Patents by Inventor L. Ronald Whitlock

L. Ronald Whitlock 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: 6837576
    Abstract: A method of filling an ink supply bag with a liquid ink comprises flowing the liquid ink from an orifice in a nozzle extending deep into the bag and at an initial delivery velocity that is low enough to substantially prevent bubbles from forming in the delivered liquid in the bag in order to prevent the liquid ink from foaming, and after the liquid level in the bag rises to immerse at least the orifice increasing the delivery velocity to speed up the fill rate for the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: L. Ronald Whitlock, Diana C. Petranek
  • Patent number: 6824260
    Abstract: An ink composition and an ink cartridge having the ink composition are provided. The ink composition includes a colorant and an aqueous carrier. The ink composition has a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. at 20° C., a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm, and an advancing contact angle relative to an ink receiving receiver of less than about 55° at room temperature. The ink container can be a collapsible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James W. Blease, L. Ronald Whitlock
  • Patent number: 6725888
    Abstract: A method for filling and degassing a pouch contained in a cartridge. A fluid injection unit introduces fluid into a rotatable pouch. The pouch contained in the cartridge is permitted to rotate from a vertical position for degassing and weighing to a horizontal position for fluid introduction. After several rotational cycles, accurate pouch weighing and complete evacuation of the pouch results in a precise fluid loaded pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Richter, L. Ronald Whitlock, Diana C. Petranek, Gary E. Merz, John C. Green
  • Patent number: 6722400
    Abstract: An apparatus precisely delivers a prescribed amount of fluid into a degassed pouch contained in a cartridge. The apparatus has a rotating cartridge holding member that alternately positions the cartridge in either a horizontal position for filling or a vertical position for degassing. A digital weighing element associated with the fixture enables the cartridge to be weighed during the filling process to ensure the delivery of a predetermined amount of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Richter, L. Ronald Whitlock, Diana C. Petranek, Gary E. Merz, John C. Green
  • Publication number: 20040036747
    Abstract: A method of filling an ink supply bag with a liquid ink comprises flowing the liquid ink from an orifice in a nozzle extending deep into the bag and at an initial delivery velocity that is low enough to substantially prevent bubbles from forming in the delivered liquid in the bag in order to prevent the liquid ink from foaming, and after the liquid level in the bag rises to immerse at least the orifice increasing the delivery velocity to speed up the fill rate for the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: L. Ronald Whitlock, Diana C. Petranek
  • Publication number: 20030156175
    Abstract: An ink composition and an ink cartridge having the ink composition are provided. The ink composition includes a colorant and an aqueous carrier. The ink composition has a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. at 20° C., a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm, and an advancing contact angle relative to an ink receiving receiver of less than about 55° at room temperature. The ink container can be a collapsible bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James W. Blease, L. Ronald Whitlock
  • Patent number: 6585362
    Abstract: An ink composition and an ink cartridge having the ink composition are provided. The ink composition includes a colorant and an aqueous carrier, the ink composition having a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. and a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm. The ink cartridge includes an ink container filled with a liquid ink, the liquid ink having a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. and a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm. The ink container can be a collapsible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James W. Blease, L. Ronald Whitlock
  • Publication number: 20030095168
    Abstract: An ink composition and an ink cartridge having the ink composition are provided. The ink composition includes a colorant and an aqueous carrier, the ink composition having a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. and a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm. The ink cartridge includes an ink container filled with a liquid ink, the liquid ink having a dissolved gas content of less than 3 ppm as measured on the basis of the amount of dissolved oxygen gas at 20° C. and a static surface tension at 25° C. of greater than 34 dynes/cm. The ink container can be a collapsible bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James W. Blease, L. Ronald Whitlock