With Recirculation Patents (Class 347/89)
-
Patent number: 10479101Abstract: An element substrate has ejection ports for ejecting liquid, pressure chambers for storing the liquid to be ejected from the ejection ports, liquid supply paths for supplying liquid to the pressure chambers, and liquid recovery paths for recovering liquid from the pressure chambers. Filter chambers have respective filters for capturing foreign objects contained in liquid. Liquid is forced to flow upwardly from below relative to the filters.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Genji Inada, Naozumi Nabeshima, Soji Kondo, Noriyasu Nagai, Takuya Iwano
-
Patent number: 10464337Abstract: A liquid discharge unit includes a main tank to accommodate a liquid, a liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid, a sub tank to supply the liquid to the liquid discharge head, a first liquid supply channel connecting the main tank and the sub tank, a second liquid supply channel connecting the sub tank and the liquid discharge head, a selector valve disposed in the second liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel connecting the selector valve and the main tank, a first pump disposed in the first liquid supply channel to feed the liquid from the main tank to the sub tank, and a second pump disposed in the liquid return channel to feed the liquid from the sub tank to the main tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yohei Miyazaki
-
Patent number: 10457057Abstract: A method of preparing a printhead for dry shipment. The method includes the steps of: treating an ink pathway in the printhead with an aqueous treatment fluid containing at least one ink-soluble solvent having a boiling point of at least 150 degrees; and drying the printhead so as to leave a film of liquid solvent on a surface of the ink pathway. The film of liquid solvent solubilizes organic materials leached or outgassed from the printhead during dry storage or shipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Memjet Technology LimitedInventors: Simon Fielder, Ming Chen
-
Patent number: 10434783Abstract: Provided is a technique that enables a user to confirm the period of time until refilling of the sub tank with liquid is to be started. A refill control unit 321, when a condition in which a minimum value of suppliable times C of respective plurality (colors) of supply-side sub tanks 40B is less than or equal to a maximum value of full refill refilling times Y of respective plurality (colors) of refill-side sub tanks 40A, the refill processing is performed on the plurality of refill-side sub tanks 40A, and an output control unit 322 causes a display unit 34 to display refill timing display information regarding a period of time until the refill processing will be executed, at least at a point in time before the refill processing is to be executed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Shuichi Koganehira
-
Patent number: 10421287Abstract: A plurality of pressure chambers are formed in a circulation channel for liquid in order to array ejection ports in a high density in association with the circulation channel. The circulation channel is connected to a penetration supply path and a penetration recovery path that penetrate a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuro Yamazaki, Toru Nakakubo, Kazuhiro Yamada, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Yoshihiro Hamada, Koichi Ishida, Shingo Okushima
-
Patent number: 10399337Abstract: A liquid jetting device includes a common liquid chamber having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and including an upstream portion and a downstream portion, a plurality of outflow holes are arranged along a direction, and a plurality of projections disposed between the first surface and the second surface transverse to the direction and disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The plurality of the projections define a plurality of the fluid flow paths therebetween from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. The fluid flow paths rejoin at the downstream portion. The plurality of projections are arranged along the direction. The plurality of projections are on an opposite side of a plane orthogonal to the second direction and extending through the outflow holes.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yasuo Kato
-
Patent number: 10322588Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a support unit configured to support a medium, a discharging unit configured to discharge a liquid onto the medium supported by the support unit, and a controller capable of executing a first image formation operation that forms a first image by causing the discharging unit to discharge liquid on the medium, and a second image formation operation that forms a second image by causing the discharging unit to discharge liquid onto the medium on which the first image is formed. In the case where a same-color region having the same color as the first image located under the second image is present in the second image in a region overlapping with the first image, the controller causes the same-color region to be formed in both the first image formation operation and the second image formation operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Nobuhiko Hamada
-
Patent number: 10259218Abstract: A fluid ejection including a substrate having at least one fluid ejecting element adapted to eject a fluid, a flow feature layer disposed over the substrate, the flow feature layer including a plurality of flow features, a nozzle plate layer disposed over the flow feature layer, the nozzle plate layer including one or more nozzle arrays, each nozzle in each of the one or more nozzle arrays being in fluid communication with a corresponding flow feature of the plurality of flow features and a corresponding fluid ejecting element of the at least one fluid ejecting elements, at least one intake via through which fluid flows into the plurality of flow features, and at least one output via through which fluid flows out of the plurality of flow features.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Colin Maher, Kent Ubellacker, Dave Weatherly
-
Patent number: 10259221Abstract: An element substrate in which a plurality of members are layered. Plates and a substrate serving as the plurality of members being layered and adhered to each other. The element substrate including a plurality of ejection ports that eject a liquid, and a plurality of supply ports that each communicate with a different ejection port. At least one of the members includes a groove that is, when viewing, from above, a surface in which the ejection ports are formed, formed between two ejection ports, each of which communicates to a different supply port.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Junichiro Iri, Kazuhiro Ishii, Ryo Sato, Hiroyuki Shimoyama, Kazumasa Matsushita, Kenji Kitabatake
-
Patent number: 10232633Abstract: A liquid accommodation body that is removably installed in a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a supply flow channel that supplies a liquid to a liquid ejecting portion, and a feedback flow channel that is connected to the supply flow channel so as to form a circulation flow channel, and is provided with a liquid accommodation portion that accommodates the liquid, a lead-out flow channel that connects a lead-out port, which is connected to the supply flow channel, and the feedback flow channel, an introduction flow channel that connects an introduction port, which is connected to the feedback flow channel, and the lead-out flow channel, and a filter portion that is provided in a partial circulation flow channel, which, among portions of the lead-out flow channel and the introduction flow channel, configures the circulation flow channel, and filters the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takeshi Iwamuro, Hitotoshi Kimura
-
Patent number: 10189267Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with a liquid chamber which communicates with a nozzle for ejecting liquid; an inflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber; a liquid supply unit which supplies the liquid to the inflow path; an outflow path which is connected to the liquid chamber, and through which the liquid is caused to flow out from the liquid chamber; a moving object which causes the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle by reciprocating toward the nozzle in the liquid chamber; and an actuator which causes the moving object to reciprocate. In an ejecting state in which liquid is continuously ejected from the nozzle due to at least reciprocating of the moving object, a flow path resistance of the outflow path is larger than that of the inflow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hirofumi Sakai, Shinichi Nakamura, Junichi Sano, Takahiro Katakura, Keigo Sugai
-
Patent number: 10166780Abstract: A liquid accommodating body includes a liquid accommodating chamber that accommodates liquid, a pouring port through which the liquid is poured into the liquid accommodating chamber, a visual recognition portion through which a surface of liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber is visually recognized and which is provided on a side wall forming the liquid accommodating chamber, a partition wall that partitions the liquid accommodating chamber into a pouring port side liquid accommodating chamber into which the liquid is poured through the pouring port and a visual recognition portion side liquid accommodating chamber including the visual recognition portion in a direction intersecting a gravity direction, and a liquid communication portion which is provided between the partition wall and a bottom wall forming the liquid accommodating chamber and through which the pouring port side liquid accommodating chamber and the visual recognition portion side liquid accommodating chamber communicate withType: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tomoki Shinoda, Takeshi Iwamuro, Takanori Seki, Hitotoshi Kimura
-
Patent number: 10124617Abstract: A liquid stirrer includes a removable first liquid container to contain a liquid; a second liquid container having a capacity less than that of the first liquid container; a fluid path between the first liquid container and the second liquid container; a reversible pump disposed on the fluid path; a sensor to detect an amount of the liquid inside the second liquid container, in which the liquid reciprocally moves between the first liquid container and the second liquid container; and a controller to control the reversible pump, based on readings from the sensor, such that a moving amount of the liquid does not exceed the capacity of the second liquid container and that the second container does not go empty.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Keitaroh Sakai, Nobuyuki Akaishi
-
Patent number: 10076912Abstract: A liquid ejecting head unit includes a drive unit for ejecting a liquid inside a pressure chamber from a nozzle opening which communicates with the pressure chamber, a common liquid chamber which communicates with a plurality of the pressure chambers, a bubble return flow path for communicating with the common liquid chamber and discharging bubbles inside the common liquid chamber, a confluence point which communicates with a plurality of the bubble return flow paths, a collective return flow path for communicating with the confluence point and discharging the bubbles inside the plurality of bubble return flow paths, and a one-way valve which is provided part way down the bubble return flow path.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takahiro Kanegae
-
Patent number: 10040292Abstract: A first passage layer is provided with a plurality of supply passages each communicating with one portion of each of a plurality of pressure chambers and a plurality of collection passages each communicating with the other portion of each of the plurality of pressure chambers. A second passage layer is provided with a common supply passage communicating with the plurality of supply passages and a common collection passage communicating with the plurality of collection passages.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shingo Okushima, Seiichiro Karita, Takatsuna Aoki, Noriyasu Nagai, Yumi Komamiya
-
Patent number: 10040288Abstract: A liquid ejection module and a liquid ejection head capable of suppressing unevenness in printing are provided. Accordingly, openings are disposed so that a center position of at least one of openings in a plurality of ejection opening rows is not disposed on the same line extending in a print medium movement direction in a relative movement with respect to center positions of the other openings.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takatsugu Moriya, Shintaro Kasai, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akiko Saito, Koichi Ishida, Tatsuya Yamada, Shuzo Iwanaga, Ayako Tozuka, Tomoki Ishiwata, Tomohiro Sato
-
Patent number: 10005299Abstract: A print module includes: a body housing first and second opposed printed circuit boards (PCBs), each of the first and second PCBs having heat-generating electronic components; an air inlet and an air outlet positioned towards an upper part of the body; an air pathway extending between the air inlet and the air outlet; a plurality of heatsinks, each heatsink being thermally coupled with one of the heat-generating components and having an array of cooling fins extending into the air pathway; and an inkjet printhead receiving power and print data from at least one of the first and second PCBs. The inkjet printhead is positioned toward a lower part of the print module.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Memjet Technology LimitedInventors: Mark Profaca, David Burke, Billy Sy, Gilbert Alemana, Christopher Hibbard, Rommel Balala
-
Patent number: 9962937Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes first and second recording element boards having recording elements for generating energy to be utilized for ejection of liquid, first and second support members for respectively supporting the first and second recording element boards, and a flow channel forming member carrying thereon the first and second support members arranged side by side. The edge of the first recording element board located at the side of the second recording element board projects toward the second recording element board from the edge of the first support member located at the side of the second support member.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shingo Okushima, Seiichiro Karita, Takatsuna Aoki, Noriyasu Nagai
-
Patent number: 9931845Abstract: A liquid ejection module and a liquid ejection head capable of suppressing unevenness in printing are provided. Accordingly, openings are disposed so that a center position of at least one of openings in a plurality of ejection opening rows is not disposed on the same line extending in a print medium movement direction in a relative movement with respect to center positions of the other openings.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takatsugu Moriya, Shintaro Kasai, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akiko Saito, Koichi Ishida, Tatsuya Yamada, Shuzo Iwanaga, Ayako Tozuka, Tomoki Ishiwata, Tomohiro Sato
-
Patent number: 9902160Abstract: A supply apparatus includes a holder for a liquid container, a link coupled to the holder, an operation handle rotatably coupled to the link, an engaging portion and a rotation restriction unit. The operation handle operate connection and disconnection of the liquid container to and from a supplying portion by rotation with respect to the link. The engaging portion maintains a connection state between the supplying portion and the liquid container by engaging with the operation handle. The unit can restrict rotation of the operation handle when the engaging portion and the operation handle are in a disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiro Sugiyama, Noriyuki Aoki, Shigeru Watanabe, Tsutomu Obata, Naoaki Wada, Ryohei Maruyama, Ryuichi Kato, Kouhei Tokuda
-
