Patents by Inventor Tetsuro Kobayashi
Tetsuro Kobayashi 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).
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Patent number: 10220629Abstract: The liquid cartridge includes: a front surface facing in an insertion direction intersecting a gravitational direction; a rear surface spaced apart from the front surface in the insertion direction; an upper surface facing upward; a liquid supply portion disposed at the front surface; an electrical interface disposed at the upper surface; and a movable member including a detection portion. The movable member is movable between a first position and a second position. The movable member at the second position is positioned upstream in the insertion direction relative to the electrical interface. The movable member at the first position has a portion whose widthwise position is coincident with the electrical interface in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The portion of the movable member at the first position is located downstream in the insertion direction or upward relative to the electrical interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Akihito Ono, Takahiro Miyao
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Patent number: 10214021Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a liquid container including a liquid storage chamber; a liquid supply portion including a liquid supply chamber and first and second openings; a movable member; a sealing member; and a connecting channel. The first opening provides communication between the supply chamber and an exterior of the cartridge. The second opening provides communication between the supply chamber and the storage chamber. The movable member extends in the storage chamber and the supply chamber. The sealing member intimately contacts the movable member and the liquid supply portion continuously in a circumferential direction. The connecting channel is formed in the movable member and provides communication between a space in the supply chamber and the storage chamber so that liquid can flow therebetween. The connecting channel opens into the storage chamber at a position further downward than the second opening when the cartridge is in an attached posture.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akihito Ono, Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20190030907Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Akihito ONO, Yuki TAKAGI, Kosuke NUKUI, Mikio HIRANO
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Publication number: 20190001694Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI
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Patent number: 10086621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi, Naoya Okazaki
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Publication number: 20180272725Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing; and a liquid supply portion. The cartridge casing has a liquid storage chamber configured to store a liquid therein. The cartridge casing has an inner surface defining the liquid storage chamber. The liquid supply portion has a liquid supply hole extending in a frontward direction from the liquid storage chamber to an outside in an operational posture of the liquid cartridge. The frontward direction is perpendicular to a gravitational direction. The inner surface includes a side surface and a bottom surface in the operational posture of the liquid cartridge. The bottom surface has a curved region connected to the side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro MIYAO, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI
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Publication number: 20180272741Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Takahiro MIYAO, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Naoya OKAZAKI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroshi TAIRA, Toyonori SASAKI
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Publication number: 20180272724Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a cartridge casing having a liquid storage chamber defined by a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall; and a liquid supply portion; a top wall; and an accessed member. The liquid supply portion has a liquid supply hole extending from the liquid storage chamber to the outside in a frontward direction. The front, rear, first side, and second side walls are formed of a material permitting the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to be visually recognized from the outside. Each of the front, rear, first side, and second side walls includes a portion forming an outer wall of the cartridge casing exposed to the outside of the cartridge casing. The accessed member is disposed upward relative to the liquid storage chamber and accessed from the outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Takahiro MIYAO, Akihito ONO, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Fumio NAKAZAWA
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Patent number: 10081192Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi, Naoya Okazaki
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Patent number: 10029472Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Akihito Ono, Kosuke Nukui, Hiroaki Takahashi
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Publication number: 20180178530Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Akihito ONO, Takahiro MIYAO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Naoya OKAZAKI
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Publication number: 20180178534Abstract: A printing-fluid cartridge is inserted into a prescribed insertion space of a cartridge-attachment section in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction to be attached thereto in an attached posture. The printing-fluid cartridge includes: a housing including a storage chamber, a supply portion having a supply hole, an electrical interface disposed at an upper surface of the housing, and an interfering surface. The interfering surface is positioned upward of the storage chamber and extends in a widthwise direction of the housing. The interfering surface is positioned downward and frontward relative to the electrical interface and is configured to abut against a projection provided at another insertion space different from the prescribed insertion space of the cartridge-attachment section during an insertion of the printing-fluid cartridge into the another insertion space.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kosuke NUKUI, Fumio NAKAZAWA, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Akihito ONO, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Takahiro MIYAO
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Publication number: 20180134040Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes: a liquid container including a liquid storage chamber; a liquid supply portion including a liquid supply chamber and first and second openings; a movable member; a sealing member; and a connecting channel. The first opening provides communication between the supply chamber and an exterior of the cartridge. The second opening provides communication between the supply chamber and the storage chamber. The movable member extends in the storage chamber and the supply chamber. The sealing member intimately contacts the movable member and the liquid supply portion continuously in a circumferential direction. The connecting channel is formed in the movable member and provides communication between a space in the supply chamber and the storage chamber so that liquid can flow therebetween. The connecting channel opens into the storage chamber at a position further downward than the second opening when the cartridge is in an attached posture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akihito ONO, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI
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Patent number: 9960453Abstract: Provided is a lithium ion secondary battery that enables lithium ion replenishment in a short period of time. The lithium ion secondary battery disclosed herein is provided with a wound electrode assembly in which a long sheet-shaped positive electrode and a long sheet-shaped negative electrode are wound such that the negative electrode is positioned on the outer side of the positive electrode; a third electrode that is disposed outside the wound electrode assembly and that has an Li supply source capable of supplying lithium ion; and a porous insulating film that is disposed between the wound electrode assembly and the third electrode and that is formed from a material usable as a separator in a battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideyo Ebisuzaki, Shinobu Okayama, Tetsuro Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20180093482Abstract: The liquid cartridge includes: a front surface facing in an insertion direction intersecting a gravitational direction; a rear surface spaced apart from the front surface in the insertion direction; an upper surface facing upward; a liquid supply portion disposed at the front surface; an electrical interface disposed at the upper surface; and a movable member including a detection portion. The movable member is movable between a first position and a second position. The movable member at the second position is positioned upstream in the insertion direction relative to the electrical interface. The movable member at the first position has a portion whose widthwise position is coincident with the electrical interface in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The portion of the movable member at the first position is located downstream in the insertion direction or upward relative to the electrical interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Akihito ONO, Takahiro MIYAO
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Patent number: 9925784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Tetsuro Kobayashi, Naoya Okazaki, Akihito Ono, Yuki Takagi, Kosuke Nukui, Mikio Hirano
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Patent number: 9895900Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a resin frame, a valve and a wall member. The frame defines a portion of a liquid chamber configured to store liquid and a portion of a valve chamber in communication with the liquid chamber, the valve chamber extending in a first direction away from the liquid chamber and having one end in the first direction at which a liquid outlet is provided to provide communication between the valve chamber and an outside of the liquid cartridge, the frame having a wall portion defining a portion of the valve chamber. The valve is disposed within the valve chamber and movable in a second direction opposite the first direction, the valve having a closing part configured to open and close the liquid outlet in accordance with movement of the valve. The wall member defines the valve chamber together with the wall portion of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro Kobayashi, Akihito Ono, Naoya Okazaki
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Publication number: 20170326885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kosuke NUKUI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Naoya OKAZAKI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI
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Publication number: 20170282569Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Naoya Okazaki
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Publication number: 20170282583Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Akihito ONO, Kosuke NUKUI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI