Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9545759
    Abstract: Various automated fiber placement systems and methods are disclosed. The system can determine steerable paths for the application of a composite material over highly contoured surfaces. The system can determine when a course trajectory would violate a steering limitation (e.g., a maximum bendability of the composite material) and can adjust the trajectory to avoid such violations. The adjustment can create gaps between adjacent courses, which can have a generally flared peripheral shape. The system can fill such gaps with subsequent courses of the composite material. Thus, the system can automatically apply composite material to highly contoured surfaces while also avoiding violation of the steering limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CGTech
    Inventors: Thomas Yarker, William H. Hasenjaeger
  • Patent number: 9545760
    Abstract: An isotropic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet wherein a chopped strand prepreg comprising a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing fiber is layered so that the fiber orientation is random, the prepreg having a fiber volume fraction (Vf) of 20% to 50%, a length in the fiber axis direction of 15 to 45 mm, and a thickness of no greater than 0.13 mm, and the layered material is molded into sheet form by heating and pressing, and a molded plate obtained from the isotropic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet. Even if the volume fraction of the reinforcing fiber is relatively low, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet and a molded plate that are excellent in terms of mechanical properties and their uniformity can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Takeru Ohki, Takeshi Naito, Yoshitaka Umemoto
  • Patent number: 9545761
    Abstract: A device changes the shape of a die used to compression mold a part. The device includes a sleeve placed between the die and a charge to be molded. The sleeve has an inner face generally conforming to a face of the die, and a outer face for molding a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles R. Prebil, James R. Fox, Alexander M. Rubin, Randall D. Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 9545762
    Abstract: A coupling made of composite material including a polymer matrix reinforced by a fiber structure is disclosed. The coupling includes a structural portion reinforced by a main fiber structure, and a first machining portion reinforced by a first fiber structure that is distinct from the main fiber structure. The matrices of the structural portion and of the first machining portion are identical. The first machining portion is situated on at least a fraction of the main face of the structural portion and is machined in a first machining surface. There is no intersection between the first machining surface and the fibers of the main fiber structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Francois Marie Paul Marlin, Philippe Verseux
  • Patent number: 9545763
    Abstract: An emergency repair kit for tire punctures is disclosed, which generally includes a sealant dispenser and a box having a large bottom surface and accommodating therein compressor unit that can supply compressed air into a bottle of the sealant dispenser via an air input connection tube of the sealant dispenser to force the chemical sealant contained in the bottle to flow out of a sealant output connection tube of the sealant dispenser for inflating and repairing a punctured tire. A basket is used to detachably couple the sealant dispenser to the box, so that the sealant dispenser can stand on a surface more firmly. Therefore, the sealant dispenser can be prevent from displacement or overturn due to vibrations, so that the emergency repair kit can be operated more safely and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Wen-San Chou
  • Patent number: 9545764
    Abstract: A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Joseph L Allore, Michael J. Formenti, Michael J. Lombardi, Michael L Neau
  • Patent number: 9545765
    Abstract: A method of blocking a lens member having a surface to be manufactured on a lens holding unit, the method comprising: a lens member providing step during which a lens member comprising engraved markings is provided, a contrast providing step during which contrast elements are placed on the engraved markings, a taping step during which the marked surface of the lens member is taped with an adhesive tape over the contrast elements, and a blocking step during which the lens member is blocked on a lens holding unit via the taped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Marc Reignault, Pascal Le Bouillonnec
  • Patent number: 9545766
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light-guide device includes: obtaining a substrate having a flow passage; providing inkjet printing equipment having a liquid jetting head apparatus; and injecting an optical wave guide micro-droplet into the flow passage by using the liquid jetting head apparatus of the inkjet printing equipment, to form a light-guide device in the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
    Inventor: Chin-Tai Chen
  • Patent number: 9545767
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method for imparting a unique identifier to a molded polymeric article. The method includes providing a label comprising indicia having a thickness effective for embossing the polymeric article during molding and a melting point greater than the melting point of the molded polymeric article. The method also includes attaching the label to the article prior to vulcanization. The method further includes vulcanizing the article so that indicia emboss the molded polymeric article by forming indentations in the molded polymeric article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Computype, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Roach, Peter C. Baker
  • Patent number: 9545768
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the processing of semi-finished sacks and a gluing station for semi-finished sacks include a feed element and a guide element. Semi-finished sacks having more complicated shapes, such as tubular pieces having open bottom squares with valve patches inserted therein, tend to be subjected to a partial gluing process or even suffer damage during the process of glue application in the nozzle clearance. Therefore, at least one feed element is provided, which is disposed upstream of a glue-application gap in the transport direction of the semi-finished sacks, and which together with the guide element defines a feed region of the semi-finished sacks to the application head. Components of the semi-finished sacks are guided through the feed region, which tapers in the transport direction of the semi-finished sacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER KG
    Inventors: Andreas Lamkemeyer, Marco Daher, Ralf Klang
  • Patent number: 9545769
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for producing a web of corrugated cardboard. The assembly has a corrugating device for producing a corrugated web, a glue application device for applying glue to the corrugated web and a pressure belt device which has an endless pressure belt guided around a deflection roller and a belt course regulating roller for pressing a cover layer against the corrugated web provided with glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Schieder, Florian Müller
  • Patent number: 9545770
    Abstract: A dis-bond membrane prevents co-mingling between a thermoplastic liner and a fiber reinforced thermoset outer wall of a pressure vessel during thermal curing of the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard A. Miller
  • Patent number: 9545771
    Abstract: Provided is a tile for concealing an underlying surface. The tile includes a base including a downward-facing surface that is to oppose an underlying surface on which the tile is to rest. The base is formed, at least in part, from a material including a combination of crumb rubber and rice hull material. A plurality of feet extend in a downwardly direction from the downward-facing surface to contact the underlying surface on which the tile is to rest and separate the downward-facing surface from the underlying surface. A cap is coupled to a surface of the base opposite the downward-facing surface comprising the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Gerald Joseph Sosnowski
  • Patent number: 9545772
    Abstract: An array structure includes a plurality of containers arranged in a predetermined pattern. Each container of the plurality of containers has a maximum outer dimension that is less than about 1 cm, and each container of the plurality of containers has a substantially predetermined porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David H. Gracias, Yevgeniy Vladimirovich Kalinin, Christina Lee Randall
  • Patent number: 9545773
    Abstract: A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9545774
    Abstract: A method for reworking a ceramic structure. A portion of a first facesheet is removed from the ceramic structure to form a first aperture. The first facesheet comprises a number of layers of a first ceramic material. A portion of an inner section of the ceramic structure is removed to form a second aperture. The second aperture extends from the first aperture into the inner section. The inner section comprises a second ceramic material bonded to the first facesheet and has a lower density than the first facesheet. A ceramic replacement material is placed in the second aperture. A number of replacement ceramic layers are placed in the first aperture. Ceramic particles are placed between the first facesheet and the number of replacement ceramic layers. The ceramic particles are sintered to bond the number of replacement ceramic layers to the first facesheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sangvavann Heng, Leanne L. Lehman, Kaia Elena David, William Preston Keith, Van Ha Ngo
  • Patent number: 9545775
    Abstract: Enclosures and panels for forming such enclosures can include a first edge having a front side and a rear side, each side having a first portion of a fastening medium thereon, and a second edge having first and second flaps, each flap having an inner surface with a second portion of the fastening medium thereon. The flaps of a first panel can engaged with the front and rear sides of an adjacent panel, and similarly, any number of adjacent panels can be engaged in this manner to form a sealed enclosure, usable for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Samer U. Al-Azem
  • Patent number: 9545776
    Abstract: At least one water is embedded in a carrier to eliminate or at least reduce edge effect. The wafer reconfiguration is designed to improve a quality not only for spin coating process but also for electric plating process. An edge bead is formed on top of the carrier instead of being formed on top of the wafer so that a full top surface of the wafer can be active to the fabrication of chips and therefore more chips are yielded for a single wafer. The backside of the wafer is not contaminated by the coating according to the present invention. Further, dummy circuits can be made on top of the carrier so that electric plating uniformity for full area of a wafer can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Dyi-Chung Hu
