Patents by Inventor Kenji Kusunoki

Kenji Kusunoki 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: 20240253967
    Abstract: Provided is a beer dispensing device not requiring cleaning by using a disposable flexible tube to form a beer passage, and also provided is a device capable of dispensing foam as well as beer, using a single flexible tube. A beverage dispensing device 1 using a combination of tubes 12 having an elastically portion that is elastically deformable as a passage of a beverage 20 comprises a mechanism 32 configured to set the bore of the flexible portion to a first state having a first cross-sectional area or a second state having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, selectively, and when the bore of the flexible portion is set to the second state, foam is generated from the beverage flowing through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicants: Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohisa MIYATANI, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Takuya KOMURA
  • Publication number: 20240179385
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a housing, an imaging element provided in the housing, a first antenna, a second antenna, an IC chip electrically connected to both the first and second antennas and executing wireless communication via the first and second antennas, and a first circuit board on which the IC chip is mounted. When viewed in a first direction that is a normal direction of a light receiving surface of the imaging element and is a front-rear direction of the housing, the first antenna is arranged at one end portion of the housing in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the second antenna is arranged at the other end portion of the housing in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu YASUNAGA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Yujiro KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20230365394
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid supply system with which it is possible to perform quality control of a liquid provided by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicants: Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Takashi NISHIO
  • Publication number: 20230331538
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid supply system and a liquid loss reduction method capable of reducing a liquid loss caused when a liquid storage container is replaced. A liquid supply system (101) that transfers a liquid in a storage container (10) through a supply pipe (30), and dispenses the liquid from a dispensing outlet in a dispensing device (50). The liquid supply system includes a spout prevention unit (110) that is installed in the supply pipe, has a predetermined internal volume, and prevents a pressurized gas from being spouted from the dispensing outlet, a liquid-absence detection device (120) that is installed between the storage container and the spout prevention unit, and detects absence of the liquid in the storage container, and a control device (130) that is electrically connected to the liquid-absence detection device, and gives instructions for closing a flow path in the dispensing device in response to the detection of the absence of the liquid in the storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicants: Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Takashi NISHIO
  • Patent number: 11718515
    Abstract: A liquid sales management device is to be added to a liquid supply system supplying a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device through a supply pipe with the liquid pressurized in order to cool the liquid in the dispensing device, and dispensing the cooled liquid to a drinking container. The liquid sales management device includes an actual flow rate determining unit that determines an actual measured flow rate of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container from the dispensing device, a cleaning mode detection unit that detects a cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and a consumption flow rate acquisition unit that determines an actual consumption of the liquid based on the number of cycles of the cleaning mode, a known liquid amount consumed in one cycle of the cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and the actual measured flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamashita, Junichi Kitano, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11498825
    Abstract: A liquid quality management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system supplying a liquid in a storage container to a dispensing device in order to cool the liquid and dispensing the liquid into a drinking container includes: a dispensing sensor; and a control device electrically connected to the dispensing sensor and configured to perform control operation of at least one of a refrigeration machine and a stirring device provided in the dispensing device at the same time when dispensing of the liquid is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamashita, Junichi Kitano, Yasuhiro Kurabe, Shinsuke Mitsuhata, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki, Hidetoshi Fukunari, Takuya Komura
  • Patent number: 11332357
    Abstract: A liquid quality management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system which can supply a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device in order to cool the liquid, and can dispense the liquid to a drinking container. The liquid quality management device includes an actual flow rate preparation unit including a flow rate sensor for determining an actual measured flow rate of the liquid; a dispensing liquid temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container; and a determination unit electrically connected to the actual flow rate preparation unit and the dispensing liquid temperature sensor, for determining an integrated flow rate of the liquid when the liquid temperature is equal to or higher than a set temperature, and for determining whether or not coolability of the dispensing device is suitable by comparing the integrated flow rate with a determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamashita, Junichi Kitano, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11174147
    Abstract: There is provided a conversion device (150) configured to convert a manual liquid supply device (20) into an automated liquid supply device, the conversion device comprising an automated operation portion (51) and a mounting plate (110) made of a resin, the mounting plate including a back surface (110b), a front surface (110a), and a liquid discharging portion opening (111) passed through the front and back surfaces, and the conversion device further comprising spacers (120) configured to be interspersed between the front surface of the mounting plate and the automated operation portion, and configured to create a gap between the front surface and the automated operation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Mitsuhata, Tomohiro Takahashi, Takashi Wada, Toru Tanaka, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20210114859
    Abstract: There is provided a conversion device (150) configured to convert a manual liquid supply device (20) into an automated liquid supply device, the conversion device comprising an automated operation portion (51) and a mounting plate (110) made of a resin, the mounting plate including a back surface (110b), a front surface (110a), and a liquid discharging portion opening (111) passed through the front and back surfaces, and the conversion device further comprising spacers (120) configured to be interspersed between the front surface of the mounting plate and the automated operation portion, and configured to create a gap between the front surface and the automated operation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicants: ASAHI GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD., ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinsuke MITSUHATA, Tomohiro TAKAHASHI, Takashi WADA, Toru TANAKA, Kenji KUSUNOKI
  • Publication number: 20210009401
    Abstract: A liquid quality management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system supplying a liquid in a storage container to a dispensing device in order to cool the liquid and dispensing the liquid into a drinking container includes: a dispensing sensor; and a control device electrically connected to the dispensing sensor and configured to perform control operation of at least one of a refrigeration machine and a stirring device provided in the dispensing device at the same time when dispensing of the liquid is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Yasuhiro KURABE, Shinsuke MITSUHATA, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Hidetoshi FUKUNARI, Takuya KOMURA
  • Publication number: 20200391990
    Abstract: A liquid quality management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system which can supply a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device in order to cool the liquid, and can dispense the liquid to a drinking container. The liquid quality management device includes an actual flow rate preparation unit including a flow rate sensor for determining an actual measured flow rate of the liquid; a dispensing liquid temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container; and a determination unit electrically connected to the actual flow rate preparation unit and the dispensing liquid temperature sensor, for determining an integrated flow rate of the liquid when the liquid temperature is equal to or higher than a set temperature, and for determining whether or not coolability of the dispensing device is suitable by comparing the integrated flow rate with a determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI
  • Publication number: 20200339408
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid sales management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system, the liquid supply system supplying a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device through a supply pipe with the liquid pressurized in order to cool the liquid in the dispensing device, and dispensing the cooled liquid to a drinking container. The liquid sales management device includes an actual flow rate determining unit that determines a actual measured flow rate of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container from the dispensing device, a cleaning mode detection unit that detects a cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and a consumption flow rate acquisition unit that determines an actual consumption of the liquid with the number of times of the cleaning mode, a known liquid amount consumed with one operation of the cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and the actual measured flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI
  • Publication number: 20200334606
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid sales management system that includes a liquid supply system and a sales information management system in a store, and a management server that performs information communication with the liquid supply system and the sales information management system. The liquid supply system includes a dispensing device that dispenses a liquid to a drinking container, an actual flow rate preparation part that determines an actual measured flow rate of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container from the dispensing device, and a transmission and reception part. The sales information management system is a system that sends sales information to a communication line. The management server includes a consumption analysis part that determines a difference between an apparent liquid amount and the actual measured flow rate, as a non-sale amount of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Naoyuki YAMASHITA, Junichi KITANO, Takashi WADA, Kenji KUSUNOKI
  • Patent number: 10133158
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: an electronic part; an external case that covers the electronic part and constitutes an exterior; and a heat dissipation frame that transmits heat generated from the electronic part to the external case. The external case includes a top case, a front case, and a rear case, while the heat dissipation frame includes a first heat dissipation frame, a second heat dissipation frame, and a third heat dissipation frame provided independently from each other. Mechanical fixation is made to combine the top case and the first heat dissipation frame into one body, to combine the front case and the second heat dissipation frame into one body, and to combine the rear case and the third heat dissipation frame into one body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yasuda, Kenji Kusunoki, Fumitaka Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20180107099
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: an electronic part; an external case that covers the electronic part and constitutes an exterior; and a heat dissipation frame that transmits heat generated from the electronic part to the external case. The external case includes a top case, a front case, and a rear case, while the heat dissipation frame includes a first heat dissipation frame, a second heat dissipation frame, and a third heat dissipation frame provided independently from each other. Mechanical fixation is made to combine the top case and the first heat dissipation frame into one body, to combine the front case and the second heat dissipation frame into one body, and to combine the rear case and the third heat dissipation frame into one body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Koji YASUDA, Kenji KUSUNOKI, Fumitaka KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 9927186
    Abstract: To provide a plate heat exchanger free from degradation of gaskets which form a flow path through which a high-temperature fluid flows. In the plate heat exchanger, a plurality of heat transfer plates 20 each provided with passage holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 in corners are stacked; a flow-path forming gasket 31 is interposed between peripheries of each adjacent ones of the heat transfer plates 20; communicating-path forming gaskets 32 are installed, surrounding the passage holes 21 in each adjacent ones of the heat transfer plates 20 alternately; and thereby a first flow path 1 adapted to pass a high-temperature fluid H, a second flow path adapted to pass a low-temperature fluid C, and communicating paths 3 adapted to cause the high-temperature fluid H and the low-temperature fluid C, respectively, to flow in and out of the first flow path 1 and the second flow path 2 are formed alternately on opposite sides of each of the heat transfer plates 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: Hisaka Works, Ltd., Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Hiwatashi, Mana Iwaki, Kenji Kusunoki, Seiichi Matsumura, Kiyoshi Ishihama, Funabiki Takahisa
  • Patent number: 9772146
    Abstract: A flow-path forming gasket is interposed between peripheries of each adjacent ones of stacked heat transfer plates; communicating-path forming gaskets are each installed, surrounding the passage holes in each adjacent ones of the heat transfer plates alternately; and thereby a first flow path adapted to pass a high-temperature fluid, a second flow path adapted to pass a low-temperature fluid, and communicating paths adapted to cause the fluids, respectively, to flow in and out of the first and second flow paths are formed alternately on opposite sides of each heat transfer plate. A drain hole is formed in each of the heat transfer plates to discharge fluid leaking from the first flow path, the second flow path, or the communicating path. The drain hole is surrounded by gaskets isolated from the first flow path, the second flow path, or the communicating path. A leakage flow path or a leakage collector is formed by the gaskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: HISAKA WORKS, LTD., Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Hiwatashi, Mana Iwaki, Kenji Kusunoki, Kiyoshi Ishihama, Seiichi Matsumura, Yukiko Kushima
  • Patent number: 9272894
    Abstract: Easily serviced and hygienically maintained liquid supply system. A liquid storage vessel switching device switches between vessels to supply liquid uninterruptedly. Provided in a first connection tube is a liquid cutoff device, including a loop section, for switching the system between allowing/cutting-off supplying of liquid to a dispenser through the first connection tube. Utilizing the liquid cutoff device eliminates, along the first connection tube, intervening conventional valves having structural components that come in direct contact with the supplied liquid, and on which sponges or other cleaning elements might get caught. The inner wall of the first connection tube may thus be cleaned readily with a sponge or the like. Beverages such as beer thus can easily be kept hygienically and served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Kyokko Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kitano, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 9103451
    Abstract: A device for stopping a flow of fluid in a fixed length of tube with an actuator simple in construction is provided. The stopping device is free of direct touch with the fluid inside the tube, expected not to obstruct the flow in the tube as permitted as possible at normal condition, expected to perform both detection and control with a single device, and further invulnerable to kinds of fluids. The device for stopping a flow of fluid includes a tube holder to keep a tube in looped configuration, a movable part pressing the looped configuration of the tube. Pressing of the looped configuration of the tube make a snapped bent to stop the flow of fluid passed through the tube. Putting the movable part back into place results in the tube's returning from the configuration having the bent, allowing the fluid flowing again through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Kyokko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kitano, Takashi Wada, Kenji Kusunoki
  • Publication number: 20140367075
    Abstract: To provide a plate heat exchanger free from degradation of gaskets which form a flow path through which a high-temperature fluid flows. In the plate heat exchanger, a plurality of heat transfer plates 20 each provided with passage holes 21, 22, 23, and 24 in corners are stacked; a flow-path forming gasket 31 is interposed between peripheries of each adjacent ones of the heat transfer plates 20; communicating-path forming gaskets 32 are installed, surrounding the passage holes 21 in each adjacent ones of the heat transfer plates 20 alternately; and thereby a first flow path 1 adapted to pass a high-temperature fluid H, a second flow path adapted to pass a low-temperature fluid C, and communicating paths 3 adapted to cause the high-temperature fluid H and the low-temperature fluid C, respectively, to flow in and out of the first flow path 1 and the second flow path 2 are formed alternately on opposite sides of each of the heat transfer plates 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd., HISAKA WORKS., LTD.
    Inventors: Isamu Hiwatashi, Mana Iwaki, Kenji Kusunoki, Seiichi Matsumura, Kiyoshi Ishihama, Funabiki Takahisa