Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Keyes

Thomas C. Keyes 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: 9170518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closed-loop control method and system to control the nip width and transfer field uniformity associated with an image marking apparatus. According to an exemplary embodiment, a closed-loop control system senses the uniformity of the image transfer field and applies forces to a transfer nip based on the sensed field to provide a more uniform field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. DiRubio, Charles H. Tabb, Michael A. Fayette, John S. Facci, Paul F. Sawicki, Thomas C. Keyes, Edward W. Schnepf, William R. Klimley
  • Publication number: 20130272735
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closed-loop control method and system to control the nip width and transfer field uniformity associated with an image marking apparatus. According to an exemplary embodiment, a closed-loop control system senses the uniformity of the image transfer field and applies forces to a transfer nip based on the sensed field to provide a more uniform field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. DiRubio, Charles H. Tabb, Michael A. Fayette, John S. Facci, Paul F. Sawicki, Thomas C. Keyes, Edward W. Schnepf, William R. Klimley
  • Patent number: 8544386
    Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise an apparatus that includes a printing engine and an interposer adapted to receive printed sheets from the printing engine. The interposer adds insert sheets between printed sheets. The interposer includes a decurler positioned within the interposer so as to decurl the printed sheets after the interposer adds the insert sheets. The printing engine adds a curl to the printed sheets and the decurler removes the curl from the printed sheets. The decurler can comprise a roller-based decurler, a heated decurler, a pressure based decurler, and/or a moisture-vacuum based decurler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Keyes, Thomas E. Bitter, Ronald A Ippolito, Dale T. Platteter, Richard F. Scarlata, Joe Marasco, Donald R. Fess, Diego A. Pereda, Douglas F. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 8200136
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image transfer roller (ITR) utilizing an elastomer crown, imaging devices and imaging apparatus using the disclosed ITR. According to one exemplary embodiment, an ITR includes a cylindrically shaped conductive shaft and an elastomer material covering all or a portion of the conductive shaft. The profile of the outer surface of the elastomer material includes a substantially quadratic crown profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. DiRubio, Paul F. Sawicki, Thomas C. Keyes, Edward W. Schnepf
  • Publication number: 20120051803
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image transfer roller (ITR) utilizing an elastomer crown, imaging devices and imaging apparatus using the disclosed ITR. According to one exemplary embodiment, an ITR includes a cylindrically shaped conductive shaft and an elastomer material covering all or a portion of the conductive shaft. The profile of the outer surface of the elastomer material includes a substantially quadratic crown profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher A. DiRubio, Paul F. Sawicki, Thomas C. Keyes, Edward W. Schnepf
  • Patent number: 7809323
    Abstract: A device, method and program for automatically adjusting a paper curl of media in an imaging device are provided. The imaging device includes a decurler having two rollers defining a nip. A first roller has a substantially uncompressible surface, and a second roller has a substantially compressible surface. The first roller penetrates the second roller at the nip. The amount of curl of the media is adjusted at the nip by automatically adjusting the penetration of the second roller into the first roller. The amount of penetration of the second roller into the first roller is based on a set of factors and conditions. A penetration value based on the factors and conditions is used to adjust the position of the first roller and the second roller respective to each other, which in turn, will alter or reduce the media curl to a target curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E. Johnston, Thomas C. Keyes, Brian C. Cyr
  • Publication number: 20080247796
    Abstract: A device, method and program for automatically adjusting a paper curl of media in an imaging device are provided. The imaging device includes a decurler having two rollers defining a nip. A first roller has a substantially uncompressible surface, and a second roller has a substantially compressible surface. The first roller penetrates the second roller at the nip. The amount of curl of the media is adjusted at the nip by automatically adjusting the penetration of the second roller into the first roller. The amount of penetration of the second roller into the first roller is based on a set of factors and conditions. A penetration value based on the factors and conditions is used to adjust the position of the first roller and the second roller respective to each other, which in turn, will alter or reduce the media curl to a target curl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. JOHNSTON, Thomas C. KEYES, Brian C. CYR
  • Publication number: 20080061488
    Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise an apparatus that includes a printing engine and an interposer adapted to receive printed sheets from the printing engine. The interposer adds insert sheets between printed sheets. The interposer includes a decurler positioned within the interposer so as to decurl the printed sheets after the interposer adds the insert sheets. The printing engine adds a curl to the printed sheets and the decurler removes the curl from the printed sheets. The decurler can comprise a roller-based decurler, a heated decurler, a pressure based decurler, and/or a moisture-vacuum based decurler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas C. Keyes, Thomas E. Bitter, Ronald A. Ippolito, Dale T. Platteter, Richard F. Scarlata, Joe Marasco, Donald R. Fess, Diego A. Pereda, Douglas F. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 6963717
    Abstract: A fuser stripper baffle exit minimizes differential gloss marks due to paper contacting the fuser exit baffle. Portions of paper that touch the baffle cool differently than portions that don't, resulting in differential gloss in the paper path or spanwise direction. The exit baffle contains a series of axial-direction steps or plateaus in its upper surface, such that the highest step is nearest the fuser roll, while the lowest plateau is furthest from the roll. This reduces the surface area of the fuser stripper baffle exit that contacts the surface of the paper sheet as the paper sheet is stripped from the fuser roll. The paper thus touches the exit baffle for the minimum amount of time, thus minimizing the heat transfer to the baffle. This minimizes differential cooling effects which, in turn, minimizes differential gloss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Klimley, Thomas C. Keyes, Scott Martin
  • Patent number: 5983053
    Abstract: A noncontact seal for a donor roll in an electrophotographic printing machine. The seal is fixed in the developer housing and envelopes each end of the donor roll but does not contact the donor roll. The small space does not allow a positive airflow sufficient to cause toner particles to be emited from the developer housing so as to contaminate the other portions of the printing machine. The seal is made of a low friction material such as DELRIN.RTM. so that toner particles do not stick to the seal and cause a buildup that would be detrimental to the photoreceptive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel P. Mordenga, Thomas J. Behe, Thomas C. Keyes, Dan F. Lockwood, William B. Lindsey, Michael J. Palencar
  • Patent number: 5803705
    Abstract: In a disk type sheet inverting and stacking system with rotatable disk units with sheet transporting slots, in which printed sheets outputted by a reproduction system are sequentially fed into those slots to be inverted by rotation of the disk units and then released from the slots at a stacking position, the sheet transporting slots of the disk units are provided with a convolute sheet path formed by plural internal sheet corrugating protuberances extending transversely across the slot from opposite sides of the slot, spaced along the slot, to form a convolute sheet corrugating sheet path within the slot to automatically increase the retention force of the sheet within the slot in proportion to an increase in the thickness or stiffness of the sheet, without substantially increasing the resistance to lateral movement of the sheet within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Keyes
  • Patent number: 5682578
    Abstract: A channel for recirculating a stream of air located adjacent a stream of marking particles exiting substantially tangentially from a marking particle transport member within a developer unit is provided. The stream of marking particles defines an inner boundary thereof extending tangentially from a first position adjacent to the transport member and defines an outer boundary thereof spaced from the transport member and the inner boundary. The channel includes a first member positioned outside the stream of marking particles. At least a portion of the first member is positioned substantially adjacent the outer boundary of the stream of marking particles and is spaced from the transport member. The channel also includes a second member connected to the first member and a third member connected to the second member. The second member is positioned adjacent the transport member and is spaced from the stream of marking particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed-Mohsen T. Shehata, Thomas C. Keyes, Thomas J. Behe, Dan F. Lockwood, Michael J. Palencar, Ronald A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5281793
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a temperature sensing element in temperature sensing relationship with a moving object. The apparatus includes a base and also a resilient member, attached to the base, for supporting the sensing element. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for urging the sensing element toward the moving object. Moreover, the apparatus includes a mechanism, interposed between the resilient member and the moving object, for reducing frictional resistance between the apparatus and the moving object. The apparatus additionally includes a mechanism, removably attachable to the base, for securing the resistance reducing mechanism at a position interposed between the resilient member and the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Gavin, Thomas C. Keyes
  • Patent number: 4402925
    Abstract: A sponge-like free-standing pyrolytic boron article is made by reacting ammonia and gaseous boron halide diluted with an non-oxidizing gas to deposit pyrolitic boron nitride on a porous substrate such as open-pored vitreous carbon under a vacuum and then removing the substrate as by oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Julius S. Shinko, Thomas C. Keyes