Patents by Inventor Masashi Tanizaki

Masashi Tanizaki 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: 11884060
    Abstract: A print device includes a head, a medium holding portion, an opening/closing cover, a feed path, a sensor, a window portion, and a blocking wall. The medium holding portion holds the medium and open to allow the medium to be taken out and put in. The opening/closing cover opens and closes an opening in the medium holding portion. The feed path extends from the medium holding portion toward the head and feeding the medium. The sensor is provided in the feed path. The window portion is provided in a position corresponding to between the sensor and the head, in a wall portion of the case, and allows the inside of the case to be seen from outside. The blocking wall is provided between the sensor and the window portion, and blocks a light coming in through the window portion toward the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Tanizaki
  • Patent number: 11707935
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, having a casing, a printer, and a battery cover, is provided. The casing includes a battery compartment, to which a battery is attachable, and a terminal arranged inside the battery compartment. The printer is powered by the battery to print an image on a printable tape. The battery cover is attachable to the casing and, when at an attached position, covers at least a part of the battery compartment. The casing includes a guide arranged outside the battery compartment to guide the battery cover toward the attached position in the casing. The battery cover includes a first wall portion, which contacts the guide at an outer face thereof and slides along the guide as the battery cover moves toward the attached position, and a pressing portion to press the battery in the battery compartment against the terminal as the first wall portion slides along the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Masashi Iwamoto, Ryuichi Kanda, Yuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11667134
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a main body including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a printing medium; a cover displaceable between an open position where the accommodation portion is opened and a closed position where the accommodation portion is closed; a platen roller attached to the cover and rotatably supported by the cover; a peeling roller attached to the cover and supported so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the platen roller; and a switching mechanism attached to the cover and configured to switch the peeling roller between a contact position where the peeling roller comes into contact with the platen roller and a non-contact position where the peeling roller is away from the platen roller in conjunction with displacement of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Asai, Yushi Kato, Masashi Tanizaki, Koshiro Shimoda, Shotaro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230131978
    Abstract: A printer includes: a casing; a grooved part recessed from an outer surface of the casing; a switch unit provided in the grooved part; a controller inside the casing; an FPC connecting the switch unit to the controller; and a hole part formed at a prescribed end portion of a bottom surface of the grooved part. A bottom surface of the switch unit is fixed to the groove bottom surface through the FPC. The hole part is aligned with a center of the groove bottom surface in a prescribed direction. The hole part defines a first inner end and a second inner end opposing each other in the prescribed direction, the first inner end being farther away from the center of the groove bottom surface than the second inner end is in the prescribed direction. The first inner end is positioned outside of the grooved part in the prescribed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Tetsuro MURAMATSU, Masashi TANIZAKI, Koshiro SHIMODA, Yuya NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20230125916
    Abstract: There is provided a printing device to which an external component is attachable. The printing device includes: a housing; a print head provided inside the housing; a guide portion configured to guide a printing medium to the print head in a conveying direction; and a first engagement portion engageable with a first attaching portion of the external component. The housing includes a first frame, a second frame opposite the first frame in a widthwise direction crossing the conveying direction, and a connecting portion extending in the widthwise direction to connect the first frame to the second frame. The print head is supported by at least one of the first frame and the second frame. The guide portion is fixed to the connecting portion. The first engagement portion is formed in one of the guide portion and the connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Koshiro Shimoda, Yuya Nakamura, Tetsuro Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20230126655
    Abstract: A printer includes: a print head; a support frame elongated in a first direction and supporting the print head; a discharge slot for discharging a medium after printing is performed on the medium; and a cover member covering the print head and the support frame. The discharge slot and the cover member are both elongated in the first direction. The cover member includes a surrounding part and a first engagement portion. The surrounding part surrounds an entirety of the discharge slot and has a peripheral portion extending in the first direction and constituting a part of the discharge slot. The first engagement portion is in engagement with a frame engagement portion of the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Koshiro SHIMODA, Masashi TANIZAKI, Yuya NAKAMURA, Tetsuro MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 11623460
    Abstract: A cutting device, having a supporting base, a cutter section, a protrusive part, is provided. The supporting base has a first area, in which a tape is placeable, and a second area on a surface thereof. The surface is formed of a resin coating layer in the first area alone between the first area and the second area. The cutter section has a blade and is movable to approach and separate from the surface. The protrusive part protrudes from the cutter section in a direction, toward which an edge of the blade points. When the cutter section approaches the surface of the supporting base, with the protrusive part contacting the surface of the supporting base in the second area, the blade cuts the tape located between the surface of the supporting base in the first area and the blade partly in a direction of thickness of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Masashi Iwamoto, Ryuichi Kanda, Yuya Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20220379631
    Abstract: A print device includes a head, a medium holding portion, an opening/closing cover, a feed path, a sensor, a window portion, and a blocking wall. The medium holding portion holds the medium and open to allow the medium to be taken out and put in. The opening/closing cover opens and closes an opening in the medium holding portion. The feed path extends from the medium holding portion toward the head and feeding the medium. The sensor is provided in the feed path. The window portion is provided in a position corresponding to between the sensor and the head, in a wall portion of the case, and allows the inside of the case to be seen from outside. The blocking wall is provided between the sensor and the window portion, and blocks a light coming in through the window portion toward the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Masashi TANIZAKI
  • Patent number: 11485153
    Abstract: A cutting device, having a full-cutting assembly, a half-cutting assembly, and a cam, is provided. The full-cutting assembly includes a first cutting blade and a facing part to cut a tape fully through in a direction of thickness of the tape by rotating a first arm about a first shaft. The half-cutting assembly includes a second cutting blade and a supporting base to cut the tape partly in the direction of thickness by rotating a second arm about a second shaft. The cam is rotatable bidirectionally about a third shaft and has a cam face, on which a first pressing part to press the first arm and a second pressing part to press the second arm are arranged. A distance between the cam face and the second arm is smaller than or equal to a distance between the cam face and the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Nakamura, Masashi Iwamoto, Ryuichi Kanda, Masashi Tanizaki
  • Publication number: 20210387464
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a main body including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a printing medium; a cover displaceable between an open position where the accommodation portion is opened and a closed position where the accommodation portion is closed; a platen roller attached to the cover and rotatably supported by the cover; a peeling roller attached to the cover and supported so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the platen roller; and a switching mechanism attached to the cover and configured to switch the peeling roller between a contact position where the peeling roller comes into contact with the platen roller and a non-contact position where the peeling roller is away from the platen roller in conjunction with displacement of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Sho Asai, Yushi Kato, Masashi Tanizaki, Koshiro Shimoda, Shotaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11142420
    Abstract: A printing device includes a holder including: a first movable portion including a first support portion; a second movable portion including a second support portion; a pinion; a spring; an adjustment screw; a handle rotatable with the adjustment screw; and a stopper threadingly engaged with the adjustment screw. The first movable portion is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The second movable portion is movable in the first direction and the second direction in accordance with movement of the first movable portion in the second direction and the first direction. The handle is positioned outside of a region defined between the first and second support portions positioned remotest from each other in the first direction. The stopper is in abutment with one of the first and second movable portions to restrict movements of the first and second movable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Yushi Kato
  • Patent number: 11110720
    Abstract: A thermal-transfer printer, including a first case, a second case, an ink ribbon supporting member, a cover, and a head holder, is provided. The first case has a first opening on an upper side thereof. The second case is located on the upper side of the first case and attached movably to the first case to open and close the first opening. The second case includes a second opening on an upper side thereof and a third opening on a lower side thereof. The ink ribbon supporting member is attached to one of the first case and the second case. The cover is attached movably to the second case to open and close the second opening. The head holder is attached to the inner face of the cover and holds a printing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Yasuyuki Narumiya
  • Publication number: 20210237488
    Abstract: A cutting device, having a supporting base, a cutter section, a protrusive part, is provided. The supporting base has a first area, in which a tape is placeable, and a second area on a surface thereof The surface is formed of a resin coating layer in the first area alone between the first area and the second area. The cutter section has a blade and is movable to approach and separate from the surface. The protrusive part protrudes from the cutter section in a direction, toward which an edge of the blade points. When the cutter section approaches the surface of the supporting base, with the protrusive part contacting the surface of the supporting base in the second area, the blade cuts the tape located between the surface of the supporting base in the first area and the blade partly in a direction of thickness of the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Masashi TANIZAKI, Masashi IWAMOTO, Ryuichi KANDA, Yuya NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210237474
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, having a casing, a printer, and a battery cover, is provided. The casing includes a battery compartment, to which a battery is attachable, and a terminal arranged inside the battery compartment. The printer is powered by the battery to print an image on a printable tape. The battery cover is attachable to the casing and, when at an attached position, covers at least a part of the battery compartment. The casing includes a guide arranged outside the battery compartment to guide the battery cover toward the attached position in the casing. The battery cover includes a first wall portion, which contacts the guide at an outer face thereof and slides along the guide as the battery cover moves toward the attached position, and a pressing portion to press the battery in the battery compartment against the terminal as the first wall portion slides along the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Masashi TANIZAKI, Masashi IWAMOTO, Ryuichi KANDA, Yuya NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210237489
    Abstract: A cutting device, having a full-cutting assembly, a half-cutting assembly, and a cam, is provided. The full-cutting assembly includes a first cutting blade and a facing part to cut a tape fully through in a direction of thickness of the tape by rotating a first arm about a first shaft. The half-cutting assembly includes a second cutting blade and a supporting base to cut the tape partly in the direction of thickness by rotating a second arm about a second shaft. The cam is rotatable bidirectionally about a third shaft and has a cam face, on which a first pressing part to press the first arm and a second pressing part to press the second arm are arranged. A distance between the cam face and the second arm is smaller than or equal to a distance between the cam face and the first arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Yuya NAKAMURA, Masashi IWAMOTO, Ryuichi KANDA, Masashi TANIZAKI
  • Patent number: 10843489
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first support portion, a second support portion movable in a moving direction of the second support portion toward and away from the first support portion, a movable probe movably supported by a detector, and a permission mechanism. The movable range consists of a first range and a second range. The permission mechanism is configured to permit the movable probe to move in accordance with the movement of the second support portion in the separating/approaching direction relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the first range, and is also configured to prevent the movable probe from moving irrespective of further movement of the second support portion relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuo Kato, Masashi Tanizaki
  • Publication number: 20200239260
    Abstract: A printing device includes a holder including: a first movable portion including a first support portion; a second movable portion including a second support portion; a pinion; a spring; an adjustment screw; a handle rotatable with the adjustment screw; and a stopper threadingly engaged with the adjustment screw. The first movable portion is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The second movable portion is movable in the first direction and the second direction in accordance with movement of the first movable portion in the second direction and the first direction. The handle is positioned outside of a region defined between the first and second support portions positioned remotest from each other in the first direction. The stopper is in abutment with one of the first and second movable portions to restrict movements of the first and second movable portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Yushi Kato
  • Patent number: 10569568
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a printer including a cartridge holder, a feeder, a printing head, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The cartridge holder is configured to attach and detach a medium cartridge having a print-receiving medium. The first sensor is configured to bring a detector into contact with the medium cartridge and thereby detect first information related to the print-receiving medium, based on a result of the contact. The second sensor is configured to project light to the medium cartridge and thereby detect second information related to the print-receiving medium, based on a result of light reception corresponding to the projected light. The first sensor and the second sensor are integrated as a sensor unit configured to perform an advancing/retreating motion toward/from the medium cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Tanizaki
  • Patent number: 10532583
    Abstract: A thermal-transfer printer, having a case, an ink ribbon supporting member, a movable member, a head holder, and an arm, is provided. When the movable member is at a first position, a first engageable portion in the head holder and a second engageable portion in the arm are separated. When the movable member is in transition from a first position to a second position, the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other, and the arm moves in conjunction with the movable member from a third position to a fourth position. A minimum distance between the first engageable portion and the movable member when the arm is at the fourth position is shorter than a minimum distance between those when the first engageable portion and the second engageable portion contact each other while the movable member is in transition from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Tanizaki, Yasuyuki Narumiya
  • Publication number: 20190366737
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first support portion, a second support portion movable in a moving direction of the second support portion toward and away from the first support portion, a movable probe movably supported by a detector, and a permission mechanism. The movable range consists of a first range and a second range. The permission mechanism is configured to permit the movable probe to move in accordance with the movement of the second support portion in the separating/approaching direction relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the first range, and is also configured to prevent the movable probe from moving irrespective of further movement of the second support portion relative to the first support portion in a case where the movement of the second support portion is within the second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Nobuo Kato, Masashi Tanizaki