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).
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Patent number: 11535045Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Stuart Boland
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Publication number: 20200282752Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Stuart Boland
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Patent number: 10081198Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
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Publication number: 20180229514Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
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Patent number: 9994049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson
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Patent number: 9987859Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: John Allison, Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Lucas Stahler, Casey Walker
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Publication number: 20180086107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: John Allison, Stuart Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Lucas Stahler, Casey Walker
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Publication number: 20150145914Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: RICOH COMPANY LTDInventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
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Patent number: 9028036Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
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Publication number: 20150122794Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Ricoh Company LtdInventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker
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Publication number: 20150124016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: RICOH COMPANY LTDInventors: Carl Bildstein, Stuart Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey Walker