Patent number: 9902164Abstract: A liquid accommodation body that is removably installed in a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a supply flow channel that supplies a liquid to a liquid ejecting portion, and a feedback flow channel that is connected to the supply flow channel so as to form a circulation flow channel, and is provided with a liquid accommodation portion that accommodates the liquid, a lead-out flow channel that connects a lead-out port, which is connected to the supply flow channel, and the feedback flow channel, an introduction flow channel that connects an introduction port, which is connected to the feedback flow channel, and the lead-out flow channel, and a filter portion that is provided in a partial circulation flow channel, which, among portions of the lead-out flow channel and the introduction flow channel, configures the circulation flow channel, and filters the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takeshi Iwamuro, Hitotoshi Kimura
-
Patent number: 9889673Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus has a liquid discharge head having a recording element board that includes a plurality of discharge orifices configured to discharge liquid, a plurality of pressure chambers internally provided with a recording element configured to generate energy used to discharge liquid, the plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with the plurality of discharge orifices via discharge channels, a liquid supply channel configured to supply liquid to the plurality of pressure chambers, and a liquid recovery channel configured to recover liquid from the plurality of pressure chambers, and a tank configured to store liquid supplied to the liquid discharge head. The plurality of pressure chambers communicate between the liquid supply channel and the liquid recovery channel so that liquid flows through the plurality of pressure chambers, and the specific permittivity ?r of the liquid stored in the tank satisfies the relationship of ?r?65.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Shuzo Iwanaga, Shingo Okushima, Mikio Sanada, Shin-ichi Hakamada
-
Patent number: 9862201Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: an ink discharge head that discharges UV ink; a sub-tank that stores the UV ink; a forward circulation path through which the UV ink flowing out from the sub-tank to the ink discharge head flows; an inflow path through which the UV ink flowing into the sub-tank flows; and a receptacle that is provided inside the sub-tank and blocks bubbles contained in the UV ink flowing into the sub-tank from the inflow path, from entering the forward circulation path.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masaaki Ando
-
Patent number: 9855762Abstract: A damper and an ink circulation method capable of suppressing deposition of color materials of ink are provided. A damper is a hydraulic head difference type damper for supplying ink supplied from an ink tank of an inkjet printer by a hydraulic head difference, into a head. The damper has a supply chamber for temporarily storing ink, an ink chamber connected to the supply chamber through a connection passage and configured to supply the ink into the head, and an on-off valve. The on-off valve opens the connection passage if the ink contained in the ink chamber decreases, and blocks the connection passage if the ink contained in the ink chamber increases. A guide port for guiding the ink contained in the ink chamber to a circulation tube for circulating the ink between the ink chamber and the ink tank is formed in the ink chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Eiji Miyashita, Akira Takeuchi, Tomoya Sato
-
Patent number: 9833994Abstract: An inkjet head that is able to circulate ink. The inkjet head includes a diaphragm plate, a first restrictor plate, one or more chamber plates, a second restrictor plate, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate forms a plurality of nozzles. The chamber plates form a plurality of chambers corresponding with the nozzles, and also form a return manifold for receiving ink from the chambers when circulating the ink through the inkjet head. The diaphragm plate forms a diaphragm that seals the chambers. The first restrictor plate controls a flow of ink between the chambers and the return manifold to circulate the ink through the inkjet head. The second restrictor plate controls the flow of ink between a supply manifold and the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Nishimura, Giang Vo, Connor Matsumori
-
Patent number: 9821568Abstract: A nonaqueous inkjet printing method that can provide prints with both high printing density and good gradation is provided. The nonaqueous inkjet printing method comprises printing an image by an inkjet recording system using a first nonaqueous ink comprising at least a coloring pigment, a water-soluble resin having an amino group, and a nonaqueous solvent, and then printing an image so as to overlap with the preceding image by an inkjet recording system using a second nonaqueous ink, wherein the second nonaqueous ink comprises at least a coloring pigment, inorganic particles, and a nonaqueous solvent, and the content of the coloring pigment in the second nonaqueous ink is lower than the content of the coloring pigment in the first nonaqueous ink. The first nonaqueous ink is preferably printed at a higher resolution of printing than the second nonaqueous ink.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATIONInventor: Shinichiro Shimura
-
