Patents Examined by Anthony H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11084279
    Abstract: Methods and systems of actively cooling a card while the card is within a card processing machine are described. One or more cooling stations are provided within the card processing machine to actively cool the card prior to performing a processing operation, during a processing operation, and/or after a processing operation on the card in order to reduce a temperature of the surface of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ENTRUST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zaborowski, Craig Berry, Rajesh K. Juriasingani
  • Patent number: 11077694
    Abstract: A post-processing device includes a carrying roller, a conveying member, a transporting member and a processing part. The carrying roller is configured to be rotated to carry a sheet one by one to a processing tray along a conveyance direction. The conveying member is configured to convey the sheet carried by the carrying roller to a receiving position on the processing tray. The conveying member has a rotation shaft and a plurality of contact pieces protruding from the rotation shaft so as to come into contact with the sheet carried on the processing tray. The contact piece is made of elastic material. The conveying member is rotated at a rotation speed higher than a rotation speed of the carrying roller when the sheet carried by the carrying roller is conveyed to the receiving position on the processing tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Terumitsu Noso, Tadahisa Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11065887
    Abstract: A method for securing a printing process of a printer having a housing with a printing chamber, a printing device, a holding device for an exchangeable magazine for holding an object to be printed on, a control and evaluation unit, and a memory, the method having the following steps: inserting a magazine having the object to be printed into the holding device; moving the holding device into the printing chamber, using an optical sensor in the housing to sense a marking on the magazine; performing a comparison of the marking on the inserted magazine sensed by the sensor with a marking stored in memory in the control and evaluation unit for a magazine permissible for the print object to be printed on; outputting an error indication if the marking of the inserted magazine sensed by the sensor does not match the marking stored in the memory for a permissible magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sandra Klocke, Albrecht Schierholz, Kilian Klages
  • Patent number: 11065901
    Abstract: A transfer method is provided and includes a disposing step of disposing a transfer sheet and a medium in an inside of a sealed space formed by using a pressure welding sheet having flexibility in at least one part; a pressure welding step of suctioning the inside of the sealed space by a negative pressure and pressure welding the pressure welding sheet and the medium by the negative pressure to closely attach the transfer sheet and the medium; an irradiating step of softening an adhesive layer of the transfer sheet by irradiation of a light ray in a state in which the transfer sheet is closely attached to the medium by the pressure welding sheet and adhering the adhesive layer to the medium by a pressure welding force from the pressure welding sheet; and a peeling step of peeling off the transfer sheet from the medium after the irradiating step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 11059098
    Abstract: A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: SAFI-Tech, Inc., Iowa State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Martin M. Thuo, Christophe Frankiewicz, Ian D. Tevis
  • Patent number: 11054785
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an intermediate transfer body; a secondary transfer section; a conveyance section; a first detection section; a second detection section that is arranged downstream of the first detection section in a conveyance direction of a medium; and a control section that performs control for changing a conveyance speed of the medium by the conveyance section to a first speed based on timing of detection of the medium by the first detection section and a position of the image on the intermediate transfer body at that time point and changing the conveyance speed of the medium by the conveyance section to a second speed equal to the traveling speed of the intermediate transfer body based on timing of detection of the medium by the second detection section and the position of the image on the intermediate transfer body at that time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masakazu Hiroi
  • Patent number: 11046070
