Patents by Inventor Satoru OKI

Satoru OKI 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: 11951747
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Satoru Oki, Nanami Abe
  • Publication number: 20240100845
    Abstract: A system, having a liquid container and a case, is provided. The case has a tubular body extending along a mounting/demounting direction and entering the liquid container through a supply port, a liquid receiver located below an end of the tubular body, and a movable member contacting and being moved by the liquid container moving along the mounting/demounting direction. The liquid receiver is movable between a first position, at which the liquid receiver is one of in contact with and in proximity to the end of the tubular body, and a second position, at which the liquid receiver is separated farther from the end of the tubular body than the first position. The movable member moves the liquid receiver from the first position to the second position by contacting and being moved by the liquid container moving in the mounting orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru OKI
  • Publication number: 20240100846
    Abstract: A cartridge configured to be inserted in a first direction into a case having a plurality of engagement portions is provided. The cartridge has a body and a key member. The body has a chamber for storing a printing agent. The key member is located on the body at a position associated with a type of the printing agent stored in the chamber and is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of engagement portions of the case. The key member has a surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction. The surface is configured to contact the corresponding one of the plurality of engagement portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Yuma TANABE, Satoru OKI, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Publication number: 20240100847
    Abstract: A printing-agent container, having a container body, an outflow port, and an identifying portion, is provided. The container body has a chamber for containing a printing agent. Through the outflow port, the printing agent flows out of the chamber. The identifying portion is provided to the container body correspondingly to a type of the printing agent contained in the chamber of the container body. The identifying portion has an inner surface defining the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Yuma TANABE, Satoru OKI, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Patent number: 11938736
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi, Satoru Oki, Nanami Ashida, Naoya Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20230382121
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: an installing part; a printer; and a controller. The printing apparatus is configured to operate in a contract mode. The consumable item includes a memory. Consumable item information includes first type information indicating that the consumable item has a first type corresponding to the contract mode or second type information indicating that the consumable item has a second type corresponding to a non-contract mode. The controller is configured to execute an information writing process of writing, in the memory, a predetermined information for treating the consumable item as the consumable item of the first type, in a case that the second type information is included in the consumable item information stored in the memory of the consumable item installed in the installing part and that the printing apparatus is required to operate in the contract mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Sadaaki MIYAZAKI, Tetsunori MORI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI
  • Publication number: 20230384727
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including: an installing part in which a consumable item to be used in printing is to be installed; a printer configured to print an image on a printing medium by using the consumable item installed in the installing part; and a controller. The printing apparatus is configured to operate in a contract mode based on content of a contract regarding the consumable item to be used in the printing. The controller is configured to execute a profit returning process of performing profit return according to the content of the contract in a case that the consumable item installed in the installing part has a type corresponding to a non-contract mode not based on the content of the contract and that the printing apparatus is operated in the contract mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Sadaaki MIYAZAKI, Tetsunori MORI
  • Publication number: 20230388434
    Abstract: An information management system includes: an information handling apparatus; and an information management apparatus which communicates with the information handling apparatus via a network. The information handling apparatus executes: an identification information obtaining process; and an identification information sending process. The information management apparatus executes: an identification information receiving process; a recipient associating process; a collection information obtaining process; a privilege information generating process; a recipient determining process; and a privilege information granting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Satoru OKI, Tetsunori MORI, Taichiro KIMOTO, Sadakki MIYAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230382123
    Abstract: An information management apparatus includes: a communication interface configured to communicate, via a network, with a printer configured to execute printing by using consumables; and a controller configured to execute: an offer application receiving process for receiving an offer application to a collection operator of the consumables from a terminal device configured to communicate with the communication interface; a first generating process for generating first privilege information regarding the printing by the printer in response to the offer application received in the offer application receiving process; a collection information obtaining process for obtaining collection information in the collection operator of the consumables received the offer application; and a second generating process for generating second privilege information regarding the printing by the printer in response to the collection information obtained in the collection information obtaining process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Tetsunori MORI, Sadaaki MIYAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230347652
    Abstract: A container includes a container body defining a storage chamber therein. The container body has a liquid supply opening that is open frontward and a communication opening that is open to the storage chamber. The container body includes: a liquid channel extending in a front-rear direction to connect the communication opening to the liquid supply opening; a front wall; a rear wall; a first side wall; a second side wall; an upper wall; and a lower wall. At least one of the first side wall and the second side wall has a recessed portion whose inner surface protrudes from an inner surface of the one of the first and second side walls. At least a part of the recessed portion is positioned above the liquid supply opening in an up-down direction. The inner surface of the recessed portion defines a part of the storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Yuma TANABE, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Publication number: 20230347655
    Abstract: A container includes a container body, and a cover attached to the container body. The container body includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a liquid channel. The container body has a storage chamber in fluid communication with the liquid channel and positioned between the front wall and the rear wall in a front-rear direction. The liquid channel extends in the front-rear direction to have a supply opening that is open on the front wall and that is open frontward. The cover has an opening that is open rearward and the cover covers least a part of an outer surface of the front wall. The supply opening of the container body is positioned below a lower end of the opening of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Satoru OKI, Yuma TANABE, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Patent number: 11787193
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge body; a liquid supply portion; a sealing member having a through-hole; first and second valves; and first and second urging members. The liquid supply portion defines therein a liquid passage extending in a frontward direction and having an opening open frontward. The sealing member is provided on a periphery of the opening of the liquid supply portion, and has first and second surfaces those face rearward. The first and second valves are disposed in the liquid passage so as to be movable in the frontward direction and a rearward direction. The first valve is pressed by the first urging member to abut the first surface and interrupts communication between the through-hole and the liquid passage. The second valve is urged by the second urging member to abut the second surface and interrupts communication between the through-hole and an outside of the liquid supply portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Oki
  • Publication number: 20230321990
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid storing cartridge including: a casing which has a bottom surface and which is configured to store a liquid, the casing having a supply port configured to supply the liquid from the casing to an outside of the casing; a circuit board having an electric contact: and a circuit board holder which is provided on the casing and which is configured to hold the circuit board. The circuit board is provided at a position being more apart from the bottom surface of the casing than the supply port is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Akinari ISHIBE, Yuma TANABE, Satoru OKI, Sosuke KUROYANAGI, Genki HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20230311532
    Abstract: A liquid consuming device includes a liquid container, an air tank, a liquid tank, and an ejection head. The liquid container is connectable to the air tank and the liquid tank. The air tank includes: an air flow path; an air chamber configured to communicate with a first storage chamber of the liquid container through the air flow path; and a first air communicating portion. The liquid tank includes: a liquid flow path; a second storage chamber configured to communicate with the first storage chamber through the liquid flow path; a liquid outlet port to allow liquid in the second storage chamber to flow out therefrom; and a second air communicating portion. The air flow path is configured to provide communication between the first storage chamber and the air chamber in a state where the liquid container is connected to the air tank and the liquid tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro HAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Yuma TANABE, Satoru OKI, Nanami ABE, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Publication number: 20230311548
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid storing cartridge for accommodating a liquid container which has a tap. The liquid storing cartridge includes: a case having an opening and a first sidewall; and a cover which is configured to cover at least part of the opening, and which has a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls defining a sidewall of the liquid storing cartridge in a state that the at least part of the opening is covered by the cover. The first sidewall is configured to support the tap in a state that the liquid container is accommodated in the opening. The cover further has a contact part provided on the second sidewall. The contact part is configured to make contact with the tap in the state that the liquid container is accommodated in the opening and that the at least part of the opening is covered by the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Genki HOSHINO, Akinari ISHIBE, Yuma TANABE, Satoru OKI, Sosuke KUROYANAGI
  • Publication number: 20230311526
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid storing cartridge including: a liquid container configured to store a liquid, the liquid container having a supply port configured to supply the liquid from the liquid container to an outside of the liquid container; a first positioning part provided in a first side with respect to the supply port in a crossing direction crossing an opening direction of the supply port; and a second positioning part provided in a second side with respect to the supply port in the crossing direction, the second side being opposite side from the first side with respect to the supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Sosuke KUROYANAGI, Yuma TANABE, Akinari ISHIBE, Satoru OKI, Genki HOSHINO
  • Publication number: 20230302810
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge attachable to a case includes: a cartridge body; a liquid supply portion; an electronic board including an electrode group; a plate having an attenuating surface configured to attenuate incident light; and a positioning member having a positioning surface for positioning the liquid cartridge attached to the case. When the liquid cartridge is attached to the case, the plate is configured to be detected by an optical sensor configured to emit light traveling in the left-right direction. The attenuating surface has a detection area immovable relative to the cartridge body. The light emitted from the optical sensor is configured to be incident on the detection area when the liquid cartridge is attached to the case. The detection area is positioned further rearward and upward than the electrode group and positioned further frontward and downward than the positioning surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru OKI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Masahiro HAYASHI, Nanami ABE, Yuma TANABE, Yuji FUKUTA
  • Publication number: 20230278340
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge configured to be inserted in a frontward direction to a printer includes: a housing; a liquid supply portion; a circuit board; a plate; and a detection portion. The circuit board includes an electrode group facing upward in an upright posture of the liquid cartridge. The electrode group includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode for grounding. The first to third electrodes are arrayed in a lateral direction crossing the frontward direction and a gravitational direction such that the third electrode is positioned between the first and second electrodes. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the plate and the detection portion are respectively positioned upward and rearward relative to the circuit board. Each of the third electrode and an upper portion of the plate is positioned a datum plane extending in the frontward direction and in the gravitational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Oki
  • Patent number: 11745511
    Abstract: An ink tank includes: a first liquid storage chamber having a lower limit indicator; a second liquid storage chamber; a liquid inlet communicated with the first liquid storage chamber; a cap openable or closeable the liquid inlet; a rotation shaft extending from an inside of the first liquid storage chamber to an outside through a through hole provided on a side wall of the first liquid storage chamber; a valve member opening or closing the communication passage; a first lever arm rotatable around the rotation shaft and connected to the valve member; a second lever arm provided outside the ink tank and rotatable around the rotation shaft; and a slider member connected to the second lever arm and movable in conjunction with the cap, the through hole being provided at a position above the lower limit indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Oki, Yoshinori Osakabe
  • Patent number: 11613128
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge configured to be inserted in a frontward direction to a printer includes: a housing; a liquid supply portion; a circuit board; a plate; and a detection portion. The circuit board includes an electrode group facing upward in an upright posture of the liquid cartridge. The electrode group includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode for grounding. The first to third electrodes are arrayed in a lateral direction crossing the frontward direction and a gravitational direction such that the third electrode is positioned between the first and second electrodes. In the upright posture of the liquid cartridge, the plate and the detection portion are respectively positioned upward and rearward relative to the circuit board. Each of the third electrode and an upper portion of the plate is positioned a datum plane extending in the frontward direction and in the gravitational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Oki