Patents Examined by Alexander D. Shenderov
  • Patent number: 11305546
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a connector component, a head unit, and a relay module component. The connector component is electrically connectable to a drive board. Ink from an ink chamber is supplied to the head unit. The relay module component is between the connector component and the head unit. The relay module component is detachable from the connector component and the head unit. The relay module component includes a channel to supply the ink supplied from the ink chamber to the head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Norimasa Sohgawa
  • Patent number: 11298944
    Abstract: An example system includes an ink tank including a feeder tank, wherein the feeder tank is to hold a fluid therein, the feeder tank having a port, the feeder tank being under a negative gauge pressure. The example system further includes a print cartridge in fluid communication with the port of the feeder tank, the print cartridge having a nozzle plate. The port of the feeder tank is positioned to a lower corner of the feeder tank distally to the print cartridge, wherein the nozzle plate is disposed above a predetermined level within the feeder tank when the system is not tilted, the predetermined level corresponding to a free surface of a predetermined volume of the fluid when the system is not tilted. When the system is tilted to position the nozzle plate below the port, the volume of fluid uncovers the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: William S Osborne, John J Cantrell
  • Patent number: 11285750
    Abstract: A ribbon supply cartridge for use in a card personalization machine. The ribbon supply cartridge is manually adjustable by a user before installation into the card personalization machine from a first, collapsed (or pre-use) configuration to a second, extended or open (or use) configuration. When the ribbon supply cartridge is adjusted from the first configuration to the second configuration, a distance between the supply and take-up is increased. The first, collapsed configuration may be useful for packaging or shipping the ribbon supply cartridge whereby the collapsed configuration reduces the size of the packaging or shipping box containing the ribbon supply cartridge. When the ribbon supply cartridge is to be used, the user can manually adjust the ribbon supply cartridge to the open configuration and then install the ribbon supply cartridge in the card personalization machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ENTRUST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zaborowski, Bryan D. Hoeve
  • Patent number: 11279136
    Abstract: A device for supplying liquid ink to an ink print head in an ink printing machine includes an ink reservoir, a line for guiding the ink from the reservoir to the print head, a line for guiding the ink from the print head to the reservoir, and a damper for damping pressure fluctuations in the liquid ink. The damper has a movable and/or deformable membrane with a given thickness. In a position of repose, the membrane has a length L and a width W, and the length L is at least twice as long as the width W. The device renders possible in a simple and cost-efficient way to reliably avoid even large pressure fluctuations, in particular high pressure peaks in the liquid ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Joerg-Achim Fischer, Michael Schoepke
  • Patent number: 11279131
    Abstract: A fluid ejection system may include a fluidic die comprising at least one fluid ejection device, at least one electrical impedance sensor to detect at least one impedance value during a plurality of stages of existence of a drive bubble in at least one firing chamber associated with the at least one fluid ejection device, and a service station wherein, based on the impedance values detected, the printing system services the at least one fluid actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E. Anderson, Eric Martin, James Michael Gardner, Jordan Morris
  • Patent number: 11273646
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system may include a fluid reservoir that may include a fluid supply port through which fluid is supplied to the fluid reservoir, a fluid outlet port through which a first portion of discharged fluid is supplied from the reservoir to a fluid ejection device, a fluid inlet port through which a second portion of the discharged fluid is recirculated back to the reservoir and through which air is pushed into the reservoir and an atmospheric vent to vent the air, that was pushed into the reservoir through the fluid inlet port, from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Arnold, Russell S Sauer
  • Patent number: 11254138
    Abstract: A liquid storage device includes a tank, an agitation blade, and a first tube. The tank is configured to store ink to be supplied to an inkjet head. The agitation blade is disposed inside the tank, and is configured to agitate the ink stored in the tank. The first tube is configured to supply the ink stored in the tank to the inkjet head. A lower end portion of the first tube extends in a direction different to the downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kuno
  • Patent number: 11254134
    Abstract: A fluid supply component for a replaceable fluid supply may include a channel fluidically coupled to a pliable fluid supply bag; a ball housed within the channel; and a gasket to prevent movement of the ball into the fluid supply bag; wherein the valve prevents fluid from entering the fluid supply bag while the fluid supply bag imparts a negative fluidic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Mark A. Devries, Miquel Boleda Busquets
  • Patent number: 11254124
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes a plurality of liquid ejecting heads reciprocally movable in a main scanning direction and arrayed in the main scanning direction. Each of the plurality of liquid ejecting heads include a liquid ejecting portion configured to eject liquid. The plurality of liquid ejecting heads includes: a first endmost liquid ejecting head; and a second endmost liquid ejecting head. The first endmost liquid ejecting head constitutes one end in the main scanning direction of the plurality of liquid ejecting heads. The second endmost liquid ejecting head constitutes another end in the main scanning direction of the plurality of liquid ejecting heads. The liquid ejecting portion of at least one of the first endmost liquid ejecting head and the second endmost liquid ejecting head is disposed at a position deviated toward the remaining one of the first endmost liquid ejecting head and the second endmost liquid ejecting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kuwayama, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 11247475
    Abstract: A liquid collecting device to collect liquid stored in a storage portion of a liquid container includes a bottle main body, a collecting joint portion, and a first valve element. A flow passage member of the liquid container ports the liquid to the storage portion. The bottle main body has first and second openings in communication with outside the liquid collecting device. The collecting joint portion connects to the bottle main body through the first opening and includes a first coupling portion coupled to the flow passage member, and an internal flow passage extending between the first opening and the first coupling portion. The internal flow passage includes a throttle portion and a space. The first valve element is moveably provided in the space and the first valve element has an area larger than an opening area of the first opening and an opening area of the throttle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nanjo, Yuji Tamaru
  • Patent number: 11235581
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an interconnect on a print liquid supply is described. The interconnect includes a liquid interface to establish a liquid path between the print liquid supply and an ejection device in which the print liquid supply is installed. The interconnect also includes an electrical interface to establish a data transmission path between the print liquid supply and the ejection device. The interconnect also includes an external surface having a dampening element disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, James Ring, Jeffrey L. Thielman
  • Patent number: 11230107
    Abstract: A horizontal interface for a fluid supply cartridge is to connect the fluid supply cartridge to a fluid-ejection device. The horizontal interface includes one or more fluidic interconnect septums to horizontally fluidically interconnect a supply of fluid of the fluid supply cartridge to the fluid-ejection device. The horizontal interface includes an electrical interface to horizontally conductively connect a digital fluid level sensor of the fluid supply cartridge to a corresponding electrical interface of the fluid-ejection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Studer, David C. Harvey, Michael W. Cumbie
  • Patent number: 11214089
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in a printing system to transport an ink image from an image forming station to an impression station for transfer of the ink image from the ITM onto a printing substrate, wherein the ITM is an endless flexible belt of substantially uniform width which, during use, passes over drive and guide rollers and is guided through at least the image forming station by means of guide channels that receive formations provided on both lateral edges of the belt, wherein the formations on a first edge differ from the formations on the second edge by being configured for providing the elasticity desired to maintain the belt taut when the belt is guided through their respective lateral channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: LANDA CORPORATION LTD.
