Patents by Inventor Mutsuhiko Ota
Mutsuhiko Ota 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).
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Patent number: 7402256Abstract: A method for producing a liquid-jet head comprises the steps of: forming a vibration plate and piezoelectric elements on one surface of a passage-forming substrate, and removing the vibration plate in a region to be a communicating portion, thereby forming an exposed portion; forming a wiring layer on the passage-forming substrate within the exposed portion, and forming lead electrodes; bonding a reservoir forming plate to the one surface of the passage-forming substrate; wet-etching the passage-forming substrate at the other surface thereof to form pressure generating chambers and the communicating portion; forming a liquid-resistant protective film on inner surfaces of the pressure generating chambers and the communicating portion; removing the protective film within the exposed portion; and performing wet etching on the communicating portion side to remove the wiring layer, thereby establishing communication between a reservoir portion and the communicating portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Akira Matsuzawa, Mutsuhiko Ota
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Publication number: 20080094441Abstract: Provided is an alignment apparatus for a liquid-jet head which includes a nozzle plate, a fixation member, a transparent mask, chucks, and an alignment mechanism. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle orifice for injecting a liquid for the liquid-jet head, and a first and a second alignment marks to be used in an aligning operation. Each of the alignment marks is formed in each of two end portions in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate. The fixation member holds the nozzle-plate side of each of a plurality of liquid-jet heads. The fixation member and the nozzle plate are positioned relative to each other and joined together by use of the alignment apparatus for the liquid-jet head. The transparent mask includes a first and a second reference marks with which the first and the second alignment marks are to be aligned respectively. The chucks are brought into contact respectively with two end surfaces in the longitudinal direction of each liquid-jet head, and thus hold the liquid-jet head.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takuma OKAMURO, Motonori Okumura, Mutsuhiko Ota, Kazutoshi Goto, Isao Yanagisawa, Yasuo Inaoka
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Publication number: 20080068610Abstract: An adjusting unit for making positional adjustment of the optical axis adjustment mask, based on the observation by the one optical unit, such that the reference mark at the one location or the other location and the optical axis adjusting alignment mark corresponding positionally thereto are superposed, and for making optical axis adjustment of the other optical axis, based on the observation by the other optical unit, such that the reference mark at the one location or the other location and the optical axis adjusting alignment mark corresponding positionally thereto are superposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takuma OKAMURO, Motonori OKUMURA, Mutsuhiko OTA, Kazutoshi GOTO, Isao YANAGISAWA, Yasuo INAOKA
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Publication number: 20080062436Abstract: The invention provides a liquid ejecting head alignment apparatus that is used for positional determination and adhesion of nozzle plates and a fixation member, each of the nozzle plates having nozzle openings through which each of a plurality of liquid ejecting heads ejects liquid and further having alignment marks for positional alignment, the fixation member holding the nozzle-plate side of the plurality of liquid ejecting heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuo INAOKA, Motonori OKUMURA, Mutsuhiko OTA, Kazutoshi GOTO, Isao YANAGISAWA, Takuma OKAMURO
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Publication number: 20080062420Abstract: An alignment apparatus, which is used when positioning and joining a plurality of workpieces relative to each other, each workpiece having a plurality of alignment marks for alignment, the alignment apparatus includes: a transparent mask provided with reference marks with which the alignment marks are aligned; a mirror disposed between the mask and the workpiece; an optical unit having an optical axis pointed in a direction of the mirror via the reference mark from a side of the mask opposite to the mirror, the optical unit enabling the reference mark and a virtual image of the reference mark reflected in the mirror to be observed simultaneously; and an adjusting unit for making optical axis adjustment of the optical axis, based on the observation by the optical unit, such that a real image of the reference mark and the virtual image of the reference mark reflected in the mirror are superposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Takuma OKAMURO, Motonori OKUMURA, Mutsuhiko OTA, Kazutoshi GOTO, Isao YANAGISAWA, Yasuo INAOKA
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Publication number: 20080062225Abstract: A liquid ejecting head that includes a fluid channel formation substrate and pressure generation units. The fluid channel formation substrate is made of a silicon single crystal substrate having a crystal face orientation of. The fluid channel formation substrate has a plurality of separate flow channels that include at least pressure generation chambers demarcated by partition walls, each of the pressure generation chambers being in communication with a nozzle opening that ejects liquid drops. The fluid channel formation substrate further has a communication portion that is in communication with each of the separate flow channels. The pressure generation units are provided so as to correspond to the pressure generation chambers and generate a pressure change in the pressure generation chambers so as to cause ejection of liquid drops.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Akira MATSUZAWA, Mutsuhiko OTA, Tetsushi TAKAHASHI, Yasuyuki MATSUMOTO
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Patent number: 7318277Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid jet head includes the steps of: forming a piezoelectric element on one plane of a passage-forming substrate with a vibration plate interposed therebetween, and removing the vibration plate in an area where a communicating portion is formed, thus forming a penetrated hole; forming a predetermined metal layer on the one plane of the passage-forming substrate on which the piezoelectric element is formed to seal the penetrated hole with the metal layer, and patterning the metal layer in an area corresponding to the piezoelectric element, thus forming a lead electrode; adhering a reservoir-forming plate, in which a reservoir portion is formed, to the one plane of the passage-forming substrate; wet-etching the passage-forming substrate from the other plane thereof until the vibration plate and the metal layer are exposed, thus forming a pressure generating chamber and the communicating portion; and removing the metal layer by etching to allow the reservoir portion and the communicType: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Tatsuro Torimoto, Akira Matsuzawa, Mutsuhiko Ota, Tetsushi Takahashi
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Publication number: 20070195138Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuhiko OTA, Yukiharu SUDA, Hisashi KOIKE, Satoshi SHINADA, Michinari TSUKAHARA, Hisashi MIYAZAWA, Yasuto SAKAI
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Publication number: 20070132817Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuhiko OTA, Yukiharu SUDA, Hisashi KOIKE, Satoshi SHINADA, Michinari TSUKAHARA, Hisashi MIYAZAWA, Yasuto SAKAI
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Publication number: 20070132818Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuhiko OTA, Yukiharu SUDA, Hisashi KOIKE, Satoshi SHINADA, Michinari TSUKAHARA, Hisashi MIYAZAWA, Yasuto SAKAI
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Publication number: 20070132816Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuhiko OTA, Yukiharu SUDA, Hisashi KOIKE, Satoshi SHINADA, Michinari TSUKAHARA, Hisashi MIYAZAWA, Yasuto SAKAI
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Patent number: 7165835Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Mutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara, Hisashi Miyazawa, Yasuto Sakai
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Publication number: 20060250456Abstract: Included are the steps of: forming piezoelectric elements on a surface of a passage-forming substrate with a vibration plate in between, and forming a penetrating portion by removing an area in the vibration plate, which area will serve as a communicating portion; forming lead electrodes and sealing up the penetrating portion with an interconnect layer; joining a reservoir forming plate to a surface of a passage-forming substrate; forming liquid passages by wet-etching; forming protection films on inner surfaces of the liquid passages; detaching and removing a protection film on an interconnect layer; and causing a reservoir portion and a communicating portion to communicate with each other by removing a corresponding part of the interconnect layer, and in accordance with the manufacturing method, while the liquid passages are being formed, the communicating portion is formed in a way that an edge of an opening of the vibration plate is located outside an edge of an opening which is close to the penetrating pType: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Inventors: Akira Matsuzawa, Mutsuhiko Ota
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Publication number: 20060064873Abstract: A method for producing a liquid-jet head comprises the steps of: forming a vibration plate and piezoelectric elements on one surface of a passage-forming substrate, and removing the vibration plate in a region to be a communicating portion, thereby forming an exposed portion; forming a wiring layer on the passage-forming substrate within the exposed portion, and forming lead electrodes; bonding a reservoir forming plate to the one surface of the passage-forming substrate; wet-etching the passage-forming substrate at the other surface thereof to form pressure generating chambers and the communicating portion; forming a liquid-resistant protective film on inner surfaces of the pressure generating chambers and the communicating portion; removing the protective film within the exposed portion; and performing wet etching on the communicating portion side to remove the wiring layer, thereby establishing communication between a reservoir portion and the communicating portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Akira Matsuzawa, Mutsuhiko Ota
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Publication number: 20050262691Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid jet head includes the steps of: forming a piezoelectric element on one plane of a passage-forming substrate with a vibration plate interposed therebetween, and removing the vibration plate in an area where a communicating portion is formed, thus forming a penetrated hole; forming a predetermined metal layer on the one plane of the passage-forming substrate on which the piezoelectric element is formed to seal the penetrated hole with the metal layer, and patterning the metal layer in an area corresponding to the piezoelectric element, thus forming a lead electrode; adhering a reservoir-forming plate, in which a reservoir portion is formed, to the one plane of the passage-forming substrate; wet-etching the passage-forming substrate from the other plane thereof until the vibration plate and the metal layer are exposed, thus forming a pressure generating chamber and the communicating portion; and removing the metal layer by etching to allow the reservoir portion and the communicType: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: Tatsuro Torimoto, Akira Matsuzawa, Mutsuhiko Ota, Tetsushi Takahashi
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Patent number: 6966638Abstract: An ink cartridge has a container main body [2] having a through hole [60] for making an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber [501] to communicate with each other, and an atmospheric open valve [601] having a valve body [65] capable of opening and closing the through hole [60] of the container main body [2] and an elastic member [62] capable of pressing the valve body [65] in a closed direction. In an assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve [601] in the atmospheric open chamber [501], the valve body [65] is placed at such a position blocking the opening of the through hole [60], the elastic member [62] is positioned in the atmospheric open chamber [501] as a bend piece shaped like < is expanded, and the elastic member [62] in the positioned state presses at one end part the valve body [65] in the closed direction and is fixed at an opposite end part to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber [501].Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Mutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara, Hisashi Miyazawa
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Publication number: 20050195247Abstract: A wire bonding method for connecting a bonding wire comprised of gold to a bonding pad comprises pressing the bonding wire against the bonding pad under a load of 78.4×10?3 N or less, while heating the bonding wire at a temperature of 100° C. or lower, and applying ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 100 to 120 KHz and an amplitude of 0.5 to 6 ?m, thereby connecting the bonding wire to the bonding pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2005Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventors: Isao Yanagisawa, Mutsuhiko Ota
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Patent number: 6926396Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a vessel main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and an ink end chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,) communicating with the ink tank chamber 11 and leading to the head. The vessel main body 2 is formed with a first opening 85 communicating with the ink tank chamber 11 and a second opening 86 communicating with the ink end chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Mutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara, Hisashi Miyazawa
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Patent number: 6786583Abstract: An ink cartridge storage structure and method provide consistent print density and quality by mixing the ink when the cartridge is removed from the packaging and installed to a printer for use. An ink-filled ink cartridge with an ink supply port installable to the head of a printer is stored inside an individual box made to hold the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is stored inside the individual box so that the ink supply port is at the top when the box is in the normal upright position.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Mutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara
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Publication number: 20030085967Abstract: An ink cartridge storage structure and method provide consistent print density and quality by mixing the ink when the cartridge is removed from the packaging and installed to a printer for use. An ink-filled ink cartridge with an ink supply port installable to the head of a printer is stored inside an individual box made to hold the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is stored inside the individual box so that the ink supply port is at the top when the box is in the normal upright position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara