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).

  • Patent number: 10696056
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid chamber with a liquid outlet configured to supply the liquid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber. An actuator is movable between a first position in which the liquid outlet is closed, and a second position in which the liquid outlet is open. A detector is positioned in the chamber, and is movable from a restricted position to a released position in response to movement of the actuator from the first to the second position. The detector is movable from the released position to the restricted position in response to movement of the actuator from the second to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Nukui, Suguru Tomoguchi, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Hiroaki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20200180318
    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: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: 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: 10654281
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge body accommodating a reservoir; a liquid-supply part; a movable member movably supported by the cartridge body; an urging member provided on the movable member; and a contact member provided at a surface of the reservoir. The movable member includes a detected part movable from a first position, to a second position rearward of the first position, and to a third position rearward of the second position, the detected part at the first position and at the second position being positioned higher relative to the cartridge body. The urging member is resiliently deformable, the urging member in a deformed state being deformed to urge the detected part toward the third position. The contact member can contact the movable member, the contact member in contact with the movable member restricting the detected part at the second position from moving to the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10618294
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid supply port configured to provide communication between an interior and an exterior of the liquid cartridge, a first wall having the liquid supply port, and a second wall spaced from the first wall. A first storage chamber is between the first and second walls, and a second storage chamber is between the first and second walls communicating with both the liquid supply port and the first storage chamber. A prism is in the second storage chamber, and the prism has an inclined surface configured to change the state of received light in response to a level of liquid contained in the second storage chamber. The prism is positioned between the first and second walls and above the first storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10596819
    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: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: 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: 10549540
    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 lower face, and the lower face includes a first portion and a second portion which are positioned further in the second direction than the pivot center. The second portion is positioned further in the second direction than the first portion and is positioned further in the upward direction than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Naoya Okazaki, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Publication number: 20200031132
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid supply tube, a sealing member, and a cap. The sealing member seals an opening of the liquid supply tube. The sealing member includes a cylindrical portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a third protrusion. The first protrusion protrudes radially inward. The first protrusion has a first protruding end defining a first sealing surface facing an axis of the cylindrical portion. The second protrusion protrudes radially outward to have a second protruding end in a direction away from the axis. The second protrusion has a second sealing surface in contact with the liquid supply tube. The third protrusion protrudes along the axis to have a third protruding end. The third protrusion has a contacting surface inclined relative to the axis to face the axis. The contacting surface is in contact with the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihito ONO, Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Toshio SUGIURA, Yuji KOGA
  • Patent number: 10493765
    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: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    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: 10479099
    Abstract: A system includes a cartridge attachment section and a cartridge attachable to the cartridge attachment section. The cartridge includes a board supporting portion supporting a board provided with an electrical interface. The cartridge attachment section includes a slider having a first wall, a second wall and an electrical contact. During insertion of the cartridge, the slider is moved from a second posture where the electrical contact separates from the electrical interface into a first posture where the electrical contact contacts the electrical interface. Upon completion of attachment of the cartridge, the first wall and the second wall are received respectively in a first space and a second space defined between the cartridge and the cartridge attachment section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10479095
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion having a front end part of a liquid supply hole; a front wall and a rear wall away from the front wall in a rearward direction; a bottom wall extending between the front and the rear walls; a sub front wall; and a sub bottom wall extending between the front wall and the sub front wall. The sub front wall faces frontward and is positioned closer to the front wall than to the rear wall. The sub bottom wall is positioned upward relative to the liquid supply portion. The front wall is positioned frontward relative to the front end part of the liquid supply hole. The front wall has a length in an upward direction longer than a length of the sub front wall in the upward direction in an upright posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Fumio Nakazawa, Hiroaki Takahashi, Akihito Ono, Takahiro Miyao, Suguru Tomoguchi, Kosuke Nukui, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10391778
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and an urging member. An internal pressure of the chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the chamber. The deformable member protrudes from the casing in a cross direction crossing forward and rearward directions and has an internal space in communication with the chamber. The deformable member has such an elasticity that a dimension thereof in the cross direction becomes smaller as the internal pressure of the chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion, and a contact portion contacting the deformable member. The contact portion is in contact with the deformable member and disposed at one of positions further forward and further rearward relative to the deformable member. The urging member urges the movable member to move the contact portion toward the deformable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Akihito Ono, Yuki Takagi, Kosuke Nukui, Mikio Hirano
  • Patent number: 10384460
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and a support member. The liquid chamber is configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the liquid chamber. The liquid supply portion allows liquid in the liquid chamber to flow out of the liquid chamber. The deformable member protrudes further upward relative to an upper surface of the casing. The deformable member has an internal space in communication with the liquid chamber. The deformable member is elastically deformable such that a volume of the internal space is reduced as the internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion movable in upward and downward directions in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformable member. The support member supports the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10384456
    Abstract: A system includes a cartridge and an attachment section to which the cartridge is detachably attachable. The cartridge includes a board supporting portion; a board supported at the board supporting portion; and an electrical interface mounted on the board. The attachment section includes: a contact movable between a contact position and a non-contact position; a first wall; and a second wall movable between a first position allowing the contact to be moved to the contact position and a second position placing the contact at the non-contact position. In a state where the cartridge is completely attached to the attachment section, the cartridge provides a first space receiving the first wall and a second space receiving the second wall at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Naoya Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20190217625
    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: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20190217626
    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: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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: 10239322
    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: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Publication number: 20190084310
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a liquid supply port configured to provide communication between an interior and an exterior of the liquid cartridge, a first wall having the liquid supply port, and a second wall spaced from the first wall. A first storage chamber is between the first and second walls, and a second storage chamber is between the first and second walls communicating with both the liquid supply port and the first storage chamber. A prism is in the second storage chamber, and the prism has an inclined surface configured to change the state of received light in response to a level of liquid contained in the second storage chamber. The prism is positioned between the first and second walls and above the first storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Naoya Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20190084312
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge body accommodating a reservoir; a liquid-supply part; a movable member movably supported by the cartridge body; an urging member provided on the movable member; and a contact member provided at a surface of the reservoir. The movable member includes a detected part movable from a first position, to a second position rearward of the first position, and to a third position rearward of the second position, the detected part at the first position and at the second position being positioned higher relative to the cartridge body. The urging member is resiliently deformable, the urging member in a deformed state being deformed to urge the detected part toward the third position. The contact member can contact the movable member, the contact member in contact with the movable member restricting the detected part at the second position from moving to the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Patent number: 10232631
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 10226935
    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: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Naoya Okazaki, Tomohiro Kanbe