Patents Issued in September 29, 2020
  • Patent number: 10786956
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes receiving flat unidirectional tape that is continuous and fiber-reinforced, and drawing the tape through a fixed die that heats and plastically deforms the tape into a gap filler having a non-flat cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Wilkerson, Donald C. Besselsen, Philip P. Steinacher, Jerry Lee Newland
  • Patent number: 10786957
    Abstract: An apparatus for infusing a composite structure includes a reservoir configured to receive a volume of resin, a base, a membrane configured to be sealed upon the base, and a flow medium in fluid communication with the reservoir. The flow medium includes a first flow medium portion disposed in contact with at least a portion of the base and a second flow medium portion disposed in contact with at least a portion of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Andreas Lutz
  • Patent number: 10786958
    Abstract: A bottle cap comprising a case is provided; and an accommodating hole is axially formed in the case; an inlet pipe is arranged on an external side surface of the case; a limit flange is formed on an inner side surface of the accommodating hole, and the limit flange and an inner side surface of the accommodating hole above the limit flange cooperatively form a first recess; and the bottle cap further comprises a flow path switching element which is rotatably arranged in the first recess; a protruding body is arranged on the bottom of the limit flange, and a first through-hole is formed in the limit flange and the protruding body; and a plug is movably arranged in the first through-hole; The bottle cap of the present application has a simple structure and good practicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: TOP ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Koon Fung Lam
  • Patent number: 10786959
    Abstract: A mold for a front curve of an ophthalmic lens includes an inner region having a non-rotationally symmetric shape, an outer region having a rotationally symmetric shape, and a continuous middle region between the inner region and the outer region. A first portion of the middle region is in contact with the inner region, defining a non-rotationally symmetric rim or edge of a front surface of the ophthalmic lens. A second portion of the middle region is in contact with the outer region and is rotationally symmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc
    Inventors: Radhakrishnan Damodharan, Philippe Jubin, Matias Heinrich
  • Patent number: 10786960
    Abstract: A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Jason D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch
  • Patent number: 10786961
    Abstract: A rim for mounting a tire includes a base portion and a rim portion. The rim portion includes a rim segment, a first flange segment positioned on one side and a second flange segment positioned on an opposite side of the rim segment. The rim segment defines a circular curvature and has an original rim width measured along a rotation axis of the rim between inward facing surfaces of the first flange segment and the second flange segment. A band is positioned around a circumference of the rim segment contiguous with an inward facing surface of the first flange segment. The rim portion has an adjusted rim width, measured between a band inward facing surface and the inward facing surface of the second flange segment, which is different from the original rim width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bangag, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Henriksen, Noel K. Stineman, Wade L. Terrill, Matthew S. Bartenhagen
  • Patent number: 10786962
    Abstract: A rebaling system may include a bale processing system that processes a first bale of a first size into unbaled material; a rebaler downstream of the bale processing system, the rebaler rebaling the unbaled material into a second bale of a second size different than the first size prior to being processed; a collection platform positioned below a portion of the rebaling system that collects stray unbaled material; and a recycling system including a first auger operatively engaged with the collection platform to move collected stray unbaled material to be reintroduced to the rebaling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Clayton Roubideaux
  • Patent number: 10786963
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in tablet manufacturing, particularly in the small scale/bespoke manufacture of tablets. The application describes the mechanism of a motor driven tablet press (10) with biasing means (222) and wherein the angular position of the motor (28) is controllable, the inclusion of load cells (26,234), an improved die mounting (100,300) and die assembly (36?), and improved compaction methods including controlled pauses (75,90) during tablet forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: GAMLEN TABLETING LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael John Desmond Gamlen, Joseph Charles Domingue, Henry David Kafeman
  • Patent number: 10786964
    Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank assembly including a tray blank and lid blank includes a frame, a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame, a pre-folding assembly, and a glue panel presser assembly. The mandrel assembly includes a first mandrel and a second mandrel positioned downstream from the first mandrel. The first mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a first portion of the container, and the second mandrel has an external shape complementary to an internal shape of at least a second portion of the container. The pre-folding assembly is configured to fold a first portion of the blank assembly around the first mandrel to form a partially formed container. The glue panel presser assembly includes a first presser plate configured to form a first manufacturer joint, and a second presser plate configured to form a second manufacturer joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Graham, Amer Aganovic, Claudio D'Alesio
  • Patent number: 10786965
    Abstract: A method of at least partially forming a carton includes obtaining a blank comprising at least one fold line, heating an interior surface of the blank along the at least one fold line to form a heated fold line, and folding the blank about the heated fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph C. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10786966
    Abstract: A component includes an additively manufactured component with an internal passage and an additively manufactured elongated member within the internal passage. A method of additively manufacturing a component including additively manufacturing a component with an internal passage; and additively manufacturing an elongated member within the internal passage concurrent with additively manufacturing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Evan Butcher
  • Patent number: 10786967
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to extrusion systems and involves a method to promote self-balancing of flow velocity while enhancing the strength of the end product by off-setting seams. This invention focuses on using a system of more than one deflector to produce multiple rings which are then quickly merged to produce a more quickly balanced ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Guill Tool & Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Guillemette, Robert Peters
  • Patent number: 10786968
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an ink supply tube having an excellent stress crack resistance during sliding while having a high gas barrier property. According to the present invention, an ink supply tube is provided, which includes an inner layer contacting with an ink, an intermediate layer containing at least one layer, and an outer layer, wherein the intermediate layer is a gas barrier layer formed of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, and an oxygen concentration within a circular region that has a diameter of 100 m and is centered at the gas barrier layer is 2 to 9 atm %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: JUNKOSHA INC.
    Inventor: Masato Yotsuya
  • Patent number: 10786969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a support article containing a first non-woven layer and a second non-woven layer. The first non-woven layer contains a blend of fibers of about 15-70% by weight fire resistant (FR) rayon fibers, 10-30% by weight hollow conjugated siliconized fibers, and 20-40% by weight binder fibers. The second non-woven layer contains a blend of FR rayon fibers, hollow conjugated siliconized fibers, and binder fibers. The amount of FR rayon fiber is within 15 percentage points of the weight percentage of FR rayon fiber in the first non- woven layer. The lower surface of the first non-woven layer is adhered to the upper surface of the second non-woven layer. The density of the first non-woven layer is at least 10% less than the density of the second non-woven layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Strahan, Sumit Phalak, Will Ringo, Brandon Roberts
  • Patent number: 10786970
    Abstract: A structure for use in a compressible resilient pad. The structure contains both axially elastomeric strands and relatively inelastic strands co-extruded in various patterns. The structure has a high degree of both compressibility under an applied normal load and excellent recovery (resiliency or spring back) upon removal of that load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10786971
    Abstract: A plastic article is recited having a plastic shell including walls defining a cavity. Within the cavity is an in-situ foam core including expanded polymer beads. A layer of the expanded polymer beads includes a layer of distorted beads adjacent to the walls. The in-situ foam core has a thermal bond to the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Richard W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10786972
    Abstract: Thick and absorbent and/or flexible toilet tissue and methods for making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joerg Kleinwaechter, Eric Bryan Bond, Matthew Gary McKee, Hasan Eroglu, Tyler Jacob Werner, Jeffrey Chan, Joshua Thomas Fung, Jeffrey Glen Sheehan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Jean A. Ibrahim, Brooke Marie Woods
  • Patent number: 10786973
    Abstract: An anisotropic composite material assembly comprising a first layer with a tensile modulus different from its compressive modulus and that exhibits variable modulus behavior. The first layer elastically buckle under compressions. A second layer has a tensile modulus substantially the same as its compressive modulus. The first and second layers are joined together, and the assembly is bendable in a first direction with an outer surface of the first layer being in compression and the assembly has a first bending stiffness during bending in the first direction. The assembly is bendable in a second direction opposite the first direction with the outer surface of the first layer being in tension, and the assembly has a second bending stiffness greater than the first bending stiffness during bending in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Carbitex, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lynn Simmons, Junus Ali Khan, Tyler Andre Kafentzis, Keshava Bhamidipaty
  • Patent number: 10786974
    Abstract: The present invention provide a ferritic stainless steel foil having a high thickness precision even with a thickness 60 ?m or less ultrathin stainless steel foil and simultaneously having a plastic deformation ability and good elongation at break, that is, having a good press-formability (deep drawing ability). The present invention is a stainless steel foil having a thickness of 5 ?m to 60 ?m, wherein a recrystallization ratio of said stainless steel foil is 90% to 100%, a surface layer of said stainless steel foil has a nitrogen concentration of 1.0 mass % or less, three or more crystal grains are contained in the thickness direction of said stainless steel foil, an average crystal grain diameter “d” of said crystal grains is 1 ?m to 10 ?m, and, when said thickness is “t” (?m), an area ratio of crystal grains having a crystal grain diameter of t/3 (?m) or more is 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CHEMICAL & MATERIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Unno, Naoya Sawaki, Naoki Fujimoto, Masahiro Fukuda, Tomohiro Uno, Toru Inaguma
  • Patent number: 10786975
    Abstract: A laminated glass includes a first glass sheet, an electrically powered functional film, a reflective element to reflect infrared radiation, disposed between the first glass sheet and the functional film, at least one first thermoplastic interlayer disposed between the reflecting element and the functional film, and a second glass sheet. The laminated glass includes at least one interlayer including a zone that is opaque to radiation in the visible wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AGC GLASS EUROPE
    Inventors: Denis Legrand, Yuji Masaki
  • Patent number: 10786976
    Abstract: A water/oil repellent layer-provided article, containing a substrate, a water/oil repellent layer containing a hydrolyzed condensate of a fluorinated compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group, and a silicon oxide layer containing alkali metal atoms, present between the substrate and the water/oil repellent layer, where in the silicon oxide layer, the average concentration of the alkali metal atoms in a region with a depth from the surface in contact with the water/oil repellent layer of at least 0.1 nm and at most 0.3 nm, is at least 2.0×1019 atoms/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Lilin Zhou, Kumiko Suwa, Kenji Ishizeki, Hideyuki Hirakoso, Daisuke Kobayashi, Michinori Suehara, Mio Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 10786977
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a composite structures or sandwiches that may have a relatively high bending stiffness and may have a relatively light weight as well as related methods of use and fabrication of the composite sandwiches. For example, a composite sandwich may include a core structure sandwiched between a two composite skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: BRIGHT LITE STRUCTURES LLC
    Inventor: Antony Dodworth
  • Patent number: 10786978
    Abstract: A packaging material (600) comprises a first sheet material (100) and a woven fabric (200), which are arranged one above the other and are connected to one another. The first sheet material (100) contains first regions (120), in which the first sheet material (100) is expanded locally, and second regions (110), in which the first sheet material (100) is not expanded locally. The first regions (120) are arranged in each case between two second regions (110) and run in a first direction. The woven fabric (200) comprises a thread (220), wherein part of the thread (220) runs in a direction which intersects the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KARATZIS S.A. INDUSTRIAL & HOTELIER ENTERPRISES
    Inventor: Antonios Karatzis
  • Patent number: 10786979
    Abstract: A multilayered structure having a liquid layer (5) on a surface of a plastic underlying layer (3), wherein a liquid diffusion prevention layer (1) is provided on the lower side of the underlying layer (3) to suppress or block a diffusion of a liquid that forms the liquid layer (5), and a covering ratio F of the liquid layer (5) is maintained to be not less than 0.5. With this structure, the surface properties of the liquid layer (5) can be stably maintained over long periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Akutsu, Shinya Iwamoto, Shigetoshi Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10786980
    Abstract: A laminate has at least one polylactic acid resin-containing layer (C) with a thickness of 10-500 nm on at least one surface of a fibrous structure (B) containing a water-soluble resin (A). A production method for the laminate is characterized in that water or an aqueous solution is applied to the joining surface of the fibrous structure (B) and the polylactic acid resin-containing layer (C). The laminate exhibits excellent followability, adherence and coatability relative to flexible, curved adherends, exhibits excellent compatibility to organs such as skin and internal organs, and, because the fibrous structure (B) containing a water-soluble resin (A) can easily be removed from the polylactic acid resin-containing layer (C) by the aqueous solution, is adapted for use in materials for external use on the skin, such as wound-dressing materials, adhesion-preventing materials, and skin care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Sekido, Motonori Hochi, Toru Arakane, Yoshikazu Yakake, Teruhisa Sato
  • Patent number: 10786981
    Abstract: An automated masking system includes a substrate loading apparatus designed to hold a plurality of substrates, a first masking material application station designed to automatically apply a first masking material to a portion of the substrate, and a second masking material application station designed to automatically apply a second masking material to a portion of the substrate, the second masking material being different than the first masking material. The system includes a first dispensing apparatus and a second dispensing apparatus that move relative to the substrate in a repeatable motion. The substrate moves automatically from the first masking material application station to the second masking material application station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Askin, Joshua Su, Melon Yu, Alex Anderson, Wei Li, Wan-Man Liu, Zhi-Guang Chen
  • Patent number: 10786982
    Abstract: A method for separating different types of material layers of a composite component that has at least one material layer that is transparent for visible light and at least one further material layer, is provided, wherein the light from an external source falls through the at least one transparent material layer into the at least one further material layer and there is at least partially absorbed. With the help of at least one gas discharge lamp, the light-absorbing material layer is heated in less than one second to separate material layers of the composite component. A device that can be used for this method comprises at least one separation chamber and therein at least one gas discharge lamp suitable for irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Leander Kilian Gross, Mascha Elly Gross
  • Patent number: 10786983
    Abstract: A scanning 3-D printing system comprises a printing platform movable in a printing direction and in an indexing direction, the printing platform comprising a printing head configured for dispensing building material while the printing platform is moving in a printing direction one pass at a time, and layer by layer, a roller configured for leveling the dispensed building material one pass at a time, wherein the roller is rotatably mounted on a roller axle, and wherein the roller axle extends over all passes of the printing system and is stationary in the indexing direction, a scraper configured for scraping excess building material off the roller, and a trough configured for collecting the building material scraped off the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Eliahu M. Kritchman, David Eshed, Guy Menchik
  • Patent number: 10786984
    Abstract: A segment wheel for a device for printing on hollow bodies has a plurality of segments formed on its circumference. A printing blanket, for printing on the hollow bodies, is, or at least can be, arranged on at least one segment. The segment wheel has a main body, the main body being made from a metal material. The segments are arranged along the circumference of the main body, each at a joint. Each segment is releasably connected to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventor: Michael Koblinger
  • Patent number: 10786985
    Abstract: Provided is a printing method for forming ink dots on a printing medium by using a plurality of nozzle rows that discharge a plurality of types of photocurable inks. The printing method includes detecting a defective nozzle that has an ink discharge fault, and compensating for dot omission by causing, preceding the defective nozzle, a preceding nozzle that discharges an inducing ink different from a compensation target ink, which the defective nozzle should have discharged, to discharge the inducing ink to a position on the printing medium where dot omission occur due to the defective nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Nakazawa, Naoki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 10786986
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles configured to eject fluid and a fluid ejection array controller connected to the plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are arranged into a plurality of primitives, and the primitives are further arranged into a plurality of virtual primitives that each includes at least two primitives. The fluid ejection array controller generates ejection control data for each virtual primitive based on contents of a virtual primitive control packet. The ejection control data includes, for each virtual primitive, a first instruction instructing a first primitive of the virtual primitive to fire and a second instruction instructing a second primitive of the virtual primitive to not fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Martin, Chris Bakker
  • Patent number: 10786987
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid ejection die is described. The die includes a number of actuator sensors disposed on the fluid ejection die to sense a characteristic of a corresponding actuator and to output a first voltage corresponding to the sensed characteristic c. Each actuator sensor is coupled to a respective actuator and multiple coupled actuator sensors and actuators are grouped as primitives on the fluid ejection die. The die also includes an actuator evaluation die per primitive to evaluate an actuator characteristic of any actuator within the primitive Based on the first voltage and a threshold voltage. The die also includes a time-shift chain component to communicate a delayed evaluation signal, which delayed evaluation signal delays an evaluation of the actuator characteristic a predetermined amount of time following an activation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E Anderson, Eric Martin
  • Patent number: 10786988
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer element includes a first electrode on a substrate, an electromechanical transducer film on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the electromechanical transducer film. The electromechanical transducer film includes a thin line pattern. The thin line pattern includes a plurality of thin lines that are spaced away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takeuchi, Osamu Machida, Akira Shimofuku, Shuya Abe, Masahiro Ishimori, Takuma Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10786990
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus may include an ink-jet head having: individual connection flow channels through which ink can be discharged from pressure chambers; and a common flow channel at which ink from the individual connection flow channels merges, wherein when the ink is ejected, in a nozzle through which the maximum amount of ink per unit time is ejected, the relationship of (Fn/Fi)?10 is satisfied, Fn representing the amount of ink ejected per unit time from the nozzle, and Fi representing the average flow rate of ink discharged per unit time from the individual connection flow channels, and the relationship of (Rc/Rt)?10 is satisfied, Rc representing the flow channel resistance of the common flow channel, and Rt representing the synthetic resistance of the individual connection flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hikaru Hamano
