Patents by Inventor Noriaki Okazawa

Noriaki Okazawa 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: 20230173821
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head including an ejecting surface configured to eject a liquid; a tank that reserves the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head; a circulating mechanism that executes a circulating operation to circulate the liquid between the liquid ejecting head and the tank; and a control unit that controls the circulating mechanism. The control unit executes a recording operation by the liquid ejecting head in a first posture in which the ejecting surface crosses a horizontal plane and executes the circulating operation in a second posture in which an angle made by the ejecting surface and the horizontal plane is smaller than the angle in the first posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki HAGIWARA, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Patent number: 10946656
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a flow path substrate, a first plate having a nozzle, and a second plate. A flow path substrate includes a first communication path which passes through a flow path substrate in a thickness direction and has an opening on each of a first plate side and a second plate side, and a second communication path communicating with an opening on a first plate side of a first communication path at a first plate side and extending on the second plate side. A pressure chamber communicating with a first communication path and a first flow path through which a liquid flows into a pressure chamber are formed by a part of a second plate and a part of a flow path substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Murayama, Yuma Fukuzawa, Shunya Fukuda, Kazuaki Uchida, Shunsuke Watanabe, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 10894400
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with pressure generating units for pressure chambers one of which is provided for each of a plurality of nozzles and drives the pressure generating units corresponding to liquid ejection requests which request liquid ejection from the nozzles while achieving supplying of a liquid to the pressure chambers and collection of the liquid which has passed through the pressure chambers. Accordingly, the liquid is ejected from the nozzles. Meanwhile, an occurrence of a fault in the liquid ejection is determined using a vibration transition of a residual vibration which occurs in the liquid of the pressure chambers according to a pressure change accompanying driving of the pressure generating units, and driving of the pressure generating unit of an ejection fault pressure chamber in which it is determined that a fault occurs in the liquid ejection is stopped spanning at least a fixed stopping period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Murayama, Shunya Fukuda, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 10889114
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit including at least one pressure chamber filled with a reactive ink, at least one nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber, a supply channel through which the reactive ink is supplied to the pressure chamber, and an elastic compliance film forming a portion of the supply channel; a piezoelectric element that changes a capacity of the pressure chamber when an electric signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element; and a flexible wiring substrate at which a signal wire for supplying the electric signal to a connection terminal of the piezoelectric element is formed. The elastic compliance film is formed of a para-aramid resin. The connection terminal and the signal wire are electrically connected to each other by solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Toshiki Usui
  • Patent number: 10857795
    Abstract: A head includes a flow path substrate including a flow path of the liquid in the flow path substrate, a nozzle plate which is attached to the flow path substrate and in which the nozzle is formed, a pressure chamber substrate that is attached to a location facing the nozzle plate with the flow path substrate interposed therebetween and that has a pressure chamber, and a pressure generation portion that operates according to an electrical signal from a wiring substrate coupled to an electrode provided on the pressure chamber substrate and that changes a pressure of the pressure chamber to eject the liquid from the nozzle, in which the nozzle plate and the wiring substrate are disposed such that the nozzle plate does not overlap a coupling portion between the wiring substrate and the electrode when viewed in a thickness direction of the flow path substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Murayama, Yuma Fukuzawa, Shunya Fukuda, Kazuaki Uchida, Shunsuke Watanabe, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 10850516
    Abstract: A head includes a first flow path forming member in which a first flow path communicating with a nozzle opening is formed, a sealing member which seals an opening of the first flow path, and a second flow path forming member which has a second flow path to supply a liquid to the first flow path. A communication portion of the first flow path communicates with a communication portion of the second flow path via a communication port of the sealing member interposed therebetween. The sealing member includes a diaphragm layer which forms one surface of the first flow path and a resin layer laminated on the diaphragm layer, and at least a part of an inside wall of the communication port is covered with a resin cover layer formed from a second resin different from a first resin which forms the resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Shunsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10703098
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle, a first individual flow path communicating with the pressure chamber, a second individual flow path communicating with the pressure chamber, a pressure generating unit changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber, and a control unit for driving the pressure generating unit. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid is supplied into the pressure chamber via one of the first individual flow path and the second individual flow path, and at least a part of the liquid supplied into the pressure chamber is discharged via the other. The control unit introduces air into the pressure chamber via the nozzle by driving the pressure generating unit, during a period in which the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Okazawa
