Patents by Inventor Izumi Nozawa

Izumi Nozawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20110234658
    Abstract: A liquid container mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus to supply a liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid container includes a storage unit which stores the liquid, an optical member having one portion which is exposed to an inside of the storage unit, and the other portion which is exposed to an outside of the liquid container, and a reflection portion which is provided at the same side as the other portion of the optical member on the outside of the liquid container, and is installed in front of a mounting direction of the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus with the other portion of the optical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Izumi Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20110234719
    Abstract: A liquid container including a liquid chamber formed to have a flexible member as its one part enables highly accurate detection of the remaining volume of a liquid contained in the liquid chamber. An ink cartridge 100 as one embodiment of the liquid container has an ink chamber 101 configured to contain ink, formed to have a film 120 as its one part and subjected to reduction of inner capacity caused by deformation of the film 120 associated with a decrease in internal pressure of the ink chamber 101. The ink cartridge 100 also has an ink supply hole 130 configured to feed the ink out of the liquid chamber, a conical spring 155 configured to maintain negative pressure in the ink chamber 101, and a prism 150 involved in detection of the remaining volume of the ink in the ink chamber 101. The prism 150 is located in an unaffected area inside the ink cartridge 100, which is not subjected to a capacity change caused by deformation of the film 120.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Izumi Nozawa, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Shun Oya, Taku Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 7997702
    Abstract: A liquid container contains a liquid therein and is detachably mountable to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container has a liquid lead-out port for supplying said liquid to the outside, the liquid lead-out port being disposed in a connection surface, and an abutment surface for opening a channel valve by abutting against part of said channel valve provided in said liquid ejection device, the abutment surface being disposed in said connection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitotoshi Kimura, Taku Ishizawa, Izumi Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20110169899
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid container containing a liquid which is to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a containing portion containing the liquid and including a liquid out-flowing hole for out-flowing the liquid to an external portion and an air introducing hole for introducing external air into the containing portion, and a deforming portion being deformed in such a direction that a volume of the containing portion is reduced according to a decrease in an internal pressure of the containing portion; wherein the air introducing portion includes: a first sealing portion disposed in a circumference of the air introducing hole inside the containing portion; a second sealing portion displaceably disposed inside the containing portion and capable of closing the air introducing hole by pressing the first sealing portion outwards; and a biasing portion pressing the second sealing portion toward the first sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Hiroyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7954931
    Abstract: A container holder can accommodate liquid containers with high density without deteriorating electrical connection between an apparatus terminal and a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Shimizu, Izumi Nozawa, Hitotoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7946695
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a container body that stores liquid, a liquid-supplying section connected to an end of the container body and having a supply port for supplying the liquid stored in the container body to a liquid-consuming apparatus, and a decompressed space for absorbing gas dissolved in the liquid stored in the container body. The decompressed space is formed in the liquid-supplying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Izumi Nozawa
  • Patent number: 7922398
    Abstract: A cartridge loading/unloading device includes a cartridge holding mechanism 154 which holds a liquid cartridge 80 when a liquid cartridge 80 is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism 153 which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm 160, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm 160 into a second predetermined stroke S of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism 154. The cartridge holding mechanism 154 includes an integral engaging member 155 which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge 80 in its loading direction across the center of the one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110043576
    Abstract: A cartridge loading/unloading device includes a cartridge holding mechanism 154 which holds a liquid cartridge 80 when a liquid cartridge 80 is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism 153 which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm 160, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm 160 into a second predetermined stroke S of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism 154. The cartridge holding mechanism 154 includes an integral engaging member 155 which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge 80 in its loading direction across the center of the one surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7866802
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a sub-tank which stores a certain volume of liquid; a liquid ejecting head which ejects the liquid supplied from the sub-tank; a sheet feeding drum which feeds an ejection target medium to be ejected with the liquid by rotation; a liquid container which stores the liquid to be supplied to the sub-tank; and a supply passage which connects the sub-tank to the liquid container so that the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the sub-tank. The sheet feeding drum includes a liquid container receiving chamber receiving the liquid container and the liquid container receiving chamber communicates with the supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20100289847
    Abstract: A circuit board of an ink cartridge is provided with a plurality of terminals, with the contact portions of the plurality of terminals forming a plurality of lines. The contact portions of two terminals used for detecting installation are positioned in a first line, and the contact portion of a power terminal is positioned between the two terminals. The first line may be positioned to a leading side when the ink cartridge is moved in a prescribed direction to effect installation in a printer. Alternatively, the first line may be the line closest to an opening of an ink delivery port. Alternatively, the first line may be the line closest to an ink delivery needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku ISHIZAWA, Satoshi Shinada, Izumi Nozawa, Yuji Aoki, Hiroyuki Kawate, Takakazu Fukano, Noboru Asauchi, Yasuhiko Kosugi
  • Patent number: 7828422
    Abstract: A liquid container contains a liquid therein and is detachably mountable to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container has a liquid lead-out port for supplying said liquid to the outside, the liquid lead-out port being disposed in a connection surface, and an abutment surface for opening a channel valve by abutting against part of said channel valve provided in said liquid ejection device, the abutment surface being disposed in said connection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitotoshi Kimura, Taku Ishizawa, Izumi Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20100245499
    Abstract: An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitotoshi KIMURA, Izumi Nozawa, Taku Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 7758172
    Abstract: An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hitotoshi Kimura, Izumi Nozawa, Taku Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 7703902
    Abstract: A holder 204 which holds a connector 203 contacting with an electrical connection terminal portion 202 and can move with respect to a recording apparatus is provided, and a relative positioning unit 210 which allows the ink cartridge 11 to contact with the holder 204 and move the holder 204 in an mounting direction (Y-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 11 to determine a relative position between the ink cartridge 11 and the holder 204 when the ink cartridge 11 is mounted is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100033544
    Abstract: A liquid container is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus when being used. The liquid container includes a plurality of outer surfaces, a liquid supply section that is connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid storage chamber that is disposed on the upstream side of the liquid supply section and stores liquid, and an atmosphere introducing section that is disposed in the liquid storage chamber and introduces atmosphere into the liquid storage chamber from the outside through an atmosphere opening port as the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is consumed. The atmosphere opening port is exposed to a first outer surface that has the largest area among the plurality of outer surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Izumi NOZAWA
  • Publication number: 20100025602
    Abstract: An ink jet type recording apparatus comprises a connection member which has a passage for leading ink to a recording head from an ink cartridge. In the passage, a valve member having a magnetic body is provided. A rotation member has a permanent magnet and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the rotation member is located in the first position, an attraction that can move the valve member in an opening direction of the passage acts between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member opens the passage. When the rotation member is located in the second position, the attraction that can move the valve member does not act between the magnet and magnetic body, and hence, the valve member closes the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitotoshi Kimura, Izumi Nozawa, Taku Ishizawa
  • Publication number: 20090251512
    Abstract: A cartridge loading/unloading device includes a cartridge holding mechanism 154 which holds a liquid cartridge 80 when a liquid cartridge 80 is inserted by a first predetermined stroke, and a power transmission converting mechanism 153 which ensures a push-in force required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 using the principle of the lever by the rotational motion of a lever arm 160, and which converts the rotational motion of the lever arm 160 into a second predetermined stroke S of movement required for loading of the ink cartridge 80 in a state in which it is held by the cartridge holding mechanism 154. The cartridge holding mechanism 154 includes an integral engaging member 155 which is engaged with the front side of one surface of the ink cartridge 80 in its loading direction across the center of the one surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090219336
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a sub-tank which stores a certain volume of liquid; a liquid ejecting head which ejects the liquid supplied from the sub-tank; a sheet feeding drum which feeds an ejection target medium to be ejected with the liquid by rotation; a liquid container which stores the liquid to be supplied to the sub-tank; and a supply passage which connects the sub-tank to the liquid container so that the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the sub-tank. The sheet feeding drum includes a liquid container receiving chamber receiving the liquid container and the liquid container receiving chamber communicates with the supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi NOZAWA, Hitoshi MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 7556341
    Abstract: The apparatus has valve units capable of blocking respectively liquid feed paths connecting a liquid storage unit and a liquid jet head, and control unit. The control unit has a function for executing a pressure reduction step of putting the valve unit corresponding to the kind of liquid to be cleaned into an open state, simultaneously putting the other valve units into a closed state, exhausting a closed space formed by a capping unit with the head and generating a negative pressure state therein, a totally-closing step of switching the valve unit in the open state to the closed state and putting all the valve units into the closed state almost simultaneously with stopping exhausting or immediately before it, and a totally-opening step of putting all the valve units into the open state after a lapse of a predetermined time. Cleaning is executed only for a specific kind of liquid free of obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Shuhei Harada, Nobuhito Takahashi
  • Patent number: D598050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Izumi Nozawa