With Means To Remove And/or Accommodate Bubbles In The Fluid Patents (Class 347/92)
  • Patent number: 11945232
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus is provided with a tank that stores ink, a print head that performs print operation by ejecting ink supplied from the tank, a circulation unit that establishes a circulating state to circulate ink in a circulation path if print operation is performed and establishes a stopped state to stop circulation of ink if print operation is terminated, and a deaeration unit that performs deaeration operation to deaerate ink inside the circulation path. The apparatus includes an estimation unit that estimates a dissolved gas amount in ink inside the circulation path based on dissolved gas amounts increased in the circulating state and in the stopped state, respectively, and a control unit that causes the deaeration unit to execute deaeration operation after completion of print operation if the dissolved gas amount estimated by the estimation unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Atsushi Takahashi, Takuya Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 11912037
    Abstract: An ink is circulated in a circulation path including a supply sub-tank, a discharge head and a collection sub-tank in a head unit. If the amount of the ink in the head unit decreases, the ink stored in the buffer tank is replenished to the head unit. On the other hand, in a first non-replenishment time during which the ink is not replenished, the ink is circulated through the buffer tank, the collection sub-tank and the supply sub-tank in this order. Thus, a temperature fluctuation of the replenishment ink stored in the buffer tank is suppressed. As a result, even if the ink is replenished to the head unit from the buffer tank, physical properties, particularly a viscosity, of the ink do not largely vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Asada, Yasunori Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11858275
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus performs printing on a printing medium by feeding ink to an inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles and dispensing the ink from the inkjet head to the printing medium. The apparatus includes a tank, a supply pipe communicatively connecting the tank and the inkjet head, a pump for feeding the ink stored in the tank to the inkjet head, a filter disposed on a path of the supply pipe, and a controller for operates the pump and controlling feeding of the ink. The controller operates the pump to engage in forward drive in time of printing operation, and operates the pump to engage in backward drive in time of functional recovery operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tamio Fukui, Yuichi Nagase, Masaki Kato
  • Patent number: 11841336
    Abstract: A bubble detection sensor includes an emitter having an emitting surface and a receiver positioned on a side of a fluid conduit opposite the emitter. The receiver has a receiving surface adapted to receive a signal emitted by the emitter through a fluid of the fluid conduit. A sensor axis extending normal to the emitting surface and the receiving surface is disposed at a rotation offset angle with respect to a plane extending normal to a longitudinal conduit axis of the fluid conduit. The rotation offset angle is set to optimize a ratio of a sensitivity of the signal received by the receiver to an efficiency of the signal received by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Pedrick, Achilles Rubiano, Jodi Matzeder
  • Patent number: 11759723
    Abstract: An ultrafine bubble generating apparatus and an ultrafine bubble generating method capable of efficiently generating an ultrafine bubble-containing liquid with high purity are provided. In order to this, a heating element provided in a liquid is caused to generate heat, and film boiling is made on an interface between the liquid and the heating element. A film boiling bubble is generated by the film boiling, and ultrafine bubbles are thus generated near the film boiling bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Masahiko Kubota, Akitoshi Yamada, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Yumi Yanai, Hiroshi Arimizu, Teruo Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11685115
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an additive manufacturing module is described. The additive manufacturing module includes an agent distributor to selectively distribute a fabrication agent onto layers of build material. The agent distributor includes at least one fluidic ejection die. Each fluidic ejection die includes a plurality of nozzles arranged along a die length and a die width, the plurality of nozzles arranged such that, for each set of neighboring nozzles, a respective subset of each set of neighboring nozzles are positioned at different die width positions along the width of the fluidic ejection die. The fluidic ejection die also includes, for each respective nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, a respective ejection chamber fluidically coupled to the respective nozzle and for each respective ejection chamber, at least one respective fluid feed hole fluidically coupled to the respective ejection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James R Przybyla, Jason Hower, Michael G Monroe, Galen P Cook
  • Patent number: 11686696
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system with a fluid cartridge having a fluid reservoir and an ejection head. The ejection head has fluid ejectors that are in fluid flow communication with the fluid reservoir. A fluid detection circuit is electrically connected to at least one of the fluid ejectors. The fluid detection circuit is configured to detect and characterize a fluid in the fluid ejector, where the fluid detection circuit characterizes the resistivity of the fluid by adjusting an ejector voltage of the at least one of the fluid ejectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Steven W. Bergstedt, Patricia A. Clore
  • Patent number: 11660874
    Abstract: A printing device includes a main control board, a resin vat, a vibration generating assembly, a detection assembly and a support plate. The vibration generating assembly includes a drive component and a paddle. A drive end of the drive component is connected to the paddle, and the drive end is configured to drive the paddle to vibrate. The detection assembly includes an elastic sheet, a resistance strain gage and a detection circuit. The resistance strain gage is attached to the elastic sheet, a first end of the elastic sheet is arranged on the first face of the support plate, and a second end of the elastic sheet extends into the liquid to be detected. The detection circuit is configured to determine an output voltage according to a resistance value of the resistance strain gage. Automatic detection of the liquid level depth of the liquid to be detected is achieving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ANYCUBIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinqiao Deng, Xin Ouyang
  • Patent number: 11623441
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid in a pressure chamber from a nozzle that communicates with the pressure chamber, a liquid supply flow path that supplies the liquid stored in a liquid storing portion to the liquid ejecting portion, a degas module provided in the liquid supply flow path, a vacuum degree adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a vacuum degree of the degas module, a state detecting mechanism configured to detect a state inside the pressure chamber, and a control portion that drives and controls the vacuum degree adjustment mechanism based on a detecting result of the state detecting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Komatsu, Hitotoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 11577456
    Abstract: Examples include a process comprising forming a molded panel that includes a fluid ejection die molded in the molded panel. The molded panel is formed with a mold chase and a release liner. The mold chase has a fluid slot feature that aligns with fluid feed holes of the fluid ejection die. The mold chase and release liner is released from the molded panel such that the molded panel has a fluid slot formed therethrough corresponding to the fluid slot feature of the mold chase, and the fluid slot is fluidly connected to the fluid feed holes of the fluid ejection die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W Cumbie
  • Patent number: 11548296
    Abstract: A printing machine includes an inkjet printing head having separately controllable nozzles for applying ink to a transported printing material, a radiation drier having radiation sources for generating electromagnetic radiation to at least partly dry and/or cure the applied ink on the transported printing material and at least one light trap disposed between the inkjet printing head and the radiation drier in such a way that the light trap forms a barrier for reflected and/or scattered radiation, thus protecting the inkjet printing head from radiation. The light trap includes at least one channel connected to an aspiration device for aspirating contaminated ambient air through the channel and reducing or preventing contamination of the radiation drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Martin Greive, Ernst-Christian Maschler, Michael Kohlmann, Markus Wolf, Sibel Korkut Punckt
  • Patent number: 11498330
    Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of fluid ejectors. Each fluid ejector includes a pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a feed channel fluidically connected to each pumping chamber; and at least one compliant structure formed in a surface of the feed channel. The at least one compliant structure has a lower compliance than the surface of the feed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Kevin von Essen, Steven H. Barss, Mats G. Ottosson, Darren T. Imai
  • Patent number: 11479050
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging head including: supply manifolds; a supply integration channel which extends linearly along an arrangement direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the supply manifolds; return manifolds; and a return integration channel which extends linearly along the arrangement direction. The supply integration channel has a supply port arranged apart from the supply manifolds, being configured to supply liquid to the supply integration channel via the supply port, and at least a part of the supply port being overlapped, in a plan view, with a pressure chamber-arranging area in which pressure chambers communicating with nozzles are arranged. The return integration channel has a return port arranged apart from the return manifolds, being configured to drain the liquid from the return integration channel via the return port, and at least a part of the return port being overlapped, in the plan view, with the pressure chamber-arranging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Sugiura, Taisuke Mizuno, Shotaro Kanzaki
  • Patent number: 11407219
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head to discharge a liquid containing a solvent from a discharge port toward an object, a concentration detector to detect a vapor concentration of the solvent, and circuitry to causes the head to discharge the liquid from the discharge port while moving the discharge port of the head in a movement direction perpendicular to a discharge direction to discharge the liquid. When the vaper concentration is equal to or higher than a first threshold, the circuitry stops moving the head in the movement direction and causes the head to stop discharging the liquid from the discharge port. When the vaper concentration is less than a second threshold, the circuitry resumes moving the head in the movement direction from a stop position where the head stops moving in the movement direction and causes the head to resume discharging the liquid from the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroomi Yokomaku, Satoshi Kitaoka
  • Patent number: 11338588
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a print assembly and a print material feed system comprising a first circulation circuit and a second circulation circuit, the first circulation circuit fluidly coupled between the second circulation circuit and the print assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KATEEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Taff, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Stephen Mark Smith, Geoffrey Kenneth Love
  • Patent number: 11260683
    Abstract: In some examples, a fluid dispensing assembly removably mountable in a fluid dispensing system includes a body and a fluidic die attached to the body. A vent is arranged on the body to direct cooling airflow generated by an external airflow generator that is external of and separate from the fluid dispensing assembly into an inner portion of the fluid dispensing assembly, the inner portion being within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rosanna L. Bigford, Jeffrey F. Bell, Alan R. Arthur
  • Patent number: 11155096
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting unit includes: a first chamber; a second chamber; a third chamber; a fourth chamber; a first liquid passage for supplying a first type of liquid to the first chamber and the third chamber; a second liquid passage for supplying a second type of liquid to the second chamber and the fourth chamber, the second type of liquid differing from the first type of liquid; a first fluid passage for supplying fluid to the first chamber and the second chamber; and a second fluid passage for supplying the fluid to the third chamber and the fourth chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Hironori Matsuoka, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Takahiro Kanegae
  • Patent number: 11077677
    Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes ejecting an ultraviolet-ray curable ink of which a viscosity at 28° C. is 8 mPa·s or more from a head to a recording medium, and curing the ultraviolet-ray curable ink attached to the recording medium, wherein, in the ejecting of the ultraviolet-ray curable ink, the ultraviolet-ray curable ink is heated such that a temperature of the ejected ultraviolet-ray curable ink becomes 28° C. to 40° C., and a viscosity of the ultraviolet-ray curable ink at the temperature is 15 mPa·s or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kobayashi, Yusuke Mizutaki, Toshio Kumagai, Masaaki Ando, Hiroaki Kida, Kaoru Koike, Mitsuaki Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 11059301
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus is provided with a tank that stores ink, a print head that performs print operation by ejecting ink supplied from the tank, a circulation unit that establishes a circulating state to circulate ink in a circulation path if print operation is performed and establishes a stopped state to stop circulation of ink if print operation is terminated, and a deaeration unit that performs deaeration operation to deaerate ink inside the circulation path. The apparatus includes an estimation unit that estimates a dissolved gas amount in ink inside the circulation path based on dissolved gas amounts increased in the circulating state and in the stopped state, respectively, and a control unit that causes the deaeration unit to execute deaeration operation after completion of print operation if the dissolved gas amount estimated by the estimation unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakano, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Atsushi Takahashi, Takuya Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 11014289
    Abstract: An ink supplying device is provided and supplies a functional ink to a droplet ejecting portion, including: a tube body through which the functional ink passes; a degasser that removes a dissolved gas from the functional ink; a first supply path in which the degasser is fitted to the tube body; a second supply path in which the degasser is not fitted to the tube body; and a controller that switches a supply path of the functional ink to the second supply path when a viscosity of the functional ink is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, and switches the supply path to the first supply path when the viscosity of the functional ink is lower than the predetermined value. The first supply path and the second supply path are coupled by an upstream side coupling portion and a downstream side coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyohei Maruyama, Yoshikazu Furukawa, Kenta Imai
  • Patent number: 11016420
    Abstract: A technique includes rotating a squeegee roller to regulate a film thickness of ink on a developer roller; and using the developer roller to transfer a portion of the ink from the developer roller to a photoconductive member. The technique includes creating, by an electrode, a potential bias with the developer roller to transfer the ink to the developer roller; and inhibiting flow streaks on the developer roller, where inhibiting the flow streaks includes restricting a flow of ink between the squeegee roller and the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Sabo, Blair A. Butler, Jeffrey Zampell, Avinoam Halpern, Sarah Ann Russell
  • Patent number: 10960674
    Abstract: Different examples of systems, reservoirs and methods are described. One of these examples involves includes a reservoir with a liquid outlet through which liquid is to exit the reservoir. The reservoir may further include a bubbler structure to supply air to the inner volume of the reservoir, the bubbler structure includes an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: William Black
  • Patent number: 10933651
    Abstract: Inkjet recording is performed by using an inkjet recording apparatus including an ink circulation channel for circulating a first ink, an ink supply channel for supplying a second ink into the ink circulation channel, and a recording head communicating with the ink circulation channel. The apparatus is configured to eject an aqueous ink including the first ink and the second ink from the recording head, thereby recording an image on a recording medium. The content (% by mass) of water in the first ink and the content (% by mass) of water in the second ink differ from each other by 2.00% by mass or more. The first ink contains a pigment, and the second ink contains a first water-soluble organic solvent having a log P value of ?1.10 or more and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukako Tamanuki, Shinsuke Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10913285
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a printer system that includes a first primary ink tank holding a dark-colored ink, a second primary ink tank holding a light-colored ink, a first selector valve configured to change a state, a first secondary ink tank connected to the first primary ink tank via the first selector valve, a second secondary ink tank connected to the first and second primary ink tanks via the first selector valve, a second selector valve connected to the first primary ink tank configured to return the dark-colored ink from the print heads to the first primary ink tank, and a third selector valve connected to the second selector valve and the second primary ink tank configured to either return the light-colored ink from the print heads to the second primary ink tank or to direct the dark-colored ink to the second selector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Andrew Porter
  • Patent number: 10882325
    Abstract: A liquid supply unit includes a first chamber, a second chamber, an opening/closing member, a biasing member, a pressing member and a flexible film member. The first chamber communicates with a liquid storage container, and the second chamber communicates with a liquid injection head. The opening/closing member changes a posture between a closing posture for closing a communication opening and an opening posture for opening it. The biasing member biases the opening/closing member in a direction toward the closing posture. The pressing member presses the opening/closing member in a direction toward the opening posture. The flexible film member is displaced based on a negative pressure generated in the second chamber. When a pressure receiving portion of the pressing member receives the displacement force from the flexible film member, the pressing member rotates about a pivot point and presses the opening/closing member against a biasing force of the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Daisuke Eto, Masaaki Maruta, Tomoya Hotani, Yuki Tamura, Ryo Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10752012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink container for an inkjet printer, the ink container being configured to prevent a problem caused by fine bubbles accumulated in the ink container. As the ink container containing ink for supplying ink to an inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles that discharge ink, the ink container includes: a bottom surface inclined so that a first side thereof connected to a return line through which ink is returned from the inkjet head is positioned higher than a second side thereof connected to a supply line through which ink is supplied to the inkjet head; and a bubble removing net provided between the supply line and the return line to remove bubbles from ink contained in the ink container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GOSANTECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Sung-hee Lee, Kwang-su Kim
  • Patent number: 10737501
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a filter chamber that is provided in a flow path that supplies liquid to a liquid discharge unit, a filter that partitions the filter chamber into an upstream side chamber to which the liquid is supplied and a downstream side chamber that communicates with the liquid discharge unit, a storage chamber that is arranged vertically above the filter chamber and is connected to a branch of the flow path on the upstream side of the upstream side chamber of the filter chamber, and a pump that supplies the liquid to the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Daiki Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 10618307
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid flow path which communicates with a nozzle which ejects liquid; a vacuum degassing chamber for removing air bubbles from liquid by depressurizing a part of the liquid flow path; a gas flow path which communicates with the vacuum degassing chamber; a pressurizing chamber which communicates with the gas flow path; and a pump which communicates with the vacuum degassing chamber and the pressurizing chamber through the gas flow path, in which the pump is driven by a sequence selected from a plurality of sequences, and the plurality of sequences include a plurality of depressurizing sequences in which the vacuum degassing chamber is depressurized so that an average pressure of the vacuum degassing chamber becomes different, and a pressurizing sequence in which the pressurizing chamber is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Daiki Tatsuta, Ryoji Fujimori, Kaoru Koike
  • Patent number: 10569562
    Abstract: A control method of a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head for ejecting a liquid in an inner-space thereof through a nozzle, an inflow-channel for flowing the liquid into the inner space, an outflow-channel for flowing the liquid out of the inner space, and a valve for the inflow-channel. The control method includes first control of opening the inflow-channel by opening the valve in accordance with a negative pressure on a downstream side of the valve to generate a liquid flow from the inflow-channel to the outflow-channel, second control of opening the inflow-channel by opening the valve by an external force to generate the liquid flow from the inflow-channel to the outflow-channel, and performing the second control, in accordance with a flow amount of the liquid flow, to open the valve under the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakajima, Hiroshige Owaki
  • Patent number: 10525733
    Abstract: An ink jet printing method includes attaching an ink composition to a cloth by using a printer head which has a nozzle discharging the ink composition, a pressure chamber for imparting pressure to the ink composition to cause the nozzle to discharge the ink composition, and a connection portion connecting the pressure chamber and the nozzle, and in which a distance of the connection portion is 500 ?m or more, the distance of the connection portion being from a portion of the pressure chamber where the ink flows out from a pressure chamber to the nozzle side to the nozzle, in which the ink composition includes the resin as a solid content in the amount of 10% by mass to 26% by mass with respect to the ink composition, the ratio of the total content of the organic solvent to the total content of the solid content of the resin is 0.3 or more, and a sum of the total content of the solid content of the resin and the total content of the organic solvent is 37% by mass or less with respect to the ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Murai, Masakazu Ohashi, Toru Saito
  • Patent number: 10518549
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit and a pump. The liquid ejecting apparatus has a supply channel, a return channel, and a communication channel. The supply channel is designed to be able to supply the liquid from a liquid supply source to the nozzle. The return channel has ends connected to the supply channel and forms, together with the supply channel, a circulation channel. The communication channel is connected to the return channel and allows communication between an inside of the return channel and an outside. In a state in which the return channel communicates with the outside through the communication channel, the pump is driven so as to perform a return-channel replacement operation in which the liquid in the return channel is discharged to the supply channel side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10399348
    Abstract: A removable module for an inkjet printer comprises: a housing; a plurality of fluid conduits; two cartridge connections; a printer connection; and an electrical link. The plurality of fluid conduits are disposed within the housing. The two cartridge connections are each for releasable engagement with a fluid cartridge. Each cartridge connection is exposed by the housing and comprises: a fluid connector for engaging an outlet of a fluid cartridge to allow fluid to flow from the engaged cartridge to one of the plurality of fluid conduits; and an electrical contact arranged to contact a corresponding contact on the engaged fluid cartridge. The printer connection is for releasable engagement with an inkjet printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Robert Smith, David Doswell
  • Patent number: 10391779
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a plurality of liquid discharge heads to discharge liquid, and a plurality of head tanks communicating with the plurality of liquid discharge heads, respectively. Each of the plurality of head tanks includes a liquid chamber to store the liquid and a gas chamber separated from the liquid chamber by a diaphragm, and the gas chamber of one of the plurality of head tanks communicates with the gas chamber of another of the plurality of head tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Katoh, Yuta Moriwaki, Satoru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10377137
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a manifold having a plurality of ink outlets defined in a manifold surface; a plurality of printhead chips mounted to the manifold surface, each printhead chip having an odd number of color channels and each color channel having one or more respective rows of inkjet nozzle devices. A central color channel of each printhead chip is a dummy color channel that does not receive ink from the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Memjet Technology Limited
    Inventors: Jason Thelander, David Burke, Andrew Thomas
  • Patent number: 10343407
    Abstract: The controller obtains temperature data based on a temperature sensor when the controller is in an energized state and stores temperature history information of the obtained temperature data in a storage. The controller determines whether there occurs a non-energized state after a previous purge operation, estimates the temperature data in the non-energized state based on the temperature history information when the non-energized state exists after previous execution of the purge operation, and sets a purge condition of a next purge operation based on an elapsed time from previous execution of the purge operation and the temperature history information stored in the storage, sets the purge condition based on the estimated temperature data in the non-energized state in addition to the elapsed time and the temperature history information when there exists the non-energized state after the previous execution of the purge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Takagi, Tatsuya Shindo
  • Patent number: 10308031
    Abstract: A technique is provided that can suppress leakage of a liquid from a tank. When an ink tank is in a reference orientation in which ink is injected into the ink tank, an atmospheric air introducing inlet of an atmospheric air communication path is located on an upper end side of the ink containing portion. Also, when the ink tank is in the reference orientation, when the ink tank is in a second orientation in which the ink tank has been rotated by 90° from the reference orientation, and when the ink tank is in a third orientation in which the ink tank has been rotated by 180°, at least a portion of the atmospheric air communication path is located at a height position of an upper end portion of the ink containing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoma Kudo, Naomi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10272693
    Abstract: An air trap unit includes an air trap container that stores ink, a flow inlet provided in the air trap container and allowing the ink to flow into the air trap container, a flow outlet provided in the air trap container and allowing the ink in the air trap container to flow out, and an inclination mechanism that inclines the air trap container such that the air trap container is put into one of a first state and a second state, the first state being a state where the air trap container is inclined such that the flow inlet is at a level higher than, or equal to, that of the flow outlet, and the second state being a state where the air trap container is inclined such that the flow outlet is at a level higher than that of the flow inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Ueda, Yoshitaka Hatano, Kenji Seki
  • Patent number: 10252535
    Abstract: A sub tank (40) which is mounted in an inkjet printer including an inkjet head for discharging UV ink and supplies UV ink to the inkjet head includes a space forming unit (41) which forms a space (40a) including an ink storage chamber (40b) for storing UV ink and a pump communication port communicating with a pump for making a pressure in the space (40a) negative, and a liquid-proof ventilation filter (44) which is disposed in the space (40a), allows gas to be circulated, and does not allow the UV ink to be circulated so as to prevent the UV ink from flowing out from the space (40a) to the pump communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10214024
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid; a supply flow path that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes a region which communicates with the supply flow path; a decompression mechanism that decompresses the region pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism; and a resistor section that interferes with decompression by the decompression mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Takanashi, Masaru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 10118401
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid supply apparatus and a liquid ejection apparatus according to which liquid injected through a liquid injection portion can be supplied stably. The liquid supply apparatus includes: a liquid containing chamber capable of containing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection portion; an air chamber in communication with the atmosphere; a communication path that allows an air introduction port for introducing air into the liquid containing chamber and an air chamber to be in communication, and a liquid injection portion through which the liquid can be injected into the liquid containing chamber. The liquid containing chamber is fixed such that the air introduction port is located at a bottom portion of the liquid containing chamber. The volume of the communication path is smaller than the volume of the air chamber. The uppermost portion of the communication path is located above the uppermost portion of the liquid containing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi Kimura, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 10016991
    Abstract: A carriage assembly for a printer that reciprocates along scan directions. The carriage assembly includes at least one printhead having a row of jetting channels for ejecting a print fluid, and reservoirs mounted on the carriage assembly that each supply the print fluid to the printhead. At least one of reservoirs is mounted on the carriage assembly to be offset from the row of jetting channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9931860
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes an ink tank, a print head, an ink flow passage, a degassing device, a circulation flow passage and a circulation pump. The print head discharges ink supplied from the ink tank through the ink flow passage. The degassing device is disposed midway in the ink flow passage and removes air from the ink. The circulation flow passage has two ends respectively connected to two sides of the degassing device. The circulation pump is disposed midway in the circulation flow passage and returns the ink flowing out of the degassing device to a position to flow in the degassing device. The ink flow passage between an outflow port from the circulation flow passage and an inflow port thereto and the circulation flow passage are formed such that the ink is movable at approximately a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tokimatsu, Mitsuru Obata, Shinya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9919516
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting head including: a plurality of actuator units, each including a connection terminal row; an interconnection substrate which is disposed to face the plurality of actuator units, is electrically connected to the connection terminal row of each of the plurality of actuator units, and extends in a second direction intersecting a first direction that is a transporting direction of a recording sheet; an external connection terminal row which is provided to the interconnection substrate; and a plurality of liquid flow passages which supply a liquid to each of the plurality of actuator units. The plurality of liquid flow passages are arranged on an outer side of the interconnection substrate in the first direction, and the external connection terminal row is arranged between the plurality of liquid flow passages in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 9840084
