Patents by Inventor Akihiro Toya

Akihiro Toya has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11912032
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid; a liquid flowing portion coupled to the liquid ejecting head and configured to flow the liquid; and a frame that houses the liquid ejecting head and the liquid flowing portion. The frame is provided with a passage hole configured to pass the liquid flowing portion along a depth direction. when viewed in the depth direction, a portion of the liquid flowing portion disposed outside the passage hole is configured to be deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Toya, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Yuki Araki, Shogo Nakada, Taiki Kono
  • Publication number: 20230373216
    Abstract: A capping device configured to form a space surrounding an opening of a nozzle by coming into contact with a liquid ejecting head having the nozzle for ejecting a liquid, includes a unit cap, which is an example of a cap, including a recess that forms the space, a humidifying chamber that has an inlet through which a humidifying fluid for humidifying the space flows in and an outlet through which the humidifying fluid flows out, and a first moisture permeable membrane, which is an example of a partition wall, having gas permeability, that partitions the recess and the humidifying chamber. The recess has a discharge hole, which is an example of a hole for discharging the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head, which is the example of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hiromichi TAKANASHI, Akira YAMAGISHI, Akihiro TOYA
  • Patent number: 11807007
    Abstract: A capping device configured to form a space surrounding an opening of a nozzle by coming into contact with a liquid ejecting head having the nozzle for ejecting a liquid, includes a unit cap, which is an example of a cap, including a recess that forms the space, a humidifying chamber that has an inlet through which a humidifying fluid for humidifying the space flows in and an outlet through which the humidifying fluid flows out, and a first moisture permeable membrane, which is an example of a partition wall, having gas permeability, that partitions the recess and the humidifying chamber. The recess has a discharge hole, which is an example of a hole for discharging the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head, which is the example of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Takanashi, Akira Yamagishi, Akihiro Toya
  • Publication number: 20230271422
    Abstract: A liquid container 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. In the mounting state, the width of the liquid container in the Z directions is larger than the width in the Y directions and the width in the X directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Akihiro TOYA, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU, Mikinori SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20230271421
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head configured to discharge liquid. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a reservoir configured to store liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head. The reservoir is provided at a position lower than the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a supply flow path configured to communicate with the liquid discharge head and the reservoir. The supply flow path is provided with a joint detachable from the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a retainer configured to retain the joint detached from the liquid discharge head. The joint has a coupler to be coupled to the liquid discharge head. The retainer is configured to retain the joint with the coupler facing up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki NAKAMURA, Satoshi INOMATA, Akihiro TOYA
  • Patent number: 11701899
    Abstract: A liquid circulating device has: a supply flow path through which a liquid is supplied from a liquid supply source that stores the liquid to a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid; a collection flow path through which the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head is returned to the supply flow path; and a liquid flowing portion that causes the liquid to flow in a circulation flow path including the supply flow path, the liquid ejecting head, and the collection flow path. An air capturing portion can capture bubbles and is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and collection flow path. The air capturing portion is disposed at a position higher than the position of the liquid ejecting head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Toya, Satoshi Inomata
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220258451
    Abstract: A liquid absorbing sheet includes: a receiving base material which has a liquid permeability and which includes a first base material, a second base material, and a bonding portion at which the first base material and the second base material are bonded to each other at margins thereof, the first base material and the second base material each being composed of a material including fibers; and a water absorbing resin which has a water absorbing property, which is swelled in association with water absorption, and which is received in a portion between the first base material and the second base material surrounded by the bonding portion. In the liquid absorbing sheet described above, the bonding portion is at least partially broken when the water absorbing resin is swelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Shogo NAKADA, Taiki KONO, Akihiro TOYA
  • Publication number: 20220258470
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid; a liquid flowing portion coupled to the liquid ejecting head and configured to flow the liquid; and a frame that houses the liquid ejecting head and the liquid flowing portion. The frame is provided with a passage hole configured to pass the liquid flowing portion along a depth direction. when viewed in the depth direction, a portion of the liquid flowing portion disposed outside the passage hole is configured to be deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro TOYA, Kazuhiro KOBAYASHI, Yuki ARAKI, Shogo NAKADA, Taiki KONO
  • Publication number: 20220194090
    Abstract: A liquid circulating device has: a supply flow path through which a liquid is supplied from a liquid supply source that stores the liquid to a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid; a collection flow path through which the liquid collected from the liquid ejecting head is returned to the supply flow path; and a liquid flowing portion that causes the liquid to flow in a circulation flow path including the supply flow path, the liquid ejecting head, and the collection flow path. An air capturing portion can capture bubbles and is provided in at least one of the supply flow path and collection flow path. The air capturing portion is disposed at a position higher than the position of the liquid ejecting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro TOYA, Satoshi INOMATA
  • Publication number: 20220040979
    Abstract: A capping device configured to form a space surrounding an opening of a nozzle by coming into contact with a liquid ejecting head having the nozzle for ejecting a liquid, includes a unit cap, which is an example of a cap, including a recess that forms the space, a humidifying chamber that has an inlet through which a humidifying fluid for humidifying the space flows in and an outlet through which the humidifying fluid flows out, and a first moisture permeable membrane, which is an example of a partition wall, having gas permeability, that partitions the recess and the humidifying chamber. The recess has a discharge hole, which is an example of a hole for discharging the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head, which is the example of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Hiromichi TAKANASHI, Akira YAMAGISHI, Akihiro TOYA
  • Publication number: 20220016895
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Akihiro TOYA, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU, Mikinori SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11148426
    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: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Akihiro Toya, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Mikinori Sawai
  • Patent number: 11097549
    Abstract: There is provided a technique of improving the mounting position of a liquid container relative to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container configured to be mountable to and dismountable from a case of the liquid ejection device includes a bag-like member that has flexibility and that includes a containing portion provided to contain a liquid inside thereof; and connection member that is located at an end of the bag-like member. The connection member includes a liquid outlet configured such that a liquid introducing element of the liquid ejection device is inserted in the liquid outlet; a container-side electrical connecting structure configured such that a device-side electrical connecting structure of the liquid ejection device is connected with the container-side electrical connecting structure; and two guided elements configured such that at least respective parts of two guide elements of the case are fitted in the two guided elements in a state that the liquid container is placed in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi Nagashima, Hiroyuki Kawate, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Akihiro Toya, Tetsuya Takamoto, Tadahiro Mizutani, Hiroyoshi Ozeki, Manabu Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20210197574
    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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Akihiro Toya, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Mikinori Sawai
  • Publication number: 20210078333
    Abstract: There is provided a technique of improving the mounting position of a liquid container relative to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container configured to be mountable to and dismountable from a case of the liquid ejection device includes a bag-like member that has flexibility and that includes a containing portion provided to contain a liquid inside thereof; and connection member that is located at an end of the bag-like member. The connection member includes a liquid outlet configured such that a liquid introducing element of the liquid ejection device is inserted in the liquid outlet; a container-side electrical connecting structure configured such that a device-side electrical connecting structure of the liquid ejection device is connected with the container-side electrical connecting structure; and two guided elements configured such that at least respective parts of two guide elements of the case are fitted in the two guided elements in a state that the liquid container is placed in the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi NAGASHIMA, Hiroyuki KAWATE, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU, Akihiro TOYA, Tetsuya TAKAMOTO, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Hiroyoshi OZEKI, Manabu YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 10759174
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head and a mounting unit. The liquid ejecting head is able to eject liquid. A plurality of liquid containers containing the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head mounted so as to overlap in an up-down direction. The mounting unit includes a separator and an electrical member. The separator separates, in the up-down direction, a space where the plurality of liquid containers are mounted. The electrical member allows electricity to flow therethrough. The separator has a through portion that penetrates through the separator in the up-down direction. The through portion is positioned such that, when seen in the up-down direction, an edge portion of the through portion does not overlap with the electrical member positioned below the through portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Toya
  • Patent number: 10500866
    Abstract: The liquid container is detachable from a case of a liquid ejection apparatus. The liquid container has a bag-shaped member that is flexible and has a storage portion for storing a liquid therein, and a connection member attached to the bag-shaped member. The connection member has a liquid introducing outlet into which a liquid introducing portion of the liquid ejection apparatus is inserted, a container-side electrical connection unit to which an apparatus-side electrical connection unit of the liquid ejection apparatus is connected, and a handle that pivots with respect to the connection member. In a state where the liquid container is arranged in the case, the handle is provided at a position exposed to the outside of the case, and when the liquid container is mounted to/removed from the case, the handle is brought into a second orientation in which the handle is pivoted from a first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Tadahiro Mizutani, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Takumi Nagashima, Akihiro Toya, Hiroyoshi Ozeki, Manabu Yamaguchi, Tetsuya Takamoto
  • Patent number: 10457056
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a mounting portion on which a liquid container capable of accommodating liquid is mounted in a detachable manner, and a liquid ejecting head configured to eject the liquid which is supplied from the liquid container. The mounting portion has a locking portion capable of locking the liquid container, a movement path extending toward the locking portion, and a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion capable of pressing the liquid container in a direction in which the liquid container is away from the locking portion. The second pressing portion presses the liquid container on the movement path on which the liquid container is away from the locking portion, and the second pressing portion and the first pressing portion press the liquid container when the liquid container is locked by the locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Toya
  • Patent number: 10421281
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a casing, a liquid ejecting head configured to eject a liquid in the casing, an absorber capable of absorbing a portion of the liquid that has leaked into the casing, and a detector capable of detecting the portion of the liquid absorbed by the absorber. The absorber includes a detection portion to be detected by the detector and a plurality of extension portions extending from the detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Yamagishi, Akihiro Toya