  • Patent number: 10786991
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a pressure chamber formation member having first pressure chambers arranged in a first direction, and an insulation film covering the first pressure chambers; a cover which is joined to the pressure chamber formation member and has a first convex portion and a second convex portion; and a wiring member joined to the pressure chamber formation member. Each of the first convex portion and the second convex portion has a bonding surface to the pressure chamber formation member and extends in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taiki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10786992
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes an ejection opening member having an ejection opening therein through which a liquid is ejected, and a liquid-repellent layer over the ejection opening member. The liquid-repellent layer contains a fluorine-containing compound, metal oxide particles, and an amphiphilic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Miho Ishii
  • Patent number: 10786993
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid-ejecting-portion configured to eject a liquid from a nozzle; a cap configured to be relatively move with respect to the liquid-ejecting-portion and configured to form a closed space in which the nozzle is open between the cap and the liquid-ejecting-portion; a negative-pressure-generation-mechanism configured to generate a negative pressure; a pressure chamber configured to accumulate the negative pressure by driving the negative-pressure-generation-mechanism; a discharge flow path that communicates with the cap and the pressure chamber; a discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close the discharge flow path; a volume variable mechanism configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber; and a controller that controls the negative-pressure generation-mechanism, the discharge flow path opening/closing mechanism, and the volume variable mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Inoue
  • Patent number: 10786994
    Abstract: A wiping assembly for a fluid ejection device includes a sled slidably movable relative to the fluid ejection device. The wiping assembly further includes a length of wiping material. An indicator slidably coupled to the wiping assembly is included. The indicator changes position relative to the wiping assembly and restricts movement of the wiping assembly to an initial position to indicate a level of usage of the wiping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steve A. O'Hara, Scott Martin
  • Patent number: 10786995
    Abstract: A method for printing a substrate may comprise positioning a substrate within an enclosure enclosing a printing system, wherein the printing system comprises a printhead device assembly comprising at least one printhead, and performing a printing process on the substrate. and.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Stephen Mark Smith, Shandon Alderson
  • Patent number: 10786996
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a channel section, and a driving section. The channel section supplies a liquid to a plurality of nozzles to discharge the liquid. The driving section causes the nozzles to discharge the liquid. The channel section includes an individual chamber to supply the liquid to the nozzles and a common chamber to supply the liquid to the individual chamber. A laminated portion of each of a plurality of plate-shaped components which are constituent components of the individual chamber does not have a cut-out portion in a portion corresponding to a bonding position of a damper member disposed between the individual chamber and the common chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Kohda
  • Patent number: 10786997
    Abstract: To create a printed matter having favorable image quality that can prevent air bubbles from being trapped at the time when a protective film is attached to a medium. A method of creating printed matter includes: an ink arrangement step of ejecting a photocurable ink on a printing face of a medium by an inkjet method so that an average surface roughness of the printing face is smaller than 15 ?m and irradiating the photocurable ink with a light to be cured; and a laminating step of attaching the protective film to the medium by bonding an adhesive layer of the protective film to the printing face and a surface of the photocurable ink, and the protective film including the adhesive layer having a thickness equal to or larger than 18 ?m and a substrate supporting the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Hashizume, Kazuki Bando
  • Patent number: 10786998
    Abstract: There is provided an inkjet recording device including an inkjet head provided with a nozzle(s); an ink supplier which supplies ink to the inkjet head; a driver which performs a driving operation to cause pressure variation of ink; and a controller. The inkjet head includes: a common flow path in which supplied ink to the inkjet head flows; a filter provided in the common flow path; an individual flow path(s) respectively feeding ink having passed the filter to each of the nozzles; and a first discharge port from which ink in the common flow path is discharged. In a bubble discharging operation of ink, the controller causes the ink supplier to supply ink with a pressure which allows ink to leak out from the nozzles, while causing the driver to perform a predetermined driving operation, so that ink is discharged from the first discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tokimatsu
  • Patent number: 10786999
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for protecting the printhead in a thermal printer includes preparing the printer for label dispensing and then covering the printhead such that the label run or thermal material passing over the same does not contact the printhead. The cover for the printhead can take various forms. In one implementation, the cover is a sleeve configured to fit over the entire printhead assembly of the thermal printer. The printhead cover has a low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HURST INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Ari Lichtenberg
