Patents Issued in November 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 10124544
    Abstract: Various automated fiber placement systems and methods are disclosed. The system can determine steerable paths for the application of a composite material over highly contoured surfaces. The system can determine when a course trajectory would violate a steering limitation (e.g., a maximum bendability of the composite material) and can adjust the trajectory to avoid such violations. The adjustment can create gaps between adjacent courses, which can have a generally flared peripheral shape. The system can fill such gaps with subsequent courses of the composite material. Thus, the system can automatically apply composite material to highly contoured surfaces while also avoiding violation of the steering limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CGTech
    Inventors: Thomas Yarker, William H. Hasenjaeger
  • Patent number: 10124545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite product from plural components are disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a conveyor assembly comprising back-to-back conveyor belts (16,18) which are drivable such that components can be received between the conveyor belts at an input end of the conveyor assembly and can be moved through the apparatus between the conveyor belts. A press (30) is arranged to consolidate the components into a flat form by the application of pressure to the components between the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts pass through a die (71) which is arranged such that consolidated components between the conveyor belts are shaped into a non-flat profile as they move through the die. A heater (38) is arranged to apply heat to set the components into the non-flat profile to form the composite product (57).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RTL Materials Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew James Daton-Lovett
  • Patent number: 10124546
    Abstract: A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours. The 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method including at least one of one or more pairs of shapeable and flexible dual-temperature bands and a rotating assembly that rotates the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to impart a twist to the thermoplastic composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ebert Composites Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Johnson, Scott A. Garrett, Stephen G. Moyers
  • Patent number: 10124547
    Abstract: A method of identifying and/or tracking deformation of a mechanical part made of composite material for a turbine engine, in which the part includes a preform of fiber material and a resin, is provided. The method includes incorporating metal particles in the preform or the resin during fabrication of the part, and subjecting the mechanical part to two X-ray inspections on two different occasions so as to identify the part and/or so as to deduce deformation of its internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Julien Schneider, Ludovic Edmond Camille Molliex
  • Patent number: 10124548
    Abstract: A method of making eyewear includes molding procedures using different molding materials to produce the lenses and support structures in a sequence to permanently attach the lenses to the support structure. The lenses are formed with retaining elements to engage with the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Brent Sheldon
  • Patent number: 10124549
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method for manufacturing a lens may be provided. The method may include: determining a NURBS (non-uniform rational basis spline) representation of a provisional lens geometry; simulating ray trajectories in a lens with the provisional lens geometry based on the NURBS representation; determining a final lens geometry based on the simulated ray trajectories; and producing a lens with the final lens geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
    Inventor: Sawako Kaijima
  • Patent number: 10124550
    Abstract: A tire vulcanizing device includes a vulcanization mold and a central part. The vulcanizing mold includes molding parts that defining a curing chamber therebetween. Inside the curing chamber is arranged a heating and ventilation apparatus structured for use with a heat-transfer fluid. The central part is structured to collaborate with the vulcanization mold by providing support to a heat-transfer fluid inlet and establishing communication between the heat-transfer fluid inlet and the curing chamber. The central part includes heating elements that are configured to be brought into operation before the heating and ventilation apparatus is brought into operation to cure a tire using the heat-transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Michaël Massoptier-David, Franck Guerin, Thomas Simonelli
  • Patent number: 10124551
    Abstract: An intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass is disclosed. The bead area subassembly has an annular bead core; a bead apex; a ply strip; and preferably a sidewall affixed to the ply strip. The subassembly is formed into a disk-shaped bead area monocomponent. The ply strip is wrapped about the bead core and the apex to form a ply turnup and both the ply strip and the ply turnup extend radially outwardly from the bead core. The bead area subassembly when formed into the disk-shaped bead area monocomponent is placed on an annular holder device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Weaver, Steven Leonard Kitz
  • Patent number: 10124552
    Abstract: The portable cardboard baler is an apparatus that receives, stores, compresses, and outputs recyclable items. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a bailing ram, an ejector mechanism, a control panel, a control unit, and a power source. The enclosure houses the bailing ram and the ejector mechanism. The elongated housing houses the recyclable items. The bailing ram compresses the recyclable items. The ejector mechanism pushes the bale of recyclable items out of the elongated housing. The apparatus preferably includes an input door that corresponds to a first opening of the elongated housing. The apparatus also includes a first output door and a second output door that corresponds to a second opening of the elongated housing. The apparatus preferably includes a plurality of environmental sensors to prevent a user from getting injured. The apparatus may further include a vehicle the directly transports the enclosure, the bailing ram, and the ejector mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Ysidro Chacon
  • Patent number: 10124553
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a universal method and a device for supporting the process of press moulding of finely fragmented materials by means of mechanical vibrations. The device comprises a motor driving, via a belt transmission, the flow pulse generator (3) connected permanently with actuator. The feeding for flow pulse generator (3) is supplied to port (6), and the outflow to the reservoir occurs via port (7). On the circumference of rotor (17) of the flow pulse generator (3), a plurality of grooves is made. Groove (10), on one side, is connected permanently with passage of port (6), and on the other side, depending on position of rotor (17), it can be connected with arms of the flow guide, Groove (9), on one side, is connected permanently with passaoe of port (7), and on the other side, depending on position of rotor (17), it can be connected with arms of the flow guide. Passage (12) depending on position of rotor (17), is connected directly with groove (8) or with groove (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Politechnika Krakowska im. Tadeusza Kosciuszki
    Inventors: Ryszard Moszumański, Maciej Moszumański
  • Patent number: 10124554
    Abstract: An arrangement in a cardboard creasing machine, for forming structured patterns of creasing lines in a material comprising a cardboard web fed to the machine, comprising a system of at least two rollers. The first roller is provided with a male die, having at least two envelope surfaces, each with a structured pattern of lines, of which at least one has an open end. In order to prevent wild creasing lines with open ends are provided with crease stoppers, extending perpendicularly to the open line. The second roller is provided with a female die corresponding to the male die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Ola Persson, Daniel Cronqvist
  • Patent number: 10124555
    Abstract: A sandwich structure employs a core sheet including alternating peaks and valleys therein, and at least one outer face sheet including grooves or ribs therein. In another aspect, a sandwich structure includes at least one core and at least one adhesively bonded outer face sheet including elongated grooves or ribs formed therein. Yet another aspect of a sandwich structure has raised ridges bridging between adjacent peaks in a core sheet in one direction but not in a perpendicular direction, which synergistically interface, engage or contact with grooves or ribs formed in an outer face sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CellTech Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabien Ebnöther, Douglas Cox
  • Patent number: 10124556
    Abstract: A method for making an apertured polymeric film web is disclosed herein. The polymeric film web may be utilized as a topsheet in an absorbent article and can provide fluid handling and softness benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yann-Per Lee, Saeed Fereshtehkhou, Keith Joseph Stone
  • Patent number: 10124557
    Abstract: A sheet of material suitable for roofing or industrial wrapping applications has an anti-skid surface formed by ridges of twisted tapes. The sheet comprises a woven scrim of warp tapes and weft tapes. Some of the tapes are twisted about their longitudinal axis, for example about 25 to 400 revolutions per meter, to form ridges having a height substantially greater than the thickness of the tapes. The ridges impart an anti-skid surface to the sheet. The scrim is bonded to a coating or film to make the sheet waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Manish K. Seth, Martin Vido
  • Patent number: 10124558
    Abstract: Provided are a thermal expansion suppressing member having negative thermal expansion properties and a metal-based anti-thermally-expansive member having small thermal expansion. More specifically, provided are a thermal expansion suppressing member, including at least an oxide represented by the following general formula (1), and an anti-thermally-expansive member, including a metal having a positive linear expansion coefficient at 20° C., and a solid body including at least an oxide represented by the following general formula (1), the metal and solid being joined to each other: (Bi1-xMx)NiO3 (1) where M represents at least one metal selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, and In; and x represents a numerical value of 0.02?x?0.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: KYOTO UNIVERSITY, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Kubota, Kaoru Miura, Hisato Yabuta, Yoshihiko Matsumura, Yuichi Shimakawa, Masaki Azuma
  • Patent number: 10124559
    Abstract: Bulk materials having a kinetically limited nano-scale diffusion bond is provided. The bulk materials having a kinetically limited nano-scale diffusion bond includes transparent material, absorbent opaque material and a diffusion bond. The transparent material has properties that allow an electromagnetic beam of a select wavelength to pass there through without more than minimal energy absorption. The absorbent opaque material has properties that significantly absorb energy from the electromagnetic beam. The diffusion bond is formed by the electromagnetic beam bonding the transparent material to the absorbent opaque material. Moreover, the diffusion bond has a thickness that is less than 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: MEDTRONIC, INC., CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael S. Sandlin, David A. Ruben, Raymond M. Karam, Georges Roussos, Thomas M. Wynne
  • Patent number: 10124560
    Abstract: A two-piece part may include a first portion defining at least one through hole and a second portion may be cast such that the second portion extends through the through hole thereby mechanically interlocking the first portion and the second portion together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Pickett
  • Patent number: 10124561
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a metal nanowire structure. The metal nanowire structure includes a substrate and a metal nanowire film located on the substrate. The metal nanowire film includes a number of first metal nanowires parallel with and spaced from each other. A width of each of the plurality of first metal nanowires is in a range from about 0.5 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. Each of the plurality of first metal nanowires is a solid structure and consists of metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Hao Jin, Qun-Qing Li, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10124562
    Abstract: A metal-coated nonwoven fabric with an adhesive layer capable of enhancing adhesion is provided. The metal-coated nonwoven fabric with an adhesive layer according to the present invention includes a metal-coated nonwoven fabric and an adhesive layer disposed on one surface side of the metal-coated nonwoven fabric, the metal-coated nonwoven fabric including a nonwoven fabric and a metal portion coating the surface of a fiber in the nonwoven fabric, an average thickness of the metal portion being 2 ?m or less, an average thickness of the metal-coated nonwoven fabric being 25 ?m or less, an open area ratio of the metal-coated nonwoven fabric being 1% or more and 50% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroko Yamamoto, Kouhei Maruo
  • Patent number: 10124563
    Abstract: Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising two or more thermoplastic polymers and at least one RI balancing agent for adjusting the refractive index of at least one of the resins or layers is provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers exhibit enhanced optical properties while retaining other properties, such as impact resistance and acoustic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Solutia Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Lu, Zhou Li
  • Patent number: 10124564
    Abstract: A multi-layer foam sheet with an apparent density of 30 to 300 kg/m3 and a thickness of 0.05 to 2 mm, including a foam layer containing a polyethylene-based resin (A), and an antistatic layer fusion-laminated by coextrusion on each of both sides of the foam layer. The antistatic layer has a basis weight of 1 to 10 g/m2 and contains a polyethylene-based resin (B), a polystyrene-based resin, a styrenic elastomer, and a polymeric antistatic agent, with the polystyrene-based resin being contained in the antistatic layer in an amount of 15 to 70% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: JSP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Aoki, Takashi Nishimoto, Mikidai Fujita, Ryohei Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10124565
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a graphene conductive film, a method for forming the same and a flexible touch device. The method for forming a graphene conductive film includes: growing a graphene layer on a metal catalytic substrate; coating a PAA solution onto the graphene layer, and curing the PAA solution so as to form a PI film; and removing the metal catalytic substrate so as to form the graphene conductive film with the PI film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yunping Di
  • Patent number: 10124566
    Abstract: Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising two or more thermoplastic polymers and at least one RI balancing agent for adjusting the refractive index of at least one of the resins or layers is provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers exhibit enhanced optical properties while retaining other properties, such as impact resistance and acoustic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Solutia Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Lu, Zhou Li
  • Patent number: 10124567
    Abstract: A filter cartridge and a manufacturing method thereof, the manufacturing method has the following steps: adhering a wavy filtering sheet and a flat filtering sheet, pressing the filtering sheets, rolling the filtering sheets, and mounting a filter frame. A part of peaks of the wavy filtering sheet are pressed to lean toward a same direction, which has the following advantages. First, in a channel, an outlet opening is larger than an inlet opening in sectional area, thereby reducing the impedance. Second, a first end sealing adhesive layer is pressed to make said layer tightly connected to the filtering sheets, thereby making the seal reliable. Third, the pressed peaks lean toward a same direction, such that there are gaps large enough disposed between any two peaks in arching portions of the innermost circles of the filter core in the outlet side, which ensures the channels are unobstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PRO-PURE INC.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 10124568
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved profile from a rectilinear preform of pre-impregnated fiber plies. The method includes stacking plies on a deformable mandrel and winding the deformable mandrel and the stacked plies on a bending tool along a rotation axis, the profile comprising a stack of N plies. At least one first section of the profile is arranged along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and at least one second section is arranged in a plane parallel to the axis. The method includes the steps of stacking the N plies of fibers on the deformable mandrel, bending in a single step the N plies sandwiched between the deformable mandrel and the bending tool and polymerizing the bent N plies. The curved profile comprises M plies with fibers oriented at A° relative to a longitudinal direction and M+/?5% plies with fibers oriented at ?A°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Denis De Mattia
  • Patent number: 10124569
    Abstract: Disclosed is a single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film electrode (FE), all-organic electroactive device systems fabricated with the SWNT-FE, and methods for making same. The SWCNT can be replaced by other types of nanotubes. The SWCNT film can be obtained by filtering SWCNT solution onto the surface of an anodized alumina membrane. A freestanding flexible SWCNT film can be collected by breaking up this brittle membrane. The conductivity of this SWCNT film can advantageously be higher than 280 S/cm. An electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layered with the SWNT-FE shows a higher electric field-induced strain than an EAP layered with metal electrodes because the flexible SWNT-FE relieves the restraint of the displacement of the polymeric active layer as compared to the metal electrode. In addition, if thin enough, the SWNT-FE is transparent in the visible light range, thus making it suitable for use in actuators used in optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kang, Cheol Park, Joycelyn S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10124570
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a composite part is disclosed. The method comprises applying a thermosetting resin to a non-resin component of a continuous flexible line while pushing the non-resin component through a delivery guide and pushing the continuous flexible line out of the delivery guide. The continuous flexible line further comprises a thermosetting resin component that comprises at least some of the thermosetting resin applied to the non-resin component. The method further comprises depositing, via the delivery guide, a segment of the continuous flexible line along the print path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nick S. Evans, Faraón Torres, Ryan G. Ziegler, Samuel F. Harrison, Ciro J. Grijalva, III, Hayden S. Osborn
  • Patent number: 10124571
    Abstract: Dry, ablation-type, nitrocellulose-containing lithographic printing members include dual adjacent imaging layers, both including an absorber and at least one containing a binder (which may include or consist essentially of a melamine resin). The absorber of the nitrocellulose-containing layer is a pigment and this layer contains no absorbing dye, while the absorber of the other imaging layer includes or consists essentially of a dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: PRESSTEK, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Ray, Travis Softic
  • Patent number: 10124572
    Abstract: Provided is a method for automatically adjusting the contact pressure between an intaglio cylinder and a wiping roller that further limits the amount of defective prints generated. The method adjusts said contact pressure by changing the position of the wiping roller shaft center with respect to the intaglio cylinder shaft center using a contact pressure adjustment motor. At least the position of the wiping roller shaft center at low speed and the position of the wiping roller shaft center during printing operation for which the contact pressures have been optimized during a previous printing are stored. Before starting the current printing operation, the wiping roller is moved to the stored low speed position. Then when the current printing operation is started, the wiping roller is moved to the stored printing operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOMORI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Soichi Nakamura, Norihiro Kumagai
  • Patent number: 10124573
    Abstract: A gravure printing system comprising a gravure cylinder having a first plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof is disclosed. Each cell of said first plurality of discrete cells has a nominal diameter and is capable of receiving a fluid that is a first combination of at least two primary fluids. The fluid is fluidically displaceable through a discrete channel having a single entry point at said first position and a single exit point into a first cell of said first plurality of discrete cells. The outer surface has a metal plating disposed thereon. The metal plating reduces the nominal diameter of each cell of the first plurality of discrete cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Michael Scott Prodoehl, Gustav André Mellin, Thomas Timothy Byrne
  • Patent number: 10124574
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, when there is no leaf object striding over a boundary of two leaf rolls in a leaf image, a leaf image generating section performs processing for dividing first leaf image in first print data for leaves and a second leaf image of second print data for leaves at the boundary, replacing one of divided leaf images with one of other divided leaf images that hold the boundary between the first leaf image and the second leaf image to generate a first combined-leaves image and a second combined-leaves image, and rotating the second combined-leaves image at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Koichi Ono
  • Patent number: 10124575
    Abstract: A method and a device for printing and drying a plastic film web, especially a polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polyethylene (PE) film web, employ several offset printing mechanisms for printing the film web with different ink applications and at least one flame drying station. The device also includes a drawing roller, which is arranged between a last printing mechanism and the at least one flame drying station, contacts the unprinted surface of the film web, and applies tension to the film web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RPC Bebo Print Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Engelmann
  • Patent number: 10124576
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an inker roller and an ink source holding ink for the inker roller. The inker roller contacts a reimageable surface of an imaging member downstream of an ink image transfer station that transfers an ink image from the surface to a print sheet, with the surface having residual ink remaining thereon after the transfer of the ink image. The inker roller applies ink from the ink source against the reimageable surface. However, instead of the ink transferring from the inker roller to the surface, the ink stays with the inker roller and removes the residual ink from the surface to clean the surface for a subsequent ink image. The inker roller is not contaminated from removing the residual ink as the inker roller is designed to be coated by ink that adds to its coating of ink via the removed residual ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack T. Lestrange, Peter J. Knausdorf, Anthony S. Condello
  • Patent number: 10124577
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing power usage of at least one printer component in a printer are described. For example, based on a print instruction (the print instruction being to cause the printer to carry out a printing task), power usage requirements of the at least one printer component in carrying out the print instruction may be determined. The power usage may be determined for each of a plurality of time intervals. In some examples, the effect of the printer component(s) in carrying out the print instruction on at least one power quality measure associated with a power supply network which may be connected to the printer may be considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Soriano Fosas, Ignacio Soler Flores, Marc Soler Jauma, Jose Francisco Bravo de Vega
  • Patent number: 10124578
    Abstract: A nozzle-clogging determining device is provided for detecting nozzle clogging without causing an increase in the cost. A nozzle-clogging determining device is configured to detect pass of droplets ejected from a plurality of nozzles of a head of an inkjet printer, and includes a droplet detector and a determination controller. The droplet detector includes a light emitter configured to emit detection light for detecting pass of droplets in a direction intersecting with a traveling direction of droplets, and a light receiver configured to receive the detection light. The determination controller consecutively ejects a plurality of droplets from each nozzle of the head at equal intervals, and has a threshold for performing determination on nozzle clogging on the basis of a light interception rate of the detection light which the light receiver receives when droplets are positioned inside a spot of the detection light which the light receiver receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazumi Sakurai, Akihiko Mizusaki, Eiji Miyashita, Masaki Kodaira, Naoki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 10124579
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead including a plurality of printhead dies, each printhead die including at least one crack sense resistor, at least one analog bus connected to each printhead die, and a controller separate from the plurality of printhead dies. The controller is configured to provide a known current to the at least one crack sense resistor of each printhead die in a selectable pattern via the at least one analog bus and to determine whether the printhead dies are cracked based on resulting voltages produced on the at least one analog bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E Anderson, George H Corrigan, Scott A Linn
  • Patent number: 10124580
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide a tablet printing apparatus and a tablet printing method that can perform printing with high quality by ejecting ink droplets to a tablet with a various posture from a plurality of nozzles. [Solution] A tablet printing apparatus includes: inclined posture detector (23, 100) that detects an inclined posture of a conveyed tablet with respect to a conveying surface; a printer including an inkjet head 21 equipped with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting an ink droplet, the printer performing printing on the conveyed tablet by ejecting ink to the conveyed tablet from the plurality of nozzles; and a controller 100 for adjusting preset printing data corresponding to an inclined posture of the tablet detected by the inclined posture detector such that predetermined printing is performed on the tablet, wherein the printer performs printing on the tablet based on printing data adjusted by the printing data adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIBAURA MECHATRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Azusa Hirano, Yasutsugu Tsuruoka, Junsuke Komito
  • Patent number: 10124581
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus has a head provided with discharge sections which discharge a liquid, a drive circuit configured to generate driving signals for driving the discharge sections and discharging the liquid, a carriage mounted with the head and the drive circuit, and a carriage support section configured and arranged to support the carriage. A shortest distance between the carriage support section and the drive circuit is shorter than a shortest distance between the carriage support section and the discharge section which is closest to the carriage support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Tamura, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10124582
    Abstract: An apparatus including an analog memory, a temperature sensor, a comparator, and a pulse circuit. The analog memory is charged to a reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined temperature of a printhead. The temperature sensor measures a thermal voltage of at least one of the plurality of local areas of the printhead. The comparator obtains a comparison result by comparing the reference voltage to the thermal voltage. The pulse circuit selectively transmits a series of warming pulses to the at least one of the plurality of local areas of the printhead based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Mark Hunter, Peter James Fricke, Adam L. Ghozeil, James Michael Gardner
  • Patent number: 10124583
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus uses a drive signal including a micro-vibration waveform which causes the piezoelectric element to micro-vibrate such that an ink is not discharged from the nozzle in a case of being applied to the piezoelectric element as the drive signal and a drive waveform which deforms piezoelectric element such that the ink is discharged from the nozzle in a case of being applied to the piezoelectric element as the drive signal. The presentation unit selectably presents the indirect information from which the ink discharge status can be estimated such as the types of ink and the usage status of the ink or the like. The control unit changes the strength of the micro-vibration caused by the micro-vibration waveform based on the indirect information selected on the presentation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shiki Kumagai
  • Patent number: 10124584
    Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head (10), including: an ink droplet generator (116) configured to emit an ink droplet (158) along an undeflected droplet flight path (30); a charge electrode (118) configured to impart a charge to the ink droplet; deflector plates (120A, 120B) adjacent the undeflected droplet flight path, downstream from the charge electrode, and configured to deflect the ink droplet to a deflected droplet flight path that lies within a range of deflected flight paths bounded by at least deflected droplet flight path and a most deflected droplet flight path; a gutter (122) configured to receive an ink droplet traveling along the undeflected droplet flight path; and an ink buildup sensor (102) configured to detect an accumulation of ink (140) relative to a droplet flight path disposed within the range of deflected flight paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert Smith, Salhadin Omer
  • Patent number: 10124585
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes an actuator substrate and a holding substrate. The actuator substrate includes a plurality of individual liquid chambers and a plurality of pressure generating elements. The plurality of individual liquid chambers is communicated with a plurality of nozzles to discharge liquid. The plurality of pressure generating elements is arrayed to pressurize liquid in the plurality of individual liquid chambers. The holding substrate includes a plurality of recessed portions to accommodate the plurality of pressure generating elements. The holding substrate is bonded to the actuator substrate with an adhesive. The holding substrate has a plurality of openings as a plurality of channels communicating the plurality of individual liquid chambers with a common liquid chamber to supply liquid to the plurality of individual liquid chambers. At least one corner of each of the plurality of openings at least partially has a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Masuda, Keisuke Hayashi, Keishi Miwa
  • Patent number: 10124586
    Abstract: A flow path structure includes: a substrate that includes a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface; a supply port formed on the first surface; a plurality of discharge ports formed on the second surface; grooves that are formed on the first surface so as to extend in an X direction and communicate with the supply ports and with the plurality of discharge ports via through-holes formed on the substrate; and a sealing portion that is disposed on the first surface and seals each groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Togashi, Hiroaki Okui, Yasuyuki Kudo, Fujio Akahane
  • Patent number: 10124587
