Kenneth W Altfather, 40Penfield, NY

6390615, May 21, 2002

Nov 28, 2000

09/722635

Edward M. Carrese - Rochester NY
Brian S. Hilton - Rochester NY
Eric A. Merz - Webster NY
James R. Brown - Sodus NY
Steven R. Moore - Rochester NY
Arthur J. Sobon - Rochester NY
Hiep Nguyen - Rochester NY
Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 2175

347 86

An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

6409302, Jun 25, 2002

Feb 26, 2001

09/792980

Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY
Michael Carlotta - Sodus NY
Steven J. Dietl - Ontario NY
Donald M. Stevens - Walworth NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 201

347 19, 347 86

A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

2012015, Jun 21, 2012

Dec 14, 2011

13/325998

Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY, US

F04B 7/02
F04B 9/14

417571

A collapsible bilge pump includes outer and inner cylinders telescopable between retracted and extended posiions. A piston is movable up and down within the inner cylinder. Check valves in the bottom of the outer cylinder and in the piston permit the pump to take in water at the bottom end of the pump and discharge it from the top end. The collapsible pump is easily stowed, and its short stroke, limited to the length of the inner cylinder, is substantaially easier to perform.

2012021, Aug 30, 2012

Dec 20, 2011

13/331601

Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY, US
Craig A. Peterson - Penfield NY, US

B63B 17/00

114343

A kayak capsize recovery system. It includes a paddle with a blade on each end; a paddle float for releasable connection to one end of the paddle; a pouch connected to the kayak to receive the other end of the paddle; and a strap with inner and outer ends for releasable connection to kayak and paddle float. The pouch and said strap connect to opposite sides of the kayak cockpit. The length of strap and depth of pouch enable the system to stabilize a capsize orientation of kayak.

6234603, May 22, 2001

May 6, 1999

9/305990

Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY
Michael Carlotta - Sodus NY
Steven J. Dietl - Ontario NY
Donald M. Stevens - Walworth NY
Fred F. Hubble - Rochester NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 2175

347 19

A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a faceted prism and a roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the roof mirror, would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

5404158, Apr 4, 1995

Nov 12, 1992

7/974632

Michael Carlotta - Sodus NY
Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY
Karai P. Premnath - Rochester NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 2165

347 32

A maintenance station for an ink jet printer having a printhead with nozzles in a nozzle face and an ink supply cartridge is mounted on a translatable carriage for concurrent movement therewith. When the printer is in a non-printing mode, the carriage is translated to the maintenance station located outside and to one side of a printing zone, where various maintenance functions are provided depending upon the location of the carriage mounted printhead within the maintenance station. The printhead nozzle face is cleaned by at least one wiper blade as the printhead enters and leaves the maintenance station. Adjacent the wiper blade is a location for collecting nozzle-clearing ink droplets, followed by a capping location where a carriage actuatable cap moves into sealing engagement with the printhead nozzle face and surrounds the nozzle to provide a controllable environment therefor. A vacuum pump is interconnected to the cap by flexible hose with an ink separator therebetween. Priming is conducted when continued movement of the carriage mounted printhead actuates a pinch valve to isolate the separator from the cap and enable a predetermined vacuum to be produced therein by energizing the vacuum pump.

6264319, Jul 24, 2001

Jun 14, 2000

9/593528

Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY
Steven J. Dietl - Ontario NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 2175

347 86

A pressure change accommodating liquid ink container is provided for installing onto the printhead of a liquid ink recording apparatus for supplying liquid ink to the printhead. The pressure change accommodating liquid ink container includes external walls, including a front wall and a top wall, defining a holding chamber for containing liquid ink; a pressure release hole formed through the top wall into the holding chamber; and a pressure compensator device mounted to the top wall over the pressure release hole and including an auxiliary chamber for accommodating a change in an internal pressure of the holding chamber when filled with liquid ink.

6070961, Jun 6, 2000

Sep 19, 1997

8/933813

Karai P. Premnath - Rochester NY
Kenneth W. Altfather - Fairport NY

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

B41J 2165

347 30

A priming station for an ink jet printer includes an ink accumulator tank which has an enhanced moisture vapor transfer rate based on a choice of materials and tank design. In a preferred embodiment, the ink accumulator tank is connected between a printhead nozzle face capping member and a vacuum pump. The tank comprises a tub bonded to a cover having holes formed therethrough. A thin, highly permeable film which provides a relatively high moisture vapor transfer rate is adhesively bonded to the cover overlying the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the film is a thin (0. 635 to 0. 78 mm thick) silicone or Mylar. This design reduces the accumulator tank replacement frequency by increasing the evaporation rate of the ink stored in the tank.