Patents by Inventor Hirotake Nakamura
Hirotake Nakamura 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).
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Publication number: 20150022597Abstract: An ink containing device includes an ink cartridge and an adaptor. The ink cartridge comprises a first main body comprising a chamber configured to store ink, and an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the first main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the first main body, and an ink detecting portion configured to detect an amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber. The adaptor is configured to attach to the ink cartridge. The adaptor comprises a second main body comprising a second surface, and an electrical interface disposed on the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 8931888Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, an electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face and facing, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8899716Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, a shaft, and a pivotable member including a float. The pivotable member is configured to move about the shaft between a first position and a second position when the float moves. The float is positioned higher when the pivotable member is in the first position than when the pivotable member is in the second position. The float has a triangular shape when viewed in an axial direction of the shaft, and the triangular shape comprises a first side having a first dimension, a second side having a second dimension, and a third side having a third dimension. The first dimension is greater than each of the second dimension and the third dimension, and the first side is positioned above a vertex between the second side and the third side.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Takagi, Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8864292Abstract: In a print fluid cartridge, a main body has a first surface facing in a first direction. A print fluid outlet part is provided on the main body, and has an opening at the first surface. An electric interface is provided at an external surface of the main body and faces in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The electric interface moves relative to the main body in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction between a first position and a second position that are apart from each other in the first direction and the direction opposite to the first direction. The main body supports the electric interface at the second position against pressure that is applied to the electric interface in a direction opposite to the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8833905Abstract: An ink containing device includes an ink cartridge and an adaptor. The ink cartridge comprises a first main body comprising a chamber configured to store ink, and an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the first main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the first main body, and an ink detecting portion configured to detect an amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber. The adaptor is configured to attach to the ink cartridge. The adaptor comprises a second main body comprising a second surface, and an electrical interface disposed on the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
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Publication number: 20140160198Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to be electrically connected to at least one contact, and a light attenuating portion configured to attenuate light.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 8708448Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: an apparatus body; a cartridge containing a recording material; a cartridge installing section which is provided in the apparatus body and to which the cartridge is removably installed; a first communication section which is provided in the apparatus body; a second communication section which is provided in the cartridge and which communicates with the first communication section by using a near field communication; a light source which is provided in the apparatus body and emits light to illuminate the cartridge installing section; an installation/removal detector which is provided in the apparatus body and detects whether or not the cartridge is installed to the cartridge installing section; and a controller which controls the light source and the first communication section.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirotake Nakamura, Hiroaki Yazawa
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Publication number: 20140085387Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is offset from the printing supply portion with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face than the engagement surface is, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 8678573Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front side, a rear side, an upper side, a lower side, a tubular fluid supply portion positioned at the lower side of the front side, a pivotable member configured to pivot about a pivot point and comprising an end portion. The pivot point is positioned at the upper side and the end portion is positioned at the rear side. The printing fluid cartridge also includes a light attenuating portion protruding from the upper side of the front side and configured to attenuate light, and an electrical interface positioned between the pivotable member and the light attenuating portion. An upper end of the light attenuating portion is positioned below the electrical interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirotake Nakamura, Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi
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Patent number: 8672462Abstract: There is provided an ink supply device including: a cartridge installing section configured to install the ink cartridge in a horizontal direction; an ink supply section configured to be fluid communication with an ink supply portion of the ink cartridge; a first sensor disposed in the ink cartridge installing section and positioned under the ink supply section in a vertical direction; and a first partitioning member partitioned the ink supply section and the sensor in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hirotake Nakamura
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Publication number: 20140055536Abstract: An ink containing device comprises an ink cartridge and an adaptor. The ink cartridge comprises a first main body comprising a chamber configured to store ink, an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the first main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the first main body wherein the first surface faces a first direction, and an electrical interface disposed on the first main body. The adaptor is configured to be in an attached state with the ink cartridge. The adaptor comprises a second main body comprising a first contact disposed on a particular surface facing a particular direction, and a second contact disposed on a further surface and electrically connected to the first contact, wherein the second contact is electrically connected to the electrical interface in the attached state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuki TAKAGI, Tomohiro KANBE, Yasuhiro KATO, Hirotake NAKAMURA, Hirofumi KONDO
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Publication number: 20140055535Abstract: An ink cartridge comprises a main body comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a chamber, configured to store ink, disposed between the first surface and the second surface; an ink outlet portion disposed on the first surface of the main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the main body; and an electronic circuit board disposed on the main body. The electronic circuit board comprises an electrical interface, a first portion facing a second direction that intersects a first plane that is perpendicular to the first direction, a second portion facing a third direction away from the ink outlet portion that intersects a second plane that is parallel to the first direction, and a connecting portion between the first portion and the second portion. The electrical interface is disposed on an area of the electronic circuit board including the connecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuki TAKAGI, Tomohiro KANBE, Yasuhiro KATO, Hirotake NAKAMURA, Hirofumi KONDO
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Patent number: 8657425Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case, an ink supply opening, and a light transmissive member positioned in the case and facing the ink supply opening. The light transmissive member is configured to allow light entering via the ink supply opening to pass therethrough. The light transmissive member includes a reflective surface having a first reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface contacts ink stored in the ink chamber. The reflective surface has a second reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface does not contact ink stored in the ink chamber. The first reflectance is different from the second reflectance.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8651637Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a liquid container having a liquid chamber and a contact portion, and a mounting portion having an opening, and first and second surfaces. The liquid container is inserted into and removed from the mounting portion via the opening. The mounting portion includes an urging member that urges the liquid container toward the opening, a retaining member that selectively retains the liquid container in the mounting portion, and a stopper having a bendably deformable resilient member that extends from one of the first and second surfaces in a direction opposite the insertion direction of the liquid container, and that contacts the contact portion of the liquid container in the mounting portion. A first force required for deforming the resilient member in the insertion direction is less than a second force required for deforming the resilient member in the removal direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akinari Ishibe, Hirotake Nakamura, Hiroaki Yazawa
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Patent number: 8651639Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to be electrically connected to at least one contact, and a light attenuating portion configured to attenuate light.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8646884Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus configured to supply a liquid, including: a liquid container to store the liquid; an installing section which is formed with an opening and to which the liquid container is installable; and an urging member which urges the liquid container installed to the installing section toward the opening, and the installing section comprises a guide section extending from the opening in an insertion direction of the liquid container from the opening, a stopper which protrudes from the guide section in a direction perpendicular to an removal direction of the liquid container from the installing section; the liquid container comprises an guide objective section guided by the guide section, and a protrusion formed on the guide objective section and which abuts against the stopper to move the liquid container in the direction perpendicular to the removal direction when the liquid container is moved in the removal direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akinari Ishibe, Hirotake Nakamura
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Publication number: 20140015904Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, an electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face and facing, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 8616687Abstract: A cartridge includes a main body with a chamber formed therein that receives an imaging material, a circuit board having at least one opening formed through the circuit board; and an electrode disposed on the circuit board. The main body includes a support surface that supports the circuit board, a first protrusion protruding from the support surface and that contacting a first surface of the circuit board. The first surface of the circuit board extends in a direction perpendicular to the support surface. The main body also includes a second protrusion protruding from the support surface and disposed in the at least one opening. The second protrusion includes an end portion that covers a portion of the circuit board. In addition, a method for manufacturing the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Takagi, Toyonori Sasaki, Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8616686Abstract: A cartridge includes a main body having a chamber formed therein for receiving an imaging material, a circuit board having a first opening and a second opening formed through the circuit board, and an electrode disposed on the circuit board. The main body includes a support surface that supports the circuit board; a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the support surface, such that a portion of the first protrusion is disposed in the first opening of the circuit board and a portion of the second protrusion is disposed in the second opening of the circuit board, and a third protrusion protruding from the support surface. A portion of the third protrusion contacts a first surface of the circuit board facing away from the support surface. A method for manufacturing the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Takagi, Toyonori Sasaki, Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
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Patent number: 8596772Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, an electrical interface disposed at a particular face, such that the electrical interface is exposed to an exterior of the printing fluid cartridge, a chamber configured to store printing fluid therein, and a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, and comprising a printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply portion is configured to supply the printing fluid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber via the printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply opening is positioned below the electrical interface when the printing fluid cartridge is in use. The electrical interface is positioned closer to the rear face than the printing fluid supply opening is.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura