| 49th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 37 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20080298812 | NETWORK REPEATER, REPEATER CONTROLLING METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - A bridge controller, which controls relay between terminals including emission units and addresses assigned to the terminals, acquires coordinates of a light-received element in an light receiving unit at which light emitted from an emission unit is received, and stores the acquired coordinates in a location information table memory in association with a logical location on the network. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the stored coordinates differ from newly acquired coordinates. When it is determined that the stored coordinates differ from the newly acquired coordinates, the logical location associated with the coordinates stored in the storage unit is controlled to be changed and stored. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298813 | ALL-OPTICAL FREQUENCY UPCONVERTER AND ALL-OPTICAL FREQUENCY UPCONVERSION METHOD IN RADIO-OVER-FIBER SYSTEM - Disclosed is an all-optical frequency upconverter in a radio-over-fiber system that outputs upconverted optical radio frequency (RF) signals using an optical intermediate frequency signal and an optical local oscillation signal. The all-optical frequency upconverter includes a semiconductor optical amplifier that mixes the optical intermediate frequency signal with the optical local oscillation signal through four wave mixing, and an optical filter that filters a plurality of frequency component signals, which are generated through the four wave mixing, to extract optical RF signals. According to the invention the system configuration can be made simple, and wide LO and IF frequency bandwidths can be provided. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298814 | Optical Transmitter for Computing Applications - A compact optical transceiver is provided in which a substrate provides for an alignment surface for optical fibers and a lens assembly provides the necessary optical paths for coupling to photodiode and photodetector structures. Appropriate electrical connections on the substrate enable the substrate to be directly connected to a printed circuit board, grid array socket, and the like. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298815 | Small Form Pluggable Analog Optical Receiver - A pluggable small form factor optical receiver is described. The optical receiver can be plugged into an optical receiver unit which may hold many optical receivers. The optical receiver includes a photo-detector, a pre-amplification stage, and an attenuator. The optical receiver may have receptacle optical ports such as LC or SC type, also it may include a pin connector for mating with the optical receiver unit and a latch mechanism to secure the optical receiver in the optical receiver unit. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298816 | RECEIVER AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An abnormal pulse detection circuit in a receiver of the present invention includes: an incoming pulse edge detection circuit which detects the moment of rise of an input signal and outputs the result of the detection as an edge detection signal; a muting reference pulse generation circuit which generates a muting reference pulse based on the edge detection signal; a logic circuit which outputs a signal indicating a negative AND of the muting reference pulse and the input signal; a muting signal generation circuit which generates a muting signal from the output signal of the logic circuit; and a switching circuit which outputs the input signal or the muting signal. The receiver of the present invention can therefore reduce discomfort in hearing reproduced sound in case where a noise occurs in an audio signal due to a variation in pulse width. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298817 | Light Receiving Device - A light receiving device includes a frame | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298818 | Optical Receiver for Computing Applications - A compact optical transceiver is provided in which a substrate provides for an alignment surface for optical fibers and a lens assembly provides the necessary optical paths for coupling to photodiode and photodetector structures. Appropriate electrical connections on the substrate enable the substrate to be directly connected to a printed circuit board, grid array socket, and the like. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298819 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ADJUSTING METHOD THEREOF AND REPLACEMENT COMPONENT THEREOF - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which a replacement component is set including the replacement component in which a storage medium storing adjustment necessity information indicating whether an adjustment procedure is needed or not after the replacement component is replaced and adjustment item information indicating an adjustment item is attached, an information reading unit to read the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information from the storage medium when the replacement component is set and a control unit to execute the adjustment procedure based on the adjustment necessity information and the adjustment item information read by the information reading unit when a power is turned on after the replacement component is replaced. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298820 | METHOD OF READING INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION OF A DETACHABLE UNIT, INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION READING DEVICE, APPARATUS HAVING THE INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION READING DEVICE, AND A DETACHABLE UNIT - In an apparatus including the detachable unit, when reading individual information of the detachable unit, a first label for generating a reference signal for reading individual information and a second label representing the individual information are arranged on a surface of the detachable unit, with a first label reading unit, the reference signal is generated while reading the first label in a predetermined direction, and with a second label reading unit, the individual information of the detachable unit contained in the second label is read in synchronous with the generated reference signal. Read individual information is stored, and whether a mounted detachable unit is new or used is recognized based on a comparison of individual information read from the detachable unit with stored individual information. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298821 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DOUBLE-SIDED PRINTING - An image forming apparatus and a method are provided. The apparatus includes an image forming unit that discharges ink; a transfer unit that performs a first conveying operation of conveying the sheet in a state in which a first surface thereof faces the image forming unit, and a second conveying operation of conveying the sheet in a state in which a second surface thereof faces the image forming unit after the first conveying operation; a detecting unit that detects a jam of the sheet subjected to the second conveying operation; a setting unit that sets a dry time for drying the ink; and a control unit that controls the transfer unit to start the second conveying operation after the dry time has elapsed after the first conveying operation, wherein the setting unit sets the dry time for a current sheet based on the detection result of a previous sheet. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298822 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MEDIA UNITS AND AN ASSOCIATED MEDIA ROLL - Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298823 | Methods and apparatuses for determining the number of printed pages remaining in a toner cartridge - A method for determining the number of printed pages remaining in a toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device. A toner cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device for storing and/or performing aspects of the method is also provided. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298824 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING FIXING DEVICE, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ABNORMALITY OF THE FIXING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus which is capable of detecting occurrence of an abnormality that a fixing member which is actually in an unpressurized state is detected to be in a pressurized state, and supply of electric power to a heating member is continued. A fixing device includes a fixing belt and a pressure roller. The fixing belt and the pressure roller are pressed against each other such that a nip is formed therebetween, for nipping and conveying a transfer material through the nip while heating and pressing the same. A pressurizing unit selectively switches between a pressurizing state and an unpressurizing state. When the pressurizing unit is in the pressurized state, a heater heats the fixing belt. The heating of the fixing belt is stopped based on a temperature detected by a thermistor after a lapse of a predetermined time period from start of the heating. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298825 | Method for Converting Color Measured Values in Polarized or Unpolarized Form - A method for converting polarized color measured values to unpolarized color measured values or vice versa uses a computer. The conversion is carried out by the computer by using a pair of reference measured values determined in polarized and unpolarized form. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298826 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive drum, a charging apparatus to which a charging voltage is applied, an exposure apparatus forming an electrostatic image, a developing apparatus to which a development voltage is applied, a timer measuring an image formation time lapsed from start of rotation of the photosensitive drum and an image formation stop time lapsed from stop of the rotation of the photosensitive drum, and a temperature and humidity sensor detecting a temperature and a humidity of an atmosphere environment around the photosensitive drum. When the humidity is low, a charging voltage is controlled based on a measured result of the timer and detected results of the temperature and humidity sensor. When the humidity is high, the charging voltage is controlled based on the measured result of the timer and the temperature detected result of the temperature and humidity sensor without using humidity information. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298827 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming mechanism including a motor, and an image forming unit which operates by the motor to form an image on a recording sheet; a registration unit which registers a job; a control unit which controls the image forming mechanism to form an image corresponding to the job registered through the registration unit on a recording sheet; a number obtaining unit which obtains the number of recording sheets required for the job registered through the registration unit; and a setting unit which sets a rotation speed of the motor according to the number of recording sheets obtained by the number obtaining unit. The control unit controls the image forming mechanism to form the image corresponding to the job registered through the registration unit on the recording sheet by rotating the motor at the rotation speed set by the setting unit. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298828 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image forming apparatus capable of varying a transferring force according to an amount of developer, thereby improving transfer quality, and a control method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photoconductive media on which electrostatic latent images are formed, a transfer unit onto which color developer images respectively developed on the plurality of photoconductive media are transferred and superimposed in sequence, and a controller to control in a manner that electric potential differences between image areas and non-image areas of the electrostatic latent images vary in an order in which the color developer images are transferred. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298829 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can achieve reduction in printing time, suppression of developer consumption, and implementation of silence. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image on an image carrier with use of developers of a plurality of different developing colors, including a plurality of developing devices respectively housing the developers of different colors, and a control section for controlling operation of the developing devices based on inputted image data, wherein the control section includes a concentration ratio recognition section for recognizing a concentration ratio of the respective colors for image data of every sheet from the image data, and controls so as to spare at least one color developer among the developers in response to the concentration ratio of respective colors recognized by the concentration ratio recognition section. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298830 | Image Forming Apparatus and Method of Controlling the Apparatus - When an adjustment mode is set, a designation screen is displayed on a liquid crystal display screen. A part as an object of adjustment is designated by a touch operation to the designation screen. Subsequently to this designation, an input screen for inputting data for adjustment is displayed. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298831 | System and method for cooling a roller having multiple heating zones - A printer includes a system for cooling an image receiving member. The image receiving member cooling system includes an image receiving member having a first end and a second end, a first heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the first end, a second heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the second end, a first temperature detector located proximate the first end of the image receiving member, a second temperature detector located proximate the second end of the image receiving member, a fan mounted at one end of the image receiving member, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and the second temperature detectors and the fan, the controller for activating the fan to move air from the end at which a higher temperature is detected past the other end. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298832 | DEVELOPER COLLECTING/CHARGING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CLEANING METHOD - After-transfer remaining toner is reversely transferred from a transfer member to an image carrier. A toner collecting/charging device for temporarily collecting and charging the after-transfer remaining toner remaining on the transfer member includes a toner collecting/charging roller which is provided in such proximity to the transfer member as not to make contact with a primarily transferred toner image, and which has a collecting function of temporarily collecting the after-transfer remaining toner and a charging function of charging the after-transfer remaining toner to a specified polarity, power supplies which are so connected that a voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage is applied to the roller, and a selector switch for changing a waveform of the AC voltage so that the toner collecting/charging roller is switched between a toner-collecting mode and a toner-releasing mode. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298833 | CLEANING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING TONER ADHERED ONTO ENDLESS BELT - A cleaning apparatus is for removing a toner from a surface of an endless belt. The cleaning apparatus includes a blade, a blade holding structure, and an abutment maintaining structure. The blade abuts on the endless belt that is supported on a tension roller. The blade holding structure holds the blade with its rotation restricted, in a movable manner in the direction of motion adjustment to adjust tension on the endless belt, and causes the blade to abut on a winding area of the endless belt with respect to the tension roller. The abutment maintaining structure allows the blade to follow up movement of the tension roller to thereby maintain abutment of the blade on the endless belt. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298834 | Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus - In one embodiment, a toner cartridge of the invention is installed in an image forming apparatus, and includes a toner storage container that has a toner discharge port, and a toner discharge roller disposed inside of the toner storage container so as to block the toner discharge port. An inner wall of the toner storage container faced by the toner discharge roller is provided with a curved region that has a curvature that matches a curvature of the toner discharge roller. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298835 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DETACHABLE BODY - An image forming apparatus includes a detachable-body mounted member, a detachable body and a sealing portion. The detachable-body mounted member includes a first opening and a first opening-and-closing member that opens and closes the first opening. The detachable body includes a second opening and a second opening-and-closing member. When the detachable body is attached, the second opening allows developer to flow into the first opening. The second opening-and-closing member opens and closes the second opening. When the detachable body is being attached or detached, the sealing portion seals a gap between (i) a front end face of the second opening forming member and (ii) a rear end face of the first opening-and-closing member. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298836 | Image Forming Apparatus and Toner Cartridge - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a toner cartridge detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus, including a toner casing accommodating a developing agent, an opening/closing member which opens/closes an opening formed in the toner casing to discharge the developing agent, and an operation member operating the opening/closing member; and a developing unit to develop the electrostatic latent image by the developing agent discharged from the opening. The operation member can move between an open position for operating the opening/closing member to open the opening, and a close position for operating the opening/closing member to close the opening, and the operation member forms a part of a transport path of a recording medium in the image forming apparatus at the open position in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298837 | Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus - A developing device includes a cabinet, a developer carrier, a transport member rotating around a transport member shaft, and a developer cartridge attachable to and detachable from the cabinet. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge side first opening and a cartridge side second opening. The cabinet includes a cabinet side first opening located in a position opposed to the cartridge side first opening and a cabinet side second opening located in a position opposed to the cartridge side second opening. The cartridge side first opening, the cartridge side second opening, the cabinet side first opening and the cabinet side second opening extend in a vertical direction. The transport member transports a developer from the cabinet side first opening to the cabinet side second opening. A lower end of the cabinet side second opening is located upper than a center of the transport member shaft in the vertical direction. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298838 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - In a developing cartridge, the contact plate of the electrode member is disposed to contact the developing bias terminal within a plane of projection when a driven coupling part is projected in a first direction. A first axis line, which is an axis of the developing roller shaft, and a second axis line, which is an axis of the input gear, are disposed in parallel and equidistant in the front-rear direction. A part of the contact plate is disposed on the second axis line. A first line connecting an axis about which the input gear rotates and the developing roller shaft and a second line connecting the contact plate and the developing roller shaft are disposed parallel to each other. The distance between the first axis line and the second axis line equals the distance between the first axis line and the contact plate. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298839 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An optical scanning device configured to remove or sufficiently reduce ghost light includes an input optical system for directing a light beam from a light source to a deflecting surface of a deflector, and an imaging optical system for imaging a light beam scanningly deflected by the deflecting surface upon a surface to be scanned, wherein, in a sub-scan section, the light beam is incident on the deflecting surface of the deflector from an oblique direction with respect to an optical axis of the imaging optical system, wherein a light blocking member for blocking ghost light is disposed on a light path between the deflecting surface and the scanned surface, wherein an end portion of the light blocking member in the sub-scan direction is formed with a curved shape having a height in the sub-scan direction which height changes in accordance with the position in the main-scan direction. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298840 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer located overlying the conductive substrate which includes a naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide derivative having a specific formula; and an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge using the electrophotographic photoreceptor are provided. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298841 | PHOTOSENSITIVE-MEMBER DRIVING MECHANISM - It is an object to prevent distortions and deviations of images caused by the eccentricity of a driven gear mounted to a rotational shaft of a photosensitive drum. There are provided a driving gear which is secured to a rotational shaft of a rotational driving power source and is rotated at a constant peripheral speed, a driven gear secured coaxially to a rotational shaft of a cylindrical-shaped photosensitive member, a phase control gear having the same diameter as that of the driven gear and having the same rotational speed variation characteristic as that of the driven gear, and a transmission gear, and a driving force from the driving gear is transmitted to the driven gear through the phase control gear and the transmission gear. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298842 | LIGHT SOURCE DRIVER, LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE, LIGHT SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light source driver mounted on a rectangular-shaped substrate includes a plurality of output parts that output driving signals to drive a plurality of light-emitting bodies. The plurality of output parts are disposed in a vicinity of the two sides of the substrate, the two sides of the substrate forming a corner of the substrate. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298843 | LIQUID-LEVEL DETECTION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND LIQUID CONTAINING DEVICE - A liquid-level detection device detects the liquid level in the developer storing container for storing liquid developer, and includes a first water wheel, a first rotation detection mechanism, and first liquid-level detection device. The first water wheel is disposed in the interior of the developer storing container, and is configured to be rotated by liquid developer to be supplied to the developer storing container. The first rotation detection mechanism is configured to detect a rotation state of the first water wheel. The first liquid-level detection device detects the liquid level of liquid developer based on a result detected by the rotation detection mechanism. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298844 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A developing device including a developing unit configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image bearing member with a developer comprising a toner and a carrier, and a circulation unit configured to collect the developer from the developing unit and return the developer to the developing unit. The circulation unit includes a container including a main body having an inverted cone shape, a supply opening provided in a top thereof, and a discharge opening provided in a bottom thereof, configured to hold a part of the developer and provided on an upstream side from the developing unit relative to a direction of circulation of the developer. The container includes a plurality of agitation members configured to agitate the developer collected from the developing unit and fresh toner so that a plurality of flows of the developer is produced in the container. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298845 | DEVELOPMENT DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The development device includes a development member and a circulation member. The development member develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier with a developer including toner and a carrier to make the electrostatic latent image visible. The circulation member receives the developer discharged from the development member and conveys the developer back to the development member. The circulation member includes a container provided upstream from the development member in a conveyance direction of the developer to store the developer. The container includes an agitator provided inside the container and agitates and mixes the developer and fresh toner supplied to the container. The agitator includes a rotatable agitation member in which one or more holes are formed through which the developer passes to mix the fresh toner and the developer to be agitated in the container. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298846 | TONER BOTTLE AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE FORMATION - A toner bottle for containing toner has a cylindrical body and a scraper. The bottle body can be rotated on its axis by a driving source. The scraper is supported movably in the bottle body. The bottle body has an opening and ribs. The toner in the toner bottle is supplied through the opening to a developing unit. When the bottle body rotates, the ribs convey the toner toward the opening. The scraper includes a shaft and a scraping part. The shaft extends over the whole length of the bottle body and supports the scraping part. A portion of the scraping part is in contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the bottle body. When the bottle body rotates, the scraper moves perpendicularly to the axis of the body. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298847 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device uses a two-component developer including at least carriers and toners. The toners are supplied to an image bearing member bearing an electrostatic latent image so that a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. The developing device has a developing roller arranged to oppose the image bearing member; and a magnetic roller arranged to oppose the developing roller. The magnetic roller retains the two-component developer to supply toners to the developing roller. The developing roller and the magnetic roller are rotationally driven in directions to be opposite from one another at an opposed position, and a magnetic pole of the magnetic roller and a magnetic pole of the developing roller have magnetic polarities different from one another at the opposed position. A surface roughness of the magnetic roller is greater than a surface roughness of the developing roller. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298848 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing device having an improved regulating member to regulate the thickness of a developing agent layer and consequently, achieving easy fabrication, reduced fabrication costs and/or reduction in the size of the developing device, and an image forming apparatus having the same, is described. The developing device includes a developing container, which contains a developing agent therein, and which has an opening. A developing roller is installed at the opening of the developing container. A regulator regulates the thickness of a developing agent layer on an outer surface of the developing roller. The regulator includes a main regulating member, which maintains a first distance between an end of the main regulating member and the outer surface of the developing roller, and a preliminary regulating member integrally formed with the developing container at a position ahead of the main regulating member along the rotating direction of the developing roller. The preliminary regulating member maintains a second distance between an end of the preliminary regulating member and the outer surface of the developing roller, the second distance being larger than the first distance. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298849 | Magnetic roller and manufacturing method thereof, developer carrier, development device, processing cartridge, and image forming apparatus - A magnetic roller includes a solid-core roller having magnetic anisotropy in a direction orthogonal to a central axis thereof. The solid-core roller includes a body part, and shaft parts disposed on both ends of the body part, a concave groove provided in an outer circumference face of the body part to extend in an axial direction, and a magnetic block disposed in the concave groove, the magnetic block having a direction of magnetic anisotropy substantially orthogonal to a direction of the magnetic anisotropy of the magnetic roller. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298850 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developing device and an image forming apparatus capable of restraining density irregularity and restraining a decline in image quality caused by adherence of carrier to a photoreceptor, are provided. An angle α is in a range of no less than 45 degrees nor more than 57 degrees, which is formed between a plane comprising a central line of magnetic pole formed by a regulating pole in a magnet roller and a rotating central axis of a developing sleeve and a plane comprising a central line of magnetic pole formed by a pumping pole and a rotating central axis of the developing sleeve. Further, an absolute value of the maximum value of strength of the magnetic pole formed by a main pole is in a range of no less than 120 mT nor more than 140 mT. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298851 | Image Formation Apparatus and Image Formation System - The invention provides, as an aspect thereof, an image formation apparatus that includes: an image carrier that carries a latent image; a toner carrier that has, on a surface of the toner carrier, a concave portion arrayed in a regular pattern so as to carry toner, and develops the latent image that is carried on the image carrier by means of the toner carried in the concave portion; and a voltage application section that applies a development voltage to the toner carrier for the purpose of the development of the latent image. In the configuration of an image formation apparatus according to the above-described aspect of the invention, immediately after that the toner carrier has developed the latent image, which is carried on the image carrier, by means of the toner carried in the concave portion in response to the application of the development bias to the toner carrier by the voltage application section, at least one layer of the toner remains carried in the concave portion. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298852 | Developing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, and Image Forming System - A developing device is provided with a toner bearing member that bears toner having core particles and a particulate external additive externally added to the core particles, and that develops a latent image borne on an image bearing member using the toner, the toner bearing member being rotatable and having projecting sections arranged in a regular manner on a surface of the toner bearing member; and a regulation member that regulates an amount of toner borne on a surface of the toner bearing member by coming into contact with that surface at a contact section, the regulation member being arranged so that a longitudinal direction of the regulation member runs along an axial direction of the toner bearing member, and so that a leading edge of the regulation member in a lateral direction and a thickness direction faces an upstream side in a rotating direction of the toner bearing member, wherein in the case where a volume mean particle size of the toner is set to a toner particle size A, a volume mean particle size of the external additive is set to an external additive particle size B, a ten-point average roughness of the projecting sections is set to a protrusion roughness C, and a distance between the leading edge and the projecting sections in the case where the leading edge of the regulation member faces the projecting sections is set to a distance D, a relationship among sizes of the toner particle size A, the external additive particle size B, the protrusion roughness C, and the distance D is so that the protrusion roughness C| 2008-12-04 | |
| 20080298853 | Developing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming System, Developing Method, and Toner Bearing Member - The present invention provides a developing device that includes a toner bearing member that includes regularly arranged projection sections and depressed sections for bearing toner, and that develops a latent image borne on an image bearing member with the toner borne on the projection sections and the depressed sections, wherein the latent image is developed in a state in which a projection section covering ratio at which toner contacting the projection sections covers the projection sections is smaller than a depressed section covering ratio at which toner contacting the depressed sections covers the depressed sections. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298854 | Developing device and image forming apparatus - A developing device includes a developer supporting member abutting against an image supporting member for developing a static latent image on the image supporting member. In a state that a film member is disposed between the image supporting member and the developer supporting member, it is arranged such that the film member is extended with a tensional force N (N) when the image supporting member and the developer supporting member rotate. The tensional force N has a relationship as follows: | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298855 | Developing Device, Image Forming Apparatus, and Image Forming System - A developing device includes a rotatable toner bearing roller and a regulation blade. The toner bearing roller has regularly-arranged projecting sections and non-projecting sections, bears toner whose volume average particle diameter is smaller than a depth of the non-projecting section relative to the projecting section, and develops a latent image borne on an image bearing member with the toner borne on the toner bearing roller. The regulation blade is for regulating an amount of the toner borne on the toner bearing roller, and abuts, with a predetermined width, against a circumferential surface of the toner bearing roller in a circumferential direction thereof in such a manner that a longitudinal direction of the regulation blade is along a direction of a rotation axis of the toner bearing roller. A tip edge of the regulation blade in a lateral direction and a thickness direction thereof is located within an abutting section having the predetermined width. The predetermined width is larger than a maximum width, in the circumferential direction, of the non-projecting section. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298856 | Image Forming Device and Semiconductor Device - In an image forming device including a first rotary member arranged to drive an intermediate transfer belt, a first motor arranged to rotate the first rotary member, and a second rotary member arranged to transfer a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording sheet, a torque command value detecting unit detects a torque command value to the first motor. A setting unit sets up a lower limit of the torque command value. A judgment unit determines whether a detected torque command value exceeds the lower limit. A control unit controls driving of the second rotary member when the detected torque command value exceeds the lower limits so that a difference between a surface speed of the intermediate transfer belt and a peripheral speed of the second rotary member falls within a predetermined range. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298857 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER BELT UNIT USE IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - This invention provides an image forming apparatus including a belt member which is shaped like a belt and has a belt surface and to which a toner image corresponding to image data is transferred, a roller member for moving the belt surface at a constant velocity in a predetermined direction while giving a predetermined tension to the belt member, a roller drive device which rotate the roller member at a predetermined rotational velocity, and a drive force stabilizing device which is located between the roller member and a structural body supporting the roller member and which absorb a rotation irregularity component or a velocity change occurring in the belt member. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298858 | Automation mechanism for positioning transfer dicorotron cover or shutter - This is a structure useful in electrostatic marking systems that prevents a charge from contacting a photoreceptor in areas not covered by paper. An automatically movable cover is positioned between a corona device and the photoreceptor to prevent the charge emitted by the corona from damaging the unprotected areas of the photoreceptor. The movement and positioning of the shutter or cover is automatically calibrated by the width of paper being used. Since a plurality of paper widths can be used in an electrostatic marking system, various portions of the photoreceptor will be exposed. The entire determination to move the cover or shutter and to the extent positioned is automatically determined minimizing the possibility of error if manual positioning of the cover was used. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298859 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge according to one aspect of the invention comprises: an image carrier configured to carry a developer image and having a transfer position capable of transferring the developer image to a recording sheet; and an elastically-deformable cantilever-shaped guide plate including a distal end portion being unsupported, and having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. A leading end of the recording sheet is guided on the first surface in a conveying direction, such that the leading end is guided toward the transfer position after the leading end is brought into contact with the image carrier. The distal end portion of the guide plate is bent toward the second surface side to form a bent portion. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298860 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming unit for effecting an image forming operation to form toner image on a recording material, wherein the toner image comprises chromatic toner image components with different colors and a transparent toner image component overlaid thereon; a fixing unit for effecting a fixing operation to heat and fix the toner image on the recording material; a switching unit for switching, in accordance with information relating to a maximum toner amount per unit area in a zone in which the transparent toner component is present, operations to a mode in which the formation of the toner image is effected through a plurality of such image forming operations, and the fixing of the toner image is effected through a plurality of such fixing operations. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298861 | System and method for positioning one or more stripper fingers (in a fusing system) relative to an image - A fuser stripping subsystem for use with a fusing system is provided. In one embodiment, at least one movable stripper finger is disposed adjacent a fusing assembly in a first position. Assuming a selected condition is met, the at least one movable stripper finger is moved from the first position to a second position for substantially aligning the at least one movable stripper finger with a toned image section of a print media sheet passing through a nip defined by the rolls. In another embodiment, a print media sheet with a toned image section is shifted, prior to feeding the same through the nip, so that the toned image section may be substantially aligned with at least one stripper finger. In yet another embodiment, a combination of stripper finger movement and/or image shifting may be used to obtain substantial alignment between one or more stripper fingers and an image. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298862 | Fixing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and heating member - A fixing apparatus includes a flexible endless fixing member that moves in a predetermined direction for heating and melting a toner image, a heating member that is fixed to the fixing member in a position facing at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the fixing member for heating the fixing member, and a pressing member that provides a nipping part by pressing into contact with the fixing member for conveying a recording medium. The heating member includes a metal plate subjected to a bending process. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298863 | HEATING APPARATUS - The heating apparatus of a surface-heating type, includes a rotary member, an opposing member that forms a nip with respect to the rotary member, and a heating member for heating a portion of a rotary member surface other than the nip, in which temperature used for heating the rotary member by the heating member is controlled, and a heating material inserted in the nip to be nipped and conveyed therein is heated using heat of the rotary member. Accordingly, after insertion of the heating material in the nip starts, control temperature of the heating member is increased before the rotary member rotates by one revolution, thereby preventing an uneven heating phenomenon of the heating material in the first revolution and the second revolution or later, and preventing uneven gloss due to the uneven heating phenomenon in the fixing apparatus. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298864 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an image transfer unit that transfers a reversed image onto an image bearing member as a toner image, a secondary transfer roller that transfers the toner image onto a recording medium, a contact and separation unit that brings the secondary transfer roller into contact with and separates the secondary transfer roller from the image bearing member, a secondary-transfer-roller housing unit that houses the secondary transfer roller, a lubricant applying brush that applies a lubricant thereto, a lubricant-applying-blush housing unit that houses the lubricant applying brush and is configured to be movable along a groove, and an lifting and lowering member that lifts and lowers the lubricant-applying-brush housing unit, wherein the secondary transfer roller and the lubricant applying brush come into contact with and separate from each other in response to a contact and separation operation of the secondary transfer roller and the image bearing member. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298865 | Ablation collection system for an image recorder - An apparatus is mounted on a moveable carriage of an external drum platesetter for removing air-borne ablative particles caused when a printing plate mounted on an outside surface of a rotating drum of the platesetter is imaged via a laser source having a window for transmitting a laser beam. The apparatus includes a nozzle, a redirecting surface and a vacuum chamber. The nozzle transmits a line of compressed air towards the redirecting surface which in turn redirects and splits the line of compressed air into two parts. A first part is directed towards the drum and a second part is diverted towards the laser window. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum channel for removing air including the ablative particles. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298866 | DEVELOPING AGENT CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - A development agent circulation unit includes a development unit, an agitation unit, and a rotary feeder. The development unit develops a latent image on an image carrier using a developing agent. The agitation unit agitates developing agent recovered from the development unit. The rotary feeder receives the developing agent from the agitation unit and discharges the developing agent in predetermined discrete amounts. The discharged developing agent is transported to the development unit using a gas stream. The rotary feeder includes a rotor and a stator having a clearance “t” between the rotor and the stator. The clearance “t” satisfies a relation “t<2D” where D denotes a developing agent particle diameter, and a toner particle diameter dt of a toner particle of the developing agent and a carrier particle diameter dc of a carrier particle of the developing agent satisfy a relation D=dc+2dt. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298867 | SHEET FINISHER AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM PROVIDED THEREWITH - A sheet finisher having a post-processing section that conducts post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus, the sheet finisher comprising: an intermediate storing section in which a plurality of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus are superposed to be stored temporarily; a pair of conveyance rollers that convey the plurality of sheets stored in the intermediate storing section to the post-processing section while the plurality of sheets are superposed; each of two drive motors which drives one of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with one sheet of the plurality of sheets and the other of the pair of conveyance rollers that comes in contact with the other sheet of the plurality of sheets, separately; and a correction controller that controls a rotation speed of at least one of the two drive motors. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298868 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Provide an image forming apparatus that improves precision in adjudicating the type of the recording medium while also minimizing the time required to make such an adjudication. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of particular shape images that configures a two-dimensional bar code. The image forming apparatus forms a measurement pattern image for measurement, which includes one or more of the particular shape image, upon an image carrier and reads in the measurement pattern image that is formed upon the image carrier. The image forming apparatus determines a difference between a shape of the particular shape image that is included in the measurement pattern image and a shape of the particular shape image that is stored in the storage unit and subsequently determines an image forming condition with regard to the particular shape image stored in the storage unit. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298869 | Ink Ribbon Cassette and Apparatus that Uses the Ink Ribbon Cassette - An ink ribbon cassette includes first and second rotatable bodies that rotate with an ink ribbon held between the rotatable bodies in sandwiched relation. The second rotatable body includes a hole through which a shaft extends such that the second rotatable body is rotatably supported on the shaft. The shaft may have a circumferential surface conical toward the free end, and the hole may be a conical hole into which the conical shaft extends. The shaft may include a plurality of cylindrical shaft portions that are in line with one another and that have different diameters. The second rotatable body is formed with a plurality of cylindrical hole portions having different diameters corresponding to the cylindrical shaft portions such that the second rotatable body is rotatably supported on the shaft. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298870 | MEDIA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED SPINDLE - Media rolls, support structures for the media rolls, and media processing systems are provided. A media roll may include an identification transponder having retrievable information regarding the media units and associated media unit transponders wound around a core of the media roll. A support structure may include a spindle for supporting a media roll and include an identification coupler for communicating with the identification transponder. In addition to the spindle having the identification coupler, the media processing systems may include a second coupler for encoding the media unit transponders and a printhead for printing indicia onto the media units. The information retrieved from the identification transponder may be used to adjust one or more encoding and/or printing settings of the systems. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298871 | Pinwheel and printing apparatus having the same - A pinwheel includes a plurality of pins arranged on a circumferential surface thereof with a specific interval for engaging transportation holes of a medium, so that the medium is transported. Each of the pins has a lateral section having a substantially oval shape. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298872 | Tape Processing Apparatus - Provided herein is a tape processing apparatus having: a tape cutting device which slides a cutter holder having a cutter blade attached therein in a reciprocating sliding directions and cuts a tape by a forward sliding movement thereof; and a tape ejecting device which faces to a tape ejecting path from the tape cutting device to a tape ejecting slot and eject a tape piece of the tape forcibly from the tape ejecting slot by contacting in rotation with the cut tape piece; wherein the tape ejecting device having: an ejecting roller which contacts in rotation with the tape piece; and a power conversion mechanism which is placed between the ejecting roller and the cutter holder, converts a backward sliding movement of the cutter holder to a rotational movement for the ejecting roller, and transmits the rotational movement to the ejecting roller. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298873 | Recording-medium storage device and image forming apparatus - A first engaging member makes a first engagement with a first locking member to lock an edge guiding unit. A second engaging member makes a second engagement with a second locking member to lock the edge guiding unit. The first locking member is movable to a first retract position and a second retract position. When the first locking member moves to the first retract position, the second engagement is released in conjunction with a release of the first engagement, and when the first locking member moves to the second retract position, the first engagement is released while maintaining the second engagement. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298874 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of guiding a printing medium in a smooth manner by minimizing resistance to the printing medium feed and preventing a developer from adhering and accumulating on a printing medium guide device. The image forming apparatus includes a printing medium guide device to guide a printing medium in a print path to a discharge path or guide the printing medium in the discharge path to a reverse path, and the printing medium guide device includes rollers to rotate by contacting the printing medium. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298875 | MODULAR WORKBOARD THERMAL PRINTER SYSTEM - A modular workboard thermal printer system provides a user with portable computing and printing capabilities. According to one aspect, the modular workboard thermal printer system includes a housing to which a thermal printer module may be operatively coupled, and a receiving portion formed with the housing for accepting therein a portable computing device that interfaces with the thermal printer module. Further, the modular workboard thermal printer system possesses an input/output panel for electrically connecting external devices with the thermal printer module and/or the portable computing device, as well as a power supply for delivering electrical power to the thermal printer module and optionally to other devices connected with the housing. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298876 | Multi-Unit Cosmetic Applicator - A multi-unit cosmetic applicator comprising: a housing body, a first cosmetic unit housed in the housing body, a second cosmetic unit housed in the housing body, an opening in the housing, wherein each cosmetic unit has a means for being independently movable relative to each other from a stored position to an advanced position and back to its stored position. The means may include a ratchet assembly, a squeeze assembly, or a dual twist assembly. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298877 | HOUSING AND MOVEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR COSMETIC CONTAINERS - One or more examples of the invention include a housing and one or more containers configured to be received in the housing. Each container includes a projection formed on an outside surface configured to engage with a groove formed in an interior portion of the housing such that the projection of the container enters the groove of the housing when the container is mounted in said housing to help guide movement of the at least one container within the housing. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298878 | MARKER WITH A SEAL ARRANGEMENT - The invention relates to a marker with a seal arrangement, comprising a housing in which an ink storage chamber, a spring system, a writing tip connected to an end portion of the ink storage chamber, and a seal arrangement fitted onto the outer periphery of an end of the writing tip are disposed. The seal arrangement comprises a frame portion and a sealing chamber fixed on the frame portion. The sealing chamber has an opening at its front end for the writing tip to protrude and retract, the frame portion is fixed at its front end with one end of a tough and flexible sealing strip which has the other end fixed on a hooked block formed at the front end of the ink storage chamber, the sealing strip further comprising an aperture capable of closing and exposing the opening of the sealing chamber. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298879 | LIQUID APPLICATOR WITH AN ANGLED ELONGATED HEAD - The present invention relates generally to liquid applicators. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held liquid applicator having a flexible elongated hollow body and elongated head with at least two openings, and a mechanism for fracturing the ampoules to release the liquid for dispensing. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298880 | Page Turning Assist Device with a Holder - A page turning assist device for use in turning loose leaf pages retained on rings of a ring mechanism includes a base having opposite side margins and being more rigid than the loose leaf pages. At least one aperture in one of the side margins of the base is sized and shaped for receiving a corresponding one of the rings therethrough to permit the base to slide along the ring for use in turning the loose leaf pages on the ring mechanism. A holder is mounted on the base for generally conjoint movement with the base on the ring. The holder is adapted for releasably securing an object to the base for movement with the base. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298881 | Apparatus and Methods for Automatically Binding a Stack of Sheets With a Nonspiral Binding Element - The present invention includes an automated binding machine configured for binding a stack of perforated sheets with a binding element. The automated binding machine includes a support member supporting the stack of perforated sheets, a binding element feeder, a plurality of binding elements supported by the binding element feeder, a receiving member configured to receive a first binding element from the plurality of binding elements and to insert at least a portion of the first binding element through the stack of perforated sheets, and a binding mechanism configured to engage the inserted portion and couple the inserted portion to a non-inserted portion of the first binding element. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298882 | LOOSE-LEAF BINDING STRUCTURE - A loose-leaf binding structure comprises: a connecting unit with hooks, each having a first bent plate, a second bent plate corresponding to the first bent plate, and an arc plate connected to the first and second bent plates, and each arc plate has a connecting portion proximate to the second bent plate and connected to each hook; and a position limit unit, having a guide track on each side of the position limit unit, such that the position limit unit is movably coupled to first and second bent plates by the guide track. Each hook passes through the loose pages and binds the covers between the first and second bent plates and the position limit unit, and thus hiding the connecting unit to give a loose-leaf binder with a flat and even surface, and allowing users to dispose the binder neatly and flatly or writing on the loose page easily. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298883 | Ring Binder Kit and Fastening System - A fastening system for securing a ring mechanism on a substrate has a tubular support post, an expansible retainer, and a generally pin-shaped expansion member. The tubular support post has a sidewall with an inner surface defining a central passage through the support post. The expansible retainer has a head portion with a hole therethrough, and at least two flexible fingers extending longitudinally from the head portion. The flexible fingers collectively have an inner surface that together with the hole defines a central passage extending through the expansible retainer and have a cross-sectional dimension. The expansion member has a cross-section that is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of at least a portion of the central passage of the expansible retainer to urge and retain the flexible fingers transversely outward from a relaxed condition to a deflected condition in engagement with the sidewall of the support post. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298884 | Coupler for Cable Trough - Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298885 | Power Pivot Device - A pivot assembly may include first and second subassemblies. The first subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to a frame member and rotationally fixed relative thereto. The first subassembly may include a latch mechanism displaceable between locked and unlocked positions. The second subassembly may be adapted to be coupled to the frame member and may be rotatable relative thereto. The second subassembly may include a power pivot assembly and a cam member. The power pivot assembly may be drivingly engaged with the cam member and operable to rotate the cam member in a first rotational direction to a first position where the cam member urges the latch mechanism into the unlocked position. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298886 | BICYCLE TUBE-CLAMP ASSEMBLY - A bicycle tube-clamp assembly comprises a body; the body including an upper tube portion and a lower tube portion; wherein the upper tube portion has a hollow structure and an interior of the upper tube portion having an upper inner annular surface; a part of the upper tube portion vertically to the upper surface is formed as an upper clamping portion which is slightly elastic; a lower tube portion is a hollow structure; an interior of the lower tube portion is formed as a lower inner annular surface; an end surface of the lower tube portion facing downwards is formed as a lower surface; a part of the lower tube portion vertically to the lower surface is formed as a lower clamping portion; and the lower clamping portion is slightly elastic; and a connection portion is between the upper tube portion and lower tube portion. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298887 | Panel and Clamping Fasteners - The invention provides a release for locking system particularly suitable for fastening a first element such as a panel ( | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298888 | Standing board fixing structure and television receiving apparatus - In fixing a standing board to a main board, the standing board is held by a first and a second fixing holder and fixed at right angles to the main board. The first and the second fixing holders are identical, being formed of metal plates having the same shape. The first fixing holder holds one of two opposite edges of the standing board with a side board thereof extending from an edge of a back board face in a direction perpendicular thereto such that the back board face and one face of the standing board face each other and are substantially parallel to each other. The second fixing holder holds the other one of the two opposite edges of the standing board with a side board thereof extending from an edge of a back board face in a direction perpendicular thereto such that the back board face and the other face of the standing board face each other and are substantially parallel to each other. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298889 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR JOINING BRITTLE MATERIAL PIECES - A system and method for joining together a pair of brittle material pieces, such as controlled expansion ceramic pieces, involves using a threaded plug joined to a first brittle material piece, to secure a threaded fastener passing through part of the second brittle material piece, thus joining together the brittle material pieces. The threaded plug may be inserted in a plug-receiving hole that may be substantially perpendicular to a fastener-receiving hole in the first brittle material piece. One or both of the plug and the plug-receiving hole may be conical, to facilitate fitting the plug into the plug-receiving hole. The plug may be secured to the first brittle piece by soldering. The system and method provides a secure way of threadedly joining together a pair of brittle material parts, without use of possibly contaminating adhesives, and without a need to put threads on the actual brittle material itself. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298890 | Interior part mounting clip - According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an interior part mounting clip for mounting an interior part on a panel member including: a pin portion having a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of a mounting hole formed in a frame-shaped mounting seat formed on the interior part and inserted into and made movable in the mounting hole; a head portion formed at one end of the pin portion and engaging with the mounting seat; and a stem portion formed at the other end of the pin portion and engaging with an engaging hole formed in the panel member. The head portion includes at least three protrusions protruding radially outward of the pin portion, and an outer frame mounted in a manner to be elastically displaced relative to the pin portion through a plurality of elastic portions extending radially outward from the portions of the pin portion between the protrusions. The outer circumference of the outer frame abuts against the inner circumference of the frame-shaped mounting seat and engages with the circumferential edge of the mounting hole. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298891 | Creating road models - Embodiments of the present invention recite a computer implemented method and system for creating a road model. In one embodiment, an identification of an intersection of a first road and a second road is received. At least one designated elevation is received at which the first road and the second road should merge. Finally a united layer is automatically created for the intersection wherein a first plurality of strings defining the first road and a second plurality of strings defining the second road intersect at the at least one designated elevation. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298892 | Machine for the maintenance and conditioning of road shoulders - A machine for the maintenance and conditioning of road shoulders having a work vehicle, an aggregate tiller, a screed assembly, and an attachment apparatus; the attachment apparatus being such that the screed assembly is rearward of the aggregate tiller, and such that the aggregate tiller and the screed assembly operate on the road shoulder while the work vehicle travels on the road proper. A preferred embodiment includes an assembly of the aggregate tiller, the screed assembly, the attachment apparatus, a folding apparatus whereby the assembly may be folded into a stowed position, a broom whereby the road edge may be swept clean, and adjustment mechanisms whereby the assembly may be adjusted; the adjustment mechanisms being remotely controlled. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298893 | Vibration Plate with Stabilizing Device - A vibration plate with a top mass and a bottom mass has, in addition to a spring device, a stabilizing device with which the bottom mass can be guided during its movement relative to the top mass. The stabilizing device has a transverse stabilizer which prevents tilting between the top mass and the bottom mass. The stabilizing device may likewise be formed by one or more Panhard rods, which prevent a transverse displacement between the top mass and the bottom mass. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298894 | Wave Protection Structure, Method For Producing A Toe Element For A Wave Protection Structure, And Method For Producing A Wave Protection Structure - A wave protection structure is intended for a slope, such as the slope of a breakwater or a bank, which slope merges into a bed at the location of a toe. The wave protection structure comprises wave protection elements and toe elements. The wave protection elements are each provided with a plurality of projections for engaging in one another and are provided on the slope in a substantially regular imaginary grid, with a horizontal grid spacing between the centres of gravity of the wave protection elements. The toe elements extend along the toe and their shape differs from the shape of the wave protection elements. The centres of gravity of the toe elements are provided at substantially the horizontal grid spacing from one another. As a result of the toe elements being provided at the grid spacing of the wave protection elements, it is easier to position the toe elements. This also allows the use of larger blocks and means that it is no longer necessary to stack the wave protection elements. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298895 | Connection structure of plate-type vertical drain and circular horizontal drainpipe and method of constructing horizontal drain layer in soft ground using the same - A connection structure of plate type vertical drains and a circular horizontal drainpipe and a method of constructing a horizontal drain layer in soft ground using the same. The plate type vertical drains are coupled to the circular horizontal drainpipe using cylindrical fitters, so that excess pore water can be easily drained from underground even if the horizontal drain layer is constructed by pouring soil instead of sand, thereby reducing construction costs and a construction period. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298896 | Method and Device for Waterproofing and Draining Off Infliltrated Water in Hydraulic Structures - A sheathing of elastically deformable waterproofing sheet material ( | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298897 | Enhanced soaker hose - A flexible irrigation pipe including porous and non-porous segments combined together to avoid unnecessary water loss and improve water distribution along the porous segments of the irrigation pipe. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298898 | Offshore Platform with Movable Cantilever Extending Beyond the Deck - This invention relates to an offshore system comprising a rig having a deck ( | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298899 | MARINE VESSEL LANDING SITE BARRIER - A method and apparatus for a marine vessel landing site barrier is described. The apparatus includes a barrier adapted to at least partially surround a marine vessel and partition the water surrounding the marine vessel to prevent or minimize marine species from entering water intake systems located on the marine vessel. The barrier prevents ingress and egress of marine species from entering the water surrounding the marine vessel, which facilitates efficient operation of water intake and exchange systems on the vessel. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298900 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTING AND INSTALLING DOCKS - An apparatus and method for constructing and installing docks is provided that use a scaffold cantilever adjustable frame construction and alignment tool (SCAFCAT) to build and install docks in a manner that prevents, or at least lessens, damage to the environment immediately adjacent to an area in which a structure is to be installed. More specifically, the SCAFCAT is ideally suited for the construction of docks over constantly varying water levels or in environmentally sensitive areas where construction traffic could be detrimental to the local ecosystem. Use of the SCAFCAT system also reduces construction time and costs. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298901 | Soil Consolidating Method and Composition Therefor - The invention relates to a soil consolidation process using a combination of calcifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298902 | ENVIRONMENT RESISTANT RETAINING WALL BLOCK AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298903 | Reinforcement Liner Installation Mold For The Corrugated Steel Plate Structure - The present invention relates to a reinforcement liner installation mold for a corrugated steel plate structure. The reinforcement liner installation mold for the corrugated steel plate structure according to the present invention is mounted on one surface of a corrugated steel plate and forms a reinforcement liner when concrete is placed inside the mold the placed concrete cures. The mold includes a plurality of unit mold panels, each having a rectangular front panel part and two side panel parts integrally formed along the opposite lengthwise edges of the front panel part. The plurality of unit mold panels is sequentially fastened to the corrugated steel plate by a plurality of anchor bolts and a plurality of nuts along the outer surface of the corrugated steel plate in a lengthwise direction. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298904 | Mine roof cable bolt, coupler and method - A metal coupling used to join a strand cable with a threaded metal mine roof bolt includes a first portion having a first opening that is threaded to receive an engage with the bolt. The coupling includes a second portion having a second opening to receive and engage with the cable. A mine roof support includes a strand cable. The support includes a threaded metal mine roof bolt. The support includes a metal coupling which joins the strand cable with the threaded metal mine roof bolt that supports at least 1 ton of load from a mine roof when disposed in the mine roof. A method for forming a mine roof support includes the steps of screwing a threaded metal mine roof bolt into a first opening that is threaded of a metal coupling. There is the step of inserting a strand cable into a second opening of the metal coupling. There is the step of swagging the cable inside the coupling. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298905 | Soil Stabilization System - A construction article including a compacted mixture that includes soil and a crop plant biomass microorganism-expressed enzyme composition. A method of stabilizing soil including: (i) mixing together soil, water and a crop plant biomass microorganism-expressed enzyme composition to form a mixture; (ii) causing the mixture to be shaped into a selected structure; and (iii) causing the structure to be compacted. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298906 | Carrier transportation system with brake valve device proximate to a carrier receiver - A transfer system for a carrier that features a flow supply tube in fluid communication with a flow supply generator and in fluid communication with a carrier transport tube network dimensioned for transfer reception of the carrier. The carrier transport tube network has a first carrier reception chamber provided with a first carrier stop point and a second carrier reception chamber with second carrier stop point. The flow supply tube has a single point contact with the carrier transport tube network to provide a single tube based flow connection with the carrier transport. Also, with the single point connection there can be positioned a brake valve in line with a first section of the carrier transport tube network and in line with a first section of said flow supply tube just a few feet above the stop point of one or both of the reception chambers to provide for rapid travel to the brake valve and efficient braking within just a few feet of the stop point. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298907 | Pneumatic transport system with reception chamber assembly with access cover seal assembly - An access chamber assembly for use in a pneumatic transport system with a sealing arrangement that provides an intended bearing clearance relative to an access door device which is rotated between an open, access state and a closed state. The bearing clearance allows for radial adjustment of the door while being rotated between states of being fully closed and fully open to avoid binding and seal friction noise. When a seal status is desired, as when the access door is closed and the access chamber is in a pressurized state (such as when a carrier is being braked to a stop state in the access chamber), the seal arrangement provides for a tight seal as the access door device is radially adjusted by the pressure to take up the clearance, at a diametrically opposed side, which movement also increases a seal enhancement effect provided by the seal components surface interrelationship as with door bar seals having a slight taper that provides an increased seal wedge effect as the access door is radially pushed out by the pressure against a second seal component such as a fixed lip seal of a carrier support pocket. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298908 | Pipeline for the Hydraulic or Pneumatic Transport of Solids - A pipeline ( | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298909 | Cutting Tooth for Brush Cutting - A cutting tooth is used on a brush cutter head. The cutting tooth includes a cutting portion having a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face cooperate to define a tapering profile terminating in a cutting edge. The first face of the cutting portion carries a plurality of ridges formed thereon to direct cutting debris away from the cutting edge and facilitate passage of the debris along the trailing face when the cutting tooth is in use. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298910 | DROPLET-FREE COATING SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY ARC-EVAPORATION METHOD - A droplet-free wear-resistant coating is manufactured by depositing a wear resistant nitride coating containing a nitride layer which contains at least one metal or metal compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Al, Si and combinations thereof, on a surface of a substrate by cathodic-arc evaporation using a Venetian blind filter system in front of an arc cathode; to reduce metal microdroplets and/or metal microparticles in the wear resistant coating compared to an wear resistant coating obtained without a Venetian blind filter system. | 2008-12-04 |
| 20080298911 | Drill template for installing railing brackets - A drill template for correctly positioning fastener holes on a side wall of a fence post. The drill template comprises a base that includes an alignment mechanism to enable an installer to correctly place the base adjacent a side wall of the fence post. The base of the template includes a plurality of fastener-positioning indicators thereon, each of which is useful to identify a position for drilling a single fastener hole in the side wall of the fence post. The template also includes a slider that is movable along the base to select which of the plurality of fastener-positioning indicators to use. The slider includes a plurality of apertures that are alignable with the fastener-positioning indicators. Preferably, the fastener positioning indicators are holes that are defined in the base. The installer sequentially inserts a drill bit through each one of the aligned apertures and indicator holes and drills the fastener holes in the post. | 2008-12-04 |
