Franklin J Palumbo from Versailles, KY, age 49

Us Patents

Conveyor And Waste Toner Reservoir For An Image-Forming Apparatus
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US Patent:

6466763, Oct 15, 2002
Filed:

Apr 18, 2000
Appl. No.:

09/551804
Inventors:

Alan Stirling Campbell - Lexington KY
Paul Douglas Horrall - Lexington KY
James John Molloy - Lexington KY
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 2112
US Classification:

399360
Abstract:

A waste toner removal device for transporting toner from a photoconductive drum within an image-forming apparatus. The invention includes a waste toner reservoir having outer walls forming an interior chamber for housing toner removed from the photoconductive drum. An opening is positioned within the outer walls into the interior chamber forming an upper chamber section extending above the opening and a lower chamber section extending below the opening. An auger extends along the photoconductive drum and unobstructed into the opening of the waste toner reservoir. The auger includes helical blades extending outward for moving the toner from the photoconductive drum into the waste toner reservoir. A pumping cylinder having a generally cylindrical shape extends around the auger adjacent to the waste toner reservoir. The diameter of the pumping cylinder is approximately equal to the helical blades wherein rotation of the auger creates a pumping action for moving toner into the said upper and lower chamber sections.

Contact Development System Reference Structure
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US Patent:

6580888, Jun 17, 2003
Filed:

May 17, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/859909
Inventors:

Paul Douglas Horrall - Lexington KY
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 1504
US Classification:

399119, 399110, 399116, 399117
Abstract:

A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.

Method And Device For Conveying Waste Toner In An Image Forming Device
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US Patent:

7167672, Jan 23, 2007
Filed:

Feb 22, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/062396
Inventors:

Donald Wayne Stafford - Georgetown KY, US
Robert Watson McAlpine - Lexington KY, US
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
Alfred Louis Fahmy - Lexington KY, US
Gregory Scott Tigges - Frankfort KY, US
William Dale Smith - Georgetown KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 21/10
G03G 21/12
US Classification:

399360, 399358, 399359
Abstract:

A conveyor mechanism for moving waste toner within an interior of a waste toner reservoir. The conveyor mechanism has a first end positioned in proximity to an inlet into the waste toner reservoir, and a second end positioned vertically above the first end. The conveyor mechanism operates to move the toner from a lower position within the waste toner reservoir to the vertically elevated position. The conveyor device may allow for the capacity of the waste toner reservoir to be more fully utilized. In use, the conveyor device is activated and waste toner is moved into the upper reaches of the waste toner reservoir.

Developing Agent Transport And Storage
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US Patent:

7310494, Dec 18, 2007
Filed:

Aug 30, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/215340
Inventors:

Alfred Louis Fahmy - Lexington KY, US
Robert Watson McAlpine - Lexington KY, US
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
William Dale Smith - Georgetown KY, US
Donald Wayne Stafford - Georgetown KY, US
Gregory Scott Tigges - Frankfort KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 21/12
US Classification:

399360
Abstract:

An apparatus and method for the transport and/or storage of developing agent in an image forming apparatus. A cartridge may be employed having a reservoir for developing agent and a component, such as a drum, which may include an interior region capable of storing developing agent. A transport device may be included that is capable of transporting developing agent between the reservoir and a location in the image forming apparatus such as the drum interior.

Methods And Devices For Detecting The Absence Of A Media Sheet Within An Image Forming Device
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US Patent:

7503561, Mar 17, 2009
Filed:

Apr 30, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/741788
Inventors:

Kenji Totsuka - Lexington KY, US
John Spicer - Lexington KY, US
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

B65H 7/04
US Classification:

27126501, 271110
Abstract:

The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining the absence of media sheets within an image forming device. In one embodiment, a support section configured to hold a stack of media sheets is positioned in an input area of the image forming device. A pick mechanism is positioned to contact a top-most sheet in the support section. The pick mechanism may include a pick motor and a pick roller. A sensor roller may be positioned to contact the top-most media sheet at a position spaced away from the pick roller. A controller may determine the absence of a media sheet based on the movement of the sensor roller after a predetermined movement of the pick motor.

Second Transfer Area For An Image Forming Device And Methods Of Use
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US Patent:

7587158, Sep 8, 2009
Filed:

Sep 29, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/536742
Inventors:

Stacy Marie Pargett - Richmond KY, US
Jennifer Marie Murphy - Lexington KY, US
Peter B. Pickett - Lexington KY, US
Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 15/01
US Classification:

399302
Abstract:

The present application is directed to second transfer areas and methods of transfer toner images from an intermediate member to a media sheet. The second transfer area comprises a second transfer nip formed between a second transfer roller and a back-up roller. The media path moves through this nip with the toner images on the intermediate member being transferred to the media sheets. The amount of force applied by the second transfer roller affects the transferability of the toner images to the media sheet. Further, the intermediate member may contact the second transfer roller at soft nip and hard nip locations. The lengths of these nips may also affect the transferability of the toner images.

Architecture For An Image-Forming Device
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US Patent:

7639965, Dec 29, 2009
Filed:

Apr 19, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/407307
Inventors:

Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
Darin M. Gettelfinger - Lexington KY, US
Paul Douglas Horrall - Lexington KY, US
Reginald Keith Bethel - Lexington KY, US
David Anthony Schneider - Lexington KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

G03G 15/00
US Classification:

399107, 399124, 399392
Abstract:

An image forming device includes a body having a top, a bottom, a front and a back. In one embodiment, a plurality of horizontally-aligned imaging units, each comprising a photoconductive member, transfer toner images to an intermediate transfer mechanism located below the plurality of imaging units. A pick mechanism may pick media sheets from a media input tray and feeds the media towards the front of the body. For duplex printing, the media sheets may travel along a duplex path that extends along the front of the body. In one embodiment, an access door at the front of the body pivots between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, a user may gain access to both media paths.

Architectures For Multi-Functional Image Forming Devices
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US Patent:

7675536, Mar 9, 2010
Filed:

Apr 19, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/407261
Inventors:

Franklin Joseph Palumbo - Nicholasville KY, US
Darin M. Gettelfinger - Lexington KY, US
Francis Foldes, Jr. - Lexington KY, US
Steven David Sieckowski - Lexington KY, US
Paul Douglas Horrall - Lexington KY, US
Reginald Keith Bethel - Lexington KY, US
Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY
International Classification:

B41J 29/13
B41J 2/435
G01D 15/06
G03G 15/00
G03G 21/16
US Classification:

347263, 347108, 347170, 399110, 399111
Abstract:

Multi-functional image forming devices that may include a base color laser printer comprising a front side, a back side, a top, and a bottom. The color laser printer may further include a media path, a laser printhead, and a plurality of image forming units. A scanning mechanism comprising a scan bed may be mounted on the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the media path includes a first section positioned within the base color laser printer and a second section that extends between the scanning mechanism and the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the scanning mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base color laser printer and movable to access the second section of the media path.