Patents Issued in September 29, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160279923
    Abstract: A composite structure is processed using heat and pressure. A chromatic film is placed in proximity to the composite structure and is used to monitor at least one of the temperature of the heat and the pressure during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Ernest Georgeson, Richard H. Bossi
  • Publication number: 20160279924
    Abstract: A debris separator pre-separates debris from a label tape, the label tape including a carrier web and a label material, the label material being half cut into labels and debris that surround all around individual labels. The label tape is transported in a path. A first roller is disposed in the path, extends in a direction, and is covered with an elastic member. A second roller is disposed in the path, extends parallel to the first roller, and includes elastic members angularly disposed on the second roller. The elastic members have circumferential surfaces. A controller controls the first and second rotatable bodies. The first and second rollers rotate with the label tape sandwiched between their circumferential surfaces, the second circumferential surface digging into the first circumferential surface and the first circumferential surface pushing back the debris to detach the debris at least partially from the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshifumi IGARI
  • Publication number: 20160279925
    Abstract: A gravure printing press utilizes a printing assembly with a printing forme cylinder that is twice as large in relation to the number of multiple copies which can be printed during one revolution. The printing forme cylinder, in a thrown-on position, forms a printing point with an impression cylinder which is twice as large in relation to the number of multiple copies which can be printed during one revolution. A wiping cylinder, in a thrown-on position, also interacts with the printing forme cylinder. An ink collecting cylinder, in its thrown-on position, interacts with the printing forme cylinder. A plurality of stencil cylinders, in thrown-on positions, interact, one after another, with the ink collecting cylinder on the circumference thereof. Each of the stencil cylinders can be inked by at least one inking unit. The ink collecting cylinder is configured with a circumference which is larger than the printing forme cylinder by an integral multiple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Volker SCHARKUS, Volkmar SCHWITZKY, Alain WÜRSCH, Benjamin ZIEROLD
  • Publication number: 20160279926
    Abstract: An ink feed device includes an ink blade, a mounting device for the precise mounting of an ink blade and a system for feeding and dosing printing ink. The system includes an ink feed device and a mounting device. A method is provided for renewing a dosing edge of an ink blade, which edge is used to dose the ink. A method for operating an ink feed device, and including an ink blade, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Volker Elmar SCHARKUS, Volkmar Rolf SCHWITZKY
  • Publication number: 20160279927
    Abstract: A discharge position adjusting method includes: moving a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row in scanning directions, each of the first and second nozzle rows having a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid droplets, the first and second nozzle rows being disposed at different locations in a predetermined direction, the scanning directions intersecting the predetermined direction; forming a first image by ejecting liquid droplets from the first nozzle row, and forming a second image by ejecting liquid droplets from the second nozzle row; and adjusting positions at which liquid droplets are to be placed by using the first and second images. The first and second images are created during the moving of the first and second nozzle rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Toru MIYAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160279928
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus that performs printing onto a print medium including a transporting device that transports a print medium, a plurality of printing heads, a photographing unit that photographs the print medium, a shift detecting chart forming device, and a correcting device. The shift detecting chart forming device forms a shift detecting chart having a first line segment group consisting of first line segments that are printed onto the print medium at given intervals in an orthogonal direction with respect to the transportation direction with a reference printing head, and a second line segment group formed along the first line segment group, and consisting of second line segments that are printed with a subsequent printing head. The correcting device corrects a printing timing with the subsequent printing head relative to the reference printing head in accordance with a density variation of the photographed shift detecting chart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Osamu MORIZONO, Kazuki FUKUI, Tomotaka KATO, Kunio MURAJI
  • Publication number: 20160279929
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge unit including a piezoelectric element that is displaced in response to a drive signal, a pressure chamber of which an inner pressure is increased or decreased by the piezoelectric element, and a nozzle which is in communication with the pressure chamber and discharges liquid filling the pressure chamber, depending on an increase or a decrease in the inner pressure of the pressure chamber, a detection unit that detects residual vibration occurring in the discharge unit according to a potential change of the drive signal that is supplied to the piezoelectric element, and a determination unit that determines a discharge state, in which the detection unit outputs a first detection signal and a second detection signal, and the determination unit determines the discharge state, based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Osamu SHINKAWA, Toshiyuki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20160279930
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting module having a plurality of liquid ejecting heads; a driving substrate mounted with a driving circuit that generates a driving signal; a control unit that generates an ejection control signal; and a relay substrate. The driving signal is transferred from the driving substrate to the relay substrate via a first wire, and the driving signal is transferred from the relay substrate to the liquid ejecting module via a second wire. The ejection control signal is transferred from the control unit to the liquid ejecting module via a third wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Kyohei DATE
  • Publication number: 20160279931
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead device, fluid ejection device and method thereof are disclosed. The fluid ejection device includes a fluid supply chamber to store fluid, an ejection chamber including a nozzle and a corresponding ejection member to selectively eject the fluid through the nozzle, and a channel to establish fluid communication between the fluid supply chamber and the ejection chamber. The fluid ejection device also includes a pressure sensor unit having a sensor plate to output a voltage value corresponding to a cross-sectional area of an amount of fluid in the at least ejection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Adam L. Ghozeil, Daryl E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160279932
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid discharging apparatus including a waveform signal generator that generates a drive waveform signal which includes a plurality of waveforms including an inspection waveform; a first discharger including a first piezoelectric element that is displaced by being supplied with a first drive signal; a first switch that is capable of switching whether to supply the first drive signal to the first piezoelectric element for each unit period; and a detector that detects residual vibration occurring in the first discharger after the first drive signal including the inspection waveform is supplied to the first piezoelectric element, in which the first switch stops supply of the first drive signal to the first piezoelectric element during a unit period that precedes one unit period when the first drive signal including the inspection waveform is supplied to the first piezoelectric element during the one unit period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Masashi KAMIYANAGI
  • Publication number: 20160279933
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an inkjet head includes nozzles. The nozzles are arranged on a nozzle plate. The inkjet head further includes actuators arranged corresponding to the nozzles one to one on the nozzle plate. The inkjet head further includes common electrodes and individual electrodes that apply voltage to the actuators. A connection terminal of the common electrode is arranged between connection terminals of the individual electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ryuichi ARAI, Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Shuhei YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160279934
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes: an ejection surface along which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are arranged; and a projection portion which has a long shape on the ejection surface, and protrudes toward the ejection surface, in which the projection portion includes a part in which the height varies from one end side to the other end side, in which the width of the projection portion becomes narrower from a base side to a tip end side in the direction of height, and in which the shapes of end portions of the projection portions on one end side and the other end side are different from each other. Accordingly, even when a medium transported opposing the ejection surface is curled, it is possible to prevent the medium from floating up by the projection portion, and thus, it is possible to prevent the medium from coming into contact with the ejection surface by a simple configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Tomoshige KANEKO
  • Publication number: 20160279935
    Abstract: The liquid droplet discharge apparatus (ink jet printer) includes a head having a nozzle row in which nozzles capable of discharging liquid droplets onto paper as a medium are aligned, and a carriage unit as a movement portion which moves the head relatively to the paper, the ink jet printer discharging the liquid droplets onto the paper through the nozzles by causing the head to perform main scanning a plurality of number of times by the carriage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Tomohiro YUDA
  • Publication number: 20160279936
    Abstract: A liquid discharging head includes a support member and plural print element substrates through which a liquid is discharged. The print element substrates are disposed on the support member and provided with the liquid through a liquid supply channel formed in the support member. The sectional area of the liquid supply channel at a position corresponding to each of the print element substrates is determined in accordance with an order in which the print element substrates are provided with the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Akira Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Osaki
  • Publication number: 20160279937
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head has a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid, and a housing provided with a pair of liquid chambers which supply the liquid to a corresponding ejection port. A method for manufacturing the liquid ejection head includes: arranging a pair of mold pieces, of which width decreases gradually, to adjoin in the width direction thereof with the width decreasing in the opposite directions, molding a housing, and forming the pair of liquid chambers by drawing the pair of mold pieces from the molded housing in the direction in which the width increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hiromasa Amma, Mikiya Umeyama, Genji Inada, Takuya Iwano
  • Publication number: 20160279938
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure chamber substrate in which a pressure chamber space is formed, a flow path substrate having a first surface on which the pressure chamber substrate is installed and a second surface that is on the opposite side to the first surface, and in which a first space, a supply hole that enables communication between the first space and the pressure chamber space, and a communication hole that communicates with the pressure chamber space are formed, a nozzle plate that is installed on the second surface and in which a nozzle that communicates with the communication hole is formed, a second space that is installed on the first surface and that communicates with the first space of the flow path substrate, a housing unit in which an opening portion that communicates with the second space is formed, a compliance unit that is flexible and installed on the second surface and that seals the communication hole and the first space, and a beam-like portion that extends between inner wa
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Fumiya TAKINO, Shunsuke WATANABE, Kenta ANEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160279939
    Abstract: A nozzle plate for a liquid droplet discharge head to discharge a charged liquid droplet, includes a discharge port disposed on a nozzle face; a discharge chamber filled with liquid to be discharged from the discharge port; a nozzle hole extending from the discharge port in a thickness direction of the nozzle plate and communicating with the discharge chamber; a first electrode disposed at either the discharge chamber or the nozzle hole and contacting part of the liquid droplet; and a second electrode disposed on the nozzle face and neither connecting to the first electrode nor contacting the liquid droplet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sadanori ARAE, Naoyuki UEDA, Yuki NAKAMURA, Yukiko ABE, Shinji MATSUMOTO, Yuji SONE, Ryoichi SAOTOME, Minehide KUSAYANAGI
  • Publication number: 20160279940
    Abstract: [Object] An object of the present invention is to provide a channel member for a liquid ejecting head with small variations in ejection characteristics, a liquid ejecting head including the channel member, and a recording device. [Solution] A channel member 4 for a liquid ejecting head according to the present invention includes a plurality of plates 4a to 4k that include a hole or a groove and that are stacked together with an adhesive layer 18 interposed therebetween. The hole or the groove constitutes a channel. The plate 4e includes a receiving groove 17 for an adhesive, and an edge of the receiving groove 17 includes a first projection 17a that projects from a principal surface of the plate that includes the receiving groove 17.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Wataru IKEUCHI, Chitoshi UEKI, Akinori HIRASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20160279941
    Abstract: An ink manifold for use with a heater chip in an inkjet printhead, including a first planar surface and a second opposite planar surface, a plurality of ink channels located on the first planar surface of the ink manifold for supplying ink to the heater chip, and a plurality of ink ports located on the second opposite planar surface of the ink manifold, each of the plurality of ink ports being in liquid communication with a respective one of the plurality of ink channels, each of the plurality of ink channels having a bottom wall defined by bottom wall portions that rise from each ink port within the ink channel to a maximum height at an angle of at least 12 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Greg LONG, Jamey ANDERSON, Brad DREWS
  • Publication number: 20160279942
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an inkjet head includes a pressure cell structure. The pressure cell structure includes pressure cells, flow control paths, and slits. The flow control paths are formed on both the sides of the pressure cells, and control flow of ink flowing into the pressure cells. The slits are in communication with the pressure cells and the flow control paths. The width of the slit is smaller than the width of the pressure cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Shuhei YOKOYAMA, Ryuichi ARAI
  • Publication number: 20160279943
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge apparatus including: forming a photoresist film made of a photoresist on a silicon substrate; exposing the photoresist film; forming a nozzle in the photoresist film by exposing the photoresist film and then developing the photoresist film; forming a channel hole in communication with the nozzle by carrying out an etching process from a surface of the substrate on the opposite side from the photoresist film after forming the nozzle; and joining a channel member to the surface of the substrate on the opposite side from the photoresist film, the channel member including a pressure chamber in communication with the channel hole and a piezoelectric element formed as a film to correspond to the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Toru Kakiuchi
  • Publication number: 20160279944
    Abstract: A MEMS chip having at least two chip components bonded together by means of an adhesive layer that is applied to at least one of two mating bonding surfaces of the two components, wherein a pattern of finely distributed micro-cavities is formed in at least one of the two mating bonding surfaces, said micro-cavities being arranged to accommodate a major part of the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Hans REINTEN, Hendrik J. STOLK, Alex N. WESTLAND
  • Publication number: 20160279945
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is provided, including a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer, a plurality of individual electrodes arranged in two arrays, first and second common electrodes which have first and second facing portions facing parts of the individual electrodes and first and second connecting portions connecting the first and second facing portions respectively, and first and second wiring portions which are arranged on the vibration plate and which are connected to the first and second common electrodes respectively via first and second connecting wirings, wherein one of the first connecting wirings connects the first connecting portion and one of the first wiring portion while striding over the second connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Yoshikazu TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20160279946
    Abstract: A liquid ejection device actuator unit is fitted to a nozzle unit including a liquid chamber of which an inside volume is variable by deformation of a liquid chamber side diaphragm and an ejection tube which ejects a liquid from the liquid chamber. The liquid ejection device actuator unit includes a movable plate which comes into contact with the liquid chamber side diaphragm, a piezoelectric element which comes into contact with the movable plate at one end of the piezoelectric element in an expansion or contraction direction to deform the movable plate, and a support member which is adhered to the piezoelectric element at other end of the piezoelectric element in the expansion or contraction direction. At least one of a contact portion of the movable plate and the piezoelectric element and a contact portion of the piezoelectric element and the support member is adhered by a hard material containing adhesive in which a hard material with a larger elastic modulus than a hardened adhesive is mixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Akio KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160279947
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element having a first electrode on a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric layer has functional portions sandwiched between the first and second electrodes; the second electrode configures a common electrode provided continuously across a plurality of the functional portions; the piezoelectric layer extends to an outer side of an end of the first electrode; the vibration plate has a first region opposing the first electrode, a second region opposing an area of the piezoelectric layer extending further toward an outer side than the first electrode, and a third region further toward the outer side than the piezoelectric layer; the second region has a thickness substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of the first region; and the third region is thinner than the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hideto IZUMI, Hideki HAHIRO
  • Publication number: 20160279948
    Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes multiple nozzle rows, in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging liquid onto a medium are arranged, that are arranged in an intersection direction intersecting with a nozzles-arranged direction where the nozzles are arranged, a shielding portion that shields an area between the nozzle rows, and a collecting portion that collects mist which is attached to the shielding portion and is generated due to discharging of the liquid from the nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Satoru KATAGAMI, Tsutomu SASAKI, Manabu SUZUKI, Kazutoshi FUJISHIMA
  • Publication number: 20160279949
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a carriage including an ejecting unit which ejects liquid onto a medium, and can move in a reciprocating direction, in which the carriage includes catching units which catch mist which occurs along with ejecting of the liquid from the ejecting unit on at least one side of the ejecting unit in the reciprocating direction, and the catching units include a fan which moves the mist from the catching units by generating an air current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Manabu SUZUKI, Tsutomu SASAKI, Satoru KATAGAMI, Kazutoshi FUJISHIMA, Takahiro KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160279950
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming section which includes a recording head having nozzles and which forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from the nozzles, a scanning section which scans the image formed on one face of the recording medium, a conveying section which conveys the recording medium for the recording medium to pass by the image forming section and the scanning section with its one face facing them, and an inverting section which inverts the recording medium having the image formed on one face thereof and conveys the recording medium to the upstream of the image forming section. The scanning section is disposed downstream of the image forming section and upstream of the inverting section. The image includes a test chart as a pattern image for detection of nozzle clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA INC.
    Inventors: Toyoaki SUGAYA, Mitsuru OBATA, Toshiyuki MIZUTANI, Takashi MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20160279951
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head with liquid ejecting nozzles which eject a liquid onto a recording medium provided in a nozzle surface, a wiper which wipes the nozzle surface, and a cover which is positioned between the recording medium and a rim of the nozzle surface and covers the rim of the nozzle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Yosaku TAMURA, Atsushi NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160279952
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a lock surface and an operation portion. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first attitude and a second attitude. When the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude, the lock surface contacts a lock portion of the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction, and the operation surface faces an upward direction and the second direction. When the liquid cartridge is in the second attitude, the lock surface is positioned further in a downward direction than the lock portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutao WANG
  • Publication number: 20160279953
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid container, a target member disposed within a liquid chamber defined in the liquid container, an actuator movable between a restriction position and a non-restriction position, a first magnetic body provided on the target member and a second magnetic body provided on the actuator. The target member is movable between a detection position and a standby position, an arrival of the target member at the detection position being detectable from outside of the liquid container. The target member is movable from the standby position to the detection position in response to movement of the actuator from the restriction position to the non-restriction position, and is movable from the detection position to the standby position in response to movement of the actuator from the non-restriction position to the restriction position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikio HIRANO, Takashi ITO
  • Publication number: 20160279954
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a chamber configured to store liquid therein, with a liquid outlet configured to supply the liquid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber. A detector is positioned in the chamber so as to be rotatable between a released position and a restricted position. The detector has a detection portion and a restriction portion with a first contact surface defining a first length. A restriction member includes a second contact surface that defines a second length greater than the first length. The restriction member is movable straightly between a first position in which the first and second contact surfaces contact one another, a second position in which the first and second contact surfaces do not contact one another, and a third position between the first and second positions in which the first and second contact surfaces contact one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihito ONO
  • Publication number: 20160279955
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a lower face, and the lower face includes a first portion and a second portion which are positioned further in the second direction than the pivot center. The second portion is positioned further in the second direction than the first portion and is positioned further in the upward direction than the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20160279956
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid chamber with a liquid outlet configured to supply the liquid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the liquid chamber. A body is positioned in the chamber and is movable between a first position wherein movement of the body is restricted, and a second position wherein the body is movable along a movement path between the first and second positions. The body has a plurality of sides. A detector is positioned in the chamber and is movable in response to movement of the body between the first and second positions. The body defines a plurality openings that extend into the body through at least two sides of the body. A plurality of resist surfaces are formed by the plurality of openings, and the resist surfaces are configured to resist movement of the body between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kosuke NUKUI
  • Publication number: 20160279957
    Abstract: The invention provides a technique for suppressing liquid leakage from a tank. An ink tank 25A includes an ink containing portion 100. In a state in which the ink containing portion 100 contains an ink in an amount equal to ½of its ink capacity, when the ink tank 25A is brought into an ink injection orientation, the first atmospheric air introducing inlet 114 is located in a region where the air is present, and the second atmospheric air introducing inlet 124 is located in a region where the ink is present. When the ink tank 25A is rotated upside down by 180° from that orientation and brought into a reversed orientation, the first atmospheric air introducing inlet 114 is located in a region where the ink is present, and the second atmospheric air introducing inlet 124 is located in a region where the air is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoma KUDO, Naomi KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20160279958
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20160279959
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20160279960
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20160279961
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid chamber with a liquid outlet configured to supply the liquid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber. An actuator is movable between a first position in which the liquid outlet is closed, and a second position in which the liquid outlet is open. A detector is positioned in the chamber, and is movable from a restricted position to a released position in response to movement of the actuator from the first to the second position. The detector is movable from the released position to the restricted position in response to movement of the actuator from the second to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke NUKUI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20160279962
    Abstract: A printer which is configured so that an ink tank which accommodates ink is fixed and a user can refill the ink tank with the ink, includes one pair of electrodes which are disposed in the ink tank and serve as sensors for detecting whether or not the ink is present at a predetermined height (first threshold value). A control portion which controls the printer performs liquid presence detection to detect whether or not the ink is present at the predetermined height (first threshold value) by using the sensors, and performs initial filling which corresponds to the result of the detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Masayuki ISHIDA, Shuichi KOGANEHIRA, Ryohei ITO, Masaki TSUKIDA
  • Publication number: 20160279963
    Abstract: A printer to which an ink tank that contains an ink is fixed and that is configured such that a user can refill the ink tank with the ink includes: a consumption amount calculation unit that calculates a consumption amount of the ink; a storage unit that stores a count value that is updated based on the consumption amount of the ink calculated by the consumption amount calculation unit; a sensor that detect whether or not the ink is present at a predetermined position in the ink tank; and a control unit that executes ink presence/absence detection with the sensor. The ink presence/absence detection is for determining whether or not the ink is present. The control unit resets the count value to an initial value thereof if the control unit executes the ink presence/absence detection and determines that the ink is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Shuichi KOGANEHIRA, Ryohei ITO, Masaki TSUKIDA
  • Publication number: 20160279964
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first circulation flow path which includes an outgoing path and a return path, a heating section which heats the ink, a branching section which branches the outgoing path, a branch path in which the ink flows to the ink reservoir section from the branching section, and a control section capable of switching between a first state in which the ink which is heated by the heating section is returned to the ink reservoir section through the first circulation flow path and a second state in which the ink is returned to the ink reservoir section through the branch path, in which in at least a portion of a period from a start-up of the printing apparatus until image formation is carried out, a mode is set to the second state and during the image formation, the mode is set to the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Masaaki ANDO
  • Publication number: 20160279965
    Abstract: An ink composition is held in an ink container that is provided with an ink inlet through which the ink container can be refilled with the ink composition, and is used in a state in which the ink container is fitted into an inkjet recording device that includes a recording head having a nozzle hole that ejects the ink composition, the ink composition including a disperse dye, and at least one of a silicon-based surfactant and a fluorine-based surfactant, the ink composition having a surface tension of 22 to 30 mN/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunari Ikeda, Akihito Sao, Hiroshi Takahashi, Shinichi Naito
