Abstract: A printing device and method for performing high image quality printing on a three-dimensional object at low cost is provided. The method includes a discharging step that discharges ink onto a recording medium 2 from a print head 1, wherein a blocking wall 3 is provided so as to sandwich a printing region that is a target towards which the ink is discharged along a moving direction of the print head 1 by two surfaces extending along a flight path of ink directed toward the recording medium 2 from the print head 1.

Abstract: A resin composition containing a specific cellulose-based resin and a specific fumaric acid diester polymer in a specific blending ratio or containing, as the resin component, a specific cellulose-based resin and a specific fumaric acid diester polymer in a specific blending ratio and containing the resin component and an additive having an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or the like in a specific blending ratio. An optical compensation film can be produced using the resin composition.

Abstract: Method embodiments for producing a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite comprise providing a mold defining a shape for a composite, applying a fiber reinforcement over the mold, covering the mold and fiber reinforcement thereon in a vacuum enclosure, performing a vacuum on the vacuum enclosure to produce a pressure gradient, insulating at least a portion of the vacuum enclosure with thermal insulation, infusing the fiber reinforcement with a reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent under vacuum conditions, wherein the reactive mixture of uncured epoxy resin and curing agent generates exothermic heat, and producing the fiber-reinforced epoxy composite having a glass transition temperature of at least about 100° C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an element (25) out of composite material, the element comprising three arms (22, 23, 24) arranged in a triangle. The method comprises the operations of: fabricating a three-dimensionally woven preform from reinforcing fibers and including through slots defining two arms (22, 23) and two half-arms that are all parallel and contiguous in pairs, each arm (22, 23) having one end whereby it is connected to a half-arm and another end whereby it is connected to the other arm (22, 23); shaping the preform by deploying it and by uniting its two half-arms in order to give it a triangle configuration; securing together the half-arms by stitching with reinforcing fibers; and injecting resin into the preform and polymerizing the resin.

Abstract: A flexible fiber-reinforced composite material is manufactured by impregnating a fiber reinforcement material with a non-epoxy matrix material. Subsequently, the impregnated fiber reinforcement material is dried and cured, resulting in a flexible fiber-reinforced composite material that exhibits a tensile modulus between 10 MPa and 42 MPa at 20 percent elongation.

Abstract: A module (1) for holding at least one bushing (17) within a recess, wherein it comprises two side surfaces (2, 3), an upper (4) and a lower (5) surface and at least one end surface (6), wherein the upper (4) and lower (5) surfaces are of different width and arcs, respectively, in their cross-section, and the side surfaces (2, 3) are of equal height, and when coupled to a second module (8) by its side surfaces (3, 9), which second module (8) optionally may also hold at least one bushing (17), the sum of the angle (alpha) between the optionally imaginary plane side surface (12) of the one module (1) and the tangent (10) to its upper surface (4) at the intersection (A) with the side surface (3) and the angle (beta) between the optionally imaginary plane side surface (13) of the other module (8) and the tangent (11) to its upper surface (15) at the intersection (B) with the side surface (9) is at least 180 degrees and/or a plurality of modules (1), optionally when holding the bushings (17), form at least a sectio

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses using direct injection molding are described. The present methods, devices, and systems include a mold block having a first mold insert and a second mold insert defining a lens-shaped cavity between them. A raised non-uniform region that projects into the lens-shaped cavity is incorporated in a peripheral zone of the molding surface of at least one of the mold inserts. When an ophthalmic lens is formed using the described mold block, at least one depression is produced in the lens. A gate placed at the non-uniform region allows the depression to hide any gate witness that may form when the mold is closed or separated.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a substrate; an etch stop layer overlying the substrate, wherein the etch stop layer is substantially resistant to etching conditions; and a patterned layer overlying the etch stop layer, wherein the patterned layer is substantially labile to the etching conditions, and wherein the patterned layer comprises a number of features including substantially consistent feature profiles among regions of high feature density and regions of low feature density.

Abstract: A continuous heat-shrink tubing process is described having an expansion element disposed with the tubing and a position maintenance feature to keep the expansion element in a desired location. The expansion element may be maintained in a position by pressurized fluid trapped within the tubing between the expansion element and pinch rollers. The pinch roller may be moved to reduce the volume within the section of tubing between the pinch roller nip and the expansion element, and thereby increase the pressure of the trapped fluid. In another embodiment, the expansion element may be held in place by an extruder connector. In yet another embodiment, the expansion element incorporates a magnetic component, or has at least one magnet, or magnetic metals and one or more magnets are configured to maintain an expansion element position through attractive or repulsive magnetic forces.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire capable of discharging static electricity from a vehicle to a road surface wherein the pneumatic tire includes a base portion, a cap portion and a conductive portion, wherein the base portion is formed by spirally winding a ribbon-like rubber strip continuously from one tread edge side to the other tread edge side, without interrupting, with a gap portion formed by separating the side edges of adjacent ribbon-like rubber strips, and wherein the gap portion is formed such that the ribbon-like rubber strip is locally bent.

Abstract: An apparatus including a carriage adapted to be mounted on and movable along the elongate composite stringer, and a compaction roller mounted on the carriage for compacting film material against the flange surface as the carriage moves along the stringer. The apparatus also includes a film feed roll assembly on the carriage adapted to hold a quantity of film material and to dispense the film material to the compaction roller. The apparatus also includes a take-up reel on the carriage adapted for taking up a backing on the film material as the film material is being dispensed to the compaction roller, a heater on the carriage for heating the flange surface as the carriage moves along the composite stringer, and a film trimmer for trimming edges of the film material to match a contour of the composite stringer after the film material has been compacted against the flange surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a head assembly comprising a tube head and a metal barrier insert, said method comprising steps of: providing a barrier insert comprising an intermediate metal layer being a disc having an inner opening, defining an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge and an outer edge, an upper layer made of plastic material covering said upper surface of the intermediate metal layer, and a lower layer made of plastic material covering said lower surface of the intermediate metal layer, heating at least one of said upper and lower layers, so that said upper or lower layer melts and the plastic material flows and covers at least the inner edge or the outer edge of the intermediate metal layer, attaching said barrier insert to the inner side of the shoulder of a plastic tube head.

Abstract: By creating a slurry of biodegradable material, forming it in a mold under a vacuum, a channel may be created in the lid which can be release-ably connected to a traditional rolled lip coffee cup, among other common liquid holding vessels but be made out of biodegradable material. The resulting lid may be elastic enough such that the lid will give to allow a complementary cup to fit into the channel to create a seal between the cup and the lids. It also will be firm enough to withstand the weight and pressure of the liquid inside the container and from pressure from consumers while using the container. The lid also may be sufficiently heat resistant to withstand desired temperatures and liquid exposure for a time long enough for a consumer to enjoy the contents of the container but also be biodegradable.

Abstract: A powder press in which seals of cylinder/piston units that can hydraulically activate or apply pressure to additional plates with reference to a die plate, the upper yoke and/or the lower yoke are kept free of powder to the greatest possible extent disposes a cylinder of a cylinder/piston unit facing away from a die plate and/or an additional plate, preferably below the additional plate.

Abstract: A tabletop converter has a conversion assembly that inwardly gathers and crumples a stock material to form a strip of dunnage. The conversion assembly includes a feeding assembly that moves the stock material and a controller that controls the feeding assembly to operate in both a forward direction and a reverse direction. To automatically separate a discrete dunnage product from the strip, a holder grabs and holds the strip of dunnage at a holding location downstream of the feeding assembly. The feeding assembly then operates in a reverse direction and urges the strip away from the holding location. This causes the strip to separate at or between the holding location and the feeding assembly, leaving a discrete dunnage product ready for use. The converter is mounted to a stand that allows the converter to rotate relative to part of the stand about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerogel composite material, a process and a composition for producing the composite material and the use of the composite material.

Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging multi-layer container and methods of making, controlling, and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting an edge, more particularly plastics edge, onto a material, and also to the products obtained in this way, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for increasing durability of adhesively bonded joints in a sandwich structure. Such systems, methods, and apparatus includes an first face sheet and an second face sheet as well as an insert structure, the insert structure having a first insert face sheet, a second insert face sheet, and an insert core material. In addition, sandwich core material is arranged between the first face sheet and the second face sheet. A primary bondline may be coupled to the face sheet(s) and the splice. Further, systems, methods, and apparatus of the present disclosure advantageously reduce the load, provide a redundant path, reduce structural fatigue, and/or increase fatigue life.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum suction adjustable transfer roller and a film attachment method using the transfer roller. The transfer roller includes: a roller body (20) and a plurality of adjustment devices (40) mounted in the roller body (20). The roller body (20) includes a plurality of air draw-in passages (22) uniformly distributed therein. The air draw-in passages (22) draw in air by means of an air evacuation device. Each of the adjustment devices (40) includes: a valve (42) arranged in each of the air draw-in passages (22), a piezoelectric ceramic piece (44) connected to the valve (42), and a control circuit (46) electrically connected to the piezoelectric ceramic piece (44).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck comprises a mount plate, a first layer, and a second layer. The first layer includes a heater. The second layer is provided between the mount plate and the first layer. The second layer transmits heat from the heater to the mount plate. The second layer includes a compressive attachment portion. The compressive attachment portion is formed at the outer edge. The face on the mount plate side of the compressive attachment portion is compressed and attached to the mount plate. The face on the first layer side of the compressive attachment portion is compressed and attached to the first layer.

Abstract: There is provided in an embodiment a composite radius filler for a composite structure. The composite radius filler has two or more radius laminates. Each radius laminate has a laminate of stacked composite plies formed in a desired radius with a desired radial orientation of the stacked composite plies substantially matching a radial orientation of adjacent stacked composite plies of a composite structure surrounding the two or more radius laminates. Each radius laminate is preferably trimmed to have at least one side align adjacent to the others to form a composite radius filler having a shape substantially corresponding to a radius filler region of the composite structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stretch-forming multi-thickness composite skins are disclosed herein. The methods include locating a flexible support structure in a transition region that is defined by a charge of composite material and applying a vacuum to an interface between the charge of composite material and the flexible support structure to define a charge-support assembly. The methods also include separating the charge-support assembly from the layup surface and locating the charge-support assembly on a cure surface of a layup mandrel. The methods further include deforming the charge-support assembly on the cure surface to generate a conformed charge of composite material, releasing the vacuum, and separating the flexible support structure from conformed charge of composite material. The systems include systems that are configured to perform the methods.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a print head coupled to the frame to deposit and print viscous material over the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a lift table assembly configured to support the substrate in a transport position and a print position, and a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a pair of rail members coupled to the frame. The pair of rail members extends through the frame and is configured to transport the substrate through the stencil printer. The conveyor system further includes, for each rail member, a lift tool assembly coupled to the rail member. The lift tool assembly is configured to cooperate with the lift table assembly and to engage and support the substrate at a transport height and a print height.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes a stencil shuttle assembly coupled to a frame. The stencil shuttle assembly is configured to move the stencil in an x-axis direction between a first position in which the stencil is positioned toward a front of the stencil printer and a second position in which the stencil is positioned toward a back of the stencil printer. The stencil shuttle assembly further is configured to move the stencil in a y-axis direction to align the stencil. The stencil printer further includes a wiper to remove material from the stencil as the stencil is translated away from the substrate by the stencil shuttle assembly. The stencil shuttle assembly, when the stencil is translated away from the substrate, is configured to move the stencil in the y-axis direction in an oscillating manner. Methods of cleaning a stencil are further disclosed.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes an electronic substrate support configured to support an electronic substrate and move the electronic substrate between a lowered position and a raised position. The stencil printer further includes a stencil shuttle assembly configured to support a stencil and to move the stencil between a first position in which the stencil is positioned toward a front of the stencil printer and a second position in which the stencil is positioned toward a back of the stencil printer. The stencil printer further includes a print head configured to engage the stencil to dispense a material onto the substrate during a print stroke. The stencil printer further includes a drive assembly configured to move the print head to perform the print stroke and configured to selectively move the stencil shuttle frame between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a media tray; a roller pair capable of selectively conveying the media tray and a sheet; a recording device disposed downstream of the roller pair in a conveying direction and configured to eject ink droplets; lower contact portions disposed downstream of the roller pair in the conveying direction; and an upper contact portion configured to cooperate with the lower contact portions to corrugate the sheet. The media tray has a downstream edge portion in a tray inserting direction in which the media tray is inserted. The downstream edge portion has at least one inclined portion inclining obliquely upward toward an upstream side in the tray inserting direction. The at least one inclined portion contacts the upper contact portion to move the upper contact portion upward.

Abstract: The invention has an object to provide an advantageous technology that minimizes banding that may appear on an image printed using a print head having a nozzle row (22) to obtain printed images with a better image quality. A print operation includes discharging ink on a printing medium through an active nozzle row (23) and at least one nozzle (21) not continuous from at least one end of the active nozzle row (23). The active nozzle row (23) is re-selected so that an amount of shift of the active nozzle row (23) from one end of the nozzle row (22) is changed every time when the active nozzle row (23) discharges ink a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid ejecting head having a high fabrication efficiency and a high reliability of an electric connector, and a fabricating method for the liquid ejecting head. A direction in which a channel forming member is incorporated to a casing crosses a direction in which a flat spring is resiliently deformed. In incorporating the channel forming member, an abutment portion formed at the flat spring is allowed to abut on the casing, thus deforming the flat spring. The flat spring is brought into contact with an inside contact pad by a resilient restoring force of the flat spring.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes: a plurality of print head cartridges; a print head chassis for supporting the plurality of print head cartridges; a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the print head chassis between a printing position, a transition position, and a maintenance position; and a maintenance chassis supporting a chassis sub-frame having a corresponding plurality of maintenance cradles; and a sub-frame movement mechanism for slidably moving the chassis sub-frame with respect to the maintenance chassis. In the transition position, the print head chassis is held at a height, relative to a platen, that allows the maintenance chassis to be moved from a storage position to an operational positional under the print head chassis. Further, in the operational position, the sub-frame movement mechanism aligns a capper or a wiper with a respective printhead.

Abstract: A nozzle testing device includes: a two-dimensional image sensor to capture an image of a pattern formed on a recording object by discharging ink from a nozzle row while moving the nozzle row and the recording object relative to each other in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle row; a light source unit provided such that regularly reflected light by the pattern forms a regular reflection area in the image of the pattern captured by the two-dimensional image sensor; and a detection unit to analyze the image to detect discharge failure of the nozzles. The regular reflection area is formed in the image such that a dimension in a direction corresponding to the direction of relative movement between the nozzle row and the recording object is greater than a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the direction corresponding to the direction of relative movement in the image.

Abstract: The liquid storage body is provided with a liquid storage bag and a plug. The liquid storage bag is formed of two layers of a sheet. The plug is connected to a first end portion of the liquid storage bag. The liquid storage bag is provided with a liquid storage portion and an extension portion. The liquid storage portion stores the liquid. The extension portion is connected to the liquid storage portion at a second end portion and extends in an extending direction. The extension portion does not store the liquid. A length of the extension portion in the extending direction is longer than a length of edge portions in an orthogonal direction.

Abstract: A printer may include a printer housing, a service station in the printer housing, an automated carriage assembly, and a print cartridge storage compartment. The service station defines an area for servicing one or more print cartridges. The automated carriage assembly is configured to carry the particular print cartridge through a printing area during a printing operation of the printer, and to carry the particular print cartridge to the service station area for servicing. The print cartridge storage compartment is defined by the printer housing and configured to store a spare print cartridge, the print cartridge storage compartment being separate from the service station and inaccessible to the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a movable member and the movable member includes a detection portion and an anchor. The liquid cartridge also includes a restriction member and the restriction member includes an operation portion and a restriction portion. When the operation portion is in a first position, the restriction portion is configured to contact the movable member such that the movement of the anchor is restricted within a restricted range. When the operation portion is in a second position, the restriction portion is configured to release the movable member such that the anchor is positioned in a free range which is below the restricted range.

Abstract: A printing material cartridge comprises: a memory device; a plurality of first terminals through which a power source voltage and signals for operating the memory device are supplied from a printing apparatus; and a plurality of second terminals to be used for detecting attachment conditions of the printing material cartridge in a cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of first terminals have a plurality of first contact portions that get in contact with corresponding apparatus-side terminals when the printing material container is properly attached to the cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of second terminals have a plurality of second contact portions that get in contact with corresponding apparatus-side terminals when the printing material container is properly attached to the cartridge attachment unit. The plurality of first and second contact portions are arranged so as to form a first row and a second row.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head including a flow path member which allows a capacity of an air bubble chamber to be increased as much as possible and in which a filter is not clogged even when the variation of a liquid consumption amount is large, and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the flow path member. Alternatively, the invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head including a flow path member which allows a capacity of an air bubble chamber to be increased as much as possible while being miniaturized in a transporting direction and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the flow path member.

Abstract: A printing method includes a step of supplying a first aggregating agent that induces an aggregation reaction of the white particles contained in the white particle ink, to the colored printing medium; a step of supplying, by the inkjet method, the white particle ink onto the colored printing medium having been supplied with the first aggregating agent such that aggregation of the white particles brings about increase in optical reflectance in a printing area; a step of supplying a second aggregating agent that is charged with same charge as that for the first aggregating agent and that induces an aggregation reaction of dye contained in dye ink, to the white particles aggregated; and a step of supplying, by the inkjet method, the dye ink to the white particles aggregated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspecting chart including a reference pattern containing a first line segment group and a second line segment group, a first-side deviation pattern, and a second-side deviation pattern. The first line segment group is formed by a plurality of first line segments printed by a reference printing head at a first given interval. The second line segment is formed by second line segments printed by a printing head on a center between two adjacent first line segments or a center of each of the first line segments, the printing head being spaced away from the reference printing head in a the transportation direction of a print medium. The first-side deviation pattern and the second-side deviation pattern are printed with various deviations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are described herein for controlling a printing device. In an example embodiment, a print line is divided into frames and frame dot states are determined based on neighboring frame dot states. Maximum motor speeds of the printing device may be adjusted so that actual motor speeds change gradually during printing. The print engine may detect a printhead type by sending a signal to the printhead and receiving a response. Motor torque is dynamically controlled based on type of media and/or labels present on the media.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for reducing contamination on a decurler in a printer are disclosed. For example, the method includes printing, by a marking engine, an image on a paper on a first side, inverting, by a first inverter, the paper so that the image on the first side is facing in an opposite direction than when passing through the marking engine and decurling, by the de-curler, the paper such that the image on the first side contacts a soft roller of the upstream de-curler.

