John A Quenin

US Patent:

6350007, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/174796

Inventors:

Michael Meichle - Rochester NY
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY
Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
Christopher N. Delametter - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 29, 347 27

Abstract:

Self-cleaning printer having ultrasonics and method of assembling same for cleaning a print head surface and ink ejection orifices. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Particulate matter may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the fluid for generating ultrasonic vibrations causing pressure waves within the fluid. Presence of the pressure waves induces a hydrodynamic force in the fluid. This force acts against the particulate matter to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice.

US Patent:

6497472, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751236

Inventors:

Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
Michael E. Meichle - Rochester NY
Gilbert A. Hawkins - Mendon NY
Omid Moghadam - Lake Oswego OR
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 28, 347 29

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a print head comprises a print head body defining an interior chamber and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an outer surface and further defines a cleaning fluid orifice through the orifice plate for conducting a flow of a cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid orifice and onto an outer surface of said orifice plate. The orifice plate also defines a drain orifice for conducting a flow of cleaning fluid from the surface to the interior chamber. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is disposed in said cavity and connected to the cleaning fluid passageway. During cleaning operations, the fluid flow system defines a flow of a cleaning fluid from the passageway and onto said outer surface. The drain orifice receives cleaning fluid from the outer surface and channels the cleaning fluid into the fluid return.

US Patent:

6595617, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Dec 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/751620

Inventors:

Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
Michael E. Meichle - Rochester NY
Gilbert A. Hawkins - Mendon NY
Omid Moghadam - Lake Oswego OR
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 28

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a self-cleaning print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, cleaning orifice and drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. The print head has a source of pressurized cleaning fluid connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. During cleaning operations, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid causes cleaning fluid to flow from the cleaning orifice, and the cleaning orifice directs the flow of cleaning fluid across the outer surface and the ink jet orifice and into the drain orifice.

US Patent:

49312570, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Jan 5, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/293713

Inventors:

John A. Quenin - Rochester NY
Johannes J. Porte - Webster NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B01L 302
B01L 900

US Classification:

422100

Abstract:

Means are described for positively engaging a key in a keyway in a pipette and its support, to insure that proper dispensing position is maintained and that the pipette stays in the support. Preferably spring means are provided on the key for pressing against the keyway.

US Patent:

62869299, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Dec 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/222409

Inventors:

Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY
Christopher N. Delametter - Rochester NY
Michael E. Meichle - Rochester NY
Klaus-Dieter Bier - Nellmersbach, DE
Walter S. Stevens - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 27

Abstract:

A self-cleaning ink jet printer with oscillating septum and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer has a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an oscillatable septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to "sweep" the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.

US Patent:

61830577, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

Dec 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/206272

Inventors:

Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY
Christopher N. Delametter - Rochester NY
Michael E. Meichle - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 27

Abstract:

Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.

US Patent:

50531980, Oct 1, 1991

Filed:

May 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/358527

Inventors:

John A. Quenin - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G01N 3500
B65D 8548

US Classification:

422 64

Abstract:

There are described apparatus for collecting used test elements containing possibly hazardous liquids, and a method of collecting them. The apparatus features a container, and preferably a stacking station used with the container. The container can comprise a variety of configurations, and includes side walls, first and second end walls, access means in one of the side walls near the first end wall defining an aperture to allow test elements to feed into the container, and biasing means for biasing a test element against the first end wall or against a test element adjacent to the first end wall. A highly preferred form of the container is one in which one of the noted side walls is constructed to be a leaf spring. As to the method of collecting, it comprises the steps of a) inserting the first used test element into the container adjacent one end and under the biasing means so that a portion of the first element projects from the container; b) inserting the next used test element into the container under the first test element by inserting it under the projecting portion and pushing the first test element against the biasing means; and c) inserting successive used test elements into the container so that they each enter under the last one in, until the container is full.

US Patent:

61459526, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/174794

Inventors:

Ravi Sharma - Fairport NY
Michael Meichle - Rochester NY
Christopher N. Delametter - Rochester NY
John A. Quenin - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 22

Abstract:

Self-cleaning printer and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Particulate matter may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the particulate matter to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice.