Patents Issued in August 14, 2012
  • Patent number: 8240770
    Abstract: A three-dimensional article produced from sheet material and comprising a frame unit having a plurality of outer sides made of sheet material each of which having a different angular disposition is provided. First and second longitudinal ends of the frame unit are interconnected by a female fastener embedded in the first end and by a male fastener introduced through the second end and coupled with the female fastener. A kit for assembling the three-dimensional article comprising a plurality of expandable separate members made from sheet material and set in a flat condition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Crembo Color Design Ltd. (Krooom)
    Inventor: Nitz{dot over (a)}n Bertele
  • Patent number: 8240771
    Abstract: A mesh chair component having contours that support a user appropriately can be made by combining a plurality of mesh panels to form the component. For instance, in a preferred embodiment of the present inventions, three preformed mesh panels are combined to form the back rest of a chair that provides its user with lumbar support without the necessity of additional structural support. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, mesh panels are used in combination with a beneficially contoured frame to provide a chair seat with a waterfall front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventor: Niels Diffrient
  • Patent number: 8240772
    Abstract: A seatbelt holding structure that comprises a seat body 10 on which a seater is seated, a seatbelt 20 that restrains the seater seated on the seat body 10, and a belt cover 40 as a belt holding unit that holds the seatbelt 20 in a direction in which a seating space of the seat body 10 is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: COMBI Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawata, Shushi Hosoya
  • Patent number: 8240773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining structural change in a mining operation. A first scan of gateroad surfaces is obtained and information of the scan profile is stored. At a later time a second scan of the gateroad surfaces is then obtained. Information of the scans can be registered and any difference noted. If the difference exceeds a threshold a warning can be provided indicating a gateroad structural change that may be hazardous. The scans can be made from a single sensor, or from multiple sensors (301, 303). In the case where the sensors (301, 303) are mounted on a gateroad traversing structure (109), the distance of spacing of the sensors (301, 303) can be used to determine when the sensor (303) has reached a position of movement or travel of the gateroad traversing structure (109) where the scan from sensor (301) was made. A distance sensor (309) can be provided to determine the distance of movement and where the scans coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Chad Owen Hargrave, Jonathon Carey Ralston, Michael Shawn Kelly
  • Patent number: 8240774
    Abstract: A method for treating a nahcolite containing subsurface formation includes solution mining a first nahcolite bed above a hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of first solution mining wells. A second nahcolite bed is solution mined below the hydrocarbon containing layer using a plurality of second solution mining wells. At least one of the first solution mining wells is converted into a production well. The hydrocarbon containing layer is heated using a plurality of heaters. Formation fluid is produced from at least one converted first solution mining well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Harold J. Vinegar
  • Patent number: 8240775
    Abstract: A non-motorized apparatus for collecting particulate materials, including gold, in stream placer deposits, comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a riffle tray with perforated ridges, a skirt for enveloping the tubular members and directing stream flow, and a fibrous matting held entirely inside the second tubular member. The second tubular member is connected to one end of the first tubular member in a way that a high velocity stream flowing into the first tubular member creates suction pressure in the second tubular member. The particulate matter settles in grooves formed by the ridges in the riffle tray and passes through perforations to become trapped in the fibrous matting as the stream is drawn into the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Rothery
  • Patent number: 8240776
    Abstract: A continuous mining machine in which the machine is capable of mining a width exceeding the width of the machine chassis by articulating the cutter end of the machine relative to the rear of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Roger Dale Plumley
  • Patent number: 8240777
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit having a brake pipe suitable for being connected to a pressurized fluid source or to a pressure-free reservoir, i.e. to a reservoir without excess pressure, via a proportional pressure reducer controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). The circuit includes link solenoid-valve means suitable for connecting the proportional pressure reducer to the reservoir or, via a calibrated pressure reducer, to the pressurized fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Jean Heren, André Prigent, Jean-Philippe Raisin
  • Patent number: 8240778
    Abstract: A trailer device for driving stabilization of vehicle combinations is provided. In order to design a device for driving stabilization of passenger vehicle trailers in a cost-effective and simple manner, a brake system for braking the trailer by an overrun brake and for stability regulation is designed so as to have separating valves, switching valves, inlet and outlet valves and a pressure build-up pump. A stabilizing coupling is also connected by means of a second pressure medium pump to actuators which can vary the clamping force of the stabilizing coupling between the trailer and tractor vehicle if the second pressure medium pump conveys pressure medium from the storage tank into or out of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Eberhard Domsalla, Heiko Gastauer, Uwe Greiff, Ralf Hartmann, Andreas Heise, Axel Hinz, Jan Hoffmann, Hans-Peter Wolf
  • Patent number: 8240779
    Abstract: A control for use in a hydraulic circuit where the control can act as a valve and an auxiliary pressure source for the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: White Drive Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Daigre
  • Patent number: 8240780
    Abstract: A supply valve (40), a relief valve (42) and a microprocessor (46) control the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid from a dedicated pressure source (12) to a brake boost piston (18, 60, 108) interposed between an operator brake pedal (22) input member (20, 106) and a master cylinder. Transducers (48, 50, 102) sense a current relationship between the input member (20, 106) and the boost piston (18, 60, 108) and supply the microprocessor (46) with a input to accordingly operate the supply valve (40) and relief valve (42). In one embodiment, a single transducer (102) senses relative motion between the input member and the piston while in a second embodiment, a single transducer (48) senses the force exerted on the piston by the input member and a third embodiment first and second transducers (48, 50) to sense relative motion between the input member and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Milan Klimes
  • Patent number: 8240781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a braking system for motor vehicles with electrically actuated hydraulic valves, the coils of which are powered up, at least in phases, with currents which modify the currentless state of the hydraulic valves, in order to heat the hydraulic fluid present in the system. The hydraulic fluid is heated via a heating profile which, in accordance with the hydraulic fluid temperature, activates the heating phase of the hydraulic fluid. The heating profile consists of a first heating phase and, subsequent thereto, a second heating phase. During the first heating phase, the coils are powered up in such a way that the coil temperature at the end of the first heating phase corresponds to a pre-defined temperature value of the coil which is at least approximately maintained during the second heating phase when powering up the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heckmann, Jens Kolarsky, Harald Hermann, Timo Jahnz, Dirk Foerch, Werner Quirant, Michael Kunz, Michael Bunk, Philipp Grell, Thomas Loeffler
  • Patent number: 8240782
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and road wheels, and a guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bessette, Louis-Frédéric Marchildon
  • Patent number: 8240783
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut that is secured to the sprocket assembly. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Patent number: 8240784
    Abstract: The flexible glove holder (1) includes a flat structure (13) with three branches (2, 3 and 4) forming an S-shape on which the glove is wound. The holder (1) is then pushed into the opening of the glove box. This rapid action method makes it possible to avoid knotting the gloves when they must be drawn toward the outside for an operation within the box and also allows the implementation of biological protection on the opening of the glove box as well as a protection of the agents against radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Areva NC
    Inventors: Francis Hebuterne, Pierre Riba
  • Patent number: 8240785
    Abstract: A control box arrangement including at least one control box which is sub-divided, or can be sub-divided, by vertical wall sections with a horizontal sub-division, into a plurality of cuboid compartments surrounded on all sides. A variable structural design of compartments, particularly functional compartments, for example for low voltage systems, is obtained by providing wall sections including lateral wall sections adapted to the same or different compartment heights, adapted rear wall sections embodied as mounting plates, and horizontal partition bottoms, in order to produce a plurality of horizontal compartments, in the form of pigeonholes, arranged one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Schell, Tobias Becker, René Stenfert
  • Patent number: 8240786
    Abstract: A cabinet includes a frame portion and a door hingedly connected to the frame portion. A member is rigidly connected to the door and includes a flange portion extending from and spaced apart from an outer surface of the door. A handle is pivotably connected to the door and includes a user graspable portion disposed between the first outer surface of the door and the flange portion of the member. A catch member is rigidly connected to the user graspable portion and extends through a slot in the door for interlocking engagement with a retention feature disposed on the frame portion. When the door is in a closed position, handle is pivotable with respect to the door from a door retention position to a door release position for disengagement of the catch member from the door retention feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Waterloo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Fabio Daino, Gregory Jon Holcomb, Steven Frederick Kohagen, Matthew J. Sallee, Bradley M. White
  • Patent number: 8240787
    Abstract: A self-closing rail system includes a first rail, a second rail which is slidably connected to the first rail, and a self-closing device. The self-closing device includes an attachment member connected to the first rail and a guide portion extends longitudinally from the attachment member. A movable member is movably connected to the guide portion of the attachment member. An elastic member is connected between the attachment member and the movable member such that the elastic member applies a force to the movable member. A fixing member is connected to the second rail and has a pin which is connected to or disengaged from the movable member depending on the relative movement between the first and second rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Ting-Tsai Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8240788
    Abstract: A hidden self-closing drawer slide assembly comprises a base, a pressure cylinder, a traction member and a spring. The traction member is movably received in the base. The traction member is provided with a guiding block. The base is formed with a slide groove, and one end of the slide groove is folded into a positioning portion. The guiding block guides the traction member to linearly moves in the slide groove, and slides through the slide groove and finally into the positioning portion, and the locking protrusion of the traction member will disengage from the concave locking portion of the pressure cylinder. The traction member will be pushed back by the spring to its original position, and the pressure cylinder provides a buffering effect to absorb the shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sun Chain Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Juan, Shih-Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 8240789
    Abstract: A positioning device of a slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail slidably connected to the first rail and defining a path, and a third rail slidably connected to the path of the second rail. A positioning member is securely connected to the second rail. An engaging member is pivotably connected to the positioning member and includes an extension arm located corresponding to the positioning portion of the first rail and capable of engaging with the positioning portion. An extension wing has an inclined surface relative to a horizontal plane and extending toward the path of the second rail. A resilient member is connected to the engaging member and makes the extension wing of the engaging member slide toward the third rail. When the third rail is retracted relative to the second rail, the engaging member is disengaged from the positioning portion of the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shih-Lung Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8240790
    Abstract: A slide rail includes a first slide and a second slide received in the first slide. The first slide includes a first main plate and two first side parts symmetrically placed on two opposite sides of the first main plate. The second slide includes a main body, an extending body received in the main body, and a slide post. The main body includes a second main plate and two second side parts symmetrically placed on two opposite sides of the second main plate. The second main plate includes a fixed hole defined therein. The extending body includes a third main plate and two third side parts symmetrically placed on two opposite sides of the third main plate. The third main plate defines a rail therein. The slide post is passed through the rail and fixed to the fixed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Yi Zhang, Lin-Ren Gu
  • Patent number: 8240791
    Abstract: A container for forming an interior space within a refrigerating device that can be accessed via a door opening of the refrigerating device including a plurality of blanks forming a plurality of walls, a cooled goods support base, and a support rail such that the height of the cooled goods support is adjustably settable. A joint is formed between a blank forming the first side wall and a blank forming the rear wall, and the joint is at least partly concealed behind the support rail relative to a view into the refrigerating device through the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Benz, Alexander Görz, Hans-Philipp Reitz
  • Patent number: 8240792
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a drum that rotates while holding a medium on its outer periphery, a head that ejects a fluid on to the medium held on the periphery of the drum, a fixing section that fixes the fluid ejected on to the medium by the head, a measuring section that measures a diameter of the drum, and a controller that varies an ejection timing of the fluid ejected from the head in accordance with variation in the diameter of the drum measured by the measuring section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Usuda, Hideo Noro, Toshio Kumagai, Shinichi Kamoshida
  • Patent number: 8240793
    Abstract: A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a control method for a fluid supply device can desirably supply a fluid while maintaining good throughput, and can reduce device size and cost with a simple construction. The inkjet printer has an expansion mechanism that enables an ink refill operation in which a movable member expands an ink chamber by moving a piston that moves in contact with a regulator panel disposed to the main device side and supplies ink from an ink cartridge, a comparison means that determines whether or not the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than a specified value, and a CPU that sets a long time mode in which the ink refill operation time is long when the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than the specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Taga
  • Patent number: 8240794
    Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles provided to the liquid jet head, an actuator provided corresponding to each of the nozzles, drive unit that applies a drive signal to the actuator, drive waveform signal generation unit that generates a drive waveform signal providing a reference of a signal for controlling the actuator, modulator unit that pulse-modulates the drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform signal generation unit, a digital power amplifier for power-amplifying the modulated signal, which is pulse-modulated by the modulator unit, and a low-pass filter provided individually corresponding to the actuator and for supplying the actuator with the power amplified modulated signal power-amplified by the digital power amplifier as a drive signal after smoothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Oshima, Kunio Tabata, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Osamu Shinkawa, Tomoki Hatano
  • Patent number: 8240795
    Abstract: A printing method and a printing apparatus of the present invention are capable of performing both a vertical registration adjustment in which a range of nozzles used for printing is limited and a vertical registration adjustment in which print data is shifted. More specifically, switching is performed between the vertical registration adjustment in which a range of nozzles used for printing is limited and the vertical registration adjustment in which print data is shifted, in accordance with conditions such as a printing mode, types of printing medium, and the like. Thereby, an improvement of a throughput by a printing apparatus and an improvement of an image quality printed by the printing apparatus can be together achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoko Baba
  • Patent number: 8240796
    Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection assembly, a housing, and an insert. The fluid ejection assembly includes one or more silicon bodies and a plurality of actuators. The one or more silicon bodies includes a silicon body having a plurality of fluid passages for fluid flow and a plurality of nozzles fluidically connected to the plurality of fluid passages. The plurality of actuators cause fluid in the plurality of fluid passages to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles. The housing assembly includes one or more plastic bodies, at least one plastic body attached to at least one silicon body to form a sealed volume on a side of the fluid ejection assembly opposite the nozzles. The insert is embedded in the at least one plastic body in proximity to the at least one silicon body, the insert having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 9 ppm/° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Steve Deming, Mats G. Ottosson
  • Patent number: 8240797
    Abstract: A method of printing an image having a graphic security element included therein includes receiving main image data representing a main image, receiving graphic security element data representing a graphic security element to be included in the main image, receiving a request to print the main image, responsive to receiving the request to print the main image, determining particular pixels of the main image data that are to be shifted based on the graphic security element data, and causing a plurality of ink deposits to be deposited on the print medium based on the main image data including causing the position of each of the ink deposits on the print medium that is determined to correspond to shifted pixels to be shifted relative to a normal position that would normally result from the main image data. Also, system that implements the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Haas, Robert A. Cordery
  • Patent number: 8240798
    Abstract: A head drive device of an inkjet printer having a nozzles and corresponding actuators that jet liquid drops. A drive section that generates a drive signal to the actuators. The head drive device includes a drive waveform signal which is used as a reference of a signal to control drive of the actuators. A modulating section modulates a pulse of a drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform generating system. A low pass filter smoothes a power-amplified modulated signal subjected to the power amplification by the digital power amplifier and supplies the signal as a drive signal to the actuators. A frequency characteristics adjusting section adjusts frequency characteristics of the low pass filter as a function of the number of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Oshima, Kunio Tabata, Osamu Shinkawa, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Tomoki Hatano
  • Patent number: 8240799
    Abstract: A control signal is generated to control ink discharge from a printhead. Urgency of A/D conversion of a detection signal is generated in accordance with a position represented by a signal output from an encoder. Upon determining based on the urgency to perform A/D conversion, control signal generation stops. Upon determining that a printing operation is not being performed, control is executed to A/D convert the detection signal. However, upon determining that the printing operation is being performed, control is executed to perform A/D conversion after the end of the printing operation. The stopped control signal generation is immediately resumed if it is determined that the A/D conversion has ended. Upon determining that the A/D conversion has not ended, however, control signal generation is resumed after the end of the A/D conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 8240800
    Abstract: There is provided a droplet ejection device including: a droplet ejection unit that successively ejects plural droplets within a pre-specified driving cycle and is capable of causing the plural droplets to aggregate and impact; and a control section that controls application to the droplet ejection unit of driving waveforms among plural driving waveforms that are each capable of ejecting a droplet from the droplet ejection unit, which are generated within the pre-specified driving cycle, such that the driving waveforms that are applied include at least one driving waveform generated at a pre-specified later period in the driving cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Seto
  • Patent number: 8240801
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a handheld image translation device are described herein. The handheld image translation device may include a position module to determine positioning information including both translation and rotation information based at least in part on captured navigational measurements. A print module of the handheld image translation device may cause print forming substances to be deposited based at least in part on the positioning information. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: James D. Bledsoe, James Mealy, Asher Simmons
  • Patent number: 8240802
    Abstract: By subtracting a first parameter related to the printing position deviation inherent to the printing head from a second parameter that is obtained by actually measuring the printing position deviation in a state where the printing head is mounted on the printing apparatus, a third parameter related to the printing position deviation inherent to the printing apparatus is acquired. When a new printing head is mounted on the printing apparatus, a new second parameter is computed from the third parameter and a first parameter that is of the new printing head. By this procedure, it is possible to hold down a time required for actual measurement of the printing position deviation and consumables, and even when the printing head is exchanged, it becomes possible to stably output a uniform image free from the printing position deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Kiichiro Takahashi, Minoru Teshigawara, Tetsuya Edamura, Akiko Maru, Hiroshi Taira
  • Patent number: 8240803
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to scan a recording medium and record an image on the recording medium. The recording apparatus includes a recording buffer to store image data representing one pixel with a plurality of bits, a reading unit to read, from a storage area of the recording buffer, image data corresponding to a region including a boundary between two regions recorded on the recording medium in successive scanning and recording operations, a thinning unit to thin out image data based on a thinning rate corresponding to the image data read by the reading unit, a storage unit to store image data thinned out by the thinning unit in the storage area of the recording buffer, a quantization unit to perform quantization processing on the image data stored in the recording buffer when the image data is transferred to the recording head, and a recording unit to perform recording based on the image data quantized by the quantization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yosuke Ushigome
  • Patent number: 8240804
    Abstract: The present invention uses a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of a print head configured to eject ink, and senses the environmental temperature of a printing apparatus. The temperature of the print head is corrected based on the environmental temperature only if information from the temperature sensor is different from the last information acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Hidehiko Kanda, Susumu Hirosawa, Wakako Yamamoto, Kenichi Oonuki
  • Patent number: 8240805
    Abstract: The invention concerns a detection system (7) for measuring at least one characteristic of an inked zone (5) comprising at least one sensor adapted to sense a light radiation reflected by said inked zone (5) and to generate a measurement signal representing at least the characteristic of the inked zone (5). Such a system further comprises at least one first optic fiber (10), adapted to convey up to the neighborhood of the inked zone (5), a light radiation emitted by a light source (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universite Bordeaux 1
    Inventors: Laurent Sarger, Lionel Canioni, Stéphane Santran, Edouard Girault
  • Patent number: 8240806
    Abstract: Printhead firing methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example printhead firing method disclosed herein comprises determining a position of a printer carriage corresponding to a location at which a first encoder strip is concatenated with a second encoder strip, and adjusting timing of printhead firing pulses when the printer carriage is determined to have reached the position as the printer carriage is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Soriano Fosas, Felix Ruiz Martinez, Ismael Chanclon Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8240807
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a method that performs a calibration process for determining a number of spit and wipe operations to place each of multiple dies on a print cartridge in a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Behnam Bastani, Alejandro Campillo Agusti, Bryan S. Ly
  • Patent number: 8240808
    Abstract: A maintenance device for an ink-jet head having a head substrate on a surface of which orifices for ejecting ink droplets are formed in a row. A maintenance device includes a removal unit comprising a suction assembly which is disposed in a position that faces the surface of the head substrate having the orifices formed thereon and does not come into contact with the head substrate, and which has formed therein, on a surface opposite the head substrate surface on which the orifices are formed, a first and second suction ports, each being slit-like and elongated in a direction parallel to an orifice array direction; and a suction pump which draws air from inside the suction assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sasayama
  • Patent number: 8240809
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an ink-jet head including a plurality of nozzle openings from which ink is ejected and an ink ejection surface in which the plurality of nozzle openings are formed; a waste-ink receiving mechanism which receives the ink ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings; a set of (a) a wiper configured to wipe the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface and (b) an absorbing member configured to absorb the ink received by the waste-ink receiving mechanism and to be brought into contact with the ink ejection surface such that the absorbing member adheres the ink thereto; and a driving mechanism configured to drive at least one of the ink-jet head and the set of the wiper and the absorbing member, such that the wiper and the absorbing member are, one of together and independently, moved relative to the ink ejection surface while being opposed thereto, and such that the absorbing member adheres the ink to the ink ejection surface and the wiper wipes the ink adhered by the abso
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Goro Okada
  • Patent number: 8240810
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has an inkjet printhead and a printhead maintenance station. The maintenance station includes a maintenance roller which is rotatable and moveable between a first position in which a capping portion is sealingly engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the capping portion is disengaged from the printhead. The maintenance roller is mounted on a chassis which is reciprocally moveable between the first and second positions. The printer includes an engagement mechanism for moving the chassis between the first and second positions by complementary engagement with engagement formations on the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zamtec Limited
    Inventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Vesa Karppinen, Patrick John McAuliffe, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8240811
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus including: an ink-jet head; a feeding mechanism which includes a feeding member having a feeding surface and which is configured to feed a sheet on the feeding surface in a feeding direction; a supplying mechanism which supplies the sheet to the feeding mechanism; and a controller which controls operations of the ink-jet head, the feeding mechanism, and the supplying mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to perform a first control in which the ink is ejected directly onto the feeding surface and a second control in which the sheet is, after the first control, supplied from the supplying mechanism to the feeding mechanism such that the sheet absorbs the ink on the feeding surface that has been ejected from the ink-jet head in the first control, and in which the sheet is fed by the feeding mechanism during the ejection of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Sakano
  • Patent number: 8240812
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head which discharges ink, an ink absorbing member which receives ink uselessly ejected by the recording head, directly from the recording head, or indirectly through another member, and a vibration application unit which applies vibration to the ink absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 8240813
    Abstract: A drip bib has been configured for use with a printhead of an imaging device that facilitates removal of purged ink from a printhead. The drip bib includes a plate having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and at least one elongated recess on the rear face of the plate and positioned along the upper edge of the plate, the at least one elongated recess enabling the front face of the plate to be recessed with respect to the faceplate of the printhead to which the drip bib is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Q. Lu, William R. Klimley
  • Patent number: 8240814
    Abstract: A printing head, which can suppress the occurrence of cracks in a printing element substrate, even if accidentally dropped, includes the printing element substrate, an ink flow passage and a sheet-shaped portion comprising a rectangular major surface. A rear surface side of the major surface of the sheet-shaped portion is provided with a space formed separately from the ink flow passage. A surface adjacent to the major surface is provided with an opening of the space formed therein, and the sheet-shaped portion is provided with a concave portion formed on the rear surface side of two regions between the printing element substrate and two corner portions arranged proximate to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Saikawa, Kyosuke Toda, Keiichiro Tsukuda, Takayuki Ono
  • Patent number: 8240815
    Abstract: An inkjet head includes a recording element substrate for discharging ink, a supply port penetrating the recording element substrate and serving as an ink flow path, a protrusion formed at a position surrounding the supply port, projecting from one surface of the recording element substrate, and having a first metal layer at a distal end, and a supporting member having a second metal layer welded with the first metal layer and supporting the recording element substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Uyama, Souta Takeuchi, Hirokazu Komuro
  • Patent number: 8240816
    Abstract: A detachably mountable ink tank for an inkjet printhead, the ink tank includes a housing for enclosing a reservoir for liquid ink; a rim extending outwardly from the housing; an ink supply port enclosed within the rim; and an ink fill port enclosed within the rim, wherein the ink fill port is configured to receive an ink fill tube to provide liquid ink to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin J. O'Leary, Steven L. Moore
  • Patent number: 8240817
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid ejector includes positioning a fluid ejection module such that it is adjacent to a mounting frame, applying heat to a thermohardening glue that is between the fluid ejection module and the mounting frame, and curing the glue to secure the fluid ejection module to the mounting frame. The heat is applied with a heating element at least partially embedded in the glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Steve Deming
  • Patent number: 8240818
    Abstract: A method forms apertures in a polymer aperture plate configured for use in a piezoelectric print head. The method includes bonding a polymer aperture plate to an outlet plate configured with outlets, and aligning a laser with the outlets in the outlet plate to ablate apertures in the polymer aperture plate that are aligned with the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Andrews, David A. Tence, Terrance Lee Stephens
  • Patent number: 8240819
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes a piezoelectric element including pressure chambers and partition walls, a nozzle plate including nozzles which are laser-machined, an adhesive which adheres the nozzle plate to the partition walls, a first protection film covering an electrode, and a second protection film which is stacked on the first protection film. The adhesive includes an excess portion which protrudes into the pressure chamber. A cut portion along a direction of radiation of a laser beam is formed at the excess portion. The second protection film includes a damage hole at an area on which the laser beam is made incident. The first protection film is exposed from the damage hole. A part of the first protection film, which corresponds to the damage hole, has a film thickness of 0.1 ?m to 0.5 ?m, and the first protection film has a refractive index of 1.1 to 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Seki