    Abstract: A processing machine includes a dryer device. In particular, the processing machine is a printable material- or sheet-processing or a substrate-processing machine, in particular a printing machine. A method for operating a drying device in such a processing machine is also provided. The processing machine addresses the problem of creating an alternative processing machine comprising a drying device or an alternative method for operating a drying device in a processing machine. In particular, the cooling in preferably high-performs dryers in processing machines, such as substrate, or printable material-processing machines, should be improved. Especially preferably the cooling of the underside of the underside of a UV emitter should also be further improved. The problem is solved by pairing a blast air system with the drying device, by the use of which blast air system, the ambient air flowing into the air inlet opening can be or is actively influenced at a distance from the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventor: Maik Walter
  • Patent number: 11048200
    Abstract: A guide structure includes a first guide member that guides a recording medium from a fixing unit to a transport roller unit, the fixing unit fixing an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium by heating the recording medium that is transported, the transport roller unit transporting the recording medium; and a second guide member that comes into contact with the recording medium to which the image has been fixed by the fixing unit and guides the recording medium to the transport roller unit, the second guide member being disposed downstream of the first guide member in a transporting direction in which the recording medium is transported and being made of a material having a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of a material of the first guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventor: Akira Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 11036173
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading main unit including a document platen capable of being loaded with a document, a document cover configured to press the document against the document platen, and a hinge mechanism configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the reading main unit, wherein the reading main unit includes a first abutment portion capable of abutting the document cover, and wherein an open angle of the document cover with respect to the document platen is regulated to a first angle by abutment between the document cover and the first abutment portion when the hinge mechanism is in the first position, and the open angle is regulated to a second angle larger than the first angle by a regulation portion provided in the hinge mechanism when the hinge mechanism is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawanishi, Kazuyuki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11034174
    Abstract: An integrated cartridge is provided, which includes a printing medium receiving groove in which a printing medium is loaded; a feeding mounting hole and a take-up bobbin mounting hole are formed; a feeding bobbin mounted in the feeding bobbin mounting hole; a take-up bobbin mounted in the take-up bobbin mounting hole; and a first opening disposed between the feeding bobbin and the take-up bobbin configured to draw out the printing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: PRINICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwang-Ho Noh
  • Patent number: 11020958
    Abstract: A foil reel mounting device for supporting a reel of stamping foil in a supporting module. The device includes a support having a recess to receive an axle of the reel of stamping foil. A retaining element mounted on the support and arranged to move between a closed position, in which the retaining element retains the axle of the reel in the recess, and an open position, in which the retaining element releases the axle of the reel from the recess. The retaining element is biased towards the closed position. Also, a supporting module has at least one foil reel mounting device and a stamping machine includes a supporting module or at least one foil reel mounting device. A method for loading and unloading a reel of stamping foil with such at least one foil reel mounting device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Julien Chretien
  • Patent number: 11020991
    Abstract: A hold-down pallet for a textile printer, the pallet comprising a central board and flaps, the flaps moving between an open position to allow placing of a garment and a closed position to hold a garment firmly on the board for printing, the pallet travelling between a garment setting position and a printing area and comprising an engagement mechanism which engages the pallet as it enters the garment setting position. Engagement opens the flaps so that the flaps are in the open position in the garment setting area, the pallet disengaging to close the flaps as it heads for the printing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Kornit Digital Ltd.
    Inventor: Ohad Snir
  • Patent number: 11007772
    Abstract: Techniques for manufacturing a light field print using a printing press. The techniques include: identifying at least one characteristic of the printing press at least in part by printing at least one calibration pattern; obtaining content to be rendered using the light field print, the content comprising multiple scene views; generating, based at least in part on the content and the at least one characteristic of the printing press, a front target pattern and a back target pattern; and using the printing press to: print the front target pattern on a first side of a substrate; and print the back target pattern on a second side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Fathom Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Anthony Baran, Matthew Waggener Hirsch
  • Patent number: 11003904
    Abstract: Apparatus for the detection of print marks with a sensor arrangement which has at least one contrast sensor, which for generation of a cyclical sensor signal is disposed above the area of printed material containing the print mark which is passed below the contrast sensor, said apparatus also having a signal conditioning unit. The signal conditioning unit has at least one filter unit with a first filter for determination of the first derivation of the sensor signal, and on the basis of an evaluation of at least the first derivation of the sensor signal the filter unit generates at least one output value which is representative of print marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Enzinger
  • Patent number: 11003122
    Abstract: A printer including a transport path; a transport mechanism that is disposed in the transport path and transports the medium in a transporting direction caused when printing is executed by a recording section; a discharge-side transport path that forms a part of a downstream side in the transporting direction from the recording section in the transport path and is movable to a position close to the transport mechanism and a position separated from the transport mechanism; and a control section that controls the recording section and the transport mechanism. In a state where a transport failure of the medium occurs in the transport path, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control section executes an additional transport process of discharging the medium to the discharge-side transport path by transporting the medium in the transporting direction by a predetermined amount by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Segawa, Tetsuji Takeishi, Shota Hiramatsu, Masanori Nakata
  • Patent number: 10996607
    Abstract: According to an example, printed media stack alignment may include actuating a belt and a paddle to shift first and second sheets to a stopper position represented by register of the first and second sheets against a stopper. The stopper may be actuated to shift the first and second sheets to an eject position, where the eject position is intermediate to a sheet deposit position and the stopper position. The belt and the paddle may be actuated to shift the first sheet, the second sheet, and a third sheet received at the sheet deposit position to the stopper position. The stopper may be actuated to shift the first, second, and third sheets to the eject position. Further, an ejector may be actuated to eject a stack including the first, second, and third sheets from the eject position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Rohman
  • Patent number: 10996603
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a re-conveyor. The re-conveyor includes a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear, a first re-conveying roller, a shaft member, a first engaged member, a second engaged member, and an engaging member. When the second bevel gear is rotated in a rotational direction by a driving force transmitted from the first bevel gear, the engaging member is moved to a second position and engaged with the first and second engaged members to rotate the shaft member in a rotational direction. When the shaft member is rotated in the rotational direction by a driving force transmitted from the first re-conveying roller, the engaging member is moved to a first position, disengaged from the second engaged member, and engaged with the first engaged member to interrupt transmission of the driving force from the shaft member to the second bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mariko Uchida, Tetsuya Morita
  • Patent number: 10983467
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects an attribute of paper for each sheet of paper. A post-process apparatus performs a post-process for each group of paper including a designated number of sheets of paper. A controller of the image forming apparatus determines for each sheet of paper, whether or not a designated post-process is prohibited based on prohibition rule data which defines permission and prohibition of the post-process in accordance with the attribute of paper for each type of post-process and the detected attribute of paper. When the controller determines that the designated post-process is prohibited, the controller determines whether or not a sheet of paper which resulted in determination as prohibition is a sheet of paper intermediate between the first sheet of paper and the last sheet of paper in the group of paper, and has an image forming system perform a process in accordance with a result of determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hideki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10974925
    Abstract: A spindle assembly capable of accommodating paper rolls of varying sizes is provided. The spindle assembly comprises a spindle arm adapted to be connected to a printer mechanism. The spindle arm comprises a first flange surrounding an opening. A spindle is provided for accepting a first paper roll. A first end of the spindle is fixed in the opening of the spindle arm. The spindle comprises a second flange arranged at a second end of the spindle. A sleeve is provided which is adapted to slide over the spindle and attach to the spindle arm for accepting a second paper roll. The second paper roll has a different size than the first paper roll. A printer having such a spindle assembly is provided, as is a method for accommodating different sized paper rolls in a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TransAct Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter Zach
  • Patent number: 10967658
    Abstract: A printing apparatus and a sheet storage device meet a need for diversification in printing modes while reducing a load on a user. A printing apparatus includes a first holder which rotatably holds a roll sheet, a second holder which is located below the first holder and rotatably holds a roll sheet, a printing unit which performs printing on a shed reeled out of the first holder or the second holder, a discharge port which is provided above the first holder and discharges the sheet printed by the printing unit, and a receiving unit which is provided between the first holder and the second holder and is capable of establishing a first stab of receiving a front end portion of the sheet discharged from the discharge port and a second state of not receiving the front end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromasa Yoneyama, Daiki Anayama, Yasuyuki Asai, Tetsuo Kikuchi