Fluid Supply System Patents (Class 347/85)
  • Patent number: 11479056
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink composition, an ink encasement in which the ink composition is encased, a recording head that ejects the ink composition, and a carriage configured to move the recording head back and forth. The carriage carries the ink encasement, with the ink encasement integrated with the carriage. The ink encasement has an ink fill port that opens and shuts as a port through which the ink composition is loaded and also has a detector that detects the amount of ink composition encased. The ink composition contains a surfactant with an HLB of 6 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Tomohiro Aruga, Jun Ito, Kiyomi Kumamoto, Tomoki Maruyama, Yusuke Mizutaki
  • Patent number: 11472189
    Abstract: A mounting unit includes a mounting portion to which a liquid container that accommodates a liquid is mounted, in which the mounting portion has a liquid introduction portion that is inserted into the liquid container that is mounted to the mounting portion, and a first receiving portion that is provided below the liquid introduction portion, the first receiving portion has a first recess portion and a second recess portion, the liquid introduction portion extends in a direction opposite to a mounting direction that is a direction in which the liquid container moves when the liquid container is mounted to the mounting portion, and the second recess portion is provided at a position closer to a tip of the liquid introduction portion than the first recess portion is in the mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Haga, Taro Takekoshi, Nanami Sakai, Akihiko Shiho, Tomoyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 11474448
    Abstract: An image forming device and a method of operating an image forming device are provided. The method includes detecting a coupling of a first toner refill kit to an image forming device, obtaining, based on a first electrical signal generated in the first toner refill kit, first authentication data corresponding to the first electrical signal, obtaining a first authentication key used to authenticate the first toner refill kit from the first authentication data, applying the first authentication key to a predetermined criterion used to determine validity of an authentication key of a toner refill kit to confirm whether the first toner refill kit is genuine, and controlling a toner refilling operation of the first toner refill kit based on whether the first toner refill kit is genuine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sang Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11472191
    Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid storage tank in communication with a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid and a cartridge configured to be detachably provided to the liquid storage tank. The liquid storage tank includes an atmosphere communication portion in communication with the atmosphere and a first connecting portion that, in a state where the cartridge is attached to the liquid storage tank, enables the cartridge to be in liquid communication with the liquid storage tank. The liquid storage tank also includes a second connecting portion that, in the state where the cartridge is attached to the liquid storage tank, is connected to the cartridge so as to be liquid-tight with the cartridge and enables the cartridge to be in gaseous communication with the atmosphere communication portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunori Takei, Hiroki Hayashi, Hiroshi Koshikawa
  • Patent number: 11459150
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid replenishment container that replenishes a liquid tank including a liquid supply portion protruding in a first direction with a liquid. The container includes: a container main body capable of storing a liquid; a liquid replenishment nozzle including a first side wall and mountable on the liquid supply portion, the first side wall defining an internal space communicating with the container main body; and a valve body provided in the internal space and causing the liquid supply portion to communicate with the internal space when the liquid replenishment nozzle is mounted. The internal space has a first liquid replenishment flow path formed between the valve body and the first side wall and being constant in cross-section in the first direction, and a second liquid replenishment flow path formed inside the first liquid replenishment flow path and being continuous in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Masukawa, Manabu Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11446932
    Abstract: A primer apparatus for a print head structure of an inkjet printer, in which the primer apparatus comprises a pump to supply a flow of air to the print head structure, an outlet valve and a control valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the pump and the outlet valve, the outlet valve comprising a venting structure to reduce the pressure of a flow of air supplied to the print head structure when the control valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David Butinya
  • Patent number: 11440324
    Abstract: An ink discharge device includes one or more recording heads discharging an ink and a damper. The recording head includes a head side coupling. The damper includes a damper side coupling which is connected to the head side coupling along a connecting direction. The damper side coupling is provided so as to be movable along the connecting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kikunosuke Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11442380
