Patents by Inventor Hidetaka Kawata

Hidetaka Kawata 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: 10214018
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 9950537
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20160375688
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20160129696
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 9248656
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 9039153
    Abstract: A printing apparatus adapted to have a cartridge detachably mounted thereon includes a cartridge mounting structure, a printing material supply tube, a plurality of apparatus-side terminals and a lever used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the printing apparatus. The lever has an operating member, a first apparatus-side locking portion and an axis of rotation. When an external force is applied to the operating member of the lever from the +X-axis direction to the ?X-axis direction, the lever moves the first apparatus-side locking portion about the axis of rotation from a specified locking position toward the +X-axis direction and disengages the first apparatus-side locking portion from a first cartridge-side restriction portion, so as to eliminate the restriction of motion of the cartridge. This ensures stable electrical connection between cartridge-side terminals and apparatus-side terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata, Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9039154
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20150077486
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8974044
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8915582
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140368585
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140292172
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a lower structure; a first body that is provided in a pivotal manner with respect to the lower structure, the first body opening and closing an upper portion of the lower structure by pivotal movement; a second body that is provided in a pivotal manner with respect to the first body, the second body opening and closing, by pivotal movement, an upper portion of the first body; a first angle restricting section that restricts a maximum opening angle of the second body with respect to the first body to a first angle when the first body is in a closed state; and a second angle restricting section that restricts a maximum opening angle of the second body with respect to the first to a second angle that is smaller than the first angle when the first body is in an open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetaka KAWATA, Yoshiyuki OKAZAWA
  • Patent number: 8820869
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head performing recording on a recording medium, a carriage movable in a scanning direction of the recording head; a first guide member guiding the carriage in the scanning direction; a second guide member provided positioned at a predetermined distance in a direction intersecting the scanning direction with respect to the first guide member; a first gap adjusting unit provided on the carriage, and causing the housing of the carriage to displace in a direction changing the gap between a support face supporting a recording medium and the recording head; a second gap adjusting unit causing the housing of the carriage to displace by being synchronized with the first gap unit in a direction changing the gap; a synchronization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunari Kumagai, Kazumasa Harada, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8820870
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage that is provided with a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium and is movable in a scan direction of the recording head, a guide member that guides the carriage in the scan direction, and a gap adjusting unit that is interposed between a housing of the carriage and the guide member so as to displace the housing of the carriage in a direction in which a gap varies between the recording medium and the recording head, the gap adjusting unit being mounted on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunari Kumagai, Kazumasa Harada, Tomoya Takikawa, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8807721
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140210917
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi KODAMA, Izumi NOZAWA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Kazutoshi MATSUZAKI, Kazumasa HARADA, Satoshi NAKATA, Hidetaka KAWATA
  • Patent number: 8752944
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal. The second device-side locking element is configured to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a negative X-axis side of the printing material supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140152746
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8721045
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8708469
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata