Patents by Inventor Gary P. Lawniczak

Gary P. Lawniczak 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).

  • Publication number: 20130108302
    Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer controller causes a sheet delivery system, the receiver delivery system and the receiver transport system to position a receiver and a sheet in a receiver transport path for travel through a printing area with a cross edge positioned on the sheet to separate a portion of the sheet that is masked from toner transfer from an unmasked portion of the sheet. The printer controller further causes the receiver and the sheet to be moved through the printing area so that the cross edge is moved through printing area during transfer of a toner of the print image. The unmasked portion of the sheet is positioned to receive any portion of the print image that is transferred when the receiver is not in the printing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Publication number: 20130104759
    Abstract: In methods for operating a printer a sheet is provided in a printing path leading to a printing area, a receiver is provided having a cross edge to which a printed image is to extend in the printing path for movement with the sheet. The receiver and the sheet are moved through the printing area so that the cross edge is moved through printing area during transfer of a toner to form the print image. The receiver and the sheet are further moved through the printing area with the cross edge of positioned on the sheet to separate a portion of the sheet that is masked from transfer of the print image from an unmasked portion of the sheet and the unmasked portion of the sheet is positioned to receive any portion of the print image that is transferred when the receiver is not in the printing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Publication number: 20130107285
    Abstract: A method for operating a printing module includes determining that a receiver is to be printed having an image that extends to a cross edge of a receiver that is positioned across a printing path along which the receiver is moved during printing, determining when the receiver is at a position relative to a printing area where a print image can be formed on the receiver; and, printing a toner image so that the print image is being printed when the cross edge of the receiver is positioned in the printing area. Prior to printing, the cross edge of the receiver is positioned on a sheet to divide the sheet into a receiver masked portion and an unmasked portion and wherein the toner image is printed so that printing of the toner image occurs only when one of the sheet and the receiver are positioned to receive the toner image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Publication number: 20120195670
    Abstract: Web supply systems and printers are provided. In one aspect a web supply system has frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation and separated by a separation distance during the supply of web, a first core mounting having a first surface that is rotatably supportable by the first mounting support for rotation about the axis of rotation and a first engagement end to provide support for a first end of a core, and; a second core mounting having a second surface that is rotatably supportable by the second mounting for rotation about the axis of rotation and a second engagement end to provide support for a second end of the core. The mountings support a core that has one or more surface at an angle that corresponds to one or more angle of a surface on the mountings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Publication number: 20120195671
    Abstract: Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin
  • Publication number: 20120193467
    Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a web medium supply for a printer and or operating a printer having a web medium supply to which any of a plurality of different cores can be mounted, each core having a web. In one aspect, a core data condition is detected indicating that an automatic core data acquisition process is to be executed and conditions are sensed from which a difference in the rotational positions of a first engaged surface at a first end of the core and a second engaged surface at a second end of the core can be determined. Data regarding the web on the core is determined based upon the sensed conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Publication number: 20120193468
    Abstract: Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai, Eric C. Stelter, Alan E. Rapkin
  • Publication number: 20120177396
    Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus includes a photoconductor; a charging device for placing a uniform charge on the photoconductor; an image writer for writing an image on the charged photoconductor; a developer station for developing the image with toner; a transfer station for transferring the toned image to a receiver; a fixing unit for fusing the image to the receiver; environmental control system for removing airborne contaminants from the electrophotographic apparatus; the environmental control system includes a catalytic filter; and ozone is added prior to the catalytic filter when the contaminant is formaldehyde.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Gary P. Lawniczak, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Publication number: 20120177397
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminants generated by an electrophotographic apparatus includes placing a uniform charge on a photoconductor; writing an image on the charged photoconductor; developing the image with toner; transferring the toned image to a receiver; fusing the image to the receiver; and removing airborne contaminants from the electrophotographic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Pitas, Gary P. Lawniczak, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Patent number: 8180232
    Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer has a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system, and fuser to cause a first toner image to be formed on the first side of the first receiver with toner at least in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness at a second end and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of image artifacts created by the overlapping second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027446
    Abstract: A printer is provided for forming a durable combination of printed receivers having a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system and fuser to cause a first toner image on the first side of the first receiver with toner in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver and a toner edge shield; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond receivers receiver. The toner edge shield forms a first end confronting the second edge that extends from a first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the second thickness and that has a deflection surface that slopes toward a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027482
