Patents by Inventor Douglas K. Herrmann

Douglas K. Herrmann 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: 12116156
    Abstract: An automated packaging system for automated collating, stacking and transferring long cut retail edge marker strips exiting a roll fed high speed slitter/perforator/cutter apparatus includes a series of angled and stepped baffles configured to receive the cut retail edge marking strips and allow them to fall into and accumulate in bins formed by each angled baffle and then be removed from each bin consecutively by an automated pusher acting orthogonally to the bins to move and collate the retail edge markers into a final stack collated to meet a specific store planogram requirement. An automated transfer unit moves the final stack downstream for further packaging, which may include automated banding and loading of the final stack into an empty container for shipment to the store having the specific planogram requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 12109656
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is configured to increase the oxidation of ejected melted metal drops for the formation of metal support structures during manufacture of a metal object with the apparatus. The oxidation can be increased by either increasing a distance between the ejector head and a platform supporting the metal object or by providing an air flow transverse to the direction of movement of the melted metal drops, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Additive Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj
  • Patent number: 12091274
    Abstract: A removable raised tray system for a printing system generally includes a removable tray operatively arranged to receive print media thereon. The removable tray includes an upper tray surface having an electrically conductive material, a lower tray surface, and at least one tray leg that is connected to the removable tray, which is configured to support the removable tray at a position that is raised relative to a platform surface of a printer feeder or stacker. The at least one leg includes a releasable fastening assembly, such as a rare earth magnet, that releasably secures the removable tray to the platform surface thereby allowing the tray to easily attached and removed from the printer feeder or stacker. The electrically conductive material of the tray surface and the platform surface are electrically conductively connected to one another so as to prevent the build-up of static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 12086403
    Abstract: Devices include first and second frame elements having mounting points connectable to opposite ends (e.g., first end, second end) of the touchscreen. First and second rollers are connected, respectively, to the first and second frame elements. A web of transparent material is supported by and between the first and second rollers. Further, an ultraviolet light device is connected to the second frame element and is positioned to expose the web of transparent material to ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the transparent material between users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Chu-Heng Liu, Linn C. Hoover, David A. VanKouwenberg
  • Patent number: 12070945
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer identifies image areas and image features in ink image content data that are likely to produce ink blur within an ink image. The ink image content data for these areas and features is modified to attenuate the appearance of ink blur. The image areas identified as being likely to produce ink blur are the trailing edge and the side edges of the ink image content data. The modification of the ink image content data for the features and predetermined areas improves the quality of the printed ink image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj, Chu-Heng Liu, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20240262114
    Abstract: An inkjet printer and method of operating the inkjet printer ejects ink drops onto coated areas of a media transport exposed in the inter-document zones between successive media sheets passing through a print zone of the printer to maintain the operational status of the inkjets ejecting the ink drops. Absorbent material is positioned outside of the print zone to contact the media transport and remove the ejected ink drops from the coated areas. The absorbent material can be configured about two rollers so operating an actuator to rotate one of the rollers pulls absorbent material from a supply roll to a take-up roll to provide clean absorbent material for removal of the ejected ink drops from time to time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Varun Sambhy, Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 12053982
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer identifies image areas in ink image content data that are likely to affected by airflow disturbances to produce ink blur within an ink image. Inkjets farthest from these areas are selected to eject ink drops into these areas to form portions of an ink image. The image areas identified as being likely to produce ink blur are the leading edge, trailing edge, and side edge of the ink image content data. The ink drops ejected by these selected inkjets and their satellites are less likely to be affected adversely by the airflow disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Jorge A. Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20240253838
    Abstract: An automated packaging system for automated collating, stacking and transferring long cut retail edge marker strips exiting a roll fed high speed slitter/perforator/cutter apparatus includes a series of angled and stepped baffles configured to receive the cut retail edge marking strips and allow them to fall into and accumulate in bins formed by each angled baffle and then be removed from each bin consecutively by an automated pusher acting orthogonally to the bins to move and collate the retail edge markers into a final stack collated to meet a specific store planogram requirement. An automated transfer unit moves the final stack downstream for further packaging, which may include automated banding and loading of the final stack into an empty container for shipment to the store having the specific planogram requirement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas K. HERRMANN
  • Publication number: 20240253363
    Abstract: An inkjet printer prints on a first side of a media sheet less than all of the color separations in an image, generates a first set of image data of the printed color separations to identify image features, returns the partially printed media sheet to a position that precedes the print zone in the printer, generates a second set of image data of the partially printed media sheet before it reenters the print zone to identify the image features, compares the positions of the image features in the first set of image data to the positions of the image features in the second set of image data to register one or more color separations remaining to be printed with the color separations printed on the first side of the media sheet, and prints the remaining registered color separations on the first side of the partially printed media sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Jorge A. Alvarez, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Publication number: 20240253361
