Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
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Patent number: 9289999Abstract: A liquid storage container includes a liquid storage section configured to store a liquid, a liquid injection section configured to inject the liquid into the liquid storage section, a liquid injection port defined as an intersection at which the liquid injection section and the liquid storage section intersect each other, an air chamber communicated with air, an air introduction path communicated to the air chamber and configured to introduce the air to the air chamber, a communicating passage through which the liquid storage section and the air chamber are communicated to each other, a first connecting port, which is a connecting port between the air introduction path and the air chamber, being located below a position that is lowered by a first distance from an upper end of the air chamber and located above a position that is raised by a second distance from a lower end of the air chamber in a posture where a liquid injection port is oriented upward in the intersecting direction, and a second connecting poType: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Yasunori Koike, Takashi Mano
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Patent number: 9290000Abstract: A first case has a first surface parallel to a first direction to place a bag thereon. A second case has a second surface facing the first surface. An elastic member is provided on the first surface and generates restoring force in the first direction by extending in a second direction. A shaft portion takes up an end portion at the second direction side of the elastic member then moves to the first direction by the restoring force and takes up the bag. Either end portion of the first case in a third direction has a first protruding portion. Either end portion of the second case in the third direction has a second protruding portion. Either end portion of the shaft portion in the third direction has a protruding end portion. The first and second protruding portion guide the protruding end portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yutaka Takagiwa
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Patent number: 9290001Abstract: A liquid container includes an ink chamber containing an ink to be supplied via a tube to a liquid ejecting head consuming the ink; an outlet port from which the ink contained in the ink chamber flows to the tube side; an injection port through which the ink can be injected into the ink chamber; and an air intake port taking air into the ink chamber from a further vertically upper position than a liquid level of the ink when the ink is contained in the ink chamber. If the ink equal to 5% of containing capacity containable in the ink chamber flows from the outlet port, the liquid container has an area where a fluctuation range of the liquid level of the ink inside the ink chamber becomes 5% or less of the cubic root of the containing capacity.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shoma Kudo, Takashi Koase, Toshiya Okada, Yasunori Koike, Tetsuya Takamoto, Nobutaka Suzuki, Satoshi Tamai, Toru Nakazawa, Katsutomo Tsukahara, Masayuki Kanazawa, Naofumi Mimura, Keigo Iizawa, Yutaka Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9290002Abstract: With an ink cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting section of a printer, an apparatus-side terminal elastically comes in contact with a container-side terminal of a container-side circuit substrate. The container-side terminal includes a curved edge portion at a corner portion in which a groove of a substrate surface comes in contact with a substrate end surface. Depths of the grooves in container-side terminals are different and positions of contact sections with the apparatus-side terminals are different in the edge portions. As a result, positions in directions in which elastic forces act from the apparatus-side terminals are different for each contact section and the elastic forces having values and directions which are not uniform act on the container-side circuit substrate at different positions. Thus, it is possible to suppress positional shift of the container-side circuit substrate and to suppress contact failure between the container-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tomoo Kubota
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Patent number: 9290003Abstract: An inkjet ink container is disclosed comprising a polymer compound comprising an oxygen scavenging composition. The oxygen scavenging composition is selected from the group consisting of copolymers of polycondensate segments and oxygen scavenging moiety segments; oxygen scavenging unsaturated polymers; oxygen scavenging dendrimers; molecular hydrogen generators; and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: PolyOne CorporationInventors: Lynn I. Marrs, Roger W. Avakian, John H. Hornickel
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Patent number: 9290004Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a head body configured to eject liquid, a flow path member including a liquid flow path for supplying the liquid to the head body, and a circuit substrate held by the flow path member and including a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature. The flow path member includes a detection region, which has a thermal resistance lower than a thermal resistance of other regions and which is provided in a part of a partition wall that partitions the liquid flow path. The circuit substrate is fixed to the flow path member in a state in which the temperature detection unit faces the detection region.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroshige Owaki, Katsuhiro Okubo, Haruhisa Uezawa
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Patent number: 9290005Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a first discharge unit to form an image on a recording medium; and a second discharge unit including a nozzle line that discharges transparent droplets on the image formed on the recording medium. The second discharge unit moves in a first direction relative to the recording medium and the nozzle line has nozzles in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. After the image formation, the second discharge unit discharges the transparent droplets from the nozzles spaced at m?1 nozzle intervals to form a row of dots in the second direction, and repeats the forming while moving to form m rows in the first direction, such that the dots in the rows are formed at m?1 nozzle intervals and positions of the dots between n-th and n?1-th rows are displaced together by one nozzle in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Akiyama, Ryuuta Katoh, Kazuki Yasu, Yoshinari Suzuki
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Patent number: 9290006Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to heat and fix a measurement image formed by an image forming unit to a sheet, a measurement unit arranged downstream of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and configured to measure color of the fixed measurement image, a conversion unit configured to convert a measurement result of the measurement unit into a measurement result at a predetermined temperature based on conversion setting information set in advance, a setting unit configured to set a mode for generating the conversion setting information, and a generation unit configured to generate the conversion setting information by causing the image forming unit to form the measurement image on the sheet, causing the fixing unit to fix the formed measurement image, and causing the measurement unit to repeatedly measure the fixed measurement image in response to setting of the mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomohisa Itagaki
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Patent number: 9290007Abstract: The present invention is to provide a thermal transfer image receiving sheet which is able to provide excellent printing sensitivity and prevent the generation of poor image quality in high density areas and folded lines even during high speed printing, and an image forming method for forming an image on the thermal transfer image receiving sheet. Presented is a thermal transfer image receiving sheet containing a substrate and, on at least one surface of the substrate, a composite porous layer containing a thermoplastic resin, and a dye receiving layer in this order from the substrate, wherein the composite porous layer contains a porous core layer and non-porous skin layers layered on both surfaces of the porous core layer; a total thickness of the non-porous skin layers is 5 to 15% of a whole thickness of the composite porous layer; and a density of the composite porous layer is 0.65 to 0.74 g/cm3.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Yamamuro, Masayuki Tani, Shinji Kometani
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Patent number: 9290008Abstract: A laser marking method and system, and laser marked object are disclosed. The method includes directing a pulsed laser beam towards an object such that an interface between an oxidized layer and non-oxidized substrate is in a mark zone of the pulsed laser beam, and scanning the pulsed laser beam across the object in a predetermined pattern to create a mark having an L value of less than 40 and a surface roughness that is substantially unchanged compared to adjacent unmarked areas. The system includes a fiber laser generating amplified pulses that are directed towards a galvo-scanner and focusing optic, while the object includes an oxidized surface layer, an underlying non-oxidized substrate, and a mark having an L value of less than 40 with substantially unchanged roughness features.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: nLIGHT Photonics CorporationInventors: Xiaojun Li, Kirk Price, Jason Farmer, Ethan McGrath
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Patent number: 9290009Abstract: A laser label printer for use with a laser markable medium includes a laser-diode fiber-coupled to an optical train, which includes a focusing lens for focusing the radiation on the medium. The focusing lens is traversed across the medium, with incremental motion of the medium between traverses, for line by line printing of the label. The printer includes a feature for protecting the focusing lens from contamination, and self-diagnostic and adjustment features.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: Sergei Govorkov, John H. Jerman
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Patent number: 9290010Abstract: A method and system for applying and reading a fractal image to and from a plurality of objects to act as an identification label is provided. The system includes a printer for printing a fractal pattern to the plurality of objects and a reader for reading the printed fractal pattern. Such a fractal image is robust to printing and imaging difficulties and inconsistencies, and is difficult to copy, thus defending against counterfeiting.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ai Cure Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanina, Maurice Lepouttre, Lei Guan
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Patent number: 9290011Abstract: A printer includes a cassette mounting portion, a feed portion, a print head, a mechanical sensor, and a sensor holding portion. The cassette mounting portion is configured such that a tape cassette can be removably mounted therein. The tape cassette includes a tape and an indicator portion indicating a type of the tape. The feed portion is configured to feed, along a specified feed path, the tape contained in the tape cassette mounted in the cassette mounting portion. The print head is configured to perform printing on the tape fed by the feed portion. The mechanical sensor is configured to detect the type of the tape indicated by the indicator portion. The mechanical sensor includes a plurality of switch terminals and a switch holding portion. The sensor holding portion is configured to hold the mechanical sensor and to be moved between a first position and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuma Hojo, Shinji Kobayashi, Masashi Tanizaki, Masashi Iwamoto
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Patent number: 9290012Abstract: A print control apparatus may include a determination unit and a print control unit. The print control apparatus causes a printing unit to perform duplex printing on a continuous sheet and the determination unit determines whether a continuous sheet usable by a first print job is the same as a continuous sheet usable by a second print job. If the determination unit determines that the two continuous sheets are the same, the print control unit perform controls to, cause the printing unit to continuously print images of the first print job to be arranged on a first surface of the continuous sheet and images of the second print job to be arranged on the first surface and thereafter cause the printing unit to print images of the first print job and the second print job to be arranged on an opposite surface of the continuous sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazunari Shishido, Sho Nakamura, Takayoshi Noguchi, Atsushi Hirahara
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Patent number: 9290013Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus 100 is provided with a fabric feeding section A having a medium for recording 1 composed of a fabric, an inkjet section B for performing inkjet recording on the medium for recording 1 fed from the fabric feeding section A to form a recorded medium 1a, and a treating section C1, C2 having a drying section 11, 21 for drying the recorded medium 1a and a collecting section 12, 22 for collecting the dried recorded medium, the drying section 11, 21 and the collecting section 12, 22 being integrated with each other, where the treating section C1, C2 is attachable to and detachable from the inkjet section B.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: MIYAKOSHI PRINTING MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hideo Izawa, Takao Namiki, Yasushi Katagiri, Akira Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9290014Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus 1 which is able to print high quality images by changing ultraviolet intensity in the sub-scanning direction. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a carriage moving back and forth in the main scanning direction, inkjet heads 5 mounted on the carriage 4 for discharging ink droplets, and an ultraviolet irradiator 6 mounted on the carriage 4 for irradiating ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiators 6 include a plurality of UVLEDs 63 provided on a center of a bottom surface of a concave portion 62 of the irradiators 6 and arranged in the sub-scanning direction, and a plurality of partition walls 64 provided between the UVLEDs 63 and having a flat plate shape extended in the main scanning direction. The ultraviolet intensity in the sub-scanning direction can be changed by controlling each UVLED 63.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Masakatsu Ohkawa, Tomotaka Furuhata
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Patent number: 9290015Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording method where it is possible to obtain a printed material where the elution amount (migration) to the outside of the components in a cured ink composition is small and there is little character blurring, and a printed material. The ink jet recording method of the present invention includes a step of ejecting an ink composition which contains 3-methyl pentanediol diacrylate of 30 mass % or more with respect to the total ink composition from an ink jet head onto a support, and a step of irradiating active rays in an atmosphere where the oxygen partial pressure is 0.10 atm or less to cure the ink composition.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yuuichi Hayata
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Patent number: 9290016Abstract: A printing system is disclosed which comprises an image forming station 12 at which an ink that includes an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent is applied to an outer surface of an intermediate transfer member 10 to form an ink image, a drying station 14 for drying the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent; and an impression station 16 at which the residue film is transferred to a substrate. The intermediate transfer member 10 comprises a thin flexible substantially inextensible belt and the impression station 16 comprises an impression cylinder 20 and a pressure cylinder 18 having a compressible outer surface for urging the belt against the impression cylinder to cause the residue film resting on the outer surface of the belt 10 to be transferred onto a substrate passing between the belt 10 and the impression cylinder 20 during engagement with the pressure cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: LANDA CORPORATION LTD.Inventors: Benzion Landa, Aharon Shmaiser, Itshak Ashkanazi
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Patent number: 9290017Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a plurality of kinds of photocurable type liquids, an irradiation unit that irradiates light that cures the liquids, a liquid receiving portion that is capable of receiving the liquids that are ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and a control unit that controls the ejection of the liquids from the liquid ejecting head. Among the plurality of kinds of liquids that are ejected, the control unit ejects a liquid that is cured with most ease when the light is irradiated before at least one different liquid other than the liquid in a case in which the plurality of kinds of liquids are ejected into the liquid receiving portion from the liquid ejecting head.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Atsushi Yoshida
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Patent number: 9290018Abstract: A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. The printing system comprises two lineheads disposed opposite a first side of the print medium, wherein the two lineheads have a common orientation relative to a horizontal direction. At least one roller is disposed under each linehead and in contact with a second side of the print medium. At least one vacuum assembly is disposed under each linehead, each vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite the second side of the print medium, where the vacuum manifold outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print medium such that at least a portion of the second side of the print medium is deflected away from the two lineheads.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Randy Dae Vandagriff, Michael J. Piatt
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Patent number: 9290019Abstract: A recording paper supply mechanism 20 of a roll paper printer 1 has a roll paper holder 26 that holds the sides of a paper roll 12 on the transverse axis X at a position above Z1 the roll paper receiver 25. A delivery roller 22 is disposed above Z1 the paper roll 12 on the roll paper receiver 25. A detection unit 24 has a emitter 24A and photodetector 24B position so a detection beam L travels diagonally below the delivery roller 22, and the detection beam L intersects the path A of paper roll 12 movement when rising toward the delivery roller 22. A near-end state can therefore be detected based on output of the detection unit 24 even when the paper roll 12 is raised by force pulling in the delivery direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroyuki Nakayama
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Patent number: 9290020Abstract: A printing system including a plurality of printheads for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, at least one of the printheads being configured to print at first and second print lines. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. At least some of the plurality of web transport rollers are constrained to have a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations in successive print heads. A span extension member provides an increased span of the web of media between the first and second print lines in a particular printhead such that the increased span is an integer multiple of the roller circumferences of the constrained web transport rollers.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANYInventors: Matthias H. Regelsberger, Karlheinz Peter, Gary Alan Kneezel
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Patent number: 9290021Abstract: An image forming device may include a contact member and a support member configured to support a recording portion. In one or more arrangements, the contact member may be disposed on the support member and include a contact portion configured to contact a sheet being conveyed. In some examples, the support member may include a carriage frame. Additionally or alternatively, the image forming device may include a platen having a plurality of ribs. In one or more examples, the ribs may be configured to form a corrugated shape in a sheet in conjunction with the contact member. Still further, one or more of the ribs and the contact member may be movable.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Samoto, Yuji Koga, Noriyuki Kawamata, Wataru Sugiyama, Tsuyoshi Ito
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Patent number: 9290022Abstract: A specific operation based on specific data that is received for recording to a recording medium can be performed and the best recording result can be achieved without changing the control device as much as possible. When a string recording command specifying a string containing a specific string is contained in recording data, the recording control unit 60 of the printer 2 performs a predetermined operation as an operation corresponding to the specific string timed to execution of the operation related to the string recording command.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tomokazu Makabe
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Patent number: 9290023Abstract: A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying unit conveying a printing medium, a printing unit, a cutting unit cutting the printing medium in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of the printing medium and a control unit. The control executes a test operation. The test operation includes printing a mark and cutting the printing medium while conveyance of the printing medium is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Naotoshi Kudo
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Patent number: 9290024Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer comprising a feeder, a printing head, a movable blade, a blade receiving member, a constant voltage circuit, a route switching device, and a switching control portion. The constant voltage circuit outputs a constant voltage to a secondary side based on a primary-side voltage supplied from a battery. The route switching device switches a current supply route from the battery to a motor to either one of a first route by which the constant voltage on the secondary side from the constant voltage circuit is supplied from the battery, and a second route by which the primary-side voltage is supplied without passing through the constant voltage circuit. The switching control portion controls the route switching device so that, triggered by non-detection of execution of the partial cutting, the current supply route is switched from the first route to the second route.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun Yamashiro, Tetsuya Ishiyama
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Patent number: 9290025Abstract: A media handling system is disclosed herein. An example includes media path, a transport assembly to move print media through the media path, a processor, and a non-transitory storage medium including instructions that cause the processor to control the transport assembly to: move a first medium and second through the media path, overlap a trailing portion of the first medium and a leading portion of the second medium within the media path, overlap a leading portion of the first medium and a trailing portion of the second medium within the media path, and overlap the trailing portion of the first medium and the leading portion of the second medium during a time that the leading portion of the first medium and the trailing portion of the second medium is also overlapped. A method of media handling is also disclosed herein as is a non-transitory storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Kevin Lo, Daniel Fredrickson
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Patent number: 9290026Abstract: A printer includes a printing portion, two plate-shaped first support portions, a moving portion, a restricting portion, and two second support portions. The first support portions are disposed opposite one another and support opposite ends of the roll. The moving portion supports the first support portions movably. The restricting portion restricts movement of the first support portions. The second support portions support the ends of the roll. Each second support portion includes a pivoting portion, a projecting portion, and an energizing portion. The pivoting portion is supported pivotally. The projecting portion projects from the pivoting portion in a direction that intersects an axis parallel to the plane of an associated first support portion. The energizing portion energizes the pivoting portion in a direction in which the pivoting portion pivots such that the projecting portion projects from the side of the first support portion that faces the opposing first support portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Nagashima, Takamine Hokazono, Hidenori Jo, Kenji Kurita, Minoru Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9290027Abstract: The carriage of a line printer has a head unit that supports a printhead, and a carriage frame that supports the head unit movably up and down. When moving the carriage from a standby position to an opposing position, the carriage is moved while the head unit is held at a up position where the gap to the platen unit is a first distance. The head unit is then lowered at the standby position from the up position to a down position where the platen gap is a second distance that is shorter than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Norio Nagata, Hironori Maekawa, Takashi Aoki, Taku Hirashima
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Patent number: 9290028Abstract: An image forming apparatus which reads a test pattern formed by ejecting liquid droplets onto a recording medium to adjust an ejection timing of the liquid droplets is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a reading unit; a relative movement unit; an intensity data obtaining unit which obtains intensity data on a reflected light which is received from a scanning position of a light by a light receiving unit while the light moves over the test pattern; and a position detection unit which applies a line position determining operation on the intensity data in the vicinity of a point of inflection included between an upper-limit threshold value and a lower-limit threshold value, and detects a position of a line.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, LtdInventors: Mamoru Yorimoto, Tatsuhiko Okada, Daisaku Horikawa, Makoto Moriwaki
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Patent number: 9290029Abstract: Provided are an inkjet print apparatus and an inkjet print method to reduce a process time required for replacing a head module. The inkjet print apparatus includes a first chamber having a head module; a second chamber disposed to contact the first chamber; and a third chamber disposed outside the first chamber and the second chamber and providing a space for performing a test for checking a state of a replacement head module. The method includes placing a first substrate in a first chamber below a head module; vertically moving the head module into the second chamber from the internal space of the first chamber when the head module is replaced with a replacement head module; and performing a test for checking a state of the replacement head module in a third chamber disposed outside the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tae Ho Lee
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Patent number: 9290030Abstract: A measured distance is received from a distance sensor, where the measured distance is indicative of a distance between a color sensor and a substrate. Using the measured distance, a location of a given projection of projections of a substrate support is determined. A color of a color patch on the substrate at the determined location of the given projection is determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jordi Arnabat Benedicto, Francisco Javier Pérez Gellida, Juan Uroz Soria, Oriol Borrell Avila, Emilio Angulo Navarro
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Patent number: 9290031Abstract: The invention refers to a method for forming an article having a decorative surface comprising: a) screen printing an ink composition comprising a curable composition onto at least one major surface of a thermoformable polymeric sheet; b) curing said curable composition to obtain a printed sheet having on at least one major surface an ink comprising a cured composition; and c) thermoforming the printed sheet to obtain a decorated article, wherein said curable composition comprises a polyisocyanate and a component comprising isocyanate reactive groups and wherein said ink composition contains a solvent or solvent blend in which said curable composition is soluble or miscible.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Carlo A. Muller
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Patent number: 9290032Abstract: Method for binding a bundle of leaves (11) in a binding element (1) with a U-shaped back (2) with a base (3) and upright arms (4) and a hot-melt adhesive (8) in the back, includes introducing the bundle in the back (2), and then heating up the back (2) to melt the hot-melt adhesive (8), wherein an oversized binding element (1) is chosen in which the bundle (11) is received with a certain sideways play (C), and the binding element (1) with the hot-melt adhesive (8) in the molten state is placed between two parallel pressure bars (17) that are moved towards one another with a force in order to fold the arms (4) towards one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: UNIBIND LIMITEDInventor: Guido Peleman
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Patent number: 9290033Abstract: A file folder with multiple pockets and a method of making is disclosed. Cover panels (16,18) are joined along a central axis (11), at least one primary pocket is formed with a pocket panel (18a), a second pocket panel (40) is located in a primary pocket space (24) thereby subdividing the pocket space into a first pocket space between the first pocket panel and the second pocket panel and a second pocket space between the second pocket panel and one of the cover panels, the second pocket panel (40) includes an extension (50) which is folded over and affixed to the first pocket panel thereby forming a closed inner edge on the front pocket.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Smead Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James Russell, Daniel Seleski
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Patent number: 9290034Abstract: A folder system including a folder having a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled to the first panel along a pivot line. The folder further includes a spine portion positioned between the first and second panels at the pivot line, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough. The spine portion further includes a slit extending from an outer edge of the spine portion to the hole to enable a binding device to be passed through the slit into the hole.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATIONInventors: Edward P. Busam, Richard H. Harris
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Patent number: 9290035Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: ACCO BRANDS CORPORATIONInventors: Edward P. Busam, Richard H. Harris, Chris W. Cicenas
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Patent number: 9290036Abstract: A roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, and a method for assembling the roller ball pen for use with metallic inks, is described herein. The pen body includes a housing that encloses a reservoir, a collet, a feed rod, and a tip. The feed rod transfers ink from the reservoir to a roller ball tip at a tapered end of the pen housing. In embodiments, the feed rod is embedded at a threshold distance inside the reservoir to provide an increased surface area for transfer of a metallic ink suspension. In further embodiments, a method of assembling the roller ball pen includes saturation of the reservoir with a metallic ink based on inserting a particular injection needle at a particular depth inside the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CRAYOLA LLCInventors: Linda J. Smith, Luis Rodrigo Pineiro
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Patent number: 9290037Abstract: Writing instrument sheaths and methods of fabricating and using the writing instrument sheaths are disclosed. In an embodiment, a writing instrument sheath includes a contiguous wall and a polymer layer that provides a comfortable and controllable writing experience.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: PENCIL SKINS, LLCInventors: Nicholas Leo Vleisides, Todd Michael Weinberg
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Patent number: 9290038Abstract: A substantially halo-free heat transfer label is made using a 3D printing method. The heat transfer label includes a graphic layer and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is printed using a 3D printing method, which provides a substantially reduced adhesive halo when compared to heat transfer labels including a screen printed adhesive layer or that printed via other conventional printing methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Michael B. Colella
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Patent number: 9290039Abstract: A production method of workpiece is provided. First, an adhesive layer is applied on a workpiece. The adhesive layer is impressed by a mold, so that the adhesive layer forms a three-dimensional pattern. A first curing process with a first irradiating energy is performed on the adhesive layer. The workpiece is punched after the first curing process is performed on the adhesive layer, so that the workpiece forms a three-dimensional workpiece. A second curing process with a second irradiating energy is performed on the adhesive layer after the workpiece is punched, wherein the second irradiating energy intensity is higher than the first irradiating energy intensity.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Wan-Li Chuang, Chien-Min Chang, Tsung-Sheng Chuang
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Patent number: 9290040Abstract: A method for manufacturing panels of the type having at least a substrate and a printed decor with a relief provided on the substrate involves printing, whether or not by the intermediary of primer layers, at least a portion of the decor onto the substrate and forming the relief. The relief is formed at least partially after the portion of the decor has been printed on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARLInventor: Bart Verhaeghe
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Patent number: 9290041Abstract: A streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a bicycle wheel spoke reduces drag by swiveling as a wind vane in both headwinds and crosswinds.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Garth L Magee
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Patent number: 9290042Abstract: A spoke receiving hole extends through a flange formed on a rim so as to incline by a predetermined angle in a radial direction with respect to a line perpendicular to a wheel center plane. A head of a spoke seats on a seating surface provided on one side surface of the spoke receiving hole in contact at a region I on the side closer to a rim body, and a head straight portion of the spoke contacts with an edge portion K of an opening on the side distant from the rim body to which a hole portion directly opens on the side opposite from the seating surface of the spoke receiving hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomo Miyamoto
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Patent number: 9290043Abstract: A vehicle wheel, comprising a rim, a hub, a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, a bracing element including a hole with a central axis, a sidewall, a longitudinally inward entrance, and at least one of an engagement surface and an engagement edge outward of the entrance, a connecting element comprising a multiplicity of discreet segments. The bracing element comprises at least a portion of one of the rim and hub. At least one segment includes a laterally projecting overhanging surface. The first segment is positioned within the hole, with the overhang surface overlying one of the engagement surface and engagement edge in an overlie engagement. The second segment is positioned within the hole to include an opening between the first and second segments. The spoke is positioned within the opening and is connected to the connecting element with the overlie engagement to support spoke tensile load.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
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Patent number: 9290044Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oil hub cap comprising a cylindrical body for mounting to a wheel axle defining an interior space for holding lubricant oil and a transparent front face. An indicating ring is located within the interior space, such that the outside edge of the indicating ring indicates the minimum amount of lubricant to be contained within the interior space and the inside edge of the indicating ring indicates the maximum amount of lubricant to be contained within the interior space, the surface of the indicating ring between the inside and outside edges being provided with a reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Cimmaster Inc.Inventor: Arthur Leung
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Patent number: 9290045Abstract: The present invention provides spoke geometry for a non-pneumatic tire that is less prone to fatigue when used. In particular, the spoke geometry is provided with an optimized thickness profile over the length of the spoke. This optimization results in a reduction in the peak strain energy density levels in the spoke, thereby reducing the likelihood of crack initiation and propagation which in turn enhances the durability of the spoke and tire.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Steven M Cron, Timothy Brett Rhyne
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Patent number: 9290046Abstract: A low efficiency wheel system and method, the system includes an inner, propelled wheel and an outer wheel circumferentially adjacent the inner wheel. The system includes an efficiency reduction apparatus located between the inner wheel outer circumferential surface and the outer wheel inner circumferential edge to reduce the efficiency of the inner wheel as it transfers motion to the outer wheel. Such efficiency reduction apparatus may include a reducing drive roller assembly, reducing drive gear assembly, bearing assemblies, raceway restrictions, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: CADABEKY LLCInventor: Carl Bauman
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Patent number: 9290047Abstract: A hub unit includes a hub of light material forming a cylindrical portion, a flange and a radial recess having a surface facing the flange, and two bearing rings axially aligned around the cylindrical portion of the hub; a sleeve locking device is radially interposed between the cylindrical portion of the hub and the bearing rings, and comprises a retaining portion engaged in the radial recess of the hub, a terminal edge which preloads the bearing rings, and one or two cuts extending in an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Davide Antonio Olivieri, Jan Arie Pieter van Riet, Laura Sguotti
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Patent number: 9290048Abstract: A wheel having an axle receiving bore. The bore having at least one finger integral with the wheel extending towards the front wall of the wheel. The finger having a detent facing inwardly into the axle receiving bore. The finger is flexed outwards for insertion of the axle within the axle receiving bore, and flexed inwards to insert the detent into a notch of the axle once the axle is inserted in the axle receiving bore.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: IPL, IncInventors: Roch Nolet, Marc Talbot Pouliot