  • Patent number: 10787000
    Abstract: An asymmetric thermal print head includes a print head body and a plurality of print elements supported on the print head body. The print elements are aligned along a first axis. Each print element includes a heater portion having a burn width measured along the first axis corresponding to a first print resolution, and a burn length measured along a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, corresponding to a second print resolution. The second print resolution is higher than the first print resolution. One or more control circuits are configured to individually activate the print elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventor: Brent Lien
  • Patent number: 10787001
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a polygon mirror that deflects a light beam, the image forming apparatus includes: an optical sensor arranged such that the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror enters the optical sensor; and a hardware processor that measures an output level of the optical sensor and calculates, as a remaining life of the polygon mirror, an operation time of the polygon mirror to when the output level becomes a threshold value in a case of assuming that the output level ongoingly changes at a rate of change over time that is a change amount of the output level per unit operation time of the polygon mirror, using the measured output level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamamoto, Tatsuya Eguchi, Shigetaka Kato, Taku Kimura
  • Patent number: 10787002
    Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes an anti-curl fluid applicator that applies anti-curl fluid to a side of a substrate that is opposite a side that bears or will bear an ink image. The anti-curl fluid applicator includes a switching network that is configured to independently and selectively bias segments of a pressure member electrically. The segments are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the pressure member. The pressure member forms a nip with a anilox roller partially immersed in a reservoir of anti-curl fluid. As the switching network is operationed to selectively and independently bias the segments electrically using data corresponding to the ink image, anti-curl fluid migrates from the anilox roller onto the substrate in areas opposite the electrically biased segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Chu-Heng Liu, Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Paul J. McConville, Jason M. LeFevre
  • Patent number: 10787003
    Abstract: A treatment-liquid application device includes a treatment liquid applicator to apply a treatment liquid to an application target object to which a black liquid and a color liquid other than the black liquid are applied. The treatment liquid applicator applies a greater amount of the treatment liquid per unit area to at least a region to which the color liquid is applied than a region to which the black liquid is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuuya Moriya, Masafumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10787004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus which performs printing on a medium in an inkjet mode. The printing apparatus includes inkjet heads and an ultraviolet irradiation section that is an energy ray irradiation section. In this printing apparatus, the ink is an ink containing a solvent and generating heat in accordance with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiation section applies the ultraviolet ray to the ink on the medium to evaporate at least a portion of the solvent in the ink. When 45% by volume or more of the solvent evaporates from an initial solvent amount, the viscosity of the ink is 50 mPa·sec or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 10787005
    Abstract: There is provided an intermediate unit including a transportation path along which a medium, on which printing has been performed by a printing unit that performs printing on the medium by using liquid, is transported to a post processing unit that performs post processing on the medium. The transportation path includes first and second inversion paths in which the medium is inverted upside down, respectively, the second inversion path being provided with a decurling unit that corrects curl of the medium, the first inversion path being not provided with the decurling unit, the first and second inversion paths being selectively used to invert the medium upside down according to printing data for the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaro Harada, Kohei Ueno, Akinori Muromachi, Hidetoshi Kodama, Kazuyoshi Ohashi, Tsuyoshi Furumido, Hirohisa Adachi
  • Patent number: 10787006
    Abstract: A printer for security paper, such as a multifunction printer, a printer, a facsimile machine or a copier, is configured to perform a printing operation by distinguishing between security paper and normal paper. The printer for security paper includes: a security paper sensor disposed on a printing paper feeding path; and a control unit for comparing a first sensing value sensed by the security paper sensor when printing paper to be determined is not present near the security paper sensor with one or more second sensing values sensed by the security paper sensor for the corresponding printing paper on the feeding path, during the course of conveying the corresponding printing paper on the feeding path, determining printing paper as security paper when a comparison value is above a predefined reference value, and determining printing paper as normal paper when the comparison value is below the predefined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventor: Myung Shin Lee