Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
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Patent number: 9823568Abstract: A method for ordering block copolymers including forming a first layer having a first preference mode; and providing a reactive agent in selected regions of the first layer that modifies the selected regions to a second preference mode, wherein the selected regions define other regions of the first layer retaining the first preference mode thereby forming an alignment layer for block copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher Ellison, Michael Maher, Christopher Bates, Dustin Janes
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Patent number: 9823569Abstract: This invention relates to a media exposing device for exposing media. The media exposure device includes a holding structure; a substrate having a plurality of diodes mounted thereon; and a radiation modification element for modifying the radiation emitted by the diodes. The substrate and the radiation modification element are secured by the holding structure in an arrangement wherein the diodes can emit radiation from the device and wherein the radiation modification element is spaced from the diodes in the radiation path of the diodes; and a telecentric lens secured to the holding structure in an arrangement wherein the telecentric lens is substantially in register with the radiation path of the diodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: LumeJet Holdings LimitedInventor: Trevor Philip Elworthy
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Patent number: 9823570Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for mitigating patterning defects. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to utilizing field guided post exposure bake processes to mitigate microbridge photoresist defects. An electric field may be applied to a substrate being processed during a post exposure bake process. Photoacid generated as a result of the exposure may be moved along a direction defined by the electric field. The movement of the photoacid may contact microbridge defects and facilitate the removal of the microbridge defects from the surface of a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Ludovic Godet, Sang Ki Nam, Christine Y Ouyang
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Patent number: 9823571Abstract: An EUV light source for an illumination device of a microlithographic proj ection exposure apparatus, includes an electron source for generating an electron beam, an accelerator unit for accelerating the electron beam, and an undulator arrangement for generating EUV light by deflecting the electron beam. The undulator arrangement includes a first undulator for generating EUV light having a first polarization state and at least one second undulator for generating EUV light having a second polarization state different than the first polarization state. The second undulator is downstream of the first undulator along the direction of propagation of the electron beam. The undulator arrangement is configured so that it has a first operating mode, in which the first undulator is in saturation with regard to the generation of EUV light, and at least one second operating mode, in which the first undulator is not in saturation with regard to the generation of EUV light.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventor: Michael Patra
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Patent number: 9823572Abstract: A method of patterning lithographic substrates that includes using a free electron laser to generate EUV radiation and delivering the EUV radiation to a lithographic apparatus which projects the EUV radiation onto lithographic substrates. The method further includes reducing fluctuations in the power of EUV radiation delivered to the lithographic substrates by using a feedback-based control loop to monitor the free electron laser and adjust operation of the free electron laser accordingly, and applying variable attenuation to EUV radiation that has been output by the free electron laser in order to further control the power of EUV radiation delivered to the lithographic apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Andrey Alexandrovich Nikipelov, Olav Waldemar Vladimir Frijns, Gosse Charles De Vries, Erik Roelof Loopstra, Vadim Yevgenyevich Banine, Pieter Willem Herman De Jager, Rilpho Ludovicus Donker, Han-Kwang Nienhuys, Borgert Kruizinga, Wouter Joep Engelen, Otger Jan Luiten, Johannes Antonius Gerardus Akkermans, Leonardus Adrianus Gerardus Grimminck, Vladimir Litvinenko
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Patent number: 9823573Abstract: An image correction application relating to the ability to apply maskless lithography patterns to a substrate in a manufacturing process is disclosed. The embodiments described herein relate to a software application platform which maintains the ability to correct non-uniform image patterns using time-shifted exposures of the substrate. The application exposes subsequent portions of a substrate to electromagnetic radiation at variable and alternating pulse frequencies using a time delay in order to correct interference patterns and increase exposure uniformity.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Joseph R. Johnson, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Thomas L. Laidig
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Patent number: 9823574Abstract: A device for semiconductor fabrication includes a substrate and a layer formed over the substrate, wherein the layer includes an alignment mark. The alignment mark includes a first plurality of elongated members that are oriented lengthwise along a first direction and are distributed along a second direction. The alignment mark further includes a second plurality of elongated members that are oriented lengthwise along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and are distributed along the second direction, wherein the second direction is different from each of the first and third directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Ching-Huang Chen, Hung-Chang Hsieh, Kuei-Liang Lu, Ya Hui Chang, Spencer Lin
