Patents by Inventor Yohji Ara
Yohji Ara 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: 8602513Abstract: A printing apparatus configured to perform printing by supplying an ink from a main tank to a sub tank and ejecting the ink in the sub tank from a printing head is allowed to execute an agitating operation to appropriately eliminate sedimentation of a pigment component without being complicated in structure and increased in cost. The printing apparatus includes a diaphragm provided in an ink supply path, and a driving mechanism for driving the diaphragm to thereby change an internal volume thereof. In the ink supply path, a resistance value of a flow path from the diaphragm to the printing head is set greater than that of a flow path from the diaphragm to the sub tank. The diaphragm is driven to generate bidirectional ink flow between the diaphragm and the sub tank to eliminate pigment component sedimentation at a bottom of the sub tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yohji Ara, Shigeru Watanabe, Naoaki Wada
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Patent number: 8529040Abstract: A printhead comprises a first ink chamber having an inlet port, to which ink from an ink supply source is supplied, a second ink chamber, to which the ink from the first ink chamber is supplied, a discharge orifice discharging ink from the second ink chamber, a first outlet port discharging fluid from the first ink chamber, a second outlet port discharging fluid from the second ink chamber, and an air-liquid separation unit which restricts liquid ejection and is provided between the first ink chamber and the first outlet port, or/and between the second ink chamber and the second outlet port. Flow resistance from the inlet port to the first outlet port is smaller than flow resistance from the inlet port to the second outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Junya Kawase, Manabu Sueoka, Yohji Ara
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Patent number: 8414113Abstract: A discharging device includes a liquid container configured to contain a liquid, a discharge channel configured to discharge a fluid from the liquid container, a float member which is lower in specific gravity than the liquid, is movably arranged in the discharge channel, and move up together with the liquid to come into contact with a float sealing member arranged in the discharge channel, thereby shutting the discharge channel, separating means configured to separate the float member from the float sealing member, suction means configured to discharge the fluid from the liquid container via the discharge channel, and control means configured to operate the separating means when operating the suction means.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Junya Kawase, Manabu Sueoka, Shinji Yamamoto, Yohji Ara
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Patent number: 8197043Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus having reduced manufacture costs is provided. The ink jet manufacturing apparatus includes a diaphragm section configured to be able to change the volume of a subtank, and an atmosphere communication port configured to allow the interior of the subtank to communicate with the atmosphere. The ink jet printing apparatus further includes an atmosphere communication valve configured to be able to close the atmosphere communication port, and a driving mechanism configured to drive the diaphragm section and the atmosphere communication valve. The driving mechanism opens the atmosphere communication port and then reduces the volume of the diaphragm section. The driving mechanism subsequently allows the atmosphere communication valve to close the atmosphere communication port and then increases the volume of the diaphragm section. The driving mechanism thus supplies the ink accommodated in a main tank to the subtank.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Naoaki Wada, Yohji Ara
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Publication number: 20100289856Abstract: A printhead comprises a first ink chamber having an inlet port, to which ink from an ink supply source is supplied, a second ink chamber, to which the ink from the first ink chamber is supplied, a discharge orifice discharging ink from the second ink chamber, a first outlet port discharging fluid from the first ink chamber, a second outlet port discharging fluid from the second ink chamber, and an air-liquid separation unit which restricts liquid ejection and is provided at least either or both place between the first ink chamber and the first outlet port, or/and a place between the second ink chamber and the second outlet port, wherein flow resistance from the inlet port to the first outlet port is smaller than flow resistance from the inlet port to the second outlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Junya Kawase, Manabu Sueoka, Yohji Ara
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Publication number: 20100231662Abstract: A printing apparatus configured to perform printing by supplying an ink from a main tank to a sub tank and ejecting the ink in the sub tank from a printing head is allowed to execute an agitating operation to appropriately eliminate sedimentation of a pigment component without being complicated in structure and increased in cost. The printing apparatus includes a diaphragm provided in an ink supply path, and a driving mechanism for driving the diaphragm to thereby change an internal volume thereof. In the ink supply path, a resistance value of a flow path from the diaphragm to the printing head is set greater than that of a flow path from the diaphragm to the sub tank. The diaphragm is driven to generate bidirectional ink flow between the diaphragm and the sub tank to eliminate pigment component sedimentation at a bottom of the sub tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yohji Ara, Shigeru Watanabe, Naoaki Wada
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Publication number: 20100231621Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus reduced manufacture costs is provided. The ink jet manufacturing apparatus includes a diaphragm section configured to be able to change the volume of a subtank, and an atmosphere communication port configured to allow the interior of the subtank to communicate with the atmosphere. The ink jet printing apparatus further includes an atmosphere communication valve configured to be able to close the atmosphere communication port, and a driving mechanism configured to drive the diaphragm section and the atmosphere communication valve. The driving mechanism opens the atmosphere communication port and then reduces the volume of the diaphragm section. The driving mechanism subsequently allows the atmosphere communication valve to close the atmosphere communication port and then increases the volume of the diaphragm section. The driving mechanism thus supplies the ink accommodated in a main tank to the subtank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Naoaki Wada, Yohji Ara
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Publication number: 20100201759Abstract: A discharging device includes a liquid container configured to contain a liquid, a discharge channel configured to discharge a fluid from the liquid container, a float member which is lower in specific gravity than the liquid, is movably arranged in the discharge channel, and move up together with the liquid to come into contact with a float sealing member arranged in the discharge channel, thereby shutting the discharge channel, separating means configured to separate the float member from the float sealing member, suction means configured to discharge the fluid from the liquid container via the discharge channel, and control means configured to operate the separating means when operating the suction means.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junya Kawase, Manabu Sueoka, Shinji Yamamoto, Yohji Ara
