Patents Issued in June 27, 2017
  • Pellicles and methods of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9690190
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pellicle includes forming a membrane on a first surface of a substrate from a chemical reaction in which the substrate serves as a catalyst, forming a protective pattern on a second surface of the substrate, immersing the substrate in an etchant solution, such that a portion of the substrate exposed through the protective pattern is removed to form a frame, and replacing the etchant solution with a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY'S RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Mun-Ja Kim, Tae-Sung Kim, Ji-Beom Yoo, Byung-Gook Kim, Soo-Young Kim, Dong-Wook Shin, Jae-Hyuck Choi
  • Surface defect repair by irradiation
    Patent number: 9690191
    Abstract: A method for repairing a defect on a substrate surface includes placing on the defect a nanoparticle that includes a conductive material. A region of the substrate surface in which the nanoparticle is placed is irradiated, the region being larger than the nanoparticle. An energy density of the irradiation is below a modification threshold for the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMS Ltd.
    Inventors: Sergey Oshemkov, Vladimir Kruglyakov
  • Composition for base, and directed self-assembly lithography method
    Patent number: 9690192
    Abstract: A composition for a base of a directed self-assembling film includes a compound including an oxo acid group, and a solvent. The compound is preferably represented by formula (1). A represents an organic group having 10 or more carbon atoms and having a valency of n. B represents an oxo acid group. n is an integer of 1 to 200. In a case where n is 2 or greater, a plurality of Bs are identical or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: JSR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Komatsu, Takehiko Naruoka, Shinya Minegishi, Kaori Sakai, Tomoki Nagai
  • Curable composition for nanoimprinting and cured product
    Patent number: 9690193
    Abstract: Disclosed is a curable composition for nanoimprinting, which includes one or more polymerizable monomers, in which one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers occupy 90 percent by weight or more of the one or more polymerizable monomers, and the one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers give a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or higher. The one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers are preferably at least one compound selected from (meth)acrylic ester compounds, styrenic compounds, and vinyl ether compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroto Miyake, Takao Yukawa, Shuso Iyoshi
  • Method of forming resist pattern
    Patent number: 9690194
    Abstract: A method of forming a resist pattern using a resist composition containing a base component (A) which exhibits reduced solubility in an organic solvent under action of an acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, the base component (A) including a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a0) derived from a compound represented by general formula (a0-1) shown below and a structural unit (a2) containing a lactone-containing cyclic group or the like (in formula (a0-1), Ra1 represents a monovalent substituent having a polymerizable group, La1 represents O, S or a methylene group, R1 represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon group of 2 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a cyclic hydrocarbon group which may have a hetero atom, and n represents an integer of 0 to 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Takahiro Dazai, Masatoshi Arai
  • Lithographic printing plate precursors and processes for preparing lithographic printing plates
    Patent number: 9690195
    Abstract: Lithographic printing plates and processes for preparing the lithographic printing plates are provided. The plates have excellent printing durability, staining resistance and staining resistance over time. The lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a substrate; a photosensitive layer provided on the substrate; and an extra layer optionally provided between the substrate and the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer or the extra layer adjacent to the substrate contains (A) a copolymer. The copolymer (A) includes: (a1) a repeating unit of formula (a1-1) below in a side chain, and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one of the structures represented by formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) shown in the specification in a side chain. L1, Z1, R1, and R21, R22 and R23 in formula (a1-1) and the variables in formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) are as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Photoimageable compositions containing thermal base generators
    Patent number: 9690196
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass positive-tone, aqueous developable, self-imageable polymer compositions useful for forming films that can be patterned to create structures for microelectronic devices, microelectronic packaging, microelectromechanical systems, optoelectronic devices and displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PROMERUS, LLC
    Inventors: Hendra Ng, Sridevi Kaiti
  • Negative-type photosensitive white composition for touch panel, touch panel and touch panel production method
