Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9889606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed. A method of printing onto a base includes providing a yarn from a material source disposed in a printing system. The yarn is an elongated continuous piece including a tagging segment and a reel segment. The reel segment is disposed proximate the material source. The tagging segment extends from a nozzle of the printing system. The method further includes attaching the tagging segment to the base and moving the nozzle away from the tagging segment after the attaching the tagging segment to the base. The nozzle is moved by an actuating system of the printing system. The moving the nozzle along the base increases a tension between the tagging segment and the material source. The tension in the yarn pulls the reel segment from the material source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Waatti, Yoav Sterman
  • Patent number: 9889607
    Abstract: A three-dimensional printer effects color changes in an extrudate using a color-application unit applying a colorant to the interior of a filament before it is melted within an extruder. Specifically, the color-application unit may receive a filament (or portions thereof) having an exposed interior surface, where color applicators are actuated to apply one or more colors to the interior surface of the filament in order to modify the extruded color. The filament may then be coupled, collapsed, or otherwise closed about the interior surface, e.g., by a mechanical coupler, to substantially enclose the interior surface of the filament, which is then fed to the extruder for fabricating a colored object in a three-dimensional fabrication process. By enclosing the colored surface within the filament before melting for extrusion, transition effects of a color change can be mitigated and transition time for a substantially complete change in color can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MakerBot Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Charles John Haider, Michael Joseph Kobida, Cedric James Kovacs-Johnson, Taylor Michael Fahey, Tim Andreas Osswald
  • Patent number: 9889608
    Abstract: A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, where the program instructions are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes identifying a first data file that includes first dimensions that may be used by a three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of a first object, identifying a second data file that includes second dimensions that may be used by a three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of a second object, determining a proportionality factor between the first dimensions and the second dimensions, multiplying the dimensions in the second data file by the proportionality factor, and causing the three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of the second object using the scaled dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Luis J. Flores, Christopher J. Hardee, Scott E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9889609
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first data file that includes first dimensions that may be used by a three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of a first object, identifying a second data file that includes second dimensions that may be used by a three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of a second object, determining a proportionality factor between the first dimensions and the second dimensions, multiplying the dimensions in the second data file by the proportionality factor, and causing the three-dimensional printer to form a physical three-dimensional model of the second object using the scaled dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Luis J. Flores, Christopher J. Hardee, Scott E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9889610
    Abstract: A composite ply is compacted around a radius edge of the tool by a rolling former that rolls over the radiused edge and conforms to any contours along the length of the edge. The rolling former includes a compliant tubular member rotatably held in spaced apart roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew R. DesJardien, James N. Buttrick
  • Patent number: 9889611
    Abstract: A device for holding a fiber texture on an impregnation mandrel of a winding machine, the device including a cross-member forming a support having each of its ends for fastening on one of cheekplates of the mandrel, a central pad carrier mounted on the cross-member and including a pad for pressing against a fiber texture layer wound on the mandrel, two lateral pad carriers mounted on the cross-member and each including a main pad for pressing against the fiber texture layer wound on the mandrel and a lateral pad for pressing against a lateral margin of the fiber texture layer wound on the mandrel, and a mechanism exerting a clamping force urging the pads against the fiber texture layer wound on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Richard Mathon, Olivier Patrigeon, Micah Gummel
  • Patent number: 9889612
    Abstract: A composite structure is fabricated by laying up at least one ply of fiber reinforcement and at least one layer of resin on a tool. The resin film layer is formed by laying strips of resin film. The fiber reinforcement is infused with resin from the resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael D. Silcock, Christopher A. Howe, Brice A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9889613
    Abstract: A method for producing structures from composite materials, the method including forming a three-dimensional preform including at least one skin and a plurality of protrusions extending from the at least one skin, folding the three-dimensional preform such that at least some of the plurality of protrusions lie adjacent to either another one of the plurality of protrusions or the at least one skin and applying resin to the folded three-dimensional preform and curing, thereby to produce the structures from adjacent pairs of the protrusions or from some of the protrusions and the at least one skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Zev Miller, Daniel Itzchak Rubinstein, Yaniv Yurovitch, Harry Rosenfeld, Jacob Ben Yaacov, Herman Leibovich, Gila Ghilai
  • Patent number: 9889614
    Abstract: A flexible sheet-form optical system, referenced to as a light redirecting fabric, which has a fabric-like behavior and light redirecting properties. The light redirecting fabric comprises a soft and flexible sheet of optically transmissive material, such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride. A surface of the flexible sheet includes a plurality of parallel slits having spaced-apart walls configured to reflect light by means of a total internal reflection. At least a portion of daylight incident onto the sheet is internally redirected at bend angles greater than the angle of incidence. Disclosed also are a method and apparatus for making the light redirecting fabric. The method includes steps of mechanical slitting of the flexible sheet with a blade, elastic stretch-elongation of the sheet along a direction perpendicular to the slits, and making at least a portion of the sheet elongation irreversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SVV TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev
  • Patent number: 9889615
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a media insert with an energy source to an ophthalmic lens. The energy source is capable of powering a component included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and the component includes an electro-optical lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Daniel B. Otts, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 9889616
    Abstract: A pattern block can be easily attached to a sector with high positional accuracy, and furthermore, the strength thereof is enhanced. The present invention provides a sector mold constituted by attaching a pattern block to a sector, and the sector mold includes: the sector including an embedding groove and holes for positioning pins; and the pattern block including a convex portion for an embedding groove and positioning pins, on a back body surface, corresponding to the embedding groove and the holes for the positioning pins, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Sasaki, Shigeru Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9889617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for retreading a tire (16) having a worn surface (12). The worn surface (12) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The apparatus (10) includes a heater (34) and a 3D printer (18). The heater (34) is adapted to heat up the worn surface (12) to a desired temperature. The 3D printer (18) is adapted to lay one or more layers of the thermoplastic elastomer onto the heated worn surface (12). The or each layer of thermoplastic elastomer is capable of adhering to the heated worn surface (12) or previously laid layer without requiring an adhesive medium or agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Alan Erdman
  • Patent number: 9889618
    Abstract: A method of producing a tire tread with lugs; the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; and the method including the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread thinner at the sides and thicker at the center to define a raised center portion; applying green-rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, which blocks rest centrally against the raised center portion; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Roberto Mattocci
  • Patent number: 9889619
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor blade, including: a) arranging a first layup of fiber material inside a mold, the first layup corresponding to an airfoil of the rotor blade, b) arranging a second layup of fiber material on a core member before and/or after arranging the core member in the mold, the second layup including the core member corresponding to a web of the rotor blade, the core member comprising a recess configured to ensure a smooth transfer of loads into and out of the web, and c) curing a resin impregnating the fiber material of the first and second layup to form the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Kirkeby, Anders Overgaard
  • Patent number: 9889620
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers, that include additives that modify one or more properties of the produced fibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. Fiber producing devices with features that enhance fiber production and adaptability to different types of fiber are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CLARCOR Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kay, Thomas D. Carr, Carlos Barocio, Joe Moore
  • Patent number: 9889621
    Abstract: A press for pressing workpieces can have a) at least two pressing tools and at least one slide that performs working movements with an associated working stroke, b) at least one hydraulic slide drive unit for the slide, which separates a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber of a working chamber, and c) at least one slide position measurement device. Additionally, the press can include d) at least one medium reservoir, e) at least one first hydraulic delivery device connected to the first sub-chamber and to the medium reservoir, and f) at least one second hydraulic delivery device. The press can further include g) at least one controllable hydraulic valve, and h) a control device that checks the volumetric flows, pressures, and flow direction of hydraulic medium as a function of the measured slide position and stored or desired movement profiles of the slide and/or of input information from users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LANGENSTEIN & SCHEMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Lothar Bauersachs, Herbert Ruger
  • Patent number: 9889622
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus is disclosed. The pressing apparatus includes: a static pressing plate; a movable pressing plate opposing the static pressing plate and including a plurality of movable press-blocks; a pressure sensor provided in each respective movable press-blocks; a plurality of drive units provided corresponding to the plurality of movable press-blocks, each drive unit being connected with one movable press-block for driving the corresponding movable press-block; a control unit electrically connected with each drive unit and each pressure sensor, the control unit being configured to compare the detected pressure value from each pressure sensor with a predefined pressure value, and adjust the pressure value between the corresponding movable press-block and the static pressing plate by means of the corresponding drive unit based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangjun Tian, Zhongyuan Sun, Yifang Chu
  • Patent number: 9889623
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated inflation device configured for inflating an inflatable structure, which can then be used—for example—as a protective packaging material. As described in detail herein, various embodiments of the inflation device are configured to be mounted on a wall for convenient installation and use. According to certain embodiments, the inflation device is configured to automatically inflate multiple inflatable chambers in the inflatable structure using an efficient inflation-at-a-distance method. Moreover, various embodiments are provided with one or more user input controls and/or remote sensors to enable a user to conveniently request inflation of a particular number of inflatable chambers or a particular length of the inflatable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Frayne, Paul Chudy, Tung Yiu Fok
  • Patent number: 9889624
    Abstract: An anisotropic thermal conduit having an outer cylindrical tube; and an anisotropic thermal material disposed with the outer cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Susan C. Trulli
  • Patent number: 9889625
    Abstract: A composite of metal and resin and a manufacturing method require a metal piece and a resin piece, and the surface of the metal piece is etched to include a number of micropores. Each micropore includes a first inclined hole and a second inclined hole, the first inclined hole and the second inclined hole diverging from each other below the surface of the metal piece. The first inclined hole and the second inclined hole extend downwards from a common starting hole which is symmetric around an axis perpendicular to the surface of the metal piece. The resin is embedded in the micropores to combine with the metal piece, where the bonding strength of the composite of metal and resin is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kar-Wai Hon
  • Patent number: 9889626
    Abstract: This invention provides an environmentally friendly anti-slip floor mat, includes a leather, a polyurethane middle layer, a PU self-skinning layer and an anti-slip layer stacked together. The polyurethane middle comprises non-foam polyurethane. The PU self-skinning layer comprises foaming polyurethane. A plurality of through holes running through the anti-slip layer are located in the anti-slip layer. A surface of the PU self-skinning layer adjacent to the anti-slip layer further comprises a plurality of rivets pass through the through holes and extend to a surface of the anti-slip layer away from the PU self-skinning layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: XIAMEN SHEEP ANTI-FATIGUE MAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiangyang Lu
  • Patent number: 9889627
    Abstract: A combined anti-slip floor mat, including a mat body and a little mat, the mat body includes a leather, a PU self-skinning layer, and an anti-slip layer stacked together m that order. A recess is disposed in the middle of the top of the mat body, and the area of the recess is slightly less than the top area of the mat body; the little mat is matched to the recess in size. At least one opening is disposed on the middle of each side of the recess; wherein the opening passes through the floor mat; a cross notch is made on the bottom of the floor mat, by connecting each two opponent openings; the size of the little mat matches the recess on the mat body, and is separably embedded in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: XIAMEN SHEEP ANTI-FATIGUE MAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiangyang Lu
  • Patent number: 9889628
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sandwich type steel sheet having low specific gravity and high stiffness which may be applied to an exterior plate of a vehicle and the like, which require excellent strength, dent resistance and the like. Further, a method of manufacturing the sandwich type steel sheet having a low specific gravity and high stiffness is also disclosed. Particularly, the sandwich type steel sheet includes an upper steel sheet positioned at an upper portion; a lower steel sheet positioned at a lower portion; a polymer layer containing an amount of about 50 to 60 wt % of a polyamide 6 resin, an amount of about 25 to 45 wt % of a polyolefin resin, based on a total weight of the polymer layer. Therefore, the thickness of the steel sheets may be reduced by about 20% from the conventional steep sheet, and strength, dent resistance and the like may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young-Hyun Oh
  • Patent number: 9889629
    Abstract: An electronic device is manufactured by a method including applying a photosensitive adhesive agent either to a pressure chamber forming substrate and a vibrating plate or to a sealing plate having a structure of a lower height from a bonding surface, precuring the photosensitive adhesive agent by heating, patterning the precured photosensitive adhesive agent, and bonding the substrates together with the structure (bump electrode) and the photosensitive adhesive agent interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Sato, Masashi Yoshiike
  • Patent number: 9889630
    Abstract: The sheet of a polishing equipment of the present invention includes a buffer layer, an adsorption layer, and an adhesion layer. The adhesion layer is disposed between the buffer layer and the adsorption layer. The adhesion layer has a plurality of adhesion points to bind the buffer layer and the adsorption layer together. The adhesion points are discontinuous and have gaps in between. Consequently, when the sheet is pressed, air can be vented out through the gaps between the adhesion points, so that the adsorption force is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BESTAC ADVANCED MATERIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chih Feng, I-Peng Yao, Lyang-Gung Wang, Wen-Chieh Wu
  • Patent number: 9889631
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to strip process for removing a coating from a substrate comprising the steps of: providing a base alloy and a MCrAlY coating deposited over the base alloy substrate; and removing the MCrAlY coating by bringing the MCrAlY coating in contact with an acid solution comprising nitric acid, phosphoric acid and ammonium bifluoride in an aqueous solution, and maintaining the acid solution contact for sufficient time and at sufficient temperature to permit the coating to be stripped from the base alloy substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric W. Stratton, Michael J. Minor
  • Patent number: 9889632
    Abstract: A stiff, lightweight metal laminate includes a first continuous metal layer, a second continuous metal layer, and a reduced density metal core layer disposed between the first and second continuous metal layers. The reduced density metal core layer comprises a core metal and has an average density that is less than the density of the core metal. Planar metallurgical bonds secure the first and second continuous metal layers to the reduced density metal core layer. The metal laminate may be manufactured by press rolling the reduced density metal core layer sandwiched between the two continuous metal layers, after removing or overcoating the native oxide layer on each layer surface that contacts another layer in the metal laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MATERION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph G. Kaiser, Aaron M. Vodnick
  • Patent number: 9889633
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a laminate structure including a laminate body with a second ply positioned between a first ply and a third ply, the second ply having an edge extending outward from a corresponding edge of the first and third plies. The laminate structure further includes a flange positioned on the edge of the second ply. The flange includes a first finger and a second finger extending outward to define a receptacle that receives the edge of the second ply therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryan A. Miller
  • Patent number: 9889634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to light weight composite materials which comprise a metallic layer and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing a filled thermoplastic polymer which includes a thermoplastic polymer and a metallic fiber. The composite materials of the present invention may be formed using conventional stamping equipment at ambient temperatures. Composite materials of the present invention may also be capable of being welded to other metal materials using a resistance welding process such as resistance spot welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH LLC
    Inventor: Shimon Mizrahi
  • Patent number: 9889635
    Abstract: A method of forming an article from a glass sheet (20) having a glass-sheet bonding surface (24) and a glass carrier (10) having a carrier bonding surface (14). At least one of the glass sheet and carrier bonding surfaces is coated with a surface modification layer (30), and then the glass sheet is connected with the carrier via the surface modification layer. From the perimeter of the glass sheet and the carrier while connected, there is removed a portion of the surface modification layer so as to expose a portion (19, 29) of the bonding surface on each of the glass sheet and the carrier. The glass sheet and carrier are then heated at a temperature ?400° C. so as to bond the perimeter of the glass sheet (26) with the perimeter of the carrier (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Alan Bellman, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Robert George Manley, Prantik Mazumder
  • Patent number: 9889636
    Abstract: This invention provides an anti-slip floor mat with transparent top surface mainly includes a top surface, a PU self-skinning layer and an anti-slip layer stacked together in that order. The top surface is made of a transparent material. The PU self-skinning layer comprises foaming polyurethane and mainly formed by foaming an isocyanate with a polyether polyols intermixture, and the mass ratio of the isocyanate to the polyether polyols intermixture is 100:20˜50. A plurality of through holes passing through said anti-slip layer are defined in the anti-slip layer. A surface of said PU self-skinning layer adjacent to said anti-slip layer further comprises a plurality of rivets, said rivets pass through said through holes and extend to a surface of said anti-slip layer away from said PU self-skinning layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: XIAMEN SHEEP ANTI-FATIGUE MAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiangyang Lu
  • Patent number: 9889637
    Abstract: A composite sheet material and method for forming the same is provided that includes a substrate, a matrix, and a cover sheet. The substrate has a first face surface, a second face surface, and a plurality of edges, and includes a thermoplastic material. The matrix is attached to the substrate. The matrix includes a support component having a first melting point, and a thermoplastic component having a second melting point. The second melting point is less than the first melting point. The cover sheet imparts one or more surface characteristics to the composite sheet material during thermo-pressure formation of the composite sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: XAMAX INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Weinberg, James Yuan, Robert Markowski
  • Patent number: 9889638
    Abstract: An electrical heating bonding device 1 bonds a member M1 to be bonded, which is made of a metal, and a member M2 to be bonded, which is made of a resin. The electrical heating bonding device 1 includes: an upper electrode 11 and a lower electrode 12 which sandwich the member M1 to be bonded, and are electrically conductive with the member M1 to be bonded; a pressurizing unit 20 which applies pressure to a bonding surface between the member M1 to be bonded and the member M2 to be bonded; a temperature sensor 30 which detects a temperature of the member M1 to be bonded; and a control unit 40 which controls the pressurizing unit 20 to apply the pressure to the bonding surface, after the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 reaches a predetermined set temperature Ts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: ECO-A CO., LTD., OKAWA SANKI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Mizuno, Osamu Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 9889639
    Abstract: A method of forming a cured mineral fiber product which includes at least a top layer having mineral fibers and a base layer having mineral fibers. The method includes the steps of providing the top layer web including uncured mineral wool, providing the base layer web including cured mineral wool, joining the uncured top layer web and the cured base layer web to form an assembled laminate, and curing the top layer web in a curing oven by transporting the assembled laminate into a curing oven having an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor for curing the assembled laminate, the assembled laminate being positioned between the upper and lower conveyors. The uncured top layer web is compressed by at least 50% as it enters into the curing oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwool International A/S
    Inventors: Dag Nielsen, Gorm Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 9889640
    Abstract: Described is a method for producing flexographic printing plates, using as starting material a photopolymerizable flexographic printing plate which contains a dimensionally stable support, a photopolymerizable, relief-forming layer, and a digitally imagable layer. A mask is produced by imaging the digitally imagable layer. The printing plate is exposed with actinic light through the mask. The image regions of the layer are photopolymerized. A plurality of UV-LEDs are arranged on at least one UV-LED strip which is moved relative to the surface of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The photopolymerized layer is developed by washing out and drying or by thermal development. An ultrasonic sensor determines the thickness of the flexographic printing plate for exposure. The exposure is controlled as to number of exposure steps, exposure intensity, energy input per exposure step, duration of individual exposure steps, and/or overall duration of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Flint Group Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Boyksen
  • Patent number: 9889641
    Abstract: A hot-stamping device (1) is described, having a stamping device (2) for transferring a transfer layer (15u) disposed on a carrier layer (15t) of a hot-stamping foil (15) onto a substrate (14). The hot-stamping device comprises a heatable stamping roller (11) and a counter-pressure roller (12), between which a stamping gap (16) is realized, in which a stamped substrate (17) is realized, and comprising a separating device (3), disposed downstream, for separating the carrier layer (15t) from the stamped substrate (17). The separating device (3) has a separating element (20), which is realized as a bar-shaped hollow body, disposed on which there is a supply for a compressed gas (21). At least one longitudinal edge of the separating element (20) is realized as a perforated separating edge (20k) having outflow openings (20a) for the compressed gas (22), for the purpose of realizing a gas cushion between the carrier layer (15t) and the separating element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LEONHARD KURZ STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Bieber
  • Patent number: 9889642
    Abstract: In an example, a method of managing a nozzle condition test on a printhead includes instructing a printhead to perform impedance measurements on a plurality of nozzles in a first set of nozzles. The method also includes retrieving from the printhead, an impedance measurement result corresponding with each nozzle, where each impedance measurement result indicates a nozzle condition of its corresponding nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E Anderson, Eric T Martin
  • Patent number: 9889643
    Abstract: A printer includes a base platform that has a support surface on which a medium is mounted, and a liquid ejecting unit, which is capable of moving relatively in a direction that runs along the support surface, and which performs a recording operation on the medium from a recording head that moves along the support surface in a direction that intersects the direction. The base platform includes a first power source device, and first control substrate that controls operation of the base platform on the basis of the first power source device, and the liquid ejecting unit includes a second power source device, and a second control substrate that controls operation of the liquid ejecting unit on the basis of the second power source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Sakai
  • Patent number: 9889644
    Abstract: A method for printing on sheets in an inkjet process using nozzles includes transporting the sheets on a drum. When the nozzles are actuated by a computer, banding defects are compensated for and the computer factors in or takes into consideration thermal properties of the drum as it actuates the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Peter Hachmann
  • Patent number: 9889645
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet head comprises an ejection section and a driving section. The ejection section ejects ink according to the operations of an actuator. In order to make the ejection section eject different amount of ink for different drops, the driving section applies voltage to the actuator of the ejection section such that the ejection section ejects ink continuously based on the printing data indicating the times the ejection section ejects ink and a position flag designating a drop frame number where ink starting to be ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Kimura, Noboru Nitta, Teruyuki Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9889646
    Abstract: A droplet driving control device includes: an output unit which outputs, at droplet ejection timing, a driving waveform for ejecting each droplet at a requested droplet ejection period, the waveform being a reference driving waveform including a plurality of pulse signals which can be set ON or OFF individually; a determination unit which determines whether the droplet ejection period has to be changed or not; an adjustment unit which sets each of the pulse signals of the reference driving waveform ON or OFF selectively based on a determination result of the determination unit to adjust the reference driving waveform to an adjusted driving waveform; and a droplet ejection control unit which ejects each droplet by use of the adjusted driving waveform adjusted by the adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Seto, Hirotake Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9889647
    Abstract: Printing devices and methods are described. An array of ink nozzles can be arranged in a number of primitives, wherein a first primitive of the number of primitives is interdigitated with a second primitive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sean P. McClelland
  • Patent number: 9889648
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of pressure chambers which generate a pressure for ejecting liquid from a nozzle; a common liquid chamber which stores liquid which is supplied to the plurality of pressure chambers; a flexible film which configures a part of a wall face of the common liquid chamber; a damper chamber which is partitioned from the common liquid chamber using the flexible film; and a first pressurizing unit which pressurizes the damper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukimasa Ishida
  • Patent number: 9889649
    Abstract: A printing control device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to perform adjustment of the number of droplets to be ejected from ejection ports of an ejection head on a unit region of a printing medium, the ejection ports corresponding to an energy generation element, the energy generation element using electrical energy to generate energy for ejecting liquid; and a decision control unit configured to decide an amount of the electrical energy to be applied to the energy generation element corresponding to the ejection ports so that each of the ejection ports ejects the droplets; wherein the decision control unit decides whether to decide an amount of the energy in response to the receiving unit's receiving the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoko Baba, Hajime Nagai
  • Patent number: 9889650
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid ejecting head, an ejecting element substrate and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress degradation in print quality. Therefore in an ejecting element substrate arranged the closest to the center of a support member, a flow resistance of a flow passage corresponding to an ejection opening of an ejection opening array arranged the closest to the center of the ejecting element substrate is made high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuma Kodoi, Keiji Tomizawa
  • Patent number: 9889651
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device is disclosed that includes a body defining an interior bore, a fluid reservoir, and a fluid ejection chip. The fluid reservoir includes a wall and one or more fluid control surfaces disposed along an interior surface of the wall. The fluid reservoir defines an interior passage in fluid communication with the interior bore of the body. The fluid ejection chip is disposed on the body and comprises one or more fluid ejection actuators. The fluid ejection chip has one or more interior fluid paths in fluid communication with the interior bore of the body so that the fluid ejection chip ejects the fluid upon activation of the one or more fluid ejection actuators. The interior passage of the fluid reservoir, the interior bore of the body, and the one or more interior fluid paths are axially aligned such that the fluid is gravity fed to the fluid ejection chip upon entry into the interior passage of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sam Norasak
  • Patent number: 9889652
    Abstract: An actuator as a piezoelectric device has a bonding layer including titanium, a lower electrode including platinum, a piezoelectric thin film, and an upper electrode formed in this order on a substrate. Ti particles precipitate from the bonding layer onto the lower electrode. Pt that forms the lower electrode has a crystal grain size of 75 nm to 150 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuki Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9889653
    Abstract: A nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers, where each nanotip cantilever includes a nanotip at an end of a cantilever, and a method for forming the nanoprinthead. Each nanotip may be individually addressable through use of an array of piezoelectric actuators. Embodiments for forming a nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers can include an etching process from a material such as a silicon wafer, or the formation of a metal or dielectric nanotip cantilever over a substrate. The nanoprinthead may operate to provide uses for technologies such as dip-pen nanolithography, nanomachining, and nanoscratching, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter J. Nystrom, Andrew W. Hays, Bijoyraj Sahu
  • Patent number: 9889654
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes structures arrayed in a predetermined direction, each structure including a nozzle to eject liquid, a pressure chamber in communication with the nozzle, and an ejection drive unit to increase pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber. The ejection drive unit includes a diaphragm to form a wall of the pressure chamber, and an electromechanical transducer element including an electromechanical transducer film, the diaphragm being convex toward the pressure chamber. When an amount of curvature of the diaphragm for the pressure chamber is defined by a radius of curvature, a difference between minimum and maximum radii of curvature of the diaphragm for 20 channels of the pressure chambers is equal to or less than 1500 ?m, the 20 channels being counted from one of the pressure chambers at each of end portions of the structures in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizukami, Naoya Kondo
  • Patent number: 9889655
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head and a method of manufacturing the liquid ejecting head are provided. The liquid ejecting head has a pressure chamber forming substrate that includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements and that is connected to a first surface of a sealing plate, a driver IC that outputs signals that drive the piezoelectric elements and that is provided on a second surface of the sealing plate that is on the opposite side to the first surface, and a power supply wire that supplies electrical power to the piezoelectric elements, that is formed in the second surface of the sealing plate, and that has at least one portion thereof embedded in the sealing plate and a surface thereof exposed on the second surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Tanaka