Patents by Inventor Michael Craig Leemhuis
Michael Craig Leemhuis 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: 20150139698Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a tray having a storage area extending between a front end and a rear end of the tray. The tray has an opening at the front end permitting insertion and removal of a replaceable unit into and out of the storage area. A biasing member biases the replaceable unit toward the front end of the tray. A latch on the tray is movable between a latched position restraining the replaceable unit from moving toward the front end of the tray and an unlatched position freeing the replaceable unit to move toward the front end of the tray permitting removal of the replaceable unit from the storage area. A latch releasing mechanism on the replaceable unit unlatches the latch on the tray for removing the replaceable unit from the storage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Charles Alan Bast
-
Patent number: 9031424Abstract: A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Patent number: 8989611Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. The paddle includes a magnetic element rotatable with the paddle and detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for detecting the motion of the paddle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Patent number: 8948659Abstract: A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge. The inlet port is connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir. A shutter is slidably movable between a closed position and an open position. A biasing member biases the shutter toward the closed position. The shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to open the shutter as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. The shutter also includes a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Willard Baker, Stephen Andrew Brown, David Francis Carter, Michael Craig Leemhuis
-
Patent number: 8948660Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing for transferring toner from the reservoir to the developer unit through an inlet port on the developer unit. A first engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is positioned to provide an initial force to begin to open a shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. A second engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is spaced toward one of the sides of the housing from the first engagement member and positioned to provide a force to continue to open the shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Ronald Willard Baker, Stephen Andrew Brown, Michael Craig Leemhuis, David Lee Merrifield
-
Publication number: 20140369719Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The toner cartridge includes a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening. A check valve limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, James Richard Leemhuis, Charles Alan Bast, Kyle Benjamin Freels
-
Patent number: 8867968Abstract: A rotating cover on the developer unit of an imaging apparatus to prevent toner leaks from the toner entry port of the developer unit. When installing a toner cartridge, the cartridge contacts a surface to cause the cover to rotate to an open position, thereby exposing the toner port for receiving toner. Conversely, when the toner cartridge is removed the cover is rotated into a closed position with the aid of a torsion spring so as to seal the toner entry port of the developer unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, James Anthany Carter, Gregory Alan Cavill, Nicholas Fenley Gibson, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Tyler Frederick Williams, Mark Duane Foster, Thomas Wilbur Blanck
-
Publication number: 20140226994Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A drive element is exposed on an exterior of the housing unobstructed to receive rotational force. The drive element is operatively connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft upon receiving the rotational force. A sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the shaft. A processor is mounted on the housing and in electrical communication with the sensor. An electrical contact in electrical communication with the processor is exposed on the exterior of the housing unobstructed to mate with a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The processor is programmed to send information related to the rotational motion sensed by the sensor to a controller in the image forming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Charles Alan Bast, David Anthony Schneider, Daniel Steinberg
-
Publication number: 20140212155Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of toner remaining in a reservoir of a replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes receiving by processing circuitry pulses from a magnetic sensor. Each pulse is indicative that the magnetic sensor detected a magnet on a moving paddle positioned in the reservoir. The processing circuitry counts the number of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor. Upon receiving a request from a controller of the image forming device, the processing circuitry sends to the controller of the image forming device the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor and resets the count of the pulses received from the magnetic sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Charles Alan Bast, Todd Alan Dutton, David Anthony Schneider
-
Publication number: 20140205305Abstract: A method for estimating an amount of toner remaining in a reservoir of a replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes rotating a shaft positioned in the reservoir and measuring an amount of revolution of the shaft. A paddle mounted on the shaft and free to fall ahead of the rotation of the shaft is pushed by the rotation of the shaft. An estimate of the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir is decreased based on the measured amount of revolution of the shaft. The paddle is sensed near a lowest center of gravity of the paddle. The estimate of the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir is adjusted when the number of times the paddle is sensed near the lowest center of gravity of the paddle per revolution of the shaft increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Charles Alan Bast, Todd Alan Dutton
-
Patent number: 8774684Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. The cover has a projection extending therefrom such that a force on the projection causes the cover to move toward the open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, James Anthany Carter, Keith Seaman, Gregory Alan Cavill, Matthew Lee Rogers, Tyler Frederick Williams, Mark Duane Foster, Michael Craig Leemhuis
-
Patent number: 8774685Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An outlet port is positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge. A venting system includes a first vent positioned to introduce air from outside the housing into the reservoir and a second vent positioned to introduce air received at the outlet port into the reservoir. The venting system maintains an air pressure in the reservoir at the greater of a pressure of the air from outside the housing and the air received at the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, James Richard Leemhuis
-
Patent number: 8761639Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an elongated body extending along a lengthwise dimension and having a reservoir for holding toner. A latch catch on the body is positioned to receive a corresponding latch when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device to restrain the body from moving forward along the lengthwise dimension. A latch actuator at a front of the body is movable relative to the body between a home position and a releasing position. A release handle at the front of the body is unobstructed for user engagement and operatively connected to the latch actuator such that actuation of the release handle causes the latch actuator to move from the home position to the releasing position to unlatch the body from the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Thomas Eugene Pangbum
-
Publication number: 20140169806Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. The paddle includes a magnetic element rotatable with the paddle and detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device for detecting the motion of the paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Publication number: 20140169810Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft. A sensor is positioned on the housing outside of the reservoir and positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle when the shaft rotates. A processor is mounted on the housing and in electric communication with the sensor. An electrical contact is in electric communication with the processor and exposed on an exterior of the housing unobstructed to mate with a corresponding electrical contact when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Publication number: 20140169808Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted to the shaft. The paddle includes a magnet that has a magnetic field detectable by a magnetic sensor for detecting the motion of the paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Publication number: 20140169807Abstract: A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Jeffrey Alan Abler, Daniel Steinberg
-
Patent number: 8718496Abstract: A toner container including a first electrode disposed within the toner container, a second electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and disposed within the toner container, and a sense electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sense electrode and the first electrode form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween. The sense electrode and the second electrode form a second capacitor having a second capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Jay Barry, James Anthany Carter, II, Gregory Alan Cavill, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Benjamin Keith Newman, Joshua Carl Poterjoy, Jason Carl True, Keisha Josephine Thomas
-
Patent number: D724138Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Mark William Amann, James Daniel Anderson, Jr., Charles Alan Bast, Billy Joe Jones, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Thomas Eugene Pangburn
-
Patent number: D724656Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Mark William Amann, James Daniel Anderson, Jr., Charles Alan Bast, Billy Joe Jones, Michael Craig Leemhuis, Thomas Eugene Pangburn