Patents Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20250121464
    Abstract: Provided is a column. In this machine tool, a spindle head extends in the Z-axis direction and is disposed on the front surface of a column through a Y-axis moving mechanism. A rotary table is located forward of the spindle head. The spindle head is movable in the Y-axis direction (up-down direction) by being guided by a pair of guides that are mounted on mounting surfaces of the column. The mounting surface is located at a left front end of a right wall. The mounting surface is located at a right front end of a left wall. The column is movable in the Z-axis direction (front-back direction) through sliding members thereof being guided by a pair of guides. The sliding member has a portion located further forward than the mounting surfaces in a plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: MASAHITO AMANO
  • Publication number: 20250121466
    Abstract: Provided are a tool-gripping member, a tool magazine, and a machine tool. This tool-gripping member is provided to the tool magazine and grips a tool holder that supports a tool. A stand is fixed to a magazine base of the tool magazine and includes an engaging section with which the tool holder engages. A pair of claw members move pivotally around fulcrums provided to the stand, and sandwich and grip the tool holder while the tool holder is being engaged with the engaging section. The engaging section of the stand includes groove sections extending in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction in which the pair of claw members face each other and the axial direction of the fulcrums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: MASAHITO AMANO
  • Patent number: 12275255
    Abstract: A printing cassette that is attached to a printer main body, the printer main body including a print head, a platen roller facing the print head, and a drive source configured to cause the platen roller to rotate, the printing cassette comprising: a first tape on which printing is performed by the print head; an input unit that is rotatable around a rotation axis thereof and is transmitted a driving force from the drive source; and an output unit that is rotatable around a rotation axis thereof and is configured to transmit to the platen roller the driving force that is transmitted to the input unit, wherein the first tape is conveyed by the platen roller in a state where the printing cassette is attached to the printer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Murayama, Shota Iijima
  • Patent number: 12275238
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a conveyer, a cutter, a recording engine, a jam handling detector, and a controller. The conveyer includes a roller pair disposed downstream of the cutter in a conveying direction, configured to nip the recording medium, and configured to rotate in a forward rotation direction to convey the recording medium in the conveying direction. The controller conveys the recording medium such that a leading edge moves from upstream to downstream of the roller pair in the conveying direction after the jam handling detector detecting that a jam handling has been executed, cuts the recording medium conveyed to a position where the leading edge is downstream of the roller pair with the cutter while nipping the leading edge with the roller pair, and does not execute a skew correction when executing the post-jam conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomo Yamaguchi, Yuya Tatematsu
  • Patent number: 12275243
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided, which includes a nozzle plate which is formed with nozzles, and a channel member which is formed with pressure chambers and connecting channels for connecting the pressure chambers and the nozzles. The connecting channel includes a plurality of portions which have mutually different channel cross-sectional areas. The plurality of portions includes a first portion which is adjacent to the pressure chamber, and a second portion which is adjacent to the first portion, the first portion being interposed between the pressure chamber and the second portion. The first portion has the smallest channel cross-sectional area of those of the plurality of portions. S1?0.3×S0 and S1?0.7×S2 are fulfilled (S0: channel cross-sectional are of the pressure chamber, S1: channel cross-sectional area of the first portion, S2: channel cross-sectional area of the second portion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taisuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 12277460
    Abstract: In a printer, a controller builds a glyph index table in which no glyph data is registered. When it is determined that no set of glyph data corresponding to a character code selected in print data is registered in the glyph index table, the controller acquires a target set of glyph data from the font information in a memory. The target set of glyph data corresponds to the character code. The controller registers the target set of glyph data in the glyph index table. When it is determined that the set of glyph data corresponding to the character code is registered in the glyph index table, the controller acquires the target set of glyph data from the glyph index table. The controller generates raster data from the print data using the target set of glyph data, and perform a printing process to print an image based on the raster data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenshiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 12275251
    Abstract: A tank unit includes: a first bottom wall; a second bottom wall positioned above the first bottom wall and defining an opening penetrating in a vertical direction; a first side wall connected to the first and second bottom walls; a tank arranged on an upper surface of the first bottom wall; a liquid level sensor detecting a liquid level of ink inside the tank; a substrate electrically connected to the liquid level sensor; a first internal wiring having one end connected to the substrate; a first internal tube having one end connected to the tank; a first electric interface which is positioned inside the opening and to which the other end of the first internal wiring is connected; and a first fluidic interface positioned inside the opening, and to which the other end of the first internal tube is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Watanabe, Yuanyuan Deng
  • Patent number: 12275616
    Abstract: Provided is a layer transfer film cartridge, such that even if the layer transfer film cartridge is heavy in weight, the installation and removal of the layer transfer film cartridge can be performed with ease. The layer transfer film cartridge includes a supply reel on which a multilayer film having a transfer layer and a supporting layer supporting the transfer layer is wound, a supply case that houses the supply reel, and a take-up reel on which to take up the multilayer film, and a first handle supported by the supply case or the supply reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Yukiko Nakanishi, Tomoya Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20250116953
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Saya MINOSHIMA, Nao ITABASHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Misato OSUKA, Junya SUMIDA, Shinya KUSUDA
  • Publication number: 20250116954
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji ABE
  • Patent number: 12271142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Hatano, Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 12271148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Kishi, Nao Itabashi, Yohei Hashimoto, Kouji Watanabe, Makoto Souda
  • Patent number: 12269257
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Furuyama, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu, Ryoya Takahashi, Takehiko Inaba
  • Patent number: 12269700
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Taira, Mariko Uchida
  • Patent number: 12271145
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Ichiyanagi, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 12270136
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 12269275
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Hayashi, Itta Yamada
  • Patent number: 12271134
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasutada Kato, Yuichi Ikeno
  • Patent number: 12271126
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 12271141
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi