Patents by Inventor John A. Lebens

John A. Lebens 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: 7731341
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device, a method of cleaning the device, and a method of operating the device are provided. The device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate and has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned at an angle other than 90° relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David P. Trauernicht, Christopher N. Delametter, John A. Lebens, James M. Chwalek, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7699441
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector includes a substrate and a liquid chamber for receiving a liquid. The liquid chamber is positioned over the substrate and includes a nozzle plate, a chamber wall and a liner layer. The nozzle plate and the chamber wall include an organic material. The liner layer includes an inorganic material. The liner layer is located on the nozzle plate and the chamber wall such that the inorganic material is contactable with the liquid when the liquid is present in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John A. Lebens
  • Publication number: 20100018949
    Abstract: A printhead and a method of manufacturing a printhead are provided. The printhead includes a polymeric substrate including a surface. Portions of the polymeric substrate define a liquid chamber. A material layer is disposed on the surface of the polymeric substrate. Portions of the material layer define a nozzle bore. The nozzle bore is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, John A. Lebens, Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos
  • Publication number: 20090320289
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead includes providing a polymeric substrate having a surface; providing a patterned material layer on the surface of the polymeric substrate; and removing at least some of the polymeric substrate not covered by the patterned material layer using an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos, John A. Lebens
  • Publication number: 20090315951
    Abstract: A liquid ejector includes a substrate, a heating element, a dielectric material layer, and a chamber. The substrate includes a first surface. The heating element is located over the first surface of the substrate such that a cavity exists between the heating element and the first surface of the substrate. The dielectric material layer is located between the heating element and the cavity such that the cavity is laterally bounded by the dielectric material layer. The chamber, including a nozzle, is located over the heating element. The chamber is shaped to receive a liquid with the cavity being isolated from the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Lebens, Christopher N. Delametter, David P. Trauemicht, Emmanuel K. Dokyi, Weibin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090295861
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device, a method of cleaning the device, and a method of operating the device are provided. The device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate and has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned at an angle other than 90° relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: David P. Trauernicht, Christopher N. Delametter, John A. Lebens, James M. Chwalek, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7607227
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead includes providing a polymeric substrate having a surface; providing a patterned material layer on the surface of the polymeric substrate; and removing at least some of the polymeric substrate not covered by the patterned material layer using an etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kathleen M. Vaeth, Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos, John A. Lebens
  • Patent number: 7600856
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector includes a substrate and a plurality of liquid chambers. Portions of the substrate define a liquid supply. Each liquid chamber is positioned over the substrate and includes a nozzle plate and a chamber wall. The nozzle plate and the chamber wall include an inorganic material. The inorganic material of the nozzle plate and the chamber wall is contactable with liquid when liquid is present in each liquid chamber. A region of organic material is positioned over the substrate and located relative to the nozzle plate and the chamber wall such that the region of organic material is not contactable with liquid when liquid is present in each liquid chamber. The region of organic material is bounded by chamber walls of neighboring liquid chambers located on opposite sides of the liquid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John A. Lebens, Lingadahalli G. Shantharama
  • Publication number: 20080180485
    Abstract: A liquid ejector includes a structure defining a chamber. The chamber includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a nozzle orifice. A drop forming mechanism is located on the second surface of the chamber opposite the nozzle orifice. A first liquid feed channel and a second liquid feed channel are in fluid communication with the chamber. A first segment of a segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the first liquid feed channel and a second segment of the segmented liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the second liquid feed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher N. Delametter, John A. Lebens, David P. Trauernicht, James M. Chwalek, Yonglin Xie, Gary A. Kneezel, Christopher R. Morton, Cathie J. Burke
  • Patent number: 7399068
    Abstract: A continuous stream ink jet printer is provided having an ink droplet forming mechanism for ejecting a stream of ink droplets having a selected one of at least two different volumes toward a print medium and a droplet deflector and ink conduit which are integrally formed to the printhead for producing a flow of gas that interacts with the ink droplet stream to separate droplets having different volumes and collects all droplets not used for printing. The provision of integrally forming the gutter system with the droplet forming mechanism eliminates the requirement to align an external gutter system upon full print engine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos, Bryan A. Beaman, John A. Lebens, Theodore K. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20080136867
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector includes a substrate and a plurality of liquid chambers. Portions of the substrate define a liquid supply. Each liquid chamber is positioned over the substrate and includes a nozzle plate and a chamber wall. The nozzle plate and the chamber wall include an inorganic material. The inorganic material of the nozzle plate and the chamber wall is contactable with liquid when liquid is present in each liquid chamber. A region of organic material is positioned over the substrate and located relative to the nozzle plate and the chamber wall such that the region of organic material is not contactable with liquid when liquid is present in each liquid chamber. The region of organic material is bounded by chamber walls of neighboring liquid chambers located on opposite sides of the liquid supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Lebens, Lingadahalli G. Shantharama
  • Publication number: 20080136868
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector includes a substrate and a liquid chamber for receiving a liquid. The liquid chamber is positioned over the substrate and includes a nozzle plate, a chamber wall and a liner layer. The nozzle plate and the chamber wall include an organic material. The liner layer includes an inorganic material. The liner layer is located on the nozzle plate and the chamber wall such that the inorganic material is contactable with the liquid when the liquid is present in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: John A. Lebens
  • Patent number: 7370944
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector is provided. The ejector includes a liquid chamber and a liquid supply. Portions of the liquid chamber define a nozzle bore. A liquid supply passageway is positioned between the liquid chamber and the liquid supply. The liquid supply passageway is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber and the liquid supply. A plurality of pillars is suspended in the liquid supply passageway. A wall of the liquid chamber can extend to the liquid supply passageway. A center pillar can also be included with a portion of the center pillar being positioned in the liquid chamber and another portion of the center pillar being positioned in the liquid supply passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Antonio Cabal, Thomas M. Stephany, Roger G. Markham, John A. Lebens, William R. Zimmerli
  • Patent number: 7354522
    Abstract: A method of etching a substrate and an article(s) formed using the method are provided. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a region of the substrate with a temporary material having properties that enable the temporary material to remain substantially intact during subsequent processing and enable the temporary material to be removed by a subsequent process that allows the substrate to remain substantially unaltered; removing a portion of the substrate to form a feature, at least some of the removed portion of the substrate overlapping at least a portion of the coated region of the substrate while allowing the temporary material substantially intact; and removing the temporary material while allowing the substrate to remain substantially unaltered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Kneezel, John A. Lebens, Christopher N. Delametter, David P. Trauernicht, James M. Chwalek
  • Publication number: 20070182777
    Abstract: A printhead and a method of manufacturing a printhead are provided. The printhead includes a polymeric substrate including a surface. Portions of the polymeric substrate define a liquid chamber. A material layer is disposed on the surface of the polymeric substrate. Portions of the material layer define a nozzle bore. The nozzle bore is in fluid communication with the liquid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Kathleen Vaeth, John Lebens, Constantine Anagnostopoulos
  • Publication number: 20070184389
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead includes providing a polymeric substrate having a surface; providing a patterned material layer on the surface of the polymeric substrate; and removing at least some of the polymeric substrate not covered by the patterned material layer using an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Kathleen Vaeth, Constantine Anagnostopoulos, John Lebens
  • Publication number: 20070153060
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting device and method of forming same are provided. The fluid ejecting device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The nozzle plate has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall with the first wall and the second wall being positioned at an angle relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A source of fluid impedance comprises a physical structure located between the nozzle and the fluid delivery channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: James Chwalek, John Lebens, Christopher Delametter, David Trauernicht, Gary Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7213908
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting device and method of forming same are provided. The fluid ejecting device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The nozzle plate has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall with the first wall and the second wall being positioned at an angle relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A source of fluid impedance includes a physical structure located between the nozzle and the fluid delivery channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James M. Chwalek, John A. Lebens, Christopher N. Delametter, David P. Trauernicht, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7191520
    Abstract: A method for creating an inkjet chamber. The method comprises the steps of firstly providing a substrate having a nozzle opening and secondly etching the substrate through the nozzle opening by alternating between anisotropic and isotropic etching processes for forming a chamber having a shape approximating a cylinder by using multiple hemispheric etches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lingadahalli G. Shantharama, John A. Lebens, Thomas M. Stephany
  • Publication number: 20070052766
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device, a method of cleaning the device, and a method of operating the device are provided. The device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate and has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned at an angle other than 90° relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: David Trauernicht, Christopher Delametter, John Lebens, James Chwalek, Gary Kneezel