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus including: a substrate formed with a first pressure chamber and two second pressure chambers; a vibration film; a first piezoelectric element; two second piezoelectric elements; a first wire connected to the first piezoelectric element; two second wires connected to the two second piezoelectric elements, respectively; and three contact sections to which the first wire and the two second wires are connected, respectively. The first wire passes between the two second piezoelectric elements and extends toward one of the three contact sections corresponding thereto; and length in the first direction of second active portions in second piezoelectric portions of the two second piezoelectric elements, is shorter than that of a first active portion in a first piezoelectric portion of the first piezoelectric element; and length in the second direction of the second active portion is longer than that of the first active portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 10124588
    Abstract: A method of making inkjet print heads may include forming recesses in a first surface of a first wafer to define inkjet chambers. The method may also include forming openings extending from a second surface of the first wafer through to respective ones of the inkjet chambers to define inkjet orifices. The method may further include forming a second wafer including ink heaters, and joining the first and second wafers together so that the ink heaters are aligned within respective inkjet chambers to thereby define the inkjet print heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Murray J. Robinson, Kenneth J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 10124589
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device may include a laminate fluid manifold comprising plates extending in a plane and stacked in a laminate plate stack. The stack may include a first fluid passage extending parallel to and between plates of the laminate plate stack and a second fluid passage extending parallel to and between plates of the laminate plate stack. The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan R. Arthur, Chris Aschoff, Ronald A. Hellekson
  • Patent number: 10124590
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head, including: a first head unit; a second head unit shifted with respect to the first head unit in both of a first direction in which nozzles of the head units are arranged and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and disposed so as to overlap the first head unit in the second direction; and a first wiring member having flexibility and drawn from the second head unit in the second direction toward the first head unit, wherein the first wiring member includes a large-width portion on which a drive circuit is mounted and a small-width portion having a width in the first direction smaller than a width of the large-width portion in the first direction, and wherein the small-width portion passes through a space existing next to the first head unit in the first direction and extends in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Hayashi, Keita Sugiura, Taisuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10124591
    Abstract: A printer is disclosed. One printer includes a first head unit being elongate in a longitudinal direction. The first head unit has a first nozzle group having a plurality of first nozzles arrayed with a first pitch along the longitudinal direction. The printer includes a second head unit being elongate in the longitudinal direction. The second head unit has a second nozzle group having a plurality of second nozzles arrayed along the longitudinal direction. The second nozzle group includes a plurality of nozzle sets. Each of the plurality of the nozzle sets includes some of the plurality of second nozzles. The second nozzles in each of the plurality of the nozzle sets arrayed with the first pitch along the longitudinal direction. The plurality of the nozzle sets are arrayed with a second pitch along the longitudinal direction. The second pitch is different from the first pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaharu Ito
  • Patent number: 10124592
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a head unit including nozzles; a cap which covers the nozzles in a state of being in contact with the head unit at a capping position; and a cap movement device including a cam having a slide surface and a cam follower which is slid on the slide surface. One of the cam and the cam follower is provided integrally with the cap, and the other of the cam and the cam follower is moved in a slide direction. The slide surface includes a first inclined surface inclined by a first angle relative to the slide direction and a second inclined surface inclined by a second angle greater than the first angle relative to the slide direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10124593
    Abstract: A fluidic dispensing device for dispensing a fluid has a body having a chamber with a perimetrical end surface. An ejection chip is attached to the body in fluid communication with the chamber. A diaphragm has a dome portion and a perimeter sealing surface. The perimeter sealing surface of the diaphragm is in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the chamber to define a fluid reservoir that contains the fluid. The diaphragm has a deflection axis that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the perimeter sealing surface. The diaphragm has a cross-section profile that controls a deflection of the dome portion to collapse along the deflection axis in a direction that is at least one of toward or away from a plane of the perimeter sealing surface as the fluid is depleted from the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Steven R. Komplin, James D. Anderson, Jr.