Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Kawate

Hiroyuki Kawate 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: 9969174
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection device including a liquid container tray that can suppress change in orientation and position of a liquid container on a support surface due to the difference in size of the liquid container. The liquid ejection device includes: a casing including a guide wall: a liquid container tray configured to support a liquid container: and a recording head that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid container that is supported by the liquid container tray to a medium. The liquid container tray is configured to be inserted to or removed from a casing along the guide wall, and includes a support surface that supports the liquid container and a movable wall configured to move in at least one direction on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Yamaguchi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Hiroyuki Kawate, Hiroyoshi Ozeki, Kotoya Aruga
  • Publication number: 20180104955
    Abstract: The liquid container has a spacer member provided in the liquid storage portion. When three directions orthogonal to each other are assumed to be a D direction, a T direction, and a W direction, in the D direction, a direction from a liquid outlet portion toward the other edge portion of the bag is assumed to be a +D direction, and the opposite direction to the +D direction is assumed to be a ?D direction, and a direction in which the dimension of the outer shape of the liquid container is smallest is assumed to be the T direction, and the spacer member has, on the +D direction side, a face inclined such that the dimension in the T direction of the spacer member increases from the +D direction side toward the ?D direction side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Hiroyoshi OZEKI, Manabu YAMAGUCHI, Takumi NAGASHIMA, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 9931852
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus is configured to have detachably installed therein a liquid container 51 including an ink bag 82 that is flexible at least in part and a flow channel member 91 that is in communication with the ink bag 82, and to supply a liquid held in the ink bag 82 to a liquid jet apparatus. The liquid supply apparatus includes an ink inlet portion 143 configured to be connected to the flow channel member 91 and to introduce liquid from the flow channel member 91 in a state where the flow channel member 91 is connected, and a first supporting portion 151 configured to support at least the flow channel member 91 of the ink container 51. The first supporting portion 151 is moveable between at least a connected position and a disconnected position of the flow channel member 91 and the ink inlet portion 143.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsutomo Tsukahara, Hiroyuki Kawate, Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Tokujiro Okuno
  • Publication number: 20180043695
    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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU, Takumi NAGASHIMA, Akihiro TOYA, Hiroyoshi OZEKI, Manabu YAMAGUCHI, Tetsuya TAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180043694
    Abstract: A container on which a liquid container provided with a handle is removably placed, in which the container includes a plurality of guide portions configured to guide guided portions provided in the liquid container in a guiding direction, and the plurality of guide portions are provided so that at least a part of the handle is disposed on a line which connects the at least two guide portions in a state where the liquid container is placed on the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro TOYA, Yoshiaki SHIMIZU, Hiroyuki KAWATE
  • Publication number: 20180043696
    Abstract: A technique is provided with which the concentration in liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejection apparatus is less likely to be uneven. A liquid container for supplying a liquid having a precipitating component to a liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid container, a liquid leading portion for leading the liquid in the liquid containing portion to the liquid ejection apparatus; a liquid flow tube that has a base end connected to the liquid leading portion, the liquid flow tube extending within the liquid containing portion from the liquid leading portion toward the second end; and a spacer member that is provided in the liquid containing portion and has a spacer body forming a liquid-retaining space for retaining the liquid in the liquid containing portion. The spacer member is coupled to the liquid leading portion. The liquid flow tube is coupled to the spacer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro TOYA, Hiroyuki KAWATE
  • Patent number: 9855755
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set configured to detach from a liquid supply apparatus and includes an ink containing portion, a connection unit, an ink guiding portion having an engaging portion, a flow path unit that guides the ink in the ink containing portion to the ink guiding portion, a circuit board, and a substrate installation portion. The liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion into which ink is introduced via the ink guiding portion, and a movable support portion that supports the connection unit. In a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with a first engaged portion formed in the movable support portion, the circuit board comes into contact with an electrical connection portion provided in the liquid supply apparatus, and in the removed position, the circuit board is separated from the electrical connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Patent number: 9821561
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set having an ink containing body detachable from a liquid supply apparatus, and an electrical contact unit that is independent of the ink containing body. The ink containing body includes an ink containing portion, an ink guiding portion, and a first engaging portion, the electrical contact unit includes a circuit board and a substrate installation portion, and the liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion and a movable support portion. In a state in which the first engaging portion and the substrate installation portion are respectively engaged with the movable support portion, the movable support portion is displaced to a connected position in which the ink guiding portion and the liquid introduction portion are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Patent number: 9821560
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set configured to detach from a liquid supply apparatus and includes an ink containing portion, an ink guiding unit including an engaging portion, a flow path unit that guides the ink in the ink containing portion to the ink guiding portion, a circuit board, and a substrate installation portion that is independent from the ink guiding unit. The liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion and a movable support portion. In a state in which the engaging portion and the substrate installation portion are respectively engaged with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion formed in the movable support portion, the circuit board comes into contact with an electrical connection portion provided in the liquid supply apparatus, and in the removed position, the circuit board is separated from the electrical connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Patent number: 9701127
    Abstract: A liquid container that is detachably mountable on a liquid consuming device comprises a liquid container body that is at least partly formed from a material having flexibility and is configured to contain a liquid; an operation member that is located at one end of the liquid container body and is configured to include a holdable grip surface; and a liquid supply portion that is configured to have a liquid supply port at one end. The operation member is configured such that the grip surface is offset relative to the liquid supply port in an axial direction of the liquid supply portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Tokujiro Okuno, Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Katsutomo Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20170173966
