Patents Examined by Kevin D. Williams
  • Patent number: 6904843
    Abstract: An anti-jam bezel is provided for dispensing a flexible substrate from an output slot. The output slot has a front portion for outputting the flexible substrate and a rear portion for receiving the flexible substrate from a transport. A guideway diverges away from the rear portion of the output slot toward the transport to provide a substrate receiving opening. When in use, the bezel body is mounted adjacent the transport with a cavity between the transport and the rear portion of the output slot. The guideway is adapted to catch a leading edge of the substrate exiting the transport, and guide the leading edge to the output slot. In the event the output slot is blocked, the guideway will guide at least a portion of the substrate into the cavity, thereby preventing a jam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: TransAct Technologies Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry Knobel
  • Patent number: 6902331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for printing a secure image on media using an inkjet printing device. The method includes printing an underlayer using an inkjet printing device that penetrates into a front surface of media. The underlayer is configured to define identification indicia. Included in the method is printing a secure image on top of the underlayer using an inkjet printing device. Examination of a back surface opposite the front surface allows viewing of the identification indicia for authenticating the secure image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Gopalan Raman
  • Patent number: 6899480
    Abstract: A inkjet type printer has a media feed roller and a printhead that prints near to where the roller engages the print media, so providing better printhead to media gap control. Preferably the printhead prints less than twice the roller radius from the line of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6892636
    Abstract: A positioning device for functional devices of printing presses, having at least one guide unit and one drive for moving and positioning the functional device for throwing-on/throwing-off movements with regard to impression cylinders. Weight compensation means are provided for the vertical displacement, so that the drive can be at least partially relieved of the weight of the functional device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Xaver Bachmeir
  • Patent number: 6889607
    Abstract: A method for mounting a printing master on a printing form cylinder includes readying a new print job with a printing-image length by releasing an unwinding spool, activating an unwinding spool drive for moving the printing master a length in circumferential direction of the cylinder on the circumferential surface by drawing the printing master to a rewinding spool and braking the unwinding spool for building tension. A preceding job image start is located on the surface facing the rewinding spool. A control device activates the unwinding spool drive and, before activation, data is produced in the control device regarding the length to be spooled forward, and the spools are fixed, after advancing the printing master a length, for insuring tension. A value is determined for the printing master length to be spooled forward, being at most the printing image length of the preceding print job plus a printing image spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Eisele, Gerhard Schlindwein, Andreas Schorpp
  • Patent number: 6886460
    Abstract: A method for conditioning a printing ink in a printing press includes providing an ink duct roller and a metering device, operating the ink duct roller in conjunction with the metering device for liquefying the printing ink before a start of printing, and providing a further roller for removing the printing ink from the ink duct roller. Removal of the printing ink from the ink duct roller by the further roller is held in a suppressed state, while simultaneously rotating the ink duct roller at a conditioning rotational speed, and simultaneously controlling the metering device pursuant to a conditioning profile, for only partially opening the metering device at least intermittently. A printing press for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Martin Mayer, Nikolaus Pfeiffer, Bernhard Roskosch
  • Patent number: 6883979
    Abstract: The serial printer includes a carriage reciprocating in a main scanning direction, a reading sensor mounted in carriage, a timing fence arranged in the main scanning direction, a mechanism preventing movement of carriage in the main scanning direction, and a controlling portion detecting a set condition for image formation in accordance with read data of timing fence from reading sensor for controlling image formation. The controlling portion detects the set condition for image formation in accordance with the read data obtained from the timing fence, so that detection of the set condition for image formation is enabled without increasing the size of an apparatus and cost, or without decreasing a processing efficiency in image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ueda, Hirotoshi Iemura, Hajime Horinaka, Masaharu Kimura, Norihiro Ochi, Shunichi Hayashiyama
  • Patent number: 6877917
    Abstract: A printer apparatus has a printing device for printing on a printable layer of a thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A heat-application and transporting member heats a thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet and transports the thermosensitive adhesive sheet. A control device controls the heat-application and transporting member to heat a portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet while simultaneously controlling the printing device to print on a portion of the printable layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet disposed opposite to and generally confronting the portion of the thermosensitive adhesive layer of the thermosensitive adhesive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: SII P & S Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Yoshinori Sato, Shinichi Yoshida, Masanori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6877425
    Abstract: An ink pad assembly having a top panel, the top panel having an ink pad coupled thereto, a bottom panel, and a pivotable hinge for connecting the top and bottom panels. The top panel of the ink pad assembly can be opened and pivoted 180 degrees about its central lengthwise axis. This pivotability allows a user to place the ink pad assembly in a position ready for use wherein the top panel lies on top of the bottom panel so that the ink pad is exposed. The pivotable hinge also allows the user to place the ink pad assembly in a closed position wherein the top panel lies on top of the bottom panel so that the ink pad is enclosed between the top and bottom panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Cabin Creek, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeanette R. Lynton
  • Patent number: 6862990
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a cylinder of a rotary printing machine cost-effectively, its cylinder body is assembled from a cylinder casing and a first and second side part located at the ends of the cylinder casing, one and the same first and second side part being capable of being completed in order to produce different cylinders casings of different outside diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Josef Göttling, Godber Petersen