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Patent number: 9823576Abstract: A radiation modulator for a lithography apparatus, a lithography apparatus, a method of modulating radiation for use in lithography, and a device manufacturing method is disclosed. The radiation modulator for a lithography apparatus may have a plurality of waveguides supporting propagation therethough of radiation having a wavelength less than 450 nm; and a modulating section configured to individually modulate radiation propagating in each of the waveguides in order to provide a modulated plurality of output beams.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Dries Smeets, Arno Jan Bleeker, Christopher James Lee, Pieter Willem Herman De Jager, Heine Melle Mulder, Rudy Jan Maria Pellens
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Patent number: 9823577Abstract: A facet mirror, such as for use as an optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for EUV microlithography, includes at least two mirror modules having individual mirrors and mirror module surfaces and at least on one side a non-reflective edge region and a module edge. Adjacent individual mirrors in the mirror modules are a distance from each other that is less than half the width of the non-reflective edge region. The at least two adjacent module edges of adjacent mirror modules are offset with respect to each other by a height h along the surface normal of one of the two mirror module surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventors: Michael Patra, Markus Deguenther
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Patent number: 9823578Abstract: The disclosure provides a control device for controlling at least one manipulator of a microlithographic projection lens by generating a travel command, which defines a change to be undertaken, of an optical effect of at least one optical element of the projection lens by manipulating a property of the optical element via the at least one manipulator along a travel. The control device is configured to generate the travel command for the at least one manipulator from a state characterization of the projection lens by optimizing a merit function. Here, the merit function includes a linear combination of at least two exponential expressions, a setting of the at least one manipulator defining the manipulation of the property of the optical element is represented via a travel variable and the respective base of the at least two exponential expressions contains a function of the travel variable.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventor: Stefan Rist
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Patent number: 9823579Abstract: A method for improving imaging properties of an optical system and an optical system of this type having improved imaging properties are described. The optical system can have a plurality of optical elements. In some embodiments, an optical element is positioned and/or deformed by mechanical force action and by thermal action. In certain embodiments, one optical element is positioned and/or deformed by mechanical force action and another optical element is deformed by thermal action.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbHInventor: Olaf Conradi
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Patent number: 9823580Abstract: A liquid immersion member is used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate via liquid by exposure light, and forms a liquid immersion space above an object which is movable below the optical member. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the optical member, and a second member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light, that includes a second upper surface which is opposite to the first lower surface of the first member via a gap, a second lower surface which is capable of being opposite to the object, and a fluid recovery part which is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the second lower surface, and that is relatively movable with respect to the first member.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Shinji Sato
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Patent number: 9823582Abstract: A liquid immersion member is used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus which exposes a substrate by exposure light via a first liquid between an emitting surface of an optical member and the substrate, and is capable of forming a liquid immersion space on an object movable below the optical member. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the optical member; a second member that is capable of being opposite to the object and is movable outside an optical path of the exposure light; and a protection part that protects the optical member. The protection part decreases a change in pressure which the optical member receives from the liquid in the liquid immersion space.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji Sato, Kenyo Odanaka
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Patent number: 9823583Abstract: A liquid immersion member used in a liquid immersion exposure apparatus, and is capable of forming liquid immersion space on a surface of an object opposite to an emitting surface of optical member which emits exposure light. Liquid immersion member includes a first member that includes a first part disposed at surrounding of an optical path of exposure light, and in which a first opening part, through which exposure light is able to pass, and first liquid supply part, which is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of first opening part and is capable of opposing surface of object, are provided at first part, and a second member that includes a first liquid recovery part which is capable of opposing surface of object and is movable with respect to first member outside first part with respect to optical path.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Shinji Sato
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Patent number: 9823584Abstract: A method for fabricating an electrochemical sensing test piece comprises steps: forming an electrode layer on a substrate; etching the electrode layer to reduce the area of the electrode layer to be smaller than the area of the substrate, wherein the electrode layer has a test zone and a reading zone neighboring the test zone; forming an insulation member surrounding the test zone and covering the perimeter of the test zone; forming an enzyme layer on the test zone; and forming an insulation layer on the enzyme layer and the periphery of the reading zone and fabricating the insulation layer to have an opening revealing a portion of the enzyme layer. The insulation member fixes the effective reaction area of the tested material and increases measurement accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Cheeshin Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuo-Chen Hsu
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Patent number: 9823585Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the focus of an EUV lithography system are disclosed. Another aspect includes a method having operations of measuring a first shift value for a first patterned set of sub-structures of a focus test structure on a wafer and measuring a second shift value for a second patterned set of sub-structures of the test structure on the wafer. The test structure may be formed on the wafer using asymmetric illumination, with the first patterned set of sub-structures having a first pitch and the second patterned set of sub-structures having a second pitch that is different from the first pitch. The method may further include determining a focus shift compensation for an illumination system based on a difference between the first shift value and the second shift value.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chih-Tsung Shih, Chieh-Jen Cheng, Jeng-Horng Chen, Chia-Chen Chen, Shinn-Sheng Yu, Anthony Yen, Wei-Chih Lai
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Patent number: 9823586Abstract: A product structure (407, 330?) is formed with defects (360-366). A spot (S) of EUV radiation which is at least partially coherent is provided on the product structure (604) to capture at least one diffraction pattern (606) formed by the radiation after scattering by the product structure. Reference data (612) describes a nominal product structure. At least one synthetic image (616) of the product structure is calculated from the captured image data. Data from the synthetic image is compared with the reference data to identify defects (660-666) in the product structure. In one embodiment, a plurality of diffraction patterns are obtained using a series overlapping spots (S(1)-S(N)), and the synthetic image is calculated using the diffraction patterns and knowledge of the relative displacement. The EUV radiation may have wavelengths in the range 5 to 50 nm, close to dimensions of the structures of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Richard Quintanilha
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Patent number: 9823587Abstract: This disclosure provides a lithography apparatus including: a lens barrel having an optical system configured to irradiate a substrate with a beam; and a stage apparatus configured to repeat a long distance movement in a primary scanning direction of the substrate and a short distance movement which is shorter than the long distance movement in terms of the amount of movement in a secondary scanning direction of the substrate, and being configured to form a pattern on the substrate with the beam, wherein the stage apparatus includes: a first moving body configured to move in the primary scanning direction; a floating unit configured to support the first moving body, so as to float by a magnetic force and be movable in the primary scanning direction; a second moving body configured to move in the secondary scanning direction; and a guide using a rolling body configured to support the second moving body in contact therewith so as to be movable in the secondary scanning direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadashi Kimura, Nobushige Korenaga
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Patent number: 9823588Abstract: An immersion projection optical system having, for example, a catadioptric and off-axis structure, reduces the portion of an image space filled with liquid (immersion 5 liquid), The projection optical system, which projects a reduced image of a first plane onto a second plane through the liquid, includes a refractive optical element (Lp) arranged nearest to the second plane. The refractive optical element includes a light emitting surface (Lpb) shaped to be substantially symmetric with respect to two axial directions (XY·axes) perpendicular to each other on the second plane. The light emitting surface has a central axis (Lpba) that substantially coincides with a central axis (40a) of a circle (40) corresponding to a circumference of a light entering surface (Lpa) of the refractive optical element. The central axis of the light emitting surface is decentered in one of the two axial directions (Y˜axis) from an optical axis (AX).Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuhiro Omura, Takaya Okada, Hiroyuki Nagasaka
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Patent number: 9823589Abstract: A substrate table to support a substrate on a substrate supporting area, the substrate table having a heat transfer fluid channel at least under the substrate supporting area, and a plurality of heaters and/or coolers to thermally control the heat transfer fluid in the channel at a location under the substrate supporting area.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Thibault Simon Mathieu Laurent, Gerardus Adrianus Antonius Maria Kusters, Bastiaan Andreas Wilhelmus Hubertus Knarren, Raymond Wilhelmus Louis Lafarre, Koen Steffens, Takeshi Kaneko, Robbert Jan Voogd, Gregory Martin Mason Corcoran, Ruud Hendrikus Martinus Johannes Bloks, Johan Gertrudis Cornelis Kunnen, Ramin Badie
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Patent number: 9823590Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system configured to project a patterned radiation beam through an opening and onto a target portion of the substrate, and a conduit having an outlet in the opening. The conduit is configured to deliver gas to the opening. The lithographic apparatus includes a temperature control apparatus disposed in a space between the projection system and the substrate table. The temperature control device is configured to control the temperature of the gas in the space after the gas passes through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Manish Ranjan, Carlo Cornelis Maria Luijten, Franciscus Johannes Joseph Janssen, Maksym Chernyshov
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Patent number: 9823591Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to apparatuses and methods that include a coated photoconductive substrate. The coated photoconductive substrate can include a photo-conductive substrate with a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, and can also have a coating adhered to the photoconductive substrate. The coating can comprise a polymer and can be devoid of charge transport materials.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Krzysztof Nauka, Hou T. Ng
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Patent number: 9823592Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to apparatuses and methods that include a coated photoconductive substrate. The coated photoconductive substrate can include a photoconductive substrate with a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, and can also have a coating adhered to the photoconductive substrate. The coating can have a thickness ranging from 1 nm to 200 nm.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael H. Lee, Krzysztof Nauka, Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Omer Gila
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Patent number: 9823593Abstract: Disclosed is a toner which is excellent in low-temperature fixability, high-temperature offset resistance, storage stability and durability, while having a wide range of fixing temperature. Also disclosed is a polyester resin used for such a toner. The polyester resin is one of the following polyester resin (A)-(E) for toners.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventors: Shinya Yamato, Tetsuya Ochiai, Hideyuki Fujii
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Patent number: 9823594Abstract: A method of producing an emissive toner composition including selecting a photoluminescent agent, a charge control agent, and one or more additives and combining the photoluminescent agent, charge control agent, and one or more additives to form an emissive toner composition that when printed to produce an image component on a substrate, the emission spectra of the image component for irradiation with a first excitation energy includes only dominant emission peaks corresponding to one or more dominant emission peaks of the photoluminescent agent. The photoluminescent agent is selected such that it emits light having one or more dominant emission peaks in a first emission spectral region when irradiated with the first excitation energy. The charge control agent and one or more additives are selected such that they do not emit light in the visible spectrum when irradiated with visible light and does not emit light in the first emission spectral region when irradiated with the first excitation energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Angstrom Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William J. Coyle, Anthony Stramondo
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Patent number: 9823595Abstract: Provided is a toner including toner particle, the toner particle having a core-shell structure having: a core containing a core resin, a colorant, and a wax; and a shell layer containing a resin “A” on a surface of the core, in which: the resin “A” contains a segment having an organopolysiloxane structure; the toner particle has an amount of Si derived from the organopolysiloxane structure of 6.0 or more and 10.0 or less, the amount of Si being measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; the resin “A” is a polymer of a monomer composition containing a monomer “a” having two or more polymerizable unsaturated groups in one molecule thereof; and the monomer “a” satisfies the following formula (1). (Xa?1.0)×Ya?3.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Noritaka Toyoizumi, Yusuke Kosaki, Tetsuya Kinumatsu, Kenji Aoki, Shuntaro Watanabe, Takaaki Kaya, Atsushi Tani, Takashige Kasuya
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Patent number: 9823596Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic image developing toner including a toner mother particle containing a colorant and a binder resin comprising a crystalline resin and an amorphous resin; and an external additive. The external additive includes an inorganic fine particle having a number average major axis in a range of 50 to 100 nm, an average aspect ratio in a range of 3 to 10, and a volume resistivity in a range of 1×1010 to 1×1012 ?·cm in primary particles.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Futoshi Kadonome, Satoshi Uchino, Shinya Obara, Noriyuki Kimpara, Ikuko Sakurada, Takuya Takahashi
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Patent number: 9823597Abstract: A method for coating pigment particles is provided, the method comprising heating a polymer resin in a carrier fluid to dissolve the polymer resin; suspending in the carrier fluid white pigment particles to be coated; cooling the carrier fluid to effect precipitation of the polymer resin from the carrier fluid such that a coating of the resin is at least partially formed on the pigment particles; reheating the suspension of partially coated white pigment particles in the carrier fluid; and cooling the carrier fluid at a controlled rate to effect precipitation of the polymer resin from the carrier fluid such that a coating of the resin is formed on the pigment particles, thereby producing the white liquid electrophotographic ink composition.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Hewlett-Parkard Indigo B.V.Inventors: Adi Mann, Eyal Handel, Albert Teishev, Marc Klein
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Patent number: 9823598Abstract: A conductive member includes a substrate, an elastic layer on the substrate, and a surface layer on the elastic layer. The surface layer contains a resin and insulating particles. The insulating particles account for 50% or more and 70% or less of an area of a cross-section of the surface layer taken in a thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukiko Kamijo, Taketoshi Hoshizaki
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Patent number: 9823599Abstract: A light guide body that extends in a rod shape and guides light incident from an end surface thereof to emit the light from a circumferential surface thereof, the light guide body having a shape such that according to an angle of a circumferential direction around the light guide body, an amount of emitting light in a direction of the angle is different. Additionally, a static elimination device and an image forming apparatus include the light guide body.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Hirotaka Tanaka, Tsutomu Sugimoto, Jin Iwasaki, Ken Ozaki
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Patent number: 9823600Abstract: A semiconductive roller of the present invention includes a crosslinked product of a rubber composition containing just the two types of rubber of butadiene rubber and epichlorohydrin rubber as rubber components.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Kenichi Kuroda
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Patent number: 9823601Abstract: According to an embodiment, a developer-supplying container includes a container and a paddle. The container includes an opening for supplying the image forming apparatus with developer contained in the container. The paddle conveys the developer to the opening by rotating within the container. The paddle includes a first arm. The first arm has a shape that is wider on an upstream side in a direction of the rotation of the paddle and narrower toward a downstream side. In addition, the first arm is disposed such that a narrowest portion of the first arm is located at the same position as the opening in a direction of a shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Noriyuki Yokoyama, Eiji Gumbe
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Patent number: 9823602Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 9823603Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a developer includes an accommodating member, a first helical feeding member including a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in a named order with respect to a first feeding direction, a second helical feeding member for feeding the developer in a second feeding direction crossing the first feeding direction, and a wall extending toward the second helical feeding member so that the wall is spaced from the first helical feeding member toward a downstream side of the first helical feeding member with respect to the first feeding direction to branch a flow path of the developer. With respect to the first feeding direction, the second region is provided between the first region and a position where the first and second helical feeding members cross each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryuta Murakami, Noriyuki Komatsu, Naoki Maeda, Takatoshi Hamada, Hiroaki Nosho, Naoki Matsumaru
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Patent number: 9823604Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a conveyance member, and a sheet member. The housing forms a conveyance path along which toner is conveyed. The conveyance member is supported by the housing. The conveyance member rotates about a rotation axis thereof to convey the toner. The sheet member is disposed on a contact region of the housing where the conveyance member comes in contact with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Dodument Solutions Inc.Inventor: Takashi Kusukawa
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Patent number: 9823605Abstract: A print group for a digital printer can include a transfer station and a wetting system. The transfer station can be configured to transfer a toner image onto a first side of a recording medium at a transfer point in response to an electrical field, the transfer station being configured to apply the electrical field between a transfer electrode on the first side of the recording medium and a counter-electrode on a second side of the recording medium, wherein the recording medium is directed between the transfer electrode and the counter-electrode. The wetting system can be configure to apply a conductive fluid onto a surface of the second side of the recording medium at the transfer point, the conductive fluid at least partially forming a conductive connecting layer between the surface of the second side of the recording medium and a surface of the counter-electrode at the transfer point.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Sabine Kauffmann-Guerrero, Thomas Montag
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Patent number: 9823606Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operating state and a non-operating state with power consumption smaller than in the operating state. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device for fixing a toner image on a print material by heat, a fan for discharging heat from the image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling operation of the fan. When a non-operating time from shifting to the non-operating state to shifting to the operating state is shorter than a predetermined time, the control unit allows the fan to operate with predetermined power in the operating state. When the non-operating time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the control unit stops the fan or allows the fan to operate with power smaller than the predetermined power in the operating state.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Yutaka Otsuka, Masashi Saito, Ryohei Matsuo, Toshihito Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9823607Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical rotary member including a conductive layer; a coil disposed inside the rotary member, the coil including a helical portion having a helical axis that is substantially parallel to a generatrix direction of the rotary member, the coil forming an alternating magnetic field to generate heat in the conductive layer by electromagnetic induction; a core disposed inside the helical portion, the core inducing a line of magnetic force of the alternating magnetic field; a roller coming in contact with an outer surface of the rotary member to form a fixing nip portion; and a metal stay disposed inside the rotary member, in which an image on a recording material is fixed to the recording material by being heated at the fixing nip portion and the stay is disposed outside the coil and has a shape that does not form an electrical loop around the coil.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kuroda, Hiroshi Mano, Aoji Isono, Minoru Hayasaki, Yuki Nishizawa
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Patent number: 9823608Abstract: A label forming method includes while transporting a base sheet having a print surface by a first transportation mechanism, forming a first pattern on the print surface and forming a marker at a prescribed position on the print surface; transporting the base sheet to a second transportation mechanism, the base sheet being transported by the first transportation mechanism and with the first pattern and the marker formed thereon; detecting a position of the marker on the base sheet; determining a position of the first pattern based on the prescribed position on the print surface and the detected marker position; deriving a position to form a second pattern according to the determined position of the first pattern; and while transporting the base sheet by the second transportation mechanism, forming a second pattern at the derived position.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Masaru Sato
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Patent number: 9823609Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing part including a heater, and a first temperature detection part configured to detect the temperature of the heater; a chopper circuit including a reactor, a freewheeling element, and a switching element, the chopper circuit being configured to switch an input direct current on and off in a specified duty cycle by using the switching element and to supply the current to the heater; and a control part configured to control the duty cycle based on a detection result obtained by the first temperature detection part, as well as to control a switching frequency of the switching element based on an operation mode of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takeshi Tamada, Mikiyuki Aoki, Seiichi Kirikubo, Akinori Kimata
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Patent number: 9823610Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a cassette including a first and a second sheet storage areas, arranged side by side, each on which a sheet having a predetermined size is placeable; a sheet feeder configured to feed the sheet from the first area to an image forming portion; a first sheet sensor; a second sheet sensor; a movement member configured to move the sheet from the second area to the first area when no sheet placed on the first area is detected by the first sheet sensor and the sheet placed on the second area is detected by the second sheet sensor; and an annunciator configured to annunciate that a sheet having a size different from the predetermined size is placed on the cassette when the first sheet sensor does not detect the sheet after a completion of a movement of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruhito Kai, Shinnosuke Iwadate, Hiroto Nishihara, Hiromi Shimura, Keita Takahashi
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Patent number: 9823611Abstract: A sheet processing device includes: an adhesive-binding unit that applies an adhesive onto sheets stored in a stacker section one by one and adhesive-binds the sheets; a staple-binding unit that staple-binds sheets accumulated in the stacker section by means of staples; and a folding mechanism section having a folding roller that folds the adhesive-bound or staple-bound sheet bundle in two at a binding position of the adhesive-binding unit or staple-binding unit and a folding blade that pushes the bound sheet bundle into the folding roller. A folding speed of the folding mechanism section for the sheet bundle bound by the adhesive-binding unit is lower than a folding speed for the sheet bundle bound by the staple-binding unit; thereby, productivity of the folding processing is improved and occurrence of the peeling-off or break during the folding processing is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.Inventors: Hisashi Osada, Takashi Saito, Isao Kondo
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Patent number: 9823612Abstract: A printing device includes a first ejector that ejects a recording medium to an exterior, a second ejector that enhances a rigidity of the recording medium more than by the first ejector, and ejects the recording medium to the exterior, and an ejector selector that selects either the first ejector or the second ejector.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshihiko Numazu, Toshio Nagasaka, Toshiaki Yajima
