Patent Grant
10195876
The present invention relates to ink-jet recording apparatuses recording images on recording media.
Conventionally, ink-jet recording apparatuses have been known to include a recording section configured to record images on a recording medium transported through a transport path, by an ink-jet recording method. As the recording medium transported in such an ink-jet recording apparatus, not only thin recording paper but also thicker glossy paper and postcards are utilized.
Further, in such an ink-jet recording apparatus, when recording images on a recording medium, the recording medium is supported on a platen. At this time, it is required to adjust a gap between the recording section and the recording medium supported on the platen with a high precision. However, the abovementioned gap varies with the thickness of the recording medium. As a result, it is undesirably possible to degrade the quality of the images recorded on the recording medium.
In order to solve such problems, there are known recording apparatuses having a mechanism configured to move the platen between two predetermined positions. By virtue of this, it is possible to change the position of the platen with a thin recording medium such as recording paper and the like, or with a thick recording medium such as postcards and the like. As a result, it is possible to adjust the abovementioned gap between the recording section and the recording medium.
However, in the ink-jet recording apparatus, recording media of various types of thickness are transported. Further, even for recording media of the same type, thickness may still vary according to each recording medium. That is, the thickness of the transported recording media is an indefinite factor.
The present invention is made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus capable of keeping an invariant gap between a recording medium and the recording portion without depending on thickness of the recording medium.
According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including:
a transporting roller provided in a transport path through which a recording medium is guided, and configured to transport the recording medium along the transport path in a transporting direction;
a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller to transport the recording medium along the transport path, while moving in an approaching-departuring direction to approach to or depart from the transporting roller based on a thickness of the recording medium sandwiched between the driven roller and the transporting roller;
a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller;
a platen provided below the transport path on the downstream side from the transporting roller in the transporting direction, and configured to support the recording medium transported through the transport path;
a recording portion provided above the transport path to face the platen, and configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles to record the image on the recording medium supported on the platen; and
a cooperative portion configured to move along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departuring direction to move the platen.
In this case, the driven roller moves a distance equal to the thickness of the recording medium in the approaching-departuring direction by sandwiching the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller. As the driven roller moves in the approaching-departuring direction, the platen supporting the recording medium is thus moved as much as the thickness of the recording medium due to the cooperative portion. That is, the movement distance of the platen is identical to the thickness of the recording medium in the approaching-departuring direction.
According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including:
a transporting roller provided in a transport path through which a recording medium is guided, and configured to transport the recording medium along the transport path in a transporting direction;
a driven roller provided to face the transporting roller, and configured to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller to transport the recording medium along the transport path, while moving in an approaching-departuring direction to approach to or depart from the transporting roller based on a thickness of the recording medium sandwiched between the driven roller and the transporting roller;
a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller;
a platen provided below the transport path on the downstream side of the transporting roller in the transporting direction, and configured to support the recording medium transported through the transport path;
a recording portion provided above the transport path to face the platen, and configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles formed in the recording portion to record the image on the recording medium supported on the platen;
a support member rotatably supporting the driven roller and integrally moving with the driven roller;
a contact portion disposed on the platen and configured to come into contact with the support member;
a contacted portion disposed on the support member to be contacted by the contact portion; and
a second biasing member biasing the platen to the support member,
wherein the platen moves in such a direction that the contact portion approaches to or departs from the contacted portion.
According to a third aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including:
a first roller provided in a transport path through which the recording medium is guided, and configured to transport a recording medium along the transport path in a transporting direction;
a second roller configured to sandwich the recording medium between the second roller and the first roller to transport the recording medium in the transporting direction, while moving in an approaching-departuring direction to approach to or depart from the first roller based on a thickness of the recording medium;
a biasing member biasing the second roller to the first roller;
a platen provided on the downstream side of the first roller in the transporting direction;
a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles onto the recording medium supported by the platen; and
a cooperative portion configured to move along with the movement of the second roller in the approaching-departuring direction to move the platen.
According to the present teaching, the platen moves a distance identical to the thickness of the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to keep an invariant gap between the recording portion and the recording medium supported on the platen without depending on thickness of the recording medium.
Hereinbelow, an embodiment of the present teaching will be explained. Further, it is needless to say that the embodiment explained below is merely an example of the present teaching, and thus it is possible to change the embodiment of the present teaching as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present teaching. Further, the term “direction” includes both of the meaning “one-way direction” and “two-way direction”. The words “one-way direction” means a direction from starting point to ending point of an arrow, and the words “two-way direction” means the direction from starting point to ending point and the direction from ending point to starting point of the arrow. Further, in the following explanations, an up-down direction 7 is defined based on a reference state (see in
[An Overall Configuration of the Multifunction Printer 10]
As shown in
The printer section 11 has a case 14 having an opening 13 formed in its front side. Further, a paper feeding tray 20 and a paper discharging tray 21 capable of loading the recording paper 12 of various sizes are formed to be insertable to and removable from the opening 13 in the front-rear direction 8.
As shown in
[The Paper Feed Portion 15]
As shown in
A paper feeding motor (not shown) transmits a driving force to the feeding roller 25 to rotate the same. The feeding roller 25 sends out a sheet of the recording paper 12 to a curved path 65A explained below by separating it from other sheets if the recording paper 12 in a state of contact with the uppermost sheet of the recording paper 12 among the recording paper 12 placed on the paper feeding tray 20.
[A Transport Path 65]
As shown in
The curved path 65A is a curved passage provided to extend from the vicinity of the upper end of a separation inclined plate 22 provided on the paper feeding tray 20 up to the recording portion 24. The recording paper 12 fed from the paper feeding tray 20 by the feeding roller 25 is curved in a transporting direction along the curved path 65A (the direction or orientation of the arrow assigned to the chain line in
The paper discharge path 65B is a linear passage provided to extend from the position of sandwiching the recording paper 12 by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 up to the paper discharging tray 21. The recording paper 12 is guided through the paper discharge path 65B in the transporting direction. The paper discharge path 65B is defined by the recording portion 24, and a platen 42 (an example of the platen of the present teaching) which is a plate-like member capable of supporting the recording paper 12, facing each other at a predetermined gap where the recording portion 24 is provided. Further, the paper discharge path 65B is defined by an upper guide member 82 and a lower guide member 83 facing each other at a predetermined gap where the recording portion 24 is not provided.
[The Platen 42]
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the ribs 52 extends in the front-rear direction 8. In detail, the ribs 52 each extend in the front-rear direction 8 at least in the positions facing nozzles 39 which will be described hereinafter. In this embodiment, the ribs 52 each extend in the front-rear direction 8 in the positions facing lower surfaces 51 of holding portions 55 of a holding member 53 which will also be described hereinafter (see
Further, the ribs 52 are formed at predetermined gaps from each other in the left-right direction 9, respectively. The recording paper 12 transported through the transport path 65 is supported by the platen 42, or in detail, by each of the ribs 52 formed on the upper surface of the platen 42.
A notch 67 (see
[The Recording Portion 24]
As shown in
As shown in
[The First Transporting Roller 60 and the Pinch Roller 61]
As shown in
As shown in
The shaft 58 of the pinch roller 61 is rotatably supported by a holder 57 (an example of the supporting member of the present teaching) between the respective rotators 59, as will be described below in detail. In this embodiment, the holder 57 is constructed by a bottom plate 46, and a plurality of support portions 47 formed to project upward from the bottom plate 46. The support portions 47 are provided at predetermined gaps in the left-right direction 9. A hole 48 is formed in each of the support portions 47 along the left-right direction 9. The shaft 58 of the pinch roller 61 is inserted through the holes 48.
A plurality of first coil springs 91 (an example of the first biasing member of the present teaching) are arranged below the holder 57. The first coil springs 91 support the holder 57 from below. Further, the first coil springs 91 are fixed to a frame 84 of the printer section 11 on the lower ends. By virtue of this, the pinch roller 61 is biased by the first coil springs 91 and pressed onto the roller surface of the first transporting roller 60. In other words, the first coil springs 91 bias the pinch roller 61 toward the first transporting roller 60, i.e. bias it upward. By virtue of this, the recording paper 12 is sandwiched between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, and transported along the transport path 65 in the transporting direction.
If a comparatively thick sheet of the recording paper 12 is sandwiched between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then the pinch roller 61 is pressed by the recording paper 12 so as to move downward in resistance to the upward biasing force of the first coil springs 91. By virtue of this, the pinch roller 61 is separated from the first transporting roller 60. At this time, the holder 57 supporting the pinch roller 61 is moved downward integrally with the pinch roller 61. After the thick sheet of the recording paper 12 passes through the interspace between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, the pinch roller 61 is no longer pressed by the recording paper 12, and thus moved upward by the upward biasing force of the first coil springs 91. By virtue of this, the pinch roller 61 is pressed onto the first transporting roller 60. At this time, the holder 57 supporting the pinch roller 61 is moved upward integrally with the pinch roller 61.
On the other hand, if a comparatively thin sheet of the recording paper 12 is sandwiched between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then the downward movement of the first transporting roller 60 is less in amount than that of the case in which a comparatively thick sheet of the recording paper 12 is sandwiched.
In the above manner, the pinch roller 61 moves in the up-down direction 7 (an example of the approaching and separating direction of the present teaching) to approach to and separate from the first transporting roller 60 according to the thickness of the recording paper 12 sandwiched between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61.
[The Second Transporting Roller 62 and a Spur 63]
As shown in
Further, a driving force is transmitted from a transport motor (not shown) to the aforementioned first transporting roller 60 and second transporting roller 62 to rotate the both. By virtue of this, the recording paper 12 is transported in the transporting direction.
[The Holding Member 53]
As shown in
The fitting portion 56 is a plate-like member provided to extend in the left-right direction 9. The plurality of curved portions 54 are fixed apart from each other in the left-right direction 9 (an example of the width direction of the present teaching). Each of the curved portions 54 is provided to project frontward from the fitting portion 56. Each of the curved portions 54 is curved downward while extending frontward. From the apical end, i.e. the front end of each of the curved portions 54, the holding portions 55 project frontward. By virtue of this, in the same manner as the curved portions 54, the plurality of holding portions 55 are also arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction 9.
As shown in
As shown in
Here, as shown in
[A Cooperative Portion 70]
As shown in
As shown in
In this embodiment, as shown in
Further, as shown in
As shown in
In this embodiment, the contacted portions 72 are, as shown in
Further, the plurality of contacted portions 72 are provided apart symmetrically from the central portion of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9. In this embodiment, the plurality of contacted portions 72 are provided to face the contact portions 71 in the up-down direction 7, respectively. By virtue of this, the lower surfaces of the contacted portions 72 are contacted by the upper surfaces of the contact portions 71.
As shown in
As described above, the plurality of protrusions 74 of the platen 42 are provided apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. Thereby, the plurality of second coil springs 73 formed on the lower side of the protrusions 74 are also provided apart in the left-right direction 9.
Further, as described above, the plurality of second coil springs 73 are provided in the positions facing the contact portions 71 and the contacted portions 72 in the left-right direction 9. Here, as described above, the plurality of contact portions 71 and the plurality of contacted portions 72 are provided apart symmetrically from the central portion of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9. Thereby, the plurality of second coil springs 73 are also provided apart symmetrically from the central portion of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9. By virtue of this, the second coil springs 73 bias the platen 42 toward the holder 57 of the pinch roller 61 from the left end portion to the right end portion. That is, the second coil springs 73 bias at least the central portion of the platen 42 to the holder 57 of the pinch roller 61 in the left-right direction 9.
[Operation of the Cooperative Portion 70]
Hereinbelow, referring to
As shown in
First, explanations will be made for the case of transporting the recording paper 12 with a low rigidity and almost no thickness such as plain paper and the like through the transport path 65. When the recording paper 12 is sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, the pinch roller 61 and the holder 57 almost do not move downward. It is because the recording paper 12 has almost no thickness.
