Patents by Inventor Michael F. Zona
Michael F. Zona 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).
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Patent number: 10005228Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The exposure device adjusts the intensity of light exposed on the photoreceptor, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Patent number: 10005230Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The development station adjusts the transfer bias of the development device, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170368744Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing includes forming a plurality of build layers, each of the plurality of build layers formed by transferring a first build material having a first particle size to form a first build material and transferring a second build material on the first build material to form one of the plurality of build layers, a particle size of the second build material is smaller than the first build material and each transfer step is performed by a xerographic engine. Each transfer step is involves transfer to a conveyor which can take the form of a belt or drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Jorge A. Alvarez, Paul J. McConville, Robert A. Clark
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Publication number: 20170348909Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printer includes build and support material development stations positioned to transfer layers of build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen, and a mechanical planer is positioned to contact and level the layer on the platen as the platen moves past the mechanical planer. Additionally, a feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and the mechanical planer. The mechanical planer adjusts the amount of the build material and the support material removed from the layer based on the thickness of the layer on the platen, as determined by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Robert A. Clark, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Chu-heng Liu, Jorge A. Alvarez, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170348906Abstract: A 3-D printer includes build and support material development stations that electrostatically transfer build material and support material to an ITB. The ITB transfers a layer of build and support material to a platen each time the platen contacts one of the layers on the ITB, to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers on the platen. A sensor is positioned to generate a topographic measurement of the layer on the platen, and an aerosol applicator is positioned to propel build and support material on to the layer on the platen. The aerosol applicator controls the build and support material being propelled, based on the topographic measurement from the sensor through a feedback loop, to adjust the amount and location of the build material and the support material propelled on to the layer, and thereby control the flatness of surface topology of the layers in the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: William J. Nowak, Jorge A. Alvarez, Robert A. Clark, Michael F. Zona, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170348908Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) printer includes build and support material development stations positioned to transfer layers of build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface. A platen having a flat surface is positioned to contact the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to the flat surface of the platen as the platen contacts one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. A dispenser is positioned to deposit a leveling material on the layer on the platen, and a mechanical planer is positioned to contact and level the leveling material on the layer on the platen to make the top of the leveling material parallel to the flat surface of the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, William J. Nowak, Michael F. Zona, Robert A. Clark, Jorge A. Alvarez
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Publication number: 20170326805Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The development station adjusts the transfer bias of the development device, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170326788Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The development station adjusts the development bias of the development device, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170326797Abstract: 3-D printers include an intermediate transfer surface that transfers a layer of material to a platen each time the platen contacts the intermediate transfer surface to successively form a freestanding stack of layers of the material on the platen. A sensor detects the thickness of the layer on the platen after a fusing station fuses the layer. A feedback loop is electrically connected to the sensor and a development station (that includes a photoreceptor, a charging station providing a static charge to the photoreceptor, a laser device exposing the photoreceptor, and a development device supplying the material to the photoreceptor). The exposure device adjusts the intensity of light exposed on the photoreceptor, based on a layer thickness measurement from the sensor through the feedback loop, to control the thickness of subsequent ones of the layers transferred from the intermediate transfer surface to the freestanding stack on the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jorge A. Alvarez, Michael F. Zona, William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
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Publication number: 20170160694Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a unique electrophotographic layered manufacturing scheme for creating higher fidelity electrophotographic composite laminate layers using tri-level electrophotography or electrostatic imaging scheme as a process for rendering individual laminate layers to be built up to form and/or manufacture three-dimensional objects, parts and components as 3D objects. A multi-stage 3D object forming scheme is described involving steps of multi-component laminate forming in a particularized electrophotographic layer forming process. This process renders a part component and a support component precisely next to one another with a single exposure by an exposing device to form a latent image of variable discharge voltages. Multiple toner product sources are used to dispose part component toner and support component toner in the forming of the multi-component laminate layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: William J. NOWAK, Jorge A. Alvarez, Paul J. McConville, Robert A. Clark, Michael F. Zona