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Patent number: 6929347Abstract: In printing with black ink ejected through ejection openings of a corresponding ejection opening array of a printing head for reacting with other color inks ejected through ejection openings of color ejection opening arrays, during wiping, the respective ejection opening arrays or the group of ejection opening arrays and the vicinities thereof are wiped using two blades corresponding to the black and other color ejection opening arrays, respectively, and each forming a predetermined angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to a wiping direction. Thus, the wiped-away ink or the like is collected in a portion between the black ejection opening array and the color ejection opening arrays so as to be away from the corresponding ejection opening arrays, and is then wiped by another blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yohji Ara
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Patent number: 6755500Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Patent number: 6637872Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus has a pressure limiting mechanism between a gas-liquid separator and a source of negative pressure required to suck and supply ink for refilling an ink tank, to prevent a fixed amount or more of negative pressure from being exerted on the gas-liquid separator.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Patent number: 6629758Abstract: A joint device includes a supply pipe having an ink supply port, a closing device for opening and closing the ink supply port, a deformation device for deforming the closing device and an urging device for urging the deformation device. An ink jet recording apparatus includes the above joint device, a supply pipe, a closing device, a deformation device, and an urging device. An ink supplying device includes a negative-pressure introducing device introducing negative pressure into the ink tank an ink supplying device supplying the ink to the ink tank, a gas-liquid separating device provided between the ink tank and the negative-pressure introducing device, for transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting the ink therethrough, and an isolation device separating the negative-pressure introducing path.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Okamoto, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Patent number: 6540321Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Publication number: 20020171707Abstract: When black ink ejected through the ejection openings of the corresponding ejection opening array of the printing head reacts with the other color inks ejected through the ejection openings of the color ejection opening arrays, then during wiping, the respective ejection opening arrays or the group of ejection opening arrays and the vicinities thereof are wiped using two blades corresponding to the black and other color ejection opening arrays, respectively, and each forming a predetermined angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to a wiping direction. Thus, each wiped-away ink or the like is collected in the portion between the black ejection opening array and the color ejection opening arrays so as to leave the corresponding ejection opening array, and is then wiped by the blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventor: Yohji Ara
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Patent number: 6474797Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus, it is possible to assuredly execute replenishment of ink into an ink tank and control of a pressure within the ink tank during ink replenishment by a simple configuration, and reduce the size and the weight of the apparatus, and improve reliability of the apparatus. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink tank for receiving ink from an ink intake, an ink supply unit for receiving ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank by a negative pressure introduced from a suction port of the ink tank in the inside of the ink tank, and a negative-pressure controller for causing the negative pressure within the ink tank to remain in an ink supply channel from the replenishing tank to the inside of the ink tank, so that the negative pressure within the ink tank does not return to an atmospheric pressure while receiving ink.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuji Kurata, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Patent number: 6447084Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus, an ink-supplying apparatus, and a method for supplying ink are configured so that a mode of ink supply is changed to another mode, for example the mode of supplying ink to an ink tank is changed to another in accordance with a fact that a next page is intended to be printed or not, when an ink tank that requires the supply of ink is detected, with the result that the printing speed is increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaya Uetsuki, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Publication number: 20020063759Abstract: For the sake of achieving both the size and weight reductions of a printing apparatus and increasing the reliability thereof, an ink tank is provided with a gas-permeable member that permits air to pass without permitting ink. The ink tank is capable of introducing ink through an ink inlet by negative pressure introduced in the ink tank through a common suction port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2002Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Hirano, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Publication number: 20020012030Abstract: A joint device includes a supply pipe having an ink supply port, a closing device for opening and closing the ink supply port, a deformation device for deforming the closing device and an urging device for urging the deformation device. An ink jet recording apparatus includes the above joint device, a supply pipe, a closing device, a deformation device, and an urging device. An ink supplying device includes a negative-pressure introducing device introducing negative pressure into the ink tank an ink supplying device supplying the ink to the ink tank, a gas-liquid separating device provided between the ink tank and the negative-pressure introducing device, for transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting the ink therethrough, and an isolation device separating the negative-pressure introducing path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Hideaki Okamoto, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Publication number: 20010045976Abstract: An ink tank has a fixed-negative-pressure generating means between a gas-liquid separating means and a source of negative pressure required to suck and supply the ink, to prevent a fixed amount or more of negative pressure from being exerted on the gas-liquid separating means. An ink jet recording head is installed on the ink tank. An ink jet cartridge is also installed on the ink tank. An ink jet recording apparatus has an ink tank which supplies an ink to an ink jet recording head via an ink supplying port, a gas-liquid separating means in a suction port transmitting gases therethrough while not transmitting said ink therethrough, and a fixed-negative-pressure generating means between the gas-liquid separating means and a source of the negative pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Tetsuji Kurata, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki
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Publication number: 20010040610Abstract: In an ink-jet recording apparatus, it is possible to assuredly execute replenishment of ink into an ink tank and control of a pressure within the ink tank during ink replenishment by a simple configuration, and reduce the size and the weight of the apparatus, and improve reliability of the apparatus. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink tank for receiving ink from an ink intake, an ink supply unit for receiving ink from a replenishing tank into the ink tank by a negative pressure introduced from a suction port of the ink tank in the inside of the ink tank, and a negative-pressure controller for causing the negative pressure within the ink tank to remain in an ink supply channel from the replenishing tank to the inside of the ink tank, so that the negative pressure within the ink tank does not return to an atmospheric pressure while receiving ink.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Tetsuji Kurata, Yohji Ara, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hideo Fukazawa, Hirofumi Hirano, Hiroshi Netsu, Hideaki Okamoto, Masaya Uetsuki, Hiroki Hayashi, Noriyasu Asaki