Patents by Inventor Francisco L. Ziegelmuller

Francisco L. Ziegelmuller 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: 8594528
    Abstract: A cleaning blade member includes a polymer substrate and an outermost layer consisting essentially of a non-particulate, non-elastomeric ceramer or fluoroceramer and nanosized inorganic particles that are distributed within the non-particulate ceramer or fluoroceramer in an amount of at least 5 weight % and up to and including 50 weight % of the outermost layer. These cleaning blade members can be used to advantage in apparatus for providing electrophotographic or electrostatographic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, James D. Shifley
  • Patent number: 8401454
    Abstract: A system for collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic printer includes a waste collection tube for collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic module. An auger transports waste toner or developer from the collection tube through a transport tube to a waste container. A spring has a first end in the collection tube and a second end fixed within the transport tube of the auger. An elbow of the spring rides on the auger and the motion of the auger causes the spring to oscillate in the collection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Kevin H. Blakely
  • Publication number: 20120301176
    Abstract: A cleaning blade member comprises a polymer substrate and an outermost layer consisting essentially of a non-particulate, non-elastomeric ceramer or fluoroceramer and nanosized inorganic particles that are distributed within the non-particulate ceramer or fluoroceramer in an amount of at least 5 weight % and up to and including 50 weight % of the outermost surface layer. These cleaning blade members can be used to advantage in apparatus for providing electrophotographic or electrostatographic images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, James D. Shifley
  • Publication number: 20120133074
    Abstract: A method for making a waste collection tube for a dry electrophotographic printer includes molding an open construction waste tube which has mirror construction symmetry. A first half and a second half of the open construction waste tube are joined by a flexible hinge. The first half and the second half of the open construction waste tube is folded together along the hinge which joins the first half and the second half together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Kevin H. Blakely, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Publication number: 20120132311
    Abstract: A waste collection tube for a dry electrophotographic printer is a molded, open construction. The molded open construction has mirror symmetry, and a first half and a second half connected by a flexible hinge. The first half and the second half open construction waste tubes have edges and labyrinth seals on the edges. A fastening device attaches the first half to the second half in a removable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Kevin H. Blakely, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Patent number: 8145116
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of siloxane coated gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder, and a fluorosurfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Douglas E. Garman, Dennis R. Fronheiser, Edward T. Miskinis
  • Publication number: 20120070210
    Abstract: A method for collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic printer includes collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic module. An auger transports waste toner or developer from the collection tube through a transport tube to a waste container. A spring has a first end in the collection tube and a second end fixed within the transport tube of the auger. An elbow of the spring rides on the auger and the motion of the auger causes the spring to oscillate in the collection tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Kevin H. Blakely
  • Publication number: 20120070209
    Abstract: A system for collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic printer includes a waste collection tube for collecting waste toner or developer in an electrophotographic module. An auger transports waste toner or developer from the collection tube through a transport tube to a waste container. A spring has a first end in the collection tube and a second end fixed within the transport tube of the auger. An elbow of the spring rides on the auger and the motion of the auger causes the spring to oscillate in the collection tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Kevin H. Blakely
  • Patent number: 8139981
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. A quick disconnect feature enables the cleaner cover to be de-coupled from the cleaner body to allow the debris to be easily removed with replacing the web-cleaner. The cleaner has a cleaner sump that is spring loaded to force contact of four strategically placed stops in the sump with a stationary back up shoe assembly allowing for higher precision of blade engagement with a transport web or a photoconductor. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, each having each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Edward T. Miskinis, Daniel R. Palmer, Jeffrey A. Pitas, Christoper S. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20120051784
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting electrophotographic waste includes a toner bottle (240) containing fresh toner (248); an auger for transferring waste toner (243) to the toner bottle; and a member for separating waste toner in the toner bottle from fresh toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Matthias H. Regelsberger, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Publication number: 20120051783
    Abstract: A method for collecting electrophotographic waste includes collecting waste toner (243) from an electrophotographic process. The waste toner is transferred to a toner bottle (240). The waste toner in the toner bottle is separated from fresh toner (248) by a membrane (246).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Matthias H. Regelsberger, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Patent number: 8086133
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades are held using a shoe that comprises a “T-shaped” extrusion wherein the extrusion has a rigidity to reduce shoe deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Daniel R. Palmer, Bonnie J. Patterson, James N. Alkins
  • Patent number: 7796913
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more profiled metal blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, Gregory L. Kowalski, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Patent number: 7769338
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Douglas E. Garman, Gary B. Bertram, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Patrick M. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20100111559
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades are held using a shoe that comprises a “T-shaped” extrusion wherein the extrusion has a rigidity to reduce shoe deformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Daniel R. Palmer, Bonnie J. Patterson, James N. Alkins
  • Publication number: 20100111558
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more profiled metal blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, Gregory L Kowalski, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Publication number: 20090185825
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. A quick disconnect feature enables the cleaner cover to be de-coupled from the cleaner body to allow the debris to be easily removed with replacing the web-cleaner. The cleaner has a cleaner sump that is spring loaded to force contact of four strategically placed stops in the sump with a stationary back up shoe assembly allowing for higher precision of blade engagement with a transport web or a photoconductor. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, each having each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Edward T. Miskinis, Daniel R. Palmer, Jeffrey A. Pitas, Christoper S. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7548711
    Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. A quick disconnect feature enables the cleaner cover to be de-coupled from the cleaner body to allow the debris to be easily removed with replacing the web-cleaner. The cleaner has a cleaner sump that is spring loaded to force contact of four strategically placed stops in the sump with a stationary back up shoe assembly allowing for higher precision of blade engagement with a transport web or a photoconductor. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades that are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate dumping of material removed from the web without removing the cleaning blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Dennis J. Grabb, Daniel R. Palmer, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Publication number: 20090052964
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of siloxane coated gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder, and a fluorosurfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Douglas E. Garman, Dennis R. Fronheiser, Edward T. Miskinis
  • Publication number: 20080107463
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Wayne T. Ferrar, Douglas E. Garman, Gary B. Bertram, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Patrick M. Lambert