Patents by Inventor Edward M. Eck

Edward M. Eck 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: 8457513
    Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Patent number: 8452204
    Abstract: A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Patent number: 8406642
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing toner after a selected time interval from a longitudinal member in a dry electrophotographic printer for printing a visible image on a receiver. An end block is disposed at one end of a rotatable development member, and a longitudinal member is disposed adjacent to the development member or photoreceptor and is connected to the end block. A backup bar is disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor and can selectively make physical contact with at least one point on the end block. When a measured time interval of printer operation reaches the selected time interval, a controller causes the backup bar to apply a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the longitudinal member to be removed from the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Patent number: 8311434
    Abstract: Toner is removed, after a selected time interval, from a skive mount in a dry electrophotographic printer. An end block is disposed at one end of the rotatable development member, and a skive mount disposed adjacent to the development member connects a skive to the end block. A timing device measures a time interval of printer operation. At the selected time interval, a controller causes a backup bar to lift away from the photoreceptor, then, after a selected time delay, causes the backup bar to make physical contact with at least one point on the end block, so that the backup bar applies a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the skive mount to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella
  • Patent number: 8265505
    Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Patent number: 8265514
    Abstract: Toner is removed from a skive mount in a dry electrophotographic printer. An end block is disposed at one end of the rotatable development member, and a skive mount disposed adjacent to the development member connects a skive to the end block. A timing device measures time intervals of printer operation. A process-control time interval and a cleaning time interval that is a non-negative multiple of the process-control time interval are selected. Prints are made until the process-control time interval elapses. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. Once the cleaning interval has elapsed, in the process-control frame, a backup bar is lifted lift away from the photoreceptor, then, after a selected time delay, brought into physical contact with at least one point on the end block, so that toner is removed from the skive mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella
  • Publication number: 20110299876
    Abstract: Toner is removed from a skive mount in a dry electrophotographic printer. An end block is disposed at one end of the rotatable development member, and a skive mount disposed adjacent to the development member connects a skive to the end block. A timing device measures time intervals of printer operation. A process-control time interval and a cleaning time interval that is a non-negative multiple of the process-control time interval are selected. Prints are made until the process-control time interval elapses. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. Once the cleaning interval has elapsed, in the process-control frame, a backup bar is lifted lift away from the photoreceptor, then, after a selected time delay, brought into physical contact with at least one point on the end block, so that toner is removed from the skive mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella
  • Publication number: 20110299865
    Abstract: A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Publication number: 20110299877
    Abstract: Toner is removed, after a selected time interval, from a skive mount in a dry electrophotographic printer. An end block is disposed at one end of the rotatable development member, and a skive mount disposed adjacent to the development member connects a skive to the end block. A timing device measures a time interval of printer operation. At the selected time interval, a controller causes a backup bar to lift away from the photoreceptor, then, after a selected time delay, causes the backup bar to make physical contact with at least one point on the end block, so that the backup bar applies a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the skive mount to be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella
  • Publication number: 20110299864
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing toner after a selected time interval from a longitudinal member in a dry electrophotographic printer for printing a visible image on a receiver. An end block is disposed at one end of a rotatable development member, and a longitudinal member is disposed adjacent to the development member or photoreceptor and is connected to the end block. A backup bar is disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor and can selectively make physical contact with at least one point on the end block. When a measured time interval of printer operation reaches the selected time interval, a controller causes the backup bar to apply a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the longitudinal member to be removed from the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Alfred J. Gonnella, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Publication number: 20110194867
    Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Publication number: 20110194868
    Abstract: A controlled fuser assembly for a reproduction apparatus. The fuser assembly includes a fuser member for fusing a marking particle image to a receiver member and a cooling system for controlling the temperature of the fuser system. Optional external heater rollers have a heat transfer surface adapted to be selectively engaged with the fuser member, and a device for heating said heat transfer surfaces. A mechanism is provided for controlling the heat transfer with the fuser member to selectively change the amount of heat transferred from the fuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Borden H. Mills, III, Edward M. Eck, Anne F. Lairmore
  • Patent number: 7885584
    Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Philip A. Stern, Edward M. Eck, Paul E. Thompson, Timothy Reynolds, Gerard M. Darby
  • Publication number: 20090003887
    Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Philip A. Stern, Edward M. Eck, Paul E. Thompson, Timothy Reynolds, Gerard M. Darby
  • Patent number: 7110706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine, including flow of toner through a toner replenisher and sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle. According to the numerous aspects of the invention, a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine are provided, including improved flow of toner through a toner replenisher and/or improved sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Barnes, Paul Essic Thompson, Edward M. Eck
  • Patent number: 7054014
    Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
  • Publication number: 20040196479
    Abstract: A method of estimating toner consumption of a input digital image when printed, the digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising the steps of identifying each pixel as background pixels or foreground pixels; adding the digital values of foreground pixels together; and, estimating toner usage based on the sum of the added values. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas J. Foster, Anne F. Lairmore, Edward M. Eck, David G. Watson
  • Patent number: 6775505
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to processes for electrostatic image development, and setpoints that provide uniform image development. In particular, an apparatus and process having a magnetic brush that implements a rotating magnetic core within a shell is disclosed. The process implements one or more of the following optimum setpoints: a range of shell surface speeds that provide uniform toning density, a range of shell surface speeds that prevent toner plate-out, a skive spacing that minimizes sensitivity to variation, a magnetic core speed that minimizes sensitivity to variation, and an imaging member spacing that minimizes sensitivity to variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Digital LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Joseph E. Guth, Matthias H. Regelsberger, Edward M. Eck
  • Patent number: 6775490
    Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Digital LLC
    Inventors: Edward M. Eck, Kenneth P. Friedrich, Philip A. Stern, James A. Zimmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6728503
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrographic image development, wherein the image development process is optimized by setting the average developer bulk flow velocity with reference to the imaging member velocity, for example, where the average developer bulk velocity is about the same as the imaging member velocity, or within preferred ranges, such as between about 40% to about 130% of the imaging member velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, Joseph E. Guth, Matthias H. Regelsberger, Edward M. Eck, Ulrich Mutze