Patents Issued in April 24, 2007
  • Patent number: 7207623
    Abstract: The invention relates to an item of transformable furniture, in particular to a chair that transforms into a desk and vice cersa. An item of transformable furniture consisting of two substantially flat elements (5) and (6) connected with each other, which can switch over between a first position as a seat (6) and a back (5) and a second position as a front panel (6) and a worktop (5) and vice versa. The item of transformable furniture is provided with a supporting construction for the two substantially flat elements (5), (6). The supporting construction consists of two linked lateral vertical elements (1) located at a distance from one another, where the two substantially flat elements are located between the two linked lateral vertical elements (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: JRT Joint-Stock Company
    Inventors: Ilian Vladimirov Milinov, Anton Kolev Dantchev
  • Patent number: 7207624
    Abstract: An ottoman convertible to a seating unit includes: a body; a seat associated with the body; and a lid pivotally attached to the body, the lid having an underside. The lid is movable between a closed position, in which the lid overlies the body, the seat is beneath the lid, and the underside of the lid faces generally downwardly, and an open position, in which the lid is generally upright and located above a rear portion of the body, the underside of the lid faces generally forwardly and forms the backrest of a seating unit and the seat is accessible for a seated occupant. The seat is inclined from rear to front. Typically, movement of the lid and the seat (if any) is controlled by one or more mechanisms that couple the seat and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7207625
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chair that includes a support assembly. The support assembly should have a seat that is positioned on its top and should also have a back rest extending upward from the support assembly adjacent a side of the seat. Also, at least one storage compartment can be in sliding communication with the support assembly. And the disclosed chair can also include a clothes-hanger positioned on a top portion of a back surface of the back rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mooreco, L.P.
    Inventors: John C. Hardt, II, Rolland M. Low
  • Patent number: 7207626
    Abstract: A storage device is provided that secures a plurality of items commonly used by individuals in automobiles. More specifically, in one embodiment, the device secures a plurality of items by engaging adjacent seats of an automobile, thus allowing for easy access to the items stored therein, and which includes a deflectable loop material for securing the storage device between the vehicle seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Case Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Hassett
  • Patent number: 7207627
    Abstract: A seat cushion is provided including an integral gripping member that prevents the cushion from sliding during use. The gripping member attaches to the cushion by a connecting strap which therefore allows the gripping member to be selectively placed in contact with either panel of the cushion. Accordingly, either one of the panels may be exposed during use which allows the seat cushion to be constructed of differing materials, colors or patterns for the respective panels. Additionally, damage to one of the panels still allows the gripping member to be used because the cushion can be reversed to expose the non-damaged panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: New Harbour, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Jerome
  • Patent number: 7207628
    Abstract: An infant car seat with an adjustable base platform provides a variable angle of tilt for the seat. The base platform has a visual indicator showing the degree of tilt that has been selected. This visual indicator can include a clear plastic window in the base platform, through which a number or other symbol indicating the degree of tilt can be seen. The user can adjust the degree of tilt by depressing a button to disengage a locking mechanism, allowing the user to vary the degree of tilt until the desired degree of tilt is indicated on the visual indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Eros
  • Patent number: 7207629
    Abstract: A tilt chair having a foot adapted to be supported by a support surface and a first leg pivotally mounted to the foot. A second leg is pivotally mounted to the first leg. A moveable support member is mounted to the second leg and is adapted to be supported by the support surface. The moveably support member is moveable in a first and second direction toward and away from the foot respectively as the first leg pivots relative to the second leg and as the first leg pivots relative to the foot. In one embodiment, the moveable support member is configured as a wheel. In one embodiment, a lower back member has a lower end pivotally mounted to the first leg and an upper back member pivotally mounted to an upper end of the lower back member. A restraining link is pivotally mounted between the lower back member and the second leg. An upper back link has a lower end pivotally mounted to the first leg and an upper end pivotally mounted to the upper back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Goetz, Robert L. Beck, Joel R. Dral, Robert W. Roth
  • Patent number: 7207630