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid; a head flow path connected to the liquid ejecting head, that supplies the liquid; an attaching member that is attachable at a position adjacent to the head flow path; and an opening/closing mechanism that opens the head flow path when the attaching member is attached at the adjacent position and closes the head flow path when the attaching member is removed from the adjacent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Nakamura, Takashi Mano
  • Patent number: 9827779
    Abstract: There are provided a head ejecting a liquid, a retaining section retaining the liquid, a degassing section with a degassing unit, a first supply flow path flowing the liquid from the retaining section to the degassing section, and a second supply flow path flowing the liquid degassed in the degassing section to the head. The degassing section further includes a degassing flow path having the degassing unit to flow the liquid while reducing pressure, a bypass flow path flowing the liquid without reducing the pressure, a branching section dividing the liquid flowing in the first supply flow path into the degassing flow path and the bypass flow path, and a joining section joining the liquid flowing in the degassing flow path and the liquid flowing in the bypass flow path to flow in the second supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Ando, Jun Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 9821565
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head including a flow path member which allows a capacity of an air bubble chamber to be increased as much as possible and in which a filter is not clogged even when the variation of a liquid consumption amount is large, and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the flow path member. Alternatively, the invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head including a flow path member which allows a capacity of an air bubble chamber to be increased as much as possible while being miniaturized in a transporting direction and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the flow path member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahisa Nawano, Fumiya Takino
  • Patent number: 9751307
    Abstract: An empty chamber component includes a pressure chamber formation substrate where a pressure chamber as an empty chamber is defined and a communication substrate bonded to the pressure chamber formation substrate. A piezoelectric element is provided on one side of the pressure chamber formation substrate. A flexible surface is located between the piezoelectric element and the pressure chamber. Empty portions are defined by the communication substrate closing recessed portions in the pressure chamber formation substrate. The empty portions are formed at positions where ends of the active section of the piezoelectric element pass through the empty portions in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoki Takabe, Shiro Yazaki, Yuma Fukuzawa, Eiju Hirai
  • Patent number: 9744780
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first transport roller, and a second transport roller which transports a medium; and a liquid ejecting head which includes a plurality of nozzle openings, and ejects liquid toward the medium which is transported, a pressure generation unit which causes a change in pressure in liquid in a flow path, and a wiring board of which one face is arranged so as to face a direction in which the liquid is ejected, and is electrically connected to the pressure generation unit, in which the wiring board is arranged between the first transport roller and the second transport roller, and is arranged at a position at which the wiring board does not overlap with the first transport roller and the second transport roller and the first transport roller or the second transport roller is arranged at a position at which the roller overlaps with the liquid ejecting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Miyajima, Mitsuhiro Koseki
  • Patent number: 9738094
    Abstract: An ink jet method includes supplying a radiation curable composition to a discharging head via a composition flow channel; and discharging the radiation curable composition from the discharging head, in which the composition flow channel includes a gear pump that causes the radiation-curable composition to flow in the composition flow channel, and an air supply mechanism that supplies air to the radiation curable composition further to the upstream side in the flow direction than the gear pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tsuchiya, Masaaki Ando, Keitaro Nakano, Hiroaki Kida, Toshiyuki Yoda
  • Patent number: 9597890
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a flow restriction apparatus, is provided. The flow restriction apparatus includes an ink outlet perforating through a tank wall of a printing fluid reservoir of a user-refillable inkjet printer system. The ink outlet facilitates fluid communication between the printing fluid reservoir and an inkjet pen of the printer system. Printing fluid from the printing fluid reservoir enters the ink outlet from the printing fluid reservoir under suction pressure exerted by the inkjet pen. A screen is located inside the printing fluid reservoir and separates the printing fluid reservoir from the ink outlet. The screen is ink permeable. The screen includes a screen aperture having an effective radius smaller than a meniscus of a droplet of printing fluid at atmospheric pressure within the printing fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan Murphy, Ben Smith, Willie Sheehan, William Black