Patents Issued in June 18, 2013
  • Patent number: 8465098
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint support adapted to be mounted to a seat back frame. A transverse shaft is pivotally mounted to the support. A post is connected to the shaft for supporting a head restraint. A biasing member is connected to the support and the shaft for biasing the post to a collapsed position. An eccentric projection extends from a central region of the shaft. A latching mechanism is provided on the support and oriented within a path of rotation of the projection to engage the projection and maintain the head restraint in an upright position. Retraction of the latching mechanism permits the biasing member to pivot the head restraint to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Patent number: 8465099
    Abstract: A seating device is proposed for a person sitting in an ergonomic position helpful to relieve pressure on intervertebral disks, which includes a seating surface for supporting the buttocks of the person and where the instep of the person's feet is placed on a foot rest provided. The seating surface is supported by at least one U shaped support which includes a rocker by which the seated person can tilt the seating surface into the most comfortable and ergonomic position. The foot rest is divided into two partial sections which flank the support and which are connected by connecting means so that the rocking motion of the support can proceed unencumbered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Stephan George Ayikwei Addy
  • Patent number: 8465100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable footrest including a top plate, a leg which supports the top plate and which is foldable, a support for maintaining the leg at an upright state, and a slider which has a square C-shaped sliding portion formed at a portion of both sides thereof and ended at an end thereof, and which has protrusions formed at a lower surface thereof. The slider is arranged at both sides of the top plate, and the sliding portion of the slider moves along an edge of the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Jung Eung Kim
  • Patent number: 8465101
    Abstract: A guard device for preventing accumulation of items under a piece of furniture featuring a center panel, a first extension plate, a second extension plate, a third extension plate, a fourth extension plate, and a back panel. The panel and extension plates removably attach to each other via attachment means and together form a barrier around a piece of furniture with the extension plates functioning as side panels. The attachment means allow the height, width, and length of the device to be adjusted to fit around the piece of furniture. The device also features securing tabs pivotally attached to the top edge of both the center panel and back panel. The securing tabs help keep the device secured around the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Dawn R. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 8465102
    Abstract: The present invention provides a child safety seat installed within a motor vehicle, including both upper portions of a harness web threaded through a pair of sleeves surrounding that portion of the web proximate a child's chest area. It is an object of this invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the harness webs, tangs and buckle, falling into the depression or concavity formed by the contours of the seat, interfering with placing a child within the seat. The upper portions of both webs are required to be connected laterally to offer protection against separation in the event of a sudden deceleration. The sleeves therefore include a latchable connector to selectively couple or uncouple one sleeve to another. A magnet is positioned upon each sleeve, and metallic strips embedded within the seat sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Brian James Morrissey
  • Patent number: 8465103
    Abstract: A transport device has a chassis with a front end and a rear end. The device has a continuous track supporting the chassis above a surface configured to move the chassis along the surface. A handle extends from the front end or rear end of the chassis and has a grip section positioned to be gripped by a user walking ahead of or behind the chassis. A motor is coupled and arranged to drive the continuous track and is operable by a user manipulating the handle. The worktop can be reconfigurable to at least two optional arrangements having different storage or support capabilities. The worktop can also be interchangeable with other different worktops having different storage or support capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: John Burt, Jacqueline Crozier
  • Patent number: 8465104
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extraction system for mineral extraction, having a machine frame which is movable along a conveying device and which for each direction of travel, on its front side that, in operation, lies facing a working face, has hewing tools for the minerals to be won, and having a sensor system, disposed on the machine frame, for mineral/host rock recognition. In order to provide an extraction system which can be provided with or used with an improved sensor system, a retaining box for the sensor device is fastened in projecting arrangement to the front side of the machine frame, the retaining box preferably containing a georadar as the sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian M. Mundry, Marco Ahler, Simon Pauli, Stefan Hengstler, Henner Ruschkamp
  • Patent number: 8465105
    Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine and a transmission operatively engaging the engine. The transmission has at least one input shaft and at least one output shaft, wherein a ratio of a rotational speed of the output shaft with respect to a rotational speed of the input shaft may be changed by said transmission. The work vehicle further includes a cutter drum operatively engaging said transmission and a controller, wherein the controller selects the transmission ratio based on an input of a user of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: CMI Terex Corporation
    Inventors: Carl D. Parker, E. Leroy Henderson
