Patents by Inventor Gerard W. Ernst

Gerard W. Ernst 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).

  • Method for cleaning charged particles from an object
    Patent number: 6902630
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning object having generally irregular surface features
    Patent number: 6543078
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular, undulating surface features
    Patent number: 6490746
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular, undulating surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. A pair of air ionizing members are arranged on the interior of the opposing side walls and a source of a curtain-like stream of air is arranged in the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning charged particles from objects
    Publication number: 20020152636
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning the surface of a web
    Patent number: 5425813
    Abstract: A web cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning the surface of a web (22), for example a photographic film. The apparatus has a rotatable particle transfer roller (10) for removing particulate contamination from the web and a rotatable renewal roller (30) having a cleaning surface (36) for contacting and cleaning the particle transfer roller. Wiping contact is established between the particle transfer roller and the renewal roller to effectuate cleaning of the transfer roller. An absorbent cleaning member (46) is positioned in a cleaning fluid reservoir (32) for wetting and cleaning the cleaning surface of the renewal roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Gregory P. Guyette
  • Apparatus and method for cleaning the surface of a web
    Patent number: 5337767
    Abstract: A web cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning the surface of a web (22), for example a photographic film. The apparatus has a rotatable particle transfer roller (10) for removing particulate contamination from the web and a rotatable renewal roller (30) having a cleaning surface (36) for contacting and cleaning the particle transfer roller. Wiping contact is established between the particle transfer roller and the renewal roller to effectuate cleaning of the transfer roller. An absorbent cleaning member (46) is positioned in a cleaning fluid reservoir (32) for wetting and cleaning the cleaning surface of the renewal roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerard W. Ernst, Gregory P. Guyette