Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10189236
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to the art of floor coverings, and, more particularly to an apparatus for use in securing floor covering units to an underlay and a method of manufacturing said floor covering units and said underlay. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, method, and method of manufacturing magnetized floor covering units and magnetized underlays for securing magnetized floor covering units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Golconda Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lloyd L. Lautzenhiser, Shane S. LeBlanc, Melinda LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 10189237
    Abstract: A feedstock line comprises elongate filaments, a resin, and optical direction modifiers. The resin covers the elongate filaments. The optical direction modifiers are covered by the resin and are interspersed among the elongate filaments. Each of the optical direction modifiers has an outer surface. Each of the optical direction modifiers is configured such that when electromagnetic radiation strikes the outer surface from a first direction, at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation departs the outer surface in a second direction that is at an angle to the first direction to irradiate, in the interior volume of the feedstock line, the resin that, due at least in part to the elongate filaments, is not directly accessible to the electromagnetic radiation, incident on the exterior surface of the feedstock line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Stewart Wilenski, Michael Patrick Kozar, Samuel F. Harrison, Nick Shadbeh Evans, Faraón Torres
  • Patent number: 10189238
    Abstract: An exposure molding device comprises an exposure tank, a working platform, and an optical system. The exposure tank has a first surface and a second surface. The working platform is disposed relative to the first surface. The optical system disposed relative to the second surface comprises a light emission element and an optical assembly. The light emission element emits light along an optical path. The optical assembly comprises a light transparent element, a first optical element, and a first transmission mechanism. The light transparent element is disposed on the optical path, the first optical element is disposed behind the light transparent element on the optical path, and the first transmission mechanism is disposed along a first direction and connected with the first optical element for driving the first optical element to move along the first direction. The molding range is expanded. The accuracy, velocity and quality of molding are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TECO IMAGE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting-Chun Chen, Yu-Jen Chang, Ken-Te Chou
  • Patent number: 10189239
    Abstract: A three-dimensional inkjet printer and method for printing an aperture mask on a multi-spectral filter array. A custom tray is used by the printer allowing for printing on a prefabricated filter array. Photopolymer resin is deposited on the prefabricated filter array to form the aperture mask of dark mirror coating. An ultraviolet lamp illuminates the deposited photopolymer resin on the surface of the prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array to cure the resin, thereby forming the mask. The prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array includes an optical coating on at least one side, the aperture mask being formed on the optical coating, without the use of heat, chemical etching, or deformation of the optical coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MATERION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin R. Downing
  • Patent number: 10189240
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a composite part comprises applying a liquid photopolymer resin to a non-resin component to create a continuous flexible line by pulling the non-resin component through a vessel, containing a volume of the liquid photopolymer resin. The continuous flexible line comprises the non-resin component and a photopolymer-resin component that comprises at least some of the liquid photopolymer resin applied to the non-resin component. The method further comprises routing the continuous flexible line into a delivery guide, pushing the continuous flexible line out of the delivery guide, depositing, via the delivery guide, a segment of the continuous flexible line along a print path, and delivering curing energy at least to a portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    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: 10189241
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a composite part is disclosed. The method comprises pushing a continuous flexible line through a delivery guide. The continuous flexible line comprises a non-resin component and a thermosetting-epoxy-resin component that is partially cured. The method also comprises depositing, via the delivery guide, a segment of the continuous flexible line along a print path. The method further comprises maintaining the thermosetting-epoxy-resin component of at least the continuous flexible line being pushed through the delivery guide below a threshold temperature prior to depositing the segment of the continuous flexible line along the print path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    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: 10189242
    Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing a composite part is disclosed. The method comprises depositing a segment of a continuous flexible line along a print path. The continuous flexible line comprises a non-resin component and a thermosetting resin component that is not fully cured. The method further comprises, while advancing the continuous flexible line toward the print path, delivering a predetermined or actively determined amount of curing energy at least to a portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line at a controlled rate after the segment of the continuous flexible line is deposited along the print path to at least partially cure at least the portion of the segment of the continuous flexible line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    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: 10189243
    Abstract: In a method of printing a transferable component, a stamp including an elastomeric post having three-dimensional relief features protruding from a surface thereof is pressed against a component on a donor substrate with a first pressure that is sufficient to mechanically deform the relief features and a region of the post between the relief features to contact the component over a first contact area. The stamp is retracted from the donor substrate such that the component is adhered to the stamp. The stamp including the component adhered thereto is pressed against a receiving substrate with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure to contact the component over a second contact area that is smaller than the first contact area. The stamp is then retracted from the receiving substrate to delaminate the component from the stamp and print the component onto the receiving substrate. Related apparatus and stamps are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, John A. Rogers, Seok Kim, Andrew Carlson
  • Patent number: 10189244
    Abstract: A method for selecting a format is disclosed by selecting a print section layout, which divides the section to be printed in a running direction and in a transversal direction of the section to be printed into adjacent units with a signature assigned to a unit such that subsequently in the running direction, longitudinal dimensions and in transversal direction, transversal dimensions of the signature and technically required border portions outside of the signature are determined, and subsequently, on the one hand, a minimum longitudinal dimension is calculated as the sum of the longitudinal dimensions of the signature and of required border regions adjoining in running direction, and, on the other hand, a minimum transversal dimension is computed as the sum of the transversal dimensions of the signature and of required border regions, adjoining in transversal direction, and wherein eventually, the print section format is selected so that a longitudinal dimension of the print section format is at least equal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Gesellschaft m.b.H
    Inventor: Dieter Reichhart
  • Patent number: 10189245
    Abstract: A printing assembly for sublimation transfer printing includes: a feed mechanism by which a web of carrier is fed in a machine direction to a printer; the printer including: a carrier transport unit, controllably movable along a machine direction; digital printing stations for the deposition of sublimation ink or inks onto the carrier; a feed mechanism for the substrate material to be printed; a heat press for transferring the sublimation ink or inks onto the substrate material; and an outlet for the substrate material and used carrier, where the printing stations extend transversally to the machine direction and cover the width of carrier. A method for sublimation transfer printing may use the printing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SPGPrints B.V.
    Inventors: Martin Jan Smallegange, Sjoerd Peter Van De Geijn
  • Patent number: 10189246
    Abstract: A jetting device includes an ejection unit arranged to eject a droplet of a liquid. The ejection unit includes a nozzle, a liquid duct connected to the nozzle, and an electro-mechanical transducer arranged to create an acoustic pressure wave in the liquid in the duct. The jetting device further includes a filter arranged to filter the liquid being supplied into the duct and a filter status detection system arranged to detect an obstruction status of the filter by measuring a property of the liquid in the duct. The filter status detection system includes a circuit configured for measuring the electric response of the transducer, for recording changes in the electric response that represent pressure fluctuations induced by the acoustic wave in the form of a time-dependent function, and for judging the obstruction status of the filter on the basis of that function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: OCÉ-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis W. M. Venner, Hylke Veenstra, Amol A. Khalate, Tjerk E. C. Hummel, Marko Mihailovic
  • Patent number: 10189247
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting section that ejects liquid in response to a drive signal; a drive signal generation circuit that generates the drive signal by using a second frequency band including at least a part of a first frequency band; a non-contact power transmission circuit that transmits power in a non-contact manner by using the first frequency band; and a case body that surrounds the drive signal generation circuit and the non-contact power transmission circuit and includes a first surface and a second surface that faces the first surface, in which the drive signal generation circuit is arranged at a position closer to the first surface than to the second surface, and in which the non-contact power transmission circuit is arranged at a position closer to the second surface than to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Yamada, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10189248
    Abstract: A print head assembly (PHA) includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die mounted to a substrate with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The die includes an opening defined in the die, a plurality of nozzles adjacent to the opening in fluid communication with the opening, and a pad to receive electrical control signals. The ASIC includes a communication link and a plurality of transmission lines that transmit electrical signals to the MEMS die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter James Fricke, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 10189249
    Abstract: A recording element substrate includes a recording module including a plurality of recording elements and first logic circuits corresponding to the plurality of recording elements, a memory module including a plurality of memory elements and second logic circuits corresponding to the plurality of memory elements, and a common line configured to connect a signal supply circuit to the plurality of first logic circuits and the plurality of second logic circuits in common. The recording elements are arranged along an extending direction in which the common line extends, and the memory modules are disposed between the common line and the recording elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Suguru Taniguchi, Toshio Negishi, Kazunari Fujii
  • Patent number: 10189250
    Abstract: A printhead, comprises: a plurality of element substrates that each include a first element substrate adjacent to a second element substrate in a first direction, wherein a first print element array arranged in the first element substrate includes a first print element that is closest to the second element substrate in the first direction, and a second print element array arranged in the second element substrate includes a second print element closest to the first element substrate in the first direction, and an order of arrangement in the second direction of at least the first print element and a first driving circuit corresponding to the first print element is opposite to an order of arrangement in the second direction of the second print element and a second driving circuit corresponding to the second print element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidenori Yamato
  • Patent number: 10189251
    Abstract: Heating is stopped in between recordings in a first recording mode where the time between recordings is relatively long, while heating is continuously performed in between recordings in a second recording mode where the time between recordings is relatively short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamauchi, Masashi Hayashi, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10189252
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for driving droplet ejection devices with multi-level waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving droplet ejection devices includes applying a multi-level waveform to the droplet ejection devices. The multi-level waveform includes a first section having at least one compensating edge and a second section having at least one drive pulse. The compensating edge has a compensating effect on systematic variation in droplet velocity or droplet mass across the droplet ejection devices. In another embodiment, the compensating edge has a compensating effect on cross-talk between the droplet ejection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM DIMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Christoph Menzel
  • Patent number: 10189253
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a substrate; and an ejection orifice-forming member formed on the substrate and including an ejection orifice configured to eject liquid and a liquid channel communicating with the ejection orifice. The ejection orifice-forming member includes an ejection orifice-forming member layer A, an intermediate water-repellent layer, and an ejection orifice-forming member layer B in this order from a substrate-side of the member. The ejection orifice-forming member also includes a protrusion protruding into the ejection orifice, and the ejection orifice-forming member includes a water-repellent projection portion that is at least a portion of the intermediate water-repellent layer and that projects farther into the ejection orifice than the ejection orifice-forming member layer A and the ejection orifice-forming member layer B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isamu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10189254
    Abstract: A droplet ejecting head includes a board, a pressure chamber, a nozzle, and an actuator configured to cause a pressure change in the pressure chamber in response to an electrical signal supplied from a drive circuit. The drive circuit is configured to set the electrical signal at a first voltage level, change the electrical signal to a second voltage level, set the electrical signal to a third voltage level during a time period after changing the electrical signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level, the time period being equal to a primary natural oscillation period of the actuator when the pressure chamber and the nozzle are filled with solution, and set the electrical signal to the first voltage level after the time period has elapsed. The third voltage level is between the first and second voltage levels or equal to the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Ikuo Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 10189255
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a flow passage member and a plurality of pressurizing sections. The flow passage member includes a plurality of discharge holes, a plurality of pressurizing chambers respectively connected to a plurality of the discharge holes, a plurality of first flow passages respectively connected to a plurality of the pressurizing chambers, a second flow passage commonly connected to a plurality of the first flow passages, a plurality of third flow passages respectively connected to a plurality of the pressurizing chambers, and a fourth flow passage commonly connected to a plurality of the third flow passages. A plurality of the pressurizing sections respectively pressurizes liquid in a plurality of the pressurizing chambers. A flow passage resistance in the third flow passages is lower than a flow passage resistance in the first flow passages. In the flow passage member, a damper is formed in the fourth flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10189256
