Patents by Inventor Stuart Boland

Stuart Boland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11535045
    Abstract: A web handling apparatus is disclosed. The web handling apparatus includes a first web guide to engage a print medium, a second web guide to engage the print medium to adjust a contact area between the first web guide and the print medium upon moving between a plurality of points on a guide path and a third web guide to engage the print medium to form a web path with the first web guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stuart Boland
  • Publication number: 20200282752
    Abstract: A web handling apparatus is disclosed. The web handling apparatus includes a first web guide to engage a print medium, a second web guide to engage the print medium to adjust a contact area between the first web guide and the print medium upon moving between a plurality of points on a guide path and a third web guide to engage the print medium to form a web path with the first web guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stuart Boland
  • Patent number: 10081198
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable path length of print media in a dryer of a printing system. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a drum that applies heat to a web of print media. The dryer also includes first rollers positioned in an arc around the drum to define a path of travel of the web along the arc when the web is between an entrance of the dryer and the drum. The dryer further includes second rollers positioned inside the arc from the first rollers to reverse the path of travel of the web inside the arc when the web is between the drum and an exit of the dryer. A first roller and a second roller transport the web around the drum. A location of the first roller and the second roller relative to the arc defines a length of the web inside the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180229514
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable path length of print media in a dryer of a printing system. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a drum that applies heat to a web of print media. The dryer also includes first rollers positioned in an arc around the drum to define a path of travel of the web along the arc when the web is between an entrance of the dryer and the drum. The dryer further includes second rollers positioned inside the arc from the first rollers to reverse the path of travel of the web inside the arc when the web is between the drum and an exit of the dryer. A first roller and a second roller transport the web around the drum. A location of the first roller and the second roller relative to the arc defines a length of the web inside the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9994049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable path length of print media in a dryer of a printing system. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a drum that applies heat to a web of print media. The dryer also includes first rollers positioned in an arc around the drum to define a path of travel of the web along the arc when the web is between an entrance of the dryer and the drum. The dryer further includes second rollers positioned inside the arc from the first rollers to reverse the path of travel of the web inside the arc when the web is between the drum and an exit of the dryer. A first roller and a second roller transport the web around the drum. A location of the first roller and the second roller relative to the arc defines a length of the web inside the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9987859
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evenly heating a drum dryer of a print system. In one embodiment, the dryer is configured to rotate about an axis oriented in a lateral direction, to receive a radiant energy source disposed inside the drum that extends between each lateral end of the drum in the lateral direction, and to receive a reflective assembly inside the drum that includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion surrounds the radiant energy source and removably attaches the reflective assembly to a lateral end of the drum. The outer portion extends from the inner portion in a radial direction of the drum that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The outer portion includes a reflective surface that reflects radiant energy from the lateral end to the central portion of the drum in contact with the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Allison, Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Lucas Stahler, Casey Walker
  • Publication number: 20180086107
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evenly heating a drum dryer of a print system. In one embodiment, the dryer is configured to rotate about an axis oriented in a lateral direction, to receive a radiant energy source disposed inside the drum that extends between each lateral end of the drum in the lateral direction, and to receive a reflective assembly inside the drum that includes an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion surrounds the radiant energy source and removably attaches the reflective assembly to a lateral end of the drum. The outer portion extends from the inner portion in a radial direction of the drum that is perpendicular to the lateral direction. The outer portion includes a reflective surface that reflects radiant energy from the lateral end to the central portion of the drum in contact with the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Allison, Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Lucas Stahler, Casey Walker
  • Publication number: 20150145914
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning an edge of a web of continuous-forms print media in a printer using a crowned roller. The system comprises an edge-justified printer, a crowned roller, and an adjustment mechanism. The edge-justified printer is configured to print to a continuous-forms web of print media that uses a margin as a target alignment point for an edge of the web. The crowned roller includes an apex that is a point where the diameter of the crowned roller is largest. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a lateral position of the apex to align the edge of the web with the margin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY LTD
    Inventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
  • Patent number: 9028036
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning an edge of a web of continuous-forms print media in a printer using a crowned roller. The system comprises an edge-justified printer, a crowned roller, and an adjustment mechanism. The edge-justified printer is configured to print to a continuous-forms web of print media that uses a margin as a target alignment point for an edge of the web. The crowned roller includes an apex that is a point where the diameter of the crowned roller is largest. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a lateral position of the apex to align the edge of the web with the margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
  • Publication number: 20150122794
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying targeted heat to a web of print media to improve the consistency of the web prior to printing. The system comprises a heater, a sensor, and a controller. The heater is able to apply targeted heat to a web of print media before the web travels through a continuous-forms printer. The sensor is able to measure a level of tension in at least one region of the web. The controller is able to direct the heater to apply a level of heat to the at least one region based on the level of tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Ricoh Company Ltd
    Inventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
  • Publication number: 20150124016
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling webs of print media. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a steering frame for a continuous-forms printing system. The steering frame includes a first roller oriented to tension a web of continuous-forms print media as the web proceeds through the steering frame, and a second roller oriented to tension the web as the web proceeds through the steering frame. The steering frame also includes a first actuator configured to adjust a lateral position of the web by pivoting the first and second roller about a first axis, and a second actuator configured to adjust a direction of the web in-plane with a surface of the web by pivoting the second roller about a second axis that is coplanar with the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY LTD
    Inventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker