Patents by Inventor James D. Shifley

James D. Shifley 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: 20110287357
    Abstract: Methods for forming bound electrophotographic prints are provided. In one aspect a method comprises the steps of applying a toner to a receiver to form a toner image with having toner in a binding area and in an image area. The binding area is proximate to a binding edge of the receiver and the image area that is separated from the binding area by an separation area. The toner image is fused to form a print, and a sheet and the prints are stacked with the toner in the binding area of the print confronting the sheet along a binding edge of the sheet. Heat is applied at the binding edges to cause the toner in the binding area to fuse for a second time. A residual portion of the applied heat heats the separation area but the separation area does not heat the image area to an extent sufficient to fuse toner in the image area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Brian J. Kwarta, James D. Shifley, Donald S. Rimai, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110286778
    Abstract: Systems for producing bound electrophotographic prints are provided. In one aspect there is provided a system with a print engine having a printing module to form a toner image on a receiver, a fuser with a heater that heats the toner image to fuse the toner image to a receiver to form a print, a stacking system that stacks the print and a sheet in a stacking area with the fused toner image between the print and the sheet. A heating system has a heat source that applies a heat along an edge of the stack, and a controller that causes the toner image to have toner in a binding area proximate to the heated edge of the stack and in an image area that is separated from the binding area by a separation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Brian J. Kwarta, James D. Shifley, Donald S. Rimai, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110277613
    Abstract: A finisher for a receiver moving in a feed direction includes a cutting device having a cutting blade and a scoring blade on opposite sides of the receiver and oriented perpendicular to the feed direction, and a scoring notch on the opposite side of the receiver from, and parallel to, the scoring blade. An actuator selectively causes the scoring blade to engage the scoring notch as the receiver moves between the scoring blade and scoring notch, so that the receiver is scored, or causes the cutting blade to engage the scoring blade, so that the receiver is cut. A controller receives a job specification including one or more cut or score location(s) on the receiver and causes the receiver to be cut at the cut location(s) or scored at the score location(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Donald S. Rimai, James D. Shifley, Brian J. Kwarta
  • Publication number: 20110116840
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas N. Tombs, James D. Shifley, Rodney R. Bucks, Donald S. Rimai
  • Publication number: 20110117487
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Alan J. Swire, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110116812
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: James D. Shifley
  • Publication number: 20110116838
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Rodney R. Bucks, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110116845
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Rodney R. Bucks
  • Publication number: 20110116814
    Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Alan J. Swire, Thomas N. Tombs
  • Publication number: 20110020024
    Abstract: A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, Muhammed Aslam, James D. Shifley
  • Publication number: 20100329708
    Abstract: A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Muhammed Aslam, James D. Shifley, Robert D. Bobo
  • Publication number: 20100247162
    Abstract: A developer station and method for an eletrographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A tangent line tangent to the cylindrical toning shell at the nip is oriented substantially vertically, and the magnetic developer is applied to the toning shell at an angular distance of no more than about 120° from said nip. The toning shell may be eccentrically mounted with respect to the magnetic core and is substantially closest to the rotatable magnetic core within about +30° and ?30° from said nip. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the residence time of the developer on the toning shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Eric C. Stelter, James D. Shifley, Joseph E. Guth
  • Publication number: 20090250830
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for refurbishing a fusing member. The apparatus includes a fusing member that contacts the toner image on a receiver medium and fuses the toner image to the receiver medium. The fusing member has an outer contact surface of a fluorothermoplastic resin The apparatus includes a tooling member positionable adjacent to the outer contact surface of the fusing member such that a pressure nip is formed between the outer contact surface of the fusing member and the tooling member. A heat source is provided for transferring heat to the fusing member and the tooling member, wherein the surface of the fuser member is engagable with the tooling member to rotate at a speed of at least 1 rpm at a pressure of at least 5 psi and at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature of the outer contact surface for a time sufficient to resurface of the outer surface of the fuser member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Shyh-Hua E. Jao, Jiann-Hsing Chen, James D. Shifley, Muhammed Aslam, Joseph A. Pavlisko
  • Patent number: 7565091
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for refurbishing a fusing member. The apparatus includes a fusing member that contacts the toner image on a receiver medium and fuses the toner image to the receiver medium. The fusing member has an outer contact surface of a fluorothermoplastic resin The apparatus includes a tooling member positionable adjacent to the outer contact surface of the fusing member such that a pressure nip is formed between the outer contact surface of the fusing member and the tooling member. A heat source is provided for transferring heat to the fusing member and the tooling member, wherein the surface of the fuser member is engagable with the tooling member to rotate at a speed of at least 1 rpm at a pressure of at least 5 psi and at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature of the outer contact surface for a time sufficient to resurface of the outer surface of the fuser member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Shyh-Hua E. Jao, Jiann-Hsing Chen, James D. Shifley, Muhammed Aslam, Joseph A. Pavlisko
  • Publication number: 20080279582
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for refurbishing a fusing member. The apparatus includes a fusing member that contacts the toner image on a receiver medium and fuses the toner image to the receiver medium. The fusing member has an outer contact surface of a fluorothermoplastic resin The apparatus includes a tooling member positionable adjacent to the outer contact surface of the fusing member such that a pressure nip is formed between the outer contact surface of the fusing member and the tooling member. A heat source is provided for transferring heat to the fusing member and the tooling member, wherein the surface of the fuser member is engagable with the tooling member to rotate at a speed of at least 1 rpm at a pressure of at least 5 psi and at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the thermoplastic melting temperature of the outer contact surface for a time sufficient to resurface of the outer surface of the fuser member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Shyh-Hua E. Jao, Jiann-Hsing Chen, James D. Shifley, Muhammed Aslam, Joseph A. Pavlisko
  • Publication number: 20080279587
    Abstract: A printing unit for a digital multi-color printing machine, in particular for an electrophotographically operating, preferably sheet-printing printing machine, said printing unit comprising at least one transfer element (11), preferably an imaging cylinder (31) and/or a cylinder bearing a rubber blanket, for the transfer of a printing image. The invention provides a multi-color printing machine which also allows the production of high-quality prints with fewer colors, i.e., in a more cost-effective manner than if a multi-color print were produced with the same printing machine. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a printing unit for a digital multi-color printing machine, which is characterized in that the transfer element (11) is moved from a transfer position into an inoperative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Soenke Dehn, Uwe Fischer, James D. Shifley
  • Patent number: 7155142
    Abstract: A belt fuser/finisher including an endless fusing/finishing belt directed around a closed loop path defined by a heated roller and at least one unheated roller. The endless fusing/finishing belt and rollers are mounted on a belt frame that is pivotally attached to a mainframe. The belt frame may be rotated from a latched running position to service position, and the tension in the endless fusing/finishing belt can be relieved, thereby enabling the endless fusing/finishing belt to be easily removed and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Mark A. Wilde
  • Patent number: 7130571
    Abstract: A variable torque device for maintaining constant tension in a web of material as the web is unwound from a supply roll. The variable torque device includes a lead screw attached to the shaft of the supply roll via an appropriate gear ratio. A coil spring is located between a hub on the lead screw and a set of rings and friction pads. As the lead screw rotates, the hub translates, thus changing the displacement of the coil spring, which in turn changes the loading of the rings and friction pads. With a full supply roll the coil spring is compressed so as to create an amount of torque to create the desired web tension. As the supply roll unwinds, the rotation of the lead screw translates the hub to expand the coil spring, reducing the torque and maintaining the web tension constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, James D. Shifley, Douglas J. Pfaff, James W. Gunn
  • Patent number: 6625407
    Abstract: A cantilever drum-mounting apparatus adapted for use in a document printer/copier having a housing having: an opening therein; a carriage movably mounted within the opening and adapted to receive, retain and rotatably support an axle of a drum; and a plurality of guide mechanisms, rotatably mounted on the carriage and engageable with opposing outer surface of the housing, for limiting movement of the carriage to a direction substantially normal to the axis for drum rotation. Preferably, movement of the carriage is controlled by the actuator of an air cylinder that cooperates with one or more reference surfaces within the housing opening to locate the drum axle at a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: James D. Shifley, Gregory L. Kowalski, Andreas Dickhoff, Andreas G. Nagy
  • Patent number: 6587664
    Abstract: A mechanism for applying pressure load force in a reproduction apparatus fuser device having at least one heated fuser member and a pressure member in nip relation to permanently fix a marking particle image to a receiver member. The pressure load force applying mechanism includes a load arm assembly rotatable about a fixed pivot axis to apply a pressure force to the pressure member, and a load cam selectively rotated about a drive shaft. A cam follower member is associated with the load cam, wherein a force of the load cam is applied via the cam follower member to the load arm assembly. A spring nest is formed as a part of the load arm assembly. The spring nest supports at least a heavy spring and a light spring; wherein the cam follower member, upon movement under the influence of the load cam, compresses the nested light spring and the heavy spring at different travel positions of the cam follower for varying the pressure force on the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Richard C. Baughman, James D. Shifley, Terry N. Morganti