Patents by Inventor Stuart J. Boland
Stuart J. 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: 11485597Abstract: Systems and methods for dryer rollers of a print system with increasing wrap angles. In one embodiment a dryer includes a turning device configured to rotate about an axis, and to guide a web of print media. The dryer also includes rollers configured to transport the web from an entrance of the dryer to the turning device. The rollers include a series of three or more rollers positioned in the dryer to consecutively increase an amount of contact area with the web as the web travels toward the turning device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Wataru Sakamoto
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Patent number: 11168940Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Scott R. Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Publication number: 20210188586Abstract: Systems and methods for dryer rollers of a print system with increasing wrap angles. In one embodiment a dryer includes a turning device configured to rotate about an axis, and to guide a web of print media. The dryer also includes rollers configured to transport the web from an entrance of the dryer to the turning device. The rollers include a series of three or more rollers positioned in the dryer to consecutively increase an amount of contact area with the web as the web travels toward the turning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Wataru Sakamoto
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Publication number: 20200318902Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Scott R. Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Publication number: 20200254787Abstract: A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Dilan N. Fernando, Stuart J. Boland, Robert F. Jessen
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Patent number: 10731921Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Scott R. Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Patent number: 10710380Abstract: A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Dilan N. Fernando, Stuart J. Boland, Robert F. Jessen
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Publication number: 20200079116Abstract: A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Dilan N. Fernando, Stuart J. Boland, Robert F. Jessen
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Patent number: 10525735Abstract: A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Dilan N. Fernando, Stuart J. Boland, Robert F. Jessen
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Publication number: 20180335258Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Scott R. Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Patent number: 10060675Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott R. Johnson, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Casey E. Walker
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Patent number: 9989185Abstract: Socket tool for servicing fluid connectors. In one embodiment, a tool includes a body having a hollow recess at one end. The hollow recess has non-circular dimensions for rotating a head fitting of the fluid connector about an axis. The tool further includes a pin that mounts to a surface inside the hollow recess so that the pin is disposed in an axial direction along a center of the axis. The pin enters an aligned opening of a nozzle of the fluid connector and occupies a conduit space in the nozzle when the hollow recess is engaged with the head fitting of the fluid connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Sean K. Fitzsimons
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Publication number: 20170282601Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable S-rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes a pair of rollers configured to be positioned on opposite sides of a web of continuous-forms print media, and a coupling member that connects the pair of rollers, wherein the coupling member pivots about a common axis between the pair of rollers. The apparatus also includes a drive unit configured to pivot the coupling member and a controller to receive input that describes at least one property of the web, and to direct the drive unit to pivot the coupling member to a position that applies a normal force between the web and at least one of the pair of rollers based on the at least one property of the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Robert F. Jessen
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Publication number: 20170153059Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott R. Johnson
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Patent number: 9656493Abstract: Fire control and containment for a production printing system that includes a dryer unit, an air intake fan, and an exhaust fan. A fire control and containment system includes an enclosure surrounding the dryer unit. The enclosure includes controllable doors, a temperature sensor, and an air pressure sensor in the enclosure. The fire containment and control system also includes a controller operable to detect a fire event based on changes in air pressure and air temperature in the enclosure detected by the air pressure and air temperature sensors. In response to detecting the fire event, the controller closes the doors of the enclosure to prevent the print medium from entering, controls the air intake fan and the exhaust fan to reduce the air pressure in the enclosure, and controls the dryer unit to reduce temperature in the enclosure to suppress fire.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Carl R Bildstein, Stuart J. Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Publication number: 20170096017Abstract: A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes first dancer rollers coupled to engage and move a web of a print medium in a forward and backward direction upon stopping a printing operation and allow forward motion during the printing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Dilan N. Fernando, Stuart J. Boland, Robert F. Jessen
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Patent number: 9605898Abstract: Systems and methods provide enhanced radiant drying capabilities for a printing system utilizing temperature control of a thermally conductive drum. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a thermally conductive drum and a plurality of radiant energy sources disposed along an outside surface of the drum. The energy sources dry a colorant applied to a print medium in contact with the drum. The radiant dryer further includes a cooling system that applies a coolant to the drum to remove heat from the drum. The control system measures the temperature of the drum, determines a difference between the temperature of the drum and a target temperature, and directs the cooling system to vary an application of the coolant to the drum based on the difference to maintain the drum at the target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Sean K. Fitzsimons, Scott Johnson, William Edward Manchester, Casey E. Walker
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Publication number: 20170008321Abstract: Fire control and containment for a production printing system that includes a dryer unit, an air intake fan, and an exhaust fan. A fire control and containment system includes an enclosure surrounding the dryer unit. The enclosure includes controllable doors, a temperature sensor, and an air pressure sensor in the enclosure. The fire containment and control system also includes a controller operable to detect a fire event based on changes in air pressure and air temperature in the enclosure detected by the air pressure and air temperature sensors. In response to detecting the fire event, the controller closes the doors of the enclosure to prevent the print medium from entering, controls the air intake fan and the exhaust fan to reduce the air pressure in the enclosure, and controls the dryer unit to reduce temperature in the enclosure to suppress fire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Carl R Bildstein, Stuart J. Boland, Scott Johnson, Casey E. Walker
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Patent number: 9505258Abstract: Systems and methods provide targeted cooling for portions of print media during a radiant drying process. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a radiant energy source within an interior of the radiant dryer that dries a colorant onto a continuous-form medium. The radiant dryer further includes a plurality of independently actuated cooling jets within the interior that apply a cooling gas to the medium. The control system determines regions on the medium where the colorant is at risk of overheating, and directs the cooling jets to apply the cooling gas to the regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Sean K. Fitzsimons, Scott Johnson, William Edward Manchester, Casey E. Walker
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Patent number: 9469137Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers that result in successful drying for a print media that is based on a drying quality of test images printed by a printing system. One embodiment comprises a printing system that applies colorant onto a continuous-form medium and applies heat to the medium based on a heating power. The printing system prints a plurality of test images onto the medium, where one or more of a colorant density and a heating power vary for each of the printed test images. The printing system determines a drying quality for the printed test images, and calculates an operational range of colorant densities and heating powers for the medium based on the drying quality of the printed test images.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Casey E. Walker, Scott R. Johnson, Stuart J. Boland, William Edward Manchester, David M. Price