Patents Issued in May 29, 2018
  • Patent number: 9981444
    Abstract: A composite stiffener is fabricated using preforms of laminated, unidirectional composite tape. The stiffener includes a void that is reinforced by a filler wrapped with a structural adhesive. The surfaces of the preforms surrounding the void include a layer of composite fabric which is bonded to the filler by the adhesive, thereby increasing the toughness of stiffeners around the void and improving pull-off strength of the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Lyle R. Deobald, John D. Morris, Karl B. Lee, Jeffery L. Marcoe, Mark C. Iden, Christopher G. Harris
  • Patent number: 9981445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ribbon type fabric produced through simple processes wherein a reinforcing fabric to which an adhesive means has previously been applied or overlapped with is layered on the surface of a narrow fabric cutout area of a ribbon type fabric created on a wide fabric, and the reinforcing fabric layered on the narrow fabric cutout area is simultaneously heated, pressed and cut or is heated, pressed and then cut according to fabric characteristics, and thus can maintain the tension of the ribbon type fabric by the reinforcing fabric while preventing selvage yarns on both edges of the cut ribbon type fabric from becoming loose, can be easily mass-produced while readily producing a ribbon type fabric from a wide fabric formed from a net fabric, a synthetic fiber fabric, a cotton fabric, a hemp fabric, or the like, and can enable further improvement in the adhesive force of the reinforcing fabric while obtaining decorative beauty by forming a character or a pattern on the surface of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DOOJI LTD.
    Inventor: Hyuntae Cho
  • Patent number: 9981446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a sandwich structure. A cavity is formed in a core of the sandwich structure. A structural insert is placed into the cavity. The structural insert comprises a first number of parts configured to receive a load and a second number of parts assembled with the first number of parts to form the structural insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Holemans
  • Patent number: 9981447
    Abstract: There is provided a fiber-reinforced resin joined body, including: a fiber-reinforced resin shaped product A containing reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic resin, and including at least one a protrusion part with a buckling strength of 80 MPa to 450 MPa; and a member B including at least one through hole, wherein the protrusion part of the fiber-reinforced resin shaped product A is inserted into the through hole of the member B, and a caulked part is provided in a portion of the protrusion part, protruding from the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Hiroki Sano, Takumi Kato, Takeru Ohki
  • Patent number: 9981448
    Abstract: A waterproof invisible barrier seam is formed between two fabric laminates, an outer shell fabric laminate and an inner lining fabric laminate. The seam includes an invisible seam tape that forms a hydrostatic barrier within the seam. The design of the seam allows the formation of an effective hydrostatic barrier along the seams of a soft shell garment, while retaining flexibility, stretch, aesthetic appearance, and reversibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Cohesive Systems LLC
    Inventor: Joseph E. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 9981449
    Abstract: A continuous process for making a multi-panel sterilization assembly, the process including the steps of: providing a moving, continuous base web; providing a plurality of subassemblies; applying the subassemblies in position on the moving, continuous base web to define repeating portions that incorporate the subassemblies and alternating portions that lack such subassemblies; providing side tabs; applying the side tabs in position on the moving, continuous base web with respect to at least one edge of the portions that incorporate the subassemblies; attaching the subassemblies and the side tabs to the moving, continuous base web to form a continuous work-piece; and separating the continuous work-piece into individual multi-panel sterilization assemblies, each multi-panel sterilization assembly comprising a barrier panel, a fold protection panel and at least one side tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Pamperin, Brian L. Gustin, Eric T. Bricker, Melissa R. Gaynor
  • Patent number: 9981450
    Abstract: A copper foil composite comprising a copper foil and a resin layer laminated thereon, satisfying an equation 1: (f3×t3)/(f2×t2)=>1 wherein t2 (mm) is a thickness of the copper foil, f2 (MPa) is a stress of the copper foil under tensile strain of 4%, t3 (mm) is a thickness of the resin layer, f3 (MPa) is a stress of the resin layer under tensile strain of 4%, and an equation 2: 1<=33f1/(F×T) wherein f1 (N/mm) is 180° peeling strength between the copper foil and the resin layer, F(MPa) is strength of the copper foil composite under tensile strain of 30%, and T (mm) is a thickness of the copper foil composite, wherein a Sn layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 3.0 ?m is formed on a surface of the copper foil on which the resin layer is not laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Tanaka, Kazuki Kammuri
  • Patent number: 9981451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filled polymeric materials 16 including a thermoplastic polymer 18 and a metallic fiber 20 and to light weight composite materials 10, 12 which comprise a metallic layer 14 and a polymeric layer, the polymeric layer containing the filled polymeric material 16. 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 conventional welding techniques. The composites exhibit resistance to delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH LLC
    Inventors: Shimon Mizrahi, Moshe Narkis
  • Patent number: 9981452
    Abstract: A photochromic polyurethane laminate that is constructed to solve certain manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of plastic photochromic lenses is disclosed. The photochromic laminate includes at least two layers of a resinous material and a photochromic polyurethane layer that is interspersed between the two resinous layers and which contains photochromic compounds. The polyurethane layer is formed by curing a mixture of a solid thermoplastic polyurethane, at least one isocyanate prepolymer, at least one photochromic compound, and a stabilizing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Vision Ease, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Patent number: 9981453
    Abstract: A photochromic polyurethane laminate that is constructed to solve certain manufacturing difficulties involved in the production of plastic photochromic lenses is disclosed. The photochromic laminate includes at least two layers of a resinous material and a photochromic polyurethane layer that is interspersed between the two resinous layers and which contains photochromic compounds. The polyurethane layer is formed by curing a mixture of a solid thermoplastic polyurethane, at least one isocyanate prepolymer, at least one photochromic compound, and a stabilizing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Vision Ease, LP
    Inventors: Xuzhi Qin, Hideyo Sugimura, Michael Boulineau
  • Patent number: 9981454
    Abstract: The invention provides a polyolefin pre-stretched packaging film comprising perforations arranged in a series of columns along a longitudinal direction of the film, wherein each adjacent column of said perforations is separated by a column without perforations along the longitudinal direction, and the perforations are staggered in a transverse direction across the film, wherein said film comprises an inherent cling surface on at least one of its surfaces; wherein the perforations cover at least 25% of the total surface area of the film, and the film has an inside/inside cling property of 5 to 22 gr, and a weight of no more than 13 g/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MEGA PLAST Industrial—Exporting S.A.
    Inventors: Michalis Apostolakis, Konstantinos G. Gatos, Anthony G. Karandinos
  • Patent number: 9981455
    Abstract: A gas barrier film, an apparatus comprising the gas barrier film, and a process for producing the gas barrier film are provided. The gas barrier film comprises a plastic film having an oligomer content of not more than 1% by weight, an organic layer provided on the plastic film, and an inorganic layer provided on the organic layer. The organic layer has a thickness that is larger than a maximum difference in elevation on the surface of the plastic film. The gas barrier film having the above construction has excellent gas barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 9981456
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating multi-layered lightly-laminated provide films with increased or maintained strength. An increased level of strength is achieved by bonding adjacent layers of the multi-layer film together in a manner that the bond strength of the laminated layers is less than a strength of a weakest tear resistance of the individual first and second film layers. The inventors have surprisingly found that such a configuration of light bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer film as compared to a monolayer film of equal thickness or a multi-layer film in which the plurality of layers are tightly bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Shaun T. Broering, Robert W. Fraser, Michael G. Borchardt, Jack A. MacPherson, Robert T. Dorsey, Scott W. Binger, Kenneth E. Cisek, Matthew W. Waldron, Angelli S. Denmon
  • Patent number: 9981457
    Abstract: The stack manufacturing apparatus includes a first supporting body supply unit which is configured to intermittently unroll a roll sheet-shaped first supporting body and includes one of a pair of tension applying devices capable of applying tension to the unrolled first supporting body; a first adhesive layer formation unit configured to form a first adhesive layer over the first supporting body while the first supporting body supply unit suspends unrolling of the first supporting body; a first bonding unit configured to bond the first supporting body and a sheet-shaped member using the first adhesive layer; and a control unit which is configured to hold an end portion of the first supporting body and includes the other of the pair of tension applying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Emergy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Hirakata, Satoshi Seo
  • Patent number: 9981458
    Abstract: A process to apply pressure sensitive adhesive to cut sheet media and eliminate a separate release liner. A Silicone release layer is applied during fusing on a top surface of cut media and then UV cured. A pressure sensitive adhesive layer is applied next. The cut sheets are then stacked and a compressive force is applied that transfers the pressure sensitive adhesive from one sheet to another and helps hold the stack together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K Herrmann, Santokh S Badesha
  • Patent number: 9981459
    Abstract: A method for bonding infrared transmitting glasses into an optical element without interlayer voids by stacking at least two different infrared transmitting glasses inside a vessel where each glass has a different refractive index, a different dispersion, or both, and where the glasses all have similar viscosities, thermal expansion coefficients, and glass transition temperatures; placing a weight on top of the stack; applying a vacuum to the vessel; applying an isostatic pressure of at least 1500 psi; and after releasing the isostatic pressure, annealing at a temperature within 10° C. of the glass transition temperature at a pressure between 0 and 1000 psi. Applying the vacuum, applying the isostatic pressure, and annealing are done sequentially and with no intermediate transitions to ambient temperature or pressure. Also disclosed is the related optical element made by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gibson, Mikhail Kotov, Geoff Chin, Shyam S. Bayya, Jasbinder S. Sanghera
  • Patent number: 9981460
    Abstract: A lamination system for laminating substrates includes a lamination device including an upper member defining an upper cavity and a lower member defining a lower cavity; a pressurization system in communication with the upper cavity and the lower cavity; and a control unit coupled to the lamination device and the pressurization system, the control unit configured to control operation of the lamination device and the pressurization system to generate a vacuum environment within the lower cavity; bring a first substrate into contact with a second substrate; pressurize the upper cavity to a first pressure to move the flexible membrane into contact with the first substrate; move the flexible membrane out of contact with the first substrate; and pressurize the lower cavity to a second pressure higher than the first pressure to apply air pressure at the second pressure to the first and second substrates and form a laminated assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Cameron T. McCalley, James D. Sampica, Brian K. Smith
  • Patent number: 9981461
    Abstract: A vessel for storing pressurized gas. The storage vessel may be manufactured in a variety of predetermined shapes. Plural frame members are interconnected with each other, collectively forming a lattice frame. A network of internal supports is disposed within the interior of the lattice frame, the internal supports being made of a carbon-reinforced composite material. The storage vessel has an outer shell made up of layers of carbon-reinforced composite material sheets enveloping the exterior of the lattice frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CNG Storage Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Hugh L. Horstman
  • Patent number: 9981462
    Abstract: A masterbatch containing one or more colors of decorative particulate additive is disclosed and is particularly suitable for use in thermoplastic elastomer plastic articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PolyOne Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Koehnke
  • Patent number: 9981463
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid discharging apparatus having a liquid discharging head that is attached to an apparatus main body so as to be capable of being attached or detached and that discharges a liquid from a nozzle includes: identifying an alignment shift of the liquid discharging head attached to the apparatus main body; and identifying correction information that is correlated with the alignment shift identified in the identifying of the alignment shift based on a correction information table in which the correction information related to liquid discharge control and the alignment shift are correlated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoshige Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9981464
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus including a circulation system circulating a liquid, a volatile component included in the liquid evaporates from an ejection opening and thus characteristics of the liquid involving with concentration or viscosity change. The invention provides a printing apparatus that uses a liquid ejection head including an ejection opening ejecting a liquid, a print element generating energy for ejecting a liquid, and a pressure chamber having the print element provided therein, the printing apparatus including: a circulator configured to circulate the liquid so that the liquid passes through the pressure chamber; and a concentration adjustment unit configured to adjust a concentration of a liquid inside a liquid circulation system by discharging the liquid from the inside of the liquid circulation system and replenishing the liquid into the liquid circulation system from the outside of the liquid circulation system in response to the amount of the discharged liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiichiro Karita, Shuzo Iwanaga, Kazuhiro Yamada, Takatsuna Aoki, Shingo Okushima, Zentaro Tamenaga, Yumi Komamiya, Noriyasu Nagai, Tatsurou Mori, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akira Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9981465
    Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a drop ejector array module having a temperature sensor and a logic circuit for sequentially selecting one or more drop ejectors in the array. The system also includes an image data source for providing an image data signal, a memory for storing a temperature correction factor, and a memory for storing at least one drop ejector correction factor. The system includes a fire pulse generator configured to receive signals corresponding to the temperature sensor, the temperature correction factor and the at least one drop ejector correction factor and to output a fire pulse waveform. Also included is a heating pulse generator configured to receive signals corresponding to the temperature sensor and the temperature correction factor and to output a heating pulse waveform. A waveform selector is provided for selecting either a fire pulse waveform or a heating pulse waveform based on the image data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: RF Printing Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard Mu, Yonglin Xie
  • Patent number: 9981466
    Abstract: A drive circuit includes an amplification unit that amplifies a signal and outputs the amplified signal toward a node; and a voltage output unit that outputs a voltage responding to the signal toward the node during a predetermined period of a part or all of a period in which a magnitude of a voltage change of the signal is less than or equal to a threshold. The amplification unit includes a differential amplifier, a selector, and transistors, and the voltage output unit includes a linear amplifier and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Abe
  • Patent number: 9981467
    Abstract: A method of printing includes identifying vertical edges in a halftone image. The method also includes determining whether a lightness of color of a first predetermined area to a left side of a respective vertical edge is substantially equal to, less than, or greater than the lightness of color of a second predetermined area to a right side of the respective vertical edge. The method also includes categorizing respective vertical edges left vertical edges, right vertical edges, and neutral vertical edges to prioritize a print direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Barret Kammerzell, Antonio Gracia Verdugo
  • Patent number: 9981468
    Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus is provided which can suppress defective ejection of ink from the nozzles. An element array with a plurality of print elements arranged therein is divided into a plurality of groups of print elements. For each of the plurality of groups, the apparatus determines whether any area undergoes a failure to perform a normal printing operation. If the apparatus determines, for any of the plurality of groups, that any area is likely to undergo the failure, when the print medium is printed based on the print data corresponding to the area, control is performed in such a manner that a first amount of energy supplied to drive one print element is greater than a second amount of energy supplied to drive one print element immediately before the print medium is printed based on the print data corresponding to the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Joji Katsuura
  • Patent number: 9981469
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, a temperature detector, and a bias voltage applying unit. The liquid discharge head includes a piezoelectric element to generate pressure to discharge liquid through a nozzle. The temperature detector detects a temperature correlating to a temperature of the piezoelectric element. The bias voltage applying unit applies a bias voltage to a first electrode of the piezoelectric element opposite a second electrode to which a drive signal is applied. The bias voltage applying unit changes the bias voltage according to a detection result of the temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sano
  • Patent number: 9981470
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head substrate includes a heating resistor array including a plurality of heating resistors and a protective film covering at least one of the heating resistors. The liquid ejection head substrate further includes a supply opening array and an electrode. The supply opening array is disposed on a side of a surface of the liquid ejection head substrate on which the protective film is provided. The supply opening array includes a plurality of supply openings through which a liquid is supplied arranged in a direction along the heating resistor array. The electrode is disposed on the side of the surface in a space between the supply openings adjacent to each other in a direction along the supply opening array. The electrode is configured such that a voltage is applied between the electrode and the protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Ishida, Shintaro Kasai, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akiko Saito, Takatsugu Moriya, Tatsuya Yamada, Shuzo Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 9981471
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the application of an antiwetting coating on at least one surface of a substrate of semiconductor material comprising the steps of: a) applying on said at least one surface a metal layer of a material chosen in the group constituted by noble metals, coining metals, their oxides and their alloys; and b) applying on said metal layer a layer of a thiol of formula R—SH, where R is a linear alkyl chain having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms and, optionally, at least one hetero-atom, for obtaining an antiwetting coating. The disclosure further regards a method for the production of a nozzle plate for ink-jet printing and to an integrated ink-jet printhead provided with a nozzle plate obtained according to the method of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Porro
  • Patent number: 9981472
    Abstract: Film-forming apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. The apparatus can include a substrate positioning system and a printing array that includes an inkjet printing array and/or a thermal printing array. The positioning system can be a gas-bearing plate system. The positioning system can be configured to move a substrate between a first position, away from the printing array, and a second position, above the printing array. The apparatuses, systems, and methods can be used to manufacture organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), for example, flat panel displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lowrance, Eliyahu Vronsky, Conor Madigan, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko
  • Patent number: 9981473
    Abstract: Provided is a driving device of a liquid droplet discharging head including a driving unit that drives a liquid droplet discharging head which includes plural nozzles, which discharge an ultraviolet ray curable liquid, as liquid droplets, the ultraviolet ray curable liquid being cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and a control unit that controls the driving unit so that, among the plural nozzles, a draw-in driving signal for drawing the liquid in from a discharge surface of non-discharge nozzles of the liquid droplets is supplied to the non-discharge nozzles while ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet ray light source, which irradiates liquid droplets discharged from the liquid droplet discharging head with ultraviolet rays, are being emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yashima
  • Patent number: 9981474
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a medium, an ejecting unit that ejects a liquid onto the medium in an ejection area, a mist-collecting unit that collects mist that occurs with the ejection of the liquid from the ejecting unit, and a contaminant-collecting unit that is formed upstream of the ejection area in a transport direction of the medium and that collects contaminants that have attached to the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Goto
  • Patent number: 9981475
    Abstract: An ink supply apparatus includes a first ink tank, a second ink tank, a first flow path configured to connect the first ink tank and the second ink tank, a volume change unit disposed on the first flow path, configured to be able to change an internal volume of its own, and allow ink to flow thereinto from the first flow path when the internal volume is expanded and to flow out to the first flow path when the internal volume is reduced, a first opening and closing unit disposed between the first ink tank and the volume change unit, and a second opening and closing unit disposed between the second ink tank and the volume change unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Kouhei Tokuda, Tsutomu Obata, Hiroyuki Matsunaka, Naoaki Wada, Eiichi Adachi, Noriyuki Aoki, Toshiro Sugiyama, Ryohei Maruyama, Ryuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9981476
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate including a recording element, an electronic substrate disposed outside the recording element substrate, an electric element mounted on the electronic substrate, a housing that supports the recording element substrate and the electronic substrate and is made of a first resin material, and a cover member that surrounds and shields the electric element and is made of a second resin material, wherein the second resin material has higher heat resistance than the first resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiaki Muraoka, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Mikiya Umeyama, Hiromasa Amma, Takuya Iwano, Tokuji Kudo, Shimpei Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9981477
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid ejecting device that can efficiently supply liquid inside a liquid containing unit with a simple structure and the liquid containing unit. The present invention is the liquid ejecting device which includes a liquid container, a head that is provided on a carriage and has a liquid containing unit capable of storing liquid thereinside and a liquid ejecting unit, and a flexible member that connects the liquid container to the liquid containing unit and supplies the liquid stored inside the liquid container to the liquid containing unit. A holding member is arranged inside the liquid containing unit to hold the liquid, and the shortest distance between a supply port opened to an inside of the liquid containing unit and the holding member is 0.1 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hironori Fukuchi, Keisuke Iinuma, Tatsuo Nanjo, Keiichiro Tsukuda, Yasuo Kotaki
  • Patent number: 9981478
    Abstract: A downsized liquid ejecting device is provided. To do so, the liquid ejecting device includes a liquid container, a head provided on a carriage and having a liquid containing unit capable of storing liquid thereinside, and a liquid ejecting unit ejecting liquid, and a flexible member that connects between the liquid container and the liquid containing unit and supplies the liquid stored inside the liquid container to the liquid containing unit, and a concave portion is formed on an outer wall surface of the liquid containing unit, and a projected portion that is inserted to the flexible member is formed inside the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihiro Ikebe, Yasuo Kotaki, Keiichiro Tsukuda, Tatsuo Nanjo, Keisuke Iinuma
  • Patent number: 9981480
    Abstract: An image recording method including the steps of applying an ink containing a coloring material and anionic resin particles to a recording medium, and applying a liquid composition to the recording medium so as to at least partly overlap with an area where the ink is applied, the liquid composition destabilizing a dispersion state of the coloring material or of the anionic resin particles in the ink. The ink contains a trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol compound having a group formed by substituting a hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group by a structure represented by —Rn—H, where R is an alkyleneoxy group including an ethyleneoxy group, and the number of Rs per molecule is 40 or more and 120 or less when the polyhydric alcohol is a trihydric alcohol and is 12 or more and 400 or less when the polyhydric alcohol is a tetrahydric or higher polyhydric alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Imai, Mamiko Kaji
  • Patent number: 9981481
    Abstract: Irregularities in the density that can occur in printed images of a thermal transfer printer due to mechanical variations or variations in thermal characteristics in the thermal head are more easily and accurately corrected as compared to cases not having the features of the disclosed invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Inokuchi, Takeshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9981482
    Abstract: An exposure unit includes first and second exposure heads. The first exposure head includes: first light emitting devices each emitting a first light beam; a first optical system performing imaging of each of the first light beams; a first coupler; and a first base member. The first coupler is provided at a first position, in the first base member, based on a position at which the imaging performed by the first optical system is performed. The second exposure head includes: second light emitting devices each emitting a second light beam; a second optical system performing imaging of each of the second light beams; a second coupler; and a second base member. The second coupler is provided at a second position, in the second base member, based on a position at which the imaging performed by the second optical system is performed and is fit into the first coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9981483
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a tray which supports a material for textile printing, and can move in a movement direction; a printing unit which performs printing on the material for textile printing supported by the tray; and a contact unit which is provided at a position of being in contact with the material for textile printing supported by the tray, before performing printing by the printing unit. By adopting the printing apparatus with such a configuration, it is possible to improve a printing condition when performing printing on the material for textile printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Hamada
  • Patent number: 9981484
    Abstract: A method for applying flame treatments to a print surface on an object in an inkjet printer includes activating a hydrogen torch within the inkjet printer to generate a flame through a nozzle of the hydrogen torch and operating an actuator to move at least one of the print surface or the nozzle in a predetermined direction to apply the flame from the nozzle to the print surface. The method further includes adjusting a rate of fuel flow to the nozzle of the hydrogen torch to change a thermal output level of the flame with reference to a change in distance between the nozzle of the hydrogen torch and the print surface during the operating of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Moore, Douglas K. Herrmann, Alexander J. Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 9981485
    Abstract: When an image is printed by inkjet printing on a print surface of a target medium, an overcoat layer is formed in a more appropriate manner. A printing method uses color ink heads 202 as exemplified colored ink heads, a clear ink head 204, and ultraviolet irradiators 206. The printing method includes a color printing step of printing a print image using a colored ink in at least a partial region on a print surface of a medium 50, a non-colored region clear printing step of applying a UV clear ink for printing in a region at least including a non-colored region in which ink droplets are not discharged in the color printing step, and an overcoat layer forming step of forming an overcoat layer that covers the print image using the UV clear ink in a region covering at least the print image printed in the color printing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Ikeda, Norikazu Nakamura, Moe Ito
  • Patent number: 9981486
    Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording method including: discharging first ultraviolet curable ink of a radical polymerization reaction type which contains a radical photopolymerization initiator and a radical polymerization compound and in which transmittance at a wavelength of 395 nm is equal to or less than 1%, onto a recording medium; and curing the first ultraviolet curable ink which is landed on the recording medium by irradiating the ink with ultraviolet light, in which a light source which initially emits the ultraviolet light in the curing of the ink is an ultraviolet light emitting diode in which peak intensity of the irradiated ultraviolet light is equal to or more than 800 mW/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mikito Nakajima, Keitaro Nakano, Mitsuaki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 9981487
    Abstract: A printer includes a printing section configured to perform printing on roll paper, a transport surface (hot plate) where the roll paper on which printing has been performed is transported, and a heater unit (heater) for heating the transport surface. The stated transport surface includes a plurality of projections with which the roll paper makes slide contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Oki
  • Patent number: 9981488
    Abstract: A printer includes a modular vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The modular vacuum belt assembly includes a plurality of moving belt modules interconnected along a width of the media path. Neighboring moving belt modules are interconnected via a connecting fixed vacuum plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Rosati, David Petch, David Burney, Jim Sykora, Kenneth A Regas, Andy Bound, Neil Doherty, Scott Dennis, Ben Jones, Oksana Buyda, Locson Tonthat, Andrew Buyda, Patrick Kirk, Loren Hunt, Jason Dewey, Jim Trinchera, Bill Cressman, Ron Zech
  • Patent number: 9981489
    Abstract: A printer includes a transport unit that transports continuous paper (P), a medium support unit (20) in which a support surface (20a) that is capable of supporting continuous paper (P) that is transported by a transport unit, and first concave sections (24A and 24B), which are indented from the support surface (20a), are formed, and an image capture unit, which is disposed on a lower side of the support surface (20a), and which captures an image of a lower surface of the continuous paper (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Murotani, Mitsutaka Ide, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Hideyuki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9981490
    Abstract: A print system includes a first printer which performs printing on a sheet while conveying the sheet and a second printer which receives the sheet conveyed from the first printer and performs printing on the sheet while conveying the sheet. The second printer includes a second printing unit, a second registration roller, a second pre-registration roller, a sheet detector, and a second controller. The second controller controls an operation of the second pre-registration roller and an operation of the second registration roller based on a timing of a detection of the sheet by the sheet detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Inoue, Hirokazu Yabune
  • Patent number: 9981491
    Abstract: A tape cartridge detachably installed on a cartridge installation portion of a tape printing apparatus having a first shaft and a second shaft on the cartridge installation portion. The tape cartridge includes a tape accommodation area in which a printing tape and a tape core are accommodated. A platen has a first reception portion in which the first shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed, and a second reception portion into which the second shaft is inserted when the tape cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. When seen from an attaching direction of the tape cartridge, the tape cartridge has an appearance that is formed in an L-shape and of which a base end at a right side surface slightly projects. The first reception portion and the second reception portion are arranged each other from opposite side of the tape accommodation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Sakano, Shinsaku Kosuge
  • Patent number: 9981492
    Abstract: In order to provide an image forming apparatus which can reduce color deviation at the time of forming an image on a medium, the present printing apparatus comprises an image forming unit which forms an image by superimposing images, each formed with corresponding color of ink, on a transfer film while heating a thermal head, a film conveying device which conveys a transfer film, a sensor which detects a stretch of the transfer film occurring due to heating with the thermal head, a controller which controls the image forming unit to change a line cycle of the thermal head in accordance with a stretch of the transfer film detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
    Inventor: Yuichi Aihara
  • Patent number: 9981493
    Abstract: In a conventional current resonance switching power source, the burst period of a burst operation could not be sufficiently prolonged, and the efficiency characteristics were insufficient in a light load. In order to improve this, an embodiment of the present invention generates, upon operating in the burst mode, a control signal in accordance with a comparison result of a first reference voltage and a secondary side voltage of a transformer and a comparison result of a second reference voltage and the secondary side voltage of the transformer. Subsequently, the oscillation operation timing of an oscillator that performs an oscillation operation to the transformer and the oscillation frequency that changes the voltage excited on the secondary side of the transformer are controlled based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Tada, Akira Miyashita, Takayuki Seki
  • Patent number: 9981494
    Abstract: A waste liquid container is mounted on a mounting portion including a discharging portion discharging waste liquid and an apparatus-side terminal portion in accordance with movement in a mounting direction. The waste liquid container includes a waste liquid containing chamber which is capable of containing the waste liquid, a connection opening which is opened in the mounting direction in a shape of being connectable to the discharging portion, and a container-side terminal portion which is electrically connected to the apparatus-side terminal portion at the time of being mounted on the mounting portion. In a state of being mounted on the mounting portion, the container-side terminal portion is disposed lower than the connection opening in a posture of being inclined with respect to the mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ono, Yoshihiro Koizumi