Patents by Inventor Michael Fredrick Leo

Michael Fredrick Leo 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: 8591016
    Abstract: A method for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism alternates between a first and second reservoir receiving molten ink from a receiving ink reservoir while providing ink from the other of the first and second reservoirs to a printing mechanism. The alternation of the two reservoirs is achieved with coordinated operation of two actuators operatively connected to two seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Gaylord Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Nathan Eymard Smith, David Peter Lomenzo, Vincent M. Williams, Patrick James Walker
  • Patent number: 8449093
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further including a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
  • Patent number: 8403470
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine includes an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
  • Patent number: 8348405
    Abstract: A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container for storing solid ink pellets and a withdrawal tube having an inlet end disposed within the container. A vacuum generator is disposed at the outlet end of the withdrawal tube operable to draw a vacuum within the tube. A feed conduit is connected to the outlet end for receiving solid ink pellets drawn therein by said vacuum generator and conveying the pellets to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets. An assist tube is provided within the container with a discharge nozzle disposed within the withdrawal tube at the inlet end and operable to provide a flow of air into the withdrawal tube to agitate solid ink pellets and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets by the vacuum generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Michael Fredrick Leo, Patrick James Walker, Robert R. Tuchrelo
  • Publication number: 20120320134
    Abstract: A method for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism alternates between a first and second reservoir receiving molten ink from a receiving ink reservoir while providing ink from the other of the first and second reservoirs to a printing mechanism. The alternation of the two reservoirs is achieved with coordinated operation of two actuators operatively connected to two seal members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Nathan Eymard Smith, David Peter Lomenzo, Vincent M. Williams, Patrick James Walker
  • Patent number: 8303098
    Abstract: A system and method is provide for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism including receiving molten ink in a receiving reservoir, and alternating which of a plurality of reservoirs is opened to the receiving reservoir to receive molten ink while at least one other of the plurality of reservoirs is opened to dispense molten ink to the printing mechanism, in response to the level of ink in a reservoir dispensing molten ink to the printing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Gaylord Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Nathan Eymard Smith, David Peter Lomenzo, Vincent M. Williams, Patrick James Walker
  • Publication number: 20120242764
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine comprises an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further comprises a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
  • Publication number: 20120236093
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine comprises an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further comprises a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
  • Patent number: 8240829
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine having an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo
  • Publication number: 20120056959
    Abstract: A molten ink supply for a solid ink printing machine includes a container for storing solid ink pellets and a withdrawal tube having an inlet end disposed within the container. A vacuum generator is disposed at the outlet end of the withdrawal tube operable to draw a vacuum within the tube. A feed conduit is connected to the outlet end for receiving solid ink pellets drawn therein by said vacuum generator and conveying the pellets to a melting station operable to melt the solid ink pellets. An assist tube is provided within the container with a discharge nozzle disposed within the withdrawal tube at the inlet end and operable to provide a flow of air into the withdrawal tube to agitate solid ink pellets and facilitate withdrawal of the pellets by the vacuum generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker
  • Publication number: 20110273521
    Abstract: A system and method is provide for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism including receiving molten ink in a receiving reservoir, and alternating which of a plurality of reservoirs is opened to the receiving reservoir to receive molten ink while at least one other of the plurality of reservoirs is opened to dispense molten ink to the printing mechanism, in response to the level of ink in a reservoir dispensing molten ink to the printing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Nathan Eymard Smith, David Peter Lomenzo, Vincent M. Williams, Patrick James Walker
  • Publication number: 20110141212
    Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine comprises an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further comprises a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Eymard Smith, Roger Leighton, Michael Fredrick Leo, Robert Tuchrelo, Patrick James Walker, David Peter Lomenzo