Patents by Inventor Kazumasa Harada

Kazumasa Harada 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: 20160129696
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 9321272
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A holder structure 200 is provided as a mounting mechanism configured to cause a first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b to be attachable to and detachable from a carriage 27 of a printing device 10. The holder structure 200 has a lever member 230 provided as a rotation mechanism to be rotated and thereby lock the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b. The lever member 230 includes a first leg section 231a, a second leg section 231b formed away from the first leg section 231a and a bridging section 232 formed between the first and the second leg sections 231a and 231b to engage with a main engagement part 120 of each of the ink cartridges 100a and 100b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Shun Oya, Yoshiyuki Okazawa, Kazumasa Harada
  • Patent number: 9254648
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage having an opening on which the recording head is mounted in a state that the liquid ejection surface of the recording head faces the opening, the carriage being configured to reciprocate, a ground member that is mounted on the carriage so as to ground the recording head, and a sensor unit that is mounted on the carriage so as to perform sensing by using reciprocation of the carriage and has a ground mechanism which is connected to the ground member, wherein the ground member is disposed at a position in contact with the recording head mounted on the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Hamano
  • Patent number: 9248656
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20150239269
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage that includes a recording head performing recording on a recording medium, and an edge detection unit detecting an edge of the recording medium, and is movable in a predetermined direction, in which, in a state in which the carriage is positioned at a predetermined position, the edge detection unit is positioned in a passing region of the recording medium in the movement direction of the carriage, and the predetermined position is a home position of the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKATA, Kazumasa HARADA, Yoshiyuki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150183248
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage, a support unit, and a power transmission mechanism. The carriage includes a recording head configured to record onto a medium, and the carriage is configured to move in a first direction and a second direction that is an opposite direction thereto. The support unit supports the carriage. The power transmission mechanism is configured to transmit power of a drive source to a transport unit configured to transport the medium. At least a portion of the power transmission mechanism is positioned below the carriage when moved to an end part in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki OKAZAWA, Kazumasa HARADA, Akira ANAMI
  • Publication number: 20150165777
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A holder structure 200 is provided as a mounting mechanism configured to cause a first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b to be attachable to and detachable from a carriage 27 of a printing device 10. The holder structure 200 has a lever member 230 provided as a rotation mechanism to be rotated and thereby lock the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b. The lever member 230 includes a first leg section 231a, a second leg section 231b formed away from the first leg section 231a and a bridging section 232 formed between the first and the second leg sections 231a and 231b to engage with a main engagement part 120 of each of the ink cartridges 100a and 100b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Shun Oya, Yoshiyuki Okazawa, Kazumasa Harada
  • Publication number: 20150151545
    Abstract: A recording device includes a liquid ejection head, a support unit that support a paper sheet, a transportation path along which the paper sheet is reversed and transported, and a transportation roller that transports the paper sheet, wherein a liquid absorbent is provided downstream in the transportation direction of the paper sheet relative to the transportation roller, and liquid absorbents are provided upstream in the transportation direction of the paper sheet relative to the transportation roller, and second liquid absorbent is provided between the liquid absorbent and the liquid absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Masachika Nagase, Kazumasa Harada, Hirohisa Adachi, Eiji Taketsugu, Kazuhisa Takeda
  • Patent number: 9039154
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 9039153
    Abstract: A printing apparatus adapted to have a cartridge detachably mounted thereon includes a cartridge mounting structure, a printing material supply tube, a plurality of apparatus-side terminals and a lever used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the printing apparatus. The lever has an operating member, a first apparatus-side locking portion and an axis of rotation. When an external force is applied to the operating member of the lever from the +X-axis direction to the ?X-axis direction, the lever moves the first apparatus-side locking portion about the axis of rotation from a specified locking position toward the +X-axis direction and disengages the first apparatus-side locking portion from a first cartridge-side restriction portion, so as to eliminate the restriction of motion of the cartridge. This ensures stable electrical connection between cartridge-side terminals and apparatus-side terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata, Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20150077486
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8974044
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite (RD) from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8915582
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140368585
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8899725
    Abstract: A cartridge mounting mechanism includes a chamber that accommodates therein a cartridge introduced through a cartridge inlet formed as an opening directed upward, a biasing mechanism that biases the cartridge set in the chamber in an upward direction corresponding to a removal direction of the cartridge, and a holding mechanism configured to be engaged with the cartridge so as to restrict, against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, the cartridge from moving in the removal direction when the cartridge is set in the chamber, and disengaged from the cartridge to release the cartridge from the restriction against the biasing force, upon being subjected to an external operating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Yoshiyuki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 8820869
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording head performing recording on a recording medium, a carriage movable in a scanning direction of the recording head; a first guide member guiding the carriage in the scanning direction; a second guide member provided positioned at a predetermined distance in a direction intersecting the scanning direction with respect to the first guide member; a first gap adjusting unit provided on the carriage, and causing the housing of the carriage to displace in a direction changing the gap between a support face supporting a recording medium and the recording head; a second gap adjusting unit causing the housing of the carriage to displace by being synchronized with the first gap unit in a direction changing the gap; a synchronization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunari Kumagai, Kazumasa Harada, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8820870
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage that is provided with a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium and is movable in a scan direction of the recording head, a guide member that guides the carriage in the scan direction, and a gap adjusting unit that is interposed between a housing of the carriage and the guide member so as to displace the housing of the carriage in a direction in which a gap varies between the recording medium and the recording head, the gap adjusting unit being mounted on the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunari Kumagai, Kazumasa Harada, Tomoya Takikawa, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Patent number: 8807721
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20140210917
    Abstract: A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi KODAMA, Izumi NOZAWA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Kazutoshi MATSUZAKI, Kazumasa HARADA, Satoshi NAKATA, Hidetaka KAWATA
  • Patent number: 8752944
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal. The second device-side locking element is configured to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a negative X-axis side of the printing material supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata