44th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 40 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080267641 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND DEVELOPMENT ERROR DETECTING METHOD - A disclosed developing device includes a developing roller; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a current measuring unit configured to measure an electric current that flows from the developing roller to the supply roller when the toner is supplied from the supply roller to the developing roller; and an error determining unit configured to detect a development error of the developing roller based on the electric current measured by the current measuring unit. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267642 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus is configured to communicate with an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supply unit having a stationary toner container and a replaceable toner container. The information processing apparatus includes a first receiving unit configured to receive from the image forming apparatus a toner-low notification with respect to the stationary toner container, a second receiving unit configured to receive from the image forming apparatus a replaceability notification with respect to the replaceable toner container, and a management unit configured to manage a stock quantity of the replaceable toner containers based on the toner-low notification received by the first receiving unit and the replaceability notification received by the second receiving unit. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267643 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus including a rotation detection circuit which detects the rotation state of the rotating member or pressing member, and one to (N−1) limiting circuits which limit driving of one to (N−1) driving circuits in accordance with an output from the rotation detection circuit, wherein when the rotation detection circuit detects that the rotating member or pressing member is not rotating, the one to (N−1) limiting circuits limit driving of the one to (N−1) driving circuits in accordance with the output from the rotation detection circuit to suppress energization of the heating elements regardless of the driving signals from the control unit to the driving circuits. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267644 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SETTING PRINTING CONDITION IN THE SAME - Using an operation panel a user selects group to which a recording medium to be subjected to image formation belongs out of plural groups of recording media classified according to grammages, a classification processing unit sub-classifies the group selected, to which the recording medium belongs, into plural sub-groups of recording media according to a detecting result of the media sensor provided further upstream in a conveying direction of a recording medium than a fixing unit, and a control unit sets, for the recording medium belonging to the group selected, the temperature of the fixing unit to a fixing temperature in a fixing temperature range and controls this fixing temperature according to any one of the sub-groups sub-classified. Consequently, it is possible to perform fixing processing at an optimum temperature according to a type of a recording medium. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267645 | DOCUMENT COPIER WITH A CONTROLLER FOR DECODING OPTICAL PATTERNS ON SHEETS OF MEDIA - Provided is a document copier having an input transport mechanism and an output transport mechanism linked via a media path, the mechanisms configured to feed sheets of media through the media path. Also included is a print engine located in the media path for printing on media fed through the media path, and a code sensor arranged before the print engine in the media path, said sensor configured to capture images of a sheet surface. The copier also includes a controller for controlling the transport mechanisms, the print engine and code sensor. The controller decodes optical patterns found in the captured images to obtain one or more codes able to identify an electronic source where an electronic copy of the sheet is stored, and to print the electronic copy on a blank sheet of media with the print engine. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267646 | Determining A Location Of An Uncharged Region On A Photoconductive Drum - A method for determining a location of an uncharged region on a photoconductive drum in an electrophotographic device, comprising rotating the photoconductive drum, and charging a surface of the drum via a charge roller by application of a voltage to the charge roller. An electrical characteristic of one of the charge roller or photoconductive drum is measured, and an alteration in the electrical characteristic is used to determine a location of the uncharged region. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267647 | CONCENTRATION DETECTION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A concentration detection device includes a tubular member, a light-emitting member, and a light-receiving member. The tubular member includes a liquid developer inlet that inlets liquid developer, and a liquid developer outlet that discharges the liquid developer. A liquid channel through which liquid developer passes is formed in the interior of the tubular member. The light-emitting member is a member that is disposed on one end of the tubular member. The light-receiving member receives light emitted from the light-emitting member that detects concentration of the liquid developer that is inlet into the interior of the tubular member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267648 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has: an intermediate transfer member to which a primary transfer voltage having a positive polarity is applied and the toner image is primarily transferred in which a reverse voltage having a negative polarity is applied; a primary transfer device which primarily transfers the toner image by applying the primary transfer voltage; a secondary transfer device which secondarily transfers the toner image by applying a secondary transfer voltage; and a resistance adjusting device which controls at least either the primary transfer device or the secondary transfer device in such a manner that while the intermediate transfer member rotates once, a first correction voltage is applied to the area where the primary transfer voltage has been applied and a second correction voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the area where the reverse voltage has been applied. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267649 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method - An image forming apparatus includes: an image supporting member; a charging member charging the image supporting member; an image forming member forming a latent image on the image supporting member; a developer supporting member developing the latent image on the image supporting member; a transfer member to which the developed image is transferred; a charging bias controller applying a charging bias immediately before a position at which the image is formed on the image supporting member in a printing operation passes the charging member; and a transfer bias controller applying a transfer bias immediately before the position at which the image is formed on the image supporting member in the printing operation reaches a nip portion between the image supporting member and the transfer member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267650 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a heat roller having a heat source thereinside, at least two press rollers disposed opposite to the heat roller, at least one cam member to move at least one of the press rollers close to the heat roller or away from the heat roller, a driving unit to rotate the cam member, and a control unit to control the driving unit to determine a position of the cam member. A sensor is mounted in an upstream side of the press rollers with respect to a feeding direction of a printing medium to detect a position of the printing medium. When a front end of the printing medium is sensed by the sensor, the control unit controls the driving unit to rotate the cam member. If the cam member rotates, the press rollers interlock with the cam member to move close to the heat roller or away from the heat roller. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267651 | ELECTROSTATIC PRINTER ROLLER COOLING DEVICE - A electrostatic printer including a fuser configured to heat an receiver to a fusing temperature and a cooling device comprising one or more cooling rollers configured to cool the cooling roller from the fusing temperature to a desired temperature wherein the cooling device is configured to provide a varying rate of heat transfer across the roller so as to create a varying cooling temperature gradient. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267652 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a plurality of image bearing members, an electrostatic image forming device for forming an electrostatic image on the image bearing members, a plurality of developing devices for developing as developer images the electrostatic images formed on the plurality of image bearing members by using developer charged to a predetermined polarity, a primary transferring device for primarily transferring the developer images borne by the plurality of image bearing members to an intermediate transfer member at a plurality of primary transfer portions, a secondary transferring device for secondarily transferring the developer images primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member to a recording material at a secondary transfer portion, a cleaning device for cleaning the developer on the intermediate transfer member, and a controlling device for, when a secondary untransferred developer image, which is a developer image that has not been secondarily transferred after the primary transfer, is cleaned from the intermediate transfer member, variably controlling a cleaning condition of the cleaning device in accordance with one of an image ratio and a position of the secondary untransferred developer image. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267653 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus that outputs a reference clock, divides the outputted reference clock based on a set multiple, and generates an image clock based on the division, a width of a synchronization signal that indicates dynamic deviation characteristics is detected, and the multiple is set in accordance with the detected width of the synchronization signal. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267654 | Image-forming apparatus with customizable operation panel settings, method thereof, and recording medium - An Image-forming apparatus, which that can customize operation panel screens and customizes panel screen design information, having a communications unit that receives panel customizing information including sending origin identification information, user information, and panel customizing data from a server, user terminal or a plurality of Image-forming apparatuses. The panel customizing information control unit controls according to the type of sending origin determined by the sending origin determining unit and stores the received panel customizing information in the panel customizing information memory unit. The operation panel screen control unit controls the configurations of the operation panel screens and operating keys based on the stored panel customizing information, and standard screen design information. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267655 | Printing device and method - A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267656 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND EXHAUST MECHANISM - In an exhaust mechanism of the present invention, an upper surface of a part of a main body case in which exhaust ports are formed is formed into a curved or inclined shape, so that no object can be placed thereon, and therefore, there can be provided an image forming apparatus wherein the exhaust ports are not closed, whereby a constant exhaust efficiency can be maintained, a higher exhaust efficiency can be realized, and safety is improved. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267657 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of rollers including a drive roller and a follow roller; an endless belt made of an insulation material and looped around the plurality of rollers so that a bridging portion is formed between adjacent rollers and both ends of the bridging portion are supported on the adjacent rollers; a photosensitive drum positioned outside of and facing the outer peripheral surface of the bridging portion; and a transfer roller positioned opposite of the photosensitive drum with the bridging portion interposed therebetween. The inner peripheral surface of the belt is made of a material which has greater tendency to be charged in a polarity that is the same as developer in triboelectric series than the outer peripheral surface of the follow roller as an upstream-side roller. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267658 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge is described. The toner cartridge may include: a first frame storing a developing agent and having a first opening for passing the developing agent therethrough; a second frame relatively movable with respect to the first frame in a direction orthogonal to a direction of passage of the developing agent through the first opening, and opening/closing the first opening; and a seal member provided on either one of the first frame and the second frame for coming into contact with the other frame to prevent leakage of the developing agent from the first opening. A first edge of the seal member and an edge of the other frame, coming into contact with each other when the second frame opens/closes the first opening, intersect with each other as viewed from the direction of passage. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267659 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus cabinet having a bottom face opposed to a floor surface and a front face for operating the apparatus, a plurality of foot members disposed on the bottom face for supporting the apparatus on the floor surface in a movable manner, and a shield member for shielding a gap formed between the bottom face and the floor surface at least at the side of the front face of the apparatus. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267660 | Apparatus And Method For Driving A Machine In A Replaceable Cartridge - An apparatus for driving a machine in a replaceable cartridge, the cartridge supporting a first rotatable element for transferring rotary motion to the machine, includes a housing for accommodating the cartridge at a pre-determined position. A second rotatable element is supported in the housing. A locking mechanism includes a component, provided on a certain one of the first and second rotatable elements, and capable of assuming a state of readiness in which, with the cartridge at the pre-determined position, the component is positioned relative to the other of the rotatable elements such that, upon rotation of the second rotatable element in at least a first direction, the first rotatable element rotates with the second rotatable element, and in which state the first and second rotatable elements are axially decoupled. The certain one of the first and second rotatable elements is provided with a mechanism for exerting a torque on the component tending to establish the state of readiness. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267661 | TONER-COLLECTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner-collecting device includes a toner-collecting unit, a shaft member, and a guide member. The toner-collecting unit is configured to be detachably attachable. The shaft member is rotatably arranged in the toner-collecting unit. The guide member includes a sliding portion that allows the shaft member to slide while the shaft member is being inserted from one end to an opposite end of the toner-collecting unit. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267662 | LIGHT SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light scanning device, which scans a surface to be scanned in a main scanning direction by a plurality of light beams, includes a light source including a plurality of light emitting parts that are arrayed two-dimensionally to emit the light beams, a separation optical system that separates a portion of the light beams emitted respectively from the plurality of light emitting parts, and a light receiving element that receives the portion of the light beams separated by the separation optical system. The separation optical system is a reduction system. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267663 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An optical scanning device which scans a scanned surface by a plurality of light beams in a main-scanning direction includes a light source having a plurality of light-emitting portions which emit the light beams, the light-emitting portions being two-dimensionally arranged in a plane parallel to the main-scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main-scanning direction via arrangement intervals in the main-scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, a deflector which scans the light beams in the main-scanning direction; and a scanning optical system which images the scanned light beams onto the scanned surface. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267664 | SCANNING OPTICAL MODULE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EQUIPPED THEREWITH - Disclosed is a scanning optical module, which includes a light source, a rotatable multifaceted mirror adapted to scanningly deflect a scanning beam emitted from the light source, in a given direction, a driving device adapted to drivingly rotate the rotatable multifaceted mirror through a shaft thereof, a plate-shaped member formed with a driving device-mounting portion mounting thereto the driving device in such a manner as to absorb heat generated in the shaft, an air blower adapted to generate an airstream, and an airstream passage-defining member adapted to direct the airstream from the air blower, toward the driving device-mounting portion of the plate-shaped member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267665 | Optical device - The invention comprises a laser beam source that emits a laser beam; a reflecting means that has a plurality of reflecting members and reflects the laser beam emitted from said laser beam source; a deflecting and scanning means that deflects and scans with the laser beam reflected by said reflecting means; and an adjusting means that moves at least part of said reflecting members, and adjusts the size of the laser beam entering the deflecting and scanning means. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267666 | Developing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming System, Cartridge, Developing Unit and Photoconductor Unit - A developing device that can be mounted to and dismounted from a mounting and dismounting section provided in an image forming apparatus main unit, the developing device includes: a developing device main unit; a positioning member for positioning the developing device main unit with respect to the mounting and dismounting section by engaging the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the positioning member being fixed on a one end side in a longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit; a coupling member that is to be coupled to the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the coupling member being attached to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit in such a manner that its relative position to the developing device main unit can be changed; and an element capable of communication in a noncontacting manner with the image forming apparatus main unit side when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the element being provided at the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267667 | Powder stirring device, developing device, and image forming apparatus incorporating the same - A developing device includes a developing container that accommodates toner particles, a developing roller that supplies the toner particles to an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a stirring and transporting member that transports the toner particles inside the developing container toward the developing roller with stirring by rotating around a shaft axis. The stirring and transporting member includes a shaft portion serving as a rotation center and sheet-shaped first stirring blade and second stirring blade fixed to the shaft portion so as to extend outward in a radius direction from the shaft portion. The first stirring blade transports the toner particles in a first transportation direction. The second stirring blade transports the toner particles in a second transportation direction different from the first transportation direction. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267668 | DEVELOPING UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A developing unit used in an image forming apparatus with a latent image carrier includes a developer carrier, a supply compartment, a recovery compartment, a separation member, and a gap. The developer carrier facing the latent image carrier rotates while carrying two-component developer containing toner and carrier and supplies the toner to the latent image. The supply compartment includes a supply transport member to transport the developer in a first direction. The recovery compartment includes a recovery transport member to transport the developer in a second direction. The separation member includes one end portion facing the latent image carrier at a facing area. The separation member separates the supply compartment and the recovery compartment and is disposed above the recovery compartment behind the separation member. The gap is provided at the facing area. The gap has a width of not more than 1.4 millimeters. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267669 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, REGULATING MEMBER AND CONTAINER - An image forming apparatus includes a container that contains a visualizing agent consumed with an operation of forming a visual image on a recording medium; a holding unit that detachably holds the container; and a regulating unit that is disposed in a packing member for packing the image forming apparatus and engages with a part of the container so as to prevent the container from departing from the holding unit. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267670 | CONTAINER FOR TONER CARTRIDGE - A container for a toner cartridge includes a hollow main body defining a longitudinal central axis. The main body has a first section near a rear end thereof, a second section near a front end thereof, a connecting section between the first and second sections, a longitudinal rib extending from the first section to the second section via the connecting section. The radii of cross sections of the first and second sections respectively gradually increase toward the front end of the main body. The longitudinal rib has a third guiding surface defining with the central axis a distance shorter than the radius of a cross section of the connecting section. The container can effectively move the toner accommodated inside the container from the rear end toward the front end. A mold for the container is easy to manufacture, resulting in cost reduction in manufacturing. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267671 | Toner cartridge having control board mounted therein and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same - A toner cartridge has a control board mounted therein and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same. The toner cartridge includes a toner tube having a mounting part on which a control board is mounted, a control board cover for covering the mounting part to mount the control board therein, and a sealing cover for sealing the toner tube. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267672 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE SUPPORTER UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A developing device includes: a developer supporter that includes: a magnet member that has a plurality of magnetic poles; and a cylinder member; and a thickness regulation member wherein, of the plurality of the magnetic poles, a magnetic pole, which is placed at a position nearest to the thickness regulation member downstream in a rotation direction of the cylinder member from the thickness regulation member, has a maximum position of a normal magnetic flux density distribution, and the maximum position is placed outside the area of angle α downstream in the rotation direction of the cylinder member from the thickness regulation member, and wherein the diameter of the cylinder member is D, the projection width is W in a case where the thickness regulation member is projected onto the surface of the cylinder member, and the angle α is 180×W/(D×π). | 2008-10-30 |
20080267673 | BELT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a belt device, a first detecting unit detects a widthwise displacement of a belt, and a correcting unit corrects displacement of the belt in the width direction during a period starting from turning power on and ending with completion of drive preparation of the belt based on the widthwise displacement. Moreover, a second detecting unit detects whether the belt has displaced in the width direction by an amount that is greater than a threshold, and a belt stopping unit stops running of the belt when the second detecting unit detects that the belt has displaced by an amount that is greater than the threshold. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267674 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - An intermediate transfer device includes a secondary intermediate transfer member configured to transfer a toner image from an image bearing member via a primary intermediate transfer member, for transfer of the toner image onto a recording medium, a heating unit configured to heat the toner image on the secondary intermediate transfer member, and a deformation unit configured to deform the toner image on the secondary intermediate transfer member by application of pressure. A heating region in which the heating unit heats the toner image has a larger area than a deformation region in which the deformation unit deforms the toner image. The deformation region is provided on a downstream side from the heating region relative to a direction of movement of the secondary intermediate transfer member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267675 | Intermediate Transfer Member, Method of Manufacturing Intermediate Transfer Member, and Image Forming Apparatus - An objective is to provide an intermediate transfer member exhibiting higher transferability together with higher cleaning ability and durability, a manufacturing apparatus of an intermediate transfer member in which no large-scale equipment such as a vacuum evaporator or the like is managed to be installed, and an image forming apparatus fitted with the intermediate transfer member. Also disclosed is intermediate transfer member | 2008-10-30 |
