Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Hamakawa

Hiroshi Hamakawa 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: 9315053
    Abstract: A printing device has a guide roller that guides a print medium in a conveyance direction; an intersect roller pair that holds the print medium guided by the guide roller between a first roller that rotates on an axis of rotation in the conveyance direction of the print medium and a second roller that rotates on an axis of rotation that intersects the axis of rotation of the first roller; a conveyance roller pair that conveys the print medium held by the intersect roller pair in the conveyance direction by a conveyance drive roller driven by a drive means and a conveyance follower roller that rotates with the conveyance drive roller; and a print unit that prints on the print medium conveyed by the conveyance roller pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamakawa, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8657436
    Abstract: A conveyance device has a roll rotating unit that rotates a roll of sheet medium forward and in reverse, and a conveyance path along which is an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying the medium and cooperate in a reverse and rewind operation. A control unit controls driving of the upstream roller, the downstream roller, and the roll rotating unit, such that, during the reverse and rewind operation, the control unit (i) drives the upstream roller and the roll rotating unit, (ii) stops driving the upstream roller while continuing to drive the roll rotating unit, first slack being created as a result of (i) or (ii), (iii) causes the medium to be nipped at the downstream roller, and (iv) drives the upstream roller while the medium is nipped at the downstream roller to create second slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Noguchi, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130169725
    Abstract: A printing device has a guide roller that guides a print medium in a conveyance direction; an intersect roller pair that holds the print medium guided by the guide roller between a first roller that rotates on an axis of rotation in the conveyance direction of the print medium and a second roller that rotates on an axis of rotation that intersects the axis of rotation of the first roller; a conveyance roller pair that conveys the print medium held by the intersect roller pair in the conveyance direction by a conveyance drive roller driven by a drive means and a conveyance follower roller that rotates with the conveyance drive roller; and a print unit that prints on the print medium conveyed by the conveyance roller pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAKAWA, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130063515
    Abstract: An inkjet line printer has a first encoder for detecting the media conveyance distance of the paper feed roller, and a second encoder for generating a signal to control the ink ejection timing. The encoder scales of the first encoder and second encoder are disposed to the intermediate roller of a speed reducing mechanism that transfers drive power from the paper feed motor to the paper feed roller. Because the second encoder outputs a pulse signal with a predetermined number of pulses in the time the recording paper is conveyed a specific distance by the paper feed roller, the signal from the second encoder can be used as a signal to control the timing of ink ejection from the inkjet head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi NAKATSU, Yasumichi OKUDA, Hiroshi HAMAKAWA, Hiroki SHINAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20130050375
    Abstract: A printing device has a liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets; a conveyance unit that conveys recording paper; a platen that is disposed opposite the liquid droplet ejection head and has a plurality of suction holes arrayed in the conveyance direction in which the conveyance unit conveys the recording paper and a lateral direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction; a suction mechanism unit that suctions the recording paper through the suction holes in the platen; and an opening/closing mechanism that opens or closes at least part of the plural suction holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ISHIMORI, Takashi Aoki, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130016168
    Abstract: A conveyance device has a roll rotating unit that rotates a roll of sheet medium forward and in reverse, and a conveyance path along which is an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying the medium and cooperate in a reverse and rewind operation. A control unit controls driving of the upstream roller, the downstream roller, and the roll rotating unit, such that, during the reverse and rewind operation, the control unit (i) drives the upstream roller and the roll rotating unit, (ii) stops driving the upstream roller while continuing to drive the roll rotating unit, first slack being created as a result of (i) or (ii), (iii) causes the medium to be nipped at the downstream roller, and (iv) drives the upstream roller while the medium is nipped at the downstream roller to create second slack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Noguchi, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 7971990
    Abstract: A transported medium transporting apparatus includes a transported medium transporting device and at least one pressing driven roller. The transported medium transporting device transports a transported medium in a predetermined transportation direction. The pressing driven roller is driven so that the pressing driven roller contacts one surface of the transported medium, which is transported by the transported medium transporting device. The pressing driven roller includes a rotary body and a shaft portion, both of which are made of elastic synthetic resin and formed integrally with each other. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the rotary body at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotary body. The shaft portion rotatably supports the rotary body so that the rotary body can be driven. The pressing driven roller has a shape such that the rotary body contacts the transported medium with a predetermined pressing force owing to an elastic force of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Terao, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Hiroshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7681969
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus for discharging a medium on which liquid is ejected by a discharge roller after ejecting liquid on the medium by a liquid ejection head includes a medium pressing roller for controlling floatation of the medium between the liquid ejection head and the discharge roller, the medium pressing roller being provided on a rotatable discharge frame, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus operates by switching between a first mode where the medium pressing roller moves to an upper position by rotation of the discharge frame and a second mode where the medium pressing roller moves to a lower position than the first mode to press the medium downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamakawa, Kazuhisa Takeda
  • Publication number: 20090135216
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus for discharging a medium on which liquid is ejected by a discharge roller after ejecting liquid on the medium by a liquid ejection head includes a medium pressing roller for controlling floatation of the medium between the liquid ejection head and the discharge roller, the medium pressing roller being provided on a rotatable discharge frame, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus operates by switching between a first mode where the medium pressing roller moves to an upper position by rotation of the discharge frame and a second mode where the medium pressing roller moves to a lower position than the first mode to press the medium downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeda, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Patent number: 7481527
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus for discharging a medium on which liquid is ejected by a discharge roller after ejecting liquid on the medium by a liquid ejection head includes a medium pressing roller for controlling floatation of the medium between the liquid ejection head and the discharge roller, the medium pressing roller being provided on a rotatable discharge frame, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus operates by switching between a first mode where the medium pressing roller moves to an upper position by rotation of the discharge frame and a second mode where the medium pressing roller moves to a lower position than the first mode to press the medium downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeda, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Sousuke Okinaka, Takuya Terao
  • Patent number: 7381174
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Publication number: 20080030528
    Abstract: A transported medium transporting apparatus includes a transported medium transporting device and at least one pressing driven roller. The transported medium transporting device transports a transported medium in a predetermined transportation direction. The pressing driven roller is driven so that the pressing driven roller contacts one surface of the transported medium, which is transported by the transported medium transporting device. The pressing driven roller includes a rotary body and a shaft portion, both of which are made of elastic synthetic resin and formed integrally with each other. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the rotary body at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotary body. The shaft portion rotatably supports the rotary body so that the rotary body can be driven. The pressing driven roller has a shape such that the rotary body contacts the transported medium with a predetermined pressing force owing to an elastic force of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya TERAO, Hiroshi HAMAKAWA, Hiroshi TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20070070113
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head that performs recording on a recording medium and a recording medium transporting unit that is disposed on the upstream side of the recording head and transports the recording medium toward the recording head. The recording apparatus also includes a recording medium discharging unit disposed on the downstream side of the recording head and discharges the recording medium on which recording has been performed. A platen faces the recording head, and defines a gap between the recording medium and the recording head by supporting the recording medium. The recording medium transporting unit includes a transport driving roller that rotates, and a plurality of transport driven rollers that are spaced apart from one another in a main-scanning direction by a suitable distance and come in pressure contact with the transport driving roller to be driven to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Kawabata, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Nobuyuki Nishi
  • Publication number: 20060050127
    Abstract: A feeding roller is adapted to feed a recording medium to a recording section provided in a recording apparatus. A shaft portion of the feeding roller is made of synthetic resin and formed with a hollowed portion. A roller portion is formed on an outer periphery of the shaft portion. A hopper is adapted to support the recording medium to be fed to the recording apparatus. The body of the hopper is made of synthetic resin and formed with a hollowed portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the recording apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Yasumichi Okuda, Yoshihiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20050221967
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Publication number: 20050195262
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus for discharging a medium on which liquid is ejected by a discharge roller after ejecting liquid on the medium by a liquid ejection head includes a medium pressing roller for controlling floatation of the medium between the liquid ejection head and the discharge roller, the medium pressing roller being provided on a rotatable discharge frame, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus operates by switching between a first mode where the medium pressing roller moves to an upper position by rotation of the discharge frame and a second mode where the medium pressing roller moves to a lower position than the first mode to press the medium downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeda, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Sousuke Okinaka, Takuya Terao
  • Patent number: 6918708
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Patent number: 6905270
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Patent number: 6871948
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a discharging roller which discharges a recording medium from a recording apparatus, there are a first die formed with a first recess extending in an axial direction of a shaft portion of the discharging roller, and a second die formed with a second recess extending in the axial direction. The first die and the second die are combined such that the first recess and the second recess face to form a continuous cavity. Synthetic resin is injected into the cavity to mold a bore portion of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Takao Kanzawa, Hiroshi Hamakawa
  • Publication number: 20040257421
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of first transfer rollers separately provided from each other in a substantially same line along a main scanning direction crossing a feeding direction of the recording material, for transferring the recording material in the feeding direction while bending the recording material inwards on a liquid ejection surface of the recording material in the liquid ejection area, a plurality of first ribs disposed in the liquid ejection area for supporting the recording material on a surface of the recording material opposite the liquid ejection surface, the first ribs being placed at substantially same positions in the main scanning direction as the first transfer rollers respectively, directions and distances of the first ribs from the first transfer rollers in the feeding direction being substantially equal to each other, and a first liquid absorption material disposed between the first transfer rollers and the first ribs for absorbing the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichiro Yokoyama, Satoshi Noda, Hikaru Kobayashi, Hitoshi Yazaki, Hiroshi Hamakawa