Patents Examined by Anh T Vo
  • Patent number: 11701891
    Abstract: A printing system to hold printing material comprises a sealing interface to seal a container with respect to a printing chamber volume of the printing system, the container to hold the printing material. The printing system comprises a lifting system to move the container between a first position in which the container is to be lifted and a second position at which the container is lifted and contacts the seal so as to seal the container. The lifting system is to non-hyperstatically constrain the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Victor Ruiz Rivas, Sergi Culubret Cortada, Esteve Comas Cespedes
  • Patent number: 11701893
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a consumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer comprising: the controller of the printer generating a 1st item of random information that is dispatched to an authentication circuit of the element; encrypting the 1st item of information by the authentication circuit using a 1st encryption algorithm and a 1st secret key to form a 1st item of encrypted random information; dispatching the 1st item of information to the controller; encrypting the 1st item of information by the controller using a 2nd encryption algorithm and a 2nd secret key to form a 2nd item of encrypted random information; comparing the 1st item of encrypted random information with the 2nd encrypted item of random information to authenticate the consumable element; and if the consumable element is authenticated, dispatching at least one part of a 3rd key, termed the shared key, by the element to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Dover Europe Sàrl
    Inventor: Damien Bonneton
  • Patent number: 11697288
    Abstract: A liquid supplying apparatus, having a reservoir section including a reservoir chamber, and a communication section connecting the reservoir chamber and a hole, is provided. The communication section has a first wall and a second wall, a first buffer space, and a second buffer space. The first buffer space and the second buffer space store the liquid flowing on the first wall and the second wall, respectively, in the liquid supplying apparatus being in the first rotated posture. The hole is located at an upper position with respect to a surface of a predetermined maximum amount of the liquid storable in the reservoir chamber in the liquid supplying apparatus being in a usable posture. The hole is open neither to the first buffer space nor the second buffer space. The hole is located in neither the first wall nor the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Taichi Shirono, Fumio Nakazawa, Sosuke Kuroyanagi
  • Patent number: 11691426
    Abstract: Management system for the ink in a printing machine, comprising: one or more tanks (2), each of which is equipped with hydraulic connections (21) for quick coupling and an inner layer of insulation; a docking station (3), arranged to be placed in a printing machine, which comprises hydraulic connections (31) for quick coupling, intended to be connected to the hydraulic connections (21) of one or more tanks (2); motor means (4), associated with the docking station (3) and arranged to transfer a tank (2) between a standby position and an operating position within the docking station, and to produce the coupling of the hydraulic connections (21,31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SYSTEM CERAMICS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Franco Stefani
  • Patent number: 11691431
    Abstract: A fluid circulation and ejection system may include a microfluidic die, a single orifice fluid ejector having a drive chamber in the microfluidic die and a pressurized fluid source remote from the microfluidic die to create a pressure gradient across the drive chamber to circulate fluid across the drive chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Si-lam Choy, Michael W. Cumbie, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 11685145
    Abstract: A flow path structure including a first-flow path includes a first-flow path member that including a first-resin member made of a resin and a first-film member having a film, a second-flow path member laminated on the first-flow path member and adhered to the first-flow path member, in which the first-resin member includes a first-front surface that is a surface facing the second-flow path member and that is provided with a first-recessed portion, the first-film member includes a first-surface and a second-surface that is opposite from the first-surface, at least a portion of the first-surface is in close contact with a front surface of the first-resin member inside the first-recessed portion, and the second-surface and the second-flow path member define at least a portion of the first-flow path in a region overlapping the first-recessed portion in a laminating direction of the first-flow path member and the second-flow path member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakajima, Shun Katsuie
  • Patent number: 11679593
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a first connecting unit which is connectable to a first supply portion to supply a first-color ink into a recording head to eject the first-color ink, and a first prevention unit which prevents the first-color ink through a first supply path from being discharged from a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being not connected to the recording head. The recording head includes the first supply portion without a portion to supply a second-color ink into the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Takenaga
  • Patent number: 11679595
    Abstract: There is provided a technology which can improve the mounting posture of a liquid ejection apparatus when mounted to a liquid container. The liquid container is flexible and includes a storage portion configured to store the liquid and a connection member. The connection member is provided with a liquid outlet which is inserted with a liquid introduction portion, a container-side electrical connector which makes electrical contact with an apparatus-side electrical connection unit while receive at least +Z direction force from the apparatus-side electrical connection unit, a first receiver configured to receive a first positioning portion, a second receiver configured to receive a second positioning portion, and a recess which houses a protrusion of the case. The recess and the container-side electrical connector are formed at positions which at least partially overlap each other when viewed from a Z direction in a mounting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Akihiro Toya, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Mikinori Sawai
  • Patent number: 11673405
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an ink tank and a flow channel member. The tank includes an ink chamber that stores ink, an injection port through which the ink is injected into the chamber, and a first shape portion formed near the injection port. The flow channel member is configured to be disposed inside the injection port and form a channel through which the ink is injected into the chamber. The ink is injected to the chamber from an ink supply container which includes a second shape portion formed near an outlet port of the container and configured to engage the first shape portion. The flow channel member is displaceable in a direction intersecting an inserting direction of inserting the outlet port into the injection port. The container is fixed to the tank by engagement between the first and second shape portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taiji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11673416
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink tank, a recording head, a monitor, an operation panel, and a controller. The ink tank forms an ink chamber and including an injection inlet. The recording head ejects ink from the ink chamber to record an image on a sheet. The operation panel receives user input. The controller controls operation of the recording head, the monitor, and the operation panel. The controller performs receiving a completion signal indicating completion of ink injection, decision processing deciding whether an initial processing has been completed, and inquiry processing based on receipt of the completion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mana Honoki, Kenta Horade
  • Patent number: 11673402
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid, a supply flow path that supplies the liquid from a liquid containing portion, which is replaceable and contains the liquid, to the liquid ejection head, a liquid feeding portion that is provided in the supply flow path and is configured to suck the liquid from the liquid containing portion and to feed the liquid to the liquid ejection head, and a control unit that controls driving of the liquid feeding portion. The control unit changes driving control of the liquid feeding portion in accordance with a remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid containing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Hirai, Shigenori Fukasawa, Mitsuhiro Koseki, Masato Haga
  • Patent number: 11667127
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a housing; a circuit board including an electrode; and an ink supply portion extending from the housing in a depth direction. The housing includes: an cover; and a base provided with a plurality of engaging pawls. The cover includes: a top wall; a peripheral wall formed with a plurality of engaging holes for engagement with the engaging pawls; a support portion supporting the circuit board; a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the top wall. The plurality of engaging holes is open in a width direction and includes a first engaging hole and a second engaging hole spaced away from each other in the depth direction. A front end of the second protrusion is positioned further frontward than a foremost edge of the first engaging hole that is positioned foremost in the depth direction among the plurality of engaging holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akinari Ishibe
  • Patent number: 11660876
    Abstract: A detection method for a liquid level of a storage tank is provided. The detection method determines that an optical sensor is for a liquid level detection purpose when a sensing value to a tank object is consistent with a first threshold condition. The detection method further determines the optical sensor as valid on liquid level detection when sensing values respectively corresponding to statuses of print material and non-print-material are consistent with a second threshold condition. During printing, the detection method starts/stops pouring print material into a storage tank when the sensing value of the optical sensor is consistent with a third threshold condition correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KINPO ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Yao-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 11654689
    Abstract: A liquid discharge device includes a discharge section that discharges a liquid, a storage section that includes a first surface and a second surface separated from the first surface in a first direction, and is configured to store the liquid between the first surface and the second surface, a transmission electrode that is provided on the first surface, a reception electrode that is provided on the second surface, a filter circuit that removes a predetermined frequency component from an electric signal supplied from the reception electrode, and a detection circuit that detects a storage amount of the liquid stored in the storage section based on an output from the filter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Shinkawa
  • Patent number: 11654705
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a main body. An ink containing unit is disposed in the main body and is configured to contain ink to be supplied. The ink containing unit includes an ink refill portion through which ink is refilled and an ink level display surface disposed on a side surface of the main body. The side surface has an opening through which a jammed sheet is removed and a first cover configured to cover the opening. The ink level display surface and the first cover are juxtaposed on the side surface in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinari Ishibe, Motohiro Momozaki
  • Patent number: 11642891
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes an ejection opening; a passage in which an energy generation element is disposed; an ejection opening portion that allows communication between the ejection opening and the passage; a supply passage for allowing the liquid to flow into the passage; and an outflow passage for allowing the liquid to flow out to the outside. An expression of H?0.34×P?0.66×W>1.7 is satisfied when a height of the passage is set to H [?m], a length of the ejection opening portion is set to P [?m], and a length of the ejection opening portion is set to W [?m].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Okushima, Seiichiro Karita, Takatsuna Aoki, Noriyasu Nagai, Eisuke Nishitani, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11642893
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a supply cartridge attachable to the main casing; a printing mechanism; a display; and a controller configured to perform: determining, based on information inputted into the controller, whether an agreement is made for the image forming apparatus; setting, when an agreement is made for the image forming apparatus, an operation mode for the image forming apparatus to a pre-contract mode; determining under the pre-contract mode whether a type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is a normal type or a subscription type; displaying, when the type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is the normal type, information related to the pre-contract mode on the display; and setting, when the type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is the subscription type, the operation mode from the pre-contract mode to a formal contract mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriaki Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11628673
    Abstract: Provided is a storage device including a container that includes an accommodation chamber accommodating fluid or powder, a flexible film that is bonded to the container and covers an opening portion of the accommodation chamber, and a tank holder to which the container having the film bonded thereto is fixed by a screw, in which the screw penetrates the film and fixes the container to the tank holder, and a part of a bonded portion between the film and the container surrounds a portion of the film through which the screw penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Yabe
  • Patent number: 11623450
    Abstract: A fluid container that includes body that provides a fluid reservoir. Additionally, the fluid container can also include an outlet structure. The outlet structure can include a conduit that extends from an outlet of the fluid container to the fluid reservoir. Moreover, the fluid container can include an outlet barrier and an interior barrier. The outlet barrier can be positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the outlet of the fluid container. Additionally, the outlet barrier can be structured to receive an inlet extension of a container device. The interior barrier can be positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the fluid reservoir. Additionally, the interior barrier can be displaceable relative to the outlet structure by the inlet extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Zachary McCourt, William J. Edwards, James Dewey, David M. Hagen
  • Patent number: 11623453
    Abstract: To provide a liquid storage container equipped with a plug member that can prevent leakage of a liquid from the liquid storage container and can be opened without causing scatter of the liquid, and a liquid ejection apparatus equipped with the liquid storage container. For the purpose, at least one of a connection part of the convex part with the cover part and an apical part of the convex part most apart from the connection part is provided offset from the centroid of the cover part, seen from a direction orthogonal to an opening surface of a supply port in a state that the plug member is mounted on a supply port of the liquid storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Shimamura, Akira Shiba, Kazuya Yoshii, Norihiro Ikebe, Takeho Miyashita, Tomoki Yamamuro, Atsushi Arai, Masatoshi Ohira, Tatsuaki Orihara, Hirofumi Okuhara, Kazumasa Matsushita, Misato Furuya