Patent number: 9724923Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head having a nozzle which ejects a liquid containing volatile organic compounds to a medium; and a maintenance unit that has a cap, which forms a closed space including an opening of the nozzle, and a suction unit that suctions a fluid from the closed space, and that performs maintenance for discharging the liquid from the nozzle by reducing pressure of the closed space. The maintenance unit is provided with a filter for adsorbing volatile organic compounds contained in the liquid discharged from the liquid ejection head.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hirokazu Ono, Kenji Tsukada
-
Patent number: 9724930Abstract: A liquid storage unit for collecting a liquid supplied to an ejecting head is provided. The liquid is supplied to a plurality of ejecting heads via a pressure regulating valve, and the liquid is suctioned from the plurality of ejecting heads by a circulation pump, and then is discharged to the liquid storage unit. In this way, since the liquid is suctioned from each of the ejecting heads, the passage resistance is decreased, so that the ink can be appropriately circulated. In addition, since the ejecting head is supplied with the liquid at an appropriate pressure from the liquid storage unit via the pressure adjusting valve, the liquid can be appropriately ejected.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Katsumi Enomoto, Toshio Arimura, Yoshihiro Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 9694594Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first circulation flow path which includes an outgoing path and a return path, a heating section which heats the ink, a branching section which branches the outgoing path, a branch path in which the ink flows to the ink reservoir section from the branching section, and a control section capable of switching between a first state in which the ink which is heated by the heating section is returned to the ink reservoir section through the first circulation flow path and a second state in which the ink is returned to the ink reservoir section through the branch path, in which in at least a portion of a period from a start-up of the printing apparatus until image formation is carried out, a mode is set to the second state and during the image formation, the mode is set to the first state.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masaaki Ando
-
Patent number: 9688077Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment includes an ink jet head, a diaphragm-type first pump, a diaphragm-type second pump and a control device. The inkjet head ejects ink to an image receiving medium. The first pump supplies ink introduced from an ink storage section to the ink jet head. The second pump sucks ink that is not discharged from the ink jet head and discharges the sucked ink to a discharge chamber adjacent to a discharge section of the first pump at the upstream part of an ink supply path connected with the ink jet head. The control device drives the first pump and the second pump with same-phase driving voltage waveforms to make discharge timing of the first pump matching with that of the second pump.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiaki Kaneko, Hiroyuki Ishikawa
-
Patent number: 9649848Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide ink recirculation capabilities for Drop-On-Demand (DOD) printing systems. One embodiment comprises a system that includes a controller, a DOD print head, an ink tank, an ink pump, and a recirculation cap. The ink pump transports ink from the ink tank to the DOD print head, and the recirculation cap captures ink ejected by the DOD print head. The recirculation cap also transports the capture ink to the ink tank. In response to detecting a start of an ink recirculation cycle, the controller collocates the recirculation cap proximate to nozzles of the DOD print head, and directs the DOD print head to begin ejecting ink through the nozzles into the recirculation cap for transport of the captured ink to the ink tank. The controller detects an end to the ink recirculation cycle, and directs the DOD print head to stop ejecting ink into the recirculation cap.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Carlton E. Begeal, Carl R. Bildstein, Timothy Graham Bradley, Dilan Nirushan Fernando, Ronald Frederick Korsch, Casey E. Walker
-
Patent number: 9616673Abstract: A liquid jet unit includes a circulation path through which liquid is circulated, and a liquid jet head having an inflow port and an outflow port between which is disposed a flow path forming a part of the circulation path, and a nozzle communicating with the flow path and configured to eject liquid from the liquid jet head. A liquid pump is inserted into the circulation path for circulating liquid in the circulation path. A supply path is connected to the circulation path for supplying liquid to the circulation path. A pressure sensor detects the pressure of liquid in the circulation path and generates corresponding pressure information. The liquid pump is configured to change an amount of liquid to be fed on the basis of the pressure information generated to maintain liquid in the nozzle at a predetermined pressure and draw liquid into the circulation path from the supply path.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: SII Printek Inc.Inventor: Yoshinori Domae
-
