Patents by Inventor Tomohiro Kanbe

Tomohiro Kanbe 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: 10384456
    Abstract: A system includes a cartridge and an attachment section to which the cartridge is detachably attachable. The cartridge includes a board supporting portion; a board supported at the board supporting portion; and an electrical interface mounted on the board. The attachment section includes: a contact movable between a contact position and a non-contact position; a first wall; and a second wall movable between a first position allowing the contact to be moved to the contact position and a second position placing the contact at the non-contact position. In a state where the cartridge is completely attached to the attachment section, the cartridge provides a first space receiving the first wall and a second space receiving the second wall at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Naoya Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20190217626
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYASHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20190217625
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Patent number: 10293614
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is offset from the printing supply portion with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face than the engagement surface is, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10239322
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 10232631
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 10226935
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao Wang, Naoya Okazaki, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 10220630
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to be electrically connected to at least one contact, and a light attenuating portion configured to attenuate light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20180304637
    Abstract: A system includes a cartridge and an attachment section to which the cartridge is detachably attachable. The cartridge includes a board supporting portion; a board supported at the board supporting portion; and an electrical interface mounted on the board. The attachment section includes: a contact movable between a contact position and a non-contact position; a first wall; and a second wall movable between a first position allowing the contact to be moved to the contact position and a second position placing the contact at the non-contact position. In a state where the cartridge is completely attached to the attachment section, the cartridge provides a first space receiving the first wall and a second space receiving the second wall at the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Naoya OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180297366
    Abstract: A system includes a cartridge attachment section and a cartridge attachable to the cartridge attachment section. The cartridge includes a board supporting portion supporting a board provided with an electrical interface. The cartridge attachment section includes a slider having a first wall, a second wall and an electrical contact. During insertion of the cartridge, the slider is moved from a second posture where the electrical contact separates from the electrical interface into a first posture where the electrical contact contacts the electrical interface. Upon completion of attachment of the cartridge, the first wall and the second wall are received respectively in a first space and a second space defined between the cartridge and the cartridge attachment section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Naoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10081193
    Abstract: An ink containing device comprises an ink cartridge and adaptor. The ink cartridge has a first main body having a chamber configured to store ink, and an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the main body configured to flow out from the chamber to an outside of the main body and an indicator configured to indicate correspond to an amount of ink in the chamber. The adaptor has a second main body having a second surface, and a movable member configured to move with respect to the second main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Yuki Takagi, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20180244062
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is offset from the printing supply portion with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face than the engagement surface is, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180154644
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20180117919
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI, Tetsuro KOBAYSHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Kosuke NUKUI, Akihito ONO, Mikio HIRANO, Suguru TOMOGUCHI, Yutao WANG, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Patent number: 9931856
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, at least one electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is offset from the printing supply portion with respect to a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The at least one electrical interface is positioned closer to the front face than the engagement surface is, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane which is parallel with the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20180079219
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a lower face, and the lower face includes a first portion and a second portion which are positioned further in the second direction than the pivot center. The second portion is positioned further in the second direction than the first portion and is positioned further in the upward direction than the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE
  • Publication number: 20180043697
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to be electrically connected to at least one contact, and a light attenuating portion configured to attenuate light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 9878552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihito Ono, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 9862200
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge includes a first surface, a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the third surface. A locking mechanism includes a locking surface that extends above the third surface, and a liquid detection mechanism includes a light access portion. The light access portion is disposed between the circuit board and the locking surface, and the circuit board is disposed between the first surface and the light access portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Okazaki, Tetsuro Kobayshi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Kosuke Nukui, Akihito Ono, Mikio Hirano, Suguru Tomoguchi, Yutao Wang, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Publication number: 20180001651
    Abstract: A liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against an urging force directed in a second direction opposite the first direction, and thereby to be mounted to the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes a rear face, and the rear face includes a first portion and a second portion positioned further in an upward direction than the first portion. The first portion includes a portion positioned further in a downward direction than the pivot center, and the first portion is positioned further in the first direction than the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutao WANG, Naoya OKAZAKI, Tomohiro KANBE