Patents by Inventor Rodney Evan Sproul

Rodney Evan Sproul 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: 8660469
    Abstract: A toner delivery system for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle assembly having a plurality of scrapers. A main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, James Richard Leemhuis, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Publication number: 20130201496
    Abstract: A method that includes receiving an image, automatically determining at least one region of interest in the image based on at least one color deficiency type from a plurality of color deficiency types, modifying the image by correcting the at least one region of interest and producing an output of the modified image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Aaron Jacob Boggs, Scott Timothy Cramer, Matthew Ryan Keniston, Rodney Evan Sproul, Daniel Lee Thomas, Lane Thomas Butler
  • Publication number: 20130201495
    Abstract: A method that includes receiving an original image containing color pels; analyzing a placement of the color pels; and altering the placement of the color pels by applying at least one pattern on the color pels and creating a new image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Aaron Jacob Boggs, Scott Timothy Cramer, Matthew Ryan Keniston, Rodney Evan Sproul, Daniel Lee Thomas, Lane Thomas Butler
  • Publication number: 20130170874
    Abstract: A paddle assembly for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle having a plurality of scrapers. When installed in a toner cartridge, a main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, Gary Neal Hackney, James Richard Leemhuis, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Publication number: 20130170873
    Abstract: A toner delivery system for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle assembly having a plurality of scrapers. A main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, James Richard Leemhuis, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Publication number: 20130170868
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A shutter positioned at the exit port is movable between an open position and a closed position. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device for opening and closing the shutter. A forward facing slot is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device for locking and unlocking the shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, Mark William Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Benjamin Keith Newman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Rodney Evan Sproul, Jason Hale, Harald Portig, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20130170875
    Abstract: A toner paddle for a toner vessel containing toner according to one example embodiment includes a drive shaft defining an axis of rotation for the paddle. The paddle also includes a first set of radially aligned breaker bars, a second set of radially aligned breaker bars radially offset from the first set of breaker bars by about 90 degrees, and a third set of radially aligned breaker bars radially offset from the second set of breaker bars by about 180 degrees. Each of the sets of breaker bars includes a plurality of radially extending breaker bars axially spaced along the drive shaft. The rotation of the drive shaft results in the rotation of the sets of breaker bars into, through, and out of engagement with the toner within the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Rodney Evan Sproul, Kalyan Vedantam