Patents Issued in August 10, 2010
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Patent number: 7770998Abstract: A maintenance pattern forming method includes conveying, generating, and forming. The conveying conveys a transfer member on a surface of a conveying member such that there is a spacing area between two adjacent transfer members on the surface of the conveying member. The generating generates a timing signal for at least one of a plurality of colors formed by a color image forming apparatus. The forming forms at least one of a process control pattern, a position adjustment pattern, and a blade curl suppression pattern onto the spacing area based on the timing signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Shinohara, Shinji Kobayashi, Takao Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Kaima, Yuichiro Shukuya, Yoshiaki Kawai, Kazuyuki Sato
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Patent number: 7770999Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in an ink delivery system comprises providing an ink delivery system having a plurality of pipes, wherein the ink delivery system could potentially have an ink leak producing an audible signal. The method further comprises providing an ultrasonic detector operable to detect the audible signal and actuating the ultrasonic detector to detect when the ink leak is present by detecting the presence of the audible signal. Finally, the method comprises outputting a signal when the audible signal is detected to alert a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Paul Andrew Edwards, Frank Bruck, John Hennessy
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Patent number: 7771000Abstract: A method is provided for setting a target moving velocity of a carriage in an image forming apparatus wherein a recording head is driven at a driving frequency proportional to a moving velocity of the carriage. The method includes steps of: varying the driving frequency of the recording head proportional to the moving velocity of the carriage so as to measure an ejection velocity of ink droplets ejected from nozzles of the recording head; deriving a velocity range where the ejection velocity of ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head is increased as the moving velocity of the carriage is increased; calculating a control error between the target moving velocity and an actual moving velocity of the carriage; and setting the target moving velocity of the carriage such that the actual moving velocity of the carriage is within the velocity range based on the calculated control error.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Iesaki
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Patent number: 7771001Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid discharge apparatus that allows a discharge head to discharge liquid to a predetermined object. The apparatus includes the following elements. A plurality of discharge heads are detachable independently. A head switching circuit switches a target discharge head to another target discharge head among the discharge heads in a set switching order to allow the target discharge head to discharge liquid. A monitoring circuit monitors liquid discharge conditions of the respective discharge heads. The liquid discharge conditions of each discharge head include the frequency of use of the discharge head and the presence or absence of a failure in the discharge head. A life determining circuit determines the life of each discharge head on the basis of the result of monitoring by the monitoring circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Toru Miyamoto
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Patent number: 7771002Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility for an inkjet printer having a pagewidth printhead and a media path for feeding sheets of media substrate in a media feed direction, wherein the pagewidth printhead has an elongate array of nozzles extending the printing width of the media substrate. The printhead maintenance facility has an inner chassis for mounting in the printer such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis, an outer chassis mounted to the inner chassis, the outer chassis having a plurality of maintenance station mounting sites and a plurality of maintenance stations mounted to the outer chassis.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Paul Ian Mackey, Attila Bertok, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771003Abstract: A printer is provided which has a printhead having a plurality of ejection nozzles, a capping member for capping the ejection nozzles, a purging member for receiving material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism for moving the printhead along a first arcuate path from first to second to third printhead positions, and a second actuating mechanism for moving the capping and purging members along a second arcuate path from a first position to a second position at which the capping member caps the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second printhead position and the purging member is able to receive the purged material when the printhead is in the third printhead position.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Norman Micheal Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771004Abstract: A print unit, that has one or more printhead assemblies, an individual printhead assembly having one or more printheads, the one or more printheads of the one or more printhead assemblies collectively configured to span the width of the media substrate; and one or more servicing assemblies, an individual servicing assembly configured for movement between a retracted position and a service position to service the one or more printheads on the individual printhead assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
