Patents by Inventor Katsunori Nishida

Katsunori Nishida 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: 11738564
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a nozzle surface on a head and having nozzle rows each having nozzles, manifolds suppling ink to the nozzles in each nozzle row, supply flow paths connected to the manifold and suppling the ink, circulation flow paths connected to the manifold and circulating the ink from the manifold to which the ink is supplied through the supply flow path, a cap to be in contact with the nozzle surface on an outside of the nozzles respectively in two nozzle rows, and a controller executing circulation processing where circulation of the ink through one supply flow path, one manifold and one circulation flow path is performed, and circulation of the ink through another supply flow path, another manifold and another circulation flow path is not performed, in a state where the ink or a cleaning liquid supplied in the cap is contacted with the nozzle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Nishida, Naoki Mizuno, Shunsuke Okai, Eiji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11724515
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a nozzle surface provided on a head and having a nozzle ejecting ink, first and second flow paths connected to the head, a bypass flow path connecting the first and second flow paths outside the head, a cap provided to be in contact with the nozzle surface, and a controller. The controller executes circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the head and the second flow path, in a liquid-contact state where a cleaning liquid supplied in the cap is contacted with the nozzle surface, at an end of last printing or when an elapsed time from last cleaning in the cap is within a predetermined time, and circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the bypass flow path and the second flow path without passing through the head when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsunori Nishida
  • Publication number: 20220274401
    Abstract: A printer is provided with a head configured to discharge ink, a fan configured to cool the head, a sensor configured to output a detection signal indicating a state of the fan. A processer of the printer performs decision processing of deciding print control based on a detection signal output by the sensor. In the decision processing, the processor decides a first print control to drive the fan and control printing by the head in a first print mode, when the detection signal does not indicate a failure state of the fan. In the decision processing, the processor decides a second print control to control the printing by the head in a second print mode suppressing generation of heat more than the first print mode, when the detection signal indicates the failure state of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ko MASUOKA, Katsunori NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220242129
    Abstract: A printer includes a carriage including a first head and a second head at least partially overlapping in a sub-scanning direction, a first wiper for wiping the first head, and a second wiper for wiping the second head. The printer moves the first wiper to a first contact position where the first wiper is configured to contact the first head, and moves the second wiper to a second non-contact position where the second wiper is not configured to contact the second head. After moving the first wiper and the second wiper, the printer relatively moves the carriage to cause the first head to pass the first wiper at the first contact position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Kakeru HAYASHI, Noriyuki KAWAMATA, Yoshinori KATO, Katsunori NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220219461
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a nozzle surface provided on a head and having a nozzle ejecting ink, first and second flow paths connected to the head, a bypass flow path connecting the first and second flow paths outside the head, a cap provided to be in contact with the nozzle surface, and a controller. The controller executes circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the head and the second flow path, in a liquid-contact state where a cleaning liquid supplied in the cap is contacted with the nozzle surface, at an end of last printing or when an elapsed time from last cleaning in the cap is within a predetermined time, and circulation of the ink through the first flow path, the bypass flow path and the second flow path without passing through the head when the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventor: Katsunori NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220212473
    Abstract: A printer includes: a discharge portion discharging ink; a cleaning fluid vessel including an inflow port, and a first peripheral wall and a first bottom wall extending in a first direction orthogonal to an up-down direction, or in a second direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the first direction and defining a storage space for storing a cleaning fluid flowing in from the inflow port; a flushing box, connected to the cleaning fluid vessel in one of the first direction, for receiving the ink discharged from the discharge portion; and a first communicating portion causing the cleaning fluid vessel and the flushing box to be communicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kakeru HAYASHI, Noriyuki KAWAMATA, Yoshinori KATO, Katsunori NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220212476
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a nozzle surface on a head and having nozzle rows each having nozzles, manifolds suppling ink to the nozzles in each nozzle row, supply flow paths connected to the manifold and suppling the ink, circulation flow paths connected to the manifold and circulating the ink from the manifold to which the ink is supplied through the supply flow path, a cap to be in contact with the nozzle surface on an outside of the nozzles respectively in two nozzle rows, and a controller executing circulation processing where circulation of the ink through one supply flow path, one manifold and one circulation flow path is performed, and circulation of the ink through another supply flow path, another manifold and another circulation flow path is not performed, in a state where the ink or a cleaning liquid supplied in the cap is contacted with the nozzle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Katsunori NISHIDA, Naoki MIZUNO, Shunsuke OKAI, Eiji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 10821732
    Abstract: The inkjet printer includes a head, a circulation flow path, a cap, a first pump, and a control unit. The head has a nozzle surface having nozzles to eject ink. The circulation flow path circulates ink. The cap can contact the nozzle surface. The first pump is connected to an exhaust hole formed in the cap. In a soaking processing, the processor drives the first pump and causes the nozzle surface to be soaked in liquid, in a capping state in which the cap is in contact with the nozzle surface. In a circulation processing, the processor causes the ink to circulate in the circulation flow path in a state in which the nozzle surface is soaked in the liquid, after the soaking processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsunori Nishida
  • Patent number: 10611166
    Abstract: A processor of a print device performs empty processing in a case where it has determined that it has received, from a remaining ink amount detector, a first signal that indicates that a remaining amount of an ink is not greater than a first prescribed amount. The processor also performs the empty processing in a case where it has not determined that it has received the first signal, but has determined that it has received a second signal. In the empty processing, the processor performs soak cleaning of a nozzle face and stores an empty soak standby flag in an EEPROM. The empty soak standby flag is a flag that prohibits the performing of a printing operation. Therefore, the print device is able to reduce the possibility that a decline in print quality will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Nishida, Yoshinori Kato
  • Publication number: 20190358961
    Abstract: A processor of a print device performs empty processing in a case where it has determined that it has received, from a remaining ink amount detector, a first signal that indicates that a remaining amount of an ink is not greater than a first prescribed amount. The processor also performs the empty processing in a case where it has not determined that it has received the first signal, but has determined that it has received a second signal. In the empty processing, the processor performs soak cleaning of a nozzle face and stores an empty soak standby flag in an EEPROM. The empty soak standby flag is a flag that prohibits the performing of a printing operation. Therefore, the print device is able to reduce the possibility that a decline in print quality will occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Katsunori NISHIDA, Yoshinori KATO
  • Patent number: 10414165
    Abstract: A processor of a print device performs empty processing in a case where it has determined that it has received, from a remaining ink amount detector, a first signal that indicates that a remaining amount of an ink is not greater than a first prescribed amount. The processor also performs the empty processing in a case where it has not determined that it has received the first signal, but has determined that it has received a second signal. In the empty processing, the processor performs soak cleaning of a nozzle face and stores an empty soak standby flag in an EEPROM. The empty soak standby flag is a flag that prohibits the performing of a printing operation. Therefore, the print device is able to reduce the possibility that a decline in print quality will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KYOGO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Nishida, Yoshinori Kato
  • Publication number: 20190193404
    Abstract: The inkjet printer includes a head, a circulation flow path, a cap, a first pump, and a control unit. The head has a nozzle surface having nozzles to eject ink. The circulation flow path circulates ink. The cap can contact the nozzle surface. The first pump is connected to an exhaust hole formed in the cap. In a soaking processing, the processor drives the first pump and causes the nozzle surface to be soaked in liquid, in a capping state in which the cap is in contact with the nozzle surface. In a circulation processing, the processor causes the ink to circulate in the circulation flow path in a state in which the nozzle surface is soaked in the liquid, after the soaking processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventor: Katsunori NISHIDA
  • Patent number: 10195854
    Abstract: A print device includes a processor and a memory. The memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform processes. The processes include covering processing controlling a cap into a covering state in which the cap covers a nozzle. The processes include first purge processing purging, in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and a supply valve is closed, an ink from the nozzle by operating a pump at a first rotation speed. The processes include injection processing injecting, after the first purge processing and in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and the supply valve is open, the cleaning liquid into the interior of the cap by operating the pump at a second rotation speed to cause the cleaning liquid to soak a nozzle face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Nishida, Takao Hyakudome, Goro Okada, Haruo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20180281437
    Abstract: A processor of a print device performs empty processing in a case where it has determined that it has received, from a remaining ink amount detector, a first signal that indicates that a remaining amount of an ink is not greater than a first prescribed amount. The processor also performs the empty processing in a case where it has not determined that it has received the first signal, but has determined that it has received a second signal. In the empty processing, the processor performs soak cleaning of a nozzle face and stores an empty soak standby flag in an EEPROM. The empty soak standby flag is a flag that prohibits the performing of a printing operation. Therefore, the print device is able to reduce the possibility that a decline in print quality will occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Katsunori NISHIDA, Yoshinori KATO
