Patents by Inventor Maria Bernadette Carrone

Maria Bernadette Carrone 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: 6160980
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for transferring a toner image to a receiver sheet, there is provided an endless belt that is mounted for movement in a direction along a lengthwise dimension of the belt and through an endless path. The belt includes a splice seam that occurs transverse to the direction of movement of the belt, the seam having a discontinuity into which toner tends to collect which is free to transfer. The seam includes a bump proximate each end of the splice seam which extends above the seam. A rotatable member rotates while in engagement with a surface of the belt so as to urge a receiving sheet into intimate engagement with the surface between the rotatable member and the belt. The bumps support the rotatable member out of engagement with the splice seam to substantially preclude transfer to the rotatable member of toner accumulating in the splice seam between the bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Francisco Luiz Ziegelmuller, Maria Bernadette Carrone