  • Publication number: 20200101735
    Abstract: A head includes a first flow path forming member in which a first flow path communicating with a nozzle opening is formed, a sealing member which seals an opening of the first flow path, and a second flow path forming member which has a second flow path to supply a liquid to the first flow path. A communication portion of the first flow path communicates with a communication portion of the second flow path via a communication port of the sealing member interposed therebetween. The sealing member includes a diaphragm layer which forms one surface of the first flow path and a resin layer laminated on the diaphragm layer, and at least a part of an inside wall of the communication port is covered with a resin cover layer formed from a second resin different from a first resin which forms the resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Noriaki OKAZAWA, Shunsuke Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20200023643
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit including at least one pressure chamber filled with a reactive ink, at least one nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber, a supply channel through which the reactive ink is supplied to the pressure chamber, and an elastic compliance film forming a portion of the supply channel; a piezoelectric element that changes a capacity of the pressure chamber when an electric signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element; and a flexible wiring substrate at which a signal wire for supplying the electric signal to a connection terminal of the piezoelectric element is formed. The elastic compliance film is formed of a para-aramid resin. The connection terminal and the signal wire are electrically connected to each other by solder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Noriaki OKAZAWA, Toshiki USUI
  • Publication number: 20200001608
    Abstract: A head includes a flow path substrate including a flow path of the liquid in the flow path substrate, a nozzle plate which is attached to the flow path substrate and in which the nozzle is formed, a pressure chamber substrate that is attached to a location facing the nozzle plate with the flow path substrate interposed therebetween and that has a pressure chamber, and a pressure generation portion that operates according to an electrical signal from a wiring substrate coupled to an electrode provided on the pressure chamber substrate and that changes a pressure of the pressure chamber to eject the liquid from the nozzle, in which the nozzle plate and the wiring substrate are disposed such that the nozzle plate does not overlap a coupling portion between the wiring substrate and the electrode when viewed in a thickness direction of the flow path substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Toshiro MURAYAMA, Yuma FUKUZAWA, Shunya FUKUDA, Kazuaki UCHIDA, Shunsuke WATANABE, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20200001602
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a flow path substrate, a first plate having a nozzle, and a second plate. A flow path substrate includes a first communication path which passes through a flow path substrate in a thickness direction and has an opening on each of a first plate side and a second plate side, and a second communication path communicating with an opening on a first plate side of a first communication path at a first plate side and extending on the second plate side. A pressure chamber communicating with a first communication path and a first flow path through which a liquid flows into a pressure chamber are formed by a part of a second plate and a part of a flow path substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Toshiro MURAYAMA, Yuma FUKUZAWA, Shunya FUKUDA, Kazuaki UCHIDA, Shunsuke WATANABE, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20190291424
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle, a first individual flow path communicating with the pressure chamber, a second individual flow path communicating with the pressure chamber, a pressure generating unit changing a pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber, and a control unit for driving the pressure generating unit. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid is supplied into the pressure chamber via one of the first individual flow path and the second individual flow path, and at least a part of the liquid supplied into the pressure chamber is discharged via the other. The control unit introduces air into the pressure chamber via the nozzle by driving the pressure generating unit, during a period in which the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20190291411
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with pressure generating units for pressure chambers one of which is provided for each of a plurality of nozzles and drives the pressure generating units corresponding to liquid ejection requests which request liquid ejection from the nozzles while achieving supplying of a liquid to the pressure chambers and collection of the liquid which has passed through the pressure chambers. Accordingly, the liquid is ejected from the nozzles. Meanwhile, an occurrence of a fault in the liquid ejection is determined using a vibration transition of a residual vibration which occurs in the liquid of the pressure chambers according to a pressure change accompanying driving of the pressure generating units, and driving of the pressure generating unit of an ejection fault pressure chamber in which it is determined that a fault occurs in the liquid ejection is stopped spanning at least a fixed stopping period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Toshiro MURAYAMA, Shunya FUKUDA, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Patent number: 10131150
    Abstract: A liquid container into which ink is injected comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; and a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body. The liquid supply assembly has a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid supply port is formed to face in an intersecting direction that intersects with the direction of gravity and to be protruded in the intersecting direction from the one end portion when the liquid supply assembly is supported such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity. A liquid injection member is inserted into the liquid supply port, and the liquid is injected into the liquid container body. The liquid supply port is then arranged to be protruded in the intersecting direction, and the liquid injection member is detached from the liquid supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Hiroyuki Kawate, Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 9855754
    Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a liquid discharging portion that discharges liquid supplied from a liquid container; a container mounting portion in which the liquid container is detachably mounted; a connection portion in which a flow path for supplying liquid within the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion to the liquid discharging portion is formed; a sealing body that surrounds the connection portion in a plan view, and includes a contact surface in contact with the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion; and a holding portion that suppresses movement of the sealing body by being installed to overlap the contact surface in a plan view, in which the holding portion is not in contact with the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Okazawa, Koji Morikoshi
  • Publication number: 20170100940
    Abstract: A liquid container into which ink is injected comprises a liquid container body configured to contain a liquid therein; and a liquid supply assembly located on one end portion of the liquid container body. The liquid supply assembly has a liquid supply port provided to supply the liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid supply port is formed to face in an intersecting direction that intersects with the direction of gravity and to be protruded in the intersecting direction from the one end portion when the liquid supply assembly is supported such as to be located above the liquid container body in the direction of gravity. A liquid injection member is inserted into the liquid supply port, and the liquid is injected into the liquid container body. The liquid supply port is then arranged to be protruded in the intersecting direction, and the liquid injection member is detached from the liquid supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Taku ISHIZAWA, Hiroyuki KAWATE, Noriaki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170057234
    Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a liquid discharging portion that discharges liquid supplied from a liquid container; a container mounting portion in which the liquid container is detachably mounted; a connection portion in which a flow path for supplying liquid within the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion to the liquid discharging portion is formed; a sealing body that surrounds the connection portion in a plan view, and includes a contact surface in contact with the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion; and a holding portion that suppresses movement of the sealing body by being installed to overlap the contact surface in a plan view, in which the holding portion is not in contact with the liquid container mounted in the container mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Noriaki OKAZAWA, Koji MORIKOSHI
  • Patent number: 9475301
    Abstract: There is provided a protection member configured to protect a liquid supply unit air-tightly. A cartridge 100 has an ink supply port 112 formed in a bottom surface 101 and an air hole 128 formed in a top surface 102. A protection member 200 is configured to be attachable to the cartridge 100. The protection member 200 includes a film member 201 configured to seal the air hole 128, and a cap section 220 configured to seal the ink supply port 112. The cap section 220 has a columnar support portion 232 having an upper end surface 235 which the film member 201 is joined with. The columnar support portion 232 is provided in an area opposed to a left side surface 105 of the cartridge 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Noriaki Okazawa, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9399352
    Abstract: A technique that can restrict an arrangement angle of a liquid cartridge before use in a packaged state is provided. A packaging body 10 of a cartridge 100 includes a bag-shaped member 20 and a box-shaped member 30. The bag-shaped member 20 houses the cartridge 100. The box-shaped member 30 houses the cartridge 100 housed in the bag-shaped member 20. The cartridge 100 has an atmosphere introduction hole 125b capable of introducing the atmosphere to the inside, and the box-shaped member 30 has a first side wall portion 36 located at a position opposed to the atmosphere introduction hole 125b. The first side wall portion 36 has a first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b that intersect each other to constitute a projecting portion that projects outward. A third end side portion 23 of the bag-shaped member 20 is housed at a corner portion between the first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Noriaki Okazawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160016412
    Abstract: A technique that can restrict an arrangement angle of a liquid cartridge before use in a packaged state is provided. A packaging body 10 of a cartridge 100 includes a bag-shaped member 20 and a box-shaped member 30. The bag-shaped member 20 houses the cartridge 100. The box-shaped member 30 houses the cartridge 100 housed in the bag-shaped member 20. The cartridge 100 has an atmosphere introduction hole 125b capable of introducing the atmosphere to the inside, and the box-shaped member 30 has a first side wall portion 36 located at a position opposed to the atmosphere introduction hole 125b. The first side wall portion 36 has a first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b that intersect each other to constitute a projecting portion that projects outward. A third end side portion 23 of the bag-shaped member 20 is housed at a corner portion between the first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Noriaki Okazawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi