David A Huliba

US Patent:

6352339, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/211777

Inventors:

John C. Loyd - Centerville OH
James D. McCann - Waynesville OH
Richard T. Enz - Dayton OH
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH
James A. Katerberg - Kettering OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B41J 2045

US Classification:

347 85

Abstract:

A system and method are provided for protecting the vacuum pump of an ink jet printer system from the harmful effects of condensation in the vacuum lines, and from the harmful effects of moisture and water in the vacuum lines. This is accomplished by suppressing the condensation and drying the vacuum line walls.

US Patent:

6527363, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/916992

Inventors:

Bruce A. Bowling - Beavercreek OH
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 36, 347 90

Abstract:

A laminated structure utilizes differential adhesive to achieve high adhesion to a wicking material and low adhesion where removal is desired. The low profile wicking pad is useful in any technology where it is desirable to control excess moisture with a passive device. The wicking device is particularly useful in the field of continuous ink jet printing systems, where the low profile of the device is desirable and the cost reduction makes disposability of the device a reality. In ink jet printing systems, the wicking device improves ink jet printhead performance via ink mist and ink drip elimination.

US Patent:

6688733, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254353

Inventors:

David A. Huliba - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc. - Dayton OH

International Classification:

B41J 209

US Classification:

347 76

Abstract:

A method is provided for transitioning from a lower pressure state to a final operating pressure state. Initially, an eyelid is used to divert ink into a fluid channel associated with the catcher assembly. Pressure of the ink is reduced to a low ink pressure level that will allow the ink to be removed by the fluid channel. Pressure of the ink is increased to at least one incremental step, before reaching a final ink operating pressure. A charge voltage is turned on to deflect ink into catch in a time interval short enough to prevent ink backup between the eyelid and the catcher assembly.

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:

6793327, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254354

Inventors:

David A. Huliba - Centerville OH

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2085

US Classification:

347 73, 347 90

Abstract:

The use of the lowest all catch voltage for deflecting the charged droplets onto the catcher surface enhances the reliability of the startup sequence for ink jet printers. Going from a state where all of the droplets are hitting in the eyelid seal and catch pan assembly to a state where all of the droplets are deflected and caught on the catcher face will help eliminate the possibility of splatter on the charge plate electrodes and/or the charge short detect level circuitry, ink on top of the eyelid seal, and wicking of ink out of the eyelid.

US Patent:

6910756, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254726

Inventors:

John N. Blum - Somerset NJ, US
Bruce A. Bowling - Beavercreek OH, US
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH, US
David F. Tunmore - Xenia OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J002/165

US Classification:

347 22

Abstract:

A technique for sealing a printhead of an ink jet printer system on startup, opening the seal to print, and opening further on an arbitrary path for service, is provided for by the present invention. The ink jet printhead has an ink drop generator, a catcher located adjacent to the ink drop generator, and a catcher pan located below the catcher. An eyelid seals ink within the printhead on startup of the printer system. An actuator mechanism transmits movement to the eyelid along a predetermined path, having multiple positions for the eyelid. The eyelid is moved between open and closed positions by means of a dc motor. The open position is defined by the actuator means contacting a print position stop. Shifting the position of the print position stop allows the eyelid to open to a service position.

US Patent:

6962411, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Jan 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/335700

Inventors:

Kenneth J. West - Dayton OH, US
Jay D. Frazier - Jamestown OH, US
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH, US
Bruce A. Bowling - Beavercreek OH, US
Charles D. Rike - Lebanon OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J002/185

US Classification:

347 90, 347 89, 347 76

Abstract:

A catcher design is provided wherein vacuum channels are added to both sides of the catcher to remove ink from the face of the catcher and from the eyelid seal. An additional fluid port on the catcher allows the additional vacuum channels to maintain an increased level of vacuum. A restriction on the catcher line balances the fluid flow between the catcher and the additional vacuum channels. A scoop can be machined into the catch pan to remove fluid from below the catcher face. A manifold can be used to maintain a vacuum source for the catcher throat and the additional channels, while pulling the unprinted ink back to the fluid system. Finally, a wider eyelid seal can allow purge fluid used during shutdown to clear the channels.

US Patent:

7052108, May 30, 2006

Filed:

Dec 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/011842

Inventors:

Kenneth J. West - Dayton OH, US
Meagan A. Wimmers - Springboro OH, US
Jay D. Frazier - Jamestown OH, US
David A. Huliba - Centerville OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B41J 2/165

US Classification:

347 28

Abstract:

A shutdown procedure is provided for removing all solvent ink from the printhead of an ink jet printer system that uses volatile ink for printing a shutdown method is provided for an inkjet printer that uses volatile inks for printing. Initially, a colorless flush fluid is provided which readily dissolves the ink. The flush fluid is crossflushed through the drop generator and caused to weep out of the orifices in the drop generator to dissolve and rinse away ink residues from the charge plate and the exterior of the orifice plate. The flush fluid is used to rinse off charging electrodes of the charge plate, the catcher face, and the catcher return line. Fluid crossflushed through the drop generator cleans the interior of the drop generator and cleans the crossflush valve.