John L Rhodes

US Patent:

6357869, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Sep 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/667033

Inventors:

Steve O. Rasmussen - Vancouver WA
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 201

US Classification:

347102, 347104, 271 94, 271196, 271276

Abstract:

A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

US Patent:

6386678, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Aug 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/640337

Inventors:

Donald L. Michael - East Monmouth OR
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 29

Abstract:

A high deflection capping system has an elastomeric sealing member with a sealing lip that, when viewed in cross section, forms a smiling-shaped seal against an inkjet printhead to provide improved printhead sealing, particularly when sealing over surface irregularities on the printhead. This high deflection sealing member may be onsert molded onto a support frame. A series of these sealing lips being molded on a single flexible frame to simultaneously seal several adjacent inkjet printheads, with the flexible frame having a border region with one or more cap bases attached to the frame by plural suspension spring elements. The suspension spring elements have both cantilever and torsional characteristics which allow the bases to tilt and twist independent of one another to seal each printhead. Alternatively, the support frame may be designed to support only a single high deflection sealing member. A venting system is also provided with vapor diffusion handling capabilities.

US Patent:

6394596, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/413078

Inventors:

Geoff Wotton - Battle Ground WA
Steve O. Rasmussen - Vancouver WA
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 201

US Classification:

347104, 271197, 226172

Abstract:

A belt-type support for moving print media such as paper through a printer includes a flexible belt that is supported in a manner such that friction is minimized and such that the paper that is supported on the belt is advanced precisely through the print zone of the printer. The support is provided in conjunction with a uniform distribution of vacuum pressure to the paper carried by the belt. In one preferred embodiment, there is provided a rigid, flat platen for supporting a uniformly porous belt. The platen has a number of rollers on its surface to minimize the friction developed between the platen surface and the moving belt. The platen surface also includes ports to provide a uniform distribution of vacuum pressure to the porous belt. In another embodiment, sliders are carried in the support surface of the platen to minimize frictional contact with the moving belt. Another embodiment includes substantially flat platen surface with a low-friction material layer disposed between the belt and platen surface for facilitating movement of the belt over the platen.

US Patent:

6402288, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Dec 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/740683

Inventors:

John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA
Donald L. Michael - Monmouth OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 29

Abstract:

A flexible frame onsert molded capping system has an elastomeric sealing lip onsert molded onto a flexible, flat, springy support frame, preferably with series of these sealing lips being molded on a single flexible frame to simultaneously seal several adjacent inkjet printheads. The frame has a border region with one or more cap bases attached to the frame by plural suspension spring elements. The suspension spring elements have both cantilever and torsional characteristics which allow the bases to tilt and twist independent of one another to seal each printhead, even when the orifice plates of adjacent printheads are not in a coplanar alignment. Use of a single piece frame, and onsert molding of the cap lips thereon, decreases the number of parts required to assemble an inkjet printing mechanism, leading to a more economical unit which is easier to assemble.

US Patent:

6467410, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Jan 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/484566

Inventors:

Steve O Rasmussen - Vancouver WA
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA
Geoff Wotton - Battleground WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Co. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41F 3500

US Classification:

1014241, 347102, 347104, 358 112, 271197

Abstract:

In a printer, liquid ink is applied to a print medium as the medium is passed through the printer. A low pressure zone is generated along one surface of the print medium to hold a portion of the print medium substantially flat for a period of time during and after the liquid ink is applied to the print medium. By subjecting the portion of the print medium to the low pressure zone, cockling of the print medium is prevented.

US Patent:

6588876, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/969684

Inventors:

Bret Taylor - Vancouver WA
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 32, 347 31, 347 33

Abstract:

An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

US Patent:

20040088267, May 6, 2004

Filed:

Oct 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/284850

Inventors:

Steve Rasmussen - Vancouver WA, US
Robert Sesek - Meridian ID, US
James Crumly - Boise ID, US
Clay Higgins - Corvallis OR, US
John Rhodes - Vancouver WA, US
Susan Davis - Nampa ID, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00
G07B017/02
G01G019/413

US Classification:

705/407000, 705/401000

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of determining weight based delivery fees comprising determining individual weights of package elements of a parcel, determining a total weight of said parcel based on said individual weights of said package elements, and ascertaining a delivery fee associated with said total weight of said parcel.

US Patent:

6270074, Aug 7, 2001

Filed:

Apr 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/292767

Inventors:

Steve O. Rasmussen - Vancouver WA
John D. Rhodes - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B65H 2968

US Classification:

271276

Abstract:

A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.