    Abstract: An example image forming apparatus includes a main body, a toner refilling portion, and a controller. On the main body, a development cartridge is mounted. The toner refilling portion is connected to the development cartridge and a toner refill cartridge inserted through a communicating portion of the main body and thus receives, from the toner refill cartridge, authentication information obtained from the toner refill cartridge, thereby adjusting a toner inflow from the toner refill cartridge to the development cartridge. A controller determines whether to allow a toner refill using the toner refill cartridge based on the authentication information obtained from the toner refill cartridge and authentication information obtained from the image forming apparatus and controls the toner refilling portion according to a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jea Hong Park, Jang-Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 11440326
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes at least one ink tank which is ink-refillable from outside, a liquid ejection head that ejects an ink supplied from the ink tank, and a housing that contains the ink tank and the liquid ejection head inside. The at least one ink tank is fixed to a housing wall of at least one surface out of surfaces forming the housing. Moreover, one surface out of surfaces forming the ink tank, which is attached to the housing wall, is either a surface having the largest area of the ink tank or a surface opposed to the surface having the largest area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Fukumoto, Hiroshi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11433680
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-sealed cartridge that includes: a liquid storage portion configured to store liquid; a flow path in which the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion flows; and a liquid sealing portion configured to seal the liquid in the liquid storage portion, in which the liquid sealing portion has an outer circumferential portion and a center-side low strength portion disposed closer to a center than the outer circumferential portion, and the center-side low strength portion is broken when pressed, to allow the liquid in the liquid storage portion to flow in the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: SYSMEX CORPORATION, ASTI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Horii, Shun Nakamoto, Noriyuki Ogai, Yasuhiro Toda, Kimiaki Iwahori
  • Patent number: 11413863
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes first and second individual flow paths arranged side by side along a first direction; a first nozzle communicating with the first individual flow path; a second nozzle communicating with the second individual flow path; and a common liquid chamber coupled to the first and second individual flow paths. The first and second nozzles have openings in a nozzle surface having a second direction as a normal direction. The first individual flow path has a first upstream communication path extending between the first nozzle and the common liquid chamber along the second direction. The second individual flow path has a second upstream communication path extending between the second nozzle and the common liquid chamber along the second direction. The first upstream communication path and the second upstream communication path have parts which do not overlap each other when seen along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuma Fukuzawa, Kazuaki Uchida, Shunya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11414557
    Abstract: An active-energy-ray-polymerizable initiator having a structure represented by the following general formula (1) is provided. In general formula (1), L1 represents —C(?O)—O— (binding to L2 side) or —O—, L2 represents —O(CH2)p-(binding to L1 side), —(OC2H4)n-(binding to L1 side), or —(OC3H6)m-(binding to L1 side), where p represents an integer of 2 to 16, n represents an integer of 2 to 12, and m represents 2 or 3, L3 represents a direct binding or —NH—, L4 represents —OC2H4-(binding to L3 side) or —(OC2H4)2-(binding to L3 side), and R represents —H or —CH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Harada, Hidetoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11370225
    Abstract: An example of a device (100) may include a valve body (108). The device (100) may include a printing substance transfer aperture (122) through the valve body (108). The device (100) may include a hood (138), fixed to the valve body (108), encompassing the printing substance transfer aperture (122) within a cavity between an external face (137) of the valve body (108) and the hood (138). The device (100) may include a printing substance dispensing nozzle (110) movable between a first position with an orifice (126) of the printing substance dispensing nozzle (110) facing an internal face of the valve body (108) and a second position with the orifice (126) of the printing substance dispensing nozzle (110) facing the printing substance transfer aperture (122). The device (100) may include a dispensing-side gasket material (132) slide-able through the printing substance transfer aperture (122) when moving the printing substance dispensing nozzle (110) between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Luke, Mathew Lavigne
  • Patent number: 11370222
    Abstract: A liquid supply device for use in a printer is provided, which includes a mounting base on which a storing body filled with liquid is mountable, a tube capable of supplying the liquid from the storing body to the printer, a connector coupled to the tube and configured to be detached from the storing body, and moreover provided with a grip portion, and a cover configured to move to a first position for covering the grip portion and a second position for not covering the grip portion, in a state in which the connector is attached to the storing body mounted on the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Seiya Hayashi, Akira Mashima
