Patents by Inventor Glen Alan Reidhaar

Glen Alan Reidhaar 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: 20250231519
    Abstract: A toner container for use with a developer unit of an image forming device includes a body having a reservoir for holding toner and an engagement arm that is movable relative to the body between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The engagement arm includes a first engagement surface for contacting a cam surface in the image forming device and receiving an actuation force from the cam surface to move the engagement arm from the disengaged position to the engaged position when the toner container is inserted into the image forming device. The engagement arm includes a second engagement surface for contacting and applying a hold-down force on a portion of the developer unit when the engagement member moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position when the toner container is inserted into the image forming device with the developer unit installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BARTLEY CHARLES GOULD, II, BRIAN LEE HAWES, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Publication number: 20250208535
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a drive coupler and an electrical contact positioned on a first longitudinal end thereof. A first guide post and a second guide post project outward along a longitudinal dimension of the toner container from the first longitudinal end of the body. The first guide post is spaced toward a first side of the body from the drive coupler, and the second guide post is spaced toward a second side of the body from the drive coupler. The first guide post and the second guide post overlap with the drive coupler along a vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first and second guide posts and the drive coupler. Bottom surfaces of the first and second guide posts may be positioned lower in the vertical dimension than a rotational axis of the drive coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2025
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Patent number: 12271121
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a drive coupler and an electrical contact positioned on a first longitudinal end thereof. A first guide post and a second guide post project outward along a longitudinal dimension of the toner container from the first longitudinal end of the body. The first guide post is spaced toward a first side of the body from the drive coupler, and the second guide post is spaced toward a second side of the body from the drive coupler. The first guide post and the second guide post overlap with the drive coupler along a vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first and second guide posts and the drive coupler. Bottom surfaces of the first and second guide posts may be positioned lower in the vertical dimension than a rotational axis of the drive coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, Brittany Nicole Sexton, Glen Alan Reidhaar, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Publication number: 20250044722
    Abstract: A toner container for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for holding toner, a toner port on the body in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a shutter translatable along a first dimension between a closed position blocking the toner port and an open position unblocking the toner port. A lock is translatable along a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension between a locked position blocking the shutter from moving from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position unblocking the shutter permitting the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Publication number: 20250028264
    Abstract: A toner container for use with a developer unit of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a front that leads during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device and a rear that trails during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. An outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for exiting toner from the toner container. An engagement surface is positioned at the bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for contacting and pushing open a developer shutter of an inlet port of the developer unit in a direction of insertion of the toner container into the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Patent number: 12140883
    Abstract: A toner container for use with a developer unit of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a front that leads during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device and a rear that trails during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. An outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for exiting toner from the toner container. An engagement surface is positioned at the bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for contacting and pushing open a developer shutter of an inlet port of the developer unit in a direction of insertion of the toner container into the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Stefano Adams, Brian Lester Boettcher, Brian Lee Hawes, Brittany Nicole Sexton, Edward Lynn Triplett, Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Publication number: 20240295839
    Abstract: A toner container for use with a developer unit of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a body having a front that leads during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device and a rear that trails during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. An outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for exiting toner from the toner container. An engagement surface is positioned at the bottom of the body and adjacent to the front of the body for contacting and pushing open a developer shutter of an inlet port of the developer unit in a direction of insertion of the toner container into the image forming device during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR
  • Publication number: 20240295840
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first replaceable unit having a first shutter movable between a closed position blocking an outlet port of the first replaceable unit and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A second replaceable includes an inlet port that is configured to receive toner from the outlet port of the first replaceable unit. The second replaceable unit includes a second shutter movable between a closed position blocking the inlet port and an open position unblocking the inlet port. A portion of the first shutter of the first replaceable unit is positioned to contact and move the second shutter of the second replaceable unit from the closed position of the second shutter to the open position of the second shutter during insertion of the first replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR
  • Publication number: 20240288796
    Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a drive coupler and an electrical contact positioned on a first longitudinal end thereof. A first guide post and a second guide post project outward along a longitudinal dimension of the toner container from the first longitudinal end of the body. The first guide post is spaced toward a first side of the body from the drive coupler, and the second guide post is spaced toward a second side of the body from the drive coupler. The first guide post and the second guide post overlap with the drive coupler along a vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first and second guide posts and the drive coupler. Bottom surfaces of the first and second guide posts may be positioned lower in the vertical dimension than a rotational axis of the drive coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: EMILY STEFANO ADAMS, BRIAN LESTER BOETTCHER, BRIAN LEE HAWES, BRITTANY NICOLE SEXTON, GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR, EDWARD LYNN TRIPLETT
  • Patent number: 9933727
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is formed on the housing and in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving toner. A first shutter member and a second shutter member is positioned about the inlet port and are each pivotable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second shutter members are in the closed positions, respective free ends thereof seal against each other and respective first face portions of the first and second shutter members seal against a perimeter of the inlet port such that the first and second shutter members block the inlet port. When the first and second shutter members are in the open positions, the first and second shutter members are pivoted away from the inlet port unblocking the inlet port. The first and second shutter members are biased toward the closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Patent number: 9720350
    Abstract: An auger assembly according to one example embodiment includes an auger having a helical flight extending along a longitudinal axis. The auger has a central opening running along the longitudinal axis. The auger has an end that includes at least a portion of a turn having substantially zero pitch. A retaining member has a body including a groove on an outer surface of the body. The groove has a shape complementary to the helical flight at the end of the auger. At least a portion of the end of the auger is retained within the groove. A rotatable coupling member extends along the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the rotatable coupling member is positioned within the central opening of the auger and presses the outer surface of the retaining member against an inner diameter of the end of the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Publication number: 20170168423
    Abstract: A toner container includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is formed on the housing and in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving toner. A first shutter member and a second shutter member is positioned about the inlet port and are each pivotable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second shutter members are in the closed positions, respective free ends thereof seal against each other and respective first face portions of the first and second shutter members seal against a perimeter of the inlet port such that the first and second shutter members block the inlet port. When the first and second shutter members are in the open positions, the first and second shutter members are pivoted away from the inlet port unblocking the inlet port. The first and second shutter members are biased toward the closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR
  • Publication number: 20170023883
    Abstract: An auger assembly according to one example embodiment includes an auger having a helical flight extending along a longitudinal axis. The auger has a central opening running along the longitudinal axis. The auger has an end that includes at least a portion of a turn having substantially zero pitch. A retaining member has a body including a groove on an outer surface of the body. The groove has a shape complementary to the helical flight at the end of the auger. At least a portion of the end of the auger is retained within the groove. A rotatable coupling member extends along the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the rotatable coupling member is positioned within the central opening of the auger and presses the outer surface of the retaining member against an inner diameter of the end of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: GLEN ALAN REIDHAAR
  • Patent number: 9488955
    Abstract: An auger assembly according to one example embodiment includes an auger having a helical flight extending along a longitudinal axis. The auger has a central opening running along the longitudinal axis. The auger has an end that includes at least a portion of a turn having substantially zero pitch. A retaining member has a body including a groove on an outer surface of the body. The groove has a shape complementary to the helical flight at the end of the auger. At least a portion of the end of the auger is retained within the groove. A rotatable coupling member extends along the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the rotatable coupling member is positioned within the central opening of the auger and presses the outer surface of the retaining member against an inner diameter of the end of the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Publication number: 20150268620
    Abstract: A waste toner bottle for an imaging device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A tube defines an auger path about the housing. The tube is in fluid communication with a plurality of inlets of the housing and has a transfer auger disposed along the auger path to move toner into the reservoir. The tube extends upward into the upper region of the housing above the plurality of inlets. The tube extends from a first end of the reservoir to a second end of the reservoir in the upper region of the housing. The tube includes perforations in a bottom of the tube between the first end of the reservoir and the second end of the reservoir in the upper region of the housing to drop toner from the auger path into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Patent number: 9134687
    Abstract: A waste toner bottle for an imaging device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A tube defines an auger path about the housing. The tube is in fluid communication with a plurality of inlets of the housing and has a transfer auger disposed along the auger path to move toner into the reservoir. The tube extends upward into the upper region of the housing above the plurality of inlets. The tube extends from a first end of the reservoir to a second end of the reservoir in the upper region of the housing. The tube includes perforations in a bottom of the tube between the first end of the reservoir and the second end of the reservoir in the upper region of the housing to drop toner from the auger path into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Publication number: 20150098827
    Abstract: An auger assembly according to one example embodiment includes an auger having a helical flight extending along a longitudinal axis. The auger has a central opening running along the longitudinal axis. The auger has an end that includes at least a portion of a turn having substantially zero pitch. A retaining member has a body including a groove on an outer surface of the body. The groove has a shape complementary to the helical flight at the end of the auger. At least a portion of the end of the auger is retained within the groove. A rotatable coupling member extends along the longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the rotatable coupling member is positioned within the central opening of the auger and presses the outer surface of the retaining member against an inner diameter of the end of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Patent number: D785088
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Pangburn, Glen Alan Reidhaar
  • Patent number: D786346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Pangburn, Glen Alan Reidhaar, Joseph Edwin Domhoff, Billy Joe Jones
  • Patent number: D791229
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Pangburn, Glen Alan Reidhaar, Joseph Edwin Domhoff, Billy Joe Jones