Patents by Inventor Hiroomi Harada
Hiroomi Harada 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).
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Patent number: 9411299Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Shinichi Kawahara, Hiroomi Harada, Teruyuki Kasuga, Takatsugu Fujishiro
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Patent number: 8428488Abstract: A cleaning roller cleaning a surface of a cleaning component, wherein the cleaning roller is provided in a roller configuration having a cylindrical shape and has a portion in contact with the cleaning component, the portion being made of a melamine resin foam having a continuous foam structure, the melamine resin foam being provided by heating compression from an original configuration in a radial direction, and wherein the portion in contact with the cleaning component has a continuous foam structure and a tensile strength in a range of 1.7±0.5 kg/cm2, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the same.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Haruji Mizuishi, Tokuya Ojimi, Toshio Koike, Takeshi Shintani, Yuji Arai, Takuzi Yoneda, Ken Amemiya, Takaaki Tawada, Masami Tomita, Masanori Kawasumi, Takaya Muraishi, Hiroomi Harada, Hiromichi Ninomiya
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Publication number: 20120234188Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Shinichi KAWAHARA, Hiroomi Harada, Teruyuki Kasuga, Takatsugu Fujishiro
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Patent number: 8235177Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kawahara, Hiroomi Harada, Teruyuki Kasuga, Takatsugu Fujishiro
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Publication number: 20110262179Abstract: A cleaning roller cleaning a surface of a cleaning component, wherein the cleaning roller is provided in a roller configuration having a cylindrical shape and has a portion in contact with the cleaning component, the portion being made of a melamine resin foam having a continuous foam structure, the melamine resin foam being provided by heating compression from an original configuration in a radial direction, and wherein the portion in contact with the cleaning component has a continuous foam structure and a tensile strength in a range of 1.7±0.5 kg/cm2, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Haruji MIZUISHI, Tokuya Ojimi, Toshio Koike, Takeshi Shintani, Yuji Arai, Takuzi Yoneda, Ken Amemiya, Takaaki Tawada, Masami Tomita, Masanori Kawasumi, Takaya Muraishi, Hiroomi Harada, Hiromichi Ninomiya
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Patent number: 8000643Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lubricant applicator and a process cartridge using the same. The lubricant applicator includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant retainer, a lubricant holder, a lubricant application mechanism, a pressure mechanism, a friction resistance reduction mechanism. The lubricant retainer holds the solid lubricant. The lubricant holder stores the solid lubricant and the lubricant retainer. The lubricant application mechanism applies the solid lubricant to an object. The pressure mechanism is provided between the lubricant retainer and the lubricant holder, and presses the lubricant retainer to push the solid lubricant from the lubricant holder. The friction resistance reduction mechanism is disposed at a position where the lubricant retainer and the lubricant holder come into contact in a frictionally sliding manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroomi Harada
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Patent number: 8000627Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device which comprises a charging roller (14a) and a cleaning component (14b). The charging roller charges a surface of an image-recording medium (11) with a voltage which is applied from an external source. The cleaning component cleans a surface of the charging roller. The charging roller includes a resistance adjustment layer which is made of a resin composite and formed on an outer periphery of a core metal. The hardness of the charging roller is 45 degrees or more in JIS D hardness. The cleaning component has a portion which is in contact with the charging roller. This portion is made of resin foam which has a continuous foam structure. The density of the resin foam is 5 to 15 kg/m3 and its tensile strength is 1.7±0.5 kg/cm2.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Haruji Mizuishi, Tokuya Ojimi, Toshio Koike, Takeshi Shintani, Yuji Arai, Takuzi Yoneda, Ken Amemiya, Takaaki Tawada, Masami Tomita, Masanori Kawasumi, Takaya Muraishi, Hiroomi Harada, Hiromichi Ninomiya
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Patent number: 7831189Abstract: A lubricant applying unit, included in a process cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus, includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant supporting unit to support the solid lubricant, a lubricant holder to accommodate the solid lubricant supported by the lubricant supporting unit, a pressing mechanism located between the lubricant supporting unit and the lubricant holder and designed to press the solid lubricant against a lubricant applying member, and a frictional resistance reducing member to reduce a frictional resistance produced at sliding contact portions between the lubricant supporting unit and internal surfaces of the lubricant holder.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroomi Harada, Shuji Tanaka, Naohiro Kumagai
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Patent number: 7826786Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an area applied with a lubricant, i.e., an area of a lubricant layer having a uniform thickness, is obtained by spreading the lubricant by a lubricant smoothing blade. The area applied with a lubricant covers an area cleaned by a cleaning blade, i.e., a contact portion of the cleaning blade with a photoconductor.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Takeo Suda, Shinichi Kawahara, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Tokuya Ojimi, Takeshi Tabuchi, Masato Yanagida, Haruji Mizuishi, Teruyuki Kasuga, Hiroomi Harada, Shuji Tanaka, Takaaki Tawada, Hiroshi Ono, Ken Amemiya, Toshio Koike, Yuji Arai, Masanori Kawasumi, Takuzi Yoneda, Masami Tomita, Yutaka Takahashi, Yoshio Hattori, Keiichi Yoshida
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Patent number: 7542712Abstract: A process cartridge including an image bearing member; a lubricant applicator, which includes a lubricant application member configured to apply a solid lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member; and a smoothing member configured to smooth the applied solid lubricant, and at least one of a charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device, wherein the amount of the solid lubricant present on a portion of surface of the image bearing member, which is located between the lubricant application member and the smoothing blade, is from 0.11 to 1.2 mg/m2. The smoothing member is preferably a blade having a JIS-A hardness of not less than 79°. The process cartridge is preferably assembled by a method including setting the lubricant smoothing member, the lubricant and the lubricant application member to a housing of the process cartridge; and then setting the image bearing member to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company LimitedInventors: Shuji Tanaka, Shinichi Kawahara, Yoshiyuki Kimura, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Yoshio Hattori, Takeo Suda, Yutaka Takahashi, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Teruyuki Kasuga, Hiroomi Harada, Tokuya Ojimi, Masato Yanagida, Takaaki Tawada, Takeshi Tabuchi, Naohiro Kumagai, Chohtaroh Kataoka, Hidemasa Sato
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Publication number: 20080170897Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lubricant applicator and a process cartridge using the same. The lubricant applicator includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant retainer, a lubricant holder, a lubricant application mechanism, a pressure mechanism, a friction resistance reduction mechanism. The lubricant retainer holds the solid lubricant. The lubricant holder stores the solid lubricant and the lubricant retainer. The lubricant application mechanism applies the solid lubricant to an object. The pressure mechanism is provided between the lubricant retainer and the lubricant holder, and presses the lubricant retainer to push the solid lubricant from the lubricant holder. The friction resistance reduction mechanism is disposed at a position where the lubricant retainer and the lubricant holder come into contact in a frictionally sliding manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2008Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventor: Hiroomi HARADA
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Patent number: 7346308Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning brush configured to clean a surface of a moving member while contacting and facing the surface; and a cleaning blade which is located on a downstream side from the cleaning brush relative to a moving direction of the moving member while being substantially opposed to the cleaning brush and which is configured to clean a cleaning region of the surface of the moving member while contacting the surface of the moving member, wherein the cleaning brush contains a powder when the cleaning brush is brand-new.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company LimitedInventor: Hiroomi Harada
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Publication number: 20080013998Abstract: A powder transport unit for transporting powders includes a transport pipe, a powder transport member, and a regulating member. The transport pipe is curvingly extended. The powder transport member is disposed in an entire length of the transport pipe and rotates in the transport pipe to transport the powders. The regulating member is integrally formed with the transport pipe at a downstream end of the transport pipe, and regulates a length of the powder transport member disposed in the entire length of the transport pipe. The regulating member includes an exit hole to pass through the powders transported by the powder transport member in the transport pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: Naohiro Kumagai, Masato Yanagida, Shuji Tanaka, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Hiroomi Harada, Takeshi Tabuchi, Tokuya Ojimi, Chohtaroh Kataoka, Takaaki Tawada, Shinichi Kawahara, Haruji Mizuishi
