Patents Issued in October 4, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180281436
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a plate-like actuator including a plurality of individual electrodes aligning in a first direction, a channel member being joined to one surface of the actuator to include a plurality of pressure chambers aligning along the first direction, and a heater being arranged directly or indirectly on the other surface of the actuator and having a convex portion in direct or indirect contact with the plate-like actuator. The convex portion is arranged between the plurality of individual electrodes and an outer edge of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shogo MORI
  • Publication number: 20180281437
    Abstract: A processor of a print device performs empty processing in a case where it has determined that it has received, from a remaining ink amount detector, a first signal that indicates that a remaining amount of an ink is not greater than a first prescribed amount. The processor also performs the empty processing in a case where it has not determined that it has received the first signal, but has determined that it has received a second signal. In the empty processing, the processor performs soak cleaning of a nozzle face and stores an empty soak standby flag in an EEPROM. The empty soak standby flag is a flag that prohibits the performing of a printing operation. Therefore, the print device is able to reduce the possibility that a decline in print quality will occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Katsunori NISHIDA, Yoshinori KATO
  • Publication number: 20180281438
    Abstract: An apparatus displays an S_Empty informing screen on a display when a count value N reaches a threshold Nth, reads a liquid amount Vc from an IC chip of a cartridge which is installed, calculates an outflow amount Qc of a liquid flowing out from the cartridge to a tank at a period ?t based on the read liquid amount Vc, and erases the S_Empty informing screen from the display when the calculated outflow amount Qc is equal to or larger than a threshold Qth1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kenta HORADE, Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA
  • Publication number: 20180281439
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a case receiving a cartridge having a first chamber, a tank having a second chamber, a head, and a controller to: calculate outflow amount Qa flowed from the second chamber for a time period ?t based on discharge amount Dh; calculate outflow amount Qc flowed from the first chamber toward the second chamber for the time period ?t based on the outflow amount Qa and flow path resistances; read liquid amounts Vc and Vs of the first and second chambers from a memory; subtract the outflow amount Qc from the read liquid amount Vc to calculate new liquid amount Vc; subtract the outflow amount Qa from the read liquid amount Vs and add the outflow amount Qc to calculate new liquid amount Vs; and store the calculated liquid amounts Vc and Vs in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mikio OGAWA, Toshiro UEDA
  • Publication number: 20180281440
    Abstract: The image recording apparatus has a head, a tank, a case that receives a cartridge, and a controller. When the cartridge is installed in the case of the image recording apparatus, the liquid in the cartridge flows to the tank by a difference between a liquid level in the cartridge and a liquid level in the tank. The controller controls a display to display a first notification indicating an ink cartridge based on receiving a first signal output from a sensor when a liquid level in an ink chamber reached a specific position. The controller, after receiving the first signal from the sensor, counts a count value indicating an amount of discharged liquid from the head. Further, the controller, in response to the count value reaching a first threshold, controls the display to display a second notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Kenta Horade
  • Publication number: 20180281441
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a holder on which a cartridge including a liquid chamber storing a liquid is mountable; a liquid-passage defining portion defining a liquid passage including a first end and a second end connected to the head, the first end configured to be connected to the liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted on the holder; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to divide a region in the liquid chamber occupied by the liquid into a plurality of regions in an up-down direction and determine a viscosity of the liquid in each region, based on a time elapsed from a timing of connection of the liquid chamber and the first end of the liquid passage, and wherein, when the liquid is discharged from the head, the controller updates the viscosity in each region, based on an amount of the liquid discharged from the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Mikio Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20180281442
    Abstract: A tank installed in a liquid consuming apparatus includes: a first wall forming a first end of a storage chamber storing a liquid and allowing a user to visually confirm the liquid stored in the storage chamber; a second wall forming a second end of the storage chamber facing the first end of the storage chamber in a first direction; a third wall connected to an upper end of the first wall and having an inlet through which the liquid is supplied to the storage chamber; and an inner wall extending from at least one of inner surfaces of the first and third walls and extending in a direction having a component of an up-down direction. Each of the inner surfaces of the first and third walls includes an offset area different from the inlet in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the up-down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichi HIRATA, Taichi SHIRONO, Yoshinori OSAKABE
  • Publication number: 20180281443