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Patent number: 7771005Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of driving the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes, an ink cartridge including a plurality of print heads arranged in a width direction of a paper sheet crossing a direction along which the printing medium is transferred, a wiping unit moving in the transfer direction to wipe nozzle surfaces of the plurality of print heads, and a controller independently driving the plurality of print heads which have been wiped by the wiping unit, so that color nozzles of the plurality of print heads spray predetermined amounts of inks.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-gun Jung, Jin-ho Park, Dong-woo Ha
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Patent number: 7771006Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a capping member sealing a nozzle forming face of the liquid ejecting head, and a suction unit applying a negative pressure to the nozzle forming face of the liquid ejecting head in a state that the nozzle forming face is sealed with the capping member so that the liquid in the liquid ejecting head is exhaust through a suction port of the capping member. The liquid ejecting head includes the nozzle forming face having a plurality of nozzle opening arrays, a plurality of pressure generating chambers communicating with the nozzle openings respectively, and a plurality of pressure generating members applying pressure to liquid in the pressure generating chambers respectively so as to eject the liquid from the nozzle openings. Each of the nozzle opening arrays has plural nozzle openings.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Koji Morikoshi
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Patent number: 7771007Abstract: A printhead maintenance facility for an inkjet printer having a pagewidth printhead and a media path for feeding sheets of media substrate in a media feed direction wherein the pagewidth printhead has a nozzle face defining an elongate array of nozzles extending the printing width of the media substrate. The printhead maintenance facility has a wiper member extending the length of the nozzle array, a chassis for supporting the wiper member and a maintenance drive. The maintenance drive has a first actuator for moving the wiper member towards or away from the nozzle face, and a second actuator for rotating wiper member about an axis extending transverse to the media feed direction, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are independently operable.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Makomo Tsubono, Saminda Jayatileke, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771008Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly for an inkjet printer includes a housing. A movable chassis is arranged in the housing. A belt is mounted on the chassis with a contact surface for sealing engagement with a printhead of the printer. The chassis and thus the belt are reciprocally movable between a first position in which the contact surface is engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the printhead is disengaged from the printhead. A pair of spools are mounted on the chassis. The belt is mounted about the spools, with one of the spools being a toothed drive spool and the other being an idler spool. A drive motor is mounted on the chassis. A drive gear driven by the motor is engaged with the drive spool so that the motor can drive the belt. The drive spool, drive gear and drive motor form part of a conveyor mechanism for conveying the belt in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Paul Ian Mackey, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Patent number: 7771009Abstract: The image recording apparatus for recording images to a recording medium comprises a recording head arrangement device for arranging the line recording head so that at least the lengthwise direction of the line recording head is in an orthogonal position substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, or the lengthwise direction of the line recording head is in a parallel position substantially parallel to the conveyance direction of the recording medium; and a shuttle scan mechanism for causing the line recording head to shuttle-scan in the direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction while the parallel position is maintained, wherein the line recording head records images as a line head when arranged in the orthogonal position, and records images by shuttle scanning when arranged in the parallel position.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: FujiFilm CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Takatsuka
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Patent number: 7771010Abstract: An apparatus has a plurality of printing cartridges to reproduce an image, wherein each printing cartridge prints a portion of the image onto a substrate. The apparatus further includes a media transport for moving the substrate parallel to a first dimension. The printing cartridges are disposed on a carrier in a two dimensional pattern such that the plurality of printing cartridges are able to print on the substrate a line that is perpendicular to the first dimension. Fewer than half of the plurality printing cartridges that print segments of the line that abut each other are adjacent to each other along the first dimension.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: RR DonnelleyInventors: Anthony V. Moscato, Dan E. Kanfoush
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Patent number: 7771011Abstract: Provided herein is a method for arranging liquid droplet ejection heads comprising: arranging and fixing a plurality of inkjet liquid droplet ejection heads, ejecting a common functional liquid, on a common carriage plate, based on the amount of liquid droplets ejected from a number of ejecting nozzles in a nozzle row that each of the liquid droplet ejection heads has, with the heads shifted in a direction of the nozzle row, the heads being so arranged and fixed that in the heads closely aligned in the direction of the nozzle row, a difference between the amounts of liquid droplets ejected from two ejection nozzles located at each innermost end of the heads is within a predetermined range of tolerance, and the amounts of liquid droplets ejected from two ejection nozzles located at the outermost ends in the direction of the nozzle row are within a predetermined range of a reference amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toru Igarashi, Yuichiro Iwai
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Patent number: 7771012Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of nozzle groups each including a plurality of nozzle openings; and a plurality of pressure generating chambers that cause liquid to be ejected from the nozzle openings. A plurality of recessed portions are formed at a nozzle forming member, the recessed portions each having a thickness smaller than a thickness of the nozzle forming member, the nozzle openings being formed at the recessed portions. A set of at least one of the plurality of nozzle openings included in each single nozzle group defines a nozzle set, the nozzle set being arranged to correspond to each of the pressure generating chambers. The nozzle groups each have a plurality of nozzle sets in an array, the nozzle sets of one of the nozzle groups being relatively shifted from the nozzle sets of another one of the nozzle groups in a nozzle-set-array direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Satoru Hosono, Fujio Akahane, Ryoichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7771013Abstract: A pagewidth printhead assembly has an elongate support beam, an elongate shell at least partially enclosing and restraining the support beam and printhead integrated circuits mounted to the support beam so as to be substantially aligned with one another along the pagewidth. The shell has a laminated structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771014Abstract: Provided is a printhead assembly including an ink supply arrangement and a plurality of printhead segment carriers. The ink supply arrangement has a profile member defining a semi-open cross-section with a peripheral, structured side walls having free, opposing, lengthwise running edges delineating a gap extending along the entire length of the profile member. The profile member also defines three internal webs that stand out from a base wall section of the peripheral wall into the interior of said member so as to define together with the side wall sections a total of four ink supply channels which are open towards the gap. The plurality of printhead segment carriers are operatively fast with the ink supply arrangement so that the ink supply channels are arranged in fluid communication with printheads supported on said segments.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7771015Abstract: This invention provides for a nozzle arrangement for a printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate that defines an ink inlet passage. A nozzle plate is arranged on the substrate and defines an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage and a nozzle aperture in fluid communication with the ink chamber. A nozzle enclosure is arranged on the nozzle plate about the aperture and is configured to isolate the aperture from at least one adjacent aperture. The arrangement also includes a heater element suspended within the chamber and configured to produce ink cavitation when heated to eject a drop of ink via the nozzle aperture. The heater element is configured as a looped element so that no solid surface thereof is in the vicinity of a point of collapse of the produced cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
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Patent number: 7771016Abstract: Provided is a laminated printhead arrangement for a pen nib printer. The printhead includes ink distribution layers, a layer of semiconductor ejection devices operatively supplied with ink via the ink distribution layers, and a guard layer positioned on top of the ejection device layer to protect the ejection devices. The guard layer defines printing passages via which the ejection devices eject ink. Also included is a rotary capper rotatably fixed to the guard layer about a central axis of the printhead, so that rotation of the capper covers or exposes the printing passages.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7771017Abstract: This invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate defining a nozzle chamber bounded by walls and a roof which defines an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber, said substrate having a CMOS drive circuitry layer thereon. Also included is an ink-ejecting member positioned in the nozzle chamber, the member being displaceable towards the ink ejection port so that a resultant fluctuation in ink pressure within the nozzle chamber results in an ejection of ink from the ink ejection port. The arrangement also includes at least one work-transmitting structure that is displaceable with respect to the substrate and is connected to the ink-ejecting member so that displacement of the work transmitting structure results in displacement of the ink-ejecting member.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771018Abstract: Provided is an ink ejection nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate with an etched ink chamber and ink channel leading to the chamber, as well as an ink ejection nozzle defined over the chamber with an ejection port etched therein. The arrangement also includes a glass actuator arm attached to the substrate via a post on the substrate, said arm having a copper nickel alloy heating means attached at a lower portion thereof proximate said post, wherein the arm extends through a slot in the chamber. The arrangement further includes a paddle fast with the arm inside said chamber, the paddle interposed between the ink channel and the ejection port.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771019Abstract: A printer module includes a housing surrounding a frame. The housing defines footing holes. A print engine is housed within the housing. The print engine includes a pair of opposed print head assemblies for enabling double-sided printing on print media to be effected. Feet extend from the housing and are spaced apart to engage in respective footing holes defined in the housing of another printer module so that the printer modules can be stacked together.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7771020Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a recording element substrate having an array of discharge ports and a side surface extending along an array direction of the discharge ports, and an opposite surface facing the side surface. A minimum distance is provided between the opposite surface and the side surface at least at a center portion of the side surface. Also, a distance greater than the minimum distance is provided between the opposite surface and the side surface at an end portion of the side surface in the array direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kyota Miyazaki, Toshiaki Hirosawa, Shuzo Iwanaga
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Inkjet head assembly and printing apparatus with ultraviolet emitting unit and method using the same
Patent number: 7771021Abstract: An inkjet head assembly and a printing method using the same. The inkjet head assembly includes an ultraviolet (UV) emitting unit to emit UV light, and a printhead to move together with the UV emitting unit and to eject ink through nozzles using inkjet technology.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Woo-sik Kim, Seong-jin Kim, Seung-joo Shin, Sung-wook Kim -
Patent number: 7771022Abstract: A method of supplying a liquid material in the form of droplets onto a base 10A includes the steps of: preparing a base 10A; forming a plurality of partitions 18R, 18G and 18B on the base 10A, each of the plurality of partitions 18R, 18G and 18B being adapted to become a color element; and ejecting one or more droplet via a droplet ejection device 103 while mutually moving the base 10A with respect to the droplet ejection device 103, the droplet ejection device 103 having one or more nozzle 118 through which the liquid material is supplied onto each of the plurality of partitions 18R, 18G and 18B.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tamotsu Goto
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Patent number: 7771023Abstract: A method of ejecting drops of an ejectable liquid from a printhead that has a plurality of nozzles, and a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each of the nozzles respectively. The bubble forming chambers contain a bubble forming liquid and at least one heater associated with each of the bubble forming chambers respectively. The heater has electrodes for connection to a power supply and heater elements configured for thermal contact with the bubble forming liquid. The heater element is supported within the bubble forming chamber by the electrodes such that it does not contact the bubble forming chamber. The method uses the steps of placing the bubble forming liquid into thermal contact with the heater elements, and heating the heater elements to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid to form a gas bubble such that a drop of an ejectable liquid is ejected through the corresponding nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771024Abstract: The invention relates to a pagewidth printhead assembly. The assembly includes a molded polymer ink manifold defining a plurality of discrete fluid conduits therethrough. The assembly also includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (ICs) each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for operatively ejecting printing fluid onto a printing medium. Each IC defines a plurality of discrete supply channels for supplying the nozzle arrangements with fluid, and has a bonding surface with a plurality of trenches etched therein, the trenches having a width of less than 10 microns to operatively attract a liquid adhesive by capillary action. The assembly also includes a thermosetting sealing film having a heat liquefied adhesive layer to adhere the bonding surface of the ICs to the lower member when said film is heated, so that the conduits and supply channels are in fluid communication with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771025Abstract: An inkjet printhead has a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement comprises an ink chamber having an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port; an ink spreading prevention rim provided around and spaced apart from the ink ejection port to define a pit between the ink ejection port and the ink spreading prevention rim; and a thermal actuator mechanism configured to operatively eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port. The plurality of nozzle arrangement are grouped into pods, each pod having two rows of nozzle arrangements spatially staggered with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771026Abstract: A liquid recording head includes a thermal