  • Publication number: 20160279966
    Abstract: A compact printer having improved operational features is disclosed. The printer includes an articulating print frame assembly coupled to a top cover that is adapted to rotate out of the top cover to an open position and to rotate into the top cover to a closed position. When the print frame is in an open position, the top cover is prevented from rotating toward the bottom housing to a closed position. The print frame includes a ribbon guide bar that facilitates loading of ribbon and media. The disclosed printer also includes a fixed or adjustable media sensor, and is configurable to accommodate an internal supply of web (roll) media or an external supply of fanfold media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth Colonel, Raul Palacios, Ching-Yang Chou, Dick Feng Yi Tai
  • Publication number: 20160279967
    Abstract: A method for dynamically compensating for thermal expansion and contraction of a light emitting diode print bar having first and second light emitting diodes having first and second ideal positions, respectively, the method including: a) determining a first measured position of the first light emitting diode and a second measured position of the second light emitting diode; b) comparing the first measured position and the second measured position to the first ideal position and the second ideal position, respectively; and, c) correcting a first difference between the first measured position and the first ideal position and a second difference between the second measured position and the second ideal position based on results from the step of comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark P. Haefner, Paul A. Hosier, Roger L. Triplett, Terri A. Clingerman
  • Publication number: 20160279968
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus configured to perform by itself image erasing and image recording to a thermally reversible recording medium by irradiating it with laser light and heating it, including a laser light emitting unit, a laser light scanning unit, a focal length control unit, and an information setting unit. During image erasing, the focal length control unit performs control to defocus at the position of the thermally reversible recording medium. During image recording, the focal length control unit performs control to be at a focal length from the position of the thermally reversible recording medium. Immediately after image erasing based on image erasing information set by the information setting unit is completed, image recording is performed based on image recording information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomomi ISHIMI, Shinya KAWAHARA, Toshiaki ASAI, Katsuya OHI
  • Publication number: 20160279969
    Abstract: An apparatus including a control cylinder rotatably supported for thermal conduction to a sheet. The sheet conveys ink deposited on a first side. The sheet is held against a peripheral arch of the control cylinder as it rotates with the first side of the sheet directly engaging and wrapping around the control cylinder along the peripheral arch. The apparatus also includes a thermal control element for heating and/or cooling the control cylinder. The apparatus also includes a pressure roll for spreading the ink. The pressure roll with the control cylinder forms a spreader nip, which is selectively changeable between a closed and open position. In the closed position the pressure roll is biased toward the control cylinder for applying pressure to the ink on the sheet. The pressure roll is spaced further away from the control cylinder in the open position relative to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Hunter, James Joseph Spence, Mark A. Atwood
  • Publication number: 20160279970
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording section which performs recording by discharging ink on paper, a transport belt which is able to transport the paper by rotating, a charging roller which charges the transport belt, a cleaning unit which moves the charging roller between a contact position that is a position at which the charging roller is brought into contact with the transport belt and a separation position which is a position that is separated from the transport belt more than the contact position, and a dirt estimation section which estimates dirt on the transport belt, in which the cleaning unit moves the charging roller from the contact position to the separation position in a case where the dirt estimation section estimates that the transport belt is dirty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Masanori NAKATA, Yuichi SEGAWA, Satoshi CHIBA
  • Publication number: 20160279971
    Abstract: In a conveying device, a cover member includes a guide portion and is configured to move relative to a casing between a first position at which the guide portion defines a first conveying path, and a second position at which the guide portion exposes the first conveying path to an exterior of the conveying device. A conveying unit is configured to convey a medium along a second conveying path. A flap is supported by the cover member and pivotable about a pivot axis between a third position and a fourth position. The flap is configured to guide the medium toward the conveying unit. A restricting mechanism is configured to selectively allow and restrict pivoting of the flap to the fourth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Shota Iijima, Iwane Sano
  • Publication number: 20160279972
    Abstract: A printing device and a printing method, which are by ink-jet technique an overcoat layer using an ink consisting of more suitable ingredients, are provided. The printing device is for performing printing by ink-jet technique, including: a color ink head being an inkjet head that forms a color ink layer on a medium using a color ink; an overcoat head being an inkjet head that forms an overcoat layer that covers the color ink layer; and a curing agent head being an inkjet head that discharges ink droplets of a curing agent, the curing agent being a liquid for curing an ink in the overcoat layer. The overcoat head discharges ink droplets of an ink prepared by dispersing in an organic solvent a curable material that is cured in reaction to the curing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: AKIFUMI SEKI, KAZUYA NOZAKI, HIRONORI HASHIZUME, MASARU OHNISHI