    Abstract: Overlap positioning systems are provided for use with a receiver transport system that moves receiver from a pre-printing path, past a print engine, to a post-printing path. In one aspect, the overlap positioning system has a receiver transport system that moves receiver from a post-printing path to a reentry point in the pre-printing path, a diverter selectively diverts the first receiver from the post printing path into a recirculation system having a plurality of surfaces to guide the first receiver from the post printing path to a reentry in the pre-printing path; and a receiver movement system moves the first receiver through the recirculation system; a controller and sensor system cooperate to cause one of the first receiver or a second receiver to be first through the reentry point and the other is advanced through the reentry point at a point where an overlap of a determined amount is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027445
    Abstract: Methods for operating a printer to form a combination print with improved appearance are provided. In one aspect first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner in an overlap area proximate the first edge. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and the first receiver and second receiver are fused to cause any toner thereon to fuse such that the toner in the overlap area bonds the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of artifacts created by the overlapping second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027439
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a combination print having an image thereon. In accordance with one aspect, a first receiver is provided having a first side with a toner in an overlap area and the first receiver is overlapped with a second receiver overlapping the first receiver; and the first receiver and second receiver are moved in the overlapped position past a print engine so that an image is formed on the combination of the first receiver and the second receiver with contiguous application of toner forming the image applied across the first receiver and the second receiver, the first receiver and second receiver are fused to bind the prints together and to fix the toner to form a combination print having a continuously applied image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027441
    Abstract: Methods forming a durable combination print and a printed article are provided. In one aspect, a first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner at least in an overlap area proximate the first edge and toner forming a toner edge shield. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and, the first receiver and the second receiver are fused to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes a toner edge shield with a first end confronting the second edge that extends from the first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the second thickness and has a deflection surface sloped toward a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20120027440
    Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer has a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system, and fuser to cause a first toner image to be formed on the first side of the first receiver with toner at least in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness at a second end and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of image artifacts created by the overlapping second edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Lawniczak, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20110293349
    Abstract: Printers with variable receiver supply are provided. In one aspect a printer is provided having a source of image data and production data for use in printing a set of images, with each image having a defined size and shape and a receiver supply having a web of receiver and a cutter adapted to cut the web of receiver to a determined length. The printer also has print engine to print the images on the receiver and a finishing system that is configurable between at least two configurations. A user input system receives user input from which a priority setting can be determined between an output rate priority and an efficiency priority; and a controller determines the configuration of the finishing system, receives the image data and production data and determines a priority setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas N. Tombs, James D. Shifley, Walter B. Sherwood, Gary P. Lawniczak, David E. Bettiol
  • Publication number: 20110292437
    Abstract: Methods for operating a printer are provided. In one aspect, a method has the steps of receiving image data and production data for printing a set of images with each image having a defined size and shape, determining a finishing configuration of a finishing system; and determining a priority setting between an output rate priority and an efficiency priority. The images are organized for printing on the receiver in the defined sizes and shapes based upon the determined priority and the finishing configuration and the images are printed on the receiver as organized. The receiver is finished to provide prints of the images each having the defined size and shape for that image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas N. Tombs, James D. Shifley, Walter B. Sherwood, Gary P. Lawniczak, David E. Bettiol
  • Patent number: 5438435
    Abstract: A duplex document handler feeds document sheets from a document sheet supply to a stationary exposure position through which the document sheets are moved for scanning by a linear CCD array. Duplex document sheets are fed from the exposure station into a loop, leading edge first, and returned, still leading edge first, to the exposure for exposure of the opposite side of the sheet. The document sheets are moved in opposite directions through the exposure station for exposure of the two sides. The loop is the size to receive either one large, for example, ledger sized document, or two smaller, for example, letter or legal sized document sheets, before receipt of further document sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Patent number: 5317365
    Abstract: A supply hopper for holding a stack of fanfold paper and guiding such fanfold paper for reliable feeding as it is withdrawn from the supply hopper. The supply hopper comprises a tray for supporting a stack of fanfold paper, the tray including a base member oriented at an angle in the range of between 25.degree.-45.degree. from the horizontal. A stop member is connected to the base member along the lower marginal edge thereof, the stop member and the base member forming an included angle of substantially 90.degree.. Further, a guide member is supported by the tray substantially above a fanfold paper stack supported on the tray at a height sufficient to lift the topmost individual panel of the stack at least partially off the stack when the fanfold paper is threaded over the guide member. A bail assembly is connected to the tray extending away from the base member of the tray on the opposite side of the stop member from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Tschiderer, Gary P. Lawniczak