    Patent number: 9690197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a negative-type photosensitive white composition for a touch panel, the composition including: (A) a white pigment; (B) an alkali-soluble resin; (C) a polyfunctional monomer; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Araki, Mitsuhito Suwa, Hiroko Mitsui, Toru Okazawa
  • Increasing and controlling sensitivity of non-linear metallic thin-film resists
    Patent number: 9690198
    Abstract: Non-linear metallic thermal resist structure having more than two layers of different metals and effective eutectic temperature that is lower than eutectic temperature of a reference non-linear metallic thermal resist having only two layer of same different metals. Optionally, at least one the layers of such resist structure is doped with material different from host metals and/or deposited under conditions resulting in strain or stress in a layer at hand. Method of multi-exposure-based patterning of a substrate carrying such structure with laser pulses characterized by irradiance at levels equal to or below 10 mJ/cm2. The sequence of steps producing the required pattern on the substrate may be explicitly lacking a step of removal of a portion of the resist structure between two consecutive exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Shane R. Palmer
  • Coating compositions for photolithography
    Patent number: 9690199
    Abstract: In a first aspect, methods are provided that comprise: (a) applying a curable composition on a substrate; (b) applying a hardmask composition above the curable composition; (c) applying a photoresist composition layer above the hard mask composition, wherein one or more of the compositions are removed in an ash-free process. In a second aspect, methods are provided that comprise (a) applying an organic composition on a substrate; (b) applying a photoresist composition layer above the organic composition, wherein the organic composition comprises a material that produce an alkaline-soluble group upon thermal and/or radiation treatment. Related compositions also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Zampini, Michael K. Gallagher, Owendi Ongayi
  • Optical apparatus and manufacturing method using the same
    Patent number: 9690200
    Abstract: An optical apparatus and a manufacturing method using the optical apparatus are disclosed. The optical apparatus includes a stage supporting a substrate, first optical systems providing a first light onto the substrate, a gantry supporting the first optical systems to transfer them on the stage, and second optical systems disposed between the gantry and the stage and detecting displacement of the first optical systems. Each of the second optical systems includes a beam source generating a second light different with the first light, and sensor arrays for sensing the second light provided to the first optical systems to detect displacement of the first optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangjoon Hong, Jongjin Lee, Hikuk Lee, Sangdon Jang, Inbae Chang
  • Drawing method and method of manufacturing article
    Patent number: 9690201
    Abstract: A charged particle beam drawing apparatus draws a plurality of cut patterns on a plurality of first linear patterns arranged to extend in a first direction and align themselves at a predetermined pitch P in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of cut patterns are drawn so that an interval Ai in the second direction between the centers of each pair of cut patterns adjacent to each other in the second direction (i is a number which specifies the pair) satisfies a relation: Ai=m1X (m1=1, 2, 3, . . . ) where X is a dimension defined by the pitch P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouichirou Tsujita, Masato Muraki
  • Developing method, developing apparatus and storage medium
    Patent number: 9690202
    Abstract: A developing method includes: forming a puddle of a developer on a surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit by a first developer nozzle; subsequently spreading the puddle of the developer over the whole substrate surface, by moving the first developer nozzle discharging the developer from a central or peripheral part to the peripheral or central part of the rotating substrate, with a contacting part of the first developer nozzle contacting with the puddle; supplying the developer from a second developer nozzle onto the rotating substrate, thereby to uniformize, in the substrate plane, distribution of a degree of progress of development by the developer spreading step; and removing the developer between the developer spreading step and the developer supplying step to remove the developer on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuichi Terashita, Hirofumi Takeguchi, Takeshi Shimoaoki, Kousuke Yoshihara, Tomohiro Iseki
  • Method for adjusting an illumination setting
    Patent number: 9690203
    Abstract: Method for setting an illumination setting in an illumination optical unit comprising at least one controllable correction device, which includes a multiplicity of adjustable correction elements for influencing the transmission, wherein the illumination setting is varied for adapting a predetermined imaging parameter in the region of an image field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Zimmermann, Ralf Stuetzle, Paul Graeupner, Olaf Conradi
  • Maskless exposure device, maskless exposure method and display substrate manufactured by the maskless exposure device and the maskless exposure method
    Patent number: 9690204
    Abstract: A maskless exposure device includes an exposure head including a digital micro-mirror device, the digital micro-mirror device being configured to scan an exposure beam to a substrate by reflecting a source beam from an exposure source; and a system control part configured to control the digital micro-mirror device by utilizing a graphic data system file. The graphic data system file includes data for a source electrode, a drain electrode and a channel portion between the source electrode and the drain electrode in a plan view. The channel portion includes a first portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a scan direction of the exposure head. A width of the first portion of the channel portion is defined to be a multiple of a pulse event generation of the exposure beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyun Lee, Hyun-Seok Kim, Jung-Chul Heo, Hi-Kuk Lee, Sang-Hyun Yun, Ki-Beom Lee, Chang-Hoon Kim, Jung-In Park, Kab-Jong Seo, Jun-Ho Sim, Jae-Hyuk Chang
  • Exposure apparatus, movable body drive system, pattern formation apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
    Patent number: 9690205
    Abstract: While a wafer stage moves linearly in a Y-axis direction, surface position information of a wafer surface at a plurality of detection points set at a predetermined interval in an X-axis direction is detected by a multipoint AF system, and by a plurality of alignment systems arranged in a line along the X-axis direction, marks at different positions on the wafer are each detected, and a part of a chipped shot of the wafer is exposed by a periphery edge exposure system. This allows throughput to be improved when compared with the case when detection operation of the marks, detection operation of the surface position information (focus information), and periphery edge exposure operation are performed independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Substrate holding apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device fabricating method
    Patent number: 9690206
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate to light passing through liquid, and includes a stage that holds the substrate. The stage includes a substrate holder including a support member that supports a rear surface of the substrate and a first circumferential wall surrounding the support member. A second circumferential wall surrounds the substrate holder and forms a first groove between the second circumferential wall and the substrate holder, and a second groove on an outer side thereof. A plate member surrounds the substrate on the support member, and a recovery passage recovers liquid flowing from a liquid supply system to a gap between the plate member and the substrate. The second circumferential wall is under the gap so that part of an upper surface of the second circumferential wall faces the substrate rear surface and another part of the upper surface faces a rear surface of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Shibuta
  • Sensor system for lithography
    Patent number: 9690207
    Abstract: A sensor system to measure a physical quantity, the system including a parallel detection arrangement with multiple detectors to allow measurements in parallel at different spatial locations, wherein the multiple detectors share a noise source, wherein the sensor system is configured such that the multiple detectors each output a signal as a function of the physical quantity, and wherein the sensor system is configured such that at least one detector responds differently to noise originating from the shared noise source than the one or more other detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Haico Victor Kok, Robbert Jan Voogd
  • Mirror array in digital pattern generator (DPG)
    Patent number: 9690208
    Abstract: Systems and method directed to digital pattern generator (DPG) having a mirror array in an e-beam lithography system are discussed. The mirror array includes a first bank of mirrors and a second bank of mirrors with a combination logic structure interposing the first and second banks of mirrors. An output data line extends from the first bank of mirrors to the combinational logic structure. An input data line that carries data associated with the second bank of mirrors is also provided to the combinational logic structure. An output data line extends from the combinational logic structure to second data bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsin Yu
  • Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
    Patent number: 9690209
    Abstract: In a measurement device, positional information of a mark of an object is measured. A holding member that holds the object, with a movable member that is supported by levitation on a base member, moves so that the mark is detected with a detection system having an optical member that irradiates the mark with a detection light, the base member being disposed below the detection system so that a surface of the base member is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane. The holding member is supported by the movable member and has a mounting area for the object on an upper surface side of the holding member in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined plane and being provided with a measurement surface on a lower surface side of the holding member, the measurement surface having a grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
    Patent number: 9690210
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus is provided and configured to project a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate. The apparatus has a measurement system to provide measurement data related to a thickness of a resist layer on the substrate, and a controller to control the operation of the lithographic apparatus such that a radiation intensity level in the patterned beam to be projected onto the substrate is controlled based on the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Arno Jan Bleeker, Laurentius Cornelius De Winter
  • Exposure system
    Patent number: 9690211
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exposure system including a light source and a carrier which are arranged opposite to each other. The carrier is used for placing a to-be-exposed film, and the to-be-exposed film is to be exposed to light emitted from the light source. The exposure system further includes a thickness measurement unit and a light intensity adjustment unit which are electrically connected to each other. The thickness measurement unit is used for measuring thicknesses of different regions of the to-be-exposed film, and the light intensity adjustment unit is used for adjusting exposure-light intensities of different regions of the to-be-exposed film according to the thicknesses of corresponding regions of the to-be-exposed film measured by the thickness measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dawei Shi, Jian Guo
  • Hybrid focus-exposure matrix
    Patent number: 9690212
    Abstract: A method for controlling semiconductor production through use of a hybrid Focus Exposure Matrix (FEM) model includes taking measurements of a set of structures formed onto a substrate. The method further includes using a FEM model to determine focus and exposure conditions used to form the structure The model was created through use of measurements of structures formed on a substrate under varying focus and exposure conditions, the measurements being taken using both an optical measurement tool and a scanning electron microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Zhan Zhou, Heng-Jen Lee, Yen-Liang Chen, Kai-Hsiung Chen, Chih-Ming Ke, Ho-Yung David Hwang
  • Linear Stage for reflective electron beam lithography
    Patent number: 9690213
    Abstract: A linear stacked stage suitable for REBL may include a first upper fast stage configured to translate a first plurality of wafers in a first direction along a first axis, the first upper fast stage configured to secure a first plurality of wafers; a second upper fast stage configured to translate a second plurality of wafers in a second direction along the first axis, the second upper fast stage configured to secure the second plurality of wafers, the second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the translation of the first upper fast stage and the translation of the second upper fast stage are configured to substantially eliminate inertial reaction forces generated by motion of the first upper fast stage and the second upper fast stage; and a carrier stage configured to translate the first and second upper fast stages along a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Layton Hale, Joshua Clyne, Samir Nayfeh, Mark Williams, Joseph A. Di Regolo, Andrew Wilson
  • Pattern forming apparatus and pattern forming method, movable body drive system and movable body drive method, exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device manufacturing method
    Patent number: 9690214
    Abstract: A partial section of an aerial image measuring unit is arranged at a wafer stage and part of the remaining section is arranged at a measurement stage, and the aerial image measuring unit measures an aerial image of a mark formed by a projection optical system. Therefore, for example, when the aerial image measuring unit measures a best focus position of the projection optical system, the measurement can be performed using the position of the wafer stage, at which a partial section of the aerial image measuring unit is arranged, in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system as a datum for the best focus position. Accordingly, when exposing an object with illumination light, the position of the wafer stage in the direction parallel to the optical axis is adjusted with high accuracy based on the measurement result of the best focus position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Interferometer module
    Patent number: 9690215
    Abstract: The invention relates to a differential interferometer module adapted for measuring a direction of displacement between a reference mirror and a measurement mirror. In an embodiment the differential interferometer module is adapted for emitting three reference beams towards a first mirror and three measurement beams towards a second mirror for determining a displacement between said first and second mirror. In a preferred embodiment the same module is adapted for measuring a relative rotation around two perpendicular axes as well. The present invention further relates to a lithography system comprising such a interferometer module and a method for measuring such a displacement and rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MAPPER LITHOGRAPHY IP B.V.
    Inventors: Guido de Boer, Thomas Adrian Ooms, Niels Vergeer, Godefridus Cornelius Antonius Couweleers
  • Display manufacturing method and photo alignment process
    Patent number: 9690216
    Abstract: A display manufacturing method comprises steps of: moving a first substrate and a second substrate by a conveying apparatus; and implementing a first exposure and a second exposure of the first substrate and a first exposure and a second exposure of the second substrate by at least one light emitting element when the conveying apparatus drives the first and second substrates to pass through the light source module. When the first exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite, or when the second exposures of the first and second substrates are implemented, the moving directions of the first and second substrates are opposite. A photo alignment process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ker-Yih Kao, Tsan-Jen Chen, Chien-Hsing Lee
  • Triarylamine derivative, electrophotographic photosensitive member, and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690217
    Abstract: A triarylamine derivative is represented by general formula (I). In general formula (I), R1 and R2 each represent, independently of one another, a chemical group selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of 1-6, and an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of 6-12. In general formula (I), k and l each represent an integer of at least 0 and no greater than 4. When k and l represent integers greater than 1, chemical groups R1 bonded to the same aromatic ring and chemical groups R2 bonded to the same aromatic ring may be the same or different to one another. In general formula (I), m and n each represent a different integer of at least 1 and no greater than 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki Okada, Fumio Sugai, Kensuke Kojima, Hiroki Tsurumi, Yohei Yamamoto, Eiichi Miyamoto
  • Intermediate transfer member
    Patent number: 9690218
    Abstract: There is provided herein an intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member includes conductive particles having thereon a shell comprising polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane dispersed in a polymer. A method of manufacturing and intermediate transfer member is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Wu, Lanhui Zhang, Lin Ma, Ryan J. Ehmann
  • Magnetic toner
    Patent number: 9690219
    Abstract: A magnetic toner includes toner particles. The toner particles contain a binder resin and a magnetic powder. The binder resin includes a crystalline polyester resin. The magnetic powder has a coating of a melamine resin. Preferably, the crystalline polyester resin has a solubility parameter (SPC) of no less than 9.5, and the solubility parameter (SPC) of the crystalline polyester resin and a solubility parameter (SPM) of the melamine resin satisfy formula (1) shown below. SPC?SPM>1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Akinori Koyama
  • Polyester resin for toner, electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690220
    Abstract: A polyester resin for toner includes a repeating unit that is derived from a diol represented by the following formula (1), and a repeating unit that is derived from a dicarboxylic acid not having a double carbon-carbon bond: wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or a methyl group, L1 represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of an ether group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, and combinations thereof, L2 and L3 each independently represent a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl group, an ester group, an ether group, a sulfonyl group, a chain alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group, an arylene group, and combinations thereof, L1 and L2, or L1 and L3 may form a ring, and A1 and A2 each independently represent a rosin ester group derived from a hydrogenated rosin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sumiaki Yamasaki, Shiori Chonan
  • Electrostatic latent image developing toner
    Patent number: 9690221
    Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each containing a binder resin. The toner particles each contain as the binder resin, a crystalline polyester resin and a non-crystalline polyester resin. An FT-IR spectrum of the electrostatic latent image developing toner obtained through FT-IR analysis based on an ATR method has an absorbency peak of at least 0.0100 and no greater than 0.0250 in a wave number range of 701 cm?1±1 cm?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Okita, Hiroki Uemura
  • Toner, toner cartridge, developing unit, and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690222
    Abstract: There is provided with toner including one or more kinds of brilliant pigments, and one or more kinds of coloring matters. There are also provided with a toner cartridge including the toner, a developing unit including a storing portion that stores the toner, and an image forming apparatus including a storing portion that stores the toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Manami Hiraide
  • Toner and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9690223
    Abstract: A toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a core and a shell layer residing on a surface of the core. The shell layer has a plurality of cavities each exposing the core. Each of the toner particles has a distribution of surface hardness, as measured by a scanning probe microscope in a state where no external additive adheres to the toner particle, satisfying that the surface hardness is at least 1.10 times a surface hardness Ss in at least 75% and no greater than 95% by area ratio of a surface of the toner particle, where Ss denotes the surface hardness at a location where the core is exposed through any of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Noriaki Sakamoto, Takatoshi Nozaki
  • Electrostatic latent image developing toner
    Patent number: 9690224
    Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing toner contains a plurality of toner particles. Each of the toner particles contains, in a surface portion thereof, at least one hydrophobic salt in a state where a cation derived from a first surfactant is ionically bonded to an anion derived from a second surfactant. A ratio of a total mass of the at least one hydrophobic salt to a mass of the toner is 1 ppm or more and 5,000 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Haruhiro Nishitera
  • Image forming apparatus and method
    Patent number: 9690225
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. Plural developing units supply charged developers to electrostatic latent images formed on plural associated image carriers disposed along a direction in which an intermediate transfer body is transported. Plural first transfer units transfer the associated developers onto the intermediate transfer body when the intermediate transfer body passes the associated image carriers while being transported so as to superpose the developers on each other. A second transfer unit transfers the superposed developers transferred onto the intermediate transfer body by the plural first transfer units onto a recording medium. A charge-amount adjusting unit decreases an amount of electric charge of a developer which forms a lower layer developer among the superposed developers transferred onto the intermediate transfer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Yoshioka
  • Image forming apparatus with controlled charging voltage
    Patent number: 9690226
    Abstract: A controller sets an AC voltage Vac, applies the voltage to a charging roller, and measures a DC component of a charging current flowing from the charging roller to a photosensitive drum. When it is determined that an absolute value of a measured value of the DC component in the charging current is lower than a prediction value, the controller sets an AC voltage Vac that differs from the AC voltage Vac set in step S4, and applies the voltage to the charging roller. Thereby, a charging current capable of performing sufficient charging can be flown to the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive drum can thereby be charged to a desired surface potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao Komatsu
  • Vertical arrangement of components in an image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690227
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive body, a toner accommodation component, a developing roller and an exposure unit configured to emit a laser beam toward the photosensitive body along an irradiating path. The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet feed roller configured to feed a sheet toward the photosensitive body. In some arrangements, the sheet feed roller is disposed at a position closer to the exposure unit than to the photosensitive body, and the developing device is disposed at a first height range relative to the bottom of the casing, the first height range being lower than the irradiation path. Moreover, the toner accommodation component is disposed at a second height range relative to the bottom of the casing, the second height range being higher than the irradiation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Keisuke Takahashi, Kazutoshi Kotama, Hikaru Yoshizumi
  • Image processing apparatus, method, and storage medium for maintaining linearity between an exposure intensity and density of an output image
    Patent number: 9690228
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that generates a halftone image to be used in a case where an image is formed on a printing medium by exposing a photoreceptor by intensity modulation of a light beam, having a multivalued dither processing unit configured to generate N-nary (N?3) image from an input image by a dither method, a determination unit configured to determine whether a difference in pixel value between pixels adjacent to each other in an exposure scanning direction exceeds a predetermined limit value for each pixel of the N-nary image generated by the multivalued dither processing unit, and a correction unit configured to correct the pixel values of the adjacent pixels whose difference in pixel value has been determined to exceed the predetermined limit value so that the difference does not exceed the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryosuke Otani
  • Image forming apparatus including layer thickness control portion to cause rotator to carry toner, and developing device used in image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690229
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotator, a driving control portion, and a layer thickness control portion. The rotator conveys toner to contact position to an image carrying member, and supplies toner to the image carrying member at the contact position. The driving control portion controls rotation of the rotator so as to rotate the rotator during a developing period, and stop the rotation of the rotator after a set time has elapsed since an end of the developing period. The layer thickness control portion causes the rotator to carry toner by controlling a potential difference between a potential of the rotator and a predetermined potential so that toner on the rotator at the contact position has a first layer thickness during the developing period and has a second layer thickness while the rotation of the rotator is stopped, the second layer thickness being thicker than the first layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tamotsu Shimizu
  • Toner cartridge with memory for image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690230
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus includes a memory storing identification data of the toner cartridge and parameter information including image formation process parameters dependent on toner characteristic or ambient conditions. A transceiver unit communicates with the image forming apparatus to send the process parameter information stored in the memory to the image forming apparatus when the identification data is authentic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Homma, Hiroshi Hashidume, Hisanobu Ajima, Nobuo Tohata, Takahiro Nakajima, Takumi Hatano
  • Toner container, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus that include an operating member to move a shutter for a toner outlet via a linking member
    Patent number: 9690231
    Abstract: A toner container includes a container body that is used to house a toner and that is detachably attachable to a mounting portion in a developing device; and an operating member that is used to open and close a shutter. The shutter as well as the operating member includes an engaging portion that can engage with a linking member which is disposed in the mounting portion and which can perform a reciprocating linear movement. In the state in which the container body is not mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member are in a non-linked state with each other. In contrast, in the state in which the container body is mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member become able to be linked to each other via the linking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Toner container and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690232
