Mark A Neal

US Patent:

6637859, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Feb 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/073798

Inventors:

Randal Scott Williamson - Lexington KY
Martin Alan Johnson - Winchester KY
Mark Aaron Neal - Lexington KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 36, 347 34

Abstract:

A receptacle for the color ink spitting of a printhead to maintain the print nozzles and better collect the ink and transfer the waste ink to a containment area utilizes a porous open cell foam spit surface to allow the waste ink and air to pass through while maintaining some surfaces for the transport and collection of waste ink. This open cell design of the foam allows the ink and air to pass through it without deflecting the vast majority of the ink volume. The foam is hydrophobic foam to prevent the foam from absorbing the ink. The foam is also made from an ether-based material to be compatible with the inks. Walls forming a chimney are added to the sides of the foam to help contain and direct the waste ink flow from the printhead to the waste ink accumulation area in the printer. The spit foam and chimney direct the waste ink directly onto a felt absorption pad located below the spit surface where the waste ink is absorbed and stored. The felt pad is used in place of a hard spit surface to collect any ink that jets through the foam filled chimney.

US Patent:

6840617, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Apr 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/114194

Inventors:

Nathan Edward Crosby - Independence KY, US
Daniel Robert Gagnon - Harrodsburg KY, US
Mark Aaron Neal - Lexington KY, US
Jennifer Christina Williams - Lexington KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

B41J 201
B41J 2165

US Classification:

347104, 347 36

Abstract:

A mid-frame for use in an imaging apparatus includes an undulating surface extending in an undulation direction. At least one elongated slot can be formed in the mid-frame, wherein a direction of elongation of the elongated slot is substantially the same direction as the undulation direction.

US Patent:

20030020782, Jan 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/918333

Inventors:

Mark Neal - Lexington KY, US
Charles Simpson - Lexington KY, US
Gregory Washnock - Lexington KY, US

International Classification:

B41J002/165

US Classification:

347/035000

Abstract:

A method for increasing the waste ink storage capacity in an ink jet printer includes the steps of providing a printer frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion; providing a platen extending between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; providing a maintenance station coupled to the first frame portion; providing a printhead carrier for carrying a first printhead and a second printhead, and adapted for reciprocating movement along a carrier path, the carrier path extending over the first frame portion and the platen; defining a first ink spit area located at the maintenance station; defining a second ink spit area located at the platen; and selectively controlling an operation of the first printhead during spitting operations to eject a first ink in the first ink spit area and selectively controlling an operation of the second printhead during spitting operations to eject a second ink in the second ink spit area.

US Patent:

20070188546, Aug 16, 2007

Filed:

Feb 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351752

Inventors:

Thomas Brown - Frankfort KY, US
Stephen Budelsky - Lexington KY, US
Mark Neal - Lexington KY, US

International Classification:

B41J 2/165

US Classification:

347034000

Abstract:

An ink-mist control system for an edge-to-edge printer having a scanning carriage and ink cartridge utilizing a printhead therein comprises a print zone disposed beneath the scanning carriage and ink cartridge utilizing a printhead, a T-shaped duct housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion disposed beneath the print zone. The first housing portion has an inlet extending along the print zone, the second housing portion has an outlet. At least one basin waste collection is in fluid communication with the inlet to receive entrained ink particles, a first duct leg disposed in the first portion and a second duct leg offset from a lowermost position of the first duct leg, the first duct leg in fluid communication with the second duct leg. A fan is in fluid communication with said outlet for directing air and entrained ink mist particles from said inlet through said T-shaped duct and out said outlet. The air flow rate in the first duct leg is at a first velocity sufficient to entrain the ink mist while the air flow rate in the second duct leg is less than that of the first duct leg.

US Patent:

20070237561, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Apr 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/402147

Inventors:

Adam Ahne - Lexington KY, US
Mark Neal - Lexington KY, US

International Classification:

B41J 3/36

US Classification:

400088000

Abstract:

A hand-held printer includes two or more tracking devices, such as optical sensors, located adjacent a print head. The two or more tracking devices permit the identification of a printing surface underneath at least one of the tracking devices, such that the movement of the hand-held printer along or near an edge of the printing surface can be identified even where at least one tracking device falls off of the printing surface.

US Patent:

20080030564, Feb 7, 2008

Filed:

Aug 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/461841

Inventors:

Adam Jude Ahne - Carbondale IL, US
Edmund Hulin James - Lexington KY, US
Mark Aaron Neal - Lexington KY, US
Sarah Marie Springer - Lexington KY, US
Randal Scott Williamson - Lexington KY, US

International Classification:

B41J 3/36

US Classification:

347109

Abstract:

Handheld printers and methods of printing receive a first portion of a material underneath at least one print nozzle. At least a second portion of the material is mounted on a spool. The rotation of the spool is detected using an optical sensor. At least one print nozzle is instructed to eject ink onto the first portion of the material based, at least in part, on the detection of the rotation of the spool using the optical sensor.