Patent number: 9550368Abstract: A mount portion mounts a container containing liquid. A fluid passages connects the mount portion to a head portion provided to inject liquid. A reservoir portion reserves liquid and is provided on the fluid passage. An open-close valve is provided on a connection path which is a part of the fluid passage and connects the mount portion to the reservoir portion. The control unit controls opening and closing of the open-close valves such that a first valve open time period for the open-close valve provided on a first connection path is shorter than a second valve open time period for the open-close valve provided on a second connection path. The pressure of the liquid that flows in the reservoir portion from the first connection path is higher than the pressure of the liquid that flows in the reservoir portion from the second connection path.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yutaka Takagiwa
-
Patent number: 9511598Abstract: An apparatus includes an inkjet assembly having inkjet nozzles through each of which ink flows at a nominal flow rate as it is ejected from the nozzle onto a substrate. Ink is held under a nominal negative pressure associated with a characteristic of a meniscus of the ink in the nozzle when ejection of ink from the nozzle is not occurring. The apparatus includes recirculation flow paths, each flow path having a nozzle end at which it opens into one of the nozzles and another location spaced from the nozzle end that is to be subjected to a recirculation pressure lower than the nominal negative pressure so that ink is recirculated from the nozzle through the flow path at a recirculation flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.Inventors: Robert L Wells, Jr., Bailey Smith, Marlene McDonald, William R. Letendre, Matthew Aubrey, John Kelly, Darrell Herrick, Robert A. Hasenbein
-
Patent number: 9498963Abstract: A flow path member includes a liquid flow path which includes a flow path inlet portion which has a first inlet port and a second inlet port, and a flow path outlet portion which has a first outlet port communicating with the first inlet port and a second outlet port communicating with the second inlet port, in which, in the flow path inlet portion, the first inlet port and the second inlet port are aligned in a reference direction, and in which, in a flow path extending from the first inlet port to the first outlet port and a flow path extending from the second inlet port to the second outlet port, at least parts of the flow paths, in terms of the lengths of the respective flow paths, are disposed in a direction different from the reference direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Keigo Yamasaki, Yutaka Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 9421784Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first passage through which liquid flows from a tank to liquid ejecting heads; and a second passage through which liquid flows from the heads to the tank. The first passage includes a third passage connecting to the tank, a fourth passage branching from the third passage at a first position to allow the third passage to communicate with a first head, and a fifth passage branching from the third passage at a second position to allow the third passage to communicate with a second head. The lengths, cross-sectional areas, and resistances of various passages are set relative to others.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshio Kumagai, Kaoru Koike
-
Patent number: 9346305Abstract: An ink-jet printing device is described, said device comprising a first reservoir designed to contain a first volume of printing fluid at a first height with respect to a reference plane, a supply system for forcing the printing fluid towards the first reservoir and a second reservoir designed to contain a second volume of printing fluid at a second height with respect to the reference plane. The second height is less than the first height by a value. The device also comprises a conduit designed to receive the printing fluid from the first reservoir and convey it towards the second reservoir and an ejection plane in which ejector units lie. The ejection plane is arranged in a position higher than the average of the first height and the second height, so as to generate a back pressure in the ejector units. The flowrate of the printing fluid is between about 5 and about 10 times the maximum flowrate which can be ejected from said ejector units. The printing fluid may be a ceramic ink.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SAInventors: Alberto Albertin, Guido Belforte, Tazio Sandri, Duccio Spartaco Sassano, Vladimir Viktorov, Carmen Visconte, Francesco Benedetto, Charles-Henri Delacretaz, Rinaldo Ferrarotti, Matteo Martinelli, Terenziano Raparelli
-
Patent number: 9278527Abstract: An ink jet recording ink including a pigment; water; and water-soluble compounds. The pigment comprises a resin-dispersed pigment dispersed with a (meth)acrylate-based random copolymer having an acid value of 100-160 mgKOH/g. The water-soluble compounds include at least ethylene urea and a water-soluble compound having a hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity coefficient defined by the following equation (A) of 0.37 or less The total content of the water-soluble compounds is 22-50 mass % with respect to the total amount of the ink The content of the ethylene urea is 11.0 mass % or more with respect to the total amount of the ink, and the proportion of the amount of the ethylene urea in the total amount of the water-soluble compounds is 50% by mass or less, Hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity coefficient=((water activity value of 20% aqueous solution)?(molar fraction of water in 20% aqueous solution))/(1?(molar fraction of water in 20% aqueous solution))??Equation (A).Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.Inventors: Kanako Aratani, Ryuta Aoto, Yuusuke Sumikawa, Takahiro Tsutsui, Shintaro Suzuki, Masato Kawakami
