Patents Examined by Anthony Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8857334
    Abstract: A printing plate cleaning apparatus may include a cleaning chamber configured to receive a printing plate to be cleaned, a nozzle supporter in the cleaning chamber, and/or a unified nozzle unit that includes a cleaning nozzle unit and a rinsing nozzle unit unified as a body and attached to the nozzle supporter. The cleaning nozzle unit may include a cleaner nozzle configured to inject cleaner to the printing plate and/or a first suction nozzle suctioning waste. The rinsing nozzle unit may include a rinsing liquid nozzle configured to inject rinsing liquid to the printing plate and/or a second suction nozzle suctioning the waste. A printing plate cleaning apparatus may include the cleaning chamber, a cleaning nozzle unit in the cleaning chamber, and/or a rinsing nozzle unit in the cleaning chamber. The cleaning and rinsing nozzle units may be configured to move together with each other in the cleaning chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jung-Woo Cho, Sin Kwon, Min-Uk Kim, Hyun-Seok Kim, Nam Hoon Lee, Sung Gun Lee, Sung Hee Lee, Jae Hyuk Chang
  • Patent number: 8849181
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image to be printed on a sheet; an apparatus main body including the image forming unit therein; a recessed section provided on the outer side of the apparatus main body; and a clip unit configured to clip, when the sheet is inserted into the recessed section, an end of the sheet with a paper clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8845216
    Abstract: A printer includes a roll paper body driving mechanism that transports a medium by rotating a roll paper body on which the medium is wound, a first transport mechanism provided downstream of the roll paper body to transport the medium, a print head provided downstream of the first transport mechanism to carry out printing on the medium, a second transport mechanism provided between the roll paper body and the first transport mechanism to transport the medium, and a controller carries out control so that, in a range in which a velocity at which the first transport mechanism transports the media changes, the absolute value of a difference in an amount by which the medium is transported between transport mechanisms is larger between the roll paper body driving mechanism and the second transport mechanism than between the second transport mechanism and the first transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8838013
    Abstract: An image elimination apparatus includes a first reader configured to read a status of a sheet, a first judgment portion configured to judge whether the read sheet is reusable or not, an image eliminator configured to eliminate an image formed on the sheet, a second reader configured to read the sheet passing through the image eliminator, a second judgment portion configured to judge whether the image formed on the sheet is eliminated or not, and a controller configured to control the first reader and the second reader so as to read with different reading precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Iguchi
  • Patent number: 8833255
    Abstract: A sheet-fed, rotary, printing press for printing on both sides of sheets without a sheet reversing device, includes printing units having a modular construction. Each module includes at least a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, a transfer cylinder and at least one drive wheel. Modules for printing on the first side of the sheets and modules for printing on the second side of the sheets have an identical construction and are disposed in such a way that one is rotated through 180° relative to the other about an axis extending in a sheet processing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Derhardt, Peter Hachmann, Ralf Thiele
  • Patent number: 8827580
    Abstract: A media feeding and cutting system is disclosed herein which comprises a media cutter including a cutting surface and a digital cutting device, a first feeder configured to automatically transport individual sheets of media from an in-feed receptacle toward the cutter, a positioner configured to position the medium on the cutting surface, a second feeder disposed adjacent to or connected to the cutting surface which is configured to automatically transport the cut medium from the cutter to an out-feed receptacle, and a processor configured to operate the cutter, first feeder, positioner and second feeder. Additional related systems and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Nowak, Robert A. Clark, Kathleen A. Feinberg, Peter J. Knausdorf, Thomas C. Hollar, Thomas J. Wyble, Linn C. Hoover, William J. Hannaway, Jess R. Gentner, Frank M. Goetz
  • Patent number: 8824954
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus starts to change a curl correcting amount until when an upstream end in a sheet conveying direction of a preceding sheet passes through a curl correcting unit and finishes changing the curl correcting amount until when a succeeding sheet that follows the preceding sheet reaches the curl correcting unit in a case when the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet are both guided in the curl correcting unit through a conveying path and when the curl correcting amount is changed between curl correcting amounts of the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8820228
    Abstract: A tool for use in marking a golf ball includes a body having a curved portion configured to receive a golf ball and extend along a portion of an outer surface of the golf ball. The body includes at least one track extending along the curved portion. Each track includes an aperture adapted to receive a writing instrument to permit marking of the golf ball through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: W. Raymond Barrett
  • Patent number: 8820231
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roll-to-roll printing apparatus, which includes n support rollers arranged in an n-gonal shape (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 3), a looped pattern mask having a plurality of pattern sections passing through inner and outer surfaces thereof and disposed so as to interconnect the support rollers, a driver that rotates the pattern mask, a transfer unit having an unwinder and a rewinder of a printing target and a backup roller that is disposed between two of the support rollers adjacent to each other and outside the pattern mask and that supports the printing target transferred from the unwinder to the rewinder, a printing unit disposed inside the pattern mask and discharging ink toward the printing target supported on the backup roller, and a tension adjusting unit adjusting tension of the pattern mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sung An Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kwon Choi
  • Patent number: 8814452
    Abstract: An ejection assembly for a printer is provided, the ejection assembly being disposed downstream of a print head in order to receive web from the print head. The ejection assembly can include an ejection roller and a door having a closed configuration and an open configuration. The door can be biased toward the closed configuration and toward the ejection roller. Upon rotation of the ejection roller, the ejection roller can force the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and can eject web past the door from the printer. In some embodiments, the ejection roller is rotated one full cycle, the ejection roller permits accumulation of web received from the print head and subsequently forces the door from the closed configuration to the open configuration and ejects the accumulated web past the door from the printer. Also provided are a corresponding printer and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Karl Tommy Wincent
