Patents Examined by George H. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5361088
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printer capable of changing its printing speed includes a change signal generating circuit for generating a speed change signal, a head scan cycle setting circuit for setting a cycle time of a scan line of an LED array head, and a motor speed setting circuit for setting a rotation speed of a photosensitive drum. Since the head scan cycle setting circuit and the motor speed setting circuit are activated in response to the speed change signal outputted from the change signal generating circuit, the operations of the photosensitive drum and the LED array head are synchronized with each other, so that the printer can print a fine image on a recording medium. The printer control unit including those circuits also includes control circuits for controlling a constant current supplied to a transfer roller, and for controlling a temperature of fixing rollers, to avoid unevenness of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ito, Shinichi Katakura, Takehiko Okubo
  • Patent number: 5359153
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a clean-in-place, industrial floor scale having a removable deck and a weighing capacity up to about 5,000 pounds. The removable deck is fabricated from a nonmetallic material such as a polyethylene or polypropylene sheet, or a reinforced fiberglass and weighs less than about eighty pounds. The base frame of the scale is preferably stainless steel, and is also relatively lightweight, being about 140 pounds. One worker can lift and move the floor scale for daily sanitary cleaning when it is used in a food, chemical or pharmaceutical plant, without requiring a forklift, hoist or other motorized equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Indiana Scale Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Herrmann, Gregory A. Morris
  • Patent number: 5351074
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus comprising: an input circuit for inputting at least one of the coded character information, coded figure information, and bit image information; a memory to store an image; an image developing circuit for developing the information input by the input circuit into the image memory with respect to one output color component; and an image forming circuit to form one output color component image in accordance with the value of the image data in the memory, wherein a color image can be formed by repeating the image development and the image formation with respect to a plurality of output color components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kadowaki, Masanori Sakai
  • Patent number: 5349138
    Abstract: A food weight sensing device for a microwave oven, which comprises a fixed electrode plate and a movable electrode plate which vary in overlapping area, according to a vertical movement of a movable spacer caused by the weight of a food to be measured. A capacitance signal indicative of the variation in overlapping area is converted into a frequency signal, so as to sense precisely the weight of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eun S. Dong
  • Patent number: 5347303
    Abstract: A full color xerographic printing system, either double pass or single pass, with a single polygon, single optical system Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system has a dual wavelength laser diode source for the ROS which images the dual beams at a single station as closely spaced spots or at two stations as closely spaced spots on a dual layer photoreceptor with each photoreceptor layer sensitive to or accessible by only one of the two wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kovacs, G. A. Neville Connell
  • Patent number: 5347302
    Abstract: An improved method for accurately and correctly laser imprinting a blank check form with MICR information. The method also provides for visual confirmation that the MICR information is properly positioned on the laser printed check. The steps of a suitable method comprise: (a) providing a press printed blank check sheet which includes a line of horizontal tear perforations and printed text characters; (b) laser printing under the control of a computer program on the preprinted blank check with magnetic ink in MICR font a pair of indices of registration, MICR information in the "clear band" area of the blank check and other text necessary to complete the check. The indices of registration may include horizontal bracket lines for straddling the perforations and a rectangular box for enclosing selected preprinted text. If the laser printed bracket lines do in fact straddle the perforations and the printed box properly encloses the selected text then the printed MICR information is correctly positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jerome Simonoff
  • Patent number: 5347296
    Abstract: This invention involves a process for producing in an electrographic system a product having an image depth perception. The process includes dispensing in a system a first dielectric layer and electrographically imaging this layer and developing the image. A second dielectric layer is subsequently dispersed in the system, imaged and developed. A preselected plurality of dielectric layers may be imaged and developed. These developed layers are superimposed and adhered together to form a multilayered substrate having a depth perception. The layers can be superimposed, adhered together and overcoated either before or after separation from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Lewicki, Jr., John H. Bowers
  • Patent number: 5345041
    Abstract: Granular material stored in a hopper is dispensed therefrom by a rotatable auger which conveys the material to a discharge port for dropping into an underlying container. The container is supported by pivoted arms which are operably connected to a weighing scale for indicating the weight of the material dispensed into the container. The arms are adapted to be swung by the container between closed positions embracing and holding the container and open positions releasing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Scott J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5343000
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus employing dual load cells or dual load cell sets is provided with a hinged weigh frame attachment to transmit only vertical load to one load cell or set of load cells and prevent transmission of moments about the longitudinal axis. A ball and dual cup arrangement is connected between the weigh frame and the other load cell or set of load cells to transmit vertical load but prevent the transmission of moments about either the longitudinal or transverse axes of the load cell. Because of the decoupling arrangements, the weighing apparatus requires only longitudinal shift adjustment for only the load cell(s) connected to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil C. Griffen, James F. Million
  • Patent number: 5340948
    Abstract: A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier includes a storage area which is defined by an outer housing, and a customer interface area that includes a weighing unit and a unit, such as a magnetic card reader, for accepting payment from a customer. The system may also include a control system that accepts address information from the customer through a key pad, and then instructs a printer to print an address label for the item. The system includes safeguards which prevent unauthorized access to the storage area, and will not provide a receipt to the customer until internal sensors verify deposit of the item. A manifest printer may also be provided for the benefit of the commercial carriers who service the system, to print out a summary of the transactions that pertain to each carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: U-Ship, USA Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary W. Ramsden
  • Patent number: 5340950
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for weighing an object in which the object is moved to, and tipped over, a tip point. A signal representative of the weight of the object is generated as the object is tipped over the tip point. The apparatus may include a conveyor for moving the object toward the tip point, which may be supported by a load sensor that generates the signals representative of the object weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Brandorff, John W. Sussmeier, Steven L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5338902
    Abstract: An electronic balance incorporating a Roberval mechanism has a weighing pan attached to a vertically elongated arm connected to one end of a beam such that the arm remains vertically oriented as the beam swings around its supporting point in the middle. A shutter is attached to the opposite end of the beam and a position sensor for detecting the position of the shutter is firmly attached to the arm such that the shutter and the position sensor moves in mutually opposite directions as an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing pan and the beam swings around its supporting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsumasa Uchiike
  • Patent number: 5336854
    Abstract: A load cell device includes a load cell structure formed of a suitable metal and including vertically spaced apart, generally parallel horizontal elements integrally formed with longitudinally spaced apart, generally parallel vertical elements. Flexures interconnect each horizontal element with the vertical elements. A bending beam extends between and is interconnected with the horizontal or vertical elements. When a load is applied vertically and perpendicularly to one of the horizontal elements, the load cell structure will elastically deform as a parallelogram to thereby transfer shear force to the bending beam to cause shear-induced bending of the latter. Strain gages or frequency resonator crystal elements sense the shear-induced bending and are embodied in electronic circuitry which produces an output signal caused by deformation of the bending beam. The electronic circuitry is operable to convert the output signal to a perceptive force readout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Weigh-Tronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5336853
    Abstract: Weighing apparatus includes support means to support the article to be weighed, a pair of screws fixedly mounted on the support means and a base member movable relative to the screws between a first position in which the base member is spaced from the bottom of the article and a second position in which the base member is in contact with the article. Screw receiving members are threadably mounted on the screws and are connected to the base member. Upon rotation of the screw receiving members, the base member is moved between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Bagfilla Overseas Limited
    Inventor: Ian Davidson
  • Patent number: 5337080
    Abstract: An amorphous silicon electrographic writing head assembly which reduces the voltage drift in the high voltage driving transistor. The writing head including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having thin film elements fabricated thereon, the first surface having a first region, a second region, and a third region, the first region including an array of writing electrodes, the second region including an array of high voltage transistors, and the third region including interconnecting circuitry for connecting the thin film elements to a connector. The head also includes a first cover glass fixed to the first surface of the array covering the first region and a second cover glass fixed to the first surface of the array covering the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Connell, Robert L. Battey, Maria S. Donigan, So V. Tien, John C. Knights
  • Patent number: 5332870
    Abstract: A precision balance for weighing flat filters has a funnel-shaped weighing dish. The weighing dish has a wall composed of a netting or a thin sheet steel provided with perforations. The weighing dish is mounted in a housing having a lower part and an upper part which is hinged to the lower part and can be swung away from the lower part. A cover vertically displaceably mounted in the upper part can be lowered onto the rim of the weighing dish. The weighing dish is grounded for discharging static charges on the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Ernst Strickler
  • Patent number: 5333008
    Abstract: An imaging module mounting apparatus is provided to improve dynamic performance without creating an overconstraint condition causing misalignment of the imaging module. Three solid mounts are used to establish and maintain critical location datums of the imaging module. A single or plurality of variably flexible mounts are used, depending on the size of the module, to maintain alignment while minimizing any overconstraint condition caused by the imaging module being distorted out of plane due to thermal distortion and/or static distortion of the mounting frame due to movement of the machine. The variably flexible mount is filled with a high-viscosity silicon polymer. Due to the high-viscosity of the medium, the mount does not respond to fast or high-frequency vibration and appears to be a rigid mount with regard to such movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Nowak, William J. Cecchi
  • Patent number: 5331118
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the dimensional volume of a package by moving the package on a conveyor belt system over a horizontally disposed strip containing machine-readable indicia indicating units of incremental length along said strip starting from a zero point and by a vertically disposed strip containing machine-readable indicia indicating units of incremental length along said strip starting from a zero point, with a horizontally disposed reader above the horizontally disposed strip to read the uncovered indicia on the horizontally disposed strip and a vertically disposed reader able to read the uncovered indicia on the vertically disposed strip with a computer to determine the lowest uncovered incremental length measurement of the indicia on tile horizontally disposed strip, such measurement being tile width of tile package and the lowest uncovered incremental length measurement of tile indicia on tile vertically disposed strip, such measurement being tile height of tile package, and a device
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Soren Jensen
  • Patent number: 5331339
    Abstract: An ink-jet printer comprises, an ink tank for receiving an ink, a printing head including a nozzle for injecting an array of ink-particles, electrode means for charging the ink-particles with electricity, electrically controllably energized deflecting means for deflecting the electrically charged ink-particles so that each of the ink-particles injected from the ink-jet printer reaches a desirable position on a work piece to be printed, and a gutter for receiving a part of the array of ink-particles which is not used to print the work piece, and pump means for taking the part of the array of ink-particles through the gutter into the ink tank, wherein an air in the printing head is taken into the pump means through the gutter, and the ink-jet printer further comprises a feed back path which opens to an inside of the printing head at an outside of the gutter to return the air taken from the printing head by the pump means through the gutter to the inside of the printing head at the outside of the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: RE34750
    Abstract: A laser printing system including a main body having a photosensitive member and an optical unit for forming an image on the photosensitive member by projecting a laser beam thereon. The optical unit is detachably provided in said main body and has a laser beam source, a laser beam source drive circuit, a laser beam shaping member, and a polygonal mirror for scanning the surface of the photosensitive member with the laser beam. The optical unit gives to the main body an instruction as to the dot density especially assigned thereto. The main body forms the image at the dot density assigned to the optical unit which is selected from a plurality of optical units having different dot densities. Accordingly, the optical units having different dot densities are prepared so as to be selectively used to obtain the desired one of the dot densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoto Ohmori