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Patent number: 9823613Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms, when forming an image with a white toner on a colored recording medium, a base toner layer and a white toner layer in an overlapped manner such that the base toner layer is inserted between the white toner layer and the colored recording medium, and a fixing unit that fixes the base toner layer and the white toner layer that are formed by the image forming unit on the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventor: Miho Ikeda
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Patent number: 9823614Abstract: To reduce the influence of a coupling pin that fixes a shaft to a photoreceptor drum on rotation of a photoreceptor drum. To provide photoreceptor device including: a photoreceptor drum having an insertion hole formed along a lengthwise direction; and a flange that is provided at a lengthwise end portion of the photoreceptor drum and has a through hole formed thereon at a position to overlap the insertion hole, wherein the flange has a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion that: are provided on an end surface at which the through hole is provided and around the through hole; and protrude from the end surface, the first protruding portion has a first opening at a position facing the through hole, and the second protruding portion is provided at a position opposite to the first opening across a center of the through hole on the end surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Ogawa, Keiichi Kurokawa
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Patent number: 9823616Abstract: An image heating unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members configured to form a nip for heating a toner image formed on a recording material; an outermost wall positioned outside the rotatable members; and an electrical substrate including a storing element. The electrical substrate is mounted on an outer surface of the outermost wall so that the storing element faces the outer surface of the outermost wall with a predetermined gap therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Michiaki Endo
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Patent number: 9823617Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a first line and a second line to each of which an AC voltage is input from an AC power supply; a conversion element configured to convert the AC voltage to be input to the first line or the second line into a current corresponding to the AC voltage; a voltage detection unit including a first current transformer, the first current transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, the voltage detection unit being configured to detect an AC voltage output from the secondary winding of the first current transformer through supply of the current converted by the conversion element to the primary winding; and a zero cross detection unit configured to detect a zero cross timing of the AC power supply based on the AC voltage detected by the voltage detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Shimura, Masatoshi Itoh
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Patent number: 9823618Abstract: A waste toner transporting device includes a waste toner passing passage, a waste toner collection container, a suction passage, a suction device, and a passing passage box. Through the waste toner passing passage, waste toner passes. The waste toner collection container collects the waste toner having passed through the waste toner passing passage. In the suction passage, suspended toner is sucked along with air inside a developing device. The suction device sucks the air inside the suction passage. Inside the passing passage box, the waste toner passing passage constituting part of the waste toner passing passage is formed. The suction passage constituting part of the suction passage is formed inside the passing passage box so as to be connected to the waste toner passing passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Masahiro Ueno, Hiroaki Ohashi
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Patent number: 9823619Abstract: With a structure in which a coupling member includes a sphere providing a center of inclination (pivoting), a rotational force transmitted member has an opening have a diameter smaller than that of the sphere, and the coupling member is prevented from disengaging from rotational force transmitted member by contact of inner edge of the opening to the sphere, the inner edge of the opening may limit an inclinable (pivotable) angle range of the coupling member. In a state that a pin that is a shaft portion is inserted in a hole that is a through-hole provided in a coupling member, opposite end portions of the pin are supported by a driving side flange, which is a rotational force transmitted member. The coupling member, the driving side flange, and the pin are connected in this manner, and the pin contacts the inside of the hole without limiting the inclinable angle range.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Kawakami, Noriyuki Komatsu, Sho Shirakata, Isao Koishi
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Patent number: 9823620Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a detachable fixing device that is capable of printing with high quality without printing wastefully. A storage unit stores identification information about a fixing device in association with an attribute of a sheet that is printable with the fixing device concerned. A control unit executes printing when the storage unit does not store an attribute of a sheet corresponding to a fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus. The control unit determines whether to execute printing according to an attribute of a sheet used in printing and an attribute of a sheet stored in the storage unit when the storage unit stores the attribute of the sheet corresponding to the fixing device that is currently attached to the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirotomo Tanaka