Patents by Inventor Chikara Imaizumi

Chikara Imaizumi 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).

  • Patent number: 9002230
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Fujinaka
  • Publication number: 20140315680
    Abstract: When an abutting member is in contact with a driving force transmission member that engages with a driving member, an biasing member biases the driving force transmission member in a direction where the driving force transmission member is disengaged from the driving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoyasu Muramatsu, Takayuki Miyamoto, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8862015
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a developer supplying roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller. The process cartridge also includes first and second portions-to-be-positioned on ends of the cartridge, and a portion-to-be urged for receiving an elastic force. A developer supplying roller bias contact is provided exposed at an end side of the process cartridge for receiving a supplying roller bias voltage to be supplied to the developer side supplying roller, with the cartridge side developer supplying roller bias facing obliquely downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8862014
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a movable member for supporting and moving a cartridge. The movable member is movable between (i) a first position in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member carried on the movable member is contacted to a belt member and a latent image can be formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and (ii) a second position in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member is spaced from the belt member inside a main assembly frame. The movable member is also movable between the second position and a third position in which the cartridge is mountable and demountable relative to the movable member outside of the main assembly frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 8843023
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Fujinaka, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami
  • Publication number: 20140099140
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20140056614
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a developer supplying roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller. The process cartridge also includes first and second portions-to-be-positioned on ends of the cartridge, and a portion-to-be urged for receiving an elastic force. A developer supplying roller bias contact is provided exposed at an end side of the process cartridge for receiving a supplying roller bias voltage to be supplied to the developer side supplying roller, with the cartridge side developer supplying roller bias facing obliquely downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20130243479
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8526841
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a first portion-to-be-positioned for being positioned to a first main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly of an apparatus, a second portion-to-be-positioned for being positioned to a second main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus, and a longitudinal positioning portion to be positioned by a main assembly side longitudinal positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus. The apparatus still further includes a portion-to-be-urged for receiving an inclined downward elastic force of a first main assembly side elastic member provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to urge the longitudinal positioning portion and the second portion-to-be-positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8463157
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Sakurai, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami
  • Patent number: 8442412
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, I, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20120195632
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, I, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20120141165
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromi Sakurai, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami
  • Patent number: 8175487
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8145096
    Abstract: The present invention includes two side-plates configured to be opposed to each other and to form a frame of a main body of the apparatus, a cartridge with an image bearing member, a moving member configured to support and move the cartridge, a connecting member configured to connect the two side-plates, and a positioning member configured to be held by the connecting member, wherein the moving member, which is movable between the two side-plates, the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the moving member when the moving member is withdrawn to the outside of the main body of the apparatus, and the cartridge is positioned by the positioning member when the moving member is moved and the cartridge is contained in the main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8145095
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Sakurai, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami
  • Patent number: 8139979
    Abstract: A process cartridge is provided detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a developer supplying roller. The process cartridge further includes portions-to-be-supported, portions-to-be-positioned, a portion-to-be-urged, and a cartridge side developer supply roller bias contact. The process cartridge can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20110123223
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a first portion-to-be-positioned for being positioned to a first main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly of an apparatus, a second portion-to-be-positioned for being positioned to a second main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus, and a longitudinal positioning portion to be positioned by a main assembly side longitudinal positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus. The apparatus still further includes a portion-to-be-urged for receiving an inclined downward elastic force of a first main assembly side elastic member provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to urge the longitudinal positioning portion and the second portion-to-be-positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20110116825
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with process cartridges that each include an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member that is movable between an inside of the main assembly of the apparatus and an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the drum while carrying the cartridges. A main assembly electrical contact is provided inside the main assembly along a movement path of the movable member. An intermediary electrical contact is provided and includes a first electrical contact portion that is disposed inside the movable member, with the intermediary electrical contact being electrically connectable to a cartridge electrical contact of a cartridge, and a second electrical contact portion is disposed outside the movable member, with the second electrical contact portion electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chikara Imaizumi, Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Hiromi Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20110116832
    Abstract: A process cartridge is provided detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a developer supplying roller. The process cartridge further includes portions-to-be-supported, portions-to-be-positioned, a portion-to-be-urged, and a cartridge side developer supply roller bias contact. The process cartridge can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi