IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,601,112
Granted Patent B2
US 12,601,112 · App. 18/519,125 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Material storage apparatus, method of controlling material storage apparatus, and sheet manufacturing apparatus

Inventors: Masaki Ota (Matsumoto, JP); Koji Motohashi (Matsumoto, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
D21B1/32D21B1/06D21B1/066D21B1/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,601,112
App. No.
18/519,125
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A material storage apparatus includes: a material storage portion configured to store scraps of paper and including a material container and a lid, the material container having a material inlet enabling the scraps of paper to be input into the material container, the lid being configured to open and close the material inlet; a humidification portion including a first blower and configured to supply humidified air into the material container; and an air circulation portion including a second blower and configured to suck air in the material container, and when the lid is open, the material container has a negative pressure.

Claims (38)

1 . A material storage apparatus comprising:

a material storage portion configured to store scraps of paper and including a material container and a lid, the material container having a material inlet enabling the scraps of paper to be input into the material container, the lid being configured to open and close the material inlet;

a humidification portion including a first blower and configured to supply humidified air into the material container; and

an air circulation portion including a second blower and configured to suck air in the material container,

the material container further having an air inlet through which the humidified air that is supplied from the humidification portion flows into an inside of the material container,

the air inlet being located higher than a center portion of the material container in a height direction from a bottom of the material container to a top of the material container, wherein

when the lid is open, the material container has a negative pressure.

2 . The material storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a detector configured to detect whether the lid of the material inlet is open or closed; and

a controller, wherein

when the controller determines that the lid is open, the controller stops the first blower.

3 . The material storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a detector configured to detect whether the lid of the material inlet is open or closed; and

a controller, wherein

when the controller determines that the lid is open, the controller slows down the first blower.

4 . The material storage apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a detector configured to detect whether the lid of the material inlet is open or closed; and

a controller, wherein

when the controller determines that the lid is open, the controller stops the first blower and, after a specified time passes, stops the second blower.

5 . A sheet manufacturing apparatus comprising

the material storage apparatus according to claim 1 .

6 . A method of controlling a material storage apparatus including a material storage portion configured to store scraps of paper and including a material container and a lid, the material container having a material inlet enabling the scraps of paper to be input into the material container, the lid being configured to open and close the material inlet; a humidification portion including a first blower and configured to supply humidified air into the material container; and an air circulation portion including a second blower and configured to suck air in the material container, the material container further having an air inlet through which the humidified air that is supplied from the humidification portion flows into an inside of the material container, the air inlet being located higher than a center portion of the material container in a height direction from a bottom of the material container to a top of the material container,

the method comprising causing the material container to have a negative pressure when the lid is open.

7 . The method of controlling a material storage apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising

stopping the first blower when the lid is open.

8 . The method of controlling a material storage apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising

slowing down the first blower when the lid is open.

9 . The method of controlling a material storage apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising:

stopping the first blower when the lid is open; and

stopping the second blower after a specified time passes.

10 . A material storage apparatus comprising:

a material storage portion configured to store scraps of paper and including a material container and a lid, the material container having a material inlet enabling the scraps of paper to be input into the material container, the lid being configured to open and close the material inlet;

a humidification portion including a first blower and configured to supply humidified air into the material container;

an air circulation portion including a second blower and configured to suck air in the material container;

a detector configured to detect whether the lid of the material inlet is open or closed; and

a controller, wherein

when the lid is open, the material container has a negative pressure, and

when the controller determines that the lid is open, the controller slows down the first blower.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2023
From: OTA, MASAKI; MOTOHASHI, KOJI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065661/0946 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-189906 · Nov 29, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240175203A1 · May 30, 2024
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