    Abstract: A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Manabu YAMAGUCHI, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Takuma OZAWA, Satoshi OYA, Hiroyoshi OZEKI
  • Publication number: 20170151799
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection device including a liquid container tray that can suppress change in orientation and position of a liquid container on a support surface due to the difference in size of the liquid container. The liquid ejection device includes: a casing including a guide wall: a liquid container tray configured to support a liquid container: and a recording head that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid container that is supported by the liquid container tray to a medium. The liquid container tray is configured to be inserted to or removed from a casing along the guide wall, and includes a support surface that supports the liquid container and a movable wall configured to move in at least one direction on the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu YAMAGUCHI, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Hiroyuki KAWATE, Hiroyoshi OZEKI, Kotoya ARUGA
  • Publication number: 20170100940
    Abstract: A liquid container into which ink is injected comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; and a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body. The liquid supply assembly has a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid supply port is formed to face in an intersecting direction that intersects with the direction of gravity and to be protruded in the intersecting direction from the one end portion when the liquid supply assembly is supported such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity. A liquid injection member is inserted into the liquid supply port, and the liquid is injected into the liquid container body. The liquid supply port is then arranged to be protruded in the intersecting direction, and the liquid injection member is detached from the liquid supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Taku ISHIZAWA, Hiroyuki KAWATE, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170085031
    Abstract: There is provided a terminal connection assembly. The terminal connection assembly comprises terminals configured to be electrically connectable with an apparatus-side terminal assembly of a printing apparatus; contact regions where the apparatus-side terminal assembly is in contact with the terminals; a substrate on which the terminals are provided; a supporting structure configured to support the substrate; and convexes configured to restrict motion of a positioning structure of the printing apparatus in an intersecting direction that intersects with a mounting direction in which the terminal connection assembly is mounted. In the state that the terminal connection assembly is mounted to the printing apparatus, a plurality of the contact regions are arranged to form a plurality of lines arrayed at predetermined intervals in the mounting direction. A virtual plane passing through the plurality of contact regions is inclined to the mounting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate, Yoshinao Miyata
  • Publication number: 20170072701
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set having an ink containing body detachable from a liquid supply apparatus, and an electrical contact unit that is independent of the ink containing body. The ink containing body includes an ink containing portion, an ink guiding portion, and a first engaging portion, the electrical contact unit includes a circuit board and a substrate installation portion, and the liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion and a movable support portion. In a state in which the first engaging portion and the substrate installation portion are respectively engaged with the movable support portion, the movable support portion is displaced to a connected position in which the ink guiding portion and the liquid introduction portion are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Publication number: 20170072700
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set configured to detach from a liquid supply apparatus and includes an ink containing portion, an ink guiding unit including an engaging portion, a flow path unit that guides the ink in the ink containing portion to the ink guiding portion, a circuit board, and a substrate installation portion that is independent from the ink guiding unit. The liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion and a movable support portion. In a state in which the engaging portion and the substrate installation portion are respectively engaged with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion formed in the movable support portion, the circuit board comes into contact with an electrical connection portion provided in the liquid supply apparatus, and in the removed position, the circuit board is separated from the electrical connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Publication number: 20170072699
    Abstract: Provided is an ink supply set configured to detach from a liquid supply apparatus and includes an ink containing portion, a connection unit, an ink guiding portion having an engaging portion, a flow path unit that guides the ink in the ink containing portion to the ink guiding portion, a circuit board, and a substrate installation portion. The liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid introduction portion into which ink is introduced via the ink guiding portion, and a movable support portion that supports the connection unit. In a state in which the engaging portion is engaged with a first engaged portion formed in the movable support portion, the circuit board comes into contact with an electrical connection portion provided in the liquid supply apparatus, and in the removed position, the circuit board is separated from the electrical connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Publication number: 20170021633
    Abstract: A liquid container comprises a liquid supply portion, a liquid container body, and a container-side electrical connection structure provided to have a contact portion that is configured to come into contact with an apparatus-side electrical connection structure provided in a liquid consuming apparatus. The container-side electrical connection structure includes a placement portion configured to place the contact portion to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity in a process of connecting the liquid container with the liquid consuming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Tokujiro OKUNO, Yoshiyuki TANAKA, Katsutomo TSUKAHARA
  • Patent number: 9522776
    Abstract: There is provided a technique that achieves the function of connecting a fluid container with a fluid consuming device by using a less number of components. A fluid container detachably connectable with a fluid consuming device comprises a fluid container body configured to contain a fluid; a fluid supply structure located at one end portion of the fluid container body; a container-side electrical connection structure including a contact element that comes into contact with a device-side electrical connection structure provided in the fluid consuming device; and a linkage member including a linkage part configured to link the fluid supply structure with the container-side electrical connection structure and a handle part that is grasped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kawate
  • Patent number: 9434175
    Abstract: A liquid storage container includes a liquid storage portion configured and arranged to store liquid, and a liquid supply portion having a liquid supply flow path provided to supply the liquid in the liquid storage portion to a liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid storage container further includes a filter unit arranged inside of the liquid storage portion and connected to the liquid supply portion. The filter unit has a first opening connecting to the liquid supply flow path, a second opening connecting to an interior of the liquid storage portion, a connection flow path connecting the first opening and the second opening, a filter chamber arranged in the connection flow path with a filter being installed in the filter chamber, and a low pressure chamber connecting to the interior of the liquid storage portion at a different position from the connection flow path and having pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Nagashima, Hiroyuki Kawate