Patents by Inventor Naoya Okazaki

Naoya Okazaki 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: 20230062535
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid container including: a main body having an internal space configured to store liquid to be supplied to a tank of a liquid consuming apparatus; and a cap configured to be attached to the main body. The main body has: an upper surface, a nozzle projecting upward from the upper surface and having an opening formed in a forward end surface of the nozzle, and a circular wall positioned in a surrounding of the nozzle with a spacing distance with respect to the nozzle, and projecting upward from the upper surface; and a key member corresponding to a receiver key member provided on surrounding of a respective supply port of the tank. The cap has a circular contacting part configured to liquid-tightly make contact with the circular wall in an attached state in which the cap is attached to the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Nanami ABE, Masahiro HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20230066248
    Abstract: A liquid containment bottle includes: a bottle body defining an internal space configured to contain liquid; and a cap configured to be attached to the bottle body. The bottle body has: a base end surface, a nozzle projecting from the base end surface in a first direction, and a circular wall positioned in a surrounding of the nozzle and projecting from the base end surface in the first direction. The nozzle has: a forward end surface formed with an opening through which the liquid in the internal space flows out, a seat surface located at a position which is closer to the circular wall than the forward end surface, and which is closer to the internal space than the forward end surface in the first direction, and a groove formed in the seat surface and having an end part connected to a space between the nozzle and the circular wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: NAOYA OKAZAKI, SATORU OKI, NANAMI ABE, MASAHIRO HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11584133
    Abstract: An ink tank includes: a first liquid storage chamber; a second liquid storage chamber communicating with the first liquid storage chamber through a communication passage; an injector having an opening supplying liquid to the first liquid storage chamber; a cap movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the injector; a slide member which is inserted so as to be vertically movable with respect to the opening of the injector, the slide member being moved downward by the cap in the closed position; a valve body which is vertically movably inserted in the communication passage and includes a first sealing member opening the communication passage by moving downward together with the slide member moved downward by the cap in the closed position; and an urging member always urging the valve body upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumio Nakazawa, Yoshinori Osakabe, Naoya Okazaki, Satoru Oki, Masahiro Hayashi, Nanami Ashida
  • Publication number: 20230040063
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a case, a liquid supply portion, a circuit board, a residual-amount detecting portion, a base surface, and a plate member. The residual-amount detecting portion includes an optical access portion accessible by light traveling in a left-right direction. The optical access portion has a portion positioned above and away from electrodes of the circuit board by a first distance in an attached posture. The plate member extends frontward from the base surface, and provides a light-shielding region and a light-transmissive region. The light-shielding region is positioned rearward of the electrodes and frontward of the residual-amount detecting portion. The light-transmissive region is positioned rearward of the light-shielding region and frontward of the residual-amount detecting portion. Each of the light-transmissive region and the light-transmissive region has a portion positioned above and away from the electrodes by the first distance in the attached posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru OKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ABE, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230045115
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a case, a liquid supplying portion, a circuit board, a plate member, and a residual-amount detecting portion. The plate member is positioned rearward and above electrodes of the circuit board in an attached posture. The residual-amount detecting portion includes an optical access portion configured to receive light traveling in a left-right direction. The plate member is movable between a first position and a second position. At the first position, a portion of the plate member is positioned frontward of the optical access portion and upward of the electrode group. At the second position, a front end of the plate member is positioned closer to the residual-amount detecting portion than at the first position. The plate member at the first position and the residual-amount detecting portion define therebetween in the front-rear direction a light transmissive region whose light transmittance is higher than the plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru OKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ABE, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230040367
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge case defining a liquid storage chamber; a liquid supply portion provided at the cartridge case; a residual-amount detecting portion configured to change a state of incident light according to an amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber; and a plate member. The residual-amount detecting portion includes an optical access portion accessible by light traveling in a left-right direction in an attached posture of the liquid cartridge. The plate member is positioned above the liquid storage chamber and frontward of the optical access portion in the attached posture. The plate member is pivotable between a first position and a second position about an axis extending in an up-down direction. In the attached posture of the liquid cartridge, the plate member extends in a front-rear direction at the first position, and extends in a direction crossing the front-rear direction at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru OKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ABE, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230045050
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge case defining therein a liquid storage chamber; a liquid supply portion; a circuit board; a plate member; and a residual-amount detecting portion. The residual-amount detecting portion is configured to change a state of incident light according to an amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and includes an optical access portion on which light traveling in a left-right direction is incident. The plate member is pivotally movable between: a first posture where a portion of the plate member is positioned upward relative to the optical access portion; and a second posture where the plate member is positioned downward relative to the optical access portion. The plate member in the first posture and the residual-amount detecting portion define a light transmissive region therebetween in the front-rear direction. The light transmissive region has a light transmittance greater than that of the plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru OKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ABE, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220402274
    Abstract: A tank includes: a tank body defining a storage chamber; a recessed portion provided at the tank body; a slider positioned in the recessed portion; a fitting portion provided at the slider; and a sealing member. The recessed portion has an injection opening in communication with the storage chamber, and a connection opening through which a liquid container is connectable. The slider includes a nozzle extending toward the connection opening in an extending direction and having a communication opening communicable with the injection opening. The slider is movable toward and away from the connection opening in the extending direction while rotating relative to the recessed portion. The fitting portion can be fitted with the liquid container. The sealing member can provide a liquid tight sealing to a gap between the slider and the recessed portion, and allow liquid flow between the communication opening and the injection opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Nanami ABE
  • Publication number: 20220305799
    Abstract: There is provides liquid discharging apparatus including: head having nozzle; reservoir configured to store the liquid such that liquid surface is positioned higher than opening of the nozzle in a state that the reservoir stores the liquid of maximum storable amount; and atmosphere port connecting gas layer and outside of the reservoir. Inner diameter d of the nozzle and head difference h satisfy expression of ?hd /?cos??4/g, provided that p is specific weight of the liquid, ? is surface tension of the liquid, ? is contact angle of the liquid in the nozzle and g is gravitational acceleration, the head difference h being difference in height between meniscus in the opening of the nozzle and the liquid surface in the state that the reservoir stores the liquid of the maximum storable amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: FUMIO NAKAZAWA, YOSHINORI OSAKABE, HIROYUKI ISHIKAWA, YUJI KOGA, NAOYA OKAZAKI, AKIRA IRIGUCHI, SHINGO ITO, TOSHIO SUGIURA
  • Patent number: 11453221
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Naoya Okazaki, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Publication number: 20220274410
    Abstract: An ink injection cylinder includes a first flow path tube and a second flow path tube extending in a longitudinal direction. The first flow path tube has a first opening on one side in the longitudinal direction, a second opening on another side in the longitudinal direction, and a first flow path formed between the first and second openings. The second flow path tube has a third opening on the one side in the longitudinal direction, a fourth opening on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and a second flow path formed between the third and fourth openings. At least one of a first virtual plane including at least a portion of an end surface of the second opening and a second virtual plane including at least a portion of an end surface of the fourth opening intersects with a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori OSAKABE, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoshi MIYASE, Hikaru TAMURA, Akinari ISHIBE, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Taichi SHIRONO, Tsuyoshi KUWAYAMA, Masahiro HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20220274413
    Abstract: A printing liquid container includes first and second members having a supply port and a valve, respectively. The members rotate with respect to each other between first and second states. The valve closes and opens the supply port in the first and second states, respectively. The first and second members have first and second fitting portions, respectively. The fitting portions fit to a fitted portion of a tank in the first state. The second fitting portion allows rotation of the second member with respect to the fitted portion when the first fitting portion are fitted to the fitting portion. The first member does not rotate together with the second member due to fitting between the fitted portion and the first fitting portion. The second member cannot be removed from the fitted portion due to fitting of the second fitting portion to the fitted portion in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Satoru OKI, Nanami ASHIDA, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220274416
    Abstract: A printing liquid container fits to one of first and second tanks each including a fitted portion. The printing liquid container includes a first member having a supply port, and a second member having a valve configured to open or close the supply port. The first member and the second member are rotatable with respect to each other between a first state and a second state. The valve closes the supply port in the first state and opens the supply port in the second state. The first member has a fitting portion configured to fit to the fitted portion. The second member is rotatable with respect to the fitted portion when at least a portion of the second member is inserted into the fitted portion. The first member does not rotate by the rotation of the second member due to the fitting between the fitted portion and the fitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Satoru OKI, Nanami ASHIDA, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220097391
    Abstract: An ink tank includes: a first liquid storage chamber; a second liquid storage chamber communicating with the first liquid storage chamber through a communication passage; an injector having an opening supplying liquid to the first liquid storage chamber; a cap movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the injector; a slide member which is inserted so as to be vertically movable with respect to the opening of the injector, the slide member being moved downward by the cap in the closed position; a valve body which is vertically movably inserted in the communication passage and includes a first sealing member opening the communication passage by moving downward together with the slide member moved downward by the cap in the closed position; and an urging member always urging the valve body upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumio NAKAZAWA, Yoshinori OSAKABE, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ASHIDA
  • Publication number: 20220016897
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing having a liquid storage chamber; a first wall; a second wall; and an air communication passage. The first wall is positioned upward relative to the liquid storage chamber. The second wall is positioned upward relative to the first wall. The air communication passage has a first communication hole in communication with the liquid storage chamber and a communication opening open to an atmosphere. The air communication passage includes: an air chamber defined by the first wall and the second wall and in communication with the liquid storage chamber through the first communication hole; a second communication hole formed in the second wall; and a labyrinth path. The labyrinth path is positioned upward relative to the air chamber, and has one end in communication with the second communication hole and another end in communication with the communication opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Takahiro MIYAO, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Naoya OKAZAKI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroshi TAIRA, Toyonori SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20210291542
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Patent number: 11077669
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing having a liquid storage chamber; a first wall; a second wall; and an air communication passage. The first wall is positioned upward relative to the liquid storage chamber. The second wall is positioned upward relative to the first wall. The air communication passage has a first communication hole in communication with the liquid storage chamber and a communication opening open to an atmosphere. The air communication passage includes: an air chamber defined by the first wall and the second wall and in communication with the liquid storage chamber through the first communication hole; a second communication hole formed in the second wall; and a labyrinth path. The labyrinth path is positioned upward relative to the air chamber, and has one end in communication with the second communication hole and another end in communication with the communication opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Takahiro Miyao, Fumio Nakazawa, Naoya Okazaki, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroshi Taira, Toyonori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10960676
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Publication number: 20210031535
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Patent number: 10759177
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Naoya Okazaki, Tomohiro Kanbe