    Inventors: Benzion Landa, Aharon Shmaiser, Itshak Ashkanazi
  • Patent number: 11214086
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus configured to perform recording operation by ejecting ink at least from a first recording head, includes an ink tank configured to contain the ink to be supplied to the first recording head, a tube configured to connect the first recording head and the ink tank, and a carriage including a first mounting portion on which the first recording head is mounted, a second mounting portion on which a second recording head is detachably mounted, and a contact portion electrically connected to the second recording head, and configured to reciprocate. A protection member protecting the contact portion can be detachably mounted on the second mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Tanaka, Koki Shimada, Masateru Komori, Yuta Araki
  • Patent number: 11203035
    Abstract: A coating apparatus is connectable to both an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeder. The coating apparatus includes a coater, a carry-in entrance, and an ejector. The coater coats a recording medium with a treatment liquid. The carry-in entrance is on one of two exterior wall surfaces facing each other. The recording medium is conveyed from the sheet feeder through the carry-in entrance. The ejector is on another of the two exterior wall surfaces. The ejector ejects the recording medium to the image forming apparatus. A position of the carry-in entrance on the one of the exterior wall surfaces matches a position of the ejector on said another of the exterior wall surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nakagaki, Kenji Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11198299
    Abstract: A fluid barrier may include a collar coupled to a first end of a fluidic channel of a fluidic interface wherein the collar comprises a lip to prevent separation of the fluidic channel from a pliable fluidic container. A printing fluid supply may include an at least partially collapsible fluid bag; and a substantially rigid fluidic interface having a fluidic channel fluidically coupled to the fluid bag and a collar coupled to the fluidic channel forming a fluid barrier between the fluid bag and the fluidic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Michael E. Peterschmidt, Milo A. Undlin, Perrin Mao
  • Patent number: 11192369
    Abstract: A liquid discharging head, having a plurality of individual flow paths, a common flow path, a first member, and a second member, is provided. Each of the individual flow paths includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and a connecting flow path arranged between the nozzle and the pressure chamber. The connecting flow path connects the nozzle with the pressure chamber. In the first member, a plurality of first holes each constituting the connecting flow path and a second hole constituting the common flow path are formed. The second member is arranged at a side of the connecting flow path opposite to the pressure chamber in an aligning direction, in which the nozzle, the connecting flow path, and the pressure chamber align with one another. The second member has a third hole that constitutes the common flow path but does not constitute the connecting flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taiki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11186092
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus including: a print head having a printing element column in which a plurality of printing elements for ejecting ink from ejection ports is arrayed and performing printing on a printing medium by ejecting ink based on print data; a sensor that detects temperature of the print head; an acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating a number of dots to be printed by printing elements corresponding to a predetermined area in the printing element column; and a control unit configured to control a printing operation of the print head based on temperature detected by the sensor and the number of dots acquired by the acquisition unit, and the printing apparatus performs printing on the printing medium by ejecting ink from the print head while the print head and the printing medium are moving relatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Yushi Suematsu, Kenichi Oonuki
  • Patent number: 11179941
    Abstract: A print liquid supply apparatus or interface structure to be connected to a print system comprises a liquid channel, liquid interface and integrated circuit contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Miquel Boleda Busquets, Bernd Karlsboeck, David Olsen, Michael E. Peterschmidt, Lynn A. Collie, Paul Allan Osborne, Wesley R. Schalk, Ronald J. Ender, Paul Mark Haines, Roger J. Kolodziej, Steve A. O'Hara
  • Patent number: 11179950
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge device, circuitry, and a curing device. The liquid discharge device is configured to discharge a liquid having a curing degree variable by a stimulation amount while relatively moving to a recording medium. The circuitry is configured to acquire surface roughness information indicating glossiness of a formed object formed on the recording medium and set a stimulation amount for the liquid based on the surface roughness information. The curing device is configured to stimulate the liquid discharged by the liquid discharge device based on the stimulation amount set by the circuitry to cure the liquid. The circuitry is configured to set, based on the surface roughness information, the stimulation amount for each region stimulated by the curing device in a same plane of the formed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Aya Yamasawa, Manabu Arita, Toshihito Kamei, Shinichi Hatanaka