Patents Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20240094659
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a casing having a first opening; a storage bag accommodated in the casing and having a second opening; a seal for closing the second opening; a shaft rotatable; and a cap for closing the first opening. Toner is configured to be replenished through the first opening. Toner stored in the storage bag is configured to be discharged into the casing through the second opening. The shaft is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction together with the seal such that the seal closing the second opening is peeled off to open the second opening. The cap is attachable to and detachable from the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao ITABASHI, Masahiko HAYAKAWA, Sakiho HAYAKAWA, Hotaka KAKUTANI, Shintaro FUKUOKA, Haruka KIZU, Yuki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 11934715
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a consumable including a consumable memory storing type information; a main casing to which the consumable is attached; a communication interface; and a controller. The type information indicates whether the consumable is a special consumable that can be used when the image forming apparatus is under a concluded agreement or a normal consumable that can be used irrespective of whether or not the image forming apparatus is under the concluded agreement. The controller is configured to perform: when determining that the attached consumable is the special consumable and when printing is performed based on a print instruction after the image forming apparatus is registered to be subjected to a newly concluded agreement, transmitting to an external device print information indicating that the printing is performed based on the print instruction to cause a concluded agreement for another image forming apparatus to be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 11934722
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to obtain PJL data via a data interface, refer to filter data stored in a non-volatile memory, the filter data associating non-target PJL data with target data, the non-target PJL data being PJL data not intended for causing the image forming apparatus to a particular process, the target PJL data being PJL data intended for causing the image forming apparatus to perform the particular process, and when the obtained PJL data is the non-target PJL data associated with the target PJL data in the filter data stored in the non-volatile memory, convert the obtained PJL data into the target PJL data associated with the non-target PJL data in the filter data stored in the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Itogawa
  • Patent number: 11934142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11934143
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a first drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; and a second drum frame having an outer surface; and a memory having an electrical contact surface. The first drum frame is at one end portion of the drum cartridge in a second direction and the second drum frame is at another end portion of the drum cartridge in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned at the outer surface of the second drum frame and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the second drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11934113
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing; a developing roller extending in a first direction; a developing-roller gear; a coupling including a coupling gear; a first idle gear; a second idle gear; an agitator; a first agitator gear; and a protrusion. The developing-roller gear, the coupling, the first idle gear, the second idle gear, the first agitator gear, and the protrusion may be positioned at an outer surface of the casing. The protrusion may be positioned between a first axis of the coupling and a third axis of the first agitator gear in a second direction connecting the first and third axes. The protrusion may be positioned outside an addendum circle of the developing-roller gear, an addendum circle of the coupling gear, an addendum circle of the first idle gear, and an addendum circle of the second idle gear. The first agitator gear may be spaced apart from the protrusion in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazuna Taguchi, Takuya Kanda
  • Patent number: 11934723
    Abstract: A computer determines whether PDL data contained in a print job, which is obtained via a communication interface or an external interface, matches pre-conversion PDL data stored in a conversion rule in a non-volatile memory. When a type of converted PDL data associated with the pre-conversion PDL in the conversion rule matches a type of PDL data determined in a PJL converting process, PJL data that conversion is held is converted to the converted PDL data associated with the pre-conversion PJL data that matches the held PDL data in the conversion rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Itogawa
  • Patent number: 11934144
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a toner cartridge, a replaceable part, an apparatus body memory, and a controller. The replaceable part includes a replaceable part memory storing therein extended-use allowance-and-restriction information. The extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates one of allowance information and restriction information. The extended use is defined as use of the replaceable part even after the replaceable part exceeds the remaining life indicated by the life information stored in the apparatus body memory. The apparatus body memory stores life information indicating remaining life of the replaceable part. In a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the restriction information, the controller is configured to restrict the extended use of the replaceable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Kyotani, Chieko Mimura
  • Patent number: 11932509
    Abstract: A conveyer includes: a supporting member which supports a roll body having a sheet wound therearound; a conveyance roller which conveys the sheet; a guide member; an urging member which urges the guide member; a sensor; and a controller. The controller is configured: to determine a target position of the guide member and a permissible position in accordance with the target position; to control a rotation amount of the supporting member and/or a rotation amount of the conveyance roller; to determine whether or not a position of the guide member exceeds the permissible position; and to perform a notification of a conveying error of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Nishigaki, Teruhito Hasegawa, Yuri Morishita
  • Patent number: 11934728
    Abstract: Printing apparatus includes a controller is configured to executes holding selection processing of allowing holding in a storage device or deletion from the storage device of a storage of a print job selected by a print job selection processing to be selected by a user's input operation received via the user interface. The print job for which holding of the storage of the print job is selected is stored in the storage device in association with a holding flag. When the holding flag is associated with the print job stored in the storage device, the print job is not deleted from the storage device at a predetermined automatic deletion timing. When the holding flag is not associated with the print job stored in the storage device, the print job is deleted from the storage device at the automatic deletion timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuki Ichikawa, Rui Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11932028
    Abstract: A printing device includes a housing, a print head, a platen roller, a holder, and a cover. The housing has a cassette attaching opening through which a printing cassette accommodating a printing tape is attachable to the housing. The holder holds one of the print head and the platen roller. The holder is movable between a nip position in which the print head and the platen roller nip the printing tape and a non-nip position in which the print head and the platen roller do not nip the printing tape. The cover is attachable to the housing. The cover is movable between a covering position to cover at least part of the cassette attaching opening and an engaged position to engage with the housing. The holder moves from the non-nip position to the nip position in conjunction with movement of the cover from the covering position to the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Tagami, Shinji Ukai
  • Patent number: 11932011
    Abstract: A printing cassette that is to be attached to and detached from a printing apparatus main body is provided. The printing cassette includes: a first roll in which a first tape is wound around a winding center axis parallel to a first direction; and an input gear that is disposed at a different position from the first roll in the first direction, engaging another gear, and configured to transmit a driving force of a drive shaft of the printing apparatus to the another gear. The first roll has a cylindrical shape in which a hollow portion is defined by an inner peripheral surface. The drive shaft is inserted into the hollow portion of the first roll and the input gear is engaged with the drive shaft in a state where the printing cassette is attached to the printing apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Ukai
  • Patent number: 11932013
    Abstract: A printing device includes a head and a carriage. The head has a nozzle. The head is configured to eject liquid from the nozzle toward a printing medium. The carriage is configured to move the head in a first direction. The carriage includes a first distance sensor. The first distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the head and the printing medium. The first distance sensor is a specular reflection type distance sensor. The first distance sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11934118
    Abstract: A fuser configured to nip a sheet by a heating member and a pressurizing member and to thermally fix an image formed in a toner on the sheet, is provided. The fuser includes a supporting member, a temperature sensor, and a sensor cover. The supporting member supports the heating member. The temperature sensor is attached to the supporting member and is configured to detect a temperature of the heating member without contacting the heating member. The sensor cover is located on a side of the temperature sensor opposite to the heating member to cover the temperature sensor. The sensor cover includes a base having an opening at an upper position with respect to the temperature sensor and a windshield wall located in adjacent to the base. The windshield wall protrudes upward and extends in a lengthwise direction for the heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Mingguang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11934732
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a printing unit; and a controller. The printing unit is configured to print an image on a print medium. The controller is configured to perform: (a) receiving; (b) transmitting; (c) receiving; and (d) transmitting. The (a) receiving receives a print job from an external device. The (b) receiving receives a print job from an external device. The (b) transmitting transmits the print job to a data processing server. The (c) receiving receives, from the external device, destination information representing a destination of payment information of a fee required for executing the print job with the printing unit. The (d) transmitting transmits the destination information to the data processing server to cause the data processing server to provide the payment information to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Minamikawa, Tetsuya Okuno, Haruka Azechi, Ayaka Hotta, Yushi Deura
  • Publication number: 20240086125
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a controller configured to perform a storage printing process that includes receiving a print job containing a first user name, storing the print job in a memory, and performing printing based on the stored print job when the first user name matches a second user name after accepting the second user name input via the user interface. When a cancel instruction has been input via the user interface while the printing based on the stored print job is being performed in the storage printing process, the controller cancels the printing based on the stored print job. While a display is displaying that the print job is being received, the controller continues the storage printing process, without canceling the receipt of the print job based on an input of a cancel instruction via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka URAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11927895
    Abstract: A drum cover is movable relative to a photosensitive drum between a first position at which the drum cover covers a part of a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and a second position at which the drum cover does not cover the part of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge includes a toner storage portion configured to store toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. A drum cartridge includes a toner cartridge guide extending in a second direction crossing a first direction. The toner cartridge guide guides the toner cartridge to move in the second direction when the toner cartridge is being attached to the drum cartridge. A distance from the toner cartridge guide to the drum cover at the second position is longer than a distance from the toner cartridge guide to the drum cover at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Koji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11930576
    Abstract: An image forming device includes an LED head, a main controller board and an LED controller board. The main controller board comprises a main controller, a voltage output circuit, a first voltage terminal, a second voltage terminal. The voltage output circuit outputs a first voltage via the first voltage terminal and the second voltage via the second voltage terminal. The LED controller board includes a third voltage terminal, a fourth voltage terminal and an LED controller. The third voltage terminal is connected to the first voltage terminal, and the fourth voltage terminal is connected to the second voltage terminal. The LED controller board outputs a voltage according to the first voltage to the LED head. The LED controller is connected to the fourth voltage terminal. A voltage according to the second voltage is input to the LED controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masato Sueyasu
  • Patent number: 11927896
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developing roller, a developer housing supporting the developing roller, and a toner storage unit including a first storage chamber capable of storing toner, and a second storage chamber storing the developer housing. The toner storage unit supports the developer housing such that the developer housing is movable with respect to the first storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11927912
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a drum cartridge, and a development cartridge. The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge. The development cartridge includes a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Kazuna Taguchi