Patents Examined by Tracey M McMillion
  • Patent number: 11780238
    Abstract: An apparatus for digital printing of carton-based packaging material for packages holding liquid food products is provided. The packaging material has a first side adapted to form outer surfaces of the packages and a second side adapted to form inner surfaces of the packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Mats Åkesson, Anna Harder, Roy Eidebakken, Mats Qvarford, Daniel Cederström
  • Patent number: 11772391
    Abstract: A printing system comprises a media transport device which holds print media, such as paper, against a movable support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though a deposition region of one or more printheads, which deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on the print media. The printing system comprises an airflow control device comprising one or more dampers that are moveable in a cross-process direction between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, each damper blocking at least one row of the holes in the deployed configuration. The airflow control device also comprises one or more actuators to move the damper(s). The actuator(s) are controlled to selectively move the damper(s) between the undeployed and deployed configuration based on a position of an inter-media zone between adjacent print media held against the movable support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Megan Zielenski, John Patrick Baker, Brian M. Balthasar, Emmett James Spence, Robert Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11766884
    Abstract: A main frame extending in a first direction, a side frames extending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, the side frames being fixed to the main frame, and a supported member extending in the first direction and supported by the side frame are included, wherein the side frame includes a first frame portion extending in the second direction and a second frame portion extending from the first frame portion in the first direction, the second frame portion being in surface contact with the main frame, and in plan view from the second direction, an abutting portion that abuts the main frame is provided at the first frame portion and a fixing portion is provided at the second frame portion, the fixing portion being fixed to the main frame at a position where the second frame portion overlaps with the first frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Kinoshita, Kazuo Otsuka, Atsuhiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11760086
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer separates the image content data for a sheet in a print job into multiple color separations and operates a digital air curtain between the printhead modules that print the multiple color separations. Image data of the printed color separations are used to adjust operating parameters for the digital air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Sheflin, Palghat S. Ramesh, Anthony S. Condello, Jack T. LeStrange, Peter Knausdorf
  • Patent number: 11760112
    Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject ink through an opening in a carrier plate to a deposition region. A print medium is held against a movable support surface by vacuum suction communicated through platen holes of a vacuum platen and transported through the deposition region. An airflow control system comprises upstream and downstream valves associated with the printhead, individually addressable channels for the vacuum platen, or both. The upstream and downstream valves are arranged to selectively block and allow airflow through an upstream side or a downstream side, respectively, of the opening in the carrier plate. Actuation of the upstream and downstream valves may be controlled based on a location of the print medium. The channels are arranged to selectively control the supply of vacuum suction to respectively corresponding columns of platen holes. Actuation of the channels may be controlled based on a size of the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Seemit Praharaj, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville
  • Patent number: 11752783
    Abstract: In some examples, a non-transitory-machine readable medium can store instructions executable by a processing resource to select a special media mode from a plurality of special media modes based on a weight or a type of print media and cause a conditioning device to condition the print media in accordance with the special media mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew Raisanen, Jody L. Clayburn, Stephen Thomas Rohman
  • Patent number: 11745515
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid discharging apparatus including: a storage storing an ink containing water, an organic solvent, at least two kinds of urethane resins, and titanium oxide; and a liquid discharging head. The liquid discharging head includes an individual liquid chamber having a circulation flow path through which the ink is circulated. The liquid discharging head has a nozzle communicating with the individual liquid chamber and through which a liquid droplet of the ink is discharged. The content of the titanium oxide in the ink is 20% by mass or greater but 30% by mass or less. The volume average particle diameter of the titanium oxide is 300 nm or greater but 630 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Itsuro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11738574
    Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. Print media are held against a movable support surface via vacuum suction, and the movable support surface transports the print media through the deposition region. A vacuum plenum comprises a vacuum platen over which the movable support surface moves. The vacuum platen has platen holes that communicate the vacuum suction from the vacuum plenum to the movable support surface. An airflow restriction mechanism forms a high impedance zone in the vacuum platen, the high impedance zone comprising a subset of the platen holes. The airflow impedance through the high impedance zone is relatively high compared to the airflow impedance through another subset of the platen holes, which are part of a low impedance zone. The high impedance zone may be located near the printhead to reduce airflow through uncovered platen holes near the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Seemit Praharaj
  • Patent number: 11738567
    Abstract: A method of operating a thermal transfer printer, the thermal transfer printer comprising first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support along a predetermined ribbon path; and a printhead. The printhead is moveable towards and away from a printing surface, and, during printing, is configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate as the substrate and printhead are moved relative to one another at a print speed. The method comprising causing relative movement between the ribbon and the printhead at a ribbon speed. A relative speed of movement between the ribbon and the substrate during printing is controlled based upon a force exerted upon the ribbon by the printhead during a printing operation, and/or a parameter indicative of an area of contact between a portion of the printhead and a portion of the printing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventors: Philip Hart, Jeremy Ellis
  • Patent number: 11731427
    Abstract: A printer includes an ink head including a nozzle surface including nozzles, a cap including an end portion contactable with the nozzle surface, a suction device, a memory, and a controller. The memory stores a suction position, a free suction position, and a minute open position located between the suction position and the free suction position. The controller performs a suction process in which the cap is located at the suction position and ink is sucked from the nozzles, and a minute open position process in which the cap is moved toward a minute open position and movement of the cap is stopped with the cap located at a minute open position, after the suction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Morizono, Teppei Sawada, Akifumi Arai
  • Patent number: 11724529
    Abstract: A recording device includes a recording unit configured to perform recording on a medium, a plurality of cables, a substrate having a first surface provided with a plurality of coupling units to which the plurality of cables are respectively coupled and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a facing member configured to face the second surface, and a supporting member configured to define a space between the facing member and the substrate by supporting the substrate, and the plurality of cables extend through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11724530
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a medium, a housing configured to accommodate the recording unit, and a cover provided at the housing and configured to be opened and closed, the cover being configured such that an interior thereof is visible, in which the cover includes a rectangular frame having two long side parts and two short side parts, and a light transmissive plate that is transmissive and attached to the frame, and each of the long side parts is a hollow structure with a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11724523
    Abstract: A printing system comprises an ink deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an airflow control system. The ink deposition assembly comprises printheads to deposit a print fluid, such as ink, on print media, such as paper, transported through a deposition region. The media transport device holds the print media against a moving support surface, such as a belt, by vacuum suction through holes in the media transport device and transports the print media though the deposition region. The airflow control system comprises a damper and an actuator configured to move the damper along a cross-process direction. The damper blocks airflow through a subset of the holes along a side of the media transport device, the subset varying based on a position of the damper. The damper is moved to change the subset of the holes blocked by the damper based on a size of the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Rosdahl, Jr., Richard P. Ficarra, Robert Ronald Reed, Christine Ann Steurrys
  • Patent number: 11718107
    Abstract: A printing system comprises a printhead to eject a print fluid to a deposition region. A movable support surface, such as a belt, is used to transport print media through the deposition region, with the print media being held against the movable support surface by vacuum suction through holes in the movable support surface. A media registration device loads print media onto the movable support surface and registers the print media to a location of the movable support surface. The movable support surface comprises no-suction-regions in which the vacuum suction through the movable support surface is prevented. The no-suction regions extend across the width of the movable support surface in a cross-process direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the process direction. The control system causes the media registration device to register each of the print media relative to a respective one of the no-suction-regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Seemit Praharaj
  • Patent number: 11718106
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus for printing on a substrate, such as a flexible packaging material, includes at least three inkjet heads including a first inkjet head, a second inkjet head, and at least one further inkjet head. At least one drying unit includes a first drying unit arranged opposite a first drying location which is located between the first and second inkjet location, the first drying unit being configured for physically removing liquid from ink applied by the first inkjet head. At least a first drum and a second drum, where the first and second inkjet locations as well as the first drying location are located on an outer surface of the first drum; and the at least one further inkjet location is located on an outer surface of the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: XEIKON MANUFACTURING N.V.
    Inventors: Tomas Praet, Herman Jan Godelieve Van De Straete, Werner Jozef Johan Op De Beeck, Roel De Mondt, Lode Erik Dries Deprez
  • Patent number: 11707937
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus which is provided with a housing, a holder configured to be drawable from the housing, a supporting member supported by the holder and configured to support a sheet roll, a liquid container supported by the holder and configured to hold liquid, a conveyance mechanism arranged in an inner space of the housing and configured to convey a sheet unwound from the sheet roll, and a print head arranged in the inner space of the housing and configured to record an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance mechanism. The liquid container is configured to include at least one of tanks configured to hold liquid to be provided to the print head and a waste tank configured to pool liquid discharged from the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11707940
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a housing; a recording section that performs a recording operation on a medium and is disposed inside the housing; a storage section that stores the medium; a transport route along which the medium is transported; a transport section that transports the medium; a reading section that reads an original sheet and is positioned higher than the recording section; a supply section that supplies the original sheet to the reading section; and a supply route through which the original sheet passes. Each of the supply and transport routes is formed at substantially right angles to a width of the housing. The transport route has a curved section in which the medium is turned over. The reading section is positioned behind the recording section in a depth direction from the front to rear surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Sasaki, Haruki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 11697296
    Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a carrier plate and a printhead arranged to eject a print fluid through an opening of the carrier plate to a deposition region. The media transport device comprises a movable support surface to transport a print medium along a process direction through the deposition region, the media transport device holding the print medium against the movable support surface by vacuum suction. The air flow control system is arranged to selectively flow air through the opening of the carrier plate between the carrier plate and the printhead based on a location of a print medium transported by the media transport device relative to the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Linn C. Hoover, Patrick Jun Howe, Joseph C. Sheflin, Robert Jian Zhang, John Patrick Baker, Brian M. Balthasar, Glenn Batchelor, Anthony Salvatore Condello, Ali R. Dergham, Timothy P. Foley, Richard A. Kalb, Peter John Knausdorf, Jason M. LeFevre, Jack T. Lestrange, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. McConville, Seemit Praharaj, Palghat S. Ramesh, Erwin Ruiz, Emmett James Spence, Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Kareem Tawil, Carlos M. Terrero, Megan Zielenski
  • Patent number: 11685164
    Abstract: A printer housing with an upper portion and a lower portion with a cavity there between and wherein the upper portion and lower portion are connected by one or more hinges such that the housing opens about the hinged connection between the upper portion and the lower portion to expose the cavity there between. The hinged connection allows the upper portion to be lifted up with respect to the lower portion to expose one or more printer components for access through the cavity. One or more hinges secure the upper portion to the lower portion and wherein the one or more hinges are positioned on a same perimeter side of the housing such that the housing opens about one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Erick Hagstrom
  • Patent number: 11673413
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head, an ink tank that is disposed above the recording head, a carriage on which the recording head and the ink tank are mounted, a scanner unit that is attached to the upper portion of the casing via a pivot shaft so as to pivot with respect to the casing and that reads a document placed on the document table, and a panel unit in which the scanner unit is attached to an end portion disposed on the opposite side to the pivot shaft and is configured to tilt between a first orientation and a second orientation closer to the document table than the first orientation, and by pivoting the scanner unit with respect to the casing to expose the ink tank, ink is injected from the refill container into the ink tank and the remaining amount of liquid is viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nagai, Yoshiyuki Okazawa, Kazunori Takabayashi, Hisayuki Akahane, Kensuke Tamai, Shintaro Miyamoto, Katsumi Yamada