  • Patent number: 9545777
    Abstract: This application discloses a corrosion-resistant brazing sheet package for use in manufacturing tubing. The brazing sheet package includes a core layer of aluminum-containing alloy comprising from 0.1 wt % to 0.2 wt % of titanium. The core layer has a first side and a second side. The first side of the core layer is adjacent to a first cladding layer to form a first interface. The second side of the core layer is adjacent to a second cladding layer to form a second interface. The first cladding layer and the second cladding layer each include from 2.5 wt % to 4.0 wt % of zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Henri Marois, Kevin Michael Gatenby, Andrew D. Howells
  • Patent number: 9545778
    Abstract: A mechanical pressure application system for applying a tailored pressure distribution to a plurality of structural components is provided. Each structural component has a first surface, and each first surface is configured to interface with the first surface of another of the structural components at a contact area. A base and at least one tooling block are configured to removably couple to the structural components. Each at least one tooling block includes a first surface configured to be positioned proximate at least one of the plurality of structural components. A second surface of each tooling block is configured to receive at least one forcing member. At least one biasing mechanism is configured to apply a predetermined load to the at least one forcing member, such that a force is transmitted from the at least one forcing member through the tooling block to a corresponding portion of the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ryan Joseph Merriman, James R. Fox, Charles Richard Prebil, Steven J. Burpo
  • Patent number: 9545779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a web of corrugated cardboard comprising a first corrugating roller for producing a corrugated web. The device further has a glue application roller for applying glue to the corrugated web. The glue application roller is associated to the first corrugating roller so as to form a gap and is displaceable relative to the first corrugating roller in order to influence the glue application quantity. The device further comprises a displacement device for displacing the glue application roller relative to the first corrugating roller and a pressing device for pressing a laminating web against the corrugated web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Fischer, Florian Müller
  • Patent number: 9545780
    Abstract: A method for producing a part made of a composite material, including a skin and at least one stiffener made of strips, which are in turn made of one or more plies of fibers impregnated with a non-polymerized resin. The method includes the steps of: producing a preform of the part by pulling the strips through a die for shaping and positioning the skin and the stiffeners, a polymerization core being provided between a first strip and a second strip prior to the passage thereof through the die; and pressing the resulting preform in a hot press for a duration dt while applying a pressure P and at a temperature T for polymerizing the resin of the strips in the hot press over a pressing length L that is shorter than the length of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Philippe Blot, Matthieu Kneveller
  • Patent number: 9545781
    Abstract: A test element (10) used to determine concentration levels of free and total chlorine in a water sample comprises a test pad (12) adhered to a substrate (14), wherein the test pad (12) is impregnated with a stabilized DPD solution. The test pad (12) is color responsive to different concentration levels of chlorine in the water and compared to a color chart to determine the level of free chlorine and/or total chlorine in the water. The stabilized DPD solution may include N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine oxalate salt, a polymeric anhydride such as a methyl-vinyl anhydride and an organo-sulfate such as dimethylsulfone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Ibrahim A. Ismail, Matthew Hertel, Teresa Lynn Swanson
  • Patent number: 9545782
    Abstract: A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object, and non-conductively heating the bond interface without directly heating the surface outside of the cure zone. Non-conductively heating the bond interface may involve applying microwave radiation to the bond interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Moushumi Shome, Adriana Willempje Blom, Sahrudine Apdalhaliem, Waeil M. Ashmawi
  • Patent number: 9545783
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and a method for removing an epoxy resin from a backing sheet at a temperature at or below the glass transition temperature of the epoxy resin. The apparatus (200) comprises a housing (210) in which is mounted a dispensing roll (220) comprising epoxy resin (230) on a backing sheet (240), a wind-up roll (250) comprising the backing sheet (240), a release element (260) over which the backing sheet (240) is directed, and a collection tray (270) for collecting pieces of resin (230a) removed from the backing sheet (240). The dispensing and wind-up rolls (220, 250) are mounted on respective drive shafts (225, 255) which are driven by a drive mechanism (285) controlled by a controller (280). A temperature controller (290) is also provided for controlling the temperature within the housing (210) so that it remains below or at the glass transition temperature of the epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: COEXPAIR
    Inventors: Marc Gillard, Andre Bertin
  • Patent number: 9545784
    Abstract: A projection image correction system includes a section that detects intersection coordinates in a corrected sheet image, a section that calculates a first projective transformation matrix for transformation of the detected intersection coordinates into intersection coordinates stored in advance, a section that generates two spatial code images from the corrected positive and negative images of Gray code patterns, a section that acquires intersections of brightness profiles in the positive and negative images, a section that acquires coordinates of an intersection of boundary lines in the two spatial code images, a section that calculates a second projective transformation matrix by which transformation is performed so that the acquired intersection coordinates, transformed by the first projective transformation matrix, are distributed over the entire region, and a section that transforms, using the second projective transformation matrix, image data to be outputted to a projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9545785
    Abstract: A printing form precursor comprises a printing surface which comprises an inorganic metal compound, the printing surface being hydrophobic and capable of being made hydrophilic by energy but capable of becoming hydrophobic again, for reuse, if desired. An associated method of printing includes steps of subjecting the printing surface imagewise to energy so as to locally increase its hydrophilicity sufficient to make the surface differentiated in its acceptance of an oleophilic a printing ink; applying the ink to the printing surface and printing from the printing surface; causing or allowing the printing surface to undergo a reduction in hydrophilicity sufficient again to make the printing surface uniform in its acceptance of a printing ink; and, if wished, repeating these steps on multiple occasions. Thus the invention achieves the goal of providing a printing form precursor which does not need a chemical developer, and which can be used multiple times, to print different images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: J P Imaging Limited
    Inventors: John David Adamson, Peter Andrew Reath Bennett, Richard Arthur Hutchinson, Rodney Martin Potts
  • Patent number: 9545786
    Abstract: A method for producing color steel plate with multicolored patterns, the PLC control module of servo control system collects the process and rotation speed of each roller of the roller coating unit, calculates out and makes the theoretical roller surface linear velocity be consistent with the process rotation speed; conversely, the actual roller surface linear velocity of each roller of roller coating unit is collected by servo control module having an encoder, and the signal of actual roller surface linear velocity is input into the PLC control system, so that PLC control system can compare actual and theoretical roller surface linear velocity, and adjust current frequency until actual and theoretical roller surface linear velocity are consistent. Control method ensures actual roller surface linear velocity is consistent with process rotation speed, so there is no need to stop the line for adjusting in the production process, thus increasing the production efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: LIAONING CHAOSHUO TOMA TECHNOLOGY STEEL PLATE PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yueping Tang, Jianping Zhou, Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 9545787
    Abstract: A method of generating print data for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: receiving image data for a print job in a printer controller; retrieving keep-wet pattern data for each ink plane of the printhead, the retrieved keep-wet pattern data being determined using one or more input parameters; generating first print data for each ink plane in the printer controller based on the received image data; merging the first print data with the keep-wet pattern data to provide second print data for each ink plane; and sending the second print data from the printer controller to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to print an image together with a keep-wet pattern. The keep-wet pattern is defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventors: Julie Hogan, Angus North, Philip Palma, John Sheahan, Brian Brown, David Keeshan, Rodney Hardy, Peter Allworth, Colin Pickup, Caitriona Forbes, Kieran Roughan, William Jacob
  • Patent number: 9545788
    Abstract: A controller performs: correcting a pre-correction pulse signal and outputting the corrected pre-correction pulse signal as a post-correction pulse signal that switches between third and fourth levels, the correcting including: switching the post-correction pulse signal from the third to fourth level when first or second condition is satisfied, the first condition being that the pre-correction pulse signal switches from the first to second level, the second condition being that duration of the third level exceeds a first reference period; and switching the post-correction pulse signal from the fourth to third level when both of third and fourth conditions are satisfied, the third condition being that duration of the fourth level exceeds a second reference period, the fourth condition being that the pre-correction pulse signal is on the first level; and calculating a relative moving velocity of the moving device based on temporal changes between the third and fourth levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhito Shikama, Kohei Terada
  • Patent number: 9545789
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention includes: a modulation unit that generates a modulated signal which is obtained by pulse-modulating an original signal; a gate driver that generates an amplification control signal, based on the modulated signal; a transistor that generates an amplified and modulated signal which is obtained by amplifying the modulated signal, based on the amplification control signal; a low pass filter that generates a drive signal by demodulating the amplified and modulated signal; a piezoelectric element that is displaced by the drive signal which is applied; a first power supply unit that applies a signal to a terminal of the piezoelectric element, other than a terminal to which the drive signal is applied; a cavity; and a nozzle, wherein the gate driver and the first power supply unit are connected to a common ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomokazu Yamada
  • Patent number: 9545790
    Abstract: Examples of the method may comprise providing a print media under a printhead of the printing system, obtaining an actual height profile signal, related to a height between the printhead and the print media, based on measurements taken at a plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one pass, comparing said actual height profile signal to an earlier height profile signal, obtained based on measurements taken at said plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one earlier pass on the same print media, and determining a media malfunction condition based on said comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio Gracia Verdugo, Valentin Gimenez Fernandez, Mauricio Seras Franzoso
  • Patent number: 9545791
    Abstract: When the head temperature Tfinish, which is the head temperature at the time of completion of a preceding scan, is higher than the stable ejection temperature Tstable, the target temperature is made a temperature that is only a temperature value ?T lower than the head temperature Tfinish. On the other hand, when Tfinish, the head temperature at the time of print completion, is lower than the stable ejection temperature Tstable, the target temperature is made a temperature that is only a temperature value ?T higher than the head temperature Tfinish. Because of this it is possible to inhibit head temperature rise in the case where an image with a high print density is printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi Oonuki, Hidehiko Kanda, Akiko Aichi, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Taira
  • Patent number: 9545792
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of individual electrodes, a piezoelectric layer formed on each of individual electrodes, and a common electrode which is formed on the piezoelectric layer and is an electrode common to the individual electrodes. Further, a protection film covering a region, which is not covered by the common electrode on the individual electrode, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Yazaki, Takahiro Kamijo, Tatsuro Torimoto, Motoki Takabe
  • Patent number: 9545793
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a processing method of a silicon substrate, capable of suppressing breakage of thin silicon or a thin film structure of an intermediate layer in etching first and second silicon substrates. According to the present invention, a first silicon substrate and a second silicon substrate are bonded to each other while holding an intermediate layer having an opening between both of the silicon substrates in a bonding step. A closed space defined by at least one of the first and second silicon substrates and the opening at least partly embedded with a filler in a filling step. Furthermore, a liquid supply port is formed in such a manner as to penetrate the filler in the opening and the second silicon substrate from the first silicon substrate in an etching step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoji Kanri, Atsunori Terasaki
  • Patent number: 9545794
    Abstract: A method of performing maintenance on a printhead of an imaging device includes the detection of at least one contaminated ink jet in a printhead. A first pressure is applied to ink in the printhead in response to the detection of the at least one contaminated ink jet. The first pressure is configured to prevent ink from entering a plurality of apertures in an aperture plate of the printhead and to prevent ink from drooling from the plurality of apertures unless the apertures are wiped by a wiper blade. A first portion of apertures in the plurality of apertures in the aperture plate is wiped with a wiper blade while leaving a second portion of the apertures untouched by the wiper blade while the first pressure is applied to the ink in the printhead. The wiping of the first portion of apertures enables ink to drool from the first portion of apertures. The first portion of apertures includes the at least one detected contaminated ink jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James Matthew Cunnington, Trevor James Snyder, Edward F. Burress, Heidi Noce
  • Patent number: 9545795
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink cartridge, an ink cartridge assembly and a method for detecting the installation of the ink cartridge. A plurality of ink cartridges are detachably mounted on an inkjet printer including a light receiver and a plurality of apparatus electrical contacts which are commonly connected with a line, the ink cartridge comprises a container electrical contact electrically connected with corresponding apparatus electrical contact an information storage device, a light-emitting portion configured to emit light towards the light receiver, and a control portion configured to control the light-emitting portion to emit light, wherein, the control portion of the ink cartridge controls the light-emitting portion to emit light when receiving an emission instruction sent by the inkjet printer. Therefore, the stability of the ink cartridge installation detection can be fully guaranteed and the phenomenon of installation detection error can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ZHUHAI NINESTAR MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bing Nie, Zhizheng Jia, Yuedan Liang
  • Patent number: 9545796
    Abstract: Color registration errors are corrected for print jobs including periodic image content. A first subset of document pages are printed and the resulting color registration errors are measured. The measured color registration errors are analyzed to identify the presence of a periodic pattern of color registration errors having a repeat period. A repeating pattern of color registration correction values are determined corresponding to the periodic pattern of color registration errors. A second subset of the document pages is printed using the determined repeating pattern of color registration correction values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Liston, Matthias H. Regelsberger, James A. Katerberg
  • Patent number: 9545797
    Abstract: A recording medium heating apparatus includes a plurality of heat rollers disposed in a feeding path of a recording medium and having respective heating units; and a control unit controlling temperatures of the heating units so that the temperature of a first heat roller is lower than the temperature of a second heat roller. Further, the first and the second heat rollers are included in the plurality of heat rollers and the first heat roller is disposed on the upstream side of the second heat roller in the feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Onodera, Genichiroh Kawamichi, Yasuhide Nakazawa, Yutaka Nagasawa, Shinji Nagayama
  • Patent number: 9545798
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a tray unit, a recording unit disposed above the tray unit, an outer guide defining a curved path extending from the tray unit to the recording unit, a sheet feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit to the curved path, and a return guide disposed between the recording unit and the tray unit. The return guide pivots about a shaft and guides the sheet having an image recorded thereon back to the curved path. The tray unit includes at least one supporting portion. The return guide includes at least one supported portion. The at least one supporting portion of the tray unit engages the at least one supported portion of the return guide such that the return guide takes a guiding position in which the return guide defines a return path extending to the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Asada, Hirotaka Aoki, Satoru Nakakita, Shota Iijima
  • Patent number: 9545799
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, including: a printing unit configured to print a plurality of images on a continuous sheet; and a cutting unit configured to cut the continuous sheet per each of the images, wherein, when printing images, information indicating a value obtained by counting the number of the cut sheets cut by the cutting unit is recorded in an area other than the image on the continuous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taketomo Naruse
  • Patent number: 9545800
    Abstract: A printing unit comprises: a platen unit including a platen roller configured to feed a recording sheet; and a head unit including a thermal head configured to perform printing on the recording sheet, the head unit being separably combined with the platen unit, the head unit including: a head frame; a cutter mechanism mounted to the head frame in a removable manner, the cutter mechanism being configured to cut the recording sheet; a support member provided between the cutter mechanism and the head frame, the support member being movable between a coupled position at which the cutter mechanism is coupled to the head frame and a decoupled position at which the cutter mechanism is detachable from the head frame; and a first urging member interposed between the thermal head and the support member, the first urging member being configured to urge the thermal head toward the platen roller, and to urge the support member toward the coupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Murata
  • Patent number: 9545801
    Abstract: Provided is a printing method of performing printing onto a recording medium to be transported with a plurality of recording element arrays. The printing method includes a storing step of storing a perimeter of a timing roller upon acquiring correction data in association with the correction data, an obtaining step of obtaining the perimeter during printing after the storing step of storing the perimeter upon acquiring the correction data, and a modifying step of modifying the correction data during the printing in accordance with the perimeter upon acquiring the correction data and the perimeter during the printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiya Nomura, Kazuki Yamanaka, Osamu Morizono, Kunio Muraji
