an entrance which opens off from the gas flow duct; an outlet; a catcher for collecting the non-print drops wherein the catcher has an ink return channel; at least one via connecting the ink return channel to the liquid extraction channel; and wherein a portion of the liquid passing through the ink return channel of the catcher flows through the at least one via into the liquid extraction channel and from the liquid extraction channel out the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin P. Egan, Seth C. Clark, William H. Sommerville, III, Robert J. Simon, Douglas E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8465113
    Abstract: A jetting module is provided for installation in a printhead including mounting features, fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, mounting features, and fluid and electrical connections. The mounting features of the jetting module are configured to engage the mounting features of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module are located relative to the mounting features of the jetting module such that a force applied to couple the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module and the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead provides force to maintain contact between the mounting features of the jetting module and the mounting features of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 8226215
    Abstract: A printer includes a plurality of jetting modules each including a first alignment feature, a plurality of nozzles through which fluid may be jetted and fluid and electrical connections; a printhead frame having a plurality of jetting-module receiving receptacles each of which receives one of the jetting modules, each receiving receptacle having a second alignment feature corresponding to the first alignment feature of a jetting module: a jetting module installation device having a pocket for receiving a jetting module, wherein the jetting module installation device includes a latch mechanism that, in a first position, is latched to the printhead frame securing the jetting module in a jetting module receiving receptacle with the first alignment feature engaging a corresponding second alignment feature of the printhead frame; the latch mechanism that, in a second position, is unlatched from the printhead frame so that the jetting module is not secured in the jetting module receiving receptacle; and wherein the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Russell A. Bechler, Douglas E. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8091990
    Abstract: A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David J. Nelson, David L. Jeanmaire, Douglas E. Schultz, Joseph E. Yokajty, Michael S. Hanchak, John C. Brazas
  • Publication number: 20110199434
    Abstract: A printer includes a plurality of jetting modules each including a first alignment feature, a plurality of nozzles through which fluid may be jetted and fluid and electrical connections; a printhead frame having a plurality of jetting-module receiving receptacles each of which receives one of the jetting modules, each receiving receptacle having a second alignment feature corresponding to the first alignment feature of a jetting module: a jetting module installation device having a pocket for receiving a jetting module, wherein the jetting module installation device includes a latch mechanism that, in a first position, is latched to the printhead frame securing the jetting module in a jetting module receiving receptacle with the first alignment feature engaging a corresponding second alignment feature of the printhead frame; the latch mechanism that, in a second position, is unlatched from the printhead frame so that the jetting module is not secured in the jetting module receiving receptacle; and wherein the
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Russell A. Bechler, Douglas E. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100309255
    Abstract: A jetting module for installation in a printhead of a printer is provided. The printhead includes a set of mounting features, a set of fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a set of mounting features, and a set of fluid and electrical connections. The set of mounting features of the jetting module is configured to engage the set of mounting features of the printhead. The set of fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module corresponds to the set of fluid and electrical connections of the printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 7819501
    Abstract: A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090295863
    Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module, a catcher, a drop deflection mechanism, and a capping mechanism. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles and is operable to form liquid drops from liquid emitted through the nozzles of the nozzle array. The catcher collects some of the liquid drops. The drop deflection mechanism deflects the liquid drops such that some of the liquid drops contact the catcher while other liquid drops are allowed to contact a print media. The capping mechanism includes a capping member located between the nozzle array of the jetting module and the drop deflection mechanism. The capping member has a first position covering the nozzle array and a second position removed from the nozzle array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas E. Schultz, Michael S. Hanchak, Robert J. Simon, Charles D. Rike, Timothy T. Hare
  • Publication number: 20090295878
    Abstract: A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090295879
    Abstract: A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: David J. Nelson, David L. Jeanmaire, Douglas E. Schultz, Joseph E. Yokajty, Michael S. Hanchak, John C. Brazas