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Publication number: 20070196123Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device which comprises a charging roller (14a) and a cleaning component (14b). The charging roller charges a surface of an image-recording medium (11) with a voltage which is applied from an external source. The cleaning component cleans a surface of the charging roller. The charging roller includes a resistance adjustment layer which is made of a resin composite and formed on an outer periphery of a core metal. The hardness of the charging roller is 45 degrees or more in JIS D hardness. The cleaning component has a portion which is in contact with the charging roller This portion is made of resin foam which has a continuous foam structure. The density of the resin foam is 5 to 15 kg/m3 and its tensile strength is 1.7±0.5 kg/cm2.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2005Publication date: August 23, 2007Inventors: Haruji Mizuishi, Tokuya Ojimi, Toshio Koike, Takeshi Shintani, Yuji Arai, Takuzi Yoneda, Ken Amemiya, Takaaki Tawada, Masami Tomita, Masanori Kawasumi, Takaya Muraishi, Hiroomi Harada, Hiromichi Ninomiya
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Publication number: 20070183824Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an area applied with a lubricant, i.e., an area of a lubricant layer having a uniform thickness, is obtained by spreading the lubricant by a lubricant smoothing blade. The area applied with a lubricant covers an area cleaned by a cleaning blade, i.e., a contact portion of the cleaning blade with a photoconductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Takeo Suda, Shinichi Kawahara, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Tokuya Ojimi, Takeshi Tabuchi, Masato Yanagida, Haruji Mizuishi, Teruyuki Kasuga, Hiroomi Harada, Shuji Tanaka, Takaaki Tawada, Hiroshi Ono, Ken Amemiya, Toshio Koike, Yuji Arai, Masanori Kawasumi, Takuzi Yoneda, Masami Tomita, Yutaka Takahashi, Yoshio Hattori, Keiichi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20070172273Abstract: A lubricant applying unit, included in a process cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus, includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant supporting unit to support the solid lubricant, a lubricant holder to accommodate the solid lubricant supported by the lubricant supporting unit, a pressing mechanism located between the lubricant supporting unit and the lubricant holder and designed to press the solid lubricant against a lubricant applying member, and a frictional resistance reducing member to reduce a frictional resistance produced at sliding contact portions between the lubricant supporting unit and internal surfaces of the lubricant holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 26, 2007Inventors: Hiroomi Harada, Shuji Tanaka, Naohiro Kumagai
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Publication number: 20070068738Abstract: A lubricant supply device includes a solid lubricant, a supply member contacting and rubbing the solid lubricant and thereby scraping a lubricant off the solid lubricant and supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supplying target, and a pressing mechanism pressing the solid lubricant against the supply member. The pressing mechanism includes a biasing device, and a plurality of pressing members receiving a biasing force of the biasing device and thereby pressing places of the solid lubricant at symmetrical positions with respect to a center of a contact part of the solid lubricant contacting the supply member, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Shinichi Kawahara, Hiroomi Harada, Teruyuki Kasuga, Takatsugu Fujishiro
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Publication number: 20070059067Abstract: A process cartridge including an image bearing member; a lubricant applicator, which includes a lubricant application member configured to apply a solid lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member; and a smoothing member configured to smooth the applied solid lubricant, and at least one of a charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device, wherein the amount of the solid lubricant present on a portion of surface of the image bearing member, which is located between the lubricant application member and the smoothing blade, is from 0.11 to 1.2 mg/m2. The smoothing member is preferably a blade having a JIS-A hardness of not less than 79°. The process cartridge is preferably assembled by a method including setting the lubricant smoothing member, the lubricant and the lubricant application member to a housing of the process cartridge; and then setting the image bearing member to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Shinichi Kawahara, Yoshiyuki Kimura, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Yoshio Hattori, Takeo Suda, Yutaka Takahashi, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Teruyuki Kasuga, Hiroomi Harada, Tokuya Ojimi, Masato Yanagida, Takaaki Tawada, Takeshi Tabuchi, Naohiro Kumagai, Chohtaroh Kataoka, Hidemasa Sato
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Publication number: 20060056892Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning brush configured to clean a surface of a moving member while contacting and facing the surface; and a cleaning blade which is located on a downstream side from the cleaning brush relative to a moving direction of the moving member while being substantially opposed to the cleaning brush and which is configured to clean a cleaning region of the surface of the moving member while contacting the surface of the moving member, wherein the cleaning brush contains a powder when the cleaning brush is brand-new.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventor: Hiroomi Harada