Patents by Inventor James Anthany Carter, II

James Anthany Carter, II 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: 12169381
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger
  • Patent number: 11982970
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II
  • Patent number: 11714373
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger
  • Patent number: 11507013
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II
  • Patent number: 11221582
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket having a first side, a second side and a plurality of positioning slots extending between the first side and the second side, each positioning slot is configured to receive a corresponding toner cartridge. Each positioning slot includes a first latch at the first side of the basket and a second latch at the second side of the basket. Each of the first and second latches is independently pivotable between a latched position for applying a hold-down force on a respective end portion of a corresponding toner cartridge positioned in a corresponding positioning slot of the plurality of positioning slots to rigidly hold the corresponding toner cartridge against datums of the basket and an unlatched position to release the corresponding toner cartridge permitting removal of the corresponding toner cartridge from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Allen Blair, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Jie Chen, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger
  • Patent number: 11194286
    Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a basket insertable into and extendable out of the image forming device. The basket includes a plurality of positioning slots each configured to receive a corresponding toner cartridge of a plurality of toner cartridges. The basket includes a cartridge latching assembly configured to apply a hold-down force on each toner cartridge to rigidly hold each toner cartridge against corresponding datums of the basket. A basket latching assembly in the image forming device is configured to apply a hold-down force on the basket when the basket is inserted into the image forming device to rigidly hold the basket against corresponding datums of the image forming device for positioning the plurality of toner cartridges in respective operational positions within the image forming device with only the cartridge latching assembly of the basket directly applying hold-down forces on the plurality of toner cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Allen Blair, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Jie Chen, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger, Michael James Shanor, Christopher Kent Washing
  • Patent number: 11086268
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II
  • Patent number: 10908551
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger
  • Patent number: 10782643
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II
  • Patent number: 10725422
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry positioned on the housing. The second electrical contact is electrically connected to an imaging component positioned on the housing. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than the second electrical contact. A first drive coupler and a second drive coupler are positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned higher than a first rotational axis of the first drive coupler. The first electrical contact is positioned higher than a second rotational axis of the second drive coupler and the second electrical contact is positioned lower than the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Charles Devore, Darin Michael Gettelfinger
  • Patent number: 10048623
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection projects from the front of the housing and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. The projection extends further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a shutter on a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christohper Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9927765
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device includes a replaceable unit that has a reservoir for holding toner. A circuit board is mounted within a pocket on a first side of a housing of the replaceable unit. The pocket has an opening facing a front of the housing to permit an electrical connector of the image forming device to enter the pocket and mate with the circuit board when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A first guide wall and a second guide wall are each positioned outside the pocket on the first side of the housing closer to the front of the housing than the opening. Inclined surfaces of the first and second guide walls are angled to move the electrical connector of the image forming device toward the circuit board during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, Matthew Jeremy Litman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman
  • Patent number: 9921540
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device includes a replaceable unit that has a housing having an internal reservoir for storing toner. A circuit board retainer is positioned on an exterior surface of the housing. The retainer includes a top having an undersurface having first and second supports extending away from the undersurface of the top toward a bottom of the retainer. A mounting platform is positioned on the undersurface of the top intermediate the first and second supports and spaced apart from the bottom of the retainer. A circuit board is mounted on the mounting platform. The top and the first and second supports form an opening at the front of the retainer sized to receive an electrical connector of the image forming device for mating with the circuit board when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, Matthew Jeremy Litman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman
  • Patent number: 9921522
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge having a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christohper Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9836018
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes an electrical contact positioned within a pocket on a first side of a housing of the replaceable unit. The pocket has an opening facing a front of the housing to permit an electrical connector of the image forming device to enter the pocket and mate with the electrical contact. A first guide wall and a second guide wall are each positioned outside the pocket on the first side, in front of the opening. The first and second guide walls each include an inclined surface that inclines outward from the first side of the housing in a direction from the front to a rear of the housing to move the electrical connector of the image forming device toward the circuit board during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, Matthew Jeremy Litman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman
  • Patent number: 9715209
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir and a circuit board retainer removably mounted on an exterior surface of a first side of the housing. The retainer includes a circuit board mounted on a mounting platform. The circuit board is spaced from the exterior surface of the first side of the housing forming a pocket between the circuit board and the exterior surface of the first side of the housing. The retainer includes an opening facing toward the front of the housing into the pocket formed between the circuit board and the exterior surface of the first side of the housing for receiving an electrical connector of the image forming device that mates with the electrical contacts of the circuit board when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, Matthew Jeremy Litman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman
  • Patent number: D929496
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, David Lee Merrifield, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D933124
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D934340
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Brian Lee Hawes, David Lee Merrifield, Jay Scott Siekmann
  • Patent number: D936137
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II, Jay Scott Siekmann