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that ejects an ink while moving in an X direction, a plurality of liquid retention portions that are arranged in a direction that intersects the X direction and retain the ink, a mounting portion in which the plurality of liquid retention portions are mounted, and a plurality of flow channels that are provided in the mounting portion and supply the ink to the head from the plurality of liquid retention portions, in which the plurality of liquid retention portions include a liquid retention portion that retains a black ink, and, among flow channel lengths of the plurality of flow channels, the flow channel length of a flow channel that supplies the black ink is shortest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Haruki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10189257
    Abstract: In one example, a print bar structure includes a beam having two flanges connected by a web and a planar surface along a longitudinal edge of each flange, a printhead mounting structure attached to the beam along the planar surfaces to mount a printhead, and a fluid flow structure positioned between the flanges to carry printing fluid to the printhead mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Silam J. Choy, Rhonda Lynn Wilson
  • Patent number: 10189258
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording method are provided that facilitate designing of units for subsequent treatment in terms of their shapes and/or positions, while suppressing variability in image quality resulting from subsequent treatment. Two or more recording heads are disposed in a staggered arrangement in X and Y directions. The paired units for subsequent treatment are disposed in parallel to each other along the X direction, and the recording heads are interposed between these units. The length of each of the units for subsequent treatment in the X direction is greater than or equal to the ink-dischargeable extent in the X direction of the recording heads in one scan. The recording heads are arranged, so that nozzle groups, from which the droplets of the same color are discharged, are disposed symmetrically with respect to an intermediary line between the paired units for subsequent treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eiichi Ohara
  • Patent number: 10189259
    Abstract: A joining method includes a process of applying a joining material including a thermosetting resin to a member. The joining material includes an addition-type silicone resin. The joining material includes one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of a methyl-based straight silicone resin, a phenyl-based silicone resin, and a modified silicone resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, Yasuhide Matsuo, Kenji Otsuka, Minehiro Imamura, Tomohiro Hayashi, Kei Tadachi
  • Patent number: 10189260
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having a plurality of nozzles through which an ink composition containing an inorganic pigment is ejected, a nozzle surface having nozzle orifices, and a liquid-repellent film disposed on the nozzle surface; an absorbing member that absorbs the ink composition containing the inorganic pigment from the nozzle orifices and the nozzle surface; and an actuating mechanism including a pressing member that presses the absorbing member and the nozzle surface relative to each other. The actuating mechanism moves at least one of the absorbing member and the recording head relative to the other to perform a cleaning operation in which the ink composition is removed from the nozzle surface with the absorbing member. The absorbing member contains an impregnation liquid having a surface tension of 45 mN/m or less during the cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Mizutani, Hiroshi Mukai, Hiroki Nakane, Toshihiro Shinbara, Keiji Matsumoto, Masako Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10189261
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a wiper; a wiping surface for wiped with the wiper; a plurality of nozzles provided in the wiping surface; a piezoelectric element for discharging inks from the nozzles; and a carriage unit and a cleaning unit configured to cause the wiper and the wiping surface to relatively move. In a moving direction of the wiper with respect to the wiping surface, a distance between a side of the wiping surface on an upstream side in the moving direction and the nozzle disposed on the most upstream side is shorter than a distance between a side of the wiping surface on a downstream side in the moving direction and the nozzle disposed on the most downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Muto
  • Patent number: 10189262
    Abstract: A cleaning liquid for rinsing an ink adhering to an article includes water and a first organic solvent, wherein a liquid mixture of the water and the first organic solvent has a Hansen solubility parameter including a hydrogen bond term of 10.0 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less, wherein the ink includes water, a second organic solvent, a polyurethane resin particle, and a polysiloxane surfactant having an HLB value of 8 or less, wherein the polyurethane resin particle accounts for 5 percent by mass or more of a total amount of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Nakamura, Michihiko Namba, Masahiro Kido, Hiroaki Takahashi, Hikaru Kobayashi, Naoto Shimura, Akiko Bannai, Shizuka Kohzuki
  • Patent number: 10189263
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a replenishment container and an inkjet recording device that are capable of reducing staining by ink or a solvent during ink or solvent replenishing. The replenishment container comprises a storage member having an opening formed therein and having a storage chamber that stores ink or solvent, a stopper member that seals the opening of the storage member, and a lid member that covers the stopper member. The replenishment container is characterized by: comprising a seal member that has a throughhole between the stopper member and the lid member; the lid member having a throughhole that is opened concentrically with the throughhole of the seal member; and the inner diameter of part or all of the throughhole in the seal member being smaller than the inner diameter of the throughhole in the lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Matsushita, Naomichi Yoshida, Akira Miyao, Nobuhiro Harada
  • Patent number: 10189264
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b are attached to a carriage 27 of a printing device 10 via a holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b includes a circuit substrate 130 having a plurality of terminals 151 to 159 which are electrically connected with a device-side terminal assembly 250 provided on the holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b also includes a main engagement part 120 configured to engage with a lever member 230 of the holder structure 200 as an engaged part, such as to limit motion of the circuit substrate 130 away from the holder structure 200. The circuit substrate 130 includes a first terminal 151 and a second terminal 152 located on respective ends in an array direction of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 10189265
    Abstract: In some examples, printing fluid cartridge comprises a housing and an assembly supported by the housing. The assembly comprises a molding and a non-fluid dispensing die electronic device embedded in the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie
  • Patent number: 10189266
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus is disclosed. One apparatus includes a nozzle through which fluid is ejected or purged, and a pressure regulating valve arranged upstream of the nozzle. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open in response to an open/close pressure differential of the fluid across the pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve is configured to controllably regulate the open/close pressure differential. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to, when a suction pump is being operated to perform a first purging operation comprising creating a first negative pressure through suctioning by the suction pump to purge the fluid through the nozzle, control the pressure regulating valve to set the open/close pressure differential of the pressure regulating valve to a first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shohei Koide
  • Patent number: 10189267
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a liquid chamber which communicates with a nozzle for ejecting liquid; an inflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber; a liquid supply unit which supplies the liquid to the inflow path; an outflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber, and through which the liquid is caused to flow out from the liquid chamber; a moving object which causes the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle by reciprocating toward the nozzle in the liquid chamber; and an actuator which causes the moving object to reciprocate. In an ejecting state in which liquid is continuously ejected from the nozzle due to at least reciprocating of the moving object, a flow path resistance of the outflow path is larger than that of the inflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai
  • Patent number: 10189268
    Abstract: A solvent or ink container plug includes a cylindrical base having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side being configured to face an inside of a container when the container is closed by the plug. The plug further includes a connection portion, connected to the upper side of the cylindrical base, the connection portion comprising at least two connection tips. The cylindrical base includes a first aperture and a second aperture provided at the lower side of the cylindrical base. Moreover, the first aperture and second aperture are each in communication with a corresponding one of the two connection tips. Further, the connecting portion has a side dimension, measured in a plane perpendicular to an axis of introducing the plug onto or into the container, that is smaller than the cylindrical base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DOVER EUROPE SARL
    Inventors: Mathieu Berbiguier, Vincent Audouard
  • Patent number: 10189269
    Abstract: A recording apparatus discharges both high-permeability black ink and low-permeability black ink to a boundary between a color area and a black area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayumi Yasuda, Junichi Saito, Noboru Kunimine, Takumi Kaneko, Rie Takekoshi, Takayuki Ushiyama, Tatsuo Shimmoto, Keita Ishimi
  • Patent number: 10189270
    Abstract: An apparatus to calibrate a printer. The apparatus comprises a controller to: control deposition of white printing material on media, the white printing material having an opacity of at least 55%; control deposition of non-white printing material on the white printing material; receive data for at least one sensed characteristic of the non-white printing material; and calibrate the printer using the received data for the at least one sensed characteristic of the non-white printing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Ran Waidman, Sasi Moalem, Gregory Braverman, Eyal Shelef, Shlomo Harush
  • Patent number: 10189271