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid chamber communicating with a nozzle that discharges liquid; a capacity changer that changes a capacity of the chamber; an inflow path connected to the chamber allowing the liquid to enter the chamber; an outflow path connected to the liquid chamber allowing the liquid to exit the chamber; a first resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the inflow path; a second resistance changer changing a flow resistance of the outflow path; and a controller controlling the capacity changer, the first resistance changer, and the second resistance changer. The controller allows the nozzle to discharge the liquid by increasing the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths, increasing the capacity of the chamber, and then, while the flow resistance of the inflow and outflow paths remain increased, decreasing the capacity of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Hirofumi SAKAI, Shinichi NAKAMURA, Junichi SANO, Takahiro KATAKURA, Keigo SUGAI
  • Publication number: 20180281444
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head, an ink tank containing ink to be supplied to the print head, a cap switchable between a covering position to cover a discharge port face and an exposing position to expose the discharge port face, a suction unit connected to the cap, and a control unit. The control unit controls the performing of an ink filling operation of filling the print head with the ink supplied from the ink tank. The ink filling operation includes a valve-closing suction operation of performing suction through the suction unit for a predetermined period of time while the cap is in the covering position. The apparatus further includes a detection unit configured to detect an ink filling state. The control unit controls the stopping of the ink filling operation in accordance with a detection result of the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Naoaki Wada, Toshiro Sugiyama, Noriyuki Aoki, Toshiaki Yamaguchi, Masakazu Nagashima, Ryohei Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20180281445
    Abstract: A printer includes a first storage, a head, a first supply flow path, a first circulation flow path, a second supply flow path, and a second circulation flow path. The first storage is configured to be supplied with ink from a second storage, and is configured to store the supplied ink. The head configured to eject the ink. The first supply flow path merges with one of the second supply flow path and the second circulation flow path at one of a first connector and the first storage. The first circulation flow path merges with the other of the second supply flow path and the second circulation flow path at one of a second connector and the first storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Akira Nishio
  • Publication number: 20180281446
    Abstract: An image formation device includes a plurality of nozzles, a processor which forms an image on the basis of print data, and a memory which stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform processes including, performing first ejection control which ejects a first amount of the ink at a timing of one of a forward path and a return path in the main scan direction, when printing is performed by a multi-pass method in which each of pixel arrays is printed by a plurality of main scans and, in each of the plurality of main scans, the ink is ejected onto the same pixel array from the respectively different nozzles, and performing second ejection control configured to eject a second amount of the ink at a timing different from the previous timing of the ejection of the ink, the second amount being smaller than the first amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshihisa KAYANAKA, Naoki MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20180281447
    Abstract: A correction value acquiring method for inkjet printing apparatus includes the following steps: a testing chart forming step for forming a testing chart in one printing job, the testing chart including a first line segment group having a plurality of first line segments formed by causing a drive circuit of a head module acting as reference to output a reference drive signal for obtaining a reference density, and a second line segment group having a plurality of second line segments formed by causing drive circuits of head modules other than the head module acting as reference to output the reference drive signal and drive signals with a plurality of different correction values added to the reference drive signal; an identifying step for identifying from the testing chart a second line segment having a density matching with that of a first line segment; and a correction value acquiring step for acquiring a correction value corresponding to the second line segment identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kunio Muraji, Seiya Nomura, Tomoyasu Okushima
  • Publication number: 20180281448
    Abstract: An image formation device includes a plurality of first nozzles which eject a first ink, a plurality of second nozzles which eject a second ink, a processor which forms an image of a resolution R [dpi] on the basis of print data, and a memory which stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a process including performing an ejection control, when printing of adjacent D×R pixels is performed by the first ink at a high density Ph [%] that is higher than a unit density Pu [%], such that total densities of the second ink ejected onto each of the pixels in the pixel array by the plurality of times of scanning are, respectively, substantially the same as a maximum density of the second ink able to be ejected at one time from the second nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Yoshihisa KAYANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180281449
    Abstract: An image formation device includes a plurality of nozzles arranged at an interval D [in], a processor which forms an image of a resolution R [dpi] on the basis of print data and a memory which stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, performs a process including performing ejection control, ejection control including relatively moving the nozzles in the sub scan direction a plurality of times from a print start position on the basis of a reference LF value, when performing printing with respect to each of pixels of adjacent pixels at a high density Ph [%], relatively moving the nozzles in the main scan direction less than a (j×R×D) number of times, and a total of the densities of the ink of each of the pixels of the adjacent pixels is caused to be the high density Ph [%].
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Yoshihisa KAYANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180281450
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a head and a controller. The controller discriminates first and second regions on a recording medium based on received image data, sets a boundary region that includes a boundary of the first and second regions, sets a first discharge speed for a discharge speed of droplets from the head to be landed to a first main region included in the first region, sets a second discharge speed slower than the first discharge speed for a discharge speed of droplets from the head to be landed to a second main region included in the second region, and sets a discharge speed between the first discharge speed and the second discharge speed for a discharge speed of droplets form the head to be landed to the boundary region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuhei SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180281451
    Abstract: A thermal head includes: a substrate; a heat generating section which is disposed on the substrate; a plurality of driving ICs including first and second driving ICs which are disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the heat generating section; and a cover member covering the first and second driving ICs. The cover member is disposed in an inter-driving IC region between the first driving IC and the second driving IC and above and below the inter-driving IC region, and includes a first void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Arata OKAYAMA, Hisatoshi TAKADA, Tatsuru SETO, Makoto WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20180281452
    Abstract: A thermal head includes: a head base body including a substrate and a plurality of heat generating sections disposed on the substrate; connection portions which are electrically connected to the head base; a connection member which is electrically connected to the connection portions; and a first cover member which covers the connection portions, the first cover member including a plurality of protruding portions provided on an upper surface of the first cover member at predetermined intervals in a main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro SHIMOZONO, Kouji SHIMADA, Arata OKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180281453
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a main body; a cassette including a cassette case and a printing medium accommodated in the cassette case; an installing portion provided on the main body for installing the cassette detachably; a thermal head arranged on a substrate provided in the installing portion and having heating elements arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction; a conveyor which conveys the printing medium of the cassette installed in the installing portion along a conveyance path orthogonal to the arrangement direction; a first temperature sensor provided, in the installing portion, on a side of the thermal head with respect to the conveyance path; a second temperature sensor provided in the interior of the cassette case or the installing portion; and a processor which corrects an amount of applying energy to be applied to the heating elements, based on first and second temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yasuhiro Torii, Kohei Terada
  • Publication number: 20180281454
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a main body having a space therein, a thermal head arranged on a substrate provided in the space, the thermal head having heating elements arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction; a first conveyor which conveys an ink ribbon along a first conveyance path orthogonal to the arrangement direction, a second conveyor which conveys a printing object along a second conveyance path orthogonal to the arrangement direction and on an opposite side of the thermal head with respect to the first conveyance path, a first temperature sensor provided in a first space on a side of the thermal head with respect to the first conveyance path, a second temperature sensor provided in a second space between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, and a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yasuhiro Torii, Kohei Terada
  • Publication number: 20180281455
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a main-body having a space therein; a thermal head arranged on a substrate provided in the space, the thermal head having heating elements arranged along a predetermined arrangement direction; a conveyor which conveys a thermal paper along a conveyance path provided in the space and intersecting with the arrangement direction; a first temperature sensor provided in a first space in the space on a side of the thermal head with respect to the conveyance path; a second temperature sensor provided in a second space in the space on a side opposite to the thermal head with respect to the conveyance path; and a processor configured to: correct an amount of applying energy to be applied to the heating elements, based on first and second temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors; and apply corrected amount of the applying energy selectively to the heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yasuhiro Torii, Kohei Terada
  • Publication number: 20180281456
    Abstract: What is disclosed is system which facilitates the application of a mark to a surface of an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the present marking system. The present marking system comprises a camera for capturing an image of an object retained by an object holder configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned to be parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of the object. A processor receives an image of an object held and communicates the image to a display. A mark to be printed on the object is retrieved and overlaid on the object in the image. A location of the overlaid mark is determined and communicated to a controller which causes the printhead to print the mark on the object at the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. MCCONVILLE, Jason M. LEFEVRE, Chu-Heng LIU, Douglas K. HERRMANN, Kelly BURTON, Christopher Douglas ATWOOD, Elizabeth M. CROSSEN, Annie LIU
  • Publication number: 20180281457
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining a 3-dimensional object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a frame configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object. A flexible belt is positioned around an inside of the frame to form a circle. One end of the belt is fixed to the frame. An opposite end of the belt passes through an opening in a side of the frame. Pulling the belt through the opening tightens the belt encircled around the object in the frame. A lock prevents the belt from loosening after it has been pulled tight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Annie LIU, Christopher Douglas ATWOOD, Kelly BURTON, Elizabeth M. CROSSEN
  • Publication number: 20180281458
    Abstract: A method for printing on a multi-dimensional object may include creating a customized object holder for the multi-dimensional object via thermoforming. The customized object holder includes at least one datum point for providing registration information corresponding to one or more printable areas of the multi-dimensional object. The method may then include mounting the multi-dimensional object on the customized object holder, attaching the customized object holder to a moving sled of a print system, and controlling the movement of the moving sled relative to a plurality of print heads, and operating the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto the multi-dimensional object. The movement of the moving sled may be controlled by determining a position of at least one printable area on the multi-dimensional object, and using the determined position to control the movement of the moving sled relative to the plurality of print heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: D. Clay Johnson, Mark A. Atwood, Timothy P. Foley, Eliud Robles Flores
  • Publication number: 20180281459
    Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, a mounting structure configured to receive an integrated object packaging and holder for an object and to movably mount on a support member, an actuator configured to move the mounting structure along the support member, and a processing device. The system also includes a a non-transitory, computer-readable memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to control a movement of the mounting structure relative to the plurality of print heads, and operate the plurality of print heads to eject marking material onto an object mounted on the mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Matthew LeFevre, Douglas K. Herrmann, Paul McConville, Chu-heng Liu
  • Publication number: 20180281460
    Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, and a printing chase configured to receive an object holder for an object and provide accurate registration of the object. The system further includes an actuator configured to move the printing chase relative to the print heads. The system is configured to receive information corresponding to an object holder mounted on the printing chase, determine a position of at least one printable area using the retrieved information, receive information relating to print data to be printed on the at least one printable area, use the determined position of the at least one printable area to control a movement of the printing chase relative to the print heads, and operate the print heads to eject marking material onto the at least one printable area to print data on the at least one printable area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony S. Condello, Peter J. Knausdorf, Jack T. LeStrange, Mandakini Kanungo, Xin Yang
  • Publication number: 20180281461
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for registering an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to operatively use various embodiments of the registration system of the present invention. In one embodiment, the marking system comprises a registration panel with a plurality of registration markings. A camera captures an image of the object in the object holder and the registration panel. A processor receives the image and analyzes the image to determine a position of the object relative to the markings on the registration panel. The processor determines whether the object is registered. If the object is registered, a controller causes the object holder to move the object past the printhead. Otherwise, if the object is not properly registered then the processor prevents the object from being printed and communicates a notification to a user that the object in the object holder is not registered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas K. HERRMANN, Jason LEFEVRE, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul MCCONVILLE
  • Publication number: 20180281462
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a back support configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object A top and bottom arm are attached to the back support. At least two support braces are attached to the top and bottom arms. At least one restraining bar is slideably attached to the support braces such that the bar can be raised or lowered on to the object seated between the top and bottom arms. The bar physically retains the object while the object is being printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas K. HERRMANN, Jason LEFEVRE, Chu-Heng Liu, Paul MCCONVILLE
  • Publication number: 20180281463
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of an object. The mount has a plurality of receptacles, each has a shape for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations. A head of each retainer is shaped to retain an edge of the object on the mount. A base of each retainer is shaped such that, when the base is pressed into a receptacle, the head assumes a desired orientation. The removable retainers retain the object on the shuttle mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan IRELAND, Michael N. SOURES, Bruce H. SMITH, Donald E. THRESH, James D. VANBORTEL
  • Publication number: 20180281464
    Abstract: A universal staging platen for many types of objects in Direct to Object printing has a datum surface which is configured to represent the plane of optimal print head distance. The universal staging platen has an array of small pins protruding from it that conform under spring load to an object placed on the datum surface. Once in a conformed state, an operator can lock the pin position so that the object is precisely positioned for acquisition by a gripper mechanism. An added benefit of locking the pin position is that subsequent copies of the object may be loaded without any additional alignment or setup. The distance the contour pins protrude through the datum surface may be adjusted so that the pin ends are sufficiently far away from the gripper mechanism being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bradway, Erwin Ruiz, Paul M. Fromm, Linn C. Hoover
  • Publication number: 20180281465
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the printhead. At least one collapsible membrane is attached to the shuttle mount. The membrane forms an airtight sack filled with granules. The membrane collapses at least partially around an object when a volume of air is withdrawn from the membrane by a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump withdrawing a volume of air from the membrane causes the membrane to collapse and tightly pack the granules inside the membrane. The vacuum-packed granules cause the membrane to conform to the shape of the object thereby securing the object to the shuttle mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Paul J. MCCONVILLE, Jason M. LEFEVRE, Douglas K. HERRMANN
  • Publication number: 20180281466
    Abstract: Inkjet printer (1) operable to print a print substrate made of textile, paper or plastic material, or the like, and provided with a sliding transfer surface (10) to feed the print substrate (2) in a feed direction (9); a printing device (17) arranged above the transfer surface (10) to define, on the transfer surface (10), a printing station (19); suction means (20) arranged below the transfer surface (10) to maintain the print substrate adhering to and stationary with respect to the transfer surface (10) during sliding; and an adjustment assembly to adjust planarity of the transfer surface (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: ALEPH S.R.L.
    Inventor: ROBERTO MANES
  • Publication number: 20180281467
    Abstract: Backing material is passed by a first heater to pre-heat the backing material. The backing material is then passed by a printing engine to print marking material on the backing material, and passed by a first light source to apply ultra-violet (UV) light to the marking material printed on the backing material, to partially cure the marking material. Further, the backing material is passed by a container to expose the partially cured marking material to adhesive particles to cause the adhesive particles to adhere only to the marking material. The backing material is passed by a second light source to apply additional UV light to the marking material partially cured on the backing material to fully cure the marking material. Finally, the backing material is passed by a second heater to melt the adhesive particles that are adhered to the marking material on the backing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Condello, Jack T. Lestrange
  • Publication number: 20180281468
    Abstract: An example printing device composing a first printhead and a second printhead is described. In some examples the example printing device comprises a controller. The example printing device is to operate in a first operating mode in which the first printhead is to dispense a first printing substance, the first printing substance to transfer color via a first colorant transfer mechanism, and to operate in a second operating mode in which the second printhead is to dispense a second printing substance, the second printing substance to transfer via a second colorant transfer mechanism different to the first colorant transfer mechanism. An example controller is to cause the example printing device to operate in a selected one of the first and second operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joan Albert Jorba Closa, Ronald Albert Askeland, Francisco Javier Perez Gellida, Joan Sole Rodes
  • Publication number: 20180281469
    Abstract: Technology enabling correctly detecting that paper has been delivered from a paper roll to the trailing end A printer has an inkjet head; a roll paper support; a delivery motor configured to rotate the roll paper supported by the roll paper support; a guide member configured to guide roll paper conveyed from the paper roll; and a detection switch disposed to a position where it detects the conveyed roll paper when the delivery point on the circumference of the paper roll moves to the part of the circumference of the roll on the same side of an imaginary line as the guide member; the delivery point being from which the conveyed roil paper separates from the roil when the paper roll turns; and the imaginary line being tangent to the guide member and passing through the center of the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro KAWAJIRI
  • Publication number: 20180281470
    Abstract: Provided is a printer that can appropriately handle a paper (media) wound into a roll with one end of the paper affixed to a core, when the trailing end of the paper is detected, the trailing end of the paper being attached to the winding core in multiple ways. The printer has: a roll paper support that supports the core of a roll of paper; a roll driver that turns the core and delivers the paper; a conveyance device that conveys the delivered paper; a tension detection switch that outputs a first detection value when tension produced on the paper delivered from the roll is greater than or equal to a threshold; and a controller that drives the roll driver in the direction delivering the paper when the output of the tension detection switch changes to the first detection value in response to rotation of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro KAWAJIRI
  • Publication number: 20180281471
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a conveyor that conveys a medium including a base layer and a separation layer and including a first region, a second region, and a third region; a printer; and a controller. The controller is configured to control the printer to print a first mark on a portion of the medium in one of the first region and a first-region-side portion of the second region and to print a second mark on a portion of the medium in one of the third region and a third-region-side portion of the second region such that the first mark and the second mark are arranged in a line in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Naoto ITO, Junya KAWAI, Shuhei NOHARA, Harumitsu INOUE, Yukihiko SATO, Haruki MATSUMOTO, Kentaro MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180281472