    Abstract: An inkjet printer and method of operating the inkjet printer modifies the image content data for an ink image to be printed on a media sheet to maintain the operational status of each inkjet in the inkjet printer. For each inkjet that is operated less than an operational threshold, image data is added to the image content data to operate each inkjet at the operational threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Varun Sambhy
  • Publication number: 20240207925
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a movable directed energy source to melt hardened metal drops and form an oxidation layer. A metal support structure can be formed over the oxidation layer, an object feature can be formed over the oxidation layer, or both a metal support structure and an object feature can be formed over oxidation layers located at opposite sides of a metal support structure. The oxidation layers weakly attach the metal support structure to the object feature supported by the metal support structure so the support structure can be easily removed after manufacture of the object is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Publication number: 20240173769
    Abstract: A system and method of characterizing drops of printing material in a 3D printer is disclosed, which includes ejecting a drop from a nozzle of an ejector in the 3D printer, intersecting the drop with a beam while the drop is in-flight, and determining one or more physical characteristics of the drop. The system and method may include where the drop intersects the beam between the nozzle and a substrate of the 3D printer or the drop intersects the beam between the nozzle and a top surface of a part printed by the 3D printer. The beam is located between an emitter and a detector are each positioned external to one or more side walls of a 3D printer. A physical characteristic of the drop may include drop size, drop shape, or drop mass and comparison with a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas K. HERRMANN, Jason M. LeFEVRE, Seemit PRAHARAJ, Varun SAMBHY
  • Publication number: 20240123501
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional printed part is disclosed, including ejecting a drop of print material from an ejector for a printing system in a substantially vertical trajectory, directing a stream of inert gas toward the drop of print material from a first direction, and diverting the drop of print material from the substantially vertical trajectory prior to the drop of print material landing onto a surface. The method includes directing a stream of inert gas toward the drop of print material from other directions. A printing system includes at least a first channel oriented in a first plane parallel to the substrate and positioned between the substrate and the ejector, and a gas supply connected to the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann, Varun Sambhy
  • Publication number: 20240123504
    Abstract: A printing system and method of forming a three-dimensional printed part in a printing system is disclosed, including forming a three-dimensional printed part in a printing system includes depositing a first print material onto a substrate or a partially formed three-dimensional metal part, depositing a second print material may include an oxidizing agent onto the partially formed three-dimensional part, and forming an oxidized layer on a top surface of the partially formed three-dimensional part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Varun Sambhy, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11958297
    Abstract: Printing methods and devices identify distortable ink colors in a print job. These distortable ink colors interact with one another when printed in the same printing pass on the same area of a sheet. These methods and devices control printheads and sheet feeders to separately print the distortable ink colors in different print passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20240100601
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a vessel having a receptacle that holds melted metal. The vessel has one or more electrical coils positioned at an upper end of the vessel near an inlet for solid metal that is melted within the receptacle. AC electrical current is passed through the one or more electrical coils to produce traveling magnetic fields in the melted metal at the upper end of the receptacle in the vessel to stir the melted metal and attenuate the formation of dross in the melted metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Varun Sambhy, Jason M. LeFevre, Seemit Praharaj
  • Publication number: 20240092602
    Abstract: A removable raised tray system for a printing system generally includes a removable tray operatively arranged to receive print media thereon. The removable tray includes an upper tray surface having an electrically conductive material, a lower tray surface, and at least one tray leg that is connected to the removable tray, which is configured to support the removable tray at a position that is raised relative to a platform surface of a printer feeder or stacker. The at least one leg includes a releasable fastening assembly, such as a rare earth magnet, that releasably secures the removable tray to the platform surface thereby allowing the tray to easily attached and removed from the printer feeder or stacker. The electrically conductive material of the tray surface and the platform surface are electrically conductively connected to one another so as to prevent the build-up of static electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Douglas K. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11934712
    Abstract: A method of automatically diagnosing media handling defects on sheets, the method including receiving a first image of a first sheet, determining that the first image includes a detected media handling defect, determining that the detected media handling defect matches one or more known media handling defects in a database, and displaying a rectifying action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jason LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-heng Liu, Seemit Praharaj
  • Patent number: 11931799
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a movable directed energy source to melt hardened metal drops and form an oxidation layer. A metal support structure can be formed over the oxidation layer, an object feature can be formed over the oxidation layer, or both a metal support structure and an object feature can be formed over oxidation layers located at opposite sides of a metal support structure. The oxidation layers weakly attach the metal support structure to the object feature supported by the metal support structure so the support structure can be easily removed after manufacture of the object is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Additive Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu
  • Publication number: 20240083165
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer identifies image areas in ink image content data that are likely to affected by airflow disturbances to produce ink blur within an ink image. Inkjets farthest from these areas are selected to eject ink drops into these areas to form portions of an ink image. The image areas identified as being likely to produce ink blur are the leading edge, trailing edge, and side edge of the ink image content data. The ink drops ejected by these selected inkjets and their satellites are less likely to be affected adversely by the airflow disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Chu-Heng Liu, Jorge A. Alvarez