  • Patent number: 8807855
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a cutting head for cutting two-dimensional information out of a recording medium. The cutting head includes a motor, a tool base for retaining a first cutter, the tool base supporting the first cutter to be freely displaceable along a first axis, wherein the first cutter is displaced toward or away from a recording medium along the first axis; a fixed base for slidably supporting displacement of the tool base along the first axis; a displacing mechanism for displacing a link member along the first axis to displace the tool base along the first axis, the displacing mechanism driven by the motor; a first elastic member for coupling the link member with the tool base; and a second elastic member for coupling the tool base with the fixed base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8800443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for marking articles that includes a marking head applying a marking force on an article along to a first axis; a positioning system positioning the article facing the marking head and generally along a perpendicular second axis; and a support system supporting the article during marking by the marking head. The positioning system comprises at least one carriage-turret for supporting the article. When the article is positioned facing the marking head by the at least one carriage-turret, this carriage-turret has a degree of freedom along a direction parallel to the first axis. The support system and/or the at least one carriage-turret includes backlash means along a direction parallel to a perpendicular third axis, to compensate for the shape defects of the article during application of the marking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Florent Demange, Vincent Tarnowski
  • Patent number: 8794855
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder attaching unit, a communication unit, a connection determining unit, an acquiring unit, a storage unit, a compatibility determining unit and a forcible unconnected control unit. The connection determining unit causes the communication unit to communicate with a communication section of a sheet feeder, and determines whether the sheet feeder is connected based on a communication result. The acquiring unit acquires attribute information of the sheet feeder. The storage unit stores attribute information of sheet feeders being compatible, in terms of control, with the image forming apparatus. The compatibility determining unit determines whether the connected sheet feeder is compatible by comparing the acquired attribute information of the connected sheet feeder with the stored attribute information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Usui
  • Patent number: 8794147
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket comprised of fluoropolymer to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, the anti-marking device removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is installed on the transfer cylinder between the anti-marking device and the transfer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Printing Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Joey V. Le
  • Patent number: 8789465
    Abstract: A method, at least partially implemented by means of processor-executable instructions, for exchanging colors within a color station of a printing press is disclosed. In one implementation of the method, a cleaning tank is operated within the color station, thereby cleaning the color station. Additionally, a new color of ink is built within the cleaned color station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ronen Novak, Oren Wilde, Vadim Genkin
  • Patent number: 8789461
    Abstract: A double-sided embossing folder includes a first embossing plate having a first plurality of positive embossing features disposed thereon in the shape of a first image and a first plurality of negative embossing features formed on an opposite side thereof. A second embossing plate has a second plurality of positive embossing features disposed thereon in the shape of the second image configured to mate with the first plurality of negative embossing features and a second plurality of negative embossing features formed therein in the shape of the first image configured to mate with the first plurality of positive embossing features. At least one living hinge is interposed between and integrally formed with the first and second embossing plates. Each living hinge is formed from at least one V-cut formed between the first and second embossing plates to form inwardly tapered sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bai Win Mercantile Corp (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Faye Angevine, Qi Ming Zhang, Li Mei Tai
  • Patent number: 8783985
    Abstract: A printing machine has at least one central impression cylinder, to which several inking units are allocated, in which a printing material sheet can be fed along a feed path to the impression cylinder in an area between a first inking unit and a last inking unit, and an unwinding station, from which the printing material sheet can be unwound, in which a passable area is provided between the impression cylinder and the unwinding station, at which the printing material sheet can be passed. Sound-absorbing elements are arranged above and/or beneath the feed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventors: Uwe Rogge, Frank Gunschera
  • Patent number: 8787815
    Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a shutter member against which a leading edge of a sheet being conveyed abuts, for a skew feed correction, wherein the shutter member is pressed and moved by the sheet; and an actuation member which moves the shutter member that has been pressed and moved by the sheet being conveyed to a retracted position at which the shutter member is retracted from a sheet conveying path and holds the shutter member at the retracted position until the leading edge of the sheet being conveyed by the second conveying rotary member is nipped by the transfer nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8776686
    Abstract: The Automated Cutting System for Customized Field Stencils (“ACSCFS”) is a device designed to implement an automated field stencil creation process. The ACSCFS is comprised of a computer system and an automated cutting table, wherein said automated cutting table is further comprised of a cutting surface, an automated means for placing sheet material onto said cutting surface, and an automated cutting implement. The computer analyzes a color logo image and translates it into a line drawing. The drawing is then scaled, and guideline aperture locations are placed along each line. The computer then transmits instructions to the automated cutting table, directing the creation of a field stencil with a dotted guideline hole pattern. Such field stencils allow for the reproduction of multi-color logos using a single stencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Radford Eugene DuBois, III
  • Patent number: 8770878
    Abstract: A method for adjusting tension to a media web in a printing system includes identifying a tension level between the media web and at least one roll that is in contact with the media web. The tension level is identified with reference to a slip condition between the media web and the at least one roll. The identified tension is stored in a memory in the printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Leighton, Yongsoon Eun