Patents by Inventor Robert Watson McAlpine
Robert Watson McAlpine 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: 9477178Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge removably installable in the image forming device. The toner cartridge has a reservoir for storing toner and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge has a shutter that is movable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A sensor is positioned to detect whether the shutter is in the closed position or the open position when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 9477176Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine, Katrina Rosit Lactuan
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Publication number: 20160299466Abstract: 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 and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE
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Patent number: 9389582Abstract: 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 and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 9360797Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Michael Nuestro Bayubay, Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar, Brian Scott Carpenter, Donato Austria Marmol, Robert Watson McAlpine, Katrina Rosit Lactuan
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Patent number: 9335656Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable unit having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir. The replaceable unit has a first magnet and a second magnet connected to the shaft and rotatable around an axis of rotation of the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir. A sensor is positioned to sense the first magnet and the second magnet at a point in their rotational paths. A processor is in electronic communication with the sensor and configured to determine an angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet and to adjust an estimate of the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir based on the determined angular.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine, Jason Carl True
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Publication number: 20160077466Abstract: 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 and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine, Michael Craig Leemhuis
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Publication number: 20150346632Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable unit having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir. The replaceable unit has a first magnet and a second magnet connected to the shaft and rotatable around an axis of rotation of the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir. A sensor is positioned to sense the first magnet and the second magnet at a point in their rotational paths. A processor is in electronic communication with the sensor and configured to determine an angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet and to adjust an estimate of the amount of toner remaining in the reservoir based on the determined angular.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine, Jason Carl True
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Publication number: 20150346681Abstract: 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 and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 9063460Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft. An exit paddle is positioned adjacent the exit port and is rotatable by the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle. As the toner platform moves, toner within the reservoir moves toward the exit paddle and exit port and rotation of the exit paddle moves toner through the exit port.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Matthew Thomas Martinkovic, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 8918032Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging device having a housing having a toner reservoir and an exit port in fluid communication with the toner reservoir. A drive shaft rotatably mounts within the toner reservoir. A toner platform is movably coupled to the drive shaft and is nonrotatable but slidable relative to the housing. A resilient arm is positioned within the reservoir and biased toward an initial position in the path of the toner platform. When the drive shaft rotates, the toner platform translates toward the exit port. When the toner platform contacts the resilient arm, the resilient arm moves to permit the toner platform to pass and when the toner platform moves further toward the exit port the resilient arm returns to the initial position. The resilient arm may mount on the inner surface, the toner to platform or the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Publication number: 20140079438Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft. An exit paddle is positioned adjacent the exit port and is rotatable by the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle. As the toner platform moves, toner within the reservoir moves toward the exit paddle and exit port and rotation of the exit paddle moves toner through the exit port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Matthew Thomas Martinkovic, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Publication number: 20140079441Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging device having a housing having a toner reservoir and an exit port in fluid communication with the toner reservoir. A drive shaft rotatably mounts within the toner reservoir. A toner platform is movably coupled to the drive shaft and is nonrotatable but slidable relative to the housing. A resilient arm is positioned within the reservoir and biased toward an initial position in the path of the toner platform. When the drive shaft rotates, the toner platform translates toward the exit port. When the toner platform contacts the resilient arm, the resilient arm moves to permit the toner platform to pass and when the toner platform moves further toward the exit port the resilient arm returns to the initial position. The resilient arm may mount on the inner surface, the toner to platform or the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Robert Watson McAlpine
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Patent number: 8304066Abstract: A toner release coating may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade. The toner release coating may reduce toner adhesion at a doctoring pre-nip location of the doctor blade. The toner release coating may be formed from a mixture of lubricating particulate and polymeric binder resin in a liquid carrier.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True
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Patent number: 8238803Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark Duane Foster, Whitney April Greer, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True, James Thomas Welch
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Publication number: 20090181236Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a toner release coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner adhesion at a doctoring pre-nip location. The toner release coating may be formed from lubricating particulate and a polymeric binder resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True
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Publication number: 20090169273Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark Duane Foster, Whitney April Greer, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True, James Thomas Welch
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Patent number: 7310494Abstract: An apparatus and method for the transport and/or storage of developing agent in an image forming apparatus. A cartridge may be employed having a reservoir for developing agent and a component, such as a drum, which may include an interior region capable of storing developing agent. A transport device may be included that is capable of transporting developing agent between the reservoir and a location in the image forming apparatus such as the drum interior.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Alfred Louis Fahmy, Robert Watson McAlpine, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, William Dale Smith, Donald Wayne Stafford, Gregory Scott Tigges
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Patent number: 7231163Abstract: The present invention relates generally to image forming equipment, e.g. a laser printer of the type which includes a photoconductive (PC) drum and an associated charge roller. The invention is disclosed in exemplary embodiment as a laser printer incorporating a cleaner element with an electrical potential to sufficiently charge contamination particles on the PC drum to electrically repel from a charged surface, such as the charge roller.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Bhaskar Gopalanarayanan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Jamie Piotrowski, Donald Wayne Stafford
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Patent number: 7167672Abstract: A conveyor mechanism for moving waste toner within an interior of a waste toner reservoir. The conveyor mechanism has a first end positioned in proximity to an inlet into the waste toner reservoir, and a second end positioned vertically above the first end. The conveyor mechanism operates to move the toner from a lower position within the waste toner reservoir to the vertically elevated position. The conveyor device may allow for the capacity of the waste toner reservoir to be more fully utilized. In use, the conveyor device is activated and waste toner is moved into the upper reaches of the waste toner reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Donald Wayne Stafford, Robert Watson McAlpine, Franklin Joseph Palumbo, Alfred Louis Fahmy, Gregory Scott Tigges, William Dale Smith