    Abstract: A toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus such that a longitudinal direction of the toner container is parallel to a horizontal direction includes: a cylindrical container body that has an opening on one end thereof in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to convey toner contained therein toward the opening; a cap portion into which the opening of the container body is inserted, and which includes a toner outlet at a bottom portion thereof for discharging toner discharged from the opening of the container body to the outside of the toner container in a vertically downward direction; and a shutter member that is held on the bottom portion of the cap portion, and moves along an outer periphery of the cap portion to thereby open and close the toner outlet, wherein the cap portion is formed by integral molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Hori, Noriyuki Kimura, Nobuo Takami, Yuji Suzuki, Hideki Kimura, Kenji Kikuchi, Junji Yamabe, Masato Suzuki
  • Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus incorporating same
    Patent number: 9690233
    Abstract: A developing device includes a casing having an opening, the casing to contain developer, and a developer bearer including a magnetized range to cause developer to stand on end on a surface of the developer bearer and an end range outside the magnetized range in a longitudinal direction of the developer bearer. The developer bearer is disposed in the casing and partly exposed from the opening with a casing gap secured between the surface of the developer bearer and an inner face of the casing. The developer bearer generates, by rotation, sucked-in airflow to collect a floating toner from the opening into the casing, and the casing gap is smaller in the end range than the magnetized range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hamada, Jun Shiori, Hideo Yoshizawa, Shingo Kuboki, Takahiro Adachi
  • Image forming apparatus with removable waste toner container and exposable feeding path
    Patent number: 9690234
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, an external-sheet inlet, a waste toner container, a connector, and a conveying roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet inserted through the external-sheet inlet in the feeding path. The conveying roller is mounted on the waste toner container and removable from the chassis along with the waste toner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Intermediate transfer member and image recording method
    Patent number: 9690235
    Abstract: The invention provides an intermediate transfer member for use in an image recording method including the steps of applying a reaction liquid to the intermediate transfer member, applying an ink to the intermediate transfer member so as to overlap with at least a part of a region to which the reaction liquid has been applied, thereby forming an intermediate image, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium, wherein an average of a surface area per unit area of a surface of the intermediate transfer member is 1.2 or more and 10.0 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Noguchi
  • Transfer device and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 9690236
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer unit including an image carrier that carries a toner image to be transferred to a transfer surface of a recording medium, a transfer member disposed on a non-transfer-surface side of the recording medium, and an opposing member disposed opposite the transfer member with the image carrier therebetween; a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the transfer member; a first application unit that applies a voltage, for transferring the toner image, to the opposing member; and a second application unit that applies an alternating voltage to the transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukiko Miyakoshi
  • Image forming apparatus capable of preventing displacement of transfer unit
    Patent number: 9690237
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a guide groove for a rotation shaft; a positioning groove provided on a guide surface, for the rotation shaft, in the guide groove; a pressing member provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft provided at the opening side with respect to the positioning groove, and configured to press the rotation shaft in a groove depth direction of the positioning groove; and a lower surface portion configured to apply a first pressing force in the groove depth direction to the rotation shaft in a fit-in state where the rotation shaft is located at a fit-in position, and apply a second pressing force in the inserting direction to the rotation shaft against the first pressing force in an escape state where the rotation shaft is located at an escape position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoto Miyakoshi
  • Image heating apparatus and image forming apparatus having a controller for executing a rubbing process
    Patent number: 9690238
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner image on a sheet; a rotatable rubbing member configured to rub an outer surface of the first rotatable member; and a contact-and-separation mechanism configured to move the rotatable rubbing member toward and away from the first rotatable member. When the contact-and-separation mechanism executes a rubbing process, the contact-and-separation mechanism repeatedly executes alternately a first process for contacting the rotatable rubbing member with the first rotatable member and a second process for spacing the rotatable rubbing member from the first rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiko Yoshimura
  • Image forming apparatus for forming an image on a continuous sheet while reducing damage to a rotating member
    Patent number: 9690239
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes the following. A conveying unit conveys a continuous sheet at least longer than a length of the apparatus itself. A first rotating member can be pressed to and separated from a second rotating member. The first rotating member can be rotated separated from the second rotating member. The continuous sheet can be stopped and held when the first rotating member is separated from the second rotating member. The image forming apparatus further includes a control unit. When the continuous sheet is stopped and held and the rotation of the first rotating member is started separated from the second rotating member, the control unit moves at least one of the first rotating member and the continuous sheet so that the continuous sheet is not in contact with the first rotating member, and then the control unit starts rotation of the first rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Makoto Ui, Kazunori Katada, Toshiaki Tomino