Patents Examined by Julian Huffman
  • Patent number: 9555637
    Abstract: A cartridge 1 is provided with an ink pack 9, an air bag 10 capable of abutting the ink pack 9, and a pressurizing chamber 11 that stores the ink pack 9 and the air bag 10. In the case where the amount of ink in the ink pack 9 decreases, pressurized air is introduced into the air bag 10, the ink pack 9 is pressed against the air bag 10, and thereby the internal pressure of the ink pack 9 is increased. After that, pressurized air is introduced into the pressurizing chamber 11 so as to increase the internal pressure of the pressurizing chamber 11 and pressurize the ink pack 9 from outside. Accordingly, the ink in the ink pack 9 is supplied from an ink supply port 12 to the inkjet printer 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Kumagai, Yoshihiro Koizumi, Masaru Kobashi
  • Patent number: 9555649
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a sensor capable of detecting a state of an object; a drive unit capable of moving the sensor; and a control unit configured to control the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Seigo Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9555639
    Abstract: A liquid supplying apparatus configured to supply a liquid to a liquid ejecting section that is configured to eject the liquid, the liquid supplying apparatus comprising a liquid containing portion configured to contain the liquid, and a fluid communication member in fluid communication with the liquid containing portion and having one end that is exposed to air, the fluid communication member further having a liquid visual recognition portion through which the liquid inside the fluid communication member is visually recognizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenao Suzuki, Munehide Kanaya, Naomi Kimura, Koki Hayashi, Koji Nishimaki, Shoma Kudo
  • Patent number: 9550359
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes: a substrate having a silicon layer; a nozzle plate disposed on the silicon layer; and embedded inkjet nozzle devices. Each inkjet nozzle device includes a nozzle chamber having a roof actuator; drive circuitry laterally disposed relative to the nozzle chamber; a connection arm extending parallel with the nozzle plate from the actuator towards the drive circuitry; and a metal via interconnecting each connection arm and the drive circuitry, the metal via extending perpendicularly to the nozzle plate. The drive circuitry is positioned proximal the nozzle plate relative to a plane of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ronan Padraig Sean O'Reilly, Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Misty Bagnat, Brian Kevin Donohoe, Eimear Ryan
  • Patent number: 9550383
    Abstract: Gas bearing systems, print gap control systems, and methods of print gap control are provided. The gas bearing systems can accommodate one or more print module packages. The systems and methods can be used for inkjet and/or thermal printing applications such as manufacturing organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). Gas bearing systems can employ one or more of pressurized gas and vacuum. For oxygen-sensitive applications, an inert gas, such as nitrogen gas, can be employed as the pressurized gas. Fluid channels and apertures of the gas bearing systems can be varied in terms of size and relative position to one another. Fluid channels and apertures can be grouped and paired with one or more manifolds and ultimately a pressurized gas and/or vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Lowrance, Michael Miller, Sass Somekh, Conor Madigan, Eliyahu Vronsky, Manoocher Birang
  • Patent number: 9550646
    Abstract: A printer 1 has a movable member 27 that can move following change in the tension on recording paper 3 between a roll paper compartment 7 and a conveyance mechanism 12 on the paper conveyance path 8. When recording paper 3 of which the end is glued to the core 2a of a paper roll 2 runs out, the tension on the recording paper 3 rises and the movable member 27 goes to a tension-side error determination range E1 in its range of allowable movement E0. When the movable member 27 is in the tension-side error determination range E1, the time the movable member 27 remains in the tension-side error determination range E1 is counted, and if this measured time exceeds an error determination time, an error detection unit 38 detects an error. No-paper errors can therefore be detected without using a dedicated sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Horaguchi
  • Patent number: 9545800
    Abstract: A printing unit comprises: a platen unit including a platen roller configured to feed a recording sheet; and a head unit including a thermal head configured to perform printing on the recording sheet, the head unit being separably combined with the platen unit, the head unit including: a head frame; a cutter mechanism mounted to the head frame in a removable manner, the cutter mechanism being configured to cut the recording sheet; a support member provided between the cutter mechanism and the head frame, the support member being movable between a coupled position at which the cutter mechanism is coupled to the head frame and a decoupled position at which the cutter mechanism is detachable from the head frame; and a first urging member interposed between the thermal head and the support member, the first urging member being configured to urge the thermal head toward the platen roller, and to urge the support member toward the coupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Murata
  • Patent number: 9545802
    Abstract: Provided is a tape cartridge that smoothly delivers a tape-shaped member having detection convex portions from a tape delivery port. In addition, provided is a tape cartridge that prevents the detection convex portions from being falsely detected. The tape cartridge includes a label tape 101, a cartridge case in which the label tape 101 is accommodated, and a platen roller that is accommodated in the cartridge case and pays out the label tape 101 by rotation. The label tape 101 has a print tape 106 and a backing surface exposed portion 153 provided on the peripheries of the label portions 105 and causing the backing surface 107a to be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taishi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9545790
    Abstract: Examples of the method may comprise providing a print media under a printhead of the printing system, obtaining an actual height profile signal, related to a height between the printhead and the print media, based on measurements taken at a plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one pass, comparing said actual height profile signal to an earlier height profile signal, obtained based on measurements taken at said plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one earlier pass on the same print media, and determining a media malfunction condition based on said comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio Gracia Verdugo, Valentin Gimenez Fernandez, Mauricio Seras Franzoso
  • Patent number: 9545791
    Abstract: When the head temperature Tfinish, which is the head temperature at the time of completion of a preceding scan, is higher than the stable ejection temperature Tstable, the target temperature is made a temperature that is only a temperature value ?T lower than the head temperature Tfinish. On the other hand, when Tfinish, the head temperature at the time of print completion, is lower than the stable ejection temperature Tstable, the target temperature is made a temperature that is only a temperature value ?T higher than the head temperature Tfinish. Because of this it is possible to inhibit head temperature rise in the case where an image with a high print density is printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Oonuki, Hidehiko Kanda, Akiko Aichi, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Taira
  • Patent number: 9539802
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing nanocomposite material comprising a nanocomposite-ink factory and inkjet printer. The nanocomposite-ink factory producing nanocomposite-ink and the inkjet printer receiving the nanocomposite-ink. The inkjet printer having a printhead and a positioning mechanism. The printhead having one or more nozzles to dispense nanocomposite-ink droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Vadient Optics, LLC
    Inventor: George Williams
  • Patent number: 9533510
    Abstract: Systems and methods for connector for supplying fluid to a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes a fluid supply station of a printer with a connector to couple with a fluid source for supplying fluid to at least one printhead of the printer. The connector includes an interface having a body with an end surface that corresponds with a face of a nozzle of the fluid source. The connector also includes an inlet protruding from the end surface and configured to enter an opening of the nozzle for receiving the fluid from the fluid source. The connector further includes communication circuitry disposed on the end surface and configured to establish a connection with corresponding communication circuitry disposed on the face of the nozzle of the fluid source when the inlet enters the opening of the nozzle and the end surface and the nozzle face align.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Carlton E. Begeal, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Sean K. Fitzsimons, William E. Manchester
  • Patent number: 9533503
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of piezoelectric transducers that are configured to generate energy for respectively ejecting liquid from a plurality of ejection ports and arranged in line so as to constitute a plurality of columns and a common electrode connected to the plurality of piezoelectric transducers. The common electrode is provided with a plurality of first connection areas to which the plurality of piezoelectric transducers are connected commonly in units of columns and a second connection area that connects the plurality of first connection areas to one another. This liquid ejection head further includes a reinforcing wiring laminated on the second connection area and a wiring substrate including a drive wiring that is connected to the reinforcing wiring at at least one connection point and electrically connected to the common electrode via the connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Netsu, Toshifumi Yoshioka, Masato Yajima
  • Patent number: 9537119
    Abstract: An ink printing process employs per-nozzle droplet volume measurement and processing software that plans droplet combinations to reach specific aggregate ink fills per target region, guaranteeing compliance with minimum and maximum ink fills set by specification. In various embodiments, different droplet combinations are produced through different print head/substrate scan offsets, offsets between print heads, the use of different nozzle drive waveforms, and/or other techniques. Optionally, patterns of fill variation can be introduced so as to mitigate observable line effects in a finished display device. The disclosed techniques have many other possible applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Nahid Harjee, Lucas D. Barkley, Christopher R. Hauf, Eliyahu Vronsky, Conor F. Madigan
  • Patent number: 9527275
    Abstract: Large area inkjet printing includes the precise deposition of a number of graphic swathes on complex surface to form a continuous graphic image. Each of the graphic swathes should be aligned such that no spaces, gaps, or discontinuities exist within the final graphic image. A large area inkjet printing system provides the requisite accuracy for each graphic swathe forming the final graphic image through the use of an encoder pattern. An encoder pattern is deposited on the surface in a known location with respect to the most recently deposited graphic swathe. The high-accuracy inkjet printing system locates the print head with respect to the encoder pattern thereby permitting the precise positioning of the current graphic swathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: William C. Flannigan, Glynn R. Bartlett, Cody E. Bressler
  • Patent number: 9527265
    Abstract: A device has a first part including polyethylene terephthelate (PET) with a fiber fill and a second part bonded to the first part. The second part includes an alloy of polyester and polycarbonate. The first and second part may be bonded together by placing the first part and the second part in contact with one another and heating the second part to bond the second part to the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LP.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Karen A. St. Martin, Josh Cooper, Iskandar Bin Isehak, Holly F. Junge
  • Patent number: 9522546
    Abstract: Apparatus to make business cards comprising a supply operating unit to supply a plurality of pairs of sheets and a printing unit configured to print distinctive signs on at least one printable surface of the sheets. The apparatus comprises a coupling unit configured to reciprocally couple, with their coupling surfaces opposite the printable surfaces, the sheets of the pair, an electronic device conformed as a sheet being associated to one of the coupling surfaces; and an electronic writing unit configured to introduce encoded information readable by a reader into the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ROTAS ITALIA SRL
    Inventors: Francesco Celante, Enrico Mason, Davide Torresin
  • Patent number: 9522529
    Abstract: A substrate includes an AND circuit and an LVC. The AND circuit generates a control signal for switching an NMOS transistor. The LVC controls the gate voltage of the NMOS transistor on the basis of the control signal. The substrate applies a constant gate voltage to a PMOS transistor without using the AND circuit and the LVC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Yamaguchi, Toshio Negishi, Taku Yokozawa, Hiroaki Shirakawa, Kazunari Fujii
  • Patent number: 9517640
    Abstract: A cyclically operating printing press includes a clocked wheel with a drivable holder for holding a three-dimensional object arranged thereon. A fixed print head is disposed in a printing station. An additional print head is disposed in the printing station at another location or side than the print head relative to the axis of rotation of the three-dimensional object in such a way that: no dirt emanating from the print head can fall down onto any other print head of the printing station as a result of gravity, the at least one additional print head can print the three-dimensional object simultaneously with the other print heads of the printing station, and none of the print heads is arranged in an interference contour formed by the holder and the three-dimensional object held therein being moved by the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TILL GMBH
    Inventor: Volker Till
  • Patent number: 9519018
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit board may include a connector configured to electrically couple a device to the circuit board. The connector may include a conductive element configured to be electrically coupled to a first voltage and a detection pad configured to be electrically coupled to a second voltage via a resistor, such that when a device pin of a device is electrically coupled to the conductive element, the detection pad is electrically coupled to the conductive element via the device pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: James Lewis Petivan, Alan R. Dellinger