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Patent number: 9372466Abstract: A cleaning blade lubricant including an acicular shape lubricant is provided. The cleaning blade lubricant is applied to a cleaning blade of an electrophotographic printing device for improving the cleaning performance of a cleaning blade of an electrophotographic printing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael F Zona, Juan A Morales-Tirado, Samir Kumar
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Patent number: 9335667Abstract: A two component development system includes a plurality of toner particles that include a colorant and a plurality of toner carrier particles that include a magnetic carrier core having a D50 diameter in a range from about 30 microns to about 40 microns, and a surfactant-polymer coating, the coating being present in an amount in a range from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 1.5 percent by weight of the toner carrier particle.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Michael F. Zona, Brian S. Giannetto, Bernard A. Kelly, Brian E. Moore, Juan A. Morales-Tirado, Samir Kumar, Elizabeth K. Priebe
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Patent number: 9261810Abstract: A printing apparatus herein includes a sheet feeder and a photoreceptor adjacent the sheet feeder. The photoreceptor receives print media from the sheet feeder, and the photoreceptor transfers toner to the print media. A development roll is adjacent the photoreceptor. The development roll supplies a metered amount of charged toner to the photoreceptor. Also, a supply roll is adjacent the development roll. The supply roll supplies toner to the development roll. In this device, multiple charge blades (e.g., first, second, third, etc., charge blades) contact the development roll, and a charge generator can be electrically connected to the charge blade, supply roll, and development roll.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Michael F. Zona
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Patent number: 9239531Abstract: The present disclosure describes a color single component toner with desirable fusing performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Grazyna E Kmiecik-Lawrynowicz, Michael F Zona, Mark E Mang, Maura A Sweeney, Robert D Bayley
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Patent number: 9026013Abstract: A developer apparatus including a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of toner, and a developer roll disposed in the chamber, the developer roll configured to rotate about a longitudinal access to transport toner on a surface of the developer roll to a development zone. The developer apparatus also includes a charge/metering blade having a curved section configured to contact the surface of the developer roll so as to form an adjustable contact nip. The charge/metering blade also includes an overhang configured to control an amount of toner to enter the adjustable contact nip formed by the at least one curved section of the charge/metering blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Michael F. Zona
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Publication number: 20150086916Abstract: Toner compositions that having spherical particles and provide stable density. The toner compositions also comprise and deliver a silicone oil to the cleaning subsystem in the image forming apparatus by incorporating an inorganic fine powder additive package that has been mixed with silicone oil in a manner such that the toner is blended with the inorganic fine powder and silicone oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: JUAN A. MORALES-TIRADO, Mark E. Mang, Michael F. Zona, Samir Kumar, Susan J. LaFica
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Patent number: 8980519Abstract: A toner composition includes a resin, optionally a wax, a colorant, and an acicular surface additive. The toner composition is suitable for use in a single component development system and which composition possesses excellent charging, stability, and flow characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Juan A. Morales-Tirado, Samir Kumar, Michael F. Zona
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Patent number: 8974999Abstract: Toner compositions that having spherical particles and provide stable density. The toner compositions also comprise and deliver a silicone oil to the cleaning subsystem in the image forming apparatus by incorporating an inorganic fine powder additive package that has been mixed with silicone oil in a manner such that the toner is blended with the inorganic fine powder and silicone oil.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Juan A. Morales-Tirado, Mark E. Mang, Michael F. Zona, Samir Kumar, Susan J. LaFica
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Publication number: 20150043949Abstract: A printing apparatus herein includes a sheet feeder and a photoreceptor adjacent the sheet feeder. The photoreceptor receives print media from the sheet feeder, and the photoreceptor transfers toner to the print media. A development roll is adjacent the photoreceptor. The development roll supplies a metered amount of charged toner to the photoreceptor. Also, a supply roll is adjacent the development roll. The supply roll supplies toner to the development roll. In this device, multiple charge blades (e.g., first, second, third, etc., charge blades) contact the development roll, and a charge generator can be electrically connected to the charge blade, supply roll, and development roll.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventor: Michael F. Zona
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Publication number: 20150030356Abstract: A charge blade meters and applies an electrical charge to toner while the toner is on a development roll. The end portion of the charge blade comprises a first curved surface and a second curved surface touching the development roll. The first curved surface has a smaller radius and is a longer distance from the middle portion of the charge blade relative to the second curved surface. The first curved surface produces a first amount of charge in the toner on the development roll, and the second curved surface increases and makes more uniform the charge within the toner on the development roll. Also, the smaller radius of the first curved surface controls the amount of toner positioned on the development roll and the larger radius of the second curved surface does not affect the amount of toner metered by the first, smaller radius curved surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael F. Zona