20080267676 | FIXING DEVICE, COIL UNIT FOR FIXING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OF COIL UNIT - In a coil unit according to this invention in which an electromagnetic induction coil and a magnetic core are sealed by a coil mold, an insulating board that secures insulation between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core and that can adjust the distance between them is provided between the electromagnetic induction coil and the magnetic core. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267677 | Image forming apparatus and fixing device therefor - In order to efficiently utilize the energy of the flux leaked from the vicinities of the edges of a fixing roller having a part to be heated, which is made of magnetic material that has Curie point, the energy of the leaked flux is stored to be utilized as need arises, or is utilized to heat the vicinity of the center of the fixing roller. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267678 | POWER SPLITTER FOR A MICROWAVE FUSER OF A REPRODUCTION APPARATUS - A microwave fuser device for heating printing matter in a reproduction apparatus with microwave energy from a suitable microwave source. The microwave fuser device supplies microwave energy through the bottom of a multi-channel resonator including a gap to enable transport of printing matter therethrough. The device includes a power splitter having plural channels for dividing microwave energy from the microwave source between the channels of the multi-channel resonator. The power splitter has a mechanism to provide variable geometry of its plural channels, whereby the effective width of microwave energy from the resonator of the microwave fuser device can be matched to the width of such printed matter having an image fused thereto substantially preventing undesirable high loss of energy and low yield. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267679 | MICROWAVE FUSER APPARATUS WITH OVERLAPING HEATER APPLICATORS - A microwave fuser apparatus, for a reproduction apparatus, the microwave fuser apparatus having at least two microwave applicators, staggered relative to a receiver member transport path with an area of overlap, for applying microwave energy to a receiver member traveling on such transport path relative to the microwave applicators to have toner images fused thereto. The microwave fuser apparatus has at least one additional microwave applicator, located adjacent to the overlapping area between the at least two staggered microwave applicators that applies microwave energy to the receiver member. The at least one additional microwave applicator effectively maintains an elevated temperature of a receiver member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267680 | Electrically conductive pattern forming apparatus - An electrically conductive pattern forming apparatus has process disposition which reduces contamination of a pattern or inside of the apparatus due to backflow and leakage of a liquid material such as a developing agent or a cleaning liquid. A developing device and a cleaning device in the electrically conductive pattern forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method are disposed in a lower region about the center of a photoreceptor, a solvent removing process is disposed in a region in which the photoreceptor rotates upward, and a transfer liquid applying process and an electrostatic transfer process are disposed above the center of the photoreceptor and in a region in which the photoreceptor rotates downward. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267681 | IMAGE PRINTING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PRINTING METHOD - An image printing apparatus includes a lottery drawing unit that draws a lottery on the basis of data included in image data to be printed; a maximum-number determining unit that determines whether the number of winners drawn by the lottery drawing unit is less than or equal to a maximum number of winners indicated by data; a storage unit that stores a frame in accordance with a lottery result obtained by the lottery drawing unit; and a printing unit that prints the image data and the frame in a superimposed manner. When the number of winners is determined to be less than or equal to the maximum number of winners, the lottery drawing unit draws a lottery on the basis of data included in image data to be printed. The printing unit prints the image data and the frame in accordance with a lottery result in a superimposed manner. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267682 | Printer - A printer avoids scratching or damaging the platen and print defects caused by adhesive. The printer | 2008-10-30 |
20080267683 | IPv6 keypad - With the layout of today's computer keyboards, inputting IPv6 addresses and subnets is difficult because of the location of required characters. My invention is a computer keypad that includes all the characters required for the input of IPv6 addresses and subnets. This allows the easy input of IPv6 addresses and subnets with just one hand. Double colon (::), enter or tab keys may be included as well to facilitate input. A period (.) for IPv4 addresses is also included for backwards compatibility. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267684 | Printing using roll-based print media - A roll-based printer and method of loading the same is presented. The method comprises: sliding a roll of print media onto a print media spindle so that the roll of print media is positioned closer to a first end of the print media spindle than a second end of the print media spindle; loading the spindle onto a supporting assembly so that the spindle is rotatably supported by the supporting assembly and the first end of the print media spindle is at the end of the printer which is opposite to an end of the printer having a media detecting unit for detecting the presence of print media being fed to the printer; feeding the print media to the printer from the loaded spindle; detecting the position of an edge of the print media fed to the printer; and adjusting a starting position of the print head based on the detected position of an edge of the print media. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267685 | Label editing apparatus and label producing apparatus - This disclosure discloses a label editing apparatus comprising a tape attribute information acquisition portion that acquires tape attribute information of a print-receiving tape or of a base tape to be bonded thereto; and a feed setting portion that sets the feeding behavior of the print-receiving tape, based on the tape attribute information, wherein, the label editing apparatus performs editing of a production of a label with print by using a label producing apparatus, the label producing apparatus including: the feeding device; the printing device that performs printing on the print-receiving tape; and a cutter that cuts the print-receiving tape. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267686 | Marker System and Carrier Device - A marker carrier device has carrier elements for carrying respective markers, the device being re-configurable between a compact configuration and a selection configuration in which the markers are accessibly presented for selection. Carrier devices loaded with markers are received at a receiving station of a marking unit. The markers are selected from the carrier individually whilst in the marking unit and marked by a marking device with a predetermined indicium. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267687 | Writing instrument with one press-release operating member - A writing instrument includes one press-release operating member, which extends and instantly retracts the writing element when depressed and released, respectively, by the user's fingers. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267688 | Apparatus and a Method For Cleaning a Channel in a Medical Instrument - The present invention concerns a device and a method for cleaning a channel of a medical instrument, such as an endoscope, by discharging vaporised cleaning fluid and subsequently pressurised gas into the channel. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267689 | LIQUID APPLICATOR - Disclosed are liquid applicators for dispensing liquid to a surface such as a bathroom wall, and working the liquid against the surface. The applicators may have a compressible reservoir for the cleaning liquid. Upon compressing the reservoir the liquid is driven to a scrubbing pad in a controlled fashion. A check valve prevents back flow to the reservoir from the pad. A blister pack can house the scrubbing pad even when the pad is attached to the reservoir. In another form the applicator can be tipped and rested on its side between uses. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267690 | Study Paddle - A study paddle for mounting removable sheets that can be easily shown to a user includes a handle to allow the user to hold the study paddle, a mounting member for mounting the removable sheets having a front side and back side, and a first split ring to accept the removable sheets. The first split ring moves between an open position and a closed position and the removable sheets travel on the first split ring to be moved between the front side and back side. The study paddle includes a second split ring, and the mounting member includes a substantially flat front surface. The first split ring includes a first member for rotating with respect to a second member; the first split ring includes an end face, the first member includes a male connector and the second member includes a female connector. The first member rotates on a shaft. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267691 | RING BINDER MECHANISM - A ring binder mechanism that retains loose-leaf pages and has ring members that gently close and readily lock together. The mechanism comprises a housing that supports two hinge plates for loose pivoting motion, moving the ring members between an open position and a closed position. A lever causes the pivoting motion of the hinge plates such that the lever is pivotable between a first position in which the ring members are closed and a second position. A spring is engageable with the lever for urging the lever to move the control structure toward the first position. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267692 | Friction Coupling, Friction Assembly and Press Table Comprising a Friction Coupling, and a Method - A friction coupling for friction locking of a shaft relative to a hub, comprises a radially deformable inner sleeve, a substantially dimensionally stable outer sleeve and at least one pressure chamber defined by at least the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is arranged to be radially deformed, thereby producing a surface pressure on the shaft, for friction locking of the shaft relative to the hub. Measuring means integrating with the outer sleeve is arranged to measure the strain of the outer sleeve, which strain is an indication of the friction locking. The above-described friction coupling can be used, for instance, in piston assemblies and press tables. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267693 | MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - A tolerance ring ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267694 | DUAL ACTION STRUCTURAL LATCH - A dual action structural latch ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267695 | Zero Radial Play Idler Arm Bracket Bearing - An idler arm bracket bearing includes a plurality of inwardly extending fingers to contact the bracket. The fingers deflect toward the bearing body as the fingers contact the bracket, thereby ensuring a full contact fit that provides a tighter joint assembly. Rib members are located between the fingers to center the bracket and limit the resilient deflection of the fingers. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267696 | Coupling Between Two Objects, Object Intended Therefor, and Mocular Building System - The invention relates to a coupling between two objects via a coupling element. Each object comprises a panel with a continuous hole with four inward protruding tongues which are disposed at 90° to each other and extend over angles of about 22.5°. The coupling element comprises a shank, an insert stop member on both sides so that the coupling element can be inserted in the one or the other direction into the hole, four locking cams on each end zone of the shank which each extend over angles of 22.5° disposed at 0°, (90°−22.5°), 180°, (270°−22.5°), and rotation stop members. The coupling element can be inserted into the hole in a chosen orientation as desired in one of four equidistant angular positions and then rotated through about 22.5° in the one or the other direction, wherein rotation locking means fix the chosen angular position. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267697 | Linear travel, self aligning, rotating, retention clamp - A retention clamp includes a shaft having a stop member and a first threaded portion, the first threaded portion including a left hand thread. A clamping member is threadably connected to the first threaded portion. A biasing member positioned between the stop member and the clamping member transfers a rotational force applied to the shaft to the clamping member to rotate the clamping member into an engagement position. An indexing member can be slidably received over the first threaded portion and positioned between the stop member and the clamping member. The indexing member is frictionally engageable with the clamping member so indexing member rotation rotates the clamping member. Both the indexing member and the clamping member can include meshable ratchet teeth to assist clamping member rotation. Legs extending transversely from the biasing member can positively engage the stop portion and the indexing member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267698 | QUICK-CONNECTOR FOR METALWORKING TOOL AND METHOD THEREFOR - A quick-connection device is provided for use in quickly connecting and disconnecting a tool from a machine. The device includes a detent mechanism between a tool-side portion and a machine-side portion. Advancing or retracting a sleeve will engage or disengage the detent mechanism, and the sleeve is biased into a detent-engaged position. The device includes a sleeve-retention mechanism configured to hold the sleeve in a detent-disengaged position. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267699 | METHOD OF MOLDING A CONNECTOR AND TUBING ASSEMBLY - A connector and tubing assembly including a multi-lumen molded connector having at least three flexible tubes also molded into the connector. The connector may be “Y” shaped and include three flexible tubes. A process of making the connector and tubing assembly involves forming a first part of the connector with two tubes molded therein and then removing an internal mold member prior to molding the final connector portion and third tube in place. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267700 | Weaving free two level cloverleaf type interchange for a highway crossing over a street - The weaving free two level cloverleaf type local interchange for a highway crossing over a street accommodates traffic from a plurality of traveled ways which include a first traveled way for traffic traveling in a first direction, a second traveled way for traffic traveling in a direction opposite to the first direction, a third traveled way for traffic traveling in a direction intersecting the first and second traveled ways, and a fourth traveled way for traffic traveling in a direction opposite to the traffic traveling on the third traveled way. The first and second traveled ways cross over the third and fourth traveled ways. Each of the first and second traveled ways has a design speed compatible to a highway or freeway design speed, or is designed according to highway or freeway design standards. Each of the third and fourth traveled ways has a design speed compatible to the design speed of a street, road, or a conventional highway, or is designed according to the design standards of a street, road, or a conventional highway. In the preferred embodiment, the first traveled way left turn ramp crosses over the third and fourth traveled ways, then crosses under the first and second traveled ways, and finally joins the fourth traveled way. The second traveled way left turn ramp crosses over the third and fourth traveled ways, then crosses under the first and second traveled ways, and finally joins the third traveled way. In the additional embodiment, the third traveled way left turn ramp crosses under the first and second traveled ways, then crosses over the third and fourth traveled ways, and finally joins the first traveled way. The fourth traveled way left turn ramp crosses under the first and second traveled ways, then crosses over the third and fourth traveled ways, and finally joins the second traveled way. The present invention eliminated the highway and street weaving sections. Each fly over or under ramp achieves minimal number of horizontal curve, slope, and sag and crest, which represents better alignment and profile than the one in the interchange in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,184. Therefore, the present invention has higher efficiency and safety standard than a conventional cloverleaf type local interchange and the interchange in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,184. The two level configuration, improved ramp geometric design, higher safety, and better efficiency make this interchange a better choice for congested urban highway system. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267701 | Paving System - A paving system comprises an upper paving layer ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267702 | Manhole leveler - An apparatus that automatically levels a manhole upon placement of the manhole in the road. The preferred embodiment includes a support beam, two clamping units and two carrying handles. The clamping units contact the top of the manhole and clamp the manhole to the bottom of the support beam. The carrying handles assist in placing the manhole in the road and aligning the support beam on top of the road. The road surface forces the bottom of the support beam to align with the road. Since the top of the manhole is clamped to the bottom of the support beam, the manhole is also forced to align with the new road surface. The present manhole leveler works on roads with steep inclines and banking. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267703 | Paver stone system - A paver stone system comprises a first paver stone having a generally trapezoidal configuration, a second paver stone having a generally triangular configuration, and a third paver stone having a generally rhombus configuration. The paver stones are used to construct a path having any desired pattern. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267704 | Plate concrete dowel system - A disc dowel system is interposed between adjacent first and second concrete pours defining a pour joint therebetween. The disc dowel system comprises a pocket former having a rib insert disposable therewithin for engaging the sides of a dowel plate. The pocket former has a vertical base flange with a pair of fastener-receiving bosses for securing the pocket former to a concrete form. The pocket former has a horizontally extending interior compartment with an open straight side that is aligned with the pour joint and is positioned within the first pour. The dowel plate has an orthogonal shape with an embedded portion and a slidable portion. The embedded portion is rigidly encapsulated within the second pour. The slidable portion is slidably disposed within the pocket former such that the dowel plate permits relative horizontal movement of the first and second pours while restricting relative vertical movement thereof. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267705 | Civil Engineering Compartmented Roller - A roller for compacting a subsurface, in particular for road building, comprising a roller body with a central axis. The roller body is made up of a plurality of compartments ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267706 | Nozzles Incorporated into a Milling Machine - In one aspect of the invention, a system for removing a layer of a paved surface comprises a vehicle adapted to traverse a paved surface in a selected direction. The vehicle also comprises a milling drum with an axle connected to the vehicle, the drum being adapted to rotate around the axle substantially normal the selected direction. A moldboard is positioned rearward of the milling drum and also connected to the vehicle. A plurality of nozzles is disposed proximate a bottom end of the moldboard and is in communication with a fluid reservoir through a fluid pathway and the plurality of nozzles is adapted to move independent of the moldboard. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267707 | Surface compactor and method of operating a surface compactor - A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267708 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING CONTROL OF A CONCRETE SCREED HEAD ASSEMBLY - A soft landing control system for a screeding device is operable to automatically lower a vibrating member relative to a grade setting device after the grade setting device is lowered to the desired grade. The control may be operable to delay lowering the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device at least until the control receives an input indicative of at least a portion of the screed head assembly being moved to a position generally over a newly placed concrete area. Optionally, the control may delay lowering of the vibrating member relative to the grade setting device until a period of time has elapsed after an activating event. Optionally, the control may automatically stop vibration of the vibrating member when the screed head assembly is not moving in the screeding direction and may automatically vibrate the vibrating member when the screed head assembly moves in the screeding direction. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267709 | Method and apparatus for coupling drainage units - Drainage apparatuses and methods for their assembly, the drainage apparatuses comprising inter-related connectors and couplings to improve standardized assembly, and improve installation and system performance. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267710 | FLOATING BARRIER UNITS - A number of individual barrier units form a floating barrier wall each comprising a housing formed in the general shape of a highway barrier having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls, and, opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which is preferably partially or completely filled with a foam material. A ballast weight is secured to each barrier unit, either inside or outside of the hollow interior, to maintain them in an upright position in the water. Cables, couplers and/or other connectors are employed to mount adjacent barrier units end-to-end to form a barrier wall which can encircle a vessel or otherwise isolate an area within a seaport or other body of water to provide security. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267711 | Retainer Assembly for Absorbent Materials - The present invention is directed to a retainer assembly for anchoring environmental containment and remediation materials in a desired location. The retainer assembly includes a buoyant retainer structure and an anchor assembly attached thereto. The anchor assembly defines the limits of motion of the retainer in three dimensions with respect to a selected anchor point and permits the anchor assembly to float within these limits. The anchor assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to secure the remediation materials to the retainer structure. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267712 | WAVE POWER GENERATOR SYSTEMS - Systems are provided for obtaining electrical energy from sea waves using deflectable material, especially EAP (electro-active polymers) type SSM (stretchable synthetic material) that generates electricity when an electrostatic charge is applied to the polymer and it is stretched. In one system ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267713 | Wave-viewing apparatus - A wave viewing apparatus incorporates a tubular member and a viewing window. The tubular member comprises an anterior end, a posterior end, a crest region, a trough region, a channel wall, and a falling wall. The viewing window is disposed at the posterior end of the tubular member. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267714 | Small-Sized Micro-Cable-Laying Device - An optical cable laying device comprising means for fixing a rotary motor ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267715 | Low Profile Buoyancy Adjustment Controller and Valve System for Diver's Vest - A buoyancy adjustment device utilizes an inflation valve connected between the diver's breathing gas supply and a compartment to admit gas into the compartment to increase the diver's buoyancy. An exhaust valve, connects between the compartment and the outside of the vest, to release gas from the compartment to the surrounding environment to decrease the diver's buoyancy. A hand-operated controller connected to the inflation valve, when caused to move from a neutral position to an inflation position, actuates the inflation valve and admits gas to the compartment. The hand-operated controller is also connected to the exhaust valve via a flexible pushrod so that, when caused to move from the neutral position to an exhaust position, actuates the exhaust valve and releases gas from the compartment. The flexible push rod is housed in a sleeve that is totally contained within the compartment. Both the inflation valve and the exhaust valve are mounted substantially within the compartment, below the outer wall of the diver's vest and their respective working parts leave only a low profile raised above the outside surface of the vest. A cloth sleeve is positioned inside the front portion of the vest to conveniently store a spare breathing regulator. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267716 | SHALLOW/INTERMEDIATE WATER MULTIPURPOSE FLOATING PLATFORM FOR ARCTIC ENVIRONMENTS - A method and apparatus for conducting simultaneous drilling and production are provided. The apparatus can include a ship shape floating vessel, wherein the ship shape floating vessel includes at least two drilling derricks, at least two drilling modules, and at least one production module, all situated on the upper surface of the ship shape floating vessel. The drilling modules are adapted for conducting drilling operations; the production module is adapted for conducting production operations. The apparatus can include at least two marine risers, wherein each marine riser depends from a drilling or production module toward a hydrocarbon bearing zone or sea floor and is adapted for conducting drilling and/or production operations; at least one production turret located on the lower surface of the ship shape floating vessel; and at least one production riser, wherein the production riser depends from the production turret, extends toward the sea floor, and is adapted for conducting production operations. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267717 | FLOATING STANDOFF ASSEMBLY - A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members. The system also may include one or more tension members attached diagonally between adjacent compression members to keep the system in the deployed configuration. The standoff system can be a separate, free-standing structure placed between a ship and a boom or it can be integrated with a containment boom. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267718 | Reinforced Soil Retaining Wall System and Method of Construction - A reinforced soil retaining wall system ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267719 | Towed compaction determination system utilizing drawbar force - A compaction determination system for monitoring the compaction in a material produced by a rotary device as the rotary device is towed over the material is disclosed. The compaction determination system may have a force sensor associated with a drawbar used to tow the rotary device, the force sensor being configured to sense a force transmitted to the rotary device via the drawbar. The compaction determination system may further have a controller in communication with the force sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a compaction of the material produced by the rotary device based on the sensed force. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267720 | Method of Reinforcing a Hollow Part Which Is Formed in an Earth and Sand Ground at a Rear Side of Retaining Wall - A method of reinforcing a hollow part which is formed in an earth and sand ground at a rear side of retaining wall by a revetment work is disclosed. The method of reinforcing a hollow part which is formed in an earth and sand ground at a rear side of retaining wall by a revetment work, the method including: forming a base hole by excavating the earth and sand ground facing to a base bottom surface of the retaining wall by a predetermined depth; forming a support wall by foaming first hard urethane at an inlet of the hollow part formed by the base bottom surface of the retaining wall and lost earth and sand and forming a underwater wall by foaming second hard urethane between the base hole, the support wall, and the base bottom surface of the retaining wall; forming a reinforcing layer by foaming third hard urethane at a upper part of a bottom surface of the hollow part, a upper part of the support wall, and a upper part of a bottom plate of the retaining wall; forming a urethane and crushed stone layer by using alternatively crushed stones and fourth hard urethane at a upper part of the reinforcing layer; and forming an impact relieving layer by using fifth hard urethane between a road formed at a upper part of the hollow part and the urethane and crushed stone layer. Therefore, it is possible to semi-permanently reinforce a hollow part which is formed in an earth and sand ground at a rear side of retaining wall within a short work period. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267721 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING A SUBSTRATE USING NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID - A method for transporting a substrate is provided. In this method, a non-Newtonian fluid is provided and the substrate is suspended in the non-Newtonian fluid. The non-Newtonian fluid is capable of supporting the substrate. Thereafter, a supply force is applied on the non-Newtonian fluid to cause the non-Newtonian fluid to flow, whereby the flow is capable of moving the substrate along a direction of the flow. Apparatuses and systems for transporting the substrate using the non-Newtonian fluid also are described. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267722 | INDEXABLE MILLING INSERT - An indexable milling insert which is attachable on a rotatable tool holder, preferably under an axial angle different from zero, and which is formed by a trapezoidal insert body, with a substantially planar bearing surface, a further substantially planar surface opposite to the same, and with lateral surfaces formed between the same as well as with opposing cutting edges with associated faces and clearance surfaces adjacent to the same, wherein the faces are formed by one worked-in groove and the clearance surfaces by one lateral surface of the insert body at a time, characterised in that the insert body is provided in the form of an equal-sided lozenge with cutting edges on all the edges of the lozenge, wherein on each flat side, two approximately parallel cutting edges with associated faces are provided at a time, and the pairs of cutting edges of one flat side at a time are associated to different edge pairs of the lozenge. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267723 | MACHINE TOOL - A machine tool capable of removing chips from the machine with a simple structure. A continuous groove is formed at the lowest position of a splash guard surrounding a bed so as to extend from a rear end of the machine along one side portion, a front portion and the other side portion of the bed. Machining fluid brought into the groove from a coolant tank flows along the groove and is recovered into the coolant tank. A bottom of the groove has a continuous slope such that an inlet side where the machining fluid is brought in through the discharge port is highest (or the groove is shallowest) and a discharge side for the coolant tank is lowest (or the groove is deepest). The chips dropped in the groove are discharged together with the machining fluid into the coolant tank where the chips and the machining fluid are separated. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267724 | Tool Holder - A tool holder for holding a shank of a cutting member. The tool holder has a socket for receiving the shank and a set screw rotatable in a set screw hole to advance along a first direction; and at least one clamping member that applies a force to the shank along a second direction responsive to advance of the set screw in the first direction to clamp the shank in the socket. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267725 | High Speed Industrial Hole Saw for Production Line Applications - Although useful in many industrial applications for wood, plastic or non-ferrous metals, this original form of this concept is tailored to the wood I-joist industry. One of the benefits of using wooden I-joist construction versus conventional sawn lumber joists is the ability of cutting holes for duct work and other mechanicals to pass through the system. For this to occur in an industrial environment extreme requirements must be met. The cutting rate for a production machine of this type must be unusually fast for hole saw operations. The size of hole cut is necessarily quite large. Combined with an extreme cutting rate this produces unusually large torque and fatigue requirements. Because manual extraction of the cut material would be cumbersome and consume excessive time, a means of automatic ejection of the “divot” is required. With the varying depth and width of beams to be processed comes the need for simple, quick and accurate adjustment to the machine and multiple or variable cutting diameters. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267726 | Drill - A drill can achieve extended tool life while ensuring high machining efficiency. A flute length of the drill is set to be within a range of 6D or more and 10D or less relative to an outer diameter D of the cutting edge. At least the cutting edge has its surface coated with a hard compound and the film thickness dimension of the hard compound is set to 1.0 μm or less, and the number of cutting edges is set to two. As a result, chip dischargeability and rigidity of the drill can be synergistically improved. Therefore, the life of the drill can be synergistically improved. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267727 | SPHERICAL INTERNAL MOTION CUTTING TOOL - A rotary motion cutting tool having an axis of rotation for cutting at least a portion of the spherical surface on an internal surface of a workpiece includes a rotary slide, a rotary actuator, and an actuating plate with a rotary surface machined therein. The rotary slide is rotatably supported with respect to a rotary axis extending generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary motion cutting tool. The rotary actuator is rotatably supported with respect to the rotary slide for rotation about a rotary actuator support axis spaced radially from, and generally parallel with, the rotary axis of the rotary slide. The actuating plate is driven in reciprocal movement along the axis of rotation for interaction with the rotary actuator. Reciprocal movement of the actuating plate translates through the rotary surface and rotary actuator into rotary movement of the rotary slide through an arc about the rotary axis. Synchronized rotary movement of first and second rotary slides through first and second arcs about the rotary axis is provided while maintaining the rotational balance with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary motion cutting tool. A process of operating the rotary motion cutting tool is disclosed. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267728 | Method and System for Producing Holes of Various Dimensions and Configurations in a Workpiece - Method and system for producing holes of various dimensions and configurations in a workpiece ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267729 | System and method for loading one or more vehicles onto the cargo bed of a transporting vehicle - A system and method for loading one or more vehicles onto the cargo bed of a transporting vehicle such as a pickup truck or trailer is presented. The system includes a supporting located at the front of the cargo bed above the plane of the cargo bed and one or more ramps. The ramps and the supporting are adapted to connect to and remove from each other such that the ramps are secured inside the cargo bed at an angle above the plane of the cargo bed of the transporting vehicle. This system provides additional clearance and storage space in the cargo bed. In a preferred embodiment where the transporting vehicle is a pickup truck, the supporting also functions as a headache rack or a ladder rack. A method of using this system to load one or more vehicles is also presented. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267730 | Screw Connection - A screw connection fastens a first construction part to a second construction part. The first construction part has a first passage opening and the second construction part has a second passage opening set up in aligned fashion. A sleeve is attached to the second construction part, which has a sleeve opening disposed in an aligned fashion to the second passage opening, and which is supported axially with one end on the opening edge of the second construction. In addition, a screw going through both passage openings goes through the sleeve opening, and attaches the first construction part to the second construction part. A simplified construction results for the screw connection when the sleeve is attached screw tight to the second construction part, and the sleeve opening has a thread into which the screw is screwed to attach the first construction part to the second construction part. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267731 | Bolted flanged connection on a basis of shape memory effect and inverse flexion flange design - A Bolted Flanged Connection (BFC) includes “negative creep” bolts with cores manufactured from Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and “negative creep” gasket manufactured from the same SMA. The gasket is shape-memorized to the “swelling”, and bolt cores are shape-memorized to the compression. Temperature interval of reverse martensitic phase transformation of SMA is close to operational temperature interval of the assembly. The constrained shape recovery of the gasket and bolt cores is combined with inverse flexion flange design that constitutes original type of BFC with feature to inhibit flange rotation and creep of bolts and gasket under conditions of a variety of operational temperatures and internal pressures. Presented type of BFC allows increasing significantly internal pressure and leak tightness providing safe and extended service life of pressure vessels and plant/piping systems used in aerospace, submarine shipbuilding, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, fossil fuel and nuclear power generation, and other industries. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267732 | Load-Bearing Ring for Hydraulic Fasteners - Load-bearing ring ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267733 | BOOK BINDING SYSTEM - A book binding system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming images on a sheet, a book binding apparatus having a coating section for coating adhesive onto the spine of a sheet bundle and forming a booklet by coating adhesive and binding a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed at the image forming device, and a coating control section for controlling a coating amount of the adhesives of the coating section in accordance with the sheet type. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267734 | BOOKBINDING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A bookbinding apparatus having: a coating device for coating adhesive onto a spine of a sheet bundle; a first moving device which moves the coating device along the spine of the sheet bundle; a second moving device which moves the coating device in a substantially perpendicular direction to a surface of the spine; and a control device, wherein the control device controls the first moving device to move the coating device along the spine from near a one corner of the spine of the sheet bundle toward another corner until the coating device reaches to near the another corner of the spine of the sheet bundle, then controls the second moving device to separate the coating device away from the spine of the sheet bundle and keeps the coating device for a predetermined duration after separating | 2008-10-30 |
20080267735 | Bookbinding apparatus - A bookbinding apparatus for binding a book by coating adhesive on a spine of an aligned sheet bundle and pasting a cover sheet on the adhesive-coated spine, the bookbinding apparatus having: a coating section for coating adhesive on the spine of the sheet bundle with a variable coating thickness of the adhesive; a cover sheet pasting section for pasting a cover sheet on the adhesive-coated spine of the sheet bundle, and a control section for changing a time period from a time when adhesive coating ends to a time when the cover sheet pasting starts according to the coating thickness. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267736 | System for forming and securing lift-tabs to can ends having an elongated crank shaft - A system for forming and attaching lift-tabs to can ends to form easy opening lift-tab can ends comprises a first frame, a second frame and a tab press for forming a lift-tab. The system also includes a drive roller adapted to move the strip of metal stock material through the tab press. The system further includes a conversion press for attaching a lift-tab onto a can end, a conveyor, a power source, and an elongated crank shaft operatively connected to the power source. The elongated crank shaft is adapted to transmit power for operating either or both of the tab press and the conversion press. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267737 | FITTING DEVICE - A fitting device for fitting a first fitting member held in a hand mounted at the forward end of a robot arm to a corresponding second fitting member, comprising a detection unit for detecting the force or moment generated when the first and second fitting members come into contact with each other, and a judging unit for judging, based on the force or moment detected by the detection unit, whether a one-point contact state prevails in which the first and second fitting members are in contact with each other at one point or a two-point contact state prevails in which the first and second fitting members are in contact with each other at least two points. In the one-point contact state, the first fitting member held in the hand is pressed against the second fitting member in the fitting direction thereby to proceed with the fitting operation while maintaining the holding posture of the robot arm. In the two-point contact state, the fitting operation is caused to proceed further while the holding posture of the robot arm is changeable. As a result, the first fitting member can be fitted in the second fitting member while keeping the robot arm in the normal posture. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267738 | Apparatus and method for combining a number of portions of a product in a stick shape, in pieces or in the shape of free-flowing particles and for synchronized transfer of the portions to a packaging apparatus - The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for combining a number of portions of a product in the shape of sticks, in pieces or in the form of free-flowing particles and for synchronized transfer of the portions to a packaging apparatus, a portion combination scale ( | 2008-10-30 |
20080267739 | Pole-positioning device and methods - Methods and devices for positioning a group, array, series or arrangement of plumb poles in a specific relationship relative to each other, whereby a first pole is inserted in a horizontal clamshell attached to a moveable platform, retained and raised to a vertical position and plumbed. The moveable platform is positioned over the pole insertion location and the pole is released. The process is repeated at as many holes as needed. Other embodiments are used to set the poles at specific heights, or angles. | 2008-10-30 |
20080267740 | BALE HANDLING VEHICLE - A bale handling vehicle includes a wheeled chassis having a cab, a frame, a plurality of wheels, and a bale handling system attached to the frame. The bale handling system includes a base frame, a bale gripper structure at the front of the vehicle for picking up bales, a first platform above the vehicle cab for receiving bales from the bale gripper structure, and a second platform positioned behind the first platform. The second platform includes a movable portion that can be raised to a vertical position for stacking the bales. The first platform is movable between a lowered position for receiving the bales from the bale gripper structure, and a raised position for causing the bales to slide rearwardly onto the second platform. Intermediate stop members are movable to selectively block the bales from sliding onto the movable portion of the second platform. | 2008-10-30 |