Next, if the recording paper 12 sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 is further transported in the transporting direction, then the recording paper 12 comes right under the holding portions 55 of the holding member 53. By virtue of this, the recording paper 12 comes into a sandwiched state between the platen 42 and the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55. At this time, the upper ends of the ribs 52 maintain the position above the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55. However, because of the low rigidity, the recording paper 12 cannot press the ribs 52 downward. Therefore, right under the holding member 53, the upper surface of the recording paper 12 contacts with the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55. On the other hand, right above the ribs 52, the lower surface of the recording paper 12 contacts with the upper ends of the ribs 52 positioned above the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55. As a result, as shown in
Next, explanations will be made for the case of transporting a high-rigidity sheet of the recording paper 12 thicker than plain paper such as glossy paper and the like through the transport path 65. As shown in
As shown in
In the above manner, by sandwiching the recording paper 12 between the platen 42 and the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55, the cooperative portion 70 moves the platen 42 to extend the distance from the pinch roller 61 in the up-down direction 7. Further, by sandwiching the recording paper 12 between the platen 42 and the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55, in resistance to the biasing force of the second coil springs 73, the platen 42 moves in such a direction that the contact portions 71 depart from the contacted portions 72.
On the other hand, even if the recording paper 12 is sandwiched between the platen 42 and the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55, the pinch roller 61 is not ever moved below the state in
If the rear end of the recording paper 12 in the transporting direction passes through the position sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then the pinch roller 61 moves upward due to the biasing force of the first coil springs 91, and is pressed onto the first transporting roller 60. By virtue of this, the holder 57 also moves upward. However, because the recording paper 12 is still in a state of being sandwiched between the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55 and the ribs 52 of the platen 42, the platen 42 does not move upward. As a result, the contacted portions 72 of the holder 57 and the contact portions 71 of the platen 42 depart from each other. Thereafter, if the rear end of the recording paper 12 in the transporting direction passes through the interspace between the platen 42 and the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55, then the platen 42 moves upward due to the biasing force of the second coil springs 73. By virtue of this, the upper surfaces of the contact portions 71 are again pressed onto the lower surfaces of the contacted portions 72. As a result, the cooperative portion 70 becomes in the state as shown in
According to the above embodiment, by sandwiching the recording paper 12 with the first transporting roller 60, the pinch roller 61 moves in the up-down direction 7 by a distance as long as the thickness of the recording paper 12. If the pinch roller 61 moves in the up-down direction 7, then the platen 42 supporting the recording paper 12 is moved by the cooperative portion 70 while keeping the constant distance from the pinch roller 61 in the up-down direction 7. That is, the movement distance of the platen 42 in the up-down direction 7 is the same as the thickness of the recording paper 12. In the above manner, according to this embodiment, without depending on the thickness of the recording paper 12, it is possible to keep an invariant gap between the recording portion 24 and the recording paper 12 supported on the platen 42.
Further, according to this embodiment, the recording paper 12 supported on the platen 42 is held down by the holding member 53 and sandwiched between the platen 42 and the holding member 53 to be in an undulant state in the left-right direction 9. By virtue of this, it is possible to raise the rigidity of a low-rigidity sheet of the recording paper 12 in the front-rear direction 8. As a result, it is possible to restrain deformation and jam of the recording paper 12 even in the transport after recording.
Further, in the case of sandwiching such a sheet of the recording paper 12 as with a high rigidity that the holding member 53 cannot absorb its deformation between the platen 42 and the holding member 53, the platen 42 moves downward by a longer distance than in the case that the recording paper 12 is sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 but not sandwiched by the platen 42 and the holding member 53. By virtue of this, it is possible to apply the height standard of the recording paper 12 supported on the platen 42 to the height of the position held down by the holding member 53.
Further, according to this embodiment, the ribs 52 are elongated along the transporting direction. Therefore, the ribs 52 can support the recording paper 12 over a wide range. As a result, it is possible to improve the transport precision of the recording paper 12.
Further, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize the cooperative portion 70 with a simple configuration including the contact portions 71, the contacted portions 72, and the like. Further, according to this embodiment, if the first transporting roller 60 is arranged above the pinch roller 61, then when the recording paper 12 is sandwiched between the platen 42 and the holding member 53, the contact portions 71 formed on the platen 42 are pressed by the recording paper 12 to depart from the contacted portions 72 formed on the holder 57 of the pinch roller 61. That is, the platen 42 is movable independently of the holder 57 (the pinch roller 61). In other words, even if the movement distance of the platen 42 becomes longer in the up-down direction 7, the pinch roller 61 still does not move beyond necessity. In the above manner, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the pinch roller 61 from departing more than necessary from the first transporting roller 60.
Further, according to this embodiment, the rotating end portion of the platen 42 is pressed on the holder 57 of the pinch roller 61 due to the biasing force of the second coil springs 73. Further, the pinch roller 61 supported by the holder 57 is pressed on the first transporting roller 60 due to the biasing force of the first coil springs 91. That is, the revolving end portion of the platen 42 is in a state of being pressed on the first transporting roller 60.
In the above manner, it is possible to set the rotating end portion of the platen 42 along the first transporting roller 60 fixed on the multifunction printer 10 in the left-right direction 9. Here, in this embodiment, the second coil springs 73 bias the central portion of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9 to the holder 57 of the pinch roller 61. Therefore, it is easy to set the rotating end portion of the platen 42 along the first transporting roller 60.
Since the rotating end portion of the platen 42 is set along the first transporting roller 60 fixed on the multifunction printer 10, it is possible to fix the gap between the recording portion 24 and the recording paper 12 supported on the platen 42. Thereby, in recording an image on the recording paper 12, it is possible to reduce quality degradation of the image recorded on the recording paper 12 by controlling the nozzles 39 based on the warpage of the platen 42.
Further, as is understood from this embodiment, it is possible to set the platen 42 along the first transporting roller 60 more accurately by providing a larger number of the second coil springs 73.
Further, according to this embodiment, the pinch roller 61 moves downward by a distance in accordance with the thickness of the recording paper 12 sandwiched between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61. Further, the platen 42 also moves downward while keeping the distance from the pinch roller 61 in the up-down direction 7. By virtue of this, it is possible to secure a smaller entry angle when the recording paper 12 enters into the support position by the platen 42 from the support position by the pinch roller 61. As a result, because the entry angle becomes smaller, it is possible to reduce the probability that the recording paper 12 is caught on the platen 42 and jammed inside the transport path 65.
In the above embodiment, the holding member 53 is configured as a single-body member. In particular, the holding member 53 is configured such that the plurality of curved portions 54 project from the fitting portion 56 provided to extend in the left-right direction 9. However, a plurality of holding members 53 may as well be provided.
For example, a plurality of fitting portions 56 of the holding members 53 may as well be provided according to the plurality of curved portions 54, respectively. That is, it is also possible to provide a plurality of holding members 53 each composed of one fitting portion 56, one curved portion 54 and one holding portion 55. Further, in the first modification, each of the fitting portions 56 is fixed to the guide rail 43 at a predetermined gap in the left-right direction 9.
In the above embodiment, on the upper surface of the platen 42, the ribs 52 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction 8. Then, the recording paper 12 is brought into an undulant state due to the ribs 52 and the holding member 53. However, instead of the ribs 52, a short projection with respect to the front-rear direction 8 may as well be formed on the upper surface of the platen 42. In the second modification, this projection is provided at least at the same position as the holding member 53 in the front-rear direction 8, but at a different position from the holding member 53 in the left-right direction 9. Further, a plurality of projections may as well be provided at predetermined gaps along the front-rear direction 8.
In the above embodiment, the plurality of contact portions 71, contacted portions 72 and second coil springs 73 are provided apart symmetrically from the central portion of the platen 42. However, the arrangement of the contact portions 71, contacted portions 72 and second coil springs 73 is not limited to that in the above embodiment.
For example, the contact portions 71, contacted portions 72 and second coil springs 73 may as well be arranged only at both ends of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9.
Further, just one contact portion 71, one contacted portion 72 and one second coil spring 73 may as well be arranged in the central portion of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9.
In the above embodiment, the configuration of the printer section 11 provided with the holding member 53 is explained. However, the printer section 11 may as well not be provided with the holding member 53. In this case, the cooperative portion 70 operates as follows.
When the recording paper 12 is not transported through the transport path 65, in the same manner as in
If the recording paper 12 transported through the transport path 65 is sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then in the same manner as in
If the rear end of the recording paper 12 in the transporting direction passes through the position sandwiched by the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then the pinch roller 61 moves upward due to the biasing force of the first coil springs 91, and is pressed onto the first transporting roller 60. If the pinch roller 61 moves upward, then the contact portions 71 pressed downward by the contacted portions 72 move upward following the contacted portions 72 due to the biasing force of the second coil springs 73. As a result, the contact portions 71 and the contacted portions 72 are maintained in a state of contact with each other.
According to the fourth modification, even without the holding member 53, it is still possible to realize the cooperative portion 70 with a simple configuration including the contact portions 71, the contacted portions 72, and the like.
In the above embodiment, the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55 are an example of the holding portion of the present teaching, and the lower surfaces 51 contact with the upper surface of the recording paper 12. However, the holding portion of the present teaching is not limited to the lower surfaces 51 of the holding portions 55. For example, the holding portions 55 may be each provided with at least one rotatable spur (not shown). In this case, the spur contacts with the upper surface of the recording paper 12. That is, in the fifth modification, this spur is an example of the holding portion of the present teaching.
According to the fifth modification, because the spur is rotatable, it is possible to smoothly transport the recording paper 12 through under the holding member 53.
In the above embodiment, the first transporting roller 60 is provided above the transport path 65, while the pinch roller 61 is provided below the transport path 65. However, the first transporting roller 60 may as well be provided below the transport path 65, while the pinch roller 61 is then provided above the transport path 65. Further, in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the pinch roller 61 is also configured to be movable in the up-down direction 7 in the sixth modification. Further, in the sixth modification, the first coil springs 91 bias the pinch roller 61 downward.
In the sixth modification, the printer section 11 includes a link member 76 as shown in
The extended end of the second arm 79 is fixed to the shaft 58 of the pinch roller 61. By virtue of this, as shown in
Further, if the recording paper 12 passes through the interspace between the first transporting roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, then the link member 76, the pinch roller 61 and the platen 42 operate reversely to the above, and thus transfer from the state of
In the above manner, in the sixth modification too, the link member 76, an example of the cooperative portion of the present teaching, moves the platen 42 along with the movement of the pinch roller 61 in the up-down direction 7.
Except for unperformable cases, it is also possible to appropriately combine the abovementioned embodiment and one or more modifications as necessary.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-259604 | Nov 2011 | JP | national |
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/210,284 filed Jul. 14, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/886,384 filed Oct. 19, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,409,422 on Aug. 9, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/598,382 filed Jan. 16, 2015, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,162,493, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/305,576 filed Jun. 16, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,857 on Oct. 2, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/629,906 filed Sep. 28, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,940 on Jul. 29, 2014, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-259604, filed on Nov. 28, 2011. The disclosures of the above-noted applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6896432 | Ohyama | May 2005 | B2 |
| 7232269 | Ohyama | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7735991 | Asano | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 8789940 | Kawamata | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8950857 | Kawamata | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 9162493 | Kawamata | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9409422 | Kawamata | Aug 2016 | B2 |
| 9764567 | Kawamata | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 20060256180 | Asano | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20080218578 | Ishihara et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
| 20130135412 | Kawamata | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130135413 | Ito et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20140292987 | Kawamata | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1861412 | Nov 2006 | CN |
| 202895930 | Apr 2013 | CN |
| H11-138923 | May 1999 | JP |
| 2004-249664 | Sep 2004 | JP |
| 2004-249664 | Sep 2004 | JP |
| 2006-315272 | Nov 2006 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Computer-generated translation of JP 2004-249664, published on Sep. 2004. |
| Computer-generated translation of JP 2000-249664, published on Sep. 2004. |
| Oct. 10, 2014—(CN) Notification of First Office Action—App. 201210369840.6—Eng Tran. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180170074 A1 | Jun 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15210284 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 15696799 | US | |
| Parent | 14886384 | Oct 2015 | US |
| Child | 15210284 | US | |
| Parent | 14598382 | Jan 2015 | US |
| Child | 14886384 | US | |
| Parent | 14305576 | Jun 2014 | US |
| Child | 14598382 | US | |
| Parent | 13629906 | Sep 2012 | US |
| Child | 14305576 | US |
