Patents by Inventor Atsushi Funada

Atsushi Funada 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: 20180217523
    Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohito HORII, Seigo SHINOZAKI, Atsushi FUNADA, Hideki KUGE, Makoto KANNO, Shinichiro FUJIMORI, Daisuke NAKAI
  • Patent number: 9958808
    Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Horii, Seigo Shinozaki, Atsushi Funada, Hideki Kuge, Makoto Kanno, Shinichiro Fujimori, Daisuke Nakai
  • Publication number: 20180074436
    Abstract: A powder container includes a storing chamber that stores powder, a discharge path extending through a wall of the storing chamber and from which the powder is discharged, an inner wall that forms an inner surface of the wall and has an opening communicating with the discharge path, an outer wall that forms an outer surface of the wall and has an opening communicating with the discharge path, and an opening-and-closing member provided between the inner wall and the outer wall and that opens and closes the discharge path while moving along the inner wall and the outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi FUNADA
  • Patent number: 9910406
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image holder that holds an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image holder, a biasing unit that biases the developing unit toward the image holder; and a holding member that holds the biasing unit and is disposed so that a part which is opposite to a biasing direction of the biasing unit is in contact with an image forming apparatus main body directly or via another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Horii, Atsushi Funada
  • Publication number: 20170248866
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image holder that holds an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image holder, a biasing unit that biases the developing unit toward the image holder; and a holding member that holds the biasing unit and is disposed so that a part which is opposite to a biasing direction of the biasing unit is in contact with an image forming apparatus main body directly or via another member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohito HORII, Atsushi FUNADA
  • Patent number: 9684266
    Abstract: A developer transport device includes a cylinder member including first and second cylinders in which a transport path, through which a developer is transported, is formed, a transport member disposed in the transport path so as to transport the developer by rotating, a to-be-fastened member that is formed on one of the first and second cylinders and that has a first surface formed in a downstream end portion thereof in a direction in which the second cylinder is fastened to the first cylinder and a second surface extending in the direction, and a fastening member that is formed on another one of the first and second cylinders and is to be fastened to the to-be-fastened member, the fastening member having first and a second fastening surfaces that respectively face the first and second surfaces when the fastening member is fastened to the to-be-fastened member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Kuge, Atsushi Funada, Kiyohito Horii, Makoto Kanno
  • Publication number: 20170075296
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including plural developing devices that are provided side by side in a direction that is defined by an image forming apparatus main body and respectively form insertion sections into or from which housings including photoreceptors are inserted or withdrawn in a longitudinal direction on one side in a direction in which the plural developing devices are arranged, an exit mechanism that is provided in the developing device, is disposed on an inlet side of the insertion section, and exits a developer on an inside of the developing device, and guide sections of at least two portions that are provided in at least one of the developing devices adjacent to the housing and guide the housing before a surface of the photoreceptor faces the exit mechanism in an insertion direction of the housing when the housing is inserted or withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hibiki SASAKI, Koichi SATO, Yoshiyuki TAKASHIMA, Atsushi FUNADA
  • Patent number: 9594344
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including plural developing devices that are provided side by side in a direction that is defined by an image forming apparatus main body and respectively form insertion sections into or from which housings including photoreceptors are inserted or withdrawn in a longitudinal direction on one side in a direction in which the plural developing devices are arranged, an exit mechanism that is provided in the developing device, is disposed on an inlet side of the insertion section, and exits a developer on an inside of the developing device, and guide sections of at least two portions that are provided in at least one of the developing devices adjacent to the housing and guide the housing before a surface of the photoreceptor faces the exit mechanism in an insertion direction of the housing when the housing is inserted or withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hibiki Sasaki, Koichi Sato, Yoshiyuki Takashima, Atsushi Funada
  • Publication number: 20160320744
    Abstract: Provided is a developing device insertion/extraction structure, including a developing device that is inserted to and extracted from an apparatus main body along a longitudinal direction, and includes a first restriction target section formed on a lower portion and a second restriction target section formed on a side portion, a first restricting section that is formed in the apparatus main body, and restricts displacement of the first restriction target section in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction according to insertion or extraction of the developing device with respect to the apparatus main body, and a second restricting section that is formed in the apparatus main body, and restricts displacement of the second restriction target section in a vertical direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction according to the insertion or the extraction of the developing device with respect to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi FUNADA, Kiyohito HORII
  • Publication number: 20160306291
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing housing, a developer holding body, and a discharge channel forming member. The developing housing includes a container member which contains developer. The developer holding body is rotated while holding the developer on an outer surface thereof. The discharge channel forming member forms a discharge channel between the discharge channel forming member and an inner wall surface of the developing housing along the outer surface of the developer holding body so as to discharge air to the outside of the container member. The developing housing has a developer discharge portion through which excess developer is discharged to an outside on a one end side of the container member. The discharge channel has at least one first region and another region. The discharge channel is narrower at least in the at least one first region than in the other region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshitaka KURODA, Kiyohito HORII, Atsushi FUNADA
  • Publication number: 20160274493
    Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohito HORII, Seigo SHINOZAKI, Atsushi FUNADA, Hideki KUGE, Makoto KANNO, Shinichiro FUJIMORI, Daisuke NAKAI
  • Patent number: 9268258
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that has a supply port through which developer is supplied, the developing device developing an image with developer; a developer supply device to which the developing device is removably attached, the developer supply device having a discharge port to be connected to the supply port when the developing device is attached to the developer supply device, the developer supply device supplying the developer to the developing device through the discharge port; a seal member that seals between the supply port and the discharge port; and a guide portion that guides attachment of the developing device to the developer supply device or removal of the developing device from the developer supply device so as not to rub the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Funada
  • Publication number: 20150268582
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that has a supply port through which developer is supplied, the developing device developing an image with developer; a developer supply device to which the developing device is removably attached, the developer supply device having a discharge port to be connected to the supply port when the developing device is attached to the developer supply device, the developer supply device supplying the developer to the developing device through the discharge port; a seal member that seals between the supply port and the discharge port; and a guide portion that guides attachment of the developing device to the developer supply device or removal of the developing device from the developer supply device so as not to rub the seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi FUNADA
  • Patent number: 8953988
    Abstract: A developing device includes a container; a cylindrical first developer-transporting member rotatably supported by the container and whose rotation axis is substantially parallel with a rotation axis of a subjected-to-development member; a first magnet disposed inside the first developer-transporting member and secured to the container; a swinging member supported so as to be capable of swinging relative to the container around the rotation axis of the first developer-transporting member; a cylindrical second developer-transporting member at least one end portion of which is rotatably supported by the swinging member, the second developer-transporting member being adjacent to the first developer-transporting member and rotating in the circumferential direction to transport the developer to the subjected-to-development member; and a second magnet disposed inside the second developer-transporting member and secured to the swinging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kubo, Atsushi Funada, Ryuji Hattori
  • Patent number: 8953989
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a layer regulation member, a pair of division magnetic poles that divide a developer which is held by the second developing roller after passing through the layer regulation member and transfer the developer to the first developing roller, and a transfer amount regulation member that has a plate shape, is provided in a developer transfer path formed by the pair of division magnetic poles between the first developing roller and the second developing roller so as to extend in an axial direction of the first and second developing rollers, and is provided with a slit which regulates the amount of developer passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Funada, Nobumasa Furuya
  • Patent number: 8781362
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a latent image carrier, and a developing device. The developing device includes a container, a supporter, first and second developer-transporting members, first and second magnets, a pair of first urging members, and a pair of second urging members. The pair of first urging members presses the container toward the latent image carrier while being interposed between the supporter and the container. The first urging members serve as two vertexes of a first triangle surrounding the center of gravity of part of the developing device excluding the supporter. The pair of second urging members presses the container toward the latent image carrier while being interposed between the supporter and the container. The second urging members serve as two vertexes of a second triangle surrounding the center of gravity of part of the developing device excluding the supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kubo, Atsushi Funada, Ryuji Hattori
  • Patent number: 8755712
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first developing body that develops a developing agent image on a development surface using a developing agent; a second developing body that develops a developing agent image on the development surface using the developing agent; and a sealing member that is disposed between a region where a first delivery pole and a second delivery pole are opposed to each other and the development surface, and adjacently to the first developing body and the second developing body at distances so small that developing agents formed as magnetic brushes on a first conveyance pole and a second conveyance pole respectively can touch the sealing member to secure sealing to prevent the developing agent from leaking to the outside of a device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Funada, Keisuke Kubo, Ryuji Hattori, Keisuke Uchiyama, Makoto Hirota, Masanori Kato
  • Publication number: 20130315635
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a layer regulation member, a pair of division magnetic poles that divide a developer which is held by the second developing roller after passing through the layer regulation member and transfer the developer to the first developing roller, and a transfer amount regulation member that has a plate shape, is provided in a developer transfer path formed by the pair of division magnetic poles between the first developing roller and the second developing roller so as to extend in an axial direction of the first and second developing rollers, and is provided with a slit which regulates the amount of developer passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi FUNADA, Nobumasa FURUYA
  • Publication number: 20130195501
    Abstract: A developing device includes : a first developing body that develops a developing agent image on a development surface using a developing agent; a second developing body that develops a developing agent image on the development surface using the developing agent; and a sealing member that is disposed between a region where a first delivery pole and a second delivery pole are opposed to each other and the development surface, and adjacently to the first developing body and the second developing body at distances so small that developing agents formed as magnetic brushes on a first conveyance pole and a second conveyance pole respectively can touch the sealing member to secure sealing to prevent the developing agent from leaking to the outside of a device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi FUNADA, Keisuke KUBO, Ryuji HATTORI, Keisuke UCHIYAMA, Makoto HIROTA, Masanori KATO
  • Patent number: 8494417
    Abstract: An opening/closing member is movable between an open position in which a passage opening through which developer passes is open and a closed position in which the passage opening is closed. The opening/closing member includes a protrusion that protrudes toward an edge of the passage opening with respect to a scrape limiting portion, the protrusion being disposed on each of two sides with respect to a direction that is perpendicular to directions of movement between the open position and the closed position. A front end of the opening/closing member in a closing direction from the open position to the closed position is disposed so as to be separated from a surface of the edge of the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Murase, Atsushi Funada