Patents by Inventor Noriaki Okazawa

Noriaki Okazawa 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).

  • Patent number: 6729002
    Abstract: A pressurizing chamber 1 is formed as a recess by half etching of a silicon single-crystal substrate 2. A nozzle communicating hole 6 through which the pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to a nozzle opening 5 is formed as a through hole which is smaller in width than the pressurizing chamber 1. The pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to the nozzle opening 5 in the other face via the nozzle communicating hole 6 while reducing the volume of the pressurizing chamber 1 to a degree as small as possible. The silicon single-crystal substrate is used as a member constituting a spacer so that an ink drop of a reduced ink amount suitable for high density printing flies with high positioning accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Yasukawa, Minoru Usui, Takahiro Naka, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa, Hideaki Sonehara
  • Patent number: 6699552
    Abstract: In order to provide a silicon wafer break pattern that stabilizes the location and shape of the breaks at weak spots of the break pattern and that reduces waste, the through-holes of the break pattern is disposed along a scribe line, a first group of the through-holes are substantially disposed on only a first side of the scribe line, and a second group of the through-holes are substantially disposed on only a second side of the scribe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Wanibe, Noriaki Okazawa, Yoshinao Miyata, Toshinao Shinbo, Tetsuya Akasu, Hisashi Akachi
  • Patent number: 6695438
    Abstract: A conductive supporting plate is laminated on an elastic film. The conductive supporting plate is partly removed to form an elastic region in which first island portions and second island portions are remained on the elastic film while being electrically insulated from each other. A head case is formed with a chamber which forms an opening at a first end face joined to the supporting plate. In a vibrator unit, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged on a fixing plate. The piezoelectric vibrators include a pair of non-deformable vibrators and deformable vibrators arranged between the non-deformable vibrators. The vibrator unit is accommodated within the chamber such that each tip end face of the deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the first island portions, and each tip end face of the non-deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the second island portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Okazawa
  • Publication number: 20030193549
    Abstract: A pressurizing chamber 1 is formed as a recess by half etching of a silicon single-crystal substrate 2. A nozzle communicating hole 6 through which the pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to a nozzle opening 5 is formed as a through hole which is smaller in width than the pressurizing chamber 1. The pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to the nozzle opening 5 in the other face via the nozzle communicating hole 6 while reducing the volume of the pressurizing chamber 1 to a degree as small as possible. The silicon single-crystal substrate is used as a member constituting a spacer so that an ink drop of a reduced ink amount suitable for high density printing flies with high positioning accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Yasukawa, Minoru Usui, Takahiro Naka, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa, Hideaki Sonehara
  • Patent number: 6626524
    Abstract: In a vibrator unit, at least one piezoelectric vibrator is fixed on a base member in a cantilevered manner, such that a first region of the piezoelectric vibrator is fixed on a first face of the base member. A resin case is formed with a housing space extending through a first end face to a second end face thereof. The housing space includes a first housing part which opens to the first end face of the case, a second housing part which continues to the first housing part, and a third housing part which continues to the second housing part. In the first housing part, a part of the piezoelectric vibrator except for the first region is housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Hiroshige Owaki, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Tomoaki Takahashi, Takayuki Iijima
  • Patent number: 6598962
    Abstract: In a vibrator unit, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged on a base member in a cantilevered manner. A case is formed with a housing space having a bonding area at which a first inner portion of the housing space and a first face of the base member are opposed with a gap. At least one adhesive inlet, from which an adhesive is poured, communicates with the bonding area. At least one air outlet, from which air remaining in the bonding area is expelled as the poured adhesive fills the gap is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Takayuki Iijima, Hiroyuki Machii, Akihiko Kurashina
  • Publication number: 20030076385
    Abstract: A fixing plate includes a first region and a second region. A vibrator assembly includes a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, a drive electrode formed on each of the piezoelectric vibrators, and a common electrode formed commonly to the piezoelectric vibrators. The vibrator assembly is bonded onto the first region in a cantilevered manner. A sheet-shaped wiring board supplies a drive signal to the drive electrode and applies a bias potential which is higher than a ground potential to the common electrode. A controller IC controls the drive signal. The controller IC has a first face mounted on the wiring board, and a second face opposing to the first face in which a semiconductor surface is exposed. An insulating layer is interposed between the second region of the fixing plate and the second face of the controller IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Takashi Osuga
  • Publication number: 20030067514
    Abstract: A conductive supporting plate is laminated on an elastic film. The conductive supporting plate is partly removed to form an elastic region in which first island portions and second island portions are remained on the elastic film while being electrically insulated from each other. A head case is formed with a chamber which forms an opening at a first end face joined to the supporting plate. In a vibrator unit, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged on a fixing plate. The piezoelectric vibrators include a pair of non-deformable vibrators and deformable vibrators arranged between the non-deformable vibrators. The vibrator unit is accommodated within the chamber such that each tip end face of the deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the first island portions, and each tip end face of the non-deformable vibrators is abutted onto one of the second island portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriaki Okazawa
  • Publication number: 20030067511
    Abstract: A liquid jet head and apparatus prevent an increase in the viscosity of liquid in the liquid path during long term storage. The recording head has a liquid path unit 1 with nozzle openings 8, pressure generation chambers 7, liquid reservoirs 9, and a diaphragm 5, and a head case 2 bonded to the liquid path unit 1. A damper chamber 12 for releasing pressure change inside the liquid reservoir is formed at a part of the head case or seal plate 5 corresponding to the liquid reservoir 9. A release path 14B for releasing pressure in the damper chamber to the air is formed in the head case. A control path 14A communicating with the damper chamber and release path and having a specific flow resistance restricting dispersion of moisture vapor from the liquid is formed in the head case and/or seal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noriaki Okazawa
  • Publication number: 20020164874
    Abstract: In order to provide a silicon wafer break pattern that stabilizes the location and shape of the breaks at weak spots of the break pattern and that reduces waste, the through-holes of the break pattern is disposed along a scribe line, a first group of the through-holes are substantially disposed on only a first side of the scribe line, and a second group of the through-holes are substantially disposed on only a second side of the scribe line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihisa Wanibe, Noriaki Okazawa, Yoshinao Miyata, Toshinao Shinbo, Tetsuya Akasu, Hisashi Akachi
  • Patent number: 6460981
    Abstract: A pressurizing chamber 1 is formed as a recess by half etching of a silicon single-crystal substrate 2. A nozzle communicating hole 6 through which the pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to a nozzle opening 5 is formed as a through hole which is smaller in width than the pressurizing chamber 1. The pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to the nozzle opening 5 in the other face via the nozzle communicating hole 6 while reducing the volume of the pressurizing chamber 1 to a degree as small as possible. The silicon single-crystal substrate is used as a member constituting a spacer so that an ink drop of a reduced ink amount suitable for high density printing flies with high positioning accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Shinji Yasukawa, Minoru Usui, Takahiro Naka, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa, Hideaki Sonehara
  • Publication number: 20020140788
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer having a housing having at least one wall. The ink cartridge further has at least two ink chambers for containing different ink accommodated in the housing. Ink supply ports are formed in one wall of the housing within each of the ink chambers. Each of the ink supply ports has an inner opening and an outer opening. The distance from the inner opening of a first ink supply port to that of a second ink supply port adjacent to the first ink supply port is different from a second distance from the outer opening of the first ink supply opening to that of the second ink supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Satoshi Shinada, Takahiro Naka, Hisashi Miyazawa, Takeo Seino, Hisashii Koike, Takao Kobayashi, Masahiro Kanai, Yasuko Hirano, Yasushi Akatsuka, Takayuki Iljima, Noriaki Okazawa, Hitoshi Matsumoto, Yasuhiro Ogura
  • Publication number: 20020140782
    Abstract: A pressurizing chamber 1 is formed as a recess by half etching of a silicon single-crystal substrate 2. A nozzle communicating hole 6 through which the pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to a nozzle opening 5 is formed as a through hole which is smaller in width than the pressurizing chamber 1. The pressurizing chamber 1 is connected to the nozzle opening 5 in the other face via the nozzle communicating hole 6 while reducing the volume of the pressurizing chamber 1 to a degree as small as possible. The silicon single-crystal substrate is used as a member constituting a spacer so that an ink drop of a reduced ink amount suitable for high density printing flies with high positioning accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Yasukawa, Minoru Usui, Takahiro Naka, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa, Hideaki Sonehara
  • Publication number: 20020109762
    Abstract: Grooves 21 are formed in the side of an ink supply needle 17 opposite a filter 19 in order to induce the movement of ink using capillary attraction, and so that the grooves 21 ensure that ink can flow along a path to a recording head regardless of whether an air bubble is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: MINORU USUI, NORIAKI OKAZAWA, SATORU HOSONO, TOMOAKI TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20020109759
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet printer having a housing having at least one wall. The ink cartridge further has at least two ink chambers for containing different ink accommodated in the housing. Ink supply ports are formed in one wall of the housing within each of the ink chambers. Each of the ink supply ports has an inner opening and an outer opening. The distance from the inner opening of a first ink supply port to that of a second ink supply port adjacent to the first ink supply port is different from a second distance from the outer opening of the first ink supply opening to that of the second ink supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Satoshi Shinada, Takahiro Naka, Hisashi Miyazawa, Takeo Seino, Hisashi Koike, Takao Kobayashi, Masahiro Kanai, Yasuko Hirano, Yasushi Akatsuka, Takayuki IIjima, Noriaki Okazawa, Hitoshi Matsumoto, Yasuhiro Ogura
  • Patent number: 6386672
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head including a flow path unit having pressure generating chambers, a piezoelectric vibrator for pressurizing the pressure generating chambers, a semiconductor integrated circuit for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator, and a member for absorbing the heat produced by the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitotoshi Kimura, Ryoichi Tanaka, Tomoaki Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa, Kenji Otokita, Hidenori Usuda, Noboru Tamura, Tsutomu Miyamoto, Kaoru Momose
  • Patent number: 6382778
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head having a head body for ejecting ink and ink supply channels for introducing ink supplied from an ink tank to the head body is disclosed. The recording head inventively and uniquely includes a channel forming plate having grooves and a sealing plate fastened to the channel forming plate for closing the openings of the grooves in a sealing fashion to form the channels. The resultant recording head is easy in working and assembling, and reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Iijima, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 6382754
    Abstract: An ink jet printing device supplies first and second signals to cause a pressure generating chamber to jet out ink droplets. A third signal is applied to the pressure generating chamber to effectively attenuate the kinetic energy of the meniscus and to hold the meniscus at a position suitable for jetting out the next ink droplet to provide a stable print output. Also, an ink-jet recording apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling the timing of the start of the second signal and the timing of the start of the third signal according to the environmental temperature. In the ink-jet recording apparatus, the discharge speed of ink drops is made constant by regulating the start time of the second signal so as to make constant the drawing position of a meniscus when the ink drops are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Morikoshi, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Kaoru Momose, Noriaki Okazawa, Masahiko Yoshida, Kazunaga Suzuki, Takahiro Katakura, Toshiki Usui
  • Publication number: 20020044179
    Abstract: In a vibrator unit, at least one piezoelectric vibrator is fixed on a base member in a cantilevered manner, such that a first region of the piezoelectric vibrator is fixed on a first face of the base member. A resin case is formed with a housing space extending through a first end face to a second end face thereof. The housing space includes a first housing part which opens to the first end face of the case, a second housing part which continues to the first housing part, and a third housing part which continues to the second housing part. In the first housing part, a part of the piezoelectric vibrator except for the first region is housed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Hiroshige Owaki, Tsuyoshi Kitahara, Tomoaki Takahashi, Takayuki Iijima
  • Publication number: 20020043213
    Abstract: In a vibrator unit, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged on a base member in a cantilevered manner. A case is formed with a housing space having a bonding area at which a first inner portion of the housing space and a first face of the base member are opposed with a gap. At least one adhesive inlet, from which an adhesive is poured, communicates with the bonding area. At least one air outlet, from which air remaining in the bonding area is expelled as the poured adhesive fills the gap is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Takayuki Iijima, Hiroyuki Machii, Akihiko Kurashina