  • Patent number: 6860664
    Abstract: A continuous media inkjet type printer has printheads located very close to a pair of opposed media feed rollers, thereby enabling a very small printhead to media gap due to the media being held at a substantially constant location by the feed rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTD
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 6857804
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a printer system for a device that comprises a secure compartment and a top surface displaced at an acute angle relative to a floor. A portion of the secure compartment includes interior of an opening from the top surface. The printer system comprises a support frame attachable to the device and displaced in the secure compartment of the device. The support frame comprises at least one glide rail. The printer system further comprises a printer assembly attached to the support frame. The printer assembly comprises a media holder adapted to hold printable media, a chassis intermediate and attached to the media holder, and a printer attached to the chassis and adapted to print on the media. In a first position, the printer assembly is displaced substantially inside the secure compartment. In a second position, the printer assembly is extended away from the secure compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Kurt W. Spencer, Michael J. Souza, Timothy F. Kelley, Robert S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6851360
    Abstract: Sheet-fed printing press, especially a satellite-type printing press by which double-side printing is performed with a single satellite-type press and if only single-side printing is required a sheet perfecting apparatus does not intervene in the sheet transfer path. In the course of printing with a plurality of printing units (26) provided in satellite-like manner around a common pressure cylinder (10), a sheet perfecting apparatus (36) is provided for inverting the sheet of material for double-side printing. The sheet perfecting apparatus is separable from the sheet transfer path for printing on one side only. The sheet perfecting apparatus is made up of a first transfer cylinder (38) a perfecting cylinder (40) and a second transfer cylinder (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Shinohara Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Iwamloto
  • Patent number: 6848363
    Abstract: A device for changing an operating state of a gripper-control device in a sheet-reversing device of a sheet-processing machine including a cylinder having an actuating shaft accommodated therein, includes an activating element cooperatively engaging with the actuating shaft for changing the operating state of the gripper control device. An actuating element is coupled mechanically with the actuating shaft. An adjusting element is movable relative to the cylinder. The adjusting element is disposed externally to the cylinder and cooperatively engages with the actuating element for moving the actuating element at least approximately synchronously with the cylinder during operation of the sheet-processing machine while the actuating shaft remains in a prescribed position with respect to the cylinder. The actuating element is changeable in position relative to the cylinder by the adjusting element, whenever the operating state is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Willi Becker
  • Patent number: 6845713
    Abstract: A device for registering the position of a printing plate on the plate cylinder of a printing machine includes sensors responsive to being covered by the printing plate, the sensors being provided on one of the plate cylinder and an attachment device of the plate cylinder, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Schumann, Karl Wispeintner, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 6840170
    Abstract: A device for torque compensation in a sheet-processing machine includes a cam-controlled compensating mechanism having an energy storage device for exerting a force, a cam disk, and a cam follower to be thrown onto the cam disk by action of the force from the energy storage device. At least one actuating element locks the cam follower in a rest position. A reversing drum with a torque compensation device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Willi Becker, Daniel Conzelmann, Andreas Fricke, Gerhard Heppenstiel
  • Patent number: 6821035
    Abstract: An impact printer with a hammerbank having print hammers retained by a permanent magnet for impacting a print ribbon, and a mechanical driver for moving the hammerbank across print media. First and second coils for each hammer are wrapped around first and second pole pieces, one of which is asymmetrical to the other pole piece. One of the pole pieces can have a generally elongated longitudinal form with the coil wound around the longitudinal form and the other can have a generally arcuate form, with the coil wrapped on a portion between the ends thereof. The coil wrapped around the arcuately formed pole piece is thicker than the coil wrapped around the longitudinal pole piece. The result is to provide pole pieces and coils for an impact printer having differing spatial relationships that can be staggered, or formed asymmetrically for more compact coil and pole piece placement to improve printer efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Printronix, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Gemmell
  • Patent number: 6823167
    Abstract: A guide system for xerographic printing apparatus introduces paper bearing an unfixed image and having a broad range of basis weights into a fuser nip from a prefuser transport without causing image smear. An entrance baffle is positioned in the path of the paper advancing toward the fuser nip for engagement by the paper's leading edge. The entrance baffle is hinged at its mounting end for swinging movement between a maximal and minimal positions as defined by stop members and is biased into engagement with the minimal stop member. The magnitude of the bias is chosen such that as the lightest basis weight paper engages the entrance baffle, it bends around its free end and is guided into the fuser nip, and such that as the heaviest paper engages the entrance baffle, it forces the entrance baffle toward engagement with the second stop member and itself is guided into the fuser nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Gross, Youti Kuo, Mark Stevens
  • Patent number: 6814518
    Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support frame supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sierra Design Group
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Patent number: 6813998
    Abstract: A printing plate is supported on a table slideably mounted on a frame for forward and back horizontal movement. A table lever has a handle moving in a vertical plane to slide the table for inking an image on the plate with an inverted ink cup or for moving the inked image under a printing pad. A printing pad shaft is supported by a mast for vertical sliding movement of the printing pad down onto the inked image or onto a work piece supported by a work holder bracket adjustably attached to the table. A printing pad lever has a handle moving in a second vertical plane to move the printing pad shaft. A printing cycle includes a minimum number of sequential movements of the two handles in parallel vertical planes located side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Malcolm J. Roebuck