    Abstract: Colorless or colored coatings can be ink jetted onto a substrate using an aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition that has a viscosity of less than 5 centipoises, and that includes a combination of an anionic polyether polyurethane and an anionic acrylic polymer or anionic styrene-acrylic polymer, in a total amount of less than or equal to 20 weight %. The composition can be colorless (free of colorants) or it can contain a suitable colorant to provide a color image. The composition also includes a defoamer that has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of at least 3 and up to and including 5, and which is present in an amount of at least 0.15 weight % and up to and including 1 weight %. Such composition can be used in inkjet printing methods including recirculation apparatus and methods, and can be provided as part of an ink set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara Boland Lussier, Daniel Talbot Linehan
  • Patent number: 10189272
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Screen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Muraji, Seiya Nomura, Tomoyasu Okushima
  • Patent number: 10189273
    Abstract: A head unit includes: nozzle chips which are arranged side by side in a first direction, each of the nozzle chips having a jetting surface and nozzles aligned in a predetermined direction parallel to the jetting surface and crossing both of the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a holder configured to hold the nozzle chips from a side opposite to the jetting surface; and a fixing plate to which the nozzle chips are fixed and which is arranged on a side facing the jetting surface of each of the nozzle chips, wherein the holder has first walls arranged in the second direction so as to sandwich the nozzle chips therebetween; each of the first walls has first projections formed on an end surface thereof facing the fixing plate; and the first projections make contact with the fixing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Hayashi, Keita Sugiura, Taisuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10189274
    Abstract: A printer includes a controller configured to, while conveying a print medium, apply a fourth quantity of thermal energy per unit area to a first area of the print medium and apply a fifth quantity of thermal energy per unit area to a second area that at least partially overlaps the first area in a conveyance direction, the print medium developing a color when supplied with a quantity of thermal energy per unit area equal to or more than a first quantity and equal to or less than a second quantity and developing another color when supplied with a quantity of thermal energy per unit area equal to or more than a third quantity more than the second quantity, the fourth and fifth quantities being more than the first quantity and less than the second quantity, a sum of the fourth and fifth quantities being less than the third quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sachiko Murakami, Akira Minami, Satoru Ito
  • Patent number: 10189275
    Abstract: A treatment segment for printing on containers includes a coupling section for securing the treatment segment on a revolving and drivable transport element such that the treatment segment can be exchanged. The treatment segment has either a retention-and-centering unit for securing a container on the treatment segment or a receiver for retaining and releasing a retention-and-centering unit. The coupling section is a component of a support structure that runs, at least in sections, in an interior of the treatment segment enclosed by a housing. The housing is retained, at least indirectly, on the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Schach, Markus Reiniger
  • Patent number: 10189276
    Abstract: A tape printing device that is vertically long and can be operated by being handheld includes a main key operating portion configured with a plurality of groups of keys 215, 217, and 219 on a front surface, in which, among the plurality of groups of keys 215, 217, and 219, a group of keys 215 having a high frequency of operations is disposed at a position near a gravity center portion in a longitudinal direction, and the groups of keys 217 and 219 having a low frequency of operations are disposed at a position distant from the gravity center portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kubota, Taishi Sasaki, Akihiro Shintani, Haruki Sugawara, Naoya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10189277
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for pretreating and printing textile surfaces. For this purpose, at least one pallet (22) for accommodating and retaining a textile article (20) to be printed on a printing face, a pretreatment device (40) which allows the textile article to be pretreated, prior to it being printed, by applying a pretreatment fluid to the textile article in a pretreatment area, a printing device (60) comprising at least one printhead (61) that allows a printed image to be printed onto the textile article in the pretreatment area, a moving device (23) which allows the at least one pallet to he displaced relative to the pretreatment device and the printing device, and a programmable control device (31) which allows the printing device, the pretreatment device and/or the moving device to be controlled, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Aeoon Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Angelo Schiestl
  • Patent number: 10189278
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a high-speed, closed-loop fabric printer comprises a plurality of consecutive stations that can be managed by a single operator. In particular, shirts or other fabric garments may be individually loaded and secured on a pallet by an operator, and the loaded pallets may then cycle through a plurality of unmanned stations positioned along a contiguous path (e.g., oval). The stations may be configured for pretreating the fabric surface, drying and pressing the pretreated fabric with heat, and then inkjet printing a selected image, among others. In this manner, a “wet-to-dry-to-wet” direct to garment (DTG) printing process may thus be achieved, along with optimal controls for maximum adaptability. Furthermore, due to the closed-loop design, a recently printed fabric product returns to the operator to be unloaded at the position in which a new unprinted fabric is loaded, allowing for increased throughput and minimal operator requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Kris Otto Friedrich, Blair Kristine Dorsey
  • Patent number: 10189279
    Abstract: A medium flattening method, when a medium is transported by being adhered to an adhesive layer which is on a surface of a transport belt, includes detecting a presence or absence of floating being generated in the medium on the transport belt using a sensor, executing a process for flattening to flatten the floating in the medium in the case where the floating exists, and transporting the medium, where the floating is eliminated using the process for the flattening, to a liquid discharge region of a liquid discharge section. The executing of the process for the flattening includes executing the process for the flattening with regard to the medium and liquid discharge with regard to the medium in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 10189280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a corrugated-board machine for manufacturing corrugated board. The corrugated-board machine comprises a material-web output device for outputting a material web, an inkjet printing device disposed downstream of the material-web output device for the imprinting of at least one imprint onto the material web and an overcoating arrangement disposed downstream of the inkjet printing device for overcoating the printed material web at least in regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen-und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Maximilian Mark
  • Patent number: 10189281
    Abstract: A method of forming a digital print on a surface (2) by applying powder of dry ink (15) including colorants (7) on the surface, bonding a part of the dry ink (15) powder to the surface (2) by a digital heating print head (80) such that the digital print is formed by the bonded dry ink colorants (7) and removing non-bonded dry ink (15) from the surface (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CERALOC INNOVATION AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Tony Pervan
  • Patent number: 10189282
    Abstract: A printer performs a multi-pass printing including: (a) pass process executed with Ka number of nozzles; (c1) pass process executed with Kc1 number of nozzles; (c2) pass process executed with Kc2 number of nozzles; and (b) pass process executed with Kb number of nozzles. Kc1 and Kc2 are greater than or equal to Kb and smaller than Ka. An upstream gradient of dot recording rates of (c1) pass process is greater than a gradient of (a) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c1) pass process is the same as the gradient of (a) pass process. An upstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is the same as a gradient of (b) pass process. A downstream gradient of (c2)-pass process is greater than the gradient of the (a) pass process. Kc1 is greater than Kc2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10189283
    Abstract: A media transport system includes a vacuum plenum and a belt positioned over the vacuum plenum. The belt includes at least one member having a first region and a second region that both include holes that enable the vacuum plenum to apply a force to hold print media against the belt. The belt also includes slots formed through the at least one member in an inter-copy gap positioned between the first region and the second region. Each slot is formed with a larger area than an area of each hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Francisco Zirilli
  • Patent number: 10189284
    Abstract: A tape cassette that includes a tape cassette that includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear wall, a front wall, and a tape feed exit located on the front wall, a tape included at least partially within the housing and configured to be fed along a tape feed path extending to the tape feed exit, and a first indicator aperture positioned on the front wall and a second indicator aperture position on a rear portion of the bottom surface. A position of the first indicator aperture on the front wall indicates a type of the tape included within the housing. A position of the second indicator aperture indicates a color of characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Teruo Imamaki, Masato Kato, Takashi Horiuchi, Akira Sago, Yasuhiro Iriyama, Yasuhiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 10189285
    Abstract: A self-strip media module in a printer is provided. The self-strip media module includes a peel bar having a length at least as great as the length of a platen roller and being rotatably engaged at the ends of the platen roller. The media includes a series of labels adhered to a liner. The media is fed over the peel bar and between the platen roller and a mid-chassis. The peel bar may be rotated towards the discharge side of the platen roller, pulling the media over the platen roller and over itself. A thermal print head is lowered onto the media over the platen roller and to print on the labels. The printer advances the media over the peel bar. The labels are stripped from the liner when the media advances around the peel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chin Young Wong, Sébastien Michel Marie Joseph d'Armancourt, Ching Hong Chua, Yaw Horng Yap