-
Patent number: 9272523Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead having first and second ports; an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, the ink container having a supply port and a return port; a first ink conduit interconnecting the supply port and the first port; a second ink conduit interconnecting the return port and the second port; an ink valve positioned in the first ink conduit; a first pump positioned in the second conduit; and a second pump positioned in a valve bypass conduit. The first and second pumps are employed during pressurized priming of the printhead so as to optimize a pressure gradient along a length of the printhead.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd.Inventors: Kianoush Mir Sanaei, Patrick McAuliffe
-
Patent number: 9254658Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes, a first support member including a flow path for supplying liquid and an opening communicating with the flow path; at least one second support member that includes an individual liquid chamber communicating with the opening and arranged on the first support member along the flow path; and a recording element substrate including an energy-generating element for generating energy for ejecting the liquid, and a supply port for supplying the liquid to the energy-generating element, the supply port communicating with the individual liquid chamber, the recording element substrate being supported by a back surface of the second support member with respect to an opposite surface thereof facing the first support member.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Yamada, Shuzo Iwanaga, Ryohei Goto, Takatsugu Moriya, Zentaro Tamenaga
-
Patent number: 9248659Abstract: A filter unit including a liquid flow path through which ink flows and a filter chamber which forms a portion of the liquid flow path and is filled with a pressurized ink includes a filter unit main body and a second cover member which include the liquid flow path and form the filter chamber; and a filter which is disposed within the filter chamber, the second cover member being provided with a protruding portion in a region which opposes the filter, and the protruding portion being provided between a supply port of the ink which is supplied to the filter chamber and a discharge port of the ink which is discharged from the filter chamber in plan view in relation to the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ishii, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Masayuki Eguchi
-
Patent number: 9174448Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is provided which includes a recording unit including a recording head having a surface provided with an ejection opening therein, an aqueous ink that is ejected from the ejection opening to record an image on a recording medium, a protection unit including a covering member that covers the surface having the ejection opening, and a recovery unit separate from the covering member, having no member that scrapes the ink deposited in the ink receiving member or sucks the ink from the ejection opening. The recovery unit includes an ink receiving member that receives waste ink discharged from the ejection opening according to preliminary ejection data, directly from the ejection opening without interposing any other member. The aqueous ink contains a self-dispersible pigment containing the carboxyl group or the sulfonate group.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Otome Yamashita, Souichi Nagai
-
Patent number: 9174434Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet generator (10) of the velocity modulation type, the generator (10) being configured so that substantially all the modulation energy generated by piezo-electric crystals (60) is transformed into vibration of the nozzle (34). The generator preferably also includes an internal closure mechanism (70) which blocks off the nozzle (34) when the generator is not in operation, but which is de-coupled from the modulation process when the generator is operating.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Inventors: Johanathan Morgan, Johanathan Harvey Lucas
-
Patent number: 9156272Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus, which supplies a liquid or liquids stored in liquid cartridges of a plurality of types, includes a plurality of cartridge installing sections to which the liquid cartridges of the plurality of types are detachably installable, wherein a plurality of connection ports, which correspond to supply ports formed for the liquid cartridges of the plurality of types respectively, are formed at mutually different positions of the respective cartridge installing sections.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hisashi Tamada, Keiji Kura, Yusuke Suzuki
-
