44th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 40 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130287391 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A CAPACITY FOR A NETWORK LAYER TOPOLOGY - Methods and apparatus to determine a capacity for a network topology are disclosed herein. An example method includes accessing a topology comprising a plurality of links; applying weights to the links; selecting a traffic element, the selected traffic element comprising a source node, a destination node, and a traffic demand; for each of the links: (a) determining for a selected link from the plurality of the links, whether the selected traffic element may be routed on the selected link without adding capacity to the selected link; and (b) applying penalties to the weights associated with the links that cannot support the selected traffic element without adding capacity; determining, based on the weights and penalties of the links, a routing path comprising at least one of the links between the source node and the destination node; and determining capacities of at least some of the links based on the routing path. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287392 | Circuits and Methods for Monitoring Power Parameters in an Optical Transceiver - A circuit, optical transceiver and/or methods for using the same may be useful for determining average power, extinction ratio, and/or modulation amplitude when monitoring an optical transceiver and/or optical network. The circuit generally comprises a photodiode configured to generate a first current responsive to an optical signal, a current mirror coupled to a first terminal of the photodiode, and a detector coupled to a second terminal of the photodiode. The current mirror is configured to produce a second current equal to or proportional to the first current, and the detector is configured to determine a power or amplitude of the optical signal. Further, the present scheme may communicate information using a low speed signal superimposed on or combined with the relatively high speed optical signal. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287393 | COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVER DEVICE AND COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVING METHOD - In a coherent optical receiver device, the control process for keeping received signals in high quality is complicated, therefore, a coherent optical receiver device according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a coherent optical receiver receiving input signal light; an input power monitor obtaining input power information determined on the basis of the power of the input signal light; a local oscillator connected to the coherent optical receiver; and a controller connected to the coherent optical receiver, the input power monitor, and the local oscillator; wherein the coherent optical receiver comprises a 90-degree hybrid circuit, a photoelectric converter, and an amplifier; the input power monitor is disposed in the optical path of the input signal light in a stage preceding the amplifier; and the controller obtains the input power information from the input power monitor and controls the power of local oscillation light output from the local oscillator on the basis of the input power information. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287394 | HIGH-SPEED OPTICAL FIBER LINK AND A METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING OPTICAL DATA SIGNALS - An optical communications system and method at least doubles the data rate of the optical fiber link without requiring a redesign of the backplane ASIC. This is made possible in part through the incorporation of at least one gearbox integrated circuit (IC) is incorporated into the system that is compatible with the current ASIC design. The gearbox IC receives N lanes of electrical data signals from the ASIC, with each electrical data signal having a data rate of X Gbps, and outputs N/2 lanes of electrical data signals, with each electrical data signal having a data rate of 2X Gbps. The high-speed optical transceiver module receives the N/2 electrical data signals output from the gearbox IC and produces N/2 respective optical data signals having a data rate of 2X Gbps for transmission over the optical fiber link. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287395 | Optical Burst Receiver With a Configurable AC and DC Coupling Interface - A method for enabling AC coupling or DC coupling when receiving burst data signals comprises generating a hold-over pattern, wherein the hold-over pattern is a AC balanced pattern when an AC coupling is required and a low-logic value signal when a DC coupling is required; inputting the generated hold-over pattern to an AC coupling circuit, when no burst data signal is received; inputting only a received burst data signal to the AC coupling circuit, during the reception of such signal; and upon receiving of the entire burst data signal, generating a reset signal causing to input the generated holdover pattern to an AC coupling circuit. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287396 | Passive Optical Network Arrangement and Method - This disclosure relates to wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) passive optical networks (PON), and the transmission of point-to-point and broadcast or multicast channels from an optical line transmitter (OLT) to an optical network unit (ONU). There is provided a WDM PON ( | 2013-10-31 |
20130287397 | ELECTRO-OPTICAL SWITCHING FABRIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An optical switch fabric, including: a first set of horizontal optical waveguides receiving a plurality of wavelengths; a plurality of wavelength-selective drop optical switches associated with the first set of horizontal optical waveguides, wherein the plurality of wavelength-selective drop optical switches are each configured to drop a selected wavelength from a horizontal optical waveguide of the first set of horizontal optical waveguides to an associated vertical optical waveguide of a plurality of vertical optical waveguides; and a plurality of controllable optical switches associated with the plurality of vertical optical waveguides, wherein the plurality of controllable optical switches are each configured to direct a selected wavelength from a vertical optical waveguide of the plurality of vertical optical waveguides to a horizontal optical waveguide of a second set of horizontal optical waveguides, and wherein the second set of horizontal optical waveguides output a plurality of wavelengths. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287398 | MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER WITH OFFSET QUADRATURE AMPLITUDE MODULATION - The present disclosure provides a multi-carrier optical transmitter, receiver, transceiver, and associated methods utilizing offset quadrature amplitude modulation thereby achieving significant increases in spectral efficiency, with negligible sensitivity penalties. In an exemplary embodiment, an optical transmitter includes circuitry configured to generate a plurality of optical subcarriers, a plurality of data signals for each of the plurality of subcarriers, and a plurality of modulator circuits for each of the plurality of subcarriers, wherein each of the plurality of modulator circuits includes circuitry configured to offset an in-phase component from a quadrature component of one of the plurality data signals by one-half baud period. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287399 | Upgraded Bandwidth Map for Ten Gigabit Passive Optical Network - An apparatus comprising an optical line terminal (OLT) configured to transmit a bandwidth map (BWmap) for a plurality of burst signals to be transmitted by a plurality of optical network units (ONUs), wherein the BWmap comprises a plurality of allocations, and wherein each allocation comprises a start time for the allocation, a grant size for the allocation, and a header error correction (HEC) for the allocation. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287400 | INTERCOM TRANSCEIVER WITH FIBER OPTIC LINK - A system and method for carrying a downstream optical signal and an upstream optical signal on a fiber optic link is disclosed. The system and method includes a first transceiver unit that receives an input communication signal from at least one external communication device at an electrical input port, a transmitter that converts the input communication signal into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal as an downstream optical signal on a fiber optic link, a receiver at the second transceiver unit that receives the downstream optical signal and converts the downstream optical signal into an electrical communication signal, and a first circuit in the second transceiver unit that determines whether the second transceiver couples the electrical communication signal to a two wire intercom circuit or a four wire intercom circuit. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287401 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR UNIFYING FRAME RATES - The present disclosure provides a method and device for unifying frame rates. The method includes: increasing rate on at least one of OTU frames that have different frame rates, so that the OTU frames can be processed at a receiving end by using a clock signal of a same frequency point; and after the rate increasing is performed, sending, on a wavelength division line, the OTU frames that have different frame rates. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a same local crystal oscillator may be used at the receiving end to provide a clock signal for received wavelength division service frames. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287402 | OPTICAL RECEIVER IMPLEMENTED WITH SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER IN FRONT END THEREOF AND METHOD TO CONTROL THE SAME - An optical receiver implemented with a semiconductor amplifier (SOA) whose temperature is controlled by the automatic temperature control (ATC) circuit is disclosed. The optical receiver further includes an optical de-multiplexer, optical devices, a signal processor, and a controller. The controller monitors a temperature of the SOA and time derivatives thereof. The controller activates the optical devices and the signal processor after the time derivative of the temperature of the SOA becomes less than a reference. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287403 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MODULATING LIGHT TO CONCURRENTLY CONVEY HIGH RATE DATA AND LOW RATE DATA - A light transmitter receives a low-rate data signal having a low data rate and a high-rate data signal having a high data rate that is greater than the low data rate. The transmitter includes a light source and a light modulator to modulate the light source based on logic levels of the high-rate data signal and logic levels of the low-rate data signal, to produce modulated light that concurrently conveys the logic levels of the low-rate data signal and the logic levels of the high-rate data signal. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287404 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY, A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERCONNECTING ONE OR MORE PARALLEL OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER MODULES WITH A SYSTEM CIRCUIT BOARD - A connector assembly is provided that mates on one side with an optical transceiver module holder and that electrically connects on the opposite side with an external system circuit board. When the connector assembly is mated with an optical transceiver module holder, a base of a parallel optical transceiver module held in the holder mates with a socket of the connector assembly such that respective arrays of electrical contacts disposed on the base and in the socket come into contact with one another. At least one gearbox IC for performing data rate conversion is mounted on the assembly circuit board. A lower surface of the assembly circuit board has an array of electrical contacts on it that are in contact with an array of electrical contacts disposed on the surface of the external system circuit board on which the connector assembly is mounted. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287405 | DISTRIBUTED FEEDBACK LASER HAVING ENHANCED ETCH STOP FEATURES - In one example embodiment, a DFB laser includes a substrate; an active region positioned above the substrate; a grating layer positioned above the active region, the grating layer including a portion that serves as a primary etch stop layer; a secondary etch stop layer positioned above the grating layer; and a spacer layer interposed between the grating layer and the secondary etch stop layer. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287406 | OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER MODULE - The present invention provides an optical transceiver module, comprising: a circuit substrate; a z-axis positioning base connected to the circuit substrate that, wherein the z-axis positioning base comprises two first sides respectively provided on two lateral sides of the optical transceiver sub-module, a second side provided between and connecting the two first sides, an opening corresponding in position to a side of the optical transceiver sub-module that faces away from the second side, and a step difference provided on each of the two first sides and the second side; a fiber-optic lens element provided on the z-axis positioning base and comprises a cover and a fiber-optic lens sub-module, wherein the cover comprises a recess and step differences surrounding the recess and respectively corresponding in position to the step differences provided on the z-axis positioning base, so as for the cover to be fitted on the z-axis positioning base. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287407 | Hybrid Multichannel or WDM Integrated Transceiver - Various embodiments of a hybrid multichannel or WDM integrated transceiver are presented. In one aspect, a transceiver includes a transmitter portion and a receiver portion. The transmitter portion includes an optical waveguide structure that includes multiple channels of optical waveguide modulators on a substrate. The receiver portion includes at least one surface light illuminated photodetector. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287408 | OPTICAL RADIATION SIGNAL GENERATING DEVICE AND TRANCEIVING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF GENERATING AN OPTICAL RADIATION SIGNAL - A method of generating an optical radiation signal is to be implemented by an optical radiation signal generating device including a dual beam generating unit for receiving an original optical input signal, and a second-order fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The dual-beam generating unit is configured to generate, from the original optical input signal, first and second optical input signals having a phase difference therebetween. The second-order FBG is configured to receive the first and second optical input signals, and to radiate an optical radiation signal by interference between the first and second optical input signals. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287409 | Systems, Circuits and Methods for Filtering Signals to Compensate for Channel Effects - Embodiments of circuits and methods are described for decreasing transmitter waveform dispersion penalty (TWDP) in a transmitter. A data stream is received for transmission across a channel and a main data signal is generated from the data stream. At least two cursor signals are generated where each of the at least two cursor signals are shifted at least a portion of a clock period from the main data signal. The at least two cursor signals are subtracted from the main data signal to generate an output data signal with improved TWDP. Other embodiments include generating a main data signal, a pre-cursor signal shifted on previous clock cycle relative to the main data signal, and a post-cursor signal Shifted one subsequent clock cycle relative to the main data signal. The pre and post cursor signals are subtracted from the main data signal to generate an output data signal. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287410 | PHASE SKEW COMPENSATION AT A COHERENT OPTICAL RECEIVER - It is disclosed a coherent optical receiver configured to receive a modulated optical signal and to generate an in-phase component and a quadrature component. The optical coherent receiver comprises a phase skew compensator in turn comprising a first digital circuit and a second digital circuit retroactively connected between an output and a control input of the first digital circuit. The first digital circuit provides a compensated in-phase component as a sum of the in-phase component multiplied by a first gain and the quadrature component multiplied by a second gain, and a compensated quadrature component as a sum of the in-phase component multiplied by a third gain and the quadrature component multiplied by a fourth gain. The second digital circuit computes the first, second, third and fourth gain as functions of an estimated cross-correlation between the compensated in-phase component and the compensated quadrature component. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287411 | Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Determining Type of Cartridge Mounted Therein - An image forming apparatus includes: a cartridge; a drive source; a detection unit; and a control device. The cartridge includes a movable member provided with a detected portion and configured to move by a predetermined moving amount. The drive source generates a rotation as a drive force and transmits the drive force to the movable member. The drive source includes a rotation amount detection unit that detects a rotation amount of the drive source and outputs a first detection result. The detection unit detects the detected portion and outputs a second detection result. The control device executes: a calculation process configured to calculate the rotation amount of the drive source during a time period of detecting the detected portion based on the first detection result and the second detection result; and a cartridge type determination process configured to determine a type of the cartridge based on the calculated rotation amount. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287412 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming portion which forms a toner image; a collecting container which is detachably arranged in an apparatus main body and which collects toner discharged from the image forming portion; a conveying path which conveys the toner discharged from the image forming portion toward the collecting container, the conveying path being arranged in the apparatus main body to be turnable to a first position positioned during operation of the main body and a second position different from the position positioned in the operation of the main body; and a fixing portion which can fix the conveying path at the first position and the second position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287413 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which suppresses the occurrence of the dew condensation in the post-processing operation when the sheet is jammed and prevents additional sheet jam. When information indicating that a sheet is jammed is received, if the sheet detecting sensor detects the sheet on a switching member, a controller drives rollers until an upstream edge of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction passes through the switching member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287414 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a development device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed in the image bearing member with a toner; a detection portion that detects information on humidity within the apparatus body; a time measuring portion that acquires a time information; a humidity sensor that detects humidity around the development device; and a controller that sets a parameter about an image density formed in a transfer material, based on history information about the information on humidity within the apparatus body and the time information detecting the information on humidity and based on information acquired by the acquisition portion. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287415 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CHANGING DUTY RATIO - A developing device includes a developing roller, a magnetic roller, a capacitor, a transformer, a switching section, a control section, a temperature detecting section, and a storage section. When changing the duty ratio of a control signal in multiple sequential steps, the control section determines the resonance period based on the temperature and temperature characteristic data and changes the duty ratio of the control signal to the next step during a changing time slot which is one of the first and second halves of a period of voltage fluctuation of the capacitor based on the determined resonance period, the one half in which the current flowing through the switching section is smaller than in the other half of the period. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287416 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet using a first colorant to be heat-fixed on the sheet; a second image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet using a second colorant that is erasable by heating; and a fixing device arranged further on a downstream side in a sheet conveying direction than the first image forming unit and further on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the second image forming unit and capable of executing fixing processing for heat-fixing the image, which is formed on the sheet by the first image forming unit, on the sheet and executing erasing processing for heating the sheet, on which the image is formed with the second colorant, to erasing temperature to thereby erase the second colorant on the sheet. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287417 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer bias is applied to a primary transfer portion. When a patch formed in an upstream image forming station and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt and a patch formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum pass through the primary transfer portion, a passing bias different from the transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer portion. A control section controls a laser beam scanner as exposure member not to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum to which the passing bias is applied. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287418 | LIGHT BEAM SCANNING DEVICE THAT PERFORMS HIGH-ACCURACY LIGHT AMOUNT CONTROL, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light beam scanning device which is capable of performing high-accuracy light amount control without complicated control even when the device includes a laser diode having non-linear I-L characteristics. Gain circuits set the amount of light to be emitted from the laser diode. A PD circuit board detects the amount of the emitted light. A laser controller controls the amount of the emitted light by adjusting drive current applied to the laser diode based on a detection output from the PD circuit board. A CPU corrects data for correcting the drive current. The CPU decides a light amount correction range for correcting the light amount based on the correction data, calculates the slope of the I-L characteristics in the light amount correction range based on light amounts at two points within the light amount correction range and drive currents associated with the respective light amounts, and corrects the correction data using the calculated slope. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287419 | METHOD FOR SELECTING DEVELOPER, DEVELOPER, AND IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE - A developer to develop an electrostatic latent image satisfying the requirements of 0.85≦Q60/Q600 and 10≦Q600≦20, where Q60 (−μC/g) represents a charge amount of the developer when a sample, made by adding the developer to a carrier such that the concentration of the developer is 5%, is shaken for 60 seconds, and Q600 (−μC/g) represents a charge amount of the developer when shaken for 600 seconds under the same conditions. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287420 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first detection portion at a first guide provided in an image forming unit and a second detection portion at a second guide provided in a unit drawable to the exterior of the image forming apparatus. Since there are many parts in this apparatus, an error in the relative positions of the first and the second detection portions is large. The image forming apparatus includes a lock member configured to lock the unit to an image forming apparatus main body, and a pressure member configured to, when the unit is locked to the image forming apparatus main body, press the first guide and the second guide to each other. As a result, adjustment of the relative positions of the first and the second detection portions is not required at the time of replacement of the unit or the detection portions. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287421 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a transfer portion; a first electrostatic cleaning portion including a first electroconductive member; a second electrostatic cleaning portion including a second electroconductive member; a first detecting portion for outputting first information corresponding to a first current passing through the first electroconductive member; a second detecting portion for outputting second information corresponding to a second current passing through the second electroconductive member; and a controller for controlling, based on the first information and the second information, a transfer voltage so that the voltage is decreased when a decrease amount of the first current is larger than that of the second current and so that the voltage is increased when the decrease amount of the second current is larger than that of the first current. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287422 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium; a fixing section that includes a heat roller with a heater inside and fixes a toner image on the recording medium; a temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of an end region of the heat roller in a direction of a rotary axis thereof; a control section that controls the operation of the heater based on the detected temperature; and a post-drive time calculating section that calculates a post-drive time for a post-drive of the fixing section after a successive image formation on recording media, depending upon the sizes of the recording media and through a subtraction using a correction factor set according to a condition of conveyance of the recording media. The control section causes the fixing section to perform the post-drive for the calculated post-drive time. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287423 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming section, a fixing section, and a control section. The toner image forming section forms a toner image based on image data for printing on printing paper. The fixing section fixes the toner image on the printing paper through thermocompression. The control section controls a toner image forming operation by the toner image forming section and a fixing operation by the fixing section. The control section calculates a size parameter associated with a size of a uniform density region included in the toner image based on the image data for the printing and controls a fixing temperature of the fixing section according to a calculation result. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287424 | VOLTAGE GENERATING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A power supply apparatus outputs a developing voltage in which a pulse wave shape at a time of positive amplitude is different from a pulse wave shape at a time of negative amplitude. Voltages are supplied from two switching regulators respectively to a bridge circuit for driving a transformer. Here, an absolute value of a difference between a drive frequency of a first switching regulator and a drive frequency of a second switching regulator is configured to be not less than an invisible frequency at which a banding cannot be recognized by humans. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287425 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge includes a case, a developer carrying member, a developer supplying member, a cap, an electrode, and a fixing member. The case has a first side wall formed with a toner fill-hole and a second side wall facing the first side wall in a particular direction. The cap is configured to seal the toner fill-hole. The electrode is configured to supply a bias voltage to at least one of the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member. The fixing member is configured to fix the electrode to the cap such that the electrode is disposed in superposed relation to the cap in the particular direction. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287426 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A temperature sensor is provided on the outer side of a developing container in an area where toner is filled inside the developing container, so that both toner temperature in the developing container and temperature around a drum can be acquired, and hence the amount of discharge of toner and the air capacity of a fan can be adjusted optimally based on the acquired values. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287427 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING A CLEANING UNIT TO CLEAN AN OPTICAL SENSOR UNIT - An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive unit to form an visible image, a printing medium storage unit to store a printing medium, a pickup device to pick up the printing medium from the printing medium storage unit, a developing unit to develop the electrostatic latent image of the photosensitive unit into a visual image, an optical sensor to inspect the visual image, and a cleaning unit to clean a light window arranged at the optical sensor according to a control of the pickup device. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287428 | CLEANING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning apparatus restrains the scattering of toners in an intermediate transfer member cleaning apparatus thereby to restrain the scattering toners from dirtying the inside of the apparatus. A cleaning container has an anti-scatter portion that enters into a fur brush. The anti-scatter portion blocks a bias roller from a space outside the cleaning apparatus. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287429 | Cleaner Unit for Removing Waste Toner within an Image Forming Device - A device for cleaning a photoconductive member in an image forming device. The device includes a blade extending across the photoconductive member and having an edge that contacts a surface of the photoconductive member to remove toner therefrom. An elongated seal disposed adjacent the blade extends across a length of the blade such that an opening for receiving removed toner is formed between the elongated seal and the blade. The elongated seal includes at least one tab projecting at each longitudinal end thereof and extending between the blade and the photoconductive member so as to prevent a longitudinal end section of the edge of the blade from contacting the surface of the photoconductive member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287430 | Developing Device Having Seal Members to Restrict Toner Leakage - A developing device includes: a frame; a developer carrying member rotatably supported to the frame; and a side seal. The developer carrying member is rotatable about its axis in a rotating direction and has an axial end portion and a remaining portion inward of the axial end portion in an axial direction. The side seal is disposed between the frame and a peripheral surface of the axial end portion and includes: a contact member that can contact the peripheral surface; a support member disposed between the contact member and the frame; and a double-sided tape for adhering the contact member to the supporting member. The contact member includes: a first seal member; and a second seal member disposed adjacent to and upstream of the first seal member in the rotating direction. The first seal member and the second seal member are affixed to one adhesive surface of the double-sided tape. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287431 | Developing Device Having Seal Members to Restrict Toner Leakage - A developing device includes: a frame having an opening; a developer carrying member rotatably supported to the frame; and a side seal. The developer carrying member is rotatable about its axis in a rotating direction and has an axial end portion in an axial direction. The side seal is disposed between the frame and a peripheral surface of the axial end portion, and has a contact member contacting the peripheral surface. The contact member includes: a first seal member disposed adjacent to an edge of the opening in the axial direction; and a second seal member disposed adjacent to and upstream of the first seal member in the rotating direction. The first seal member permits developer to move inward in the axial direction and provides a mobility of developer therein higher than that of the second seal member that is made of a material that restricts movement of developer. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287432 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, an image reading unit that is provided above the image forming unit so as to read an image of a document, a frame that accommodates the image forming unit therein, including a pair of front and rear planar members disposed so as to face each other and a beam portion that connects the pair of planar members and supports upward the image reading unit, and a cover that covers at least a portion of the frame, provided with an opening portion of which an upper edge portion is supported by the beam portion. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287433 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing pivotable relative to the first housing in such a manner as to be located to an open position and a close position, a slider provided in one of the first and second housings configured to be slidable relative to the one in a slide moving direction, a connecting portion provided in the other of the housings; an arm member configured to connected each of the slider and the connecting portion to be pivotable relative to each of them, and an elastic member comprising a first engaging portion engaging with the slider and a second engaging portion engaging with the one of the housings. The elastic member applies, to the slider, a force in a direction in which the slider moves closer to the connecting portion, when the second housing is in the close position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287434 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When an opening and closing member is being closed, urging force which a first engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives in a direction opposite to a direction to close the opening and closing member is larger than urging force which a second engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives, and a distance in which the first engaged portion moves until the first engaged portion engages with a first engaging portion is shorter than a distance in which the second engaged portion moves until the second engaged portion engages with a second engaging portion while the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are caused to engage with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, respectively, by closing the opening and closing member from an opened state of the opening and closing member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287435 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer carrying member configured to carry developer to develop a latent image on the photosensitive member in contact with the photosensitive member; and a developer feed member configured to feed the developer to the carrying member in contact with the carrying member, wherein the photosensitive member and the carrying member are separated from each other during non-image formation and brought into contact with each other after the photosensitive member and the carrying member start to be rotated, and wherein, during a time period between a time when the photosensitive member and the carrying member start to be rotated and a time when the photosensitive member and the carrying member are brought into contact with each other, a number of revolutions of the feed member is larger than a number of revolutions of the carrying member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287436 | Cartridge - A cartridge includes: a housing that has a first wall part and a second wall part arranged at an interval from the first wall part and is configured to accommodate developer; a developer carrier that is rotatably supported to the housing and carries the developer; a layer thickness regulation member that is supported to the housing so that it is arranged at an opposite side to the second wall part with respect to the first wall part and that is configured to regulate a layer thickness of the developer carried on a surface of the developer carrier, and a covering member that is arranged at an opposite side to the second wall part with respect to the layer thickness regulation member and covers the layer thickness regulation member, wherein the covering member has a grip to grip the housing. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287437 | CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WHICH USES CARTRIDGE - A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge being dismountable from the main assembly and including (i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and (ii) a coupling member capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting a rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287438 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a transfer member; and a contact-and-separation portion. The contact-and-separation means includes: an urging member; a movement driving portion; and a controller for controlling the movement driving portion so that the transfer member is locatable at a contact position where the transfer member is contacted to the image bearing member, a first spaced position where the transfer member is spaced from the image bearing member in a state in which a load by the urging force is exerted on the movement driving portion, and a second spaced position where the transfer member is spaced from the image bearing member in a state in which the load by the urging force is not exerted on the movement driving portion. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287439 | CLEANING UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning unit including: frame abutment portions each including a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion; support portions each including a first support portion which abuts against the first abutment portion, and a second support portion which abuts against the second abutment portion so as to support a cleaning member in a pivotable manner about the frame abutment portions as a pivot axis; and an urging member configured to urge the cleaning member in a direction in which an elastic member is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum by pivoting the cleaning member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287440 | UNIT PROVIDED ABOVE AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WHICH IS PIVOTABLY MOVABLE THROUGH A ROTATION FULCRUM AXIS - A compound apparatus is provided that includes an image forming apparatus forming an image on a record medium, an operation panel and a unit provided on an upper part of the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a casing section, an image forming mechanism section provided in the casing section and a discharging mechanism section discharging the record medium having an image formed thereon in a front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from a user facing the operation panel and wherein the unit is supported in a manner pivotally movable through a rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the user facing the operation panel. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287441 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING END MEMBER, PROCESS FOR PRODUCING PHOTO CONDUCTOR DRUM UNIT, END MEMBER, AND PHOTO CONDUCTOR DRUM UNIT - There is provided a process for producing an end member capable of improving adhesiveness without not always requiring grooves or rough surfaces at a fitting portion of the end member, at the time of joining a photo conductor drum having an aluminum-made or aluminum alloy-made substrate and a crystalline resin-made end member with an adhesive. A process for producing an end member to be mounted on an end portion of a photo conductor drum and formed of a material including a crystalline resin, wherein the end member has a fitting portion to be fitted to the end portion of the photo conductor drum and the process has a step of subjecting at least an outer surface of the fitting portion to an oxidation treatment. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287442 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEDIUM, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus that is capable of reducing velocity fluctuation due to variation of friction torque between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer medium depending on a toner image. An exposure unit forms a latent image on an image bearing member rotated by a first drive unit. A development unit develops the latent image to form a toner image. A primarily transfer unit transfers the toner image to an intermediate transfer medium rotated by a second drive unit. A secondary transfer unit transfers the toner image to a sheet. A control unit controls the drive units so that a peripheral velocity difference between the image bearing member and the intermediate transfer medium becomes a first value at starting, and controls so that the peripheral velocity difference becomes a second value larger than the first value when minute toner reaches the position of the primarily transfer unit. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287443 | PRINTER CHARGING BLADES AND PRINTERS - Printer charging blades and printers are disclosed. An example charging blade for a printer includes an insulating layer to contact a photo imaging surface at an angle to apply pressure to the photo imaging surface, the pressure to control an amount of material present on the photo imaging surface, and a conductive layer attached to a side of the insulating layer, the conductive layer to be charged and to apply a first charge to the photo imaging surface. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287444 | CHARGING MEMBER, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - Provided is a charging member capable of stably charging an object to be charged while suppressing adhesion of toner or an external additive onto a surface of an elastic layer and compression set of an abutting portion of the elastic layer. The charging member is a charging member, comprising a mandrel; and an electro-conductive elastic layer, wherein: the elastic layer has a universal hardness decreasing from a surface toward a depth direction thereof; and the hardnesses at a central portion and both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the charging member satisfy the relationships: in the surface of the elastic layer, the hardnesses at the both end portions are higher than that at the central portion; and at a position having a depth of t (μm) from the surface of the elastic layer, the hardness at the central portion is higher than those at the both end portions. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287445 | Developing Apparatus and Image Forming Apparatus - A developing apparatus is provided, including a developing unit including a developing roller; a developer accommodating unit; a partition wall partitioning the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a supply port which makes communication between the developing unit and the developer accommodating unit; a transport member configured so that the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating unit is supplied to the developing unit via the supply port in accordance with rotation; a return port configured so that the developer contained in the developing unit is permitted to fall into the developer accommodating unit; an opening/closing member configured to be movable between an open position for opening the return port and a closed position for closing the return port; and a driving mechanism configured so that the opening/closing member is moved to the closed position and the open position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287446 | Shutter Assembly for a Toner Cantainer - A developer unit including a housing having an opening and defining a volume forming a toner chamber. A shutter is disposed on the housing and rotatably mounted relative to the opening thereof. The shutter includes an aperture and is operative to retain toner within the developer unit in a substantially sealed manner when in a closed orientation in which the aperture is not aligned with the opening of the housing, and to allow toner to flow into the toner chamber through the opening of the housing when in an open orientation in which the aperture is aligned with the opening of the housing. A lever is selectively coupled to the shutter and rotationally mounted to the housing such that when the lever is coupled to the shutter, rotation of the lever causes rotation of the shutter between the open and closed orientations, and when the lever is decoupled from the shutter, the lever is rotatable relative to the housing without causing the shutter to rotate. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287447 | SHUTTER FOR A DEVELOPER UNIT FOR USE WITH AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge. The inlet port is connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir. A shutter is slidably movable between a closed position and an open position. A biasing member biases the shutter toward the closed position. The shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to open the shutter as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. The shutter also includes a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287448 | TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING ENGAGEMENT FEATURES TO ACTUATE A DEVELOPER UNIT SHUTTER - A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing for transferring toner from the reservoir to the developer unit through an inlet port on the developer unit. A first engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is positioned to provide an initial force to begin to open a shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. A second engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is spaced toward one of the sides of the housing from the first engagement member and positioned to provide a force to continue to open the shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287449 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes a developing sleeve, a magnet roller mounted in the developing sleeve, a first conveying screw feeding a developer to the developing sleeve, and a regulating blade regulating a layer thickness of the developer. The developing device further includes a guide member that backs up the developer from the first conveying screw at an upstream side of the regulating blade based on a rotational direction of the developing sleeve and that forms a buffer portion temporarily containing the developer between the regulating blade and the guide member. The guide member is installed so that a direction of a resultant force of a magnetic force and a gravitational force acting on a carrier particle becomes a direction away from a surface of the guide member on a facing surface of the guide member which is opposite to the regulating blade. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287450 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device including a containing unit configured to be arranged below a supply member and contain a developer and a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer and develop an electrostatic latent image, further includes a supply member which is configured to supply the developer to the developer bearing member, to be arranged to form a nip portion between the supply member and the developer bearing member, and to rotate in a direction in which its surface moves from an upper end to a lower end of the nip portion, and a conveyance member which is configured to convey the developer contained in the containing unit onto the supply member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287451 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, DEVELOPING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum, a supply roller configured to supply developer to the developing roller are provided, and the surface of the developing roller moves in the same direction as the surface of the photosensitive drum and at a speed higher than the photosensitive drum at a nip portion between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller, the surface of the supply roller moves in the same direction as the surface of the developing roller and at a speed higher than the developing roller at a nip portion between the developing roller and the supply roller. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287452 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In a development device in which a developer containing unit underlies a development chamber, a supplying member in the development chamber forms a nip portion with a developer carrier and the developer carrier and the supplying member rotate in the direction in which their respective surfaces move from an upper end to a lower end of the nip portion. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287453 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A developing apparatus, including: a developer carrying member; a developer feeding member configured to feed the developer to the developer carrying member in abutment with the developer carrying member; and a developer regulating member having a distal end portion directed toward an upstream side in a rotation direction of the developer carrying member, and configured to regulate a layer thickness of the developer on the developer carrying member in abutment with a surface thereof. Surfaces of the developer carrying member and the developer feeding member move in the same direction in an abutment portion. The distal end portion of the developer regulating member has a developer taking-in portion away from the surface of the developer carrying member toward the upstream side in the rotation direction. The developer taking-in portion is positioned upstream of an abutment position between the developer regulating member and the developer carrying member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287454 | DEVELOPING MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - Provided is a developing member capable of exerting stable performance under various environments. The developing member comprises a mandrel, an elastic layer formed on a periphery of the mandrel, and a surface layer covering a peripheral surface of the elastic layer. The surface layer contains a polyurethane and zinc oxide particles dispersed in the polyurethane, and the polyurethane has, between two adjacent urethane bonds, one or both of structures selected from structures according to the following item (A) and the following item (B): (A) a structure represented by the following structural formula ( | 2013-10-31 |
20130287455 | FOIL TRANSFERRING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - In a first thermal transfer portion of upstream side, a negative toner image forming portion forms on a photosensitive drum a desired negative toner image which reverses a desired positive toner image selected from all the toner images. The negative toner image forming portion then forms the desired negative toner image on a belt member. The first thermal transfer portion transfers a desired negative foil image from a foil sheet to the belt member so that a desired positive foil image remains on the foil sheet. A second transfer portion transfers the desired positive foil image thus remained on the desired positive toner image formed on the sheet of paper. A cleaning portion removes the desired negative toner image and the desired negative foil image from the belt member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287456 | RECORDING SHEET FOR WET ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY - A recording sheet for wet electrophotography having excellent toner fixability and transferability when printing is carried out by using a wet electrophotographic system using a wet toner is provided. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287457 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a controller controls a first and the second image forming unit to form a measurement image on the image bearing member, wherein the measurement image is composed with a first measurement image having a first color, and a second measurement image having a second color with a lower reflectance than the first color, a radiation unit emits a irradiation light to the measurement image, a light receiving unit receives a reflected light from the measurement image, a comparison unit compares a light amount of the reflected light from the measurement image with a threshold value, and a changing unit increases the threshold value, if a measurement time period during which a light amount of the reflected light from the measurement image is equal to or greater than the threshold value is longer than a predetermined time period. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287458 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS, FIXING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image heating apparatus includes: a rotatable member; a pair of frames; a separating unit including a separating plate and a pair of spacers; and a holding unit including a holding portion and an urging portion. The holding unit is rotatable between a first position where the spacers are abutted against the rotatable member and a second position where the spacers are spaced from the rotatable member. The frames include a pair of shaft portions, and the separating unit includes a pair of guiding slots with movement of the holding unit from the second position to the first position. The holding portion permits inclination of the separating unit so that only one of the shaft portions is abutted against a stopper portion of its associated guiding slot with the abutment of the spacers against the rotatable member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287459 | Fixing Device - A fixing device for thermally fixing an image to a sheet includes: a tubular flexible member; a nip member; a heater; a reflection member; a backup member; and a temperature sensor. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and has a surface and an opposite surface. The heater is disposed in the internal space confronting the nip member. The reflection member is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The backup member may provide a nip region with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and is configured to detect a temperature of the nip member. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of the reflection member and confronting the opposite surface. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287460 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus includes: a rotatable fixing member and a rotatable pressing member which are configured to fix a toner image on a sheet at a nip therebetween, wherein the rotatable fixing member has a first toner parting layer formed of a fluorine-containing resin material, and the rotatable pressing member has a second toner parting layer formed of a fluorine-containing resin material in which an electroconductive filler is contained; and a contact member provided contactable to the second toner parting layer and being electrically grounded. The second toner parting layer has surface resistivity lower than that of the first toner parting layer and has a thickness smaller than that of the first toner parting layer. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287461 | FIXING PRESSURE ROLLER - The invention provides a fixing pressure roller having an elastic layer formed of a porous material produced from an emulsion, the roller having improved durability. The fixing pressure roller has a core, a rubber layer which has a thickness of 1.0 mm or less and which is provided around the core, and an elastic layer which is formed of a porous elastomer produced from an emulsion composition and which is provided around the rubber layer, the emulsion composition having a continuous phase of a liquid rubber material which forms an elastomer through curing. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287462 | DEVELOPER TRANSPORT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a developer transport device including a recovery chamber where a developer is recovered, an accommodation chamber that accommodates the developer, a transport unit that transports the developer into the accommodation chamber by rotation, a hollow guiding path that guides the developer in the recovery chamber into the accommodation chamber, and a transport assisting member disposed inside the hollow guiding path and deformed and restored by rotation of the transport unit to assist transport of the developer. The transport assisting member includes a first part extending along an inner wall of the hollow guiding path from a discharge port of the recovery chamber to a position for contact with the transport unit, and a second part intersecting with a front surface of the first part and extending from an intermediate position of the first part to a position for contact with the transport unit. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287463 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DETECTING LATERAL POSITION DEVIATION AMOUNT OF SHEET, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - A sheet processing apparatus capable of detecting a lateral position deviation amount of a sheet with high precision and at a high speed. A sheet sensing unit includes two or more sensors, each of which sensing a side edge of the sheet, disposed in a widthwise direction of the sheet. A position deviation amount of the sheet in the widthwise direction is detected based on a moving distance of the sheet sensing unit until at least one of the sensors senses the side edge of the sheet. The position deviation amount of the sheet is determined using a sensing result of the side edge of sheet after the sheet sensing unit moves by a predetermined distance, while invalidating a sensing result of the side edge of sheet sensing unit in the widthwise direction from when a driving unit starts driving until the sheet sensing unit moves by the predetermined distance. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287464 | DETERMINING THE PRINT PATH OF A PRINTING DEVICE - System and methods are disclosed for determining the print path of a printer to facilitate manual duplexing. The method includes instructing a printing device to print a first object on a first side of a test sheet and then instructing a user to reinsert the test sheet in the printing device. The printing device is then instructed to print a second object on the test sheet. The user can further provide information indicating a location of the second object with respect to the first object. Based on the information, the printing path of the printer is determined. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287465 | AUTOMATICALLY-ADJUSTING WEB MEDIA TENSIONING MECHANISM - An automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism for use in a roll-fed web media transport system, the tensioning mechanism adding tension to the web media, comprising a bracket assembly being adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis, and first and second tensioning shoe having curved surfaces attached to the bracket assembly. The web media feeds through the tensioning mechanism in an S-shaped media path where the web media is wrapped around the first and second tensioning shoes. The pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287466 | CROSS CUTTING DEVICE OF A REEL-FED PRINTING PRESS - A cross cutting device of a reel-fed printing press for cutting copies off a printed substrate web through cross cutting of the substrate web is disclosed. The cross cutting device includes at least two cross cutting modules each of which include a cutting cylinder and a counterpart cylinder interacting with the cutting cylinder. Each of the cross cutting modules can be displaced between a working position and a rest position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287467 | PRINT LABEL PRODUCING APPARATUS AND CUTTING BLADE RECEIVING MEMBER - This disclosure discloses a print label producing apparatus comprising an apparatus main body, and a cutting blade receiving member, the apparatus main body comprising a feeder, a printing head, a cutting blade configured to press and cut a print-receiving tape, and a holding portion configured to attach and detach the cutting blade receiving member, and the cutting blade receiving member comprises a first cutting blade receiving member comprising at least one concave portion configured to receive at least a part of the print-receiving tape, and a first contact portion configured to receive and stop the cutting blade, disposed at the adjacent position from the concave portion, and a second cutting blade receiving member comprising a second contact portion configured to receive and stop contact of the cutting blade, and the holding portion is configured to permit selective mounting of one of the first and second cutting blade receiving member. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287468 | Ergonomic Lip Product Applicator - An ergonomic lip product applicator that incorporates the contours of a user's hand and/or leg. An embodiment of an ergonomic lip product applicator comprises a substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing with concave and convex surfaces. An embodiment of an ergonomic lip product applicator is capable of being comfortably stored in a user's pocket and advances the ease of lip product application. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287469 | GRIP POSITIONING DEVICE - The present disclosure relates to a grip positioning device that includes a tool receptacle that forms a loop, the loop delineating a tool opening through which a tool may be extended, and a plurality of digit receiving elements each forming a loop, the loops each delineating a finger opening through which a digit of a user may be extended, the digit receiving elements coupled to and positioned about the tool receptacle. The tool receptacle and the digit receiving elements may be constructed from a unitary piece of material and the grip positioning device may further include separators that partition the digit receiving elements from the tool receptacle. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287470 | STABLE SOLID DEODORANT PRODUCT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - The present invention provides a deodorant formulation having improved efficacy and stability. The deodorant formulation comprises propanediol, ethylhexylglycerin, and grapefruit seed extract as the principal deodorizing actives. The combination of these deodorizing active ingredients results in a formulation with strong efficacy. The deodorant formulation of the invention may further be formed into a stable solid stick product in accordance with the methods outlined herein. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287471 | ANTISEPTIC APPLICATOR - An applicator assembly includes a container having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior portion defining a chamber, an application member attached to the distal end of the container, and a tearable solution reservoir disposed within the chamber, the tearable solution reservoir comprising a tearing member, wherein actuating the tearing member to tear the tearable solution reservoir brings the container, the tearable solution reservoir, and the application member into fluid communication with each other. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287472 | PORTABLE CONTAINER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A portable cosmetic container is disclosed. The portable cosmetic container includes a tube that has a receiving space with an opening at one end, and a crease is located at a bottom portion of the receiving space, so that a user can easily break the tube from the crease to form the opening of the receiving space. Substance is partially filled in the receiving space, and air therein is extracted to form a negative pressure status. It is advantageous that when a user breaks the tube from the crease, the substance will not randomly spray out since the air pressure moves towards the opening to keep the substance in the receiving space. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287473 | DEVICE FOR APPLYING EPILATION WAX WITH PRECISION - The object of the invention is a device for applying epilation wax, allowing for a precise application from the stand-point of thickness as well as dimensions of the application, comprising a body ( | 2013-10-31 |
20130287474 | Refillable Toothpaste Dispensing System - A refillable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush has a toothpaste containing capsule for dispensing toothpaste through the bristle head of the toothbrush. The toothpaste capsule can be filled using any standard toothpaste tube. Grooves in the toothpaste passageway prevent clogging of toothpaste in the toothbrush. In an alternate embodiment, the dispensing toothbrush also contains a sonic vibrating device. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287475 | APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR FILM FORMING FORMULATION FOR TEXTURED SURFACES - An applicator device for a film forming formulation and method of using the applicator device with a film forming formulation for obtaining sharp paint lines on textured surfaces is described. The applicator device comprises an applicator head having an adaptor and a supply reservoir having a neck for attachment to the adaptor of the applicator head. The applicator head comprises a brush comprised of aligned bristles with the bristles affixed in a brush retainer, a brush reservoir within the brush retainer for holding the film forming formulation within the applicator head, a flow orifice to provide flow of the film forming formulation to the brush reservoir, and an adaptor for attachment to a neck of the supply reservoir for supplying the film forming formulation. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287476 | Ring Binder Mechanism with Self-Locking Actuator - A ring binder mechanism for holding loose-leaf pages has a housing having a cavity formed in the underside of a central portion of the housing. A pair of hinge plates are disposed between the sides for pivoting movement relative to the housing to open and close rings of the mechanism. The mechanism has an actuator moveable relative to the housing for opening and closing the rings. The actuator has a body, an opening arm extending from the body, a closing arm extending from the body, and a locking finger extending from the body. The closing arm extending into a space between the hinge plates and the central portion of the housing. The hinge plates extend between the opening and closing arms. The locking finger extends into the cavity in the central portion of the housing when the actuator is in the closed position. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287477 | EXPANDING DEVICES - An expandable device including: a first member; a second member; at least one tension member attached to the first and second members and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members movable between an open position, in which at least a part of the first member is spaced from the second member, and a closed position, in which said at least a part of the first member is adjacent the second member; and at least one spacer sized to be located between the first and second members when in the open position, and to maintain the first and second members in the open position, wherein, in the open position, the at least one tension member is held taut between the first and second members. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287478 | BALL JOINT - A ball joint includes a tubular boot, an upper end portion and a lower end portion of which are fitted onto an intermediate portion of a shaft of a ball stud and an open end of a housing, respectively. An annular lip portion is formed at the upper end portion of the boot. The lip portion has a first sliding contact face that is in contact with an outer periphery of the shaft, a second sliding contact face that is in contact with a lower face of the knuckle arm, and an annular rib that is formed so as to project inward beyond the first sliding contact face from an upper end portion of the first sliding contact face. The rib is elastically deformed due to contact with the shaft so as to extend along the first sliding contact face and project upward beyond the second sliding contact face. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287479 | MULTI-BRANCH FITTING MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A MULT-BRANCH FITTING - A multi-branch fitting includes at least three branches, molded from a composite material and, more precisely, from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic or thermoset matrix. The fitting is intended for assembling components which are at an angle to one another. There are at least three flat or substantially flat branches or flanges extending radially from a joining zone, and at least one face or part of a face constituting a bearing face for one or more of the components that are to be attached. The joining zone has a cross section, in the transverse direction, in the shape of a polygon with concave sides. The connection of each of the branches or flanges with another adjacent branch or flange is achieved through a portion in the shape of a curved blade which gives the joining zone one of its concave shapes. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287480 | DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN A TUBE AND A FLAT ELEMENT - The invention relates to a direct connection between a tube and a flat element by means of a connector preferably formed by stamping on the tube itself, which enables joining the latter to the flat element, without auxiliary elements, by nest-like insertion of same into the flat element and subsequent attachment by means of screws, rivets, bolts, pins or other elements. Said connection can be used in the construction of modular two-dimensional or three-dimensional tubular structures forming a single, double, or multi-layer latticework, preferably for supporting parabolic trough solar collectors. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287481 | METHOD FOR THERMOPLASTIC WELDING AND WELDED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES - A composite structure fabricated by thermoplastic welding, and a method for producing such structures. First and second composite parts are provided, having first and second surfaces, respectively, that define an interface where the parts are to be joined. The parts include a thermoplastic matrix. An insert is provided, which includes a film portion, which may include the same thermoplastic matrix. The insert is provided with an electric resistance heating element. The first and second parts are urged together using low fusion pressure while the insert is heated using the electric resistance heating element. After a selected period of time, the electrical supply to the resistance heating element is turned off. A high fusion pressure is then applied to urge the parts together. The weldment joint is allowed to cool. After cooling, excess material may be removed, to form a composite structure. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287482 | Facing arrangement and aircraft or spacecraft - A facing arrangement for a hold of an aircraft or spacecraft. The facing arrangement comprises a first and a second panel which form a gap between them; a first mounting part which is to be attached to a primary structure of the hold and which has at least one locking arrangement, and a second mounting part which has at least one counter locking arrangement. The locking arrangement and/or the counter locking arrangement passing, at least in portions, through the gap between the first and the second panel. The locking arrangement and the counter locking arrangement being locked together in order to connect the first mounting part to the second mounting part for holding the first and second panels between the first mounting part and the second mounting part. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287483 | FURNITURE CONNECTING PIECE - A furniture connecting piece includes a base having an upper end face and a lower end face. The furniture connecting piece also comprises a positioning plate and a fixing nail. The bottom of the positioning plate is connected to the base. The positioning plate is provided with a fixing hole through which the fixing nail passes to fix the positioning plate onto a furniture panel. The furniture connecting piece is structurally simple and convenient to use, and allows for seamless connection between furniture panels without necessitating the aid of tools, thereby convenient and practical. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287484 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR AN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE - A connector assembly for connecting the free ends of the adjacent panels of a ready to assemble article of furniture together when assembled, said connector assembly comprising a male connector having opposite ends insertable into respective opposing receiving apertures provided in adjacent ends of the panels, each end of said male connector being provided with retaining means to retain the ends of the male connectors in said respective apertures and a ready to assemble article of furniture comprising a plurality of substantially rigid panels attached together end to end, the ends of the panels being bevelled or otherwise shaped such that the panels can be folded to bring said ends into abutting relationship to define a polygonal article, wherein said panels are attacked together by means of a flexible sheet material extending between the panels. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287485 | CLEAT FOR JOINING CHASSIS MODULES - A shearer mining machine generally includes a first chassis module, a second chassis module, one or more cleats, and means for securing each cleat on the first and second chassis modules. The first chassis module has a first mating surface and a first opening spaced from the first mating surface. The first opening is defined by a first wedge-shaped module wall positioned adjacent the first mating surface. The second chassis module has a second mating surface and a second opening spaced from the second mating surface. Each cleat includes a first projection, a second projection, and a bridge portion extending between the first projection and the second projection. The first projection is received by the first opening and includes a wedge-shaped cleat wall for engagement with the first wedge-shaped module wall. The means for securing apply a clamp force normal to the wedge-shaped cleat wall. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287486 | ROTARY PANEL FASTENING STRUCTURE - A rotary panel fastening structure includes a mating socket mounted in a through hole in a recessed accommodation chamber in a top wall of a first panel member, a locking knob, a connection plate fastened to the locking knob and a handle pivotally connected to the connection plate and receivable in the recessed accommodation chamber in a flush manner and operable to rotate the locking knob through 90° angle between an unlocking position where the locking knob is movable with the first panel member in and out of a slot of a second panel member and a locking position where the locking knob is engaged with the second panel member to lock the first panel member and the second panel member together. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287487 | INTERLOCKING FLANGE AND FASTENING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING TOGETHER TWO PANELS - A flange component used to secure a first panel to a second panel including a first section to be affixed to the first panel and a second section to be affixed to the second panel. The second section is integrally formed with the first section, which has a length dimension that is longer than a length dimension of the second section forming first and second tabs. The second section of the flange component is integral to an intermediate section between the first and second tabs. The second tab is offset relative to the intermediate section and first tab whereby when the first section is attached to the first panel, a space is formed between the second tab and the first panel. A first tab of an adjacent flange component is inserted this space, and the second section protrudes from a periphery of the first panel for receiving the second panel. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287488 | DRIVE TRANSMISSION PART FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Drive transmission part and system including a columnar male part to be engaged with a twisted triangular female part to allow rotation of a part of an image forming apparatus. The columnar male part can include one or more projections of circular or elliptical cross section, arranged in a triangular pattern, or centrally located. The columnar part can also include a threaded surface to engage the female part. An intermediary part can also be provided to connect a ratchet type of part to the female part. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287489 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES FOR CONNECTING PANELS - In one embodiment, a connector assembly comprises: a connector; and a pair of side collectors, each comprising a connector engagement region having a size and geometry to mate with the connector so as to hold ends of two adjacent panels together; and a panel engagement region comprising a receiving area and having a size to attach onto an edge of the panel; and a clip, wherein the clip has a base that can be attached to a support, an engagement, and a stem extending therebetween, wherein the engagement has an extension projecting from a side of the engagement, wherein the panel engagement region further comprises an opening in a joint wall on a side of the panel engagement region opposite the receiving area, wherein the opening is configured to receive the extension of the engagement. | 2013-10-31 |
20130287490 | BOLTED JOINT STRUCTURE - Joint parts 14 of joinable plates | 2013-10-31 |