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).

  • Publication number: 20130050357
    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, an electrical interface positioned between the front face and the rear face and facing, and an engagement surface facing in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130050358
    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: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130050360
    Abstract: A printing fluid cartridge includes a front face oriented toward a first direction, a rear face positioned opposite the front face and oriented toward a second direction opposite the first direction, an electrical interface disposed at a particular face, such that the electrical interface is exposed to an exterior of the printing fluid cartridge, a chamber configured to store printing fluid therein, and a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the front face, and comprising a printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply portion is configured to supply the printing fluid from an interior of the chamber to an exterior of the chamber via the printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply opening is positioned below the electrical interface when the printing fluid cartridge is in use. The electrical interface is positioned closer to the rear face than the printing fluid supply opening is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Yuki TAKAGI, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130050359
    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 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8353572
    Abstract: An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is configured to be mounted by being inserted thereinto in an insertion direction, a first determiner configured to determine a first characteristic of the ink cartridge, and a second determiner configured to determine a second characteristic of the ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8322822
    Abstract: An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is configured to be mounted, a first detector configured to detect a first detection target portion of the ink cartridge and to output first detection information when the first detector detects the first detection target portion, a second detector configured to detect a second detection target portion of the ink cartridge and to output second detection information when the second detector detects the second detection target portion, and a controller configured to perform a first determination process of determining a type of the ink cartridge based on a temporal precedence between a time at which the first detector begins outputting the first detection information and a time at which the second detector begins outputting the second detection information during insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 8287111
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid chamber configured to store liquid, and a float positioned in the liquid chamber and configured to move according to a change in a level of a liquid surface in the liquid chamber. The float includes a liquid-retaining portion configured to retain liquid therein, and at least a portion of the liquid-retaining portion is positioned above the liquid surface when a portion of the float is positioned above the liquid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hisaki Sakurai, Toyonori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120249692
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet recording apparatus includes a membrane for sealing an opening from which air flows out to atmosphere and introduced into an ink chamber. The membrane has a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable characteristic. A characteristic recapture enhancement section is provided for enhancing recapturement of the gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable characteristic of the membrane. This section is operable when ink from the ink chamber clings to the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20120249691
    Abstract: A print liquid cartridge comprising a print liquid chamber, print liquid supply portion, a stopper, and a release member. The print liquid supply portion establishes a communication between an interior of the print liquid chamber and an exterior of the print liquid chamber. The stopper prevents the printing-liquid cartridge from moving in a direction opposite to the liquid communication direction. The release member releases the stopper, such that the printing-liquid cartridge is permitted to move in a direction opposite to the fluid outflow direction. The stopper is aligned with the release member in a height direction orthogonal to the liquid communication direction and a width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki TAKAGI, Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8272724
    Abstract: A liquid container includes an air introduction portion configured to introduce air into a liquid chamber. The air introduction portion includes an air communication passage, and a blocking member positioned in the air communication passage and configured to block the air communication passage. The air introduction portion also includes a movable member positioned in the air communication passage and configured to move toward the blocking member, such that blockage of the air communication passage by the blocking member is released. The movable member includes an air passage formed therethrough, and the air passage is in fluid communication with the air communication passage. The air introduction portion further includes a gas-permeable film positioned on the movable member and closing the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 8270449
    Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a liquid cartridge, which has a liquid chamber that stores liquid, a cartridge mounting portion, and a surface detector. The liquid chamber has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The liquid cartridge removably attaches to the cartridge mounting portion. The surface detector detects a surface of the liquid stored in the liquid chamber. A horizontal cross-sectional area of the first portion of the liquid chamber is less than each of a horizontal cross-sectional area of the second portion and the third portion of the liquid chamber, and the first portion of the liquid chamber is positioned between the second portion and the third portion of the liquid chamber in a direction orthogonal to the horizontal cross-sectional area of the first portion of the liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisaki Sakurai, Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 8246139
    Abstract: An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is mounted by being inserted thereinto in an insertion direction. The cartridge mounting portion includes a first detector configured to detect a first portion and a second portion of the ink cartridge. The ink supply device also includes an trigger detector configured to output a first signal and a second signal during an insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion, and a type determiner configured to perform a type determination based on a first determination of whether or not the first detector detects the first portion when the output signal changes from the first signal to the second signal, and based on a second determination of whether or not the first detector detects the second portion when the output signal changes from the second signal to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 8210639
    Abstract: An ink supply device includes a cartridge mounting portion to which an ink cartridge is configured to be mounted by being inserted thereinto in an insertion direction. The ink supply device further includes a controller configured to determine a type of the ink cartridge based on first determination information initially stored during an insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion and second determination information finally stored during the insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120162325
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case, an ink supply opening, and a light transmissive member positioned in the case and facing the ink supply opening. The light transmissive member is configured to allow light entering via the ink supply opening to pass therethrough. The light transmissive member includes a reflective surface having a first reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface contacts ink stored in the ink chamber. The reflective surface has a second reflectance for light entering via the ink supply opening and passing through the light transmissive member when the reflective surface does not contact ink stored in the ink chamber. The first reflectance is different from the second reflectance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANBE, Hirotake NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8197044
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a frame and a movable member. At least the frame defines an ink chamber therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein. The movable member is configured to move within the ink chamber in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The movable member includes a plurality of projections, and each of the plurality of projections extend from a surface of the movable member in one of the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Shingo Hattori
  • Patent number: 8182077
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank. The adapter and the ink tank are separate members, and the adapter includes a main body, and an operation portion extending from the main body in a particular direction. When the adapter is coupled to the ink tank, the operation portion extends toward the ink tank and extends further in the particular direction than the ink tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura, Shingo Hattori, Akio Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 8182060
    Abstract: An ink supply device includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion including a first detector, a second detector, and a determiner. The ink cartridge includes a first detectable portion, a second detectable portion, and a third detectable portion. The determiner is configured to execute a first determination process in which it is determined whether or not the second detector detects the second detectable portion when the first detector initially detects the first detectable portion during an insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to execute a second determination process in which it is determined whether or not the second detector detects the second detectable portion when the first detector stops detecting the first detectable portion during the insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirofumi Kondo, Yasuhiro Kato, Hirotake Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8172382
    Abstract: A container arrangement includes a packaging arrangement including an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and a packaging bag enclosing the ink tank therein. A pressure of an interior of the packaging bag is less than a pressure of an exterior of the packaging bag. The container arrangement also includes an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank, and a container enclosing each of the packaging arrangement and the adapter. The adapter is positioned outside the packaging bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura, Shingo Hattori
  • Patent number: 8172383
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank. The adapter and the ink tank are separate members, and the adapter includes a main body having a main body opening formed therein. The main body opening is configured to receive at least a portion of the ink tank therein. The ink cartridge also includes at least one resilient member coupled to the adapter. When the adapter is coupled to the ink tank, the ink tank extends from a first face of the main body in a first direction, and the at least one resilient member extends from a second face of the main body in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanbe, Hirotake Nakamura, Shingo Hattori, Akio Yoshinari
  • Patent number: D680165
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takagi, Tomohiro Kanbe