  • Patent number: 8465106
    Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle wheel and wheel cover assembly comprising the steps of: (a) providing a wheel cover having an inner surface and an outer surface; (b) selectively applying at least one shot of a first adhesive material to a portion of the inner surface of the wheel cover to define a predetermined masked area; (c) providing a vehicle wheel having an outboard face; (d) positioning the wheel cover and the vehicle wheel relative to one another whereby at least one cavity is formed between the inner surface of the wheel cover, the outboard face of the vehicle wheel, and the masked area of the wheel cover defined by the first adhesive material; and (e) selectively applying a second adhesive material to the cavity to secure the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Yee, Joseph Wolf
  • Patent number: 8465107
    Abstract: An air braking system for a vehicle blends regenerative and foundation braking during low deceleration conditions in an effective and controlled manner. The braking system also includes a mechanical override that bypasses system electronics in response to an aggressive brake request such that treadle circuit pressure is sent directly to a brake relay circuit to actuate vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8465108
    Abstract: Techniques for enhancing the use of a motion capture system are provided. A motion capture system tracks movement and audio inputs from a person in a physical space, and provides the inputs to an application, which displays a virtual space on a display. Bodily movements can be used to define traits of an avatar in the virtual space. The person can be directed to perform the movements by a coaching avatar, or visual or audio cues in the virtual space. The application can respond to the detected movements and voice commands or voice volume of the person to define avatar traits and initiate pre-scripted audio-visual events in the virtual space to provide an entertaining experience. A performance in the virtual space can be captured and played back with automatic modifications, such as alterations to the avatar's voice or appearance, or modifications made by another person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Relja Markovic, Stephen G Latta, Kevin A Geisner, Christopher Vuchetich, Darren A Bennett, Brian S Murphy, Shawn C Wright
  • Patent number: 8465109
    Abstract: A core bar for a rubber crawler capable of enhancing the durability of the rubber crawler by preventing an end-cutting phenomenon in which cracking is generated at the end of the core bar in a crawler lateral direction of the core bar embedded in the rubber crawler when the rubber crawler rides over a curbstone at the road shoulder of a paved road, stones and obstacles on irregular ground, and is pressed in a lateral direction. In the core bar (1) constituting the rubber crawler (3) and embedded in a rubber crawler body (3a), an enlarged width part (2) is formed by elongating the longitudinal end part of the core bar (1) beyond the width dimension of the core bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fukuyama Gomu Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kimura, Satoshi Morishita
  • Patent number: 8465110
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan Clarke, Kevin Steiner, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Patent number: 8465111
    Abstract: A print head for use in a fused deposition modeling system, the print head includes a cartridge assembly and a liquefier pump assembly retained by the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, J. Samuel Batchelder, Kevin C. Johnson, Timothy A. Hjelsand
  • Patent number: 8465112
    Abstract: A droplet ejecting component of the present invention includes an ejecting component having a charge and discharge characteristic, an applying component being provided with a transistor, and an increasing component. The ejecting component ejects a droplet. When a control signal is inputted, the applying component applies an application voltage to the ejecting component, and the increasing component increases the impedance of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinao Kondoh
  • Patent number: 8465113
    Abstract: A jetting module is provided for installation in a printhead including mounting features, fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, mounting features, and fluid and electrical connections. The mounting features of the jetting module are configured to engage the mounting features of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module are located relative to the mounting features of the jetting module such that a force applied to couple the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module and the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead provides force to maintain contact between the mounting features of the jetting module and the mounting features of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Hanchak, Mikhail Fishkin, Douglas E. Schultz, Charles D. Rike, Robert J. Simon
  • Patent number: 8465115
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus acquires, from image data, gradation information in a region corresponding to a connected portion at which recording chips are overlapped with each other, sets, based on the acquired gradation information, control information for controlling recording rates of respective recording elements of a plurality of recording chips that are connected in an overlapped state, and according to the set control information, generates, from the image data, dot data for respective recording elements of the plurality of recording chips that are connected in the overlapped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Fuse, Takashi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8465116
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus and a printing method, the frequency of an operation of detecting an inappropriate ejection state of each ejection port is increased, while allowing a decrease in throughput to be suppressed. The printing apparatus includes a first ejection state sensing unit for carrying out an ejection state sensing process in which determination of whether or not ejected droplets are normal is executed, during a single process, on all the ejection ports formed in the print head. The printing apparatus further includes a second ejection state sensing unit for carrying out the ejection state sensing process on the ejection ports in a part of a plurality of ejection port groups into which the plurality of ejection ports formed in the print head are divided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Mori, Kiyomi Aono
  • Patent number: 8465117
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a head that is provided with a first-nozzle-row and a second-nozzle-row, a platen that is provided with a plurality of convex-portions, and a control unit repeats an operation of ejecting fluid from the nozzles moving in two directions of a forward-path and a backward-path. The control unit adjusts the ejecting time such that, at the medium of the convex-portions, an amount-of-deviation in the movement-direction of the dots formed on the forward-path and the backward-path by the first-nozzle-row is less than an amount-of-deviation of the dots formed on the forward-path and backward-path by the second-nozzle-row. In the ejection operation, and such that the position in the movement-direction of the dots formed by the second-nozzle-row is a position opposite to the side on which the head moves in the movement-direction with respect to the position in the movement-direction of the dots formed by the first-nozzle-row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akito Sato, Tomohiro Yuda, Takahide Miyashita, Naoki Sudo, Mai Kubota, Bunji Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 8465118
    Abstract: A printing system and method form one or more pretreatment compositions on a medium. The one or more pretreatment compositions are selected based upon a parameter of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ali Emamjomeh, George Sarkisian, Blair A. Butler, Elizabeth Ann Visnyak, Sean W. Dobbins, David S. Vejtasa
  • Patent number: 8465119
    Abstract: A cleaning control method accurately detects the nozzle recovery condition after cleaning and efficiently eliminates ejection problems. When a regular cleaning command is received from a host device 31, the inkjet printer 1 applies an ink suction operation to the inkjet head 13 as a first cleaning step. After the ink suction operation ends, a nozzle check is performed after waiting a delay time T. If a faulty nozzle is detected, a second ink suction operation is performed, the delay time T is waited, and the nozzle check is then run again. The ink suction operation, waiting delay time T, and nozzle check repeat during regular cleaning until the number of faulty nozzles is less than or equal to a reference number, or the nozzle check has been performed a maximum number of times. Each delay time T is set according to the suction strength in the ink suction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyomi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8465120
    Abstract: An electronic device, including a carriage conveyance mechanism, a sheet conveyance mechanism, and a controller including: a failure detecting portion configured to detect a carriage conveyance failure; a position detecting portion configured to detect a carriage position of on a carriage conveyance path; a conveyance start position storage portion configured to store a conveyance start position of the carriage; a failure occurrence position identifying portion configured to identify a failure occurrence position; an outer-edge position identifying portion configured to identify a position of an outer edge of a sheet passing area which is an area in the carriage conveyance path; and a jam judging portion configured to judge that the detected conveyance failure is due to a sheet jam where the outer-edge position is present between the conveyance start position stored by the conveyance start position storage portion and the failure occurrence position identified by the failure occurrence position identifying po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taketo Numata
  • Patent number: 8465121
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes: a fluid ejecting head in which nozzles that eject fluid are provided; a wiper that wipes a nozzle formation face, in which nozzle orifices of the nozzles are formed, in the fluid ejecting head; and a pressurization mechanism which changes the curvature of a concave liquid surface formed in the nozzle, in the nozzle by performing pressurization on the fluid in the fluid ejecting head at the time of the wiping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Masaru Kobashi, Kiyoteru Katsuki
  • Patent number: 8465122
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a liquid jetting head which has a liquid jetting surface being formed with a nozzle to jet a liquid to a recording medium; a wiper which makes contact with the liquid jetting surface to bend and wipes away the liquid adhered to the liquid jetting surface; a movement mechanism which moves the wiper relative to the liquid jetting surface in a wipe direction along the liquid jetting surface; a movement controller which stops the wiper, which has wiped away the liquid adhered to the liquid jetting surface by moving relative to the liquid jetting surface in the wipe direction, at a predetermined stop position; and a separating mechanism which separates the wiper stopped by the movement controller from the liquid jetting surface in a separating direction intersecting the liquid jetting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kato
  • Patent number: 8465123
    Abstract: A waste liquid recovery apparatus includes a container body; a liquid absorbing body which is accommodated in the container body and absorbs liquid discharged as a waste liquid; and a sealing member which seals the container body, wherein a first space into which liquid is discharged from a liquid ejecting head and a second space which links with the outside through a ventilation hole formed in the sealing member are formed in a space closed by the container body and the sealing body, and the first space and the second space are connected with each other at the ventilation hole side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8465124
    Abstract: A carriage guide mechanism for a printer enables using plural rolling bearings to move a carriage along a guide shaft with no play or vibration. The carriage bearing units of the printer carriage guide mechanism have three rolling bearings each that hold the guide shaft from three directions. The outer ring of each rolling bearing makes line contact with the outer ring roller surfaces, which each face a different direction and are formed on the guide plate of the guide shaft, and contact therebetween is maintained by the urging force of a flat spring. Because chatter and vibration, particularly play and vibration around the center axis of the guide shaft, can be prevented when the carriage moves, a drop in print quality due to vibration of the printhead caused by carriage chatter or vibration can be reliably prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hironori Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8465125
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes plural heads each having a nozzle configured to discharge a droplet of a recording fluid; a distributing member to which the plural heads are attached, the distributing member having an inlet portion, a supply channel portion, and a common fluid chamber communicated with the inlet portion and configured to supply the recording fluid to the plural heads; and a fluid containing unit configured to supply the recording fluid to the distributing member via the inlet portion and the supply channel portion. The distributing member includes a flow-directing wall disposed between the supply channel portion and the common fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Tsubaki, Tatsuro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8465126
    Abstract: A liquid jet head has an actuator with grooves arranged on a surface of a substrate. The actuator is configured to discharge liquid from nozzles communicating with respective ones of the grooves. A flow path member supplies the liquid to the grooves of the actuator. A damper member is provided between the actuator and the flow path member for coupling the actuator and the flow path member to each other. The damper member is bonded with an adhesive to each of the actuator and the flow path member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: SII Printek Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Murase
  • Patent number: 8465127
    Abstract: A recording head includes flange portions to which spacers are anchored on both sides of the recording head with a head case therebetween. Spacer attachment holes are provided in the flange portions in the center of the width direction orthogonal to a nozzle row in the recording head, and a round hole and an oblong hole relative to the spacers are provided in the flange portions in positions that are distanced from a center line in the width direction. Positioning holes for the flange portions are provided in the spacers in positions that correspond to the round hole and the oblong hole in the flange portions, and the spacers are anchored to the flange portions on both sides so as to be oriented symmetrically to each other, in a positioned state in which the positions of the positioning holes are aligned with the round hole and the oblong hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Masayuki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8465128
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head and a circuit board. The liquid jetting head includes a channel unit in which a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of liquid channels communicating with the nozzles respectively are formed, a plurality of drive portions which drive a plurality of deforming portions to deform so as to apply a jetting pressure to a liquid in the liquid channels, a plurality of lead portions arranged to cover the electrodes while maintaining a space between the electrodes and the lead portions, and a plurality of input terminals which are electrically connected to the electrodes via the lead portions. A plurality of connecting terminals which are electrically connected to the input terminals respectively are formed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8465129
    Abstract: A liquid ejection system ejects a liquid jet through a nozzle. A drop formation device modulates the jet causing portions to break off into drop pairs, including first and second drops, separated on average by a drop pair period, and modulates the jet to cause portions to break off into larger third drops separated on average by the same period. A charging device includes a varying electrical potential source providing a waveform including first and second distinct voltage states and a period equal to the drop formation period. The charging device and the formation device are synchronized to produce first, second, and third charge to mass ratios on the first, second, and third drops, respectively. A deflection device causes the first, second, and third drops to travel along first, second, and third paths, respectively. The first and third charge to mass ratios and paths are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg
  • Patent number: 8465130
    Abstract: A printhead includes a drop generator configured to selectively form a large volume drop and a small volume drop from liquid emitted through a nozzle associated with the drop generator, the large volume drop and the small volume drop traveling along an initial drop trajectory, and a gas flow deflection system including a gas flow that interacts with the large volume drop and the small volume drop in a drop deflection zone such that at least the small volume drop is deflected from the initial drop trajectory, the gas flow being provided by a gas flow source connected in fluid communication with a gas flow duct, the gas flow deflection system including a gas flow pressure oscillation dampening structure located between the gas flow source and the drop deflection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jinquan Xu, Joseph E. Yokajty, Todd R. Griffin
  • Patent number: 8465131
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system having a first fluid container having a fluid outlet, a second fluid container having a fluid inlet, a fluid line interconnecting the outlet of the first container and the inlet of the second container, an inverted umbrella valve between the fluid line and the inlet, the valve arranged to allow fluid flow from the first container to the second container via the fluid line and a restrictor for restricting the allowed fluid flow through the fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Zamtec Ltd
    Inventors: Christopher Hibbard, Kent Benjamen Kwan, Edward Ellis Esdaile-Watts, Geoffrey Philip Dyer, Jeff Borra, Ryan Root, Jon Lucas, Tom Alesi, Neal Cekalski, Ray Guichard
  • Patent number: 8465132
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes the pressure adjusting valve including a movable member movably disposed in the pressure adjusting valve, a first throttling part; and a second throttling part, wherein the second throttling part is formed as a gap between an internal wall of the frame of the pressure adjusting valve and the movable member, an internal fluid resistance of the pressure adjusting valve varies in response to the flow rate of the liquid, and when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the liquid is fed from the liquid tank to the recording head by the liquid feeding unit in a state where the recording head is in fluid communication with the liquid tank via the pressure adjusting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Katoh, Toshiroh Tokuno, Jun Ichinowatari, Fumitaka Kikkawa, Nobuyuki Akaishi
  • Patent number: 8465133
    Abstract: A bidirectional sealless ink pumping system used in an inkjet printing device includes a liquid ink reservoir and a pump. The pump moves ink from the reservoir through a pumping chamber to supply ink to printheads in the printer, and moves ink from a recirculation receptacle through the pumping chamber to the reservoir. A portion of the ink in the pumping chamber is drawn out of the pumping chamber to lubricate the moving member and is filtered before returning to the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Clark Park, Michael E. Jones
  • Patent number: 8465134
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid containing member configured to contain liquid to be supplied to a recording head for jetting liquid droplets, the liquid containing member having flexibility; and an outer container configured to accommodate the liquid containing member. The liquid containing member includes a liquid supply opening, and a side of the liquid containing member opposite to the liquid supply opening is fixed to an inner surface of the outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8465135
    Abstract: The liquid container has a fixing lever, a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a corner. The fixing lever engages with a designated portion of the liquid consuming device, thereby fixing the liquid container in the liquid consuming device. The fixing lever is provided on the first surface. A liquid supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid consuming device is provided on the second surface. The third surface corresponds to a surface facing opposite the second surface or to a top surface of the liquid container in a state with the liquid container mounted on the liquid consuming device. The corner has a cutout in contact with the first surface and the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Patent number: 8465136
    Abstract: An ink cartridge refill apparatus includes an ink cartridge holder and an ink refill unit which are matched with each other. The ink cartridge holder has an accommodation chamber therein to accommodate an ink cartridge. The ink refill unit includes an ink tank and an ink delivery unit. An air extraction mechanism is provided on the ink cartridge holder to extract air from the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge holder has a passage for the air extraction mechanism to extract air relative to a nozzle of the ink cartridge. Through the air extraction mechanism, the ink cartridge is primed after being filled with ink, so that ink can freely flow to the nozzle of the ink cartridge from the ink tank of the ink cartridge. Compared to the prior art ink cartridge refill apparatus which needs an auxiliary tool to extract air after being refilled, the present invention is convenient for operation and can prevent the ink cartridge from leaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Master Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth Yuen
  • Patent number: 8465137
    Abstract: An ink cartridge is detachably mounted on a cartridge holder. At least one first reflector is provided in the cartridge holder. A reflective-type optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The optical sensor is operable to form an optical path originated from the light emitter to the light receiver via the first reflector. A shading member is provided in the ink cartridge operable to shade the optical path when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. A second reflector is provided in the ink cartridge. The second reflector reflects light emitted from the light emitter and varies an intensity thereof in accordance with an ink amount remaining in the ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Fujikawa, Tomoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8465138
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8465139
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a drop ejector array, an ink passageway for providing ink to the drop ejector array, and a thermally actuated degassing unit. The degassing unit itself includes a body enclosing an air chamber, a check valve configured to allow air to vent from the air chamber to ambient when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds ambient air pressure by a predetermined amount. The thermal degassing unit includes a thermally-induced pressure build-up time to increase the pressure in the air chamber. The air chamber is allowed to cool which causes internal pressure to drop below ambient and draws gas out of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Price, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 8465140
    Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and spaced apart from the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Rike, John C. Brazas, Michael S. Hanchak, James D. McCann, Randy L. Fagerquist
  • Patent number: 8465141
    Abstract: A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and in contact with the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber and includes a plurality of flow through channels. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles D. Rike, John C. Brazas, Michael S. Hanchak, James D. McCann, Randy L. Fagerquist
  • Patent number: 8465142
    Abstract: An aqueous inkjet printing fluid composition for use in an inkjet printer including a silicon-based material which contacts the aqueous printing fluid composition, having in a concentration sufficient to inhibit corrosion of the silicon-based material when contacted by the aqueous printing fluid composition a soluble metal ligand complex having a divalent or a trivalent metal M and one or more organic ligands of Formula (I): wherein X may be chosen from the group consisting of H and carboalkoxy, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, hetaryl, carboxy, sulfo and phospho substituents; and Y may be chosen from the group consisting of H and carboalkoxy, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, hetaryl, carboxy, amino, hydroxyl, sulfo and phospho substituents. The useful lifetime of microelectromechanical fluidic devices based on silicon fabrication is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Irving, Steven Evans, Yongcai Wang, Margaret D. Steele
  • Patent number: 8465143
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are described for a continuous line process of printing a digital continuously variable image on a textile. The systems and methods provide for accomplishing all tasks associated with printing a textile simultaneously for multiple textiles at varying stages of the printing process without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: CafePress Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Marino, Fred Edward Durham, III
  • Patent number: 8465144
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for printing directly onto textiles including digitally printing an image in a single pass. The systems and methods provide for printing in one pass, thereby reducing distortion from movement of the textile or misalignment of the print head(s). The systems and methods provide for a second print head that may operate as a redundant print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: CafePress Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Marino, Fred Edward Durham, III, Christopher Allen Freeman
  • Patent number: 8465145
    Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes: a fluid ejecting unit that ejects a colored fluid and a colorless fluid toward a fluid ejection target medium; an irradiating unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays onto a fluid that lies on or over the fluid ejection target medium so as to cure the fluid; and a controlling unit that controls the fluid ejecting operation of the fluid ejecting unit and the ultraviolet ray irradiating operation of the irradiating unit. The controlling unit performs control so that the colorless fluid is ejected on an image that is made of the colored fluid that landed on the fluid ejection target medium. After the start of the agglomeration of the colorless fluid that landed on the image, the controlling unit performs control so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the colorless fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Usuda, Toshio Kumagai, Kazutoshi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8465146
    Abstract: A movable member encoder is used to detect the position of a movable member, and a correction value calculator calculates a correction value corresponding to the amount of displacement of the movable member from a reference position and the integration of the amount of displacement. The correction value calculated by the correction value calculator is then used in correcting a voltage instruction value output from a feed motor controller to a feed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Satoh, Jun Yamane, Masato Kobayashi, Norikazu Taki, Tatsuhiko Okada, Daisaku Horikawa, Daisuke Sawada
  • Patent number: 8465147
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a pair of first rollers which transports a recording medium in a transporting direction, a platen arranged at a downstream side of the transporting direction with respect to the first rollers, and which supports the recording medium, a pair of second rollers arranged at the downstream side of the transporting direction with respect to the platen, and which transports the recording medium in the transporting direction, a recording head arranged to face the platen and which jets ink droplets onto the recording medium supported by the platen, and a guide mechanism which changes an attitude of the guide member between a first attitude in which a front end of the recording medium is guided to a nipping position of the second rollers, and a second attitude in which the front end of the recording medium is guided to a lower position than the nipping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naokazu Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 8465148
    Abstract: A printing machine for printing on a web includes a plurality of guide rollers for guiding the web through a simplex and a duplex path in the printing machine. The duplex path is adjacent and laterally shifted with respect to the simplex path. An apparatus for turning or laterally shifting the web and transfer the web from the simplex path to the duplex path includes four rollers. 90° twists are present between rollers 1 and 2 and between rollers 3 and 4. Rollers 1 and 4 are substantially parallel, and rollers 2 and 3 are substantially parallel. Rollers 1 and 4 are substantially at right angles to rollers 2 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Eckhard Bauer, Domingo Rohde, Thomas Koester, Randy Eugene Armbruster, Christopher M. Muir, Bradley Charles DeCook, Nathan J Turner, William F. Dassero