    Abstract: Examples described herein include methods and devices for systems that include a conveyor belt comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface, an embedded optical sensor disposed proximate to the interior surface of the conveyor belt to optically detect movement of the conveyor belt, and a driver to move the conveyor belt based on the detected movement of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger Terradellas Callau, Daniel Gutierrez Garcia, Raimon Castells De Monet, Joseba Fernandez Guinea
  • Publication number: 20180281473
    Abstract: A printer includes a first roller, a second roller, a motor and a head. The printer includes a controller configured to control the head and the motor to print a first pattern comprising a plurality of first pattern elements on the sheet by alternately repeating, ejecting a liquid droplet to print one of the first pattern elements on the sheet and conveying a sheet in a conveyance direction by a first distance. The controller is configured to, after printing the first pattern on the sheet, control the motor to convey the sheet in the conveyance direction by a second distance and control the head to eject the liquid droplet to print a second pattern on the sheet without conveying the sheet, a respective first pattern element and a corresponding second pattern element being disposed at a same location in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ito, Masao Mimoto, Aya Kimura
  • Publication number: 20180281474
    Abstract: A printing device that may include a first print engine, a second print engine, and a web buffer device disposed between the first and second print engines to maintain an amount of web substrate therein, wherein the web buffer includes a first and second movable carriage, with at least one rotatable roller coupled to each of the two carriages and wherein the first and second movable carriages move synchronously away and toward each other to alter an amount of web present in the web buffer
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yuri Shapiro, Yaron Cohen, Michael Bobritsky
  • Publication number: 20180281475
    Abstract: For detecting label stops in a label printer, a label stop sensing device is provided. In one implementation, the label stop sensing device comprises a sensor configured to sense print media being fed through a printer, wherein the print media comprises a plurality of labels separated by gaps. Also, the label stop sensing device includes a gap detecting module having a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) module. The FFT module is configured to receive time domain signals of the sensed print media from the sensor and to obtain frequency domain signals. The gap detecting module is configured to detect the gaps between the labels on the print media based on at least the frequency domain signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Erik Unemyr
  • Publication number: 20180281476
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a conveyor that conveys a medium including a base layer and a separation layer and including a first through third regions; a printer; and a controller. The controller is configured to: obtain wrapping-manner information indicating (a) a first wrapping manner in which the second region and the third region are wrapped around a wrapped member after the first region and the third region are stuck to each other such that the printed medium is located around the wrapped member or (b) a second wrapping manner in which the second region and the third region are wrapped around the wrapped member after the first region is stuck to the wrapped member; and change control of the conveyor and the printer, depending upon whether the obtained wrapping-manner information indicates the first or second wrapping manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Naoto ITO, Junya KAWAI, Shuhei NOHARA, Harumitsu INOUE, Yukihiko SATO, Haruki MATSUMOTO, Kentaro MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180281477
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a conveyance mechanism including two rollers, two drive devices, two measuring devices, and a controller. For a first period during which a sheet is conveyed with one of the two rollers, the controller calculates first and second control inputs U1 and U2 whereas for a second period during which the sheet is conveyed with the two rollers, the controller calculates the second control input U2, two estimated tension values R1 and R2, and the first control input U1=U2?UR. For an initial period of the second period, the controller adjusts the first control input U1 to restrain the first control input U1 from change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Yuichi Hatakeyama
  • Publication number: 20180281478
    Abstract: There is provided an ink-jet printer including: a recording head; a motor; a conveying section; a switching mechanism switching transmittance of driving force of the motor; and a controller. The switching mechanism includes first and second gears. Under a condition that the controller determines that a set value of an execution parameter is a first value, the controller rotates the motor in clockwise and counterclockwise directions just for a first number of times in a process of moving the first gear from a second position to a first position; whereas under a condition that the controller determines that the set value of the execution parameter is a second value, the controller rotates the motor in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions just for a second number of times, smaller than the first number of times, in the process of moving the first gear from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Tomoya Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20180281479
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes first and second conveying passages, a recording portion for recording images, first and second conveying rollers, first and second motors, a power transmission mechanism switchable between a first state and a second state, and a controller. In the first state of the mechanism, the controller drives the first motor to rotate the first and second conveying rollers, thereby conveying a recording medium along the first conveying passage in a first conveying direction. During this conveyance, the controller controls the recording portion to record an image on one surface of the recording medium. Then, the controller switches the mechanism from the first state to the second state, and drives the second motor in the second state of the mechanism to rotate the second conveying roller independently of the first conveying roller, thereby conveying the recording medium along the second conveying passage in a second conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi ITO, Masao MIMOTO, Aya KIMURA, Iwane SANO
  • Publication number: 20180281480
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a conveyor configured to convey a medium including a transparent base layer and a separation layer stacked on each other, the medium further including a printing background layer; a printer configured to print a character on the medium conveyed by the conveyor, wherein the medium on which the character is printed is a printed medium; and a controller configured to control the conveyor and the printer. The controller is configured to: obtain outside-diameter relating information relating to an outside diameter of a wrapped member; and based on the obtained outside-diameter relating information, set a character printable region in which the printer is allowed to print the character on the printing background layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Minako ISHIDA, Junya KAWAI, Naoto ITO, Shuhei NOHARA, Harumitsu INOUE, Yukihiko SATO, Haruki MATSUMOTO, Kentaro MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180281481
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a printing unit that performs a recording on a first cut sheet, a sheet feed tray on which the first cut sheet is mounted, a sheet feed roller that transport the first cut sheet in a transport direction from the sheet feed tray toward the printing unit, a transport roller disposed downstream of the sheet feed roller in the transport direction and that holds the first cut sheet with a driven roller to transport the first cut sheet in the transport direction, and a single motor that drives the sheet feed roller and the transport roller, in which when the sheet feed roller and the transport roller are simultaneously driven by the single motor, a transport speed of the first cut sheet by the sheet feed roller is configured to be higher than a transport speed of the first cut sheet by the transport roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Keisuke YAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20180281482
    Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, a peak load that is the highest load applied to a carriage moving in a first direction in a first load region is highest at a first highest-load position. A second load is highest at a second highest-load position of a second load region. In a retry processing, when a stop position of the carriage which is detected by a detector is located between the first highest-load position and the second highest-load position, the controller moves the carriage in the first direction toward a target position after moving the carriage from the stop position in a second direction to a first retry position located downstream of a restoration position in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuta ARAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180281483
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to securing, with a simple structure, a head to a position in a carriage without having to fasten screws so as to prevent possible loss of a desired printing quality. A carriage is provided that includes a main housing mounted to a printing unit body, an eccentric cam rotatably disposed in the main housing, a sub housing that holds a head that ejects ink droplets. The sub housing makes contact with a cam face of the eccentric cam and is movable upward and downward relative to the main housing in response to rotation of the eccentric cam. The carriage further includes a rotation regulator that regulates rotation of the sub housing around a rotating shaft of the eccentric cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Yamabe
  • Publication number: 20180281484
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including a housing, an apparatus main body that constitutes an inside of the housing, the apparatus main body including a recording member that performs recording, a feed roller that feeds a medium, the medium being set at an inclined position, towards the recording member, an opening/closing body that opens/closes a portion above an area in which the recording member is disposed, and a damper that applies damping force to the opening/closing body when the opening/closing body is closed. The opening/closing body and the damper are attached to the apparatus main body through an attaching member disposed at an area above the feed roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Katsumi TOGO, Hisayuki AKAHANE, Kenichi SHIROTA
  • Publication number: 20180281485
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a housing; a sheet supply tray; and a dust proof cover including a first cover and a second cover. The sheet supply tray is supported to the housing and pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position. The first cover is supported to the housing and pivotally movable between a first position in proximity to the sheet supply tray and a second position away from the sheet supply tray. The second cover is connected to the first cover and pivotally movable about a second pivot axis between a third position in proximity to the sheet supply tray and a fourth position away from the sheet supply tray. The second cover has a center of gravity positioned closer to the housing than the second pivot axis is to the housing in a state where the sheet supply tray is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Naoto Ozeki, Shinya Yamada, Shoko Kodama