Patents by Inventor Masataka Kamiya

Masataka Kamiya 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: 20240100867
    Abstract: There is provided a tank including a liquid storage chamber and an outlet. The liquid storage chamber includes a base portion and a protruding portion, the base portion includes a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall which faces the first lateral wall in a left-right direction, the protruding portion protrudes from the second lateral wall in a direction away from the first lateral wall in the left-right direction, and the left-right direction is defined based on a usable posture in which the tank is disposed such that a lower surface of the liquid storage chamber is located below an upper surface of the liquid storage chamber. A distance between the outlet and the second lateral wall in the left-right direction is smaller than a distance between the outlet and the first lateral wall in the left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori IGARASHI, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Patent number: 11914317
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device configured to supply toner onto the photosensitive drum, a transfer device configured to transfer the toner supplied onto the photosensitive drum onto a sheet, a spraying device configured to spray a fixing liquid toward the sheet onto which the toner has been transferred, the spraying device including a housing configured to accommodate the fixing liquid and nozzles configured to spray the fixing liquid inside the housing, and a collecting device configured to collect the fixing liquid sprayed from the nozzles and did not adhere to the sheet. The collecting device includes a collection tray configured to accommodate the fixing liquid, a collection pipe connected to the collection tray and configured to allow the fixing liquid in the collection tray to pass therethrough, and a collection pump configured to send the fixing liquid in the collection pipe toward the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Kamiya, Yutaka Kakigahara, Satoshi Murata, Takashi Shimizu, Koya Morimoto, Masamitsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11886129
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a developing cartridge; a transfer unit; a solvent cartridge accommodating solvent for dissolving toner; an applicator applying the solvent to the toner on a sheet; and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are detachably attachable to the main casing independently of each other. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are positioned between the applicator and the cover in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the solvent cartridge is positioned closer to the applicator than the developing cartridge is to the applicator in a state where the developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Satoshi Murata, Masataka Kamiya, Masaaki Furukawa, Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Hideshi Nishiyama, Keita Shimizu, Keita Hironaka, Mariko Mogi, Naoya Kamimura, Kazuma Hinoue, Kouichi Sugimoto, Shinya Kusuda, Shunji Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 11787209
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a tank including a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, a liquid lead-out channel, and an atmosphere communication channel, a conveyance mechanism, a carriage, and a head. A lower end of the inlet is positioned at a lower side of the nozzles, and the liquid storage chamber is arranged at a position shifted from the nozzles, in a first-direction side of the front-rear direction, and shifted from the conveyance route, to a second-direction side of the left-right direction. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid outflow channel at a position on a lower side of a center in a up-down direction of the liquid storage chamber, and in the first direction from a center in the front-rear direction of the liquid storage chamber, and on the second-direction side of a center in the left-right direction of the liquid storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori Igarashi, Masataka Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20230236538
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a cover movable between a closed position and an open position; a fixing unit including a heating member and a pressure roller configured to form a nipping region therebetween; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a nipping pressure between the heating member and the pressure roller in conjunction with movement of the cover; and a link mechanism connected to both the adjustment mechanism and the cover. The adjustment mechanism includes an arm pressing the heating member such that the heating member and the pressure roller form the nipping region. The link mechanism includes: a first link connected to the cover; a second link connected to the first link and pivotally movable about an axis extending in a width direction; and a third link connected to both the second link and the adjustment mechanism. The third link is movable in a front-rear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka KAMIYA, Tomonori WATANABE, Saya MINOSHIMA, Tetsuya MORITA
  • Patent number: 11709449
    Abstract: A fixing device 9 includes a nozzle unit 9A and an opposite electrode 9B. The nozzle unit 9A sprays a fixing solution to a sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The opposite electrode 9B is located at an interval from the nozzle unit 9A. The opposite electrode 9B is applied with a voltage. The opposite electrode 9B has a first flat plate 31 and a plurality of first projections 32. The first flat plate 31 extends in a first direction. The plurality of first projections 32 extends from the first flat plate 31 in a second direction that is a direction facing from the opposite electrode 9B toward the nozzle unit 9A. The plurality of first projections 32 are aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kengo Takeda, Yutaka Kakigahara, Masamitsu Takahashi, Satoshi Murata, Masataka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 11635719
    Abstract: A fixing device 9 has a nozzle unit 9A. The nozzle unit 9A sprays the fixing solution to a sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The nozzle unit 9A has a housing 21, a nozzle electrode 23 and a plurality of nozzles 22. The plurality of nozzles 22 has a first nozzle 22A and a second nozzle 22B located at an interval from the first nozzle 22A in a first direction, and the nozzle electrode 23 is located inside the housing 21. The nozzle electrode 23 extends in the first direction. A length L1 of the nozzle electrode 23 in the first direction is greater than the interval between the first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Masamitsu Takahashi, Satoshi Murata, Kengo Takeda, Masataka Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20230020065
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device configured to supply toner onto the photosensitive drum, a transfer device configured to transfer the toner supplied onto the photosensitive drum onto a sheet, a spraying device configured to spray a fixing liquid toward the sheet onto which the toner has been transferred, the spraying device including a housing configured to accommodate the fixing liquid and nozzles configured to spray the fixing liquid inside the housing, and a collecting device configured to collect the fixing liquid sprayed from the nozzles and did not adhere to the sheet. The collecting device includes a collection tray configured to accommodate the fixing liquid, a collection pipe connected to the collection tray and configured to allow the fixing liquid in the collection tray to pass therethrough, and a collection pump configured to send the fixing liquid in the collection pipe toward the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka KAMIYA, Yutaka KAKIGAHARA, Satoshi MURATA, Takashi SHIMIZU, Koya MORIMOTO, Masamitsu TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20220221811
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a developing cartridge; a transfer unit; a solvent cartridge accommodating solvent for dissolving toner; an applicator applying the solvent to the toner on a sheet; and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are detachably attachable to the main casing independently of each other. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are positioned between the applicator and the cover in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the solvent cartridge is positioned closer to the applicator than the developing cartridge is to the applicator in a state where the developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is at the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka KAKIGAHARA, Satoshi MURATA, Masataka KAMIYA, Masaaki FURUKAWA, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Keita SHIMIZU, Keita HIRONAKA, Mariko MOGI, Naoya KAMIMURA, Kazuma HINOUE, Kouichi SUGIMOTO, Shinya KUSUDA, Shunji YOSHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220011699
    Abstract: A fixing device 9 includes a nozzle unit 9A and an opposite electrode 9B. The nozzle unit 9A sprays a fixing solution to a sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The opposite electrode 9B is located at an interval from the nozzle unit 9A. The opposite electrode 9B is applied with a voltage. The opposite electrode 9B has a first flat plate 31 and a plurality of first projections 32. The first flat plate 31 extends in a first direction. The plurality of first projections 32 extends from the first flat plate 31 in a second direction that is a direction facing from the opposite electrode 9B toward the nozzle unit 9A. The plurality of first projections 32 are aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Kengo TAKEDA, Yutaka KAKIGAHARA, Masamitsu TAKAHASHI, Satoshi MURATA, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20220011700
    Abstract: A fixing device 9 has a nozzle unit 9A. The nozzle unit 9A sprays the fixing solution to a sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The nozzle unit 9A has a housing 21, a nozzle electrode 23 and a plurality of nozzles 22. The plurality of nozzles 22 has a first nozzle 22A and a second nozzle 22B located at an interval from the first nozzle 22A in a first direction, and the nozzle electrode 23 is located inside the housing 21. The nozzle electrode 23 extends in the first direction. A length L1 of the nozzle electrode 23 in the first direction is greater than the interval between the first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Yutaka KAKIGAHARA, Masamitsu TAKAHASHI, Satoshi MURATA, Kengo TAKEDA, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20210252885
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a tank including a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, a liquid lead-out channel, and an atmosphere communication channel, a conveyance mechanism, a carriage, and a head. A lower end of the inlet is positioned at a lower side of the nozzles, and the liquid storage chamber is arranged at a position shifted from the nozzles, in a first-direction side of the front-rear direction, and shifted from the conveyance route, to a second-direction side of the left-right direction. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid outflow channel at a position on a lower side of a center in a up-down direction of the liquid storage chamber, and in the first direction from a center in the front-rear direction of the liquid storage chamber, and on the second-direction side of a center in the left-right direction of the liquid storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori IGARASHI, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Patent number: 10906339
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a tank including a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, a liquid lead-out channel, and an atmosphere communication channel, a conveyance mechanism, a carriage, and a head. A lower end of the inlet is positioned at a lower side of the nozzles, and the liquid storage chamber is arranged at a position shifted from the nozzles, in a first-direction side of the front-rear direction, and shifted from the conveyance route, to a second-direction side of the left-right direction. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid outflow channel at a position on a lower side of a center in a up-down direction of the liquid storage chamber, and in the first direction from a center in the front-rear direction of the liquid storage chamber, and on the second-direction side of a center in the left-right direction of the liquid storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori Igarashi, Masataka Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20200039258
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a tank including a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, a liquid lead-out channel, and an atmosphere communication channel, a conveyance mechanism, a carriage, and a head. A lower end of the inlet is positioned at a lower side of the nozzles, and the liquid storage chamber is arranged at a position shifted from the nozzles, in a first-direction side of the front-rear direction, and shifted from the conveyance route, to a second-direction side of the left-right direction. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid outflow channel at a position on a lower side of a center in a up-down direction of the liquid storage chamber, and in the first direction from a center in the front-rear direction of the liquid storage chamber, and on the second-direction side of a center in the left-right direction of the liquid storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori IGARASHI, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Patent number: 10493768
    Abstract: A tank is configured to be installed in a liquid consuming apparatus having a liquid consuming unit. The tank includes: a casing having a first partition wall defining a first storage chamber configured to store liquid and a second partition wall defining a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid. The casing is formed with: an inlet provided to inject the liquid into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; a communication port communicating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; an atmosphere opening port communicating the second storage chamber and the outside of the tank; and a liquid outflow port through which the liquid stored in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber flows out toward the liquid consuming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Taichi Shirono, Masako Kawagoe, Yoshinori Osakabe, Masataka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10384480
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus which includes a tank including a liquid storage chamber, an inlet, a liquid lead-out channel, and an atmosphere communication channel, a conveyance mechanism, a carriage, and a head. A lower end of the inlet is positioned at a lower side of the nozzles, and the liquid storage chamber is arranged at a position shifted from the nozzles, in a first-direction side of the front-rear direction, and shifted from the conveyance route, to a second-direction side of the left-right direction. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid outflow channel at a position on a lower side of a center in a up-down direction of the liquid storage chamber, and in the first direction from a center in the front-rear direction of the liquid storage chamber, and on the second-direction side of a center in the left-right direction of the liquid storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori Igarashi, Masataka Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20190077161
    Abstract: A tank is configured to be installed in a liquid consuming apparatus having a liquid consuming unit. The tank includes: a casing having a first partition wall defining a first storage chamber configured to store liquid and a second partition wall defining a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid. The casing is formed with: an inlet provided to inject the liquid into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; a communication port communicating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; an atmosphere opening port communicating the second storage chamber and the outside of the tank; and a liquid outflow port through which the liquid stored in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber flows out toward the liquid consuming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Taichi SHIRONO, Masako KAWAGOE, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Masataka KAMIYA
  • Patent number: 10155392
    Abstract: A sealing member for an ink container includes a main body portion and a protruding portion. The ink container includes a refill port. The main body portion is configured to seal the refill port. The protruding portion is disposed on an upper surface of the main body portion and protrudes from the upper surface of the main body portion. The protruding portion extends at least through a central axis of the main body portion. A center of gravity of the protruding portion is offset from the central axis of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masataka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 10131151
    Abstract: An ink container for an inkjet printer includes an ink containing portion. The ink containing portion contains ink and includes an upper surface including a placing portion, a refill port disposed on the upper surface, and a sealing member. The sealing member includes a sealing portion located at the center and an outer peripheral portion located at the outer periphery. An outer diameter of the sealing portion matches with an inner diameter of the refill port. The placing portion further includes a first recess portion and a positioning portion extending in a circumferential direction of the first recess portion. The first recess portion is configured to receive the sealing member and not to contact the sealing portion. The positioning portion includes a restricting portion configured to reduce horizontal movement of the outer peripheral portion and a supporting portion configured to vertically support the outer peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Kamiya, Seiji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10124594
    Abstract: A tank is configured to be installed in a liquid consuming apparatus having a liquid consuming unit. The tank includes: a casing having a first partition wall defining a first storage chamber configured to store liquid and a second partition wall defining a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid. The casing is formed with: an inlet provided to inject the liquid into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; a communication port communicating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; an atmosphere opening port communicating the second storage chamber and the outside of the tank; and a liquid outflow port through which the liquid stored in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber flows out toward the liquid consuming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Taichi Shirono, Masako Kawagoe, Yoshinori Osakabe, Masataka Kamiya