Patents by Inventor Norihiro Yamashita

Norihiro Yamashita 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: 8678690
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamashita, Eiji Kumai, Yuta Tsukada, Shoji Akatsu
  • Publication number: 20130307894
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a roller and a control device. The roller is configured and arranged to convey a recording medium. The control device is configured and arranged to set a pressure load of the roller contacting with the recording medium. The control device is configured and arranged to set the pressure load of the roller to a first pressure load when the recording medium is conveyed, and to set the pressure load of the roller to a second pressure load which is lower than the first pressure load when the recording medium is not conveyed while the roller is in contact with the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro YAMASHITA, Hideo MIKURIYA
  • Publication number: 20130251435
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro YAMASHITA, Eiji KUMAI, Yuta TSUKADA, Shoji AKATSU
  • Patent number: 8517497
    Abstract: A recording device includes a conveying device configured to convey a recording medium to a recording performing region. The conveying device includes a pair of rollers and a pressure device configured to press one of the rollers into the other one of the rollers. The conveying device is configured so that a recording medium sandwiched in the rollers is conveyed by rotating at least one of the rollers, and the pressure device has a pressure load switching mechanism configured to switch a pressure load of the rollers to between a first pressure load and a second pressure load which is lower than the first pressure load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamashita, Hideo Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 8459887
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Yamashita, Eiji Kumai, Yuta Tsukada, Shoji Akatsu
  • Publication number: 20110221817
    Abstract: A recording device includes a conveying device configured to convey a recording medium to a recording performing region. The conveying device includes a pair of rollers and a pressure device configured to press one of the rollers into the other one of the rollers. The conveying device is configured so that a recording medium sandwiched in the rollers is conveyed by rotating at least one of the rollers, and the pressure device has a pressure load switching mechanism configured to switch a pressure load of the rollers to between a first pressure load and a second pressure load which is lower than the first pressure load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro YAMASHITA, Hideo MIKURIYA
  • Patent number: 8016502
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a medium supporting surface that supports a recording medium being transported, and a cutter carriage that has a cutter blade for cutting the recording medium and that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium. An opening that forms a passage region for the cutter carriage is provided in the medium supporting surface so as to extend in the moving direction of the cutter carriage. The opening is provided with a cover capable of switching between a first state in which the cover covers the opening and forms part of the medium supporting surface and a second state in which the cover is retracted to form the passage region for the cutter carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Akatsu, Eiji Kumai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yuta Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20090226236
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro YAMASHITA, Eiji KUMAI, Yuta TSUKADA, Shoji AKATSU
  • Publication number: 20090196673
    Abstract: A cutter device includes a medium supporting surface that supports a recording medium being transported, and a cutter carriage that has a cutter blade for cutting the recording medium and that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium. An opening that forms a passage region for the cutter carriage is provided in the medium supporting surface so as to extend in the moving direction of the cutter carriage. The opening is provided with a cover capable of switching between a first state in which the cover covers the opening and forms part of the medium supporting surface and a second state in which the cover is retracted to form the passage region for the cutter carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoji AKATSU, Eiji KUMAI, Norihiro YAMASHITA, Yuta TSUKADA
  • Patent number: 7182336
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7182337
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet, is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6880822
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20050062215
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet. is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20050062216
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet, is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6561611
    Abstract: Recording paper fed from a paper feed section comes in contact with a paper detection member of a detector unit and the paper detection member is rotated about a first fulcrum, shading the optical axis of an optical sensor. When the recording paper passes through and the paper detection member is brought out of contact with the recording paper, the paper detection member is restored to the former position and does not shade the optical axis. A carriage/cartridge detection member of the detector unit comes in contact with a carriage engagement part and a cartridge engagement part placed in a carriage and is rotated about a second fulcrum, shading the optical axis of the optical sensor. When the carriage/cartridge detection member is brought out of contact with the engagement parts, the carriage/cartridge detection member is restored to the former position and does not shade the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp.
    Inventors: Yoichi Kobayashi, Kazuhisa Takeda, Norihiro Yamashita, Mamoru Ukita, Kazuo Otsuka, Norihiko Kurashima
  • Publication number: 20030057635
    Abstract: A paper feed unit includes a hopper on which sheets are stacked and which is turned around a rotation shaft. The hopper is turned to move apart from or move to a paper feed roller. The paper feed unit has three modes: a large release mode in which the hopper is turned to be most apart from the paper feed roller, a non-release mode in which the printing sheet is abutted against the paper feed roller, and a small release mode in which the printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller, and is at a medium level between the above two modes. When a paper feeding job is still present, a state that the uppermost printing sheet is slightly separated from the paper feed roller is retained by the small release mode, whereby a swing range of the hopper is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Fukushima, Kazuhisa Kawakami, Masafumi Furuyama, Yoji Sasai, Norihiro Yamashita, Yoichi Kobayashi, Hirotomo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20010012026
    Abstract: Recording paper fed from a paper feed section comes in contact with a paper detection member 12 of a detector unit 8 and is rotated about a first fulcrum 35, shading the optical axis of an optical sensor 16. On the other hand, when the recording paper passes through and the paper detection member 12 is brought out of contact with the recording paper, the paper detection member 12 is restored to the former position by the urging force of an spring 37 and does not shade the optical axis. A carriage/cartridge detection member 15 of the detector unit 8 comes in contact with a carriage engagement part and a cartridge engagement part placed in a carriage and is rotated about a second fulcrum 43, shading the optical axis of the optical sensor 16. On the other hand, when the carriage/cartridge detection member 15 is brought out of contact with the engagement parts, the carriage/cartridge detection member 15 is restored to the former position by the urging force of an spring 44 and does not shade the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Yoichi Kobayashi, Kazuhisa Takeda, Norihiro Yamashita, Mamoru Ukita, Kazuo Otsuka, Norihiko Kurashima