  • Patent number: 9969170
    Abstract: A print device includes a head, a cap, a suction portion, an absorption member, and a plate-shaped member. The head has an ejection surface. The ejection surface has a plurality of nozzles formed in the ejection surface and is directed in a predetermined direction. The cap has a frame-shaped wall portion and a suction opening. The suction portion is connected to the inside of the cap via the suction opening. The absorption member is arranged in a position surrounded by the frame-shaped wall portion and is configured to absorb liquid. The plate-shaped member is arranged in a position surrounded by the frame-shaped wall portion and is extending along an inner end surface of the frame-shaped wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsunori Nishida
  • Patent number: 9931846
    Abstract: A print device includes a head, a cap, a suction portion, an absorption member, and a plate-shaped member. The head has an ejection surface. The ejection surface has a plurality of nozzles formed in the ejection surface and is directed in a predetermined direction. The cap has a frame-shaped wall portion and a suction opening. The suction portion is connected to the inside of the cap via the suction opening. The absorption member is arranged in a position surrounded by the frame-shaped wall portion and is configured to absorb liquid. The plate-shaped member is surrounded by the frame-shaped wall portion and is arranged in a position facing the absorption member. The plate-shaped member is extending along an inner end surface of the frame-shaped wall portion and has a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsunori Nishida
  • Patent number: 9878542
    Abstract: A print device includes a processor, and a memory. The processor performs processes. The processes include a covering control processing controlling the cap into a covering state in which the cap covers the nozzle. The processes include supply processing supplying, after the covering control processing, the cleaning liquid to the cap from the supply flow path. The processes include hold processing holding, after the supply processing and in a state in which the cleaning liquid has soaked the nozzle face, the cleaning liquid in the cap. The processes include first determination processing determining, after the hold processing, whether a print request has been received. The processes include discharge processing discharging, in a case where a power on signal has been detected or in a case where the first determination processing has determined that the print request has been received, the cleaning liquid that has been held in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiaki Mizutani, Katsunori Nishida, Takao Hyakudome, Haruo Kobayashi, Goro Okada
  • Patent number: 9782972
    Abstract: A discharge portion includes a discharge face on a first direction side. A support portion supports the discharge portion on a second direction side. A wiper can move from a third direction side to a fourth direction side of the discharge face. The third direction and the fourth direction orthogonally intersect the first direction and the second direction. A first cover portion covers an edge on the third direction side of the support portion and includes a first flat face part which is provided parallel to the discharge face and located to the first direction side of the discharge face. A second cover portion covers an edge on the fourth direction side of the support portion. The second cover portion includes a second flat face part. The second flat face part is provided parallel to the discharge face and to the second direction side of the discharge face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsunori Nishida
  • Publication number: 20170282565
    Abstract: A print device includes a processor and a memory. The memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform processes. The processes include covering processing controlling a cap into a covering state in which the cap covers a nozzle. The processes include first purge processing purging, in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and a supply valve is closed, an ink from the nozzle by operating a pump at a first rotation speed. The processes include injection processing injecting, after the first purge processing and in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and the supply valve is open, the cleaning liquid into the interior of the cap by operating the pump at a second rotation speed to cause the cleaning liquid to soak a nozzle face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Katsunori Nishida, Takao Hyakudome, Goro Okada, Haruo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170282566
    Abstract: A print device includes a processor, and a memory. The processor performs processes. The processes include a covering control processing controlling the cap into a covering state in which the cap covers the nozzle. The processes include supply processing supplying, after the covering control processing, the cleaning liquid to the cap from the supply flow path. The processes include hold processing holding, after the supply processing and in a state in which the cleaning liquid has soaked the nozzle face, the cleaning liquid in the cap. The processes include first determination processing determining, after the hold processing, whether a print request has been received. The processes include discharge processing discharging, in a case where a power on signal has been detected or in a case where the first determination processing has determined that the print request has been received, the cleaning liquid that has been held in the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Toshiaki Mizutani, Katsunori Nishida, Takao Hyakudome, Haruo Kobayashi, Goro Okada