energy generating element, having a flat plate configuration, for generating a bubble by thermal energy; a pressure chamber in which the thermal energy generating element is provided; a flow path for introducing liquid into the pressure chamber; a supply port in fluid communication with the flow path; and an ejection outlet provided at a position opposing the thermal energy generating element in fluid communication with the pressure chamber. The thermal energy generating element includes a first major surface facing the ejection outlet and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, and a distance between the first major surface and a ceiling surface of the pressure chamber in which the ejection outlet is formed is shorter than a distance between the second major surface and a bottom surface of the pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ide, Mineo Kaneko, Ken Tsuchii, Toru Yamane, Masaki Oikawa, Keiji Tomizawa, Mitsuhiro Matsumoto, Kansui Takino, Naozumi Nabeshima
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Patent number: 7771027Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a high density array of micro-electromechanical nozzles arrangements. Each arrangement comprises side walls located on a wafer substrate with a roof layer deposited on said walls to define an ink chamber, the roof layer defining a nozzle aperture; an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the ink chamber with printing fluid; and at least one heater element having a mass of less than 250 picograms suspended between the side walls in the chamber, the heater element operable to form a vapor bubble when electrical actuation energy of less than 120 nanojoules is applied thereto, said heater element having an annular shape with a point of collapse of the bubble near a center thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy, Angus John North
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Patent number: 7771028Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printhead is provided. The system comprises: (a) an ink reservoir for storing ink; (b) an ink conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the printhead; (c) a pressure device for positively pressurizing the ink reservoir; and (d) a valve in the ink conduit for controlling a supply of ink to the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Vesa Karppinen, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771029Abstract: A inkjet printer that has an ink supply (112), a printhead integrated circuit (IC) (74) in fluid communication with the ink supply via an upstream ink line (67), the printhead IC (74), a waste ink outlet in fluid communication with the printhead IC (74) via a downstream ink line (106), an upstream shut off valve (138) in the upstream ink line (67), and, a downstream pump mechanism (114) in the downstream ink line. With a valve upstream of the printhead and a pump downstream of the printhead, the user has active control of the ink flow upstream, downstream or in the printhead IC. In the event that problems such as ink flooding, color mixing or printhead depriming occur, the user can follow simple troubleshooting protocols to rectify the situation.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Patrick John McAuliffe, Vesa Karppinen, David John Worboys, Miao Wang, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771030Abstract: An ink cartridge has a first portion having a plurality of chambers formed therein; a second portion attached to the first portion and having at least one opening into each of the plurality of chambers, and wherein for each opening the second portion further includes at least a portion of a fluid directing channel; and a third portion attached to the second portion and configured to receive a plurality of fluids and direct each of the plurality of fluids into one of the respective fluid directing channels such that each of the plurality of fluids flows into a respective one of the plurality of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paul Fishbein, Blair A. Butler, Geoffrey Schmid, M. Derek Patton, Timothy J Carlin
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Patent number: 7771031Abstract: An ink refill unit for a print engine includes a body assembly defining an ink ejection port at one end thereof. A compressible tank is located inside said body assembly. A mechanical compression arrangement for compressing the tank includes a threaded wall and circular plunger assembly and an elongate drive gear mounted within the body assembly and engaging with the plunger assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Patent number: 7771032Abstract: Provided is a printer assembly having a media housing unit having a number of ink reservoirs internally defined by a core portion around which print media is rolled. Also included is an ink supply and printhead unit attached to the media housing unit, said printhead unit having a guillotine blade assembly to cut the print media. The printer assembly also includes a drive unit having a platen configured to extract the print media from the media housing unit and feed it past the printhead unit, said drive unit having ink transmission channels interposed between the ink reservoirs and the ink supply and printhead unit to feed ink from the ink reservoirs to the ink supply and printhead unit. Further included is a controller for controlling operation of the printhead and drive units, said controller configured to maintain said printhead at an equilibrium temperature during printing.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771033Abstract: Various ink containers are provided. One exemplary ink container includes a housing that is configured to hold ink therein and has an ink fill port and a gas exit port. A single sealing device is compressively held by a portion of the housing so as to obstruct both the ink fill port and the gas exit port.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Ralph L. Stathem
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Patent number: 7771034Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidic arrangement for a printer. The arrangement includes an ink tank for storing ink, and an ink distribution assembly in fluid communication with the ink tank for supplying printhead integrated circuits (ICs) positioned thereon with ink from the ink tank. The arrangement also includes a valve arranged in an ink line between the ink distribution assembly and the ink tank, said valve configured to isolate ink in the ink tank from the printhead ICs whenever the printer is powered down. Further included is a pump located downstream from the ink distribution assembly, and a sump arranged in fluid communication with the pump for receiving excess ink from the ink distribution assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Brian Robert Brown, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Paul Timothy Sharp, John Douglas Peter Morgan, Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Michael John Hudson, Christopher Hibbard, Samuel George Mallinson, Paul Justin Reichl
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Patent number: 7771035Abstract: The invention relates to a reservoir assembly for a pagewidth printhead cartridge. The cartridge has a fluid distribution molding with priming inlets in fluid communication with fluid channels for supplying printing fluid to a plurality of printhead integrated circuits. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir compartment arranged in fluid communication with the fluid channels via a fluid outlet. The reservoir includes a porous absorbent material located inside the compartment to absorb printing fluid delivered via the priming inlets. The reservoir assembly also includes a bypass fluid path arranging the fluid outlet and a well region of the compartment in fluid communication, said bypass fluid path having a bypass valve to facilitate priming the reservoir compartment with printing fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian Mackey, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson
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Patent number: 7771036Abstract: The ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a conveyer that conveys a recording medium; a recording head that ejects an ink and a processing solution; an ejection controller that controls ejection of the ink and the processing solution from the recording head; and a double side printer that prints on both surfaces of the recording medium to forming an image on each surfaces. Respective ejection of the ink and the processing solution is controlled so that respective amounts of the ink and the processing solution applied per unit area is less under a double-sided printing mode than the respective amount of the ink and the processing solution applied per unit area under a single-sided printing mode, and so that a reduction ratio of the amount of the ink applied per unit area is larger than one of the processing solution per unit area.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiko Ono
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Patent number: 7771037Abstract: An ink containing a hydrophobic colloid charged with a positive zeta potential when the pH of the ink is within a range of over 4 and under 6. Silicon or silicon compound can be limited from being eluted into the ink from a circuit board formed from a silicon wafer or the like. Additionally, silicon or silicon compound, if eluted into the ink can be prevented from being deposited on a resistance heater and causing “cogation”, or to prevent the silicon or silicon compound from being deposited in an ink channel and nozzle to clog the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Tanaka, Toshio Fukuda, Masato Nakamura
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Patent number: 7771038Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus forms a dot in a desired position of a printing sheet by ejecting an ink droplet from a nozzle. A static electricity eliminating mechanism eliminates static electricity generated on the printing sheet by a conductive portion that is arranged in a position to which the ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle or an upstream side of such position on a path through which the printing sheet passes. The conductive portion is formed in at least one of a sheet feed roller and an idle roller that carry the printing sheet. The sheet feed roller or the idle roller is formed by coating a predetermined insulating coating on a surface of a conductive rod-shaped member. The conductive portion is formed by stripping off a part of the coating on the sheet feed roller or the idle roller.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Midori Araya, Keisuke Haba, Hajime Wada, Naruhiko Katagiri, Yu Shinagawa
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Patent number: 7771039Abstract: An ink jet printer that performs printing by discharging ink droplets from nozzles of an ink jet head onto a print medium includes: a moisture adjusting unit that is provided at a downstream side of the ink jet head in a print medium transport direction and adjusts moisture of the print medium by moving moisture of a printing surface of the print medium, onto which the ink droplets are discharged from the ink jet head, to a surface opposite the printing surface; and a moisture adjustment control unit that controls moisture adjustment of the print medium performed by the moisture adjusting unit in accordance with a ratio of the number of nozzles, from which the ink droplets from the ink jet head are discharged, to the total number of nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yusuke Sakagami
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Patent number: 7771040Abstract: A transfer belt has a two-layer structure consisting of two inner belts formed of metal, such as stainless steel, and an outer belt formed of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, being spread across the inner belts. The inner belts are endless and wound around transfer rollers, while the outer belt has its ends which are not joined with each other and form an opening therebetween. Distortion of the outer belt due to stress is designed to be suppressed by using a reinforcing member around the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsuhisa Nakashima
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Patent number: 7771041Abstract: A medium support member has a first surface for supporting a print medium and a second surface opposite to said first surface. The medium support member includes a plurality of recesses formed in the first surface and a plurality of protrusions formed in the second surface such that each recess has an associated protrusion opposite thereto. Each recess has an air passage connecting the recess with an interprotrusional space formed between the protrusions. A printing system includes a device for image-wise application of marking material to a print medium, base member and the medium support member. A method of forming the medium support member includes supporting a sheet of base material, pressing a first punch to form the recess and the protrusion in the sheet of base material, and pressing a second punch such that a perforation is applied into the sheet of base material.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Océ-Technologies B.V.Inventors: Chad A. Koehn, Jonathan H. J. J. Nikkel
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Patent number: 7771042Abstract: Provided is a stamp including a compressible housing having an upper housing portion telescopically receiving a lower housing portion defining an opening. The stamp also includes a printhead and ink cartridge arrangement housed within the lower housing, said printhead displaceable between a protected position within the housing and a printing position in which the printhead is exposed via the opening for printing. Also included is a mechanical arrangement comprising a pair of arms fixed at one end to a top of the printhead and at another end to the upper housing, so that when the upper housing is moved toward the lower housing, the arms move the printhead from the protected position to the printing position.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7771043Abstract: Eyewear having an enhanced air flow and/or absorption features which may be used for safety, sports, and the like. The eyewear may desirably provides features in design and/or function of the structure to enhance air flow and reduce moisture. Additional elements such as removable pads and/or cartridges may be used with the eyewear to enhanced airflow and reduce moisture adjacent a user's eyes and face as well.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Debra N. Welchel, Megan Christine Hansen Smith, Matrice B. Jackson, Andrew J. Beltz, Russell J. Kroll, Philip D. Palermo, Mark D. Londborg, Suzuko Hisata
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Patent number: 7771044Abstract: Eyeglasses and clip-ons are improved by providing housings for magnets for securing the clip-ons in a uniblock also incorporating one or more of the following: part of a closing block, an end piece, and part of a hinge. The structure is more compact, neater in appearance, and of improved quality as compared to eyeglasses incorporating conventional structures, and is less expensive to manufacture than many conventional eyeglasses, especially in large volume.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Aspex Eyewear, Inc.Inventor: Julie B. Madison
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Patent number: 7771045Abstract: An article of polarized eyewear has a lens with a first substrate lens material transparent to visible light and a pattern of elongated structures formed from at least a second material having a complex index of refraction that is deposited onto a curved surface of the first substrate lens material. The pitch between adjacent elongated structures is less than 300 nm and the width of each elongated structure is less than 90% of the pitch.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: SOL-Grid, LLCInventors: Pasquale Matera, David Kessler
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Patent number: 7771046Abstract: In one embodiment, eyewear having a monitoring capability, such as an activity monitoring capability, is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: I p Venture, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
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Patent number: 7771047Abstract: A method of producing a progressive spectacle glass by defining an ordering value for the average use value in the far reference point of the progressive spectacle glass, calculating the progressive spectacle glass while taking into account a calculation value of the average use value in the far reference point, the calculation value having a negative desired refraction deviation between 0.03 dpt and 0.2 dpt with respect to the ordering value in the far reference point, and producing the calculated progressive spectacle glass.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Rodenstock GmbHInventors: Helmut Altheimer, Gregor Esser, Andrea Welk, Leonhard Schmid, Martin Zimmermann, Kerstin Schmid, Norbet Awrath, Jochen Brosig, Winfried Nikolaus, Werner Müller, Ilka Schwarz