Patents by Inventor Kei Yokota

Kei Yokota 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: 11813783
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine; an inspection device including a first placement unit, a second placement unit, an inspection unit, and a moving unit configured to change a relative position between the first placement unit and the inspection unit and a relative position between the second placement unit and the inspection unit; a third placement unit; a robot configured to convey the molded object; and a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yuji Shinbaru, Kazunobu Maruyama, Daichi Miyashita, Hiroki Takano, Riona Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11628607
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine configured to inject a molten material into a mold to mold a molded object; a tray moving unit configured to move a plurality of trays in a work area including a placement position; and a robot configured to place the molded object on a tray moved to the placement position among the plurality of trays. The tray moving unit moves a tray after placement, which is a tray on which the molded object is placed by the robot, from the placement position to a position different from the placement position in the work area, and moves a tray before the placement, which is a tray on which the molded object is not yet placed by the robot, from a position different from the placement position in the work area to the placement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yuji Shinbaru
  • Patent number: 11623392
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional formed object includes cutting a material block so as to fabricate a bottom portion that includes an upwardly projecting underlying layer portion. The method also includes forming a molten material into a single layer or a plurality of layers on a top of the underlying layer portion so as to fabricate a first layer portion in contact with the underlying layer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Kenta Anegawa, Kei Yokota, Daizo Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 11571844
    Abstract: An injection molding device includes: a material storage unit storing a material; a drive motor; a plasticization unit including a rotor that rotates by rotation of the drive motor, a barrel facing the rotor, and a heater, and configured to plasticize and flow out the material supplied from the material storage unit; a nozzle through which the material after plasticization is injected toward a mold from the plasticization unit; and a material drying unit configured to collect waste heat of the drive motor and dry the material in the material storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yuji Shinbaru, Kazunobu Maruyama, Daichi Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20220379531
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a fixed die having a first gate opening and a second gate opening formed therein, a movable die configured to be clampable to the fixed die, a first injection unit that injects a first molding material into a cavity defined by the fixed die and the movable die via the first gate opening, and a second injection unit that injects a second molding material into the cavity via the second gate opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Hidenobu MARUYAMA, Kenta ANEGAWA, Keisuke AKIMOTO, Kei YOKOTA, Yasuto KANAI
  • Patent number: 11511471
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine configured to operate in accordance with a command generated using a first language, and inject a molten material into a mold to mold a molded object; a robot configured to operate in accordance with a command generated using a second language, and convey the molded object; and a control device configured to control the injection molding machine and the robot. When determining that an error occurs in at least one of the injection molding machine and the robot, the control device transmits, to the injection molding machine, a command generated using the first language and for causing the injection molding machine to execute a return operation, and transmits, to the robot, a command interpretable by the second language and for causing the robot to execute a return operation, so as to cause the injection molding machine and the robot to execute the return operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Takano, Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Riona Hayashi, Yuji Shinbaru
  • Patent number: 11491691
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine where a shaping mold is installed; a material supply device supplying a material to the injection molding machine; a temperature controller controlling a temperature of the shaping mold; a dryer drying a material stored in the material supply device; a controller controlling the injection molding machine; and a casing. The injection molding machine, the material supply device, the temperature controller, the dryer, and the controller are provided inside the casing. The casing has a caster and is configured to be movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yuji Shinbaru, Riona Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11465347
    Abstract: A plasticizing device includes a driving motor, a rotor that is rotated by rotation of the driving motor and has a groove-formed surface having a groove formed in a rotation direction, and a barrel that is opposite to the groove-formed surface and has a communication hole and a heater, plasticizes a material supplied between the groove and the barrel by rotation of the rotor and heating by the heater, and causes the plasticized material to flow out from the communication hole. Aside surface of the groove has a protrusion and recess surface including protrusion portions or recess portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yusuke Watanabe, Yuichi Sasage, Mitsuru Inutsuka
  • Patent number: 11426933
    Abstract: A molten material supplying apparatus includes: a first introduction unit introducing fiber material; a melting unit melting a thermoplastic resin into a molten material; a first flow path in which the molten material and the fiber material are distributed; and a nozzle communicating with the first flow path to feed a composite of the molten material and the fiber material. The melting unit includes: a facing section in which a communication hole communicating with the first flow path is formed, the facing section having a heater, and a flat screw which has a groove at a position facing the facing section, the flat screw being rotated to melt the thermoplastic resin into the molten material and supply the molten material into the communication hole. The first introduction unit introduces the fiber material into at least one of the communication hole and the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Kenta Anegawa, Yasuto Kanai, Kei Yokota, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11351720
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes: a first shaping step of forming a first layer in contact with a stage provided with a plurality of recessed portions by changing a relative position between a discharge unit and the stage while discharging a molten material from the discharge unit toward the stage; and a second shaping step of stacking one or more layers on the first layer by changing the relative position between the discharge unit and the stage while discharging the molten material from the discharge unit toward the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Kei Yokota
  • Patent number: 11331859
    Abstract: A plasticizing device includes a first member having a groove portion that has a spiral shape extending to a center, a motor that rotates the first member, a second member that faces the first member, and a heating unit for heating a material that is transported along the groove portion, the first member having a plurality of recessed portions on a bottom surface of the groove portion. By providing a plurality of recessed portions on the bottom surface of the first member through which the material flows, the rotational force of the rotating first member is easily transmitted to the material and the amount of material flowing in the first member can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Kei Yokota, Yuichi Sasage, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Mitsuru Inutsuka, Kakeru Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 11235526
    Abstract: A plasticizing device that plasticizes a material to produce a molten material includes a driving motor, a screw that has a grooved surface on which a groove is formed and rotates by the driving motor; and a barrel having a facing surface that faces the grooved surface and has a communication hole formed in the center and a heater, wherein the screw has a cooling medium flow path provided inside the screw, an inlet portion that communicates with the cooling medium flow path and introduces a cooling medium from the outside of the screw, and an outlet portion that communicates with the cooling medium flow path and discharges the cooling medium to the outside of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Kei Yokota
  • Patent number: 11155014
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection-molding mold including a fixed mold and a movable mold, the fixed mold having a gate opening into which a molding material flows, the movable mold having a cavity and being configured to be separated from the fixed mold during mold opening; a hot runner including a nozzle having a channel that guides the molding material to the gate opening, and a heater, the hot runner being disposed in the fixed mold; and a control unit that controls a temperature of the heater to adjust a temperature of the hot runner. The control unit controls the temperature of the heater to a first temperature when the molding material is injected from the hot runner to the cavity, and after the injection of the molding material is completed, controls the temperature of the heater to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Kei Yokota, Mitsuru Inutsuka, Yusuke Watanabe, Kakeru Sasagawa, Yuichi Sasage
  • Publication number: 20210197434
    Abstract: To provide an injection molding machine which includes: a melting unit including a screw rotating about a rotation axis and having a groove forming surface on which a groove is formed and a barrel provided with a communication hole in a facing surface facing the groove forming surface, and configured to plasticize a material to generate a plasticized material and make the plasticized material flow out of the communication hole; a heating unit configured to heat the melting unit; an injection nozzle in communication with the communication hole and configured to inject the plasticized material into a mold; an injection control unit including a cylinder coupled to the communication hole and a plunger; a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the plasticized material flowing into the communication hole; and a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kenta ANEGAWA, Kei YOKOTA
  • Publication number: 20210114274
    Abstract: An injection molding device includes: a material storage unit storing a material; a drive motor; a plasticization unit including a rotor that rotates by rotation of the drive motor, a barrel facing the rotor, and a heater, and configured to plasticize and flow out the material supplied from the material storage unit; a nozzle through which the material after plasticization is injected toward a mold from the plasticization unit; and a material drying unit configured to collect waste heat of the drive motor and dry the material in the material storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kakeru SASAGAWA, Kei YOKOTA, Kenta ANEGAWA, Seiichiro YAMASHITA, Yuji SHINBARU, Kazunobu MARUYAMA, Daichi MIYASHITA
  • Publication number: 20210086425
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine configured to operate in accordance with a command generated using a first language, and inject a molten material into a mold to mold a molded object; a robot configured to operate in accordance with a command generated using a second language, and convey the molded object; and a control device configured to control the injection molding machine and the robot. When determining that an error occurs in at least one of the injection molding machine and the robot, the control device transmits, to the injection molding machine, a command generated using the first language and for causing the injection molding machine to execute a return operation, and transmits, to the robot, a command interpretable by the second language and for causing the robot to execute a return operation, so as to cause the injection molding machine and the robot to execute the return operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroki TAKANO, Kakeru SASAGAWA, Kei YOKOTA, Kenta ANEGAWA, Seiichiro YAMASHITA, Riona HAYASHI, Yuji SHINBARU
  • Publication number: 20210086426
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine; an inspection device including a first placement unit, a second placement unit, an inspection unit, and a moving unit configured to change a relative position between the first placement unit and the inspection unit and a relative position between the second placement unit and the inspection unit; a third placement unit; a robot configured to convey the molded object; and a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kakeru Sasagawa, Kei Yokota, Kenta Anegawa, Seiichiro Yamashita, Yuji Shinbaru, Kazunobu Maruyama, Daichi Miyashita, Hiroki Takano, Riona Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20210086420
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine configured to inject a molten material into a mold to mold a molded object; a tray moving unit configured to move a plurality of trays in a work area including a placement position; and a robot configured to place the molded object on a tray moved to the placement position among the plurality of trays. The tray moving unit moves a tray after placement, which is a tray on which the molded object is placed by the robot, from the placement position to a position different from the placement position in the work area, and moves a tray before the placement, which is a tray on which the molded object is not yet placed by the robot, from a position different from the placement position in the work area to the placement position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kakeru SASAGAWA, Kei YOKOTA, Kenta ANEGAWA, Seiichiro YAMASHITA, Yuji SHINBARU
  • Publication number: 20210086414
    Abstract: An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine where a shaping mold is installed; a material supply device supplying a material to the injection molding machine; a temperature controller controlling a temperature of the shaping mold; a dryer drying a material stored in the material supply device; a controller controlling the injection molding machine; and a casing. The injection molding machine, the material supply device, the temperature controller, the dryer, and the controller are provided inside the casing. The casing has a caster and is configured to be movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kakeru SASAGAWA, Kei YOKOTA, Kenta ANEGAWA, Seiichiro YAMASHITA, Yuji SHINBARU, Riona HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20200376745
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object includes: a first shaping step of forming a first layer in contact with a stage provided with a plurality of recessed portions by changing a relative position between a discharge unit and the stage while discharging a molten material from the discharge unit toward the stage; and a second shaping step of stacking one or more layers on the first layer by changing the relative position between the discharge unit and the stage while discharging the molten material from the discharge unit toward the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Yusuke WATANABE, Kei YOKOTA