Housing Patents (Class 347/108)
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Patent number: 7195412Abstract: An on-demand wallpaper printer is provided comprising a pagewidth ink jet printhead for printing ink onto a media web moving along a path, a compartment arranged along the path downstream from the printhead so that the moving media web traverses the compartment and a source of heated air arranged above the compartment. The compartment has an opening configured so that the moving media web is able to descend into the compartment, as required, so as to adopt a suspended partial loop. The source of heated air is arranged above the opening and is operable to blow heated air through the opening into the compartment so as to dry printed ink on the suspended partial loop of the media web.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
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Patent number: 7195336Abstract: A high volume printing assembly includes an array of printers. Each printer includes a housing. Locking fee project beyond the housing on one side. Apertures corresponding to the fee are located on an opposing side of the housing to receive the feet of a neighboring printer. The printers are daisy-chained together by means of serial data-in and data-out ports. A control station is provided to monitor and control the array. The array may be disposed as a column of printers mounted upon a suitable table or alternatively it can also be provided as a row of printers stacked side by side upon a suitable mounting frame. In a preferred embodiment each of the printers is of a high-speed type that includes a pagewidth printhead.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7195411Abstract: A printer includes: a recording section for recording information on a recording medium; a medium carrying mechanism provided in an apparatus casing having an eject port that is opened in an upward direction or in a slanted upward direction; a medium accommodating section extending in a vertical or slanted vertical direction that defines a medium accommodating space that is continuous with the eject port; and an upward medium carrying mechanism that carries the recording medium upward by an amount according to the size of the recording medium stored in a size memory device, so that the re cording medium projects from the eject port by a predetermined constant length.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuo, Koji Ikeda, Masaichiro Tatekawa, Yosuke Toyofuku, Hideaki Horio, Kazuyuki Nakashima
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Patent number: 7192209Abstract: At a printing unit which structures a printing apparatus, a portion of a transport path, which portion includes a rear portion of an upper guide path portion of a printing guide path, a sub-scanning guide path, a paper ejection buffer and a front portion of a branching guide path, is assembled to an upper face side of a sliding panel together with a printing section and a separation and ejection roller which are assembled to the upper face side of the sliding panel. The sliding panel is attached to a casing of the printing unit with a pair of guide rails interposed therebetween at a front end portion and a rear end portion. By sliding of this sliding panel, the portion of the transport path can be slid along a direction substantially intersecting a direction in which the transport path extends.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Otsuka, Shinji Seto, Kohei Murakami, Fuminori Takizawa
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Patent number: 7188944Abstract: A combination cartridge apparatus includes a housing, an inkjet pen and a media cartridge. The combination cartridge is configured to hold the inkjet pen and media cassette adjacent to each other external of a printer. The inkjet pen and media cassette are configured to separate when the cartridge is installed in a printer and to rejoin when the cartridge is withdrawn from the printer.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Inventors: Craig D. Sunada, Pierre Kaiser, Jeffrey Bingham
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Patent number: 7172354Abstract: A self-contained edge printing machine which can print any sequence of numbers or letters adjacent the top edge or adjacent the bottom edge of a standard 8½? by 11? piece of paper. The machine is a stand-alone self-contained unit that has its own stationary inkjet printer and its own internal computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Y. Nissim, Inc.Inventor: Yosi Nissim
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Patent number: 7159977Abstract: A transport protector is provided for an inkjet cartridge wherein the inkjet cartridge includes a cartridge body, an inkwell extending from the cartridge body and a nozzle on the inkwell. The protector includes a protector body having a recess shaped to receive an inkwell of an inkjet cartridge and cover a nozzle of the inkjet cartridge. The protector further including a lid hingedly connected to the body. The lid pivots between an opened condition and a closed condition and engages the inkjet cartridge to evenly urge the cartridge into the recess when in the closed condition. The lid also includes a lid lock for releasably engaging the protector body to maintain the protector in the closed condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Nu-Kote International, Inc.Inventors: William Allen Putman, Stephen Abb Anderson
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Patent number: 7156512Abstract: A casing (9, 10) for a cartridge (5) which is adapted for supplying print media (12) and an ink to an inkjet printhead with which the cartridge (5) is engaged, the casing (9, 10) including: a core (6) rotatably mounted inside the casing (9, 10) which is adapted to support a roll of print media (12); an ink supply inside the core (6); and at least one ink outlet at one end of the core (6) for establishing fluid communication between the ink supply and the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7152972Abstract: An inkjet printer unit is provided comprising a media input assembly for supporting media for printing, a media output assembly for collecting printed media, and a print engine for printing an image on the media. The unit being configured such that the media output assembly is an image reading unit and the printed media is collected on a surface of the image reading unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7152971Abstract: On a carriage which a plurality of ink heads are arranged and from which an arm rotatable supporting an introduction roller for an image forming medium extends on an upstream side of a conveying path of the image forming medium; a conveying mechanism which is provided under the carriage in such a manner as to face the carriage and which conveys the image forming medium on a downstream side of the conveying path; and a plurality of regulation sections arranged in the carriage and the conveying mechanism respectively, wherein a positional relation between the carriage and the conveying mechanism is regulated by contacts among the plurality of regulation sections.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Yukitaka Kumagai, Tatsutoshi Hashimoto, Hiroshi Hashi
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Patent number: 7154580Abstract: An apparatus for recording and generating images includes a printing unit. The printing unit includes a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card. A media supply is receivable in the carrier. A page width print head assembly is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media. The page width print head assembly includes at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip. An ink supply mechanism is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print head assembly with ink. A media feed mechanism is positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip. The apparatus includes an image recordal apparatus that includes a housing in which the carrier is received. The housing is dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier is received in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7147102Abstract: A consumer tote for a roll of wallpaper is provided. The tote comprises a disposable exterior in which formed a main access flap and a pair of axially disposed core access openings. The tote has an interior in which is located a disposable core which is aligned with the access openings. Both openings expose a molded coupling, one coupling attached to each end of the core. At least one of the couplings is a driven coupling and adapted to engage a driving spindle that rotates the core.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King, Janette Faye Lee
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Patent number: 7140726Abstract: A printing cartridge includes a cover that defines a cylindrical storage volume and a print media feed slot. A cylindrical hollow core extends along a central axis of the cover. At least one ink container is positioned in the core. A length of print media is rolled about the core and positioned to be fed from the slot. A feed mechanism is positioned in the cover and is engageable by a drive mechanism of a printer from a position outside the cover and operable on the print media to feed the print media from the slot.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7140796Abstract: A printer includes: a recording section for recording information on a recording medium; a medium carrying mechanism for carrying the recording medium on which information has been recorded by the recording section; a medium accommodating section extending in a vertical direction or in a slanted vertical direction for accommodating the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism; and pusher means for pushing the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism into the medium accommodating section.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuo, Koji Ikeda, Masaichiro Tatekawa, Yosuke Toyofuku, Hideaki Horio, Kazuyuki Nakashima
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Patent number: 7137699Abstract: A printing assembly includes a printer and card holder having separate housings that are adapted to engage one another. The card holder has a slider mechanism for engaging a topmost card in a stack and ejecting the card from an ejection slot of the card holder into a slot of the printer housing. The card is then engaged by rollers in the printer housing which feed the card past the printhead for printing.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7133168Abstract: A portable, compact electronic device is disclosed which is adapted for communication with a personal digital assistant. The electronic device includes a housing having an opening adapted for receiving a medium adapted for printing or scanning and at least one coiled structure formed from a coilable material. At least one guide positions the coilable material as it is extended from the coiled structure. The printing or scanning medium is moved through an opening in the housing by rotating elements. An activation means is utilized to perform printing or scanning of the medium, under the controlled extension and retraction of the coilable material from the coiled structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Patrick C. P. Cheung, Kimon D. Roufas, James E. Reich
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Patent number: 7125185Abstract: A display device for use as a computer monitor, the display device comprising: a flat panel display for displaying images received from a computer system; and a printer, the printer including a pagewidth printhead for printing onto print media, the pagewidth printhead extending across a majority of the width of the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7123856Abstract: A support structure for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has an apparatus body, a base provided at a lower portion of the apparatus body for supporting the body, and an image processing unit disposed inside the apparatus body or attached thereto. The processing unit is capable of effecting at least either an image forming operation or an image reading operation. The support structure includes a grounding portion formed at and integrally with a bottom of the apparatus base for coming into contact with a contact-object surface such as a floor surface at at least three positions thereof thereby to support the base parallel with the contact-object surface and includes also an elastic projecting portion formed of a material having greater elasticity than a material forming the grounding portion. The elastic projecting portion has a ground-contacting face which projects from a bottom face of the grounding portion under a non-grounded condition of the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventor: Takeshi Marumoto
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Patent number: 7121203Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating a recording element are provided. The apparatus includes a carrier removal station adapted to remove a predetermined percentage of carrier present in the recording element. A converting station is positioned downstream from the carrier removal station and is adapted to increase a durability characteristic of the recording element. A controller is electrically connected to at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station so that an operating parameter of at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station is individually adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: James E. Pickering, Arthur M. Gooray, Timothy J. Wojcik, Hwei-Ling Yau, Po-Jen Shih, James A. Reczek, Simon Yandila, Charles F. Scaglione, Kwok-Leung Yip
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Patent number: 7114805Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording material using a recording head, includes a part for effecting a recording operation, and a supporting member supporting the part. The supporting member has two bent portions for supporting opposite end portions of the part and a cut and bent portion between the two bent portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeji Niikura
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Patent number: 7111935Abstract: A cartridge for a digital photofinishing system having a digital processor and a printer arranged to receive drive signals from the digital processor; the cartridge being arranged to be mounted removably in juxtaposition to the printer and comprising a roll of print media to be fed on demand to the printer and the cartridge, and the cartridge incorporating means for coupling with a print media feed drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7108437Abstract: A battery and ink charging stand (10) includes an ink reservoir, preferably removable, and has a receptacle (12) for receiving a mobile telecommunications device having an internal printer. Ink connections (41) disposed in the receptacle engage complimentary ink inlets of the telecommunications device and provide a conduit for the flow of ink from the reservoir to the ink storage systems of the device printer.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7090345Abstract: The portable printer includes a housing having a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top wall defining a compartment having an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The top wall has an anterior section, a middle section and a rear section. The anterior section is pivotally connected to the middle section of the top wall and covers the anterior portion of the compartment, and a posterior lid is pivotally connected to the middle section of the top wall and covers the posterior portion of the compartment. A print head assembly, a primary feed mechanism and circuitry are disposed within the housing in order to feed a print medium through the printer and apply ink to the medium. A rechargeable battery may be connected to the circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Inventor: Cynthia Pierce
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Patent number: 7086727Abstract: A heat fixing apparatus has a heating unit for heating a recording medium having a substrate, a fixing layer and a surface layer so as to sublimate sublimating ink applied in advance to the surface layer for transferring the sublimated ink to the fixing layer. The heating unit includes a heating transporting mechanism for transporting the recording medium within a heating space, a heater body for heating air, and a blower mechanism for supplying hot air heated by the heater body to the recording medium being transported by the heating transporting mechanism. The apparatus further includes a flat guide member for coming into contact with the surface of the recording medium being transported by the heating transporting mechanism and a heater for heating the guide member.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidetoshi Nishikawa, Kazunobu Shima, Masazumi Ishikawa, Kazuo Nagaosa, Masaki Nakamoto, Masanori Inoshita, Masasuke Funase, Toshihiro Matsuoka
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Patent number: 7086728Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7086795Abstract: There is described a roller assembly which may be utilized in a linear or serial printer. The roller assembly includes a platen roller including a central axle being exposed at opposing ends of the roller and a frame for mounting the platen at both exposed axle ends.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventor: Michael N. Burdenko
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Patent number: 7083257Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided, comprising at least one printhead module comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, and a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, a casing in which the at least one printhead module is removably mounted, and a capping member capping a terminal end of the support member of the at least one printhead module.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
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Patent number: 7080902Abstract: An ink-jet printer includes a paper supply unit having a paper supply plate and a pickup roller, a transferring unit transferring the paper, a printing unit which includes an ink cartridge and performs a printing process of printing an image on the paper, and an exhaust unit having an exhaust plate. The paper supply plate and the exhaust plate are spaced-apart from each other at a predetermined interval and are installed parallel to each other, and the paper supply unit is disposed at an upper portion of the exhaust unit, and the ink cartridge is disposed between the paper supply unit and the exhaust unit. Accordingly, a slimmed ink-jet printer having a compact and neat design can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yun-gi Hong, Jun-won Bae
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Patent number: 7077590Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer having a pair of media feed rollers for directing sheets of print media along a media path the printhead assembly comprising a printhead integrated circuit (chip) with an array of ink ejection nozzles and a printhead integrated circuit carrier for supporting the printhead integrated circuit the printhead integrated circuit carrier defining an ink distribution system for establishing fluid communication between the printhead IC and at least one ink supply the carrier also having a tapered peripheral portion the printhead integrated circuit being mounted to the tapered peripheral portion wherein during use the printhead integrated circuit is mounted adjacent the media path in a print zone extending from the nip of the drive rollers to a non-nip intersecting common tangent to both of the drive rollers.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 7073884Abstract: An ink jet head having: a nozzle tip having a front end surface in which a nozzle for jetting ink is provided, and four side surfaces adjacent to a back end surface which is opposite to the nozzle; and a frame shape member on which the nozzle tip is mounted, the frame shape member having a first protrusion pair each of which abuts on one pair of facing sides of the four side surfaces to sandwich the nozzle tip, and a second protrusion pair which abuts on the other pair of facing sides of the four side surfaces to sandwich the nozzle tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Konica CorporationInventor: Masato Ueda
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Patent number: 7066569Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus comprising a carriage provided reciprocally movably with a recording head unit placed thereon, a switchable cover for covering an opening portion for taking out the recording head unit from the apparatus at the time the carriage is stopped at a second stopping position different from a first stopping position provided at one end of the reciprocal movement range, and a release lever provided movably to a position for fixing the recording head unit on the carriage or releasing the same therefrom. The release lever is moved to a position for fixing the recording head unit on the carriage in the case the carriage is moved with the release lever disposed at a position for releasing the recording head unit from the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruo Ishizuka, Katsumi Obana, Shigeyuki Sugiyama, Takayuki Nishinohara
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Patent number: 7056040Abstract: A personal digital assistant (901) stores personal information in an electronic and transportable from. The digital assistant includes a body section (902) connected to a display screen (904). The body (902) houses a memory, control circuitry for operating the personal digital assistant and an internal printer (500) for printing stored and/or displayed information. The printer (500) has a removable ink/print media cartridge (504) disposed in the hinge joint (905) connecting the body section (902) and the display screen (904).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 7036925Abstract: A printer eliminating an installation space on a desk or a floor. A printer has a hook and a housing. The hook is provided on the housing and is locked to a display panel to attach the printer to the display panel. The printer can be installed by making use of a space at a rear surface of the display panel, and a printed sheet can be discharged in the same side as the surface of a display. The printer thus provides easy observation of the printed sheet and easy handling.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, F&F Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Fujiwara
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Patent number: 7029113Abstract: A tray-access door device is provided that includes a body having first and second ends. Preferably, an access door is connected at or about the first end of the body and a tray is connected at or about the second end of the body. In an operational configuration, the tray at least partially covers an access opening formed between the access door and the tray. In a closed configuration, the tray at least partially covers the access opening, and the access door at least partially covers the tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Peter G Hwang
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Patent number: 7025450Abstract: A recording element printing and treating system and method are provided. The system includes a printhead for dispensing a liquid comprising a carrier onto a recording element. A carrier removal station positioned downstream from the printhead removes a predetermined percentage of carrier present in the recording element. A converting station positioned downstream from the carrier removal station increases a durability characteristic of the recording element. In one embodiment, printing, carrier removal, and converting are accomplished in a single unit. In an alternative embodiment, printing is accomplished in a stand alone unit while carrier removal and converting are accomplished in a second stand alone unit. In this alternative embodiment, transfer of the recording element can be accomplished automatically using a mechanical device or manually by a system user.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Wojcik, Arthur M. Gooray, James E. Pickering, James A. Reczek, Hwei-Ling Yau, Po-Jen Shih, Simon Yandila, Charles F. Scaglione, Kwok-Leung Yip
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Patent number: 7021758Abstract: A hand held personal digital assistant including: information storage means; display means; an in-built printer; control means allowing a user to selectively retrieve and display information from said storage means on said display means and to print said information using said printer means; a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge containing at least one ink for supply to the in-built printer; and an interface enabling a user to enter and store new information in said information storage means.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6991331Abstract: This invention relates to a recording apparatus, comprising an opening delivering a recording medium after completion of recording and a cover capable of closing the opening in moving pivotally and a holding rib formed at the cover for holding a rear end as well as both sides of the delivered recording medium. The holding rib comes to be exposed when the cover is opened.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Kagami, Koichiro Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 6991332Abstract: A digital hand stamp that can print multiple images on a supporting surface. The digital hand stamp includes a frame member, an ink jet printing head, a non-volatile memory, an image selection button, a display area, and a printing control circuit. The frame member has a cavity. The ink jet printing head has one or more nozzles. The ink jet printing head can be activated to slide inside the cavity of the frame member when the digital hand stamp is pressed against the supporting surface. The non-volatile memory can store a plurality of images. The image selection button can select an image from the plurality of images stored in the non-volatile memory. The display area can display the image selected by the selection button. The printing control circuit controls the nozzles on the ink jet printing head to project an ink pattern on the supporting surface when the ink jet printing head slides inside the cavity of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: Nong-Qiang Fan, Jie Xiao
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Patent number: 6988838Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a disc tray which is contained in the recording device and on which a DVD disc is to be placed, a select switch for switching between a protruding state and an accommodated state of the disc tray, and a sheet feed tray on which recording sheets are placed and which are disposed substantially parallel to the disc tray, wherein the select switch, the sheet feed tray and the disc tray are operated on the front side of the ink jet recording apparatus. Further, a disc tray is movable in a printing direction and a tray discharge direction. When the disc tray is loaded into or unloaded from the recording device, the disc tray is transported in the tray discharge direction to move to outside an ink jet recording device. In other cases than the above case, the disc tray is accommodated in the ink jet recording device. Thus, the disc tray is transported into two directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiko Inokuchi, Yutaka Miyazono, Masaharu Tanaka, Hiroyuki Ogata, Kenji Kanabo
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Patent number: 6988845Abstract: A commercial printer for use in a scalable printing system, that has a housing with a media web inlet, a media web outlet and a media feed path there between, a printhead adjacent the media web inlet, and a drying fluid supply duct extending along one side of the feed path to direct a drying fluid flow across the media web generally transverse to the feed path and parallel to the plane of the media web. The casing has ink, power and drying fluid inlets configured such that the printer is stackable with other printers. The system is then scalable to suit the particular needs of individual print runs.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6981769Abstract: A hand held personal digital assistant including: an information storage device; a display; a printer including a pagewidth printhead wherein said printhead is an inkjet printhead; a media feed mechanism for feeding print media past the printhead during printing; and a user interface allowing a user to: selectively retrieve and display information from said storage device on said display; print said information using said printer; and enter and store new information in said information storage device.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6978932Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using existing envelope feeding machines to print IBIP indicium, and CASS approved address information and bar code information. The invention is shown to include a print head operative in response to a print signal and a controller, electrically connected to the print head, for generating the necessary print signal. A frame defining a printing attachment mechanism adapted for being positioned proximate the feeding machine is provided for attachment of the print head oriented so that envelopes traveling along the feed path will pass proximate the print head. It is preferred for the printing attachment mechanism to include a plurality of print heads. In an alternative embodiment, the controller is operative in response to a control signal and a computer is provided for generating the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Inventor: Sheldon Margolis
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Patent number: 6975814Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having an image forming portion positioned over a partition wall that vertically partitions a body frame above a cover plate. A second circuit board in which a tall electronic component-mounting side is upward directed is placed in a space between the partition wall and the cover plate. A first circuit board in which an electronic component-mounting side is downward directed is placed on a lateral side of the second circuit board. The first and second circuit boards are placed in a stepwise manner so that the level of the first circuit board is higher than that of the second circuit board. A return path for reversely transporting a sheet is formed between the cover plate and the upper face of a return tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shusaku Tsusaka, Sakae Ito
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Patent number: 6971313Abstract: A printer has a fluid outlet that outputs a drying fluid over at least one surface of print media after printing to dry material printed onto the media.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6971811Abstract: A print engine for a printer is provided. The print engine includes a support structure, a feed mechanism comprising a pair of feed rollers, at least one print zone which is proximal to the pair of feed rollers and a print head assembly configured for printing in the print zone. The print head assembly includes a print head chip carrier having an arcuate edge portion, wherein the radius of curvature of the arcuate edge portion is similar to the radius of curvature of the feed rollers, thereby allowing the print head chip carrier to extend into the print zone. The proximity of the print zone to the feed rollers results in a closely controlled paper to print head gap and more accurate deposition of ink drops. A printer and a method of printing are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6969169Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided in which a space can be secured on a desk without performing a troublesome operation, and penetration of dust or foreign matter into a main body can be prevented when the apparatus is not used, and a sheet jam caused by closing of a sheet-discharge-port cover does not occur when the apparatus is used. In the apparatus, a magnet unit is provided at a sheet feeding cover covering a sheet feeding opening, and a metal member is provided at a sheet-discharge-port cover for covering a sheet discharge port. By attraction of the metal member of the sheet-discharge-port cover by the magnet unit of the sheet feeding cover, and a locked state is provided, to provide a shell structure. Linked with opening of the sheet feeding cover, the sheet-discharge-port cover is automatically opened by its own weight. A DC jack is disposed at a right side of the printer main body, and an I/F (interface) connector is disposed within a detachable side cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasufumi Tanaami, Shoichi Kan
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Patent number: 6962412Abstract: A cover unit includes a first metal cover having at least one side surface and a second cover made of a material not soluble with the material of the first metal cover. A tongue is formed on the side surface of the first metal cover. The second cover is formed with a brim covering at least one side surface end of the first metal cover and with a hole at a position corresponding to the position of the tongue of the first metal cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Koike, Kazuhisa Kawakami
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Patent number: 6942334Abstract: A personal digital assistant 901 stores personal information in an electronic and transportable from. The digital assistant includes a body section 902 connected to a display screen 904. The body 902 houses a memory, control circuitry for operating the personal digital assistant and an internal printer 500 for printing stored and/or displayed information. The printer 500 has a removable ink/print media cartridge 504 disposed in the hinge joint 905 connecting the body section 902 and the display screen 904.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTDInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
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Patent number: 6942333Abstract: An ink cartridge exchanging apparatus used with an image forming device. The ink cartridge exchanging apparatus having an opening formed at a housing, and an ink cartridge ejecting unit containing at least one ink cartridge and movably disposed with respect to the carriage and the opening to be ejected outside the housing through the opening when exchanging or repairing the ink cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-bok Ju, Gui-taek Lim
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Patent number: 6935736Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Silverbrook Research PTY LTDInventor: Kia Silverbrook