  • Patent number: 11364722
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to print substance donor containers. For example, a system comprising a receiving container with a receiving receptacle port and a donor container comprising a outlet probe to transport print substance material from the donor container to the receiving container in response to the outlet probe coupling with the receiving receptacle port of the receiving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeff Luke, Dean Richtsmeier, Mathew Lavigne
  • Patent number: 11364721
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, at least one print liquid supply interconnected is described. Each print liquid supply interconnect includes a housing movable relative to a printer and tethered via a feed hose to the printer. The housing includes at least one needle to be inserted in a print liquid supply to allow print liquid to move between the print liquid supply and an ejection device and two keyed slots disposed on either side of a first needle to gate insertion to a print liquid supply with protrusions that match the two keyed slots. The housing also includes a guide feature adjacent the first needle extending between a first keyed slot and the first needle and an electrical interface to establish a data transmission path between the print liquid supply and the ejection device, the electrical interface disposed between the first needle and a second keyed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Miquel Boleda Busquets, Steven T. Castle, David Olsen
  • Patent number: 11358395
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets and printhead chips attached to the base. Each printhead chip receives printing fluid from a set of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are flared with a respect to a width dimension of the printhead chips for facilitating removal of air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Garry Jackson, Norman Berry, Michael Hudson, Brian Brown, Samuel Mallinson, Geordie McBain
  • Patent number: 11358391
    Abstract: A printhead module includes a monolithic substrate having a plurality of rows of print chips mounted thereon. Each row of print chips receives power and data through a respective longitudinal slot defined through a thickness of the substrate, each longitudinal slot extending parallel with and offset from the rows of print chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Mark Thelander, David Oliver Burke
  • Patent number: 11351786
    Abstract: A printhead module includes: an ink manifold defining a plurality of ink supply channels, the ink manifold having first and second opposite faces; a plurality of print chips mounted on the first face, each print chip receiving ink from a respective ink supply channel via a set of ink outlets defined in the first face; first PCBs mounted on the first face of the ink manifold, each print chip being electrically connected to a respective first PCB; and second PCBs mounted on the second face of the ink manifold. The first and second PCBs are connected via electrical connectors extending through longitudinal slots defined in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Mark Thelander, David Oliver Burke
  • Patent number: 11345146
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including a channel member and a temperature sensor. The channel member includes: a plurality of individual channels aligned in a first direction; a first common channel extending in the first direction and communicating with the plurality of individual channels; a second common channel extending in the first direction, communicating with the plurality of individual channels and arranged side by side to the first common channel in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a connecting channel extending in the second direction and connecting an end in the first direction of the first common channel and an end in the first direction of the second common channel. The temperature sensor overlaps with the connecting channel in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Sugiura, Shohei Koide, Keita Hirai, Hiroshi Katayama
  • Patent number: 11345158
    Abstract: A logic circuitry package for a replaceable print apparatus component includes an interface to communicate with a print apparatus logic circuit and at least one logic circuit to transmit, via the interface, a limit parameter and a count threshold parameter. The logic circuit is to receive, via the interface, initial requests to read sensor IDs with the component connected to the apparatus and the apparatus not pneumatically actuating the component. The logic circuit is to transmit, via the interface, a resting state digital value in response to each initial request. The logic circuit is to receive, via the interface, further requests to read the sensor IDs with the component connected to the apparatus and the apparatus pneumatically actuating the component. The logic circuit is to transmit, via the interface, a further digital value in response to each further request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Quinton B. Weaver, James Michael Gardner, David N. Olsen, Anthony D. Studer
  • Patent number: 11345152
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a head unit having a support portion configured to support a plurality of heads capable of discharging a droplet in a discharge direction, and a carriage on which the head unit is removably mounted from upstream in the discharge direction, wherein the carriage has a bottom formed with an opening from which a nozzle surface of the head for discharging the droplet is exposed, the support portion is provided with at least one protruding portion protruding from a bottom surface of the support portion in the discharge direction, and the bottom is provided with an insertion hole through which the at least one protruding portion is inserted, and a biasing member biasing the support portion in an intersecting direction intersecting with the discharge direction in a state where the at least one protruding portion is inserted through the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Takahashi, Osamu Murayama, Daiki Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 11338585
    Abstract: A liquid supply, may include a bag and a box to maintain the bag therein, the box including a number of alignment structures formed along an edge of a first wall of the box to mate with a support element. A carton fold structure for a print liquid supply, the fold structure to support and hold a liquid bag including a liquid bag interface, the carton fold structure including multiple planes that, together, form a cuboid shape, each plane to form an outer wall of the carton fold structure, with edges between respective planes; a cut out in one of the edges, the cut out including: a channel extending inwards into a first plane to allow the liquid bag interface to pass through the first plane; and slots extending into the first plane between the channel and the edge associated with the first plane to align to a support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Peter R. Stokes, Bernd Karlsboeck
  • Patent number: 11338583
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a first individual flow path and a second individual flow path that are adjacent to each other, a first common liquid chamber and a second common liquid chamber. In the first individual flow path, a first communication flow path extending between the first common liquid chamber and a first nozzle, and an inertance of the first communication flow path is smaller than an inertance of a second communication flow path extending between the second common liquid chamber and the first nozzle. In the second individual flow path, a third communication flow path extending between the second common liquid chamber and a second nozzle, and an inertance of the third communication flow path is smaller than an inertance of a fourth communication flow path extending between the first common liquid chamber and the second nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 11338582
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus configured to discharge a liquid, including a channel member for the liquid. The channel member is formed to include: individual channels; a first and second manifold channels; and a bypass channel. Each of the individual channels and the bypass channel are all connected to the first manifold channel on only one of an upper and lower sides of a central portion between upper and lower surfaces of the first manifold channel, and connected to the second manifold channel on only one of upper and lower sides of a central portion between upper and lower surfaces of the second manifold channel. A channel resistance of the bypass channel is smaller than that of the individual channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katayama, Shohei Koide, Keita Hirai, Keita Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11331929
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage configured to move in a width direction intersecting a medium transport direction, a recording head mounted on the carriage, a liquid storage section configured to store a liquid to be supplied to the recording head, the liquid storage section including an injection port configured to receive the liquid from a refill container and a liquid-level visual-check section through which a liquid level of the liquid is visually checked, and a display section configured to accept various setting operations, in which the liquid-level visual-check section and the display section are disposed on an apparatus front surface side, and the display section is disposed above the liquid-level visual-check section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamashita, Satoshi Kaminaga
  • Patent number: 11318748
    Abstract: A liquid supply system includes a carriage, a plurality of tanks mounted on the carriage, and a plurality of liquid containers for filling a corresponding tank of the plurality of tanks with liquid. The plurality of tanks include a first tank and a second tank in which liquid receiving sections are arranged adjacent to each other in an arrangement direction in the carriage, the plurality of liquid containers include a first liquid container for filling the first tank with the liquid and a second liquid container for filling the second tank with the liquid, and the first liquid container has a portion that, when the first liquid container is set to a first tank filling posture, interferes with a disposition region of the second liquid container when the second liquid container is set to a second tank filling posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Taku Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 11318740
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting system includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle ejecting liquid, a supply channel communicating with the nozzle, and a recovery channel communicated with the nozzle, and circulates the liquid in the liquid ejecting head through the supply channel and the recovery channel. The supply channel includes a pressurizing section and a first buffer mechanism disposed between the nozzle and the pressurizing section. The recovery channel includes a decompression section and a second buffer mechanism disposed between the nozzle and the decompression section. The first buffer mechanism is configured to increase a buffer capacity as the supply channel is pressurized. The second buffer mechanism is configured to reduce a buffer capacity as the recovery channel is decompressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hanaoka, Toshiro Murayama
  • Patent number: 11312151
    Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid extraction system is described. The fluid extraction system includes an interface to fluidically and electrically couple a removable extraction reservoir to a printing device. A supply line of the fluid extraction system transports fluid from the interface to a reservoir of the printing device. A return line of the fluid extraction system is coupled to the reservoir and supply line and transports fluid from the reservoir to the interface. The fluid extraction system also includes a switch to, responsive to removal of the removable extraction reservoir from the printing device, activate a fill pump to draw fluid through the supply line away from the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher John Arnold, Paul Allan Osborne, Devin Michael Knowles
  • Patent number: 11312144
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a discharge head that discharges ink, and a housing that contains the discharge head, wherein the housing contains a first ink storage member and a second ink storage member that each store ink, and the ink is supplied from each of the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member to the discharge head, wherein the first ink storage member is an ink cartridge not having an ink refilling port for enabling ink refilling by opening a stopper member, and detachable from the inkjet printing apparatus, and wherein the second ink storage member has the ink refilling port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiaki Muraoka, Yuji Tamaru, Kazumasa Matsushita
  • Patent number: 11298947
    Abstract: An ink container includes: a container body that contains ink; and an ink outlet forming portion that has an ink outlet. The container body includes a first connection portion provided around an opening. The ink outlet forming portion includes a second connection portion connectable to the first connection portion. The first connection portion includes a first screw forming portion provided on an outer surface. The second connection portion includes a second screw forming portion provided on an inner surface and configured to be brought into thread engagement with the first screw forming portion. The container body and the ink outlet forming portion include a stopper located inside an outer circumference of the second connection portion in a radial direction, the center of which is a center axis of the first connection portion and the second connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Shimizu, Tadahiro Mizutani, Taku Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 11298951
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid, a liquid supply flow path that supplies the liquid accommodated in a liquid supply source to the liquid ejecting portion, a storage portion that is provided in the liquid supply flow path and that stores the liquid, a pressure mechanism that changes a volume of the storage portion by making pressure act thereon, a liquid filling mechanism that fills the liquid inside the liquid supply source into the liquid supply flow path, and a control portion that fills the liquid into the liquid supply flow path while the volume of the storage portion is, by making pressure act on the flexible portion, made smaller than when the pressure does not act on the flexible portion, and after the filling, ends a state in which the pressure is made to act on the flexible portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kishii, Hisashi Sato, Eri Tanaka, Kazuyuki Fujioka, Yuichi Urabe
  • Patent number: 11292262
    Abstract: A printing device interface to receive a fluid supply may include a fluid dock arranged on an external surface of a housing of the printing device, the fluid dock further arranged to receive a mechanical interface of a fluid supply wherein the arrangement of the fluid dock on the external surface of the housing enables use of a center of mass and weight of the fluid supply to maintain a mechanical, fluidic, and electrical connection with the fluid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wesley R. Schalk, Judson M. Leiser, Ronald J. Ender, Paul Mark Haines, Roger J. Kolodziej
  • Patent number: 11273647
    Abstract: Print liquid supplies for printing devices are disclosed. A print liquid supply includes a container having a wall; a dock connector to enable selective coupling of the print liquid supply with a printing device; and a clamping support structure coupled with the dock connector, the wall of the container clamped therebetween. One of the clamping support structure or the dock connector including a tongue latched onto a groove in the other one of the clamping support structure or the dock connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bobbi Jean Boen, Judson Malcolm Leiser, Lynn A. Collie, Mark M. Proia, Antonio Marquez
  • Patent number: 11267254
    Abstract: An extraction pump of a printing device fluidically connected to a reservoir of the printing device is set to a specified rotational velocity. A pulse-width modulation (PWM) value of the extraction pump correspondingly increases until the extraction pump rotates at the specified rotational velocity. While the power of the extraction pump is monitored, a power of a supply pump of the printing device fluidically connected between the extraction pump and the reservoir is continually increased; the power of the extraction pump correspondingly decreases to maintain rotation of the extraction pump at the specified rotational velocity. Responsive to the power of the extraction pump decreasing to a characterized value for the specified rotational velocity, the power of the supply pump ceases being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Russell Sterling Sauer, Kenneth Williams, Wesley R. Schalk, Christopher John Arnold
  • Patent number: 11267253