  • Patent number: 9545802
    Abstract: Provided is a tape cartridge that smoothly delivers a tape-shaped member having detection convex portions from a tape delivery port. In addition, provided is a tape cartridge that prevents the detection convex portions from being falsely detected. The tape cartridge includes a label tape 101, a cartridge case in which the label tape 101 is accommodated, and a platen roller that is accommodated in the cartridge case and pays out the label tape 101 by rotation. The label tape 101 has a print tape 106 and a backing surface exposed portion 153 provided on the peripheries of the label portions 105 and causing the backing surface 107a to be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taishi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9545803
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a mechanism to counter change in the tension of the recording medium to convey the recording medium with more precision. Such printer has a media conveyance mechanism that conveys a recording medium; an inkjet printhead that prints on the conveyed medium when the printhead is located at a position opposed to the media conveyance mechanism; a media supply mechanism that supplies the medium to the media conveyance mechanism; a lever that is positioned between the media conveyance and media supply mechanisms and that moves to compensate and thus counter internal tension changes in the recording medium resulting from operation of these mechanisms; a detector that detects the movement or position of the lever; and a control unit that controls the media supply operation based on output from the detector so that the lever is urged back to or maintained in a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Horaguchi
  • Patent number: 9545804
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage configured to carry a recording head and to move in a main scanning direction, and a guide plate rail configured to guide the carriage when it moves. The carriage is provided with a sliding member movable relative to the carriage in a height direction of the carriage. The carriage and the sliding member have a switch member provided therebetween. The switch member moves in the main scanning direction relative to the carriage and the sliding member to cause the carriage and the sliding member to be relatively displaced in the height direction of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koya Iwakura
  • Patent number: 9545805
    Abstract: A printing system includes a printer head with an airflow management system. The airflow management system includes an air splitter on the leading edge of the printer head and side members that extend the length of the printer head. The air splitter and members are positioned so that a gap is formed between the printer head and the air splitter and members. A vacuum fan positioned within a duct on top of the printer head can draw air through the gap at the leading edge of the printer head and return the air on the trailing side of the printer head. The airflow management system can permit increased printing distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd W. Miller
  • Patent number: 9545806
    Abstract: A self-inking stamp is configured such that, in a marking preparation state, a marking member is maintained in a state in which it is oriented upwardly within a stamp body of the self-inking stamp and pressed against an ink pad to supply ink thereto, and, during a marking operation, after the inner frame is moved downwardly while being reversingly rotated and oriented downwardly, the downwardly-oriented marking member is exposed from the stamp body and enabled to make a mark. The self-inking stamp is also configured to lock the marking member in a state in which it is exposed from the stamp body, for replacement and cleaning of the marking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SHACHIHATA INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Mitsuya, Takuya Koide
  • Patent number: 9545807
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus configured to collect printed sheets ejected from an image forming apparatus and to handle the printed sheets. The post-processing apparatus has: a stacker configured to collect and stack a plurality of printed sheets with one end of each of the printed sheets placed down; a movable stopper configured to stop each of the printed sheets sliding down in the stacker at a specified position; a motor configured to move the stopper along the stacker and stops the stopper; and a control unit configured to control the motor. The control unit increases a current supplied to the motor in preparation for a collision between each of the printed sheets and the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuhide Kokura
  • Patent number: 9545808
    Abstract: A safe, integrated dye sublimation printer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to print one or more images. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be incorporated into a fully-enclosed vending machine, equipped with one or more product storage containers, to provide on-demand personalized sublimated products and accessories for a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Rosner, Gary Edward Will, Bryan Keith Solace