Robert J Simon

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:

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.

US Patent:

8465113, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

Aug 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/860179

Inventors:

Michael S. Hanchak - Dayton OH, US
Mikhail Fishkin - Rochester NY, 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 29/38

US Classification:

347 10, 347 9

Abstract:

A jetting module is provided for installation in a printhead including mounting features, fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, mounting features, and fluid and electrical connections. The mounting features of the jetting module are configured to engage the mounting features of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module are located relative to the mounting features of the jetting module such that a force applied to couple the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module and the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead provides force to maintain contact between the mounting features of the jetting module and the mounting features of the printhead.

US Patent:

20090295863, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127886

Inventors:

Douglas E. Schultz - Dayton OH, US
Michael S. Hanchak - Dayton OH, US
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH, US
Charles D. Rike - Lebanon OH, US
Timothy T. Hare - West Carollton OH, US

International Classification:

B41J 2/165

US Classification:

347 32

Abstract:

A printhead includes a jetting module, a catcher, a drop deflection mechanism, and a capping mechanism. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles and is operable to form liquid drops from liquid emitted through the nozzles of the nozzle array. The catcher collects some of the liquid drops. The drop deflection mechanism deflects the liquid drops such that some of the liquid drops contact the catcher while other liquid drops are allowed to contact a print media. The capping mechanism includes a capping member located between the nozzle array of the jetting module and the drop deflection mechanism. The capping member has a first position covering the nozzle array and a second position removed from the nozzle array.

US Patent:

62731033, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/211213

Inventors:

Richard T. Enz - Dayton OH
John N. Blum - Kettering OH
Dan C. Lyman - Cincinnati OH
John C. Loyd - Centerville OH
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B08B 903
B05B 716
B41J 2165
B41J 202
B41J 2085

US Classification:

134 2211

Abstract:

A system and method are provided for cleaning the printhead of a continuous ink jet printing system. A cleaning fluid is introduced and used to flush ink residues and debris from the interior of the drop generator, the exterior of the orifice plate, the charge plate face and the catcher face. This system and method removes dried ink residues and other debris and deposits by providing a cleaning fluid with a low surface tension to dissolve or flush away the unwanted material from the orifices. This is particularly advantageous in that the flushing and rinsing is accomplished without mechanical contact which could abrade or damage the orifices.

US Patent:

62171623, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/211214

Inventors:

Bruce A. Bowling - Beavercreek OH
Robert J. Simon - Bellbrook OH
John N. Blum - Kettering OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B41J 207
B41J 202

US Classification:

347 74

Abstract:

An alignment apparatus and method is provided for attaching and aligning components of an ink jet printhead of a continuous ink jet printer. First and second bonding surfaces are provided on first and second components, respectively, of the ink jet printhead. The first and second components are then aligned and attached. The attaching can be accomplished by applying an adhesive, which may also incorporate a chemical accelerator, or by distributing an adhesive from a central region of the bonding surfaces to create an adhesive bond between the first and second bonding surfaces.