Patents Examined by Huan Tran
  • Switchable mirror lens system for redirecting laser energy during periods of non-printing
    Patent number: 10054857
    Abstract: A laser imaging system and method for printing includes a digital micromirror device and a switchable mirror element that acts as a clear lens element during the printing by the laser imaging system. A laser diode array provides a laser to the switchable mirror element in a laser path, wherein the switchable mirror element is located in the laser path between the laser diode array and the digital micromirror device to divert energy out of the system and away from the digital micromirror device during periods of non-laser imaging without reducing or powering down the laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. Lefevre, Paul J. McConville, Steven R. Moore
  • Method and apparatus for arranging sheets in a shingled position
    Patent number: 10052886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for arranging sheets in an overlapping position in a transfer unit arranged between a first processing station and a second processing station following the first processing station in a transport direction of the sheets. The sheets to be overlapped are transported from the first processing station to the transfer unit, in a transport plane and each individually lying behind one another. A respective rear, in the transport direction, edge of the sheets coming from the first processing station, is raised relative to the transport plane exclusively by the use of blown air, and a second subsequent sheet is slid under the rear edge of the respective preceding first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AG
    Inventors: Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch, Michael Beyer, Roger Püschel, Christian Ziegenbalg, Bernd Patzelt, Hartmut Nickell, Martin Riese, Stefan Singer
  • Printer fluid priming using multiple air priming units
    Patent number: 10052881
    Abstract: An air priming system is described that can prime printer fluid of one or more printer fluid tanks of a printer. The air priming system includes multiple priming units that are coupled together so as to be rotated or otherwise adjusted together to be paced into one of a plurality of priming stages. In each of the plurality of priming stages, air flow is either allowed or blocked through specific priming units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sing-Yan Wan, Michelle Mae Marinito
  • Recording paper cutting device and printing device
    Patent number: 10046576
    Abstract: A recording paper cutting device enables cutting of a boundary between a first area of a recording paper and a second area of the recording paper placed at an upstream side of the first area, so that the first area is separately discharged from the second area after the first area is printed. The recording paper cutting device includes first and second cutting parts. The first cutting part of the second cutting parts moves in an approaching or departing direction so that the boundary is cut. The first cutting part includes a first cutting surface inclined by a first angle in the departing direction from the second cutting part and a second cutting surface that extends from the first cutting surface and is inclined by a second angle, which is smaller than the first angle, in the departing direction from the second cutting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BIXOLON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Gwan Kim, Jin Kook Kim
  • Cartridge, cartridge unit and liquid ejection system
    Patent number: 10046569
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises a liquid container that is at least partly made of a flexible material and is configured to contain a liquid therein; a recess that is configured to be open toward a mounting direction of the cartridge to a liquid ejection apparatus; and a fluid receiving portion that is placed inside of the recess and is configured to receive supply of a pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Koizumi, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Ayumi Yoshida
  • Data generation method, computer-readable storage medium, and structure manufacturing method
    Patent number: 10046572
    Abstract: A first pattern P1 is formed with a first material for converting electromagnetic wave energy into heat energy, on a first surface BS of a print medium M including an expansion layer M2 that expands by heating. A second pattern P2 for expanding the expansion layer M2 to complement expansion of the expansion layer M2 by the first pattern P1 is formed with a second material for converting electromagnetic wave energy into heat energy, on a second surface FS which is an opposite surface of the print medium M to the first surface BS and is closer to the expansion layer M2 than the first surface BS. The first material forming the first pattern P1 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the first surface BS. The second material forming the second pattern P2 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the second surface FS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio Fukuda
  • Printing device, printing system, and control method of a printing device
    Patent number: 10046577
    Abstract: A printing device can reduce the length of roll paper that is printed, and enables easily knowing how much the printed length of roll paper was reduced. A printer 200 has a print unit 240 that conveys roll paper in the conveyance direction H and executes a printing process of printing images on the roll paper; a reduction processor 222 that controls the print unit 240 in the printing process to reduce the length of roll paper to which images are printed in the conveyance direction; a calculator 223 that calculates how much the printed length of roll paper was reduced in the printing process; and a display unit 252 that displays information indicating the reduction in the printed length of the roll paper calculated by the calculator 223.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Wakasa
  • Modules to identify nozzle chamber operation
    Patent number: 10046559
    Abstract: In some examples, a printhead die includes a nozzle to be fired by a fire pulse, and a sensor to measure, during a firing of the nozzle by the fire pulse, a measured signal comprising an impedance characteristic of a fluid sample of the nozzle, in response to an input signal applied to the fluid sample. A comparator is to compare the measured signal to a reference value, and a counter is to count over an evaluation interval in response to the comparing indicating that an evaluation criterion is satisfied, and the counter is to stop counting in response to the comparing indicating that the evaluation criterion is not satisfied, a count value of the counter providing an indicator of nozzle chamber operation corresponding to the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E. Anderson, Eric T. Martin, Peter James Fricke, James Michael Gardner
  • Jetting module fluid coupling system
    Patent number: 10035354
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a fluid coupling assembly for supplying fluid to a jetting module. The jetting module includes an electrical connector adapted to connect with a corresponding electrical cable, and a jetting module attachment face with a jetting module fluid port. The fluid coupling assembly includes a coupling assembly attachment face with a coupling assembly fluid port in a position corresponding to the jetting module fluid port. A latch mechanism on the fluid coupling assembly includes a latch handle and a latch fastener adapted to engage with a latch keeper on the jetting module. When the latch handle is in a first disengaged position the latch mechanism blocks the electrical connector, and when the latch handle is in a second engaged position the latch fastener engages the latch keeper to secure the fluid coupling assembly to the jetting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, Scott F. Roberts
  • Porous body, method for producing the porous body, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording apparatus
    Patent number: 10029481
    Abstract: A method for producing a porous body for use in an ink jet recording apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form a first image including a first liquid and a coloring material on an ink receiving medium, and a liquid absorbing member including the porous body that contacts with the first image to absorb part of the first liquid from the first image. The method includes laminating a first porous layer that contacts with the first image and includes a first resin, and a second and a third porous layer including a second and a third resin; and heating the laminated first to third porous layers, wherein the second porous layer has a void when viewed in a thickness direction, and softening temperatures T1 through T3 of the first to third resins and heating temperature T in heating the first to third porous layers satisfy T2<T, T<T1, T<T3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ohnishi, Noboru Toyama, Hiroe Ishikura, Osamu Yoshitake
  • Measuring device and printing apparatus
    Patent number: 10029491
    Abstract: A measuring device includes an optical device which includes a window on which light is incident, a shutter which includes a white reference surface on an optical device side and is configured to block the window, a first moving mechanism which moves the optical device in a direction, and a second moving mechanism which relatively moves the window and the shutter between a first position at which the window is blocked by the white reference surface and a second position at which light is incident on the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Tatsuda
  • Data generation method, computer-readable storage medium, and structure manufacturing method
    Patent number: 10029486
    Abstract: A first pattern P1 is formed with a first material for converting electromagnetic wave energy into heat energy, on a first surface BS of a print medium M including an expansion layer M2 that expands by heating. A second pattern P2 for expanding the expansion layer M2 to complement expansion of the expansion layer M2 by the first pattern P1 is formed with a second material for converting electromagnetic wave energy into heat energy, on a second surface FS which is an opposite surface of the print medium M to the first surface BS and is closer to the expansion layer M2 than the first surface BS. The first material forming the first pattern P1 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the first surface BS. The second material forming the second pattern P2 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the second surface FS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio Fukuda
  • Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus
    Patent number: 10029465
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of individual liquid chambers, a plurality of liquid delivery channels, and a deformation unit. The plurality of nozzles discharges liquid. The plurality of individual liquid chambers is communicated with the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of liquid delivery channels is communicated with the plurality of individual liquid chambers. Each of the plurality of liquid delivery channels includes a channel portion at a partition wall between adjacent individual liquid chambers of the plurality of individual liquid chambers. The deformation unit deforms at least a portion of the channel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuji Tsukamoto
  • Carriage apparatus
    Patent number: 10029495
    Abstract: A carriage guide surface for guiding a carriage traveling in a main scan direction, and a main scan direction regulating unit and a sub-scan direction regulating unit which position a print medium, are provided on the same member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Abe, Takeshi Sasaki
  • Liquid ejecting apparatus
    Patent number: 10022970
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting section and a protective member. The liquid ejecting section has an aperture surface having ejection outlets that eject liquid droplets. The protective member has passage openings through which the liquid droplets pass. The protective member is disposed between a medium and the aperture surface when the liquid ejecting section ejects liquid droplets onto the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Okina, Hirokazu Ono
  • Printer
    Patent number: 10022988
    Abstract: At a printer that feeds a continuous paper unwound from a paper sheet supply unit in a sheet-shape to a printing head portion side via a damper portion, and then prints on a label of the continuous paper, in conjunction with an opening and closing operation of the printing head portion of the printing unit, the damper portion opens and closes in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SATO HOLDINGS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Onodera, Akira Nakajima
  • Intermediate transfer member and image forming method
    Patent number: 10022955
    Abstract: There is provided an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming method including applying a treatment liquid onto an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying an ink onto the intermediate transfer member coated with the treatment liquid so as to form dots having an average diameter of R, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer member includes a surface having recessed portions therein. Each recessed portion allows a circle having a diameter of less than the average diameter R of the ink to be present therein. The surface of the intermediate transfer member has a projected area S1 and an actual surface area S2 satisfying the relationship 1.1?S2/S1?5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Saito, Mitsutoshi Noguchi
  • Printing apparatus and printing method
    Patent number: 10022989
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a driving roller configured to drive a recording medium by rotation thereof while being in contact with the recording medium; a discharging head configured to discharge liquid onto a recording medium; a driven rotational member configured to be driven to rotate as a result of transport of the recording medium while being in contact with the recording medium; a rotation position detection unit configured to detect a rotation position of the driven rotational member; and a control unit configured to rotate the driving roller to transport the recording medium and adjust a timing of discharging the liquid from the discharging head in accordance with a detection result of the rotation position detection unit. The control unit adjusts a rotational speed of the driving roller in accordance with a linear pressure applied to the recording medium on the driving roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Imamura, Naoki Hori, Masashi Oba
  • Carriage assembly for a printer having independent reservoirs
    Patent number: 10016991
    Abstract: A carriage assembly for a printer that reciprocates along scan directions. The carriage assembly includes at least one printhead having a row of jetting channels for ejecting a print fluid, and reservoirs mounted on the carriage assembly that each supply the print fluid to the printhead. At least one of reservoirs is mounted on the carriage assembly to be offset from the row of jetting channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Printer for providing multiple surface treatments to three-dimensional objects prior to printing and method for operating the printer
    Patent number: 10016997
    Abstract: A printer is configured with a surface treatment system having a holder configured to secure an object within the holder and a plurality of surface treatment devices. Each surface treatment device is configured to treat a surface of the object within the holder differently than each of the other surface treatment devices in the plurality of surface treatment devices. Thus, the printer is capable of treating a wide range of materials for printing by the direct-to-object printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jack T. LeStrange, Anthony S. Condello, Mandakini Kanungo, Peter J. Knausdorf