Patents by Inventor Thomas Nathaniel Tombs

Thomas Nathaniel Tombs 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).

  • Publication number: 20130076828
    Abstract: A method of producing a print on paper includes drying a selected region of the paper to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. Hydrophilic liquid is deposited in a selected fluid pattern on the selected region of the paper within 15 seconds after the completion of drying. The paper is charged so that a charge pattern of charged and discharged areas is formed on the paper, and the discharged areas correspond to the selected fluid pattern. Charged dry ink having charge of the same sign as the charge in the charged areas is on the paper is deposited onto the paper in a dry ink pattern corresponding to the selected fluid pattern in the selected region. The dry ink is fixed to the paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai
  • Publication number: 20130077998
    Abstract: A method of electrographically producing a toner image on paper includes drying a selected region of the paper to a moisture content not to exceed that of the paper equilibrated to 20% RH. Selected portions of the selected region of the paper are wetted within 15 seconds after the completion of drying to provide a latent fluid image corresponding to the wetted portions of the paper. A dry area is thereby defined in the selected region outside the latent fluid image. The paper is charged so that the paper in the dry area has a selected potential. Charged dry toner is deposited in the selected region, the toner having charge of the same sign as the selected potential, so that the toner adheres to paper in the area of the latent fluid image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai
  • Publication number: 20130029818
    Abstract: The present invention is a sleeved roller for use in an electrostatographic machine. The roller includes a cylindrical rigid core member having an outer ceramer surface. A removable sleeve member includes a substrate comprising a polymeric material support layer, wherein the sleeve member surrounds and intimately contacts the outer ceramer surface. The invention provides a low cost sleeved roller, while providing a high friction interference fit to reduce slipping of the sleeve member during operation and thereby providing improved registration performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Kittleson, M. Cristina B. Dejesus, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Charles Eugene Hewitt
  • Publication number: 20130029819
    Abstract: The present invention is a double-sleeved roller for use in an electrostatographic machine. The roller includes a cylindrical rigid core member, a removable inner sleeve member that surrounds and intimately contacts the rigid core member; and a removable outer sleeve member including a substrate comprising a polymeric material support layer. The inner sleeve member comprises a ceramer outer surface, and the outer sleeve member surrounds and intimately contacts the outer ceramer surface of the inner sleeve member and is removable. The outer sleeve may include a polyethylene terephthalate inner surface that contacts the outer ceramer surface of the inner sleeve member. The inner sleeve can comprise a rigid substrate such as nickel having an outer ceramer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Kittleson, M. Cristina B. Dejesus, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Charles Eugene Hewitt
  • Patent number: 8358957
    Abstract: Electrographic printing wherein raised information, with a distinct tactile feel, can be printed by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in an area of the formed print image, where desired tactile feel, raised information is to be formed, selectively forming such tactile feel, raised information utilizing marking particles of a substantially larger size than the standard size marking particles of the desired print image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Arun Chowdry, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dinesh Tyagi, Muhammed Aslam, Earl Gregory Gomes
  • Publication number: 20120251146
    Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary imaging member having engine pixel locations with a ratio modulated difference of potentials, establishing a first development difference of potential to form a first net development difference of potential between the first development difference of potential and the engine pixel location and providing a first charged toner such that the first toner develops at the engine pixel location according to the first net development difference of potential. Establishing a second development difference of potential that is greater than the first difference of potential proximate the engine pixel location such that a determined amount of second toner develops at the engine pixel locations. Wherein the range of first toner potentials is such that a determined range of ratios of first toner amounts and the determined second toner amount provide ratio modulated differences of potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, William Yurich Fowlkes
  • Publication number: 20120251145
    Abstract: Methods for printing are provided. In one aspect, the method includes providing a primary imaging member having engine pixel locations with a ratio modulated difference of potentials, establishing a first development difference of potential to form a first net development difference of potential between the first development difference of potential and the engine pixel location and providing a first charged toner such that the second toner develops at the engine pixel location. Establishing a second development difference of potential that is greater than the first difference of potential proximate the engine pixel location such that a determined amount of first toner develops at the engine pixel locations according to a second net development difference of potential. Wherein the range of second toner potentials is such that a determined range of ratios of second toner amounts and the determined first toner amount provide ratio modulated differences of potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, William Yurich Fowlkes
  • Patent number: 7789504
    Abstract: An ink jet device selectively ejects droplets of non-marking liquid ink into cells of a printing member in a desired latent negative image pattern. Certain cells of the printing member are filled with pigmented ink to create a desired image. An electrical bias is applied for fractionating pigment in the pigmented ink from liquid and transferring an image-wise pigmented ink pattern from the printing member to a receiving member, leaving behind a substantial portion of liquid. The receiver can be an intermediate member whereby the image-wise ink pattern is transferred from the intermediate member to a final receiver, while such receiver is in operative association with said intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, Robert Edward Zeman
  • Patent number: 7695128
    Abstract: A printing apparatus having an imaging member having an external surface and a series of substantially equal sized cells located over such surface. The printing apparatus includes an ink jet device for selectively ejecting droplets of ink, having marking particles and liquid, into the cells of said imaging member in a desired image-wise ink pattern, a mechanism for filling the cells of said imaging member with a dielectric fluid after said ink jet device ejects droplets of ink into said cells, and transfer mechanism including a device for fractionating the marking particles in the ink from the liquid and transferring the image-wise marking particle pattern to a receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, Robert Edward Zeman
  • Publication number: 20080159786
    Abstract: Electrographic printing wherein raised information, with a distinct tactile feel, can be printed by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in an area of the formed print image, where desired tactile feel, raised information is to be formed, selectively forming such tactile feel, raised information utilizing marking particles of a substantially larger size than the standard size marking particles of the desired print image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Arun Chowdry, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dinesh Tyagi, Muhammed Aslam, Earl Gregory Gomes
  • Publication number: 20070279473
    Abstract: An ink jet device selectively ejects droplets of non-marking liquid ink into cells of a printing member in a desired latent negative image pattern. Certain cells of the printing member are filled with pigmented ink to create a desired image. An electrical bias is applied for fractionating pigment in the pigmented ink from liquid and transferring an image-wise pigmented ink pattern from the printing member to a receiving member, leaving behind a substantial portion of liquid. The receiver can be an intermediate member whereby the image-wise ink pattern is transferred from the intermediate member to a final receiver, while such receiver is in operative association with said intermediate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, Robert Edward Zeman
  • Publication number: 20070279471
    Abstract: A printing apparatus having an imaging member having an external surface and a series of substantially equal sized cells located over such surface. The printing apparatus includes an ink jet device for selectively ejecting droplets of ink, having marking particles and liquid, into the cells of said imaging member in a desired image-wise ink pattern, a mechanism for filling the cells of said imaging member with a dielectric fluid after said ink jet device ejects droplets of ink into said cells, and transfer mechanism including a device for fractionating the marking particles in the ink from the liquid and transferring the image-wise marking particle pattern to a receiver member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Donald Saul Rimai, Robert Edward Zeman
  • Patent number: 6932469
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on a member, the ink image including a coagulable marking ink and a non-marking ink. Each smallest resolved imaging area of the ink image includes a predetermined mixed volume of the coagulable marking ink and the non-marking ink, the predetermined mixed volume being coagulable. Coagulates are formed within the coagulable ink image, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Walter May, Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 6767092
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on an intermediate member. Coagulates within the coagulable ink image are formed, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image from the operational surface of the intermediate member is transferred to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: John Walter May, Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 6761446
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a colloidal ink image on a member. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles and a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles, a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The particles of the colloidal ink image are caused to become concentrated adjacent an operational surface of the member. Excess liquid is removed from the particles so as to form an inkjet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is then transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, John Walter May
  • Publication number: 20040090508
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a colloidal ink image on a member. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles and a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles, a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The particles of the colloidal ink image are caused to become concentrated adjacent an operational surface of the member. Excess liquid is removed from the particles so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is then transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, John Walter May
  • Publication number: 20040070656
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on an intermediate member. Coagulates within the coagulable ink image are formed, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image from the operational surface of the intermediate member is transferred to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: John Walter May, Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 6719423
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a colloidal ink image on a member. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles and a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles, a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The particles of the colloidal ink image are caused to become concentrated adjacent an operational surface of the member. Excess liquid is removed from the particles so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is then transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, John Walter May
  • Patent number: 6682189
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on an intermediate member. Coagulates within the coagulable ink image are formed, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image from the operational surface of the intermediate member is transferred to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: John Walter May, Arun Chowdry, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs
  • Patent number: 6608641
    Abstract: A printer for printing color toner images on a receiver member of any of a variety of textures. The printer has a number of tandemly arranged electrophotographic image-forming modules respectively including a plurality of imaging subsystems to form a colored toner image transferred to a receiver member, the transfer of toner images from each of the modules forming a color print of the receiver member which is fused to form a desired color print. The image quality of the color print is produced by control of nonoperational co-optimization of fusing parameters and imaging subsystem parameters enabling printing on the variety of textures of receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Peter Steven Alexandrovich, Richard George Allen, Muhammed Aslam, Jiann-Hsing Chen, Diane M. Herrick, Robert Arthur Lancaster, Yee Seung Ng, Joseph A. Pavlisko, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Thomas Nathaniel Tombs