Patents by Inventor Mikio Hirano
Mikio Hirano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20190299610Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a manifold configured to store liquid therein, a plurality of ejection channels, and a dummy channel. Each ejection channel communicates with the manifold and is configured to receive liquid from the manifold and eject liquid through a corresponding nozzle thereof open to a nozzle surface. The dummy channel communicates with the manifold and includes a dummy nozzle open to the nozzle surface. The dummy channel further includes a pressure chamber, an actuator configured to apply pressure to liquid in the pressure chamber, a communication passage connecting the manifold to the pressure chamber, and a circulation passage through which the pressure chamber communicates with the manifold. The circulation passage is different from the communication passage and located between the dummy nozzle and the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Toshihiro KISHIGAMI, Shotaro KANZAKI, Mikio HIRANO
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Patent number: 10391778Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and an urging member. An internal pressure of the chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the chamber. The deformable member protrudes from the casing in a cross direction crossing forward and rearward directions and has an internal space in communication with the chamber. The deformable member has such an elasticity that a dimension thereof in the cross direction becomes smaller as the internal pressure of the chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion, and a contact portion contacting the deformable member. The contact portion is in contact with the deformable member and disposed at one of positions further forward and further rearward relative to the deformable member. The urging member urges the movable member to move the contact portion toward the deformable member.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Akihito Ono, Yuki Takagi, Kosuke Nukui, Mikio Hirano
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Publication number: 20190217626Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Patent number: 10239322Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
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Patent number: 10232631Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
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Publication number: 20190030907Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and an urging member. An internal pressure of the chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the chamber. The deformable member protrudes from the casing in a cross direction crossing forward and rearward directions and has an internal space in communication with the chamber. The deformable member has such an elasticity that a dimension thereof in the cross direction becomes smaller as the internal pressure of the chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion, and a contact portion contacting the deformable member. The contact portion is in contact with the deformable member and disposed at one of positions further forward and further rearward relative to the deformable member. The urging member urges the movable member to move the contact portion toward the deformable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Akihito ONO, Yuki TAKAGI, Kosuke NUKUI, Mikio HIRANO
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Publication number: 20180154644Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Publication number: 20180117919Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Patent number: 9925784Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and an urging member. An internal pressure of the chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the chamber. The deformable member protrudes from the casing in a cross direction crossing forward and rearward directions and has an internal space in communication with the chamber. The deformable member has such an elasticity that a dimension thereof in the cross direction becomes smaller as the internal pressure of the chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion, and a contact portion contacting the deformable member. The contact portion is in contact with the deformable member and disposed at one of positions further forward and further rearward relative to the deformable member. The urging member urges the movable member to move the contact portion toward the deformable member.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Akihito Ono, Yuki Takagi, Kosuke Nukui, Mikio Hirano
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Patent number: 9862200Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
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Patent number: 9802419Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
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Publication number: 20170282580Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and an urging member. An internal pressure of the chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the chamber. The deformable member protrudes from the casing in a cross direction crossing forward and rearward directions and has an internal space in communication with the chamber. The deformable member has such an elasticity that a dimension thereof in the cross direction becomes smaller as the internal pressure of the chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion, and a contact portion contacting the deformable member. The contact portion is in contact with the deformable member and disposed at one of positions further forward and further rearward relative to the deformable member. The urging member urges the movable member to move the contact portion toward the deformable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Akihito ONO, Yuki TAKAGI, Kosuke NUKUI, Mikio HIRANO
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Publication number: 20170173967Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Patent number: 9550366Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: BROTHER KOGYA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
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Patent number: 9511593Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid accommodating unit, a delivery channel, a valve, and a locking mechanism. The liquid accommodating unit is configured to accommodate liquid. The delivery channel is configured to discharge the liquid outside. The delivery channel is in fluid communication with the liquid accommodating unit. The valve includes a valve body provided in the delivery channel. The valve body is configured to selectively move between a closed position where the delivery channel is closed and an open position where the delivery channel is open. The locking mechanism includes a locking member configured to selectively move between a locking position to prevent the valve body positioned at the closed position from moving to the open position and a disengaged position to allow the valve body positioned at the closed position to move to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mikio Hirano, Noritsugu Ito
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Publication number: 20160279960Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Publication number: 20160279959Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
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Publication number: 20160279953Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid container, a target member disposed within a liquid chamber defined in the liquid container, an actuator movable between a restriction position and a non-restriction position, a first magnetic body provided on the target member and a second magnetic body provided on the actuator. The target member is movable between a detection position and a standby position, an arrival of the target member at the detection position being detectable from outside of the liquid container. The target member is movable from the standby position to the detection position in response to movement of the actuator from the restriction position to the non-restriction position, and is movable from the detection position to the standby position in response to movement of the actuator from the non-restriction position to the restriction position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mikio HIRANO, Takashi ITO
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Patent number: 9327509Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a detection portion in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a movable member that is disposed in the detection portion, and a sensor that outputs a signal relative to a position of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mikio Hirano, Noritsugu Ito
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Patent number: 8998358Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Noritsugu Ito, Mikio Hirano