    Abstract: A removable adjustable head rest for wheelchairs for providing users of wheelchairs with much needed back and neck support. The headrest includes a hollow cylindrical main portion, a pair of handle sleeves, and a head rest portion. The hollow cylindrical main portion has a generally inverted T-shaped configuration, a horizontal segment, and a vertical segment. A pair of handle sleeves are attached to the horizontal segment of the hollow cylindrical main portion. A head rest, having two integrally coupled adjustable side portions, is removable coupled to the vertical segment of the hollow cylindrical main portion. A neck roll removable coupled to the head rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7207631
    Abstract: The side discharge bulk material trailer includes a frame with two I-beam members. A plurality of A-frame members are attached to the I-beams. A fore and aft extending tube is attached to the apex of each A-frame. Floor plates are attached the upward facing surfaces of the legs of the A-frames. A front wall and a rear wall are attached to the frame. Upper doors and lower doors are provided in the side walls. The lower doors have a lower edge pivotally connected to the frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The upper doors have a top edge pivotally attached to the end walls for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. Hydraulic cylinders pivot the doors to open and closed positions. Locks retain the lower doors in a closed position. The lower doors hold the upper doors closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Randall M. Schwinbt
  • Patent number: 7207632
    Abstract: A mining system for remotely mining ores and minerals which protects against falling rock and allows evacuation of a miner and conveying system in the case of a cave in. A shield is advanced into a mine. Within the shield, the miner and conveying system are also advanced into the mine independently from the shield. The shield may be used with miners and conveying systems in common use. The cover of the shield protects the miner and conveying system from falling rock. In the event of a cave in, the shield provides a cavity for safely removing the conveying system and miner from the mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Sterling Wayne Lowery
  • Patent number: 7207633
    Abstract: A scaling apparatus comprises a hammer component and a pick component which includes a tooth. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for moving the pick component with respect to the hammer component to thereby impart a scaling force to and through the tooth. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pick component includes a pick body comprising a first pivot having a pivot axis and a tooth mounted on the pick body. In this embodiment of the invention, the hammer component includes a hammer housing and a second pivot mounted within the housing and adapted to pivotally engage the first pivot of the pick body. This embodiment of the invention also includes a mechanism for rotating the pick body relative to the hammer component so as to impart a scaling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wittenberg, Paul Morneault
  • Patent number: 7207634
    Abstract: A metal member and a resin member, or two resin members are welded or bonded to each other at welding or bonding surfaces thereof which are heated by irradiation of a laser beam, thereby providing an assembly wherein the two members are fluid-tightly bonded at the bonding surfaces. The laser beam is transmitted through a laser transmitting resin, and a laser absorbing material which is in contact with the laser transmitting resin is irradiated with the laser beam, so that the laser absorbing material is heated, whereby the laser transmitting resin and the laser absorbing resin are melted owing to the heat. By moving the spot of the laser beam, portions of the resin members to be heated and melted displace, and the resin materials are melted and then solidify.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Yamabuki, Hideo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7207635
    Abstract: A jewelry display case serves as artwork enabling a jewelry collection to form part of the artwork. The display case includes a cabinet having at least a bottom, sides and a top, and a plurality of jewelry supporting components. At least one of the jewelry supporting components includes a jewelry display assembly having a pair of sidewalls disposed spaced from each other in facing relation, at least one jewelry bar fixed to and extending between the sidewalls, and a supporting axle extending through a center of each of the sidewalls. The sidewalls and at least one jewelry bar are rotatable relative to the supporting axle. Additionally, the supporting axle is fixed to one of the cabinet sides. Other jewelry supporting components provide added functionality and artistic appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Cindy Dawson Simmons
  • Patent number: 7207636
    Abstract: A modular cabinet structure, process, and system are provided, in which a modular cabinet structure comprises a structural frame comprising a first side and a second side, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the frame structure comprises a removable frame component at the second end; and a face assembly; wherein the face assembly is fixedly retained within the frame structure when the removable frame component is affixed to the frame structure; and wherein the face assembly is movable in relation the frame structure when the removable frame component is detached from the frame structure. In frame-style embodiments, the face assembly comprises a central panel having a front surface and a back surface, a retaining assembly attached to the back surface of the central panel, and a face frame having a front surface and a rear surface attached to the central panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: I.D. Furniture Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Livingston, Peter Hans Müller
  • Patent number: 7207637
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus for a side panel and a face panel of drawers includes an elastic coupling assembly that has a base plate with first pivot lugs to receive a pin and couple with a torsional spring, a clip frame having second pivot lugs corresponding to the first pivot lugs to pivotally couple with the base plate and receive an elastic force from the torsional spring so that the clip frame and the base plate are clamped and closed constantly on the opening side. The clip frame has a stopping flange on an inner side, and the side panel of the drawer has a ridge latchable with the stopping flange for anchoring. The clip frame and the base plate may be pried open on the clamped side to couple on the side panel, then close and clamp automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Tsai Huang
  • Patent number: 7207638
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for an ink jet printer includes a state machine with numerous sequenced logic circuits to generate buffered control signals from the tachometer input. A counter counts one of the buffered control signals from the state machine forming a write address. A synchronous up-down counter receives a cue delay value when the up-down counter receives a buffered control signal thereby forming a delayed count. An adder receives the write address and the delayed count and generates a read address. A comparator compares the delayed count to the cue delay value and sets a comparator output depending upon whether the delayed count is greater than or less than the cue delay value. A multiplexer receives the read and write addresses and the buffered control signals and sends a single to RAM. A logic circuit receives the buffered control signals and outputs a delayed cue signal to the printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ronald J. Duke
  • Patent number: 7207639
    Abstract: The image recording apparatus records images on a recording medium by performing relative movement of the recording medium and a recording head provided with image recording elements, and controlling driving of the image recording elements according to image data, and the apparatus comprises: a recording medium size determination device which determines a size of the recording medium to be used; a magnification setting device which sets magnification in order to generate an image larger than the size of recording medium according to input image data and the size of the recording medium determined by the recording medium size determination device; a first image processing device which generates image data with a size larger than the size of the recording medium from the input image data in accordance with the magnification set by the magnification setting device; a recording medium determination device which is disposed further upstream from the recording head in a relative movement direction of the recording
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Kachi
  • Patent number: 7207640
    Abstract: When condition of a printing element (e.g. inkjet nozzle) changes, essentially full mask rows invoking the element are redone from scratch, best so as to fully satisfy pixel-grid neighbor conditions. This is faster than redoing a whole mask as in prior popup or precook /reheat methods, and yields better printouts than prior row-by-row mask revision (e.g. directly replacing a weak nozzle by a good one across whole rows). This method is best independent of prior mask versions, and uses no prebuilt matrix of backup/alternate entries. The number of rows redone is typically 7% to 14% below a nominal/baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Santiago Garcia Reyero, Joan-Manel Garcia, Francesc Subirada
  • Patent number: 7207641
    Abstract: An inkjet head having: an inkjet head chip having ink jetting openings which are lined up to form a nozzle row on a front surface of the inkjet head chip; a manifold attached securely to a side of the inkjet head chip and leading ink to the inkjet head chip; and an ink heater which is in thermal contact through the manifold with ink in the manifold and which varies in heat generation density in a direction of the nozzle row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Komatsu, Masahiro Makita
  • Patent number: 7207642
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus that drives an element to eject a liquid onto a medium, is provided with: a drive signal generator that is configured to generate a plurality of types of ejection drive signals for driving the element to eject the liquid; a sensor for detecting a temperature of the drive signal generator; and a controller that temporarily halts generation of the ejection drive signal from the drive signal generator based on the type of the ejection drive signal and a result of detection by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Usui
  • Patent number: 7207643
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head unit in which a plurality of recording heads are arranged in substantially the same direction as the arranging direction of recording elements such that an overlapped region is formed between the heads, a set angle/overlapped region detector which detects the width of the overlapped region of each of the plurality of recording heads from a predetermined test chart printed using the recording head unit, and an image data distributor which distributes image data input to each of the plurality of recording heads, in accordance with the detected width of the overlapped region between the heads. This apparatus achieves an effect of eliminating density unevenness in the head overlapped region only by rough head alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ioka, Yasuhiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7207644
    Abstract: Printing apparatus and printing control method capable of high-speed printing without enlarging the size of a carriage driving motor and/or a power source. In a printing apparatus employing the printing control method, a carriage to which a printhead having a plurality of printing elements is mounted is reciprocally scanned, and printing is performed on a printing medium during acceleration, deceleration, and constant-speed movement of the carriage. In such printing, print data for one scan is stored in a buffer, and at least a part of the print data, stored in the buffer, that causes the printhead to perform printing during carriage acceleration is counted. The counted value is compared with a predetermined threshold value. Based on the result of comparison, it is controlled to change the number of printing elements used in printing for one scan of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 7207645
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing color correction in a color printer. An RGB test image is printed to produce a printed calibration image. Colors in the printed calibration image are measured and compared to expected color values. A color corrector generates a printer lookup table (LUT) based on this comparison. The LUT may be generated based on models of the printer's print engine and previous LUTs. The color corrections are applied to subsequent print jobs to improve the quality of color output. Color measurement and correction may be performed using a closed-loop system contained within the printer that includes a color measurement device (such as a scanner) and a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Brian D. Busch, Daniel P. Bybell, William J. Donovan, Felix J. Lin, Suhail S. Saquib, Jay E. Thornton
  • Patent number: 7207646
    Abstract: A method of assembling an inkjet printhead commences with mounting a plurality of printheads on a plurality of printhead segment carriers. The printheads are then tested for correct operation and any defective printheads are replaced and the replaced printheads are tested. Once correct operation for all printheads on a carrier is confirmed, the printhead carrier is secured in place in a slot of an elongate member that receives an array of printhead carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7207647
    Abstract: A method of accommodating printing faults includes the step of printing an array of dots to define an image. Defects are determined in the image. A portion of the dots in the array are printed to compensate for the defects in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207648
    Abstract: The inkjet head comprises: a nozzle which discharges droplets of ink through an ink discharge port to perform recording onto a recording medium, the ink being supplied through a supply duct, at least partial cross section of the nozzle on a side of the ink discharge port broadening toward the ink discharge port; and a device which moves a position of a boundary surface of the ink between a first boundary surface keeping position inside the nozzle at which the boundary surface of the ink is kept for recording and a second boundary surface keeping position inside the nozzle at which the boundary surface of the ink is kept for cleaning the nozzle under pressure less than or equal to ink discharging pressure, wherein fouling around the nozzle is collected by moving the position of the boundary surface of the ink between the first boundary surface keeping position and the second boundary surface keeping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Kojima, Kenichi Kodama
  • Patent number: 7207649
    Abstract: An ink ejection nozzle constituting section for performing printing with a high image quality and an ink ejection nozzle constituting section for performing full-color printing at a high speed are separately disposed in one ink jet head. A recovery system is capable of performing suction recovery only in each of the nozzle constituting sections, and the suction recovery optimized for each constituting section is carried out. Accordingly, an increase in size of a recording apparatus can be restrained, and total ink consumption can be suppressed at the time of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisaku Ide, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hitoshi Nishikori, Takeshi Yazawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Akiko Maru, Hiroshi Tajika
  • Patent number: 7207650
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for discharging liquid in which nozzles (31) allocated to head chips (25) are so arranged as to overlap at parts of adjacent head chips (25), and the distance Ls between nozzles of adjacent head chips of the same color is set to be even number pitches, while the distance Ld between nozzles of head chips of different color is set to be even number pitches. Thus, tiling part can be printed in the hound's tooth manner in driving line heads employing tiling which has overlapped parts formed therein under time division drive. The problem that coloring of superposed colors at overlapped parts becomes different from that at non-overlapped parts can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Ikemoto, Atsushi Nakamura, Shinichi Horii
  • Patent number: 7207651
    Abstract: An acoustic inkjet printing apparatus focusing acoustic waves generated by transducers and ejecting droplets of a printing liquid from a surface thereof by means of a sound pressure of the acoustic wave, the acoustic inkjet printing apparatus comprising: a printing liquid containing chamber containing the printing liquid; a piezoelectric element including a main transducer and at least one sub transducer located on at least one side of the main transducer, and generating the acoustic wave by receiving a signal; and an acoustic focusing member focusing the acoustic wave generated by the piezoelectric element near the surface of the printing liquid, thereby ejecting the droplets of the printing liquid, the acoustic inkjet printing apparatus being capable of switching between a first ejection mode in which the droplets are ejected in a first direction perpendicular to a liquid surface in the printing liquid containing chamber and a second ejection mode in which the droplets are ejected at an angle to the first d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Isao Amemiya
  • Patent number: 7207652
    Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer includes an ink reservoir and a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink from the ink reservoir onto print media, the nozzles being formed in the ink jet printer printhead in a predetermined fashion with bores purposefully shaped and directed to determine the formation and placement of main drops and/or satellite droplets when ink is ejected from the ink reservoir when the printhead is part of an inkjet printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gibson, Bruce H. Ostermeier, Kent L. Ubellacker
  • Patent number: 7207653
    Abstract: An ink-jet head unit including an ink-jet head having ejection-energy generating elements for generating energies for ejecting an ink from nozzles, and a row of terminals for energizing the ejection-energy generating elements, a flexible wiring board having a wiring pattern jointed in an end portion thereof to the terminals of the ink-jet head, the flexible wiring board extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extension of the row of terminals, and including an inclined portion extending from the end portion obliquely upwardly and outwardly of the ink-jet head, and a rigid member having a higher degree of rigidity than the flexible wiring board and disposed on the flexible wiring board in contact with at least the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7207654
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement with an actuator disposed in an ink chamber. An ink inlet supplies ink, and an ink ejection port allows ink to be ejected selectively. The ink inlet is located to refill the ink chamber at a position that is radially displaced from the axis of the ink ejection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207655
    Abstract: A liquid drop emitter, a method of mixing a liquid, and a method of printing are provided. The liquid emitter includes a structure defining a chamber adapted to provide a liquid having an orifice through which a drop of the liquid can be emitted. A drop forming mechanism is operatively associated with the chamber. A mixing mechanism is associated with the chamber and is operable to create a surface tension gradient on the liquid provided by the chamber such that the liquid flows without being emitted from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher N. Delametter, Alok Verma, David P. Trauernicht, Thomas M. Stephany
  • Patent number: 7207656
    Abstract: A nozzle chamber structure of a printhead is positioned on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A micro-electromechanical ink ejection mechanism that is positioned on the substrate operatively with respect to the nozzle chamber to eject ink from the ink ejection port includes an elongate actuator arm that is fixed at one end to the substrate and has an ink ejection member positioned on an opposite end and in a respective nozzle chamber. The actuator arm of the nozzle arrangement is oriented at an acute angle with respect to a print medium feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207657
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an ink jet printhead chip comprises a wafer substrate having a front surface, a rear surface and a nozzle chamber extending through the wafer substrate to define an inlet at the rear surface of the wafer substrate. An outlet is defined at the front surface of the wafer substrate. The nozzle chamber is in fluid communication with an ink supply at the rear surface of the wafer substrate. A closure member is positioned on the rear surface of the substrate and is displaceable between open and closed positions to control a flow of ink through the wafer substrate. An actuator is operatively engaged with the closure member to displace the closure member between the open and closed positions when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207658
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit that has an array of nozzles and corresponding micro-electromechanical actuators for ejecting ink there through. Each of the micro-electromechanical actuators having an activation arm that is configured for thermal expansion by resistive heating in response to an electrical activation signal. The actuator also having a heat sink contacting the activation arm for enhancing heat dissipation from the activation arm after the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207659
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a wafer substrate defining an ink passage and incorporating drive circuitry. A passivation layer is operatively positioned on the substrate and defines a first aperture of lesser cross sectional area than the ink passage and which is in fluid communication with the ink passage. A nozzle chamber wall extends from the passivation layer. A nozzle chamber roof is positioned on the nozzle chamber wall so as to define a nozzle chamber that is in fluid communication with the first aperture. The roof defines an ejection port that is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber and the wall defines a second aperture. An actuator is anchored to the passivation layer, extends through the second aperture and terminates in a paddle. The actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and is configured so that, upon receipt of a drive signal from the drive circuitry, the actuator displaces the paddle to eject ink through the ejection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7207660
    Abstract: An electrostatic ink jet head has a head substrate, an insulating substrate having at least one through hole, an ink guide, ink supply means, a control electrode, and meniscus control means. An ink passage is formed between the head substrate and the insulating substrate. The meniscus control means controls fixing of an edge portion of an ink meniscus formed in proximity to the through hole or within the through hole. With the meniscus control means, it becomes possible to maintain the position and shape of the ink meniscus with stability, thereby allowing ejection and flying of liquid droplets, such as ink droplets, with stability and formation of an image of high quality on a liquid droplets reception member such as a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yamamoto, Hideyuki Koguchi
  • Patent number: 7207661
    Abstract: An ink-jet print head with a chamber sidewall heating mechanism includes a substrate, an insulation layer on the substrate, a main channel penetrating through the substrate, a plurality of V-shaped micro-channels each having a diverging end linking with the main channel and a converging end linking with an ink chamber on the insulation layer, and a nozzle plate with a plurality of orifices formed on the ink chamber. The V-shaped micro-channels are perpendicular to the main channel and parallel to and arranged on the insulation layer. Each chamber sidewall includes a heater structure to evaporate ink in the chamber to form a bubble, which pushes the ink in the chamber to eject from the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ligh Tuning Tech. Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Chih-Hsien Yeh, Chingfu Tsou, Jer-Wei Chang, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Patent number: 7207662
    Abstract: An ink-jet printhead includes a substrate having an ink chamber and a manifold, a nozzle plate formed on the substrate, first and second heaters and conductors, a material layer, and a plurality of ink channels. The nozzle plate includes a plurality of passivation layers formed of an insulating material, a heat dissipation layer formed on the plurality of passivation layers and made of a thermally conductive material, and a nozzle passing through the nozzle plate and in flow communication with the ink chamber. The first and second heaters and conductors are interposed between adjacent passivation layers of the nozzle plate. The material layer is interposed between the ink chamber and the manifold to form a bottom wall of the ink chamber and a top wall of the manifold. The plurality of ink channels is formed in the material layer to provide flow communication between the ink chamber and the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-joo Shin, Yong-soo Oh, Su-ho Shin, Min-soo Kim, Hyung-taek Lim, Chang-seung Lee, You-seop Lee, Keon Kuk
  • Patent number: 7207663
    Abstract: A flexible circuit sheet is electrically connected to an electric device. The electric device has a first row of electric terminals and a second row of electric terminals. Both the first row of electric terminals and the second row of electric terminals extend along a first direction, the second row of electric terminals extends parallel to the first row of electric terminals. The flexible circuit comprises a base sheet, a first row of lands formed on the base sheet to be electrically connected to the first row of electric terminals, and a second row of lands formed on the base sheet to be electrically connected to the second row of electric terminals. A positional relationship between the first row of lands and the second row of lands is equal to a positional relationship between the first row of electric terminals and the second row of electric terminals. A surface area of each land of the first row of lands is greater than a surface area of each land of the second row of lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7207664
    Abstract: A substrate is formed with a pressure generating chamber. A vibration plate is joined to the substrate so as to form a part of the pressure generating chamber. A first piezoelectric element is disposed on a part of the vibration plate facing the pressure generating chamber. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode disposed on the part of the vibration plate, a first piezoelectric layer laminated on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer laminated on the first piezoelectric layer while covering the second electrode, and a third electrode disposed on the second piezoelectric layer and electrically connected to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Junhua
  • Patent number: 7207665
    Abstract: The method and equipment for detangling individual jets in an ink jet print station utilizes a reservoir containing fluid and a printhead. The printhead has a drop generator, an orifice structure connected to the drop generator for forming numerous jets, a catcher connected to the drop generator; and a charge device secured to the catcher. A fluid supply system is connected between the printhead and the reservoir. A controller and numerous actuators are connected to the drop generator, and adapted to vibrate the drop generator. A fluid pump is connected to the fluid supply line, is operated by the controller, and is adapted to raise the pressure on the drop generator to at least an operating pressure and lower the pressure on the drop generator to a minimal pressure to prevent entanglement of the jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David A. Huliba
  • Patent number: 7207666
    Abstract: An ink supply station for use with a first ink supply and a second ink supply includes a first module and a second module releasably coupled to the first module. The first module includes a first chassis and a first movable member supported by the chassis, wherein movement of the member causes flow of ink from the first ink supply. The second module includes a second chassis and a second movable member supported by the second chassis. Movement of the second member causes flow of ink from the second ink supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jason S. Ord, Alan Shibata, Justin M. Roman, Timothy A. Longust, Lap T. Nguyen, Laurie L. T. Ramos, David L. Whalen, Robert L. Battey
  • Patent number: 7207667
    Abstract: An apparatus for refurbishing used ink jet cartridges and a method for operating an ink jet cartridge refurbishment facility. The apparatus includes a number of stations and accessories that perform the recovery and filling aspects of the ink jet cartridge refurbishment process. This apparatus may be one of a number of machines used in an ink jet cartridge refurbishment facility where ink jet device users may drop-off their used ink jet cartridges and pick-up replacement ink jet cartridges at the same location that refurbished the ink jet cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Tonerhead, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Ansier, Frank Jemela
  • Patent number: 7207668
    Abstract: A novel solid ink supply container adapted for use with solid ink printers, at least includes: removable housing adapted to receive solid ink masses, the housing adapted to be coupled to at least one printhead; a heater subsumed by the housing, the heater adapted to liquefy solid ink masses; an outlet port adapted to facilitate fluid ink transfer to at least one printhead; an ink sensor adapted to sense the amount of ink in the supply container; at least one electronic storage device attached to the housing, the electronic storage device adapted to exchange printer operation information with the printer to which the ink supply container is attached; and electrical contacts attached to the housing; the electrical contacts adapted to exchange power and information between the printer, and exchange power and information between the storage device and other components of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Jones, Patrick B. Justice
  • Patent number: 7207669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing ink composition containing a colorant, resin and solvent, where the resin is a polymerized fatty acid-based polyamide resin and the solvent is made up of at least one first solvent and at least one second solvent, as well as methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Chemical Company
    Inventor: Mark S. Pavlin
  • Patent number: 7207670
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a drying compartment for the freshly printed media web. The compartment has a top opening for receiving the media web fed from the printhead, the top opening being configured so that the media web is received as a suspended partial loop within the compartment. The printer also has a source of heated air located above the top opening for blowing heated air into the compartment through the top opening to dry printing on the suspended partial loop of the media web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Lee Faye
  • Patent number: 7207671
    Abstract: An air flow restriction device relates to an ink jet printhead enclosure with body, a load supportable moveable lid with an opening disposed on the body, and a chamber within the body. Continuous web media is disposed in the chamber with at least one ink jet printhead located above the continuous web media within the chamber. A high efficiency air filter with a fan is located within the opening of the moveable lid and the filter with fan flows continuous clean filtered air into the enclosure, bathing the ink jet printhead and the continuous web media in clean filtered air. An air flow restriction device is placed in the side of the chamber below the continuous web media creating positive pressure in the chamber when the fan and filter floods the chamber with the clean filtered air, thereby reducing particle contamination in the chamber by a factor of at least ten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Morris, Donald Clarke Grant, Thomas Alan Gajus
  • Patent number: 7207672
    Abstract: A fastening structure for a lens and a frame of a spectacles includes a resin lens and a metal frame. A plurality of slots is defined in the lens. A plurality of pins each with a shank and a head is mounted on the frame and respectively positioned in the slots. A plurality of resin sleeves is respectively provided outside the pins. Whereby, the slots will not be directly worn away by the metal pins so as to securely fasten the lens on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Chieh-Lun Wang Lee