Robert E Simon

US Patent:

6688736, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254323

Inventors:

David F. Tunmore - Xenia OH
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH
Bruce A. Bowling - Beavercreek OH
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B41J 2185

US Classification:

347 90, 347 30, 347 31

Abstract:

An inkjet printer has a catcher and eyelid seal for sealing against the catcher during startup and shutdown. A wicking means is provided for removing excess ink from a fluid channel of the catcher having an associated catcher plate, in an area of the eyelid seal. The wicking means is positioned in an area at a bottom surface of the fluid channel, without bridging a height of the fluid channel, above the catcher plate, and in close proximity to the eyelid seal, while maintaining a consistent pressure at an entrance to the fluid channel.

US Patent:

6732897, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Sep 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/234737

Inventors:

Robert DeHart - Mason OH
Robert D. Simon - Gahanna OH

Assignee:

Airtrim, Inc. - Springfield OH

International Classification:

B65H 2000

US Classification:

226 974, 406 92, 406152, 406153

Abstract:

A continuous supply of scrap material from a papermaking or converting process is transferred by a venturi inducer system including a housing surrounding a tubular intake duct which defines with the housing an annular air chamber connected to receive pressurized air from a motor driven blower. The housing has a tapered or frusto-conical portion connected to a tapered material outlet duct and which cooperates with the inner end of the intake duct to define an annular nozzle opening. Long adjustable bolts connect the intake duct to the housing outboard of the housing and provide for externally adjusting the intake duct axially for precisely selecting the area of the nozzle opening to optimize the air flow through the nozzle opening for pulling and transferring the material while minimizing the electrical power required to operate the blower motor.

US Patent:

7163281, Jan 16, 2007

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839359

Inventors:

Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US
Kenneth C. Harrington - Beavercreek OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/085

US Classification:

347 76

Abstract:

An improved continuous ink jet print station includes a drop generator with a jet array and a drop charging assembly. The drop charging assembly includes a substrate with a first side facing the jet array, and one or more resistive heater elements placed on the substrate aligned with the jet array. The resistive heater elements are discontinuously disposed on portions of the substrate. One or more one charging electrodes are disposed on the first side. The continuous ink jet print station includes a power source for powering the resistive heater elements to heat the substrate to a temperature sufficient to prevent condensation of fluid on the first side.

US Patent:

7213902, May 8, 2007

Filed:

May 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/839467

Inventors:

Daniel J. DeVivo - Dayton OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/165

US Classification:

347 28, 347 22

Abstract:

The method for shutting down an ink jet printhead and an ink jet printing station, wherein the method includes maintaining a constant positive pressure at the drop generator by closing the cross flush valve or ensuring that the cross flush valve is closed, thereby closing off the fluid return line to create a constant positive pressure through the drop generator and the orifice into the fluid line. The shutdown continues by stopping the flow of fluid from the fluid supply line and circulating cleaning fluid through at least one filter, into the drop generator, out through the orifice structure, into the fluid line, and into a reservoir. The shutdown ends by flowing pressurized air, which is preferably clean of particulates, through the filter, drop generator, orifice structure, and fluid line to displace substantially all the cleaning fluid from the filter, drop generator, and orifice structure.

US Patent:

7458677, Dec 2, 2008

Filed:

Jun 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/425265

Inventors:

Brian G. Morris - Dayton OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 29/13

US Classification:

347108

Abstract:

The turbulence of the air moved through an inkjet print head enclosure is reduced before reaching the printing region between the print head and a print medium by positioning a HEPA filtration system between an air inlet opening in the enclosure and the print head. Turbulence is removed from air moved through the air path by HEPA filtration of the air being drawn into the print head enclosure before reaching the printing region.

US Patent:

7635173, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Oct 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/263143

Inventors:

Dan C. Lyman - Cincinnati OH, US
Randy D. Vandagriff - Xenia OH, US
John C. Loyd - Beavercreek OH, US
Daniel J. DeVivo - Dayton OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/175

US Classification:

347 7, 347 73, 347 14

Abstract:

An inkjet printer having an array of nozzles from which ink drops are emitted further includes a mechanism adapted to detect fluid levels in an ink supply tank to the inkjet printer while the printer is in idle mode, and shut down the printer when ink usage exceeds a predetermined volume.

US Patent:

7819501, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

May 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127872

Inventors:

Michael S. Hanchak - Dayton OH, US
Mikhail Fishkin - Rochester OH, US
Douglas E. Schultz - Dayton OH, US
Charles D. Rike - Lebanon OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/14

US Classification:

347 49, 347 50, 347 77

Abstract:

A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7828420, Nov 9, 2010

Filed:

May 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749187

Inventors:

Randy L. Fagerquist - Beavercreek OH, US
Ornit Hadar - Vancouver, CA
Julia A. Gayhart - Tipp City OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/09

US Classification:

347 77

Abstract:

A drop generator is operated to form large-volume and small-volume droplets by providing a droplet generator having a nozzle and an adjustable stimulation device; supplying liquid to the droplet generator such that a stream of diameter D emanates from the nozzle; activating the stimulation device to produce a first set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the perturbations having a period x such as to cause the liquid stream to form into small-volume droplets; selectively adjusting the stimulation device to produce a second set of perturbations on the liquid stream, the second set of perturbations having a period Nx such as to cause a segment of the liquid stream to form into a large-volume droplet, whereby the large-volume droplet is N times the volume of the small-volume droplets; and further adjusting the stimulation device to produce a third set of perturbations on the liquid stream during the period Nx.