Patents by Inventor Yukihiro Hanaoka

Yukihiro Hanaoka 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: 20100003060
    Abstract: A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: YUKIHIRO HANAOKA, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7604426
    Abstract: A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7585143
    Abstract: A stocker apparatus includes a first tray stock section (70) for storing a plurality of empty trays (11a), a second tray stock section (80) for storing the plurality of empty trays (11a) loaded with products, tray supporting means (130) provided in the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) for mounting the trays (11) thereon, and lifting and lowering means for lifting and lowering the tray supporting means (130). The stocker apparatus further includes carrier means (140) for carrying the loaded tray to the second tray stock section (80). The stocker apparatus further includes an outer wall constituting member covering the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock portion (80) for shielding the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) from an external atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubaki Seiko, Inc.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka
  • Publication number: 20090160888
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is disposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 7513614
    Abstract: An ink tank includes a detector element that optically detects a condition of ink. The ink tank includes a first ink chamber adapted to be opened to an external environment. A second ink chamber communicates with the first ink chamber and includes a bottom surface with protrusions. A third ink chamber is disposed below the second ink chamber relative to a direction of gravity. The ink tank also includes an ink passage by which the second ink chamber communicates with the third ink chamber. An ink outlet communicates with the third ink chamber. The detector element is arranged so as to face at least one of the ink passage and the third ink chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080173150
    Abstract: A first movable blade and a second movable blade cooperate as part of a cutter drive mechanism to cut roll paper in conjunction with a fixed blade. A gear train 132 has a first gear 141 that rotates when drive power from the cutter motor 131 is input thereto, and a second gear 142 to which rotation of the first gear 141 is transferred, causing the second gear 142 to turn. A first eccentric pin 151 engaging the first movable blade 81 is disposed at an eccentric position to the first gear 141, and a second eccentric pin 152 engaging the second movable blade 82 is disposed at an eccentric position to the second gear 142. The first movable blade 81 has a first guide channel 115 regulating the cutting operation of the first movable blade 81 on the first blade point 114 side, and the first guide channel 115 and the first eccentric pin 151 together render a first opposing cam 161.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka
  • Publication number: 20080106577
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting head includes a nozzle unit having a nozzle capable of ejecting liquid droplets and a pressure generating passage communicating with the nozzle. A driving unit includes a nozzle unit mounting portion and an actuator. The nozzle unit is detachably mounted on the nozzle unit mounting portion, and the actuator changes an inner volume of the pressure generating passage of the nozzle unit in order to eject the liquid droplets from the nozzle of the nozzle unit mounted on the nozzle unit mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Toshihiko Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20080036829
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20070296777
    Abstract: A multicolor-use ink cartridge has obverse surface-side ink chambers and formed on an obverse surface side of a horizontal plate portion of a rigid plastic plate and reverse surface-side ink chambers and formed on a reverse surface side thereof. Since these ink chambers are arranged in a breadthwise direction so as to be staggered in a mutually overlapping state with the horizontal plate portion interposed therebetween, it is possible to make small the dimension in a direction in which the ink chambers are arranged. The respective ink chambers are formed by joining flat portions of three-dimensionally molded flexible plastic films to obverse surface-side recesses formed on the obverse surface of the horizontal plate portion and reverse surface-side recesses formed on the reverse surface thereof, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to form ink chambers having high sealability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 7290869
    Abstract: A multicolor-use ink cartridge 1 has obverse surface-side ink chambers 5(1) and 5(2) formed on an obverse surface side of a horizontal plate portion 31 of a rigid plastic plate 3 and reverse surface-side ink chambers 6(1) and 6(2) formed on a reverse surface side thereof. Since these ink chambers are arranged in a breadthwise direction so as to be staggered in a mutually overlapping state with the horizontal plate portion 31 interposed therebetween, it is possible to make small the dimension in a direction in which the ink chambers are arranged. The respective ink chambers are formed by joining flat portions 53b to 64b of three-dimensionally molded flexible plastic films 53, 54, 63, and 64 to obverse surface-side recesses 51 and 52 formed on the obverse surface of the horizontal plate portion 31 and reverse surface-side recesses 61 and 62 formed on the reverse surface thereof, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to form ink chambers having high sealability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 7252377
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20070107575
    Abstract: A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20060176348
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20060125891
    Abstract: An ink chamber is formed with a vent port allowing atmospheric air to enter therein and an ink outlet from which ink is taken out. An optical member has an ink contact face capable of contacting with ink contained in the ink chamber. The ink contact face includes a detection face at which a remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber is optically detected in accordance with an amount of air entered into the ink chamber via the vent port. A first ink absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity of the ink contact face, and capable of absorbing the ink in the ink chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Koji Yamada, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20060127204
    Abstract: A stocker apparatus includes a first tray stock section (70) for storing a plurality of empty trays (11a), a second tray stock section (80) for storing the plurality of empty trays (11a) loaded with products, tray supporting means (130) provided in the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) for mounting the trays (11) thereon, and lifting and lowering means for lifting and lowering the tray supporting means (130). The stocker apparatus further includes carrier means (140) for carrying the loaded tray to the second tray stock section (80). The stocker apparatus further includes an outer wall constituting member covering the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock portion (80) for shielding the first tray stock section (70) and the second tray stock section (80) from an external atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 7029106
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 7021736
    Abstract: An ink chamber is formed with a vent port allowing atmospheric air to enter therein and an ink outlet from which ink is taken out. An optical member has an ink contact face capable of contacting with ink contained in the ink chamber. The ink contact face includes a detection face at which a remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber is optically detected in accordance with an amount of air entered into the ink chamber via the vent port. A first ink absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity of the ink contact face, and capable of absorbing the ink in the ink chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Koji Yamada, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 6966642
    Abstract: A printer and an ink tank for the printer capable of precisely detecting that ink has run out in a foam type ink tank. The ink chamber and an ink passage are formed in this order between the foam containing portion and the ink outlet of a foam-type ink tank. A first filter is installed between the foam containing portion and the ink passage and used to pass bubbles therethrough, whereas a second filter having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first filter is installed between the ink chamber and the ink passage. A rectangular prism for detecting an ink end is formed on the side of the ink chamber. When the reflective surface of the rectangular prism is exposed from an ink liquid level as bubbles are gathered in the ink chamber with ink that is running short, light is reflected from the reflective surfaces and is detected by a reflection type optical sensor on the ink-jet printer side, so that the ink end can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Koji Yamada, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20050128263
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20050057624
    Abstract: A multicolor-use ink cartridge 1 has obverse surface-side ink chambers 5(1) and 5(2) formed on an obverse surface side of a horizontal plate portion 31 of a rigid plastic plate 3 and reverse surface-side ink chambers 6(1) and 6(2) formed on a reverse surface side thereof. Since these ink chambers are arranged in a breadthwise direction so as to be staggered in a mutually overlapping state with the horizontal plate portion 31 interposed therebetween, it is possible to make small the dimension in a direction in which the ink chambers are arranged. The respective ink chambers are formed by joining flat portions 53b to 64b of three-dimensionally molded flexible plastic films 53, 54, 63, and 64 to obverse surface-side recesses 51 and 52 formed on the obverse surface of the horizontal plate portion 31 and reverse surface-side recesses 61 and 62 formed on the reverse surface thereof, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to form ink chambers having high sealability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hanaoka