Abstract: A double-walled housing (3) for an ultra-violet ink curing apparatus (1), comprising an inner skin (5) and an outer wall (7) secured together by at least one locking means (9), wherein the locking means (9) is adapted to secure the inner skin (5) and the outer wall (7) together while permitting relative movement of the inner skin (5) along the length of the outer wall (7).

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing method whereby a glossy image free of running can be printed by an inkjet printer. An inkjet head (14) is caused to scan in the Y direction to print outline portions (32 and 33) on a medium (31). Next, immediately after the printing of the outline portions, a first UV irradiation means (15 or 16) disposed coaxially with the scanning axis of the inkjet head irradiates ink at the outline portions with UV light to harden the ink at the outline portions to prevent running. Next, the inkjet head prints a solid portion (34) between the outline portion (32) and the outline portion (33), and a second UV irradiation means (17) disposed forward in the scanning direction (X direction) of the medium (31) hardens the ink at the solid portion.

Abstract: A conveyor device includes a conveyor belt and a suction section. The conveyor belt conveys a recording medium. The suction section sucks on the recording medium through the conveyor belt. The suction section has a plurality of through holes. The suction section includes an air flow chamber. The air flow chamber has an air outlet in a bottom thereof. The bottom has first regions and a second region. The first regions are each located at a position opposite to a corresponding one of the through holes. The first regions are each located adjacent to the second region. The air outlet is located within the second region.

Abstract: A printer system includes a handling system to move print media, a print medium detection sensor to produce a response indicative of an object, and a processor coupled to the handling system and to the print medium detection sensor to perform a two-point calibration of the sensor. The first point of the two-point calibration includes a first response from the sensor, and a second point of the two-point calibration includes a second response from the sensor.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a vacuum assembly positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The vacuum assembly has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes an extremum in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the vacuum assembly correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the vacuum assembly, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet, a printing unit configured to print on the printing sheet, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, a determination unit configured to determine whether the leading edge of the succeeding sheet overlaps the trailing edge of the preceding sheet, and a delay unit configured to delay conveyance of the preceding sheet when the determination unit determines that the leading edge of the succeeding sheet does not overlap the trailing edge of the preceding sheet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction and which press the sheet transported along the transport passage, from at least one of front and back surfaces of the sheet. At lease one holding member, which is provided at a central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is arranged on a downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members.

Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a generally rectangular box-like housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall defining a periphery of the housing, a first and second cavities extending from the bottom wall and disposed between a tape containing area and the periphery at opposite ends of a diagonal of the generally rectangular box-like housing, at least one tape wound and mounted within the housing in the tape containing area, the at least one tape including a first tape disposed in a first area, the first tape having a hole at a center of winding, and the first area being one of two areas formed by dividing the housing with respect to a line connecting the first and second cavities, and a third cavity that extends in the hole of the first tape from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing head, a take-up driving device, a take-up amount detecting portion, a constant torque control device, and a switching control portion. The take-up driving device drives a take-up portion for taking up at least a part of layers of the recording medium fed by a feeder on an outer circumference part and forming a roll. The take-up amount detecting portion detects a take-up amount by the take-up portion. The constant torque control device performs constant torque control that sets a driving torque of the take-up driving device to a constant value corresponding to an input command value. The switching control portion switches the command value in stages in accordance with an increase in the take-up amount detected by the take-up amount detecting portion associated with an advancement of the take-up by the take-up portion.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus for printing an image on a recording medium of a plurality of types of recording mediums set in any of a plurality of storage units by conveying the recording medium to a printing position includes a determination unit configured to determine a used amount for each type of recording medium, and a display control unit configured to display on a display device information for guiding a high usage type recording medium to be set in a storage unit which has a short conveyance distance to the printing position among the plurality of the storage units based on the used amounts determined by the determination unit.