Patents by Inventor Frank Shuster

Frank Shuster 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: 7151902
    Abstract: A module, included in an electrophotographic printer, for making toner images by a method in which transfer current for electrostatic transfer of toner images to receiver members is adjusted to compensate for ambient variations of toner charge-to-mass ratio (q/m). A predetermined functional relationship between transfer current and a control voltage parameter is utilized. Magnitudes of the control voltage parameter are derived from voltage measurements relating to creation of toner control patches on a photoconductive image-recording member included in a modular electrophotographic printer. Control voltage magnitude is linearly dependent on q/m. The functional relationship, which is characterized by three experimentally determined parameters, is co-optimized for providing efficient transfer of toner images and for minimizing back-transfer of toner away from a receiver member in a transfer station included in the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David M. Rakov, Graham S. Wright, Frank A. Shuster
  • Publication number: 20050244179
    Abstract: A module, included in an electrophotographic printer, for making toner images by a method in which transfer current for electrostatic transfer of toner images to receiver members is adjusted to compensate for ambient variations of toner charge-to-mass ratio (q/m). A predetermined functional relationship between transfer current and a control voltage parameter is utilized. Magnitudes of the control voltage parameter are derived from voltage measurements relating to creation of toner control patches on a photoconductive image-recording member included in a modular electrophotographic printer. Control voltage magnitude is linearly dependent on q/m. The functional relationship, which is characterized by three experimentally determined parameters, is co-optimized for providing efficient transfer of toner images and for minimizing back-transfer of toner away from a receiver member in a transfer station included in the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Rakov, Graham Wright, Frank Shuster
  • Patent number: 5489972
    Abstract: A series of toner images are formed on an endless belt having a splice. The toner images are transferred to a receiving sheet which is fed between the belt and a rotatable transfer member. The transfer member is cleaned by transferring toner back to the belt. Excess toner transfer from the splice of the belt to the transfer roller is obviated by either making the transfer member of a size that the toner will transfer back at an interframe area or applying a lacquer or other similar material to this splice to prevent the pickup of toner initially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Frank A. Shuster, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Patent number: 4647186
    Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for scavenging charged particles (e.g. triboelectrically carrier particles) from an electrographic recording element. Such apparatus comprises a conductive grid positioned in close proximity to the path of the recording element, and biasing means for electrically biasing the grid so as to attract the charged particles from the recording element yet prevent them from depositing on, and thereby contaminating, the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Timothy G. Armstrong, Arthur S. Kroll, Frank A. Shuster
  • Patent number: 4531832
    Abstract: Contrast and/or density adjustment of developed electrographic images is effected in a development system comprising a hard magnetic carrier and a magnetic brush having a rotary core and shell. The adjustment is effected by cooperatively varying the core and shell rotation rates, within predetermined ranges, in a manner which maintains the operative developer linear velocity generally equal to, and co-current with, the velocity of an electrographic image member's movement through the development zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kroll, Frank A. Shuster
  • Patent number: 4347298
    Abstract: Improved electrographic development apparatus and procedure for use with partially-conductive developer employs transport of the developer through a first development zone in a direction generally countercurrent to a moving image member and through a second development zone in a direction generally co-current to the moving image member. The extent of image development within each such zone is controlled by the rate of developer transport and/or the magnitude of developer bias, so that overall development of the different portions of large solid image areas (particularly leading and trailing portions of such areas) is equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kroll, Frank A. Shuster
  • Patent number: 4292921
    Abstract: Improved electrographic development apparatus and procedure for use with partially-conductive developer employs transport of the developer through a first development zone in a direction generally countercurrent to a moving image member and through a second development zone in a direction generally cocurrent to the moving image member. The extent of image development within each such zone is controlled by the rate of developer transport and/or the magnitude of developer bias, so that overall development of the different portions of large solid image areas (particularly leading and trailing portions of such areas) is equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kroll, Frank A. Shuster
  • Patent number: 4013041
    Abstract: An electrographic apparatus, of the type employing a brush-type developer applicator which contacts one side of a flexible electrostatic image-bearing web, has (1) a web feed-path constructed in a predetermined configuration and (2) the applicator predeterminedly positioned relative to the feed-path defining elements, such that the flexible image-bearing web is allowed to move freely toward and away from the developer applicator in response to the varying contours of the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Timothy G. Armstrong, Arthur S. Kroll, Frank A. Shuster