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a nozzle; a storage chamber that stores liquid; a supply channel communicating with the liquid discharge head and an outlet of the storage chamber; a return channel communicating with the liquid discharge head and an inlet of the storage chamber; a first pump that is provided in the supply channel and feeds the liquid stored in the storage chamber to the liquid discharge head; a gas channel connected to the storage chamber; a second pump that is connected to the storage chamber via the gas channel and discharges gas from inside the storage chamber; and a controller. The controller continues driving of the first pump and driving of the second pump in a first period, and stops the driving of the second pump with the driving of the first pump being continued, in a second period after the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuma Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11267248
    Abstract: A recording device includes: an ink flow path that couples a liquid reservoir to the ejection head such that the ink stored in the liquid reservoir is supplied to the ejection head; a feeding pump exchangeably provided in the ink flow path and configured to feed the ink toward the ejection head; a deaerator provided in the ink flow path; a vacuum level adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a vacuum level in the deaerator; and a control portion that controls the vacuum level adjustment mechanism to adjust the vacuum level in the deaerator in accordance with a status of an operation to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Komatsu, Keiji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11260667
    Abstract: A liquid circulation device includes a circulation passage, a liquid feeding device, a pressure sensor, and control circuitry. Through the circulation passage, liquid circulates to be supplied to and collected from a circulatory liquid discharge head. The liquid feeding device is configured to circulate the liquid through the circulation passage. The pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure of the circulation passage. The control circuitry configured to acquire a characteristic indicating a relationship among a drive amount of the liquid feeding device, discharge information of the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head, and a pressure detection value of the circulation passage; and change, based on the characteristic acquired, at least one of a control parameter and a calculation expression used to control the liquid feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichiroh Uematsu, Ryohki Wakasa, Atsushi Mori
  • Patent number: 11254134
    Abstract: A fluid supply component for a replaceable fluid supply may include a channel fluidically coupled to a pliable fluid supply bag; a ball housed within the channel; and a gasket to prevent movement of the ball into the fluid supply bag; wherein the valve prevents fluid from entering the fluid supply bag while the fluid supply bag imparts a negative fluidic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Judson M. Leiser, Mark A. Devries, Miquel Boleda Busquets
  • Patent number: 11254131
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: individual channel rows; a common channel; a supply port via which liquid is supplied to the common channel; and a discharge port via which the liquid is discharged from the common channel. Each of the individual channel rows is formed of individual channels aligned in a first direction, each of the individual channels includes a nozzle, and the individual channel rows are arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The common channel extends in the first direction, and extends in the second direction over an entire length of an area in which the individual channel rows are arranged. The common channel overlaps with the individual channel rows in a third direction orthogonal to both of the first and second directions, and communicates with the individual channels constructing each of the individual channel rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11258909
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a subunit including a plurality of installation racks in each of which a consumable member can be installed, and a main unit configured to receive supply from the consumable member installed in the subunit and perform printing. The printing apparatus acquires consumable member information including (i) color information and (ii) information indicating a positional relationship between the subunit and the consumable member, wherein the information indicating the positional relationship includes a direction and a distance between the subunit and the consumable member, stores information, including the color information and information indicating a positional relationship between the subunit and the consumable member, of each of the plurality of installation racks, and determines, based on the acquired consumable member information, whether the consumable member exists at a position corresponding to a predetermined installation rack of the plurality of installation racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yumi Ikarashi
  • Patent number: 11247475
    Abstract: A liquid collecting device to collect liquid stored in a storage portion of a liquid container includes a bottle main body, a collecting joint portion, and a first valve element. A flow passage member of the liquid container ports the liquid to the storage portion. The bottle main body has first and second openings in communication with outside the liquid collecting device. The collecting joint portion connects to the bottle main body through the first opening and includes a first coupling portion coupled to the flow passage member, and an internal flow passage extending between the first opening and the first coupling portion. The internal flow passage includes a throttle portion and a space. The first valve element is moveably provided in the space and the first valve element has an area larger than an opening area of the first opening and an opening area of the throttle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nanjo, Yuji Tamaru
  • Patent number: 11225077
    Abstract: A first opening being a coupling port between the third flow path and the first flow path and a second opening being a coupling port between the second flow path and the first flow path are positioned toward the +Z direction, which is the first direction, of the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiro Murayama
  • Patent number: 11219918
    Abstract: A device and method for dispensing a flowable medium has a housing with an interior space and a rod mounted in the housing that is movable between a first end position and a second end position and passes through a diaphragm mounted in a sealed manner in the housing radially on the outside and in the rod radially on the inside. The diaphragm divides the interior space into a first cavity and a second cavity separated from the first cavity in a fluid tight manner. The flowable medium can flow through at least one channel that opens into the first cavity, and is dispensed through a dispensing opening. A sealing section of the rod closes the dispensing opening in the first end position and is at a distance from the dispensing opening in the second end position. A pressure medium acts on the diaphragm in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ROBATECH AG
    Inventor: Beatus Ineichen
  • Patent number: 11220111
    Abstract: An example ink tank includes a cap with a preloaded hinge that biases the cap to a fully opened position when the cap is unlatched. The cap in the fully opened position interferes with and prevents the closure of a door that provides access to the ink tank. The door includes a sensor that locks out the print function when the door is open, effecting a printer lockout when the cap of the ink tank is opened for filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John J. Cantrell, Keith Jariabka, Theodore J. Conley, William S. Osborne
  • Patent number: 11213998
    Abstract: A liquefier assembly for use in an additive manufacturing system to print three-dimensional parts. In one aspect, the liquefier assembly includes a liquefier that is transversely compressible, and having an inlet end configured to receive a consumable material in a solid or molten state and an outlet end, a nozzle at the outlet end, and an actuator mechanism configured to transversely compress and expand the liquefier in a controlled manner In another aspect, the liquefier assembly is self heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Samuel Batchelder, William J. Swanson
  • Patent number: 11207894
    Abstract: An example device includes a first chamber to contain a first fluid and a second chamber to contain a second fluid. The first chamber includes a first fluid outlet, and a first bubbler to ingest bubbles into the first chamber when pressure in the first chamber overcomes a first bubble pressure of the first bubbler. The second chamber includes a second fluid outlet, and a second bubbler to ingest bubbles into the second chamber when pressure in the first chamber overcomes a second bubble pressure of the second bubbler. An outlet node is fluidly connected to the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet. The outlet node draws the first fluid from the first chamber when the first bubbler ingests bubbles, and sequentially draws the second fluid from the second chamber when the second bubbler ingests bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Si-lam Choy
  • Patent number: 11198302
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printing apparatus that can reduce the time for the initial installment. In the present invention, in the initial installation, once an ink tank is attached to a printing apparatus main body, a notification unit makes a notification prompting attaching of a printing head during an operation of supplying ink from the ink tank to a reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoaki Wada, Noriyuki Aoki, Tomohito Abe, Daigo Kuronuma, Ryutaro Takahashi, Masakazu Nagashima, Ryohei Maruyama, Toshiaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11198304
    Abstract: In an image-recording device, a mount body detachably holds a cartridge. The cartridge has a first chamber configured to store consumable therein. A tank is in communication with the cartridge, and the tank has a second chamber. Consumable in the first chamber is capable of moving into the second chamber. A controller determines whether a residual quantity of consumable stored in the first chamber of the cartridge held by the mount body is lower than or equal to a prescribed threshold. The controller expands, when a specific condition is satisfied, a maximum quantity of consumable up to which consumable is capable of being stored in the second chamber. The specific condition includes a first condition that the residual quantity of consumable stored in the first chamber is higher than the prescribed threshold, and a second condition that information notifying that the cartridge is to be replaced is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Morikawa, Sadaaki Miyazaki, Shinya Esaki, Kenta Horade
  • Patent number: 11192371
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting unit including a flow path structure into which a liquid flow from a liquid reservoir that temporarily stores the liquid, a liquid ejecting head coupled to the flow path structure and including a nozzle for ejecting the liquid supplied from the flow path structure, and a heating portion heating the liquid inside the flow path structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshige Owaki, Shigeki Suzuki