Patents by Inventor Tadahiro Mizutani

Tadahiro Mizutani 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: 20190084308
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique that maintains good contact between apparatus-side terminals and contact portions in a second cartridge configured to contain multiple different types of inks. In the cartridge, a center contact portion provided on center in an X direction among a plurality of contact portions is arranged to intersect with a first center plane. Part of the plurality of contact portions is placed in a range where a cartridge-side engagement portion is located, in the X direction. An engagement center is provided between the first center plane and a second center plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki FUKASAWA, Taku Ishizawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 10220627
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b are attached to a carriage 27 of a printing device 10 via a holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b includes a circuit substrate 130 having a plurality of terminals 151 to 159 which are electrically connected with a device-side terminal assembly 250 provided on the holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b also includes a main engagement part 120 configured to engage with a lever member 230 of the holder structure 200 as an engaged part, such as to limit motion of the circuit substrate 130 away from the holder structure 200. The circuit substrate 130 includes a first terminal 151 and a second terminal 152 located on respective ends in an array direction of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 10220628
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b are attached to a carriage 27 of a printing device 10 via a holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b includes a circuit substrate 130 having a plurality of terminals 151 to 159 which are electrically connected with a device-side terminal assembly 250 provided on the holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b also includes a main engagement part 120 configured to engage with a lever member 230 of the holder structure 200 as an engaged part, such as to limit motion of the circuit substrate 130 away from the holder structure 200. The circuit substrate 130 includes a first terminal 151 and a second terminal 152 located on respective ends in an array direction of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 10214018
    Abstract: A printing material supply system includes a printing device and a cartridge. The printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure has a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a second device-side locking element. The device-side terminal is configured to contact with a cartridge-side terminal. The first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever. The second device-side locking element is configured to engage with a second locking surface of a second cartridge-side locking element. The cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal. The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20190039381
    Abstract: Provided is a highly-convenient ink replenishment container. The ink replenishment container includes: a container main body portion capable of containing the ink; and an ink outlet forming portion that is to be attached to an end portion of the container main body portion and at which an ink outlet through which the ink flows out is formed. In a region located outside of the ink outlet, the ink replenishment container includes an erroneous insertion prevention portion that protrudes relative to the ink outlet in a direction opposite to the container main body portion in an axial direction as an axial center, and is configured to be inserted into a recessed portion and to prevent erroneous insertion into the ink tank. The erroneous insertion prevention portion includes protrusions that can be attached and detached, the protrusions are attached and detached in accordance with the shape of the recessed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku ISHIZAWA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20190030903
    Abstract: An ink refill container is configured to refill an ink tank that is in communication with an ink ejection head with ink. The ink refill container includes an ink container body configured to contain the ink, a spout including an ink outlet that allows ink to flow out of the ink container body, a cap attached to the spout, and an ink absorbent arranged on the cap to absorb ink existing between the spout and the cap in a state in which the cap is attached to the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Fukasawa, Taku Ishizawa, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10189264
    Abstract: A technique of enhancing attachment of a liquid supply unit to a liquid ejection device is provided. A first ink cartridge 100a and a second ink cartridge 100b are attached to a carriage 27 of a printing device 10 via a holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b includes a circuit substrate 130 having a plurality of terminals 151 to 159 which are electrically connected with a device-side terminal assembly 250 provided on the holder structure 200. Each of the first and the second ink cartridges 100a and 100b also includes a main engagement part 120 configured to engage with a lever member 230 of the holder structure 200 as an engaged part, such as to limit motion of the circuit substrate 130 away from the holder structure 200. The circuit substrate 130 includes a first terminal 151 and a second terminal 152 located on respective ends in an array direction of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Shiota, Atsushi Kobayashi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 10173431
    Abstract: A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Manabu Yamaguchi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Takuma Ozawa, Satoshi Oya, Hiroyoshi Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20180272723
    Abstract: At least one of making an ink replenishing operation easy and making it possible to select one out of a plurality of types of ink replenishment containers in order to perform ink replenishment is achieved. An ink replenishment assist apparatus includes a plug detachably mounted to the ink inlet of an ink tank and a conduit. The conduit has a first opening open to the inside of the ink tank in an in-use state of the ink replenishment assist apparatus, a second opening positioned on an opposite side to the first opening, and open to the outside of the ink tank, and a channel that brings the first opening and the second opening into communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi SHINADA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Taku ISHIZAWA, Noriyuki FUKASAWA, Tadashi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20180264829
    Abstract: A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWATE, Manabu YAMAGUCHI, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Takuma OZAWA, Satoshi OYA, Hiroyoshi OZEKI
  • Publication number: 20180257382
    Abstract: Provided is a technique that makes it possible to secure a large storage amount of ink, supply ink to a printer without exposing a tube to the outside of the case of the printer, and easily perform an operation of injecting ink. A liquid ejection apparatus includes a case, a paper-feeding tray, a liquid introduction portion, and a liquid container. The liquid container includes a liquid injection port, a reservoir that stores liquid, and a liquid supply port. The liquid injection port is provided at a position on the ?Y direction side relative to the face on the ?Y direction side of the case in a mounted state where the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi OZEKI, Takumi NAGASHIMA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20180250944
    Abstract: The structure of an ink supplying container is improved. The ink supplying container includes a container body that contains ink and an ink outlet formation portion that is mounted on the leading end side of the container body, and forms an ink outlet. The ink outlet formation portion includes a tubular channel portion that forms a supplying channel into which an ink inlet channel member of an ink tank is inserted and an outlet valve unit accommodated in the tubular channel portion. The outlet valve unit is configured such that, (i) in a non-supplying state, the ink outlet is sealed, and (ii) in a supplying state, the supplying channel of an annular channel portion is in communication with an ink inlet channel of the ink inlet channel member, in the tubular channel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Takumi Nagashima, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20180250943
    Abstract: A printer comprises a main body cover configured to change over a state between a closed state and an open state; a tank including an ink container portion configured to contain ink and an ink inlet configured to inject the ink; a tank cover configured to change over a state between a closed state and an open state; and an ink bottle including a container portion and a delivery portion. In the open state of both the main body cover and the tank cover, the ink bottle is self-supported and configured to deliver the ink from the delivery portion of the ink bottle to the ink inlet. A space is formed between the main body cover and the ink bottle when the ink bottle is self-supported. At least part of the ink bottle is located in a locus drawn by the main body cover during rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki FUKASAWA, Taku ISHIZAWA, Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Naomi KIMURA, Shoma KUDO, Ryoichi TANAKA, Tadashi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20180207946
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid container configured to be mounted to a carriage that reciprocates in an X direction. The liquid container comprises an upper wall and a bottom wall; a liquid supply port provided in the bottom wall; a first chamber provided on a +Z direction side that is an upper wall side; a second chamber provided on a ?Z direction side that is a bottom wall side; a partition wall configured to part the first chamber from the second chamber; and a connecting hole configured to connect the first chamber with the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the liquid supply port. The first chamber is connected with the liquid supply port via the connecting hole and the second chamber. The second chamber includes a return flow path that is turned back along the X direction. A liquid contained in the first chamber is flowed from the connecting hole through the return flow path to the liquid supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kobayashi, Koichi Toba, Yasuhiko Yoshikawa, Ryoichi Tanaka, Tadahiro Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20180207939
    Abstract: Convenience of an ink bottle and a bottle set is improved. An ink bottle includes: a container portion that contains ink; a guiding portion that is formed in one end portion of the container portion, and includes an outflow port from which the ink in the container portion flow out; and a cover that covers at least an end portion of the container portion on the opposite side of the guiding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Ryoichi Tanaka, Manabu Akahane, Koichi Toba, Takumi Nagashima, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Tadashi Watanabe, Noriyuki Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 10000063
    Abstract: A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Manabu Yamaguchi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Takuma Ozawa, Satoshi Oya, Hiroyoshi Ozeki
  • Patent number: 9969174
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection device including a liquid container tray that can suppress change in orientation and position of a liquid container on a support surface due to the difference in size of the liquid container. The liquid ejection device includes: a casing including a guide wall: a liquid container tray configured to support a liquid container: and a recording head that ejects liquid supplied from the liquid container that is supported by the liquid container tray to a medium. The liquid container tray is configured to be inserted to or removed from a casing along the guide wall, and includes a support surface that supports the liquid container and a movable wall configured to move in at least one direction on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Yamaguchi, Tadahiro Mizutani, Hiroyuki Kawate, Hiroyoshi Ozeki, Kotoya Aruga
  • Patent number: 9950537
    Abstract: A printing material supply system 10 includes a printer 50 equipped with a holder 600 and cartridges 20 that are detachably attached to the holder 600. The holder 600 has a first apparatus-side locking element 810 and a lever 800. The first apparatus-side locking element 810 is formed as part of the lever 800. The cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210 that includes a first locking surface 211 to engage with the first apparatus-side locking element 810. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has an extended surface 219 that prevents a negative Z-axis end 818 of the lever 800 from running on the first locking surface 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kodama, Izumi Nozawa, Tadahiro Mizutani, Kazutoshi Matsuzaki, Kazumasa Harada, Satoshi Nakata, Hidetaka Kawata
  • Publication number: 20180099506
    Abstract: A liquid container comprises a liquid supply port provided in a bottom wall, a first chamber configured to contain a liquid, a second chamber configured to contain the liquid and to include at least one sub-chamber having a smaller dimension in the X direction than that of the first chamber, a partition wall configured to part the first chamber from the second chamber, and a connecting hole configured to connect the first chamber with the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the liquid supply port, and the first chamber is connected with the liquid supply port via the connecting hole and the second chamber. The liquid contained in the first chamber is flowed from the connecting hole into the second chamber and is subsequently introduced through the sub-chamber to the liquid supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Ryoichi Tanaka, Taku Ishizawa, Atsushi Kobayashi, Koichi Toba, Yoshiaki Shimizu, Shun Oya
  • Patent number: 9914304
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage including a recording head that performs recording on a medium, the carriage being movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a control portion that controls the recording head and the carriage. The carriage has a first disposal section in which a first cartridge that supplies a liquid to the recording head is disposed and a second disposal section in which a second cartridge that does not supply a liquid to the recording head is disposed. The first cartridge includes a first information holder that holds information about the first cartridge. The second cartridge includes a second information holder that holds information about the second cartridge. The control portion executes a control of performing recording by using only the liquid contained in the first cartridge on the basis of the information held by the second information holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shirotori, Tadahiro Mizutani