Patent number: 9114624Abstract: A liquid discharge member includes discharge ports, and a first opening and a second opening that communicate with the discharge ports. A liquid supply member includes a first filter disposed in a gravitational direction and in a disposed direction, a first containing chamber containing the first filter, a second containing chamber containing the second filter, a first flow path connecting the first opening and the first containing chamber, and a second flow path connecting the second opening and the second containing chamber. The second filter and the first and the second flow path are disposed in an area between a surface perpendicular to the disposed direction and parallel to the gravitational direction and going through one end of the length of the first filter and a surface parallel to the first surface and going through the other end of the length of the first filter in the disposed direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yamamoto, Toshiaki Hirosawa
-
Patent number: 9096065Abstract: To provide an ink jet printing apparatus which can reduce waste ink as much as possible and shorten the amount of time spend on the following wiping process, and a recovery operation method therefor, whereby a first process and a second process are carried out, the first process for discharging ink that does not contribute to the printing from the print head while supplying ink from the ink reservoir portion to the print head by way of the first ink passage connected to one end of the print head, and the second process for discharging ink that does not contribute to the printing from the print head while supplying ink from the ink reservoir portion to the print head by way of the second ink passage connected to the other end of the print head.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Minoru Teshigawara, Susumu Hirosawa, Seiji Suzuki, Kentarou Muro
-
Patent number: 9090081Abstract: An ink supply system including a cover, an ink delivery module, delivery pipes and a shut-off valve module, and a media recording device including a body and a print head disposed therein are provided. The cover is pivoted to the body, and the ink delivery module is disposed therein and next to the cover. The shut-off valve module includes a base disposed in the body, an eccentric wheel pivoted to the base, and a linkage connected between the eccentric wheel and the cover. The delivery pipes are connected between the print head and the ink delivery module and they pass between the base and the eccentric wheel. The cover is opened or closed relative to the body and it drives the linkage to drive the eccentric wheel to rotate relative to the base so as to press against or release the delivery pipes.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignees: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited, Kinpo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Hsin Wei, Hung-Huan Sung
-
Patent number: 9073336Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid flow path connecting a liquid containing unit that contains a liquid to a liquid ejecting unit that ejects the liquid. The liquid flow path includes a supply flow path which connects the liquid containing unit to the liquid ejecting unit and a return flow path which connects the liquid ejecting unit to the liquid containing unit. When the liquid is not ejected by the liquid ejecting unit, the liquid contained in the liquid containing unit is circulated between the liquid containing unit and the liquid flow path by allowing the liquid to flow in order of the supply flow path, the liquid ejecting unit, and the return flow path. When the liquid is ejected, the liquid contained in the liquid containing unit is supplied to the common liquid chamber via both of the supply flow path and the return flow path.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Matsumoto, Hitotoshi Kimura
-
Patent number: 9073337Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a storage unit which stores liquid, a head unit which ejects the liquid onto a medium, a plurality of supply flow paths which supplies the liquid to the head unit from the storage unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which straddles the supply flow paths which are different from each other, and a controller which circulates the liquid in a circulating flow path which is configured only by the supply flow path and the bypass flow path among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow path, and the bypass flow path.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yuji Iwata
-
Patent number: 9056484Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, an ink supply tube that supplies ink to the liquid ejecting head, a pressure control valve that opens as a result of depressurization on the liquid ejecting head side, a check valve provided upstream from the pressure control valve, an ink circulation tube that is connected at both ends to the ink supply tube between the pressure control valve and the check valve, and a tube pump provided in the ink circulation tube; in this configuration, by providing at least one of an ink return tube and a liquid reservoir portion that is capable of holding liquid in a liquid flow channel in a pressurized state, a rise in pressure within a circulating flow channel caused by pump operations can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Koji Ito, Masato Murayama, Ryoji Fujimori, Koji Harada, Tsuyoshi Hayashi