Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Hix

Kenneth E. Hix 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).

  • Micro-structured drying for inkjet printers
    Patent number: 7966743
    Abstract: A dryer operable in close proximity to and in series with an inkjet printhead comprises a heat source and an air bearing structure on one side of the predetermined path and having a pressurized air inlet and an air outlet adjacent to the drying position of the receiver medium. Air flow from the air bearing structure outlet forms an air bearing for the receiver medium. A microporous filter positioned at the outlet and being adapted to convert the air flow from the outlet to a diffuse flow, the microporous filter being formed of an inner layer of very fine screen for optimum air diffusion and an outer layer of courser woven screen to add rigidity and protection from scuffing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, Kenneth E. Hix, Daniel Gelbart
  • MICRO-STRUCTURED DRYING FOR INKJET PRINTERS
    Publication number: 20090031579
    Abstract: A dryer operable in close proximity to and in series with an inkjet printhead comprises a heat source and an air bearing structure on one side of the predetermined path and having a pressurized air inlet and an air outlet adjacent to the drying position of the receiver medium. Air flow from the air bearing structure outlet forms an air bearing for the receiver medium. A microporous filter positioned at the outlet and being adapted to convert the air flow from the outlet to a diffuse flow, the microporous filter being formed of an inner layer of very fine screen for optimum air diffusion and an outer layer of courser woven screen to add rigidity and protection from scuffing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, Kenneth E. Hix, Daniel Gelbart