Patents Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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Publication number: 20250116953Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Saya MINOSHIMA, Nao ITABASHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Misato OSUKA, Junya SUMIDA, Shinya KUSUDA
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Publication number: 20250116954Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a shaft, and a first cam. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. A part of a peripheral surface of the developing roller is exposed on one side in a second direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the casing in a third direction crossing both the first direction and the second direction. The shaft extends in the first direction and is movable in the first direction relative to both the casing and the developing roller. The first cam is positioned at one end portion of the shaft in the first direction and is movable in the first direction together with the shaft. The shaft and the first cam are positioned at an other end portion of the casing in the third direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji ABE
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Patent number: 12271148Abstract: A drum unit includes: a frame; a first photosensitive drum; a second photosensitive drum; a charger; and a storage medium. The frame includes: a first frame plate; a second frame plate spaced apart from the first frame plate in a first direction; a third frame plate connecting one end of the first frame plate to one end of the second frame plate; and a fourth frame plate connecting another end of the first frame plate to another end of the second frame plate. The first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum are rotatably supported by the frame. The second photosensitive drum is spaced apart from the first photosensitive drum and positioned closer to the third frame plate than the first photosensitive drum to the third frame plate in a second direction. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface positioned at an outer surface of the third frame plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Isao Kishi, Nao Itabashi, Yohei Hashimoto, Kouji Watanabe, Makoto Souda
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Patent number: 12271646Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions cause a processor of an editing device to perform steps. The steps include selectably displaying a plurality of print medium on a display portion, each of the plurality of print medium being identified by a combination of a plurality of items. The steps include determining a high priority item from among the plurality of items. The steps include grouping the print medium for which a value is shared for the high priority item determined from among the plurality of items. The displaying includes displaying the grouped print medium in a grouped manner when displaying the plurality of print medium on the display portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yukinori Suzuki
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Patent number: 12269700Abstract: A groove has a first side surface and a second side surface. The second side surface faces the first side surface and is located downstream of the first side surface in a first direction. The first side surface has a first contact surface configured to contact one side surface of a protrusion. The second side surface having a second contact surface and a guide surface. The second contact surface is smaller than the first contact surface. The second contact surface is configured to contact an other side surface of the protrusion. The guide surface is inclined away from the first contact surface in a direction from a tip-side end of the second contact surface toward a tip end of a drive shaft. The tip-side end is an end facing toward the tip end of the drive shaft. The guide surface is configured to guide the protrusion to the groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuya Taira, Mariko Uchida
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Patent number: 12273496Abstract: A printing device includes a print head, a measuring member, and a controller. The print head prints a patch chart on a print medium. The patch chart includes a plurality of first patches and one or more second patches. Each first patch has a predetermined color. Each second patch has a user specified color represented by an input color value. The measuring member measures a color of a patch. The controller performs a second-patch measurement process to control the measuring member to measure a color of each second patch a plurality of times to acquire a plurality of color values for the each second patch. The controller calculates an average value of at least two of the plurality of color values for the each second patch, and generates a table correlating an input color value with the average value as a measured color value for the each second patch.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shota Morikawa
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Patent number: 12271145Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge and developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The developing cartridge may include a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a main casing including a slot extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a first inner surface positioned inside of the slot, and a second inner surface positioned inside of the slot farther from the cover in the axial direction than the first inner surface from the cover in the axial direction. The first and second inner surfaces may be configured to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2024Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masao Ichiyanagi, Keita Shimizu
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Patent number: 12270136Abstract: In a pressing device, a first member is movable in an up-down direction along with a presser bar of a sewing machine in a mounted state in which the pressing device is mounted on the presser bar. A second member supports a presser foot. The presser bar applies, through the second member, a presser force to the presser foot downward in the mounted state. A third member is disposed between the first and second members in the up-down direction in the mounted state. A gap-adjusting member adjusts a gap between the first and third members by contacting at least one of the first and third members. An urging member urges the second and third members away from each other with an urging force smaller than the pressing force of the presser bar. A guide part guides movement of the second and third members relative to the first member.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroki Mori
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Patent number: 12269275Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a reservoir configured to store a liquid; a head in which a nozzle is opened; a liquid circulator including a negative pressure pump, the liquid circulator being configured to circulate the liquid between the reservoir and the nozzle; a negative pressure regulating valve configured to regulate communication between a gas layer of the reservoir and an atmosphere; and a controller configured to perform: obtaining a nozzle pressure in an area, of the liquid circulator, near the nozzle; and controlling the negative pressure regulating valve to open, in response to the nozzle pressure being less than a first threshold value that is a negative value and greater than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki Hayashi, Itta Yamada
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Patent number: 12271134Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a heater; an endless belt; a rotary body configured to form a nipping region in cooperation with the heater; a nipping pressure changing mechanism configured to change a nipping pressure at the nipping region between a first nipping pressure and a second nipping pressure higher than the first nipping pressure; and a controller configured to perform a control process including: determining whether the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure or the second nipping pressure; and controlling, when determining that the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure, an output of the heater within a range that does not exceed an upper limit for the output of the heater when the nipping pressure is the first nipping pressure that is smaller than an upper limit for the output of the heater when the nipping pressure is the second nipping pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasutada Kato, Yuichi Ikeno
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Patent number: 12269257Abstract: A printer includes a main body casing, a supply portion, and a recessed portion. The main body casing has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a third surface connecting the first and second surfaces. The main body casing can be placed on a flat surface with the first surface in contact with the flat surface. The supply portion and the recessed portion are provided at the first surface. Through the supply portion, a medium is supplied into the main body casing. The recessed portion is recessed toward the second surface a depth not less than the thickness of the medium. The recessed portion extends from the third surface to the supply portion in a first direction and extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The length of the recessed portion in the second direction is greater than the width of the medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiyuki Furuyama, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu, Ryoya Takahashi, Takehiko Inaba
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Patent number: 12271126Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a magnetic roller; a transfer belt; a drum cleaning roller for collecting toner on the photosensitive drum and discharging collected toner to the photosensitive drum; a belt cleaner; a waste toner accommodating unit; and a controller configured to perform a printing operation for forming an image on a sheet and a cleaning operation for cleaning the drum cleaning roller. The controller is configured to perform: when performing the printing operation, collecting toner on the photosensitive drum using the drum cleaning roller; and when performing the cleaning operation, discharging the toner on the drum cleaning roller collected in the collecting to the photosensitive drum; transferring the toner on the photosensitive drum onto the transfer belt; and collecting the toner on the transfer belt using the belt cleaner so that the collected toner is accommodated in the waste toner accommodating unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshio Furukawa, Koji Ogawa, Fan Xu, Kazuma Hinoue, Hotaka Kakutani, Shintaro Fukuoka, Soun Kanada, Masahiko Hayakawa, Marika Ozaki, Masaki Ueji, Ayaka Komori, Enao Yamada, Miho Ishida, Keigo Nakajima, Shota Iriyama, Kengo Yada, Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 12271144Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 12271142Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing accommodating developing agent; a developing roller including a developing-roller shaft extending in a first direction; an electrode made of an electrically conductive resin; and a first collar made of an electrically non-conductive resin. The electrode is positioned at one end portion of the housing in the first direction. The electrode is electrically connected to the developing-roller shaft. The first collar covers one end portion of the developing-roller shaft in the first direction. The first collar includes: a first arm extending in the first direction; and a first pawl configured to engage with the electrode. The first pawl protrudes from the first arm in a direction away from the developing-roller shaft. The first pawl is movable between: a first position at which the first pawl is in engagement with the electrode; and a second position at which the first pawl is separated from the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2024Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuhei Hatano, Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 12271141Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge is removably insertable into to the main body casing in a first direction. The developing cartridge is removably insertable into the main body casing in the first direction. The drum cartridge includes a first handle. The first handle has a first recess having a first hollow. The developing cartridge includes a second handle. The second handle has a second recess having a second hollow.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Publication number: 20250108611Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a head, a moving mechanism and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to execute causing the head to not eject liquid in an acceleration section and to eject liquid in a constant speed section during a second movement, in a case where it is determined that a stop position in a first movement is not on one side of a scanning direction relative to a target position. The controller is configured to execute causing the head to eject liquid in the acceleration section and the constant speed section during the second movement, in a case where it is determined that the stop position in the first movement is on the one side of the scanning direction relative to the target position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoru ARAKANE
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Publication number: 20250110447Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a drawer, and a process cartridge attachable to the drawer. The drawer can be drawn out of the housing toward one side in a first direction. The process cartridge includes: a process housing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a second direction; a developing roller movable between a separated position and a contacting position relative to the photosensitive drum; and a locking member. The locking member is movable between a locking position for locking the developing roller at the separated position and an unlocking position for allowing the developing roller to move to the contacting position. The process cartridge is configured to contact a first surface of the drawer to be guided toward an attachment position on the drawer while the locking member is at the locking position during attachment of the process cartridge to the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao ITABASHI
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Publication number: 20250110446Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, including a housing; a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge; a drawer movable between an inner position and an outer position; and a lock member provided on the drawer and movable between a lock position at which the lock member locks the drum cartridge to the drawer, and a release position at which a lock between the drum cartridge and the drawer is released. The lock member includes an operation portion for moving the lock member between the lock position and the release position. The developing cartridge includes a cover member that covers at least a portion of the operation portion in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted to the drawer, and the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo SATO
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Publication number: 20250110674Abstract: A data processing method is for managing first and second image processing devices using a server. In the method, the server receives a request to replace the first image processing device, acquires from the first image processing device data, and stores the acquired data as data originally stored in the first image processing device. The data originally stored in the first image processing device includes settings information. In the method, the server communicates with the second image processing device which is a replacement device. In a case that a prescribed condition is satisfied, the server sends the data originally stored in the first image processing device to the second image processing device. For satisfying the prescribed condition, satisfying a condition that a prescribed function of the first image processing device has been deactivated on the basis of the request received by the server is necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takatsugu YAMADA
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Publication number: 20250108466Abstract: The machine tool includes a main shaft, a workpiece support part, a tool magazine, a moving mechanism, and an opening-closing mechanism. The main shaft holds a tool. The workpiece support part supports a workpiece processed by the tool. The tool magazine is provided on the workpiece support part and includes a tool holder supporting tools, and an openable and closable magazine cover covering a periphery of the tool holder. The moving mechanism includes a motor and moves the workpiece support part in a first direction. The opening-closing mechanism is configured to open and close the magazine cover. The opening-closing mechanism includes a first cam, and a link mechanism connected to the magazine cover. When the workpiece support part is moved by the moving mechanism, the link mechanism displaces the magazine cover from a closed state to an open state when the link mechanism abuts the first cam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masato KONDO, Hiroyuki TANAKA