Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Kawahito
Hiroshi Kawahito 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: 10788786Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a transfer unit and a development unit. The transfer unit includes a first guide member being a conveyance guide that guides a paper sheet to a transfer nip portion. The first guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like, and is electrically connected to a grounding current path. The development unit includes a second guide member being a conveyance guide that guides the paper sheet to the transfer nip portion. The second guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like. The second guide member has an elastic portion that abuts against the first guide member. The elastic portion is elastically deformable in an attaching and detaching direction of the development unit and in an attaching and detaching direction of the transfer unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20200209802Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a transfer unit and a development unit. The transfer unit includes a first guide member being a conveyance guide that guides a paper sheet to a transfer nip portion. The first guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like, and is electrically connected to a grounding current path. The development unit includes a second guide member being a conveyance guide that guides the paper sheet to the transfer nip portion. The second guide member is formed of a conductive metal or the like. The second guide member has an elastic portion that abuts against the first guide member. The elastic portion is elastically deformable in an attaching and detaching direction of the development unit and in an attaching and detaching direction of the transfer unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventor: HIROSHI KAWAHITO
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Patent number: 10551794Abstract: A developing device includes a developer vessel, a flow-path forming portion, and an exhaust duct. The developer vessel accommodates developer composed of toner and carrier. The flow-path forming portion includes a plurality of connection flow paths. The exhaust duct has an intake port communicating with the plurality of connection flow paths, and a filter that covers the intake port is disposed at the intake port of the exhaust duct. Each of the plurality of connection flow paths has an inlet communicating with an internal space of the developer vessel, an outlet communicating with an internal space of the exhaust duct, and a cross-sectional area increasing 5 to 20 times from the inlet toward the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20190302691Abstract: A developing device includes a developer vessel, a flow-path forming portion, and an exhaust duct. The developer vessel accommodates developer composed of toner and carrier. The flow-path forming portion includes a plurality of connection flow paths. The exhaust duct has an intake port communicating with the plurality of connection flow paths, and a filter that covers the intake port is disposed at the intake port of the exhaust duct. Each of the plurality of connection flow paths has an inlet communicating with an internal space of the developer vessel, an outlet communicating with an internal space of the exhaust duct, and a cross-sectional area increasing 5 to 20 times from the inlet toward the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventor: HIROSHI KAWAHITO
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Patent number: 8099014Abstract: A developing device includes a developer reservoir having developer stored therein, a developing roller for carrying developer, a sealing member which is brought into close contact with the developer portion so as to cover a communication port in communication with inside of the developer reservoir, and a sealing passing member for passing the sealing member peeled off the developer reservoir, wherein the sealing member is peeled off the developer reservoir to open the communication port and the sealing passing member has an opening with an approximately elliptical shape, through which the sealing member passes.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kawahito, Masanobu Deguchi, Yasuyuki Ishiguro
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Patent number: 7925182Abstract: A communication unit has a first conveyance part connected to a toner cartridge and provided with a feed port for a toner from the toner cartridge, and a second conveyance part connected to a developing device and provided with a replenishment port for a toner to the developing device. In a state locked by the lock mechanism, the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part are connected to each other, and the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are opened, allowing for a toner replenishment. In a lock-released state, the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are closed by a circular arc-shaped shutter member and a rotary shutter member, allowing the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part to be separable from each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Hiroshi Tanisawa, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Patent number: 7805096Abstract: In a supply passage assembly having a toner passage arranged under a toner bottle for conveying toner supplied from the toner bottle to a developing unit arranged below, a toner conveying pipe for forming the toner passage is formed of an elastic material and a toner conveying pipe deforming member is arranged adjacent to the toner conveying pipe for elastically deforming the toner conveying pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Okuda, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Patent number: 7627274Abstract: A supply passage assembly arranged under a toner bottle for conveying toner supplied from the toner bottle to a developing unit arranged below, includes: a toner passage having a toner input port at top and a toner discharge port at bottom and incorporating rotators for agitating the toner supplied from the toner bottle and is constructed so that the toner passage includes a first swing member for agitating toner near the toner input port and a second swing member for agitating toner near the toner discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Okuda, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20090169240Abstract: A developing device includes a developer reservoir having developer stored therein, a developing roller for carrying developer, a sealing member which is brought into close contact with the developer portion so as to cover a communication port in communication with inside of the developer reservoir, and a sealing passing member for passing the sealing member peeled off the developer reservoir, wherein the sealing member is peeled off the developer reservoir to open the communication port and the sealing passing member has an opening with an approximately elliptical shape, through which the sealing member passes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Hiroshi KAWAHITO, Masanobu DEGUCHI, Yasuyuki ISHIGURO
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Patent number: 7542704Abstract: Accumulation and coagulation of toner inside a vertically-disposed toner carrying path is properly prevented. The toner carrier apparatus includes: a toner carrier pipe which includes therein a toner carrying path through which toner is carried and is disposed so that the toner carrier path vertically extends; a pipe supporting member which supports the toner carrier pipe in such a way as to allow the toner carrier pipe to be vertically movable; a rotational member and operation wings, which cause the toner carrier pipe to reciprocally move in the vertical direction and horizontally swing; and a knocking mechanism which horizontally hits the toner carrier pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Okuda, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Patent number: 7505711Abstract: A waste developer collecting device ejects and collects a waste developer used in a developing unit employing a two-component developing system in which a developer that contains toner and carrier is used. The waste developer collecting device includes: an opening and closing section for opening and closing a developer ejection opening formed on a bottom portion of the developing unit; an opening operation prohibiting section for prohibiting the opening operation of the opening and closing section; a collecting container for collecting the developer ejected through the developer ejection opening; and a collecting container fixing section for fixing the collecting container at a position where the developer ejected from the developing unit is collected. The opening operation prohibiting section allows the opening operation of the opening and closing section when the collecting container is coupled to the collecting container fixing section.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuhsuke Yoshimoto, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Hiroshi Kubota, Hiroshi Kawahito, Jun Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 7502576Abstract: By rotating a first and a second screw axle, developer is repeatedly cyclically carried from a first developer path, via an opening portion, a second developer path and an opening to return to the first developer path. While being recirculated and carried, the developer is stuck to an external peripheral face of a development roller, and is carried to a development region between the development roller and a photosensitive drum, wherein an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed by the toner. Furthermore, a first cut-out portion is formed on the first screw axle, and a second and third cut-out portions are formed on the third screw axle, and thus by allowing the developer to back flow from the recycle transport path to the toner supply path, the developer can mix with the toner in the toner supply path, and it is possible to prevent solidification of the toner in the toner supply path.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Takayama, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito, Yuhsuke Yoshimoto
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Publication number: 20090060585Abstract: A communication unit has a first conveyance part connected to a toner cartridge and provided with a feed port for a toner from the toner cartridge, and a second conveyance part connected to a developing device and provided with a replenishment port for a toner to the developing device. In a state locked by the lock mechanism, the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part are connected to each other, and the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are opened, allowing for a toner replenishment. In a lock-released state, the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are closed by a circular arc-shaped shutter member and a rotary shutter member, allowing the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part to be separable from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Yasuyuki ISHIGURO, Hiroshi TANISAWA, Hiroshi KAWAHITO
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Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus with toner supply portion opening/closing mechanism
Patent number: 7440717Abstract: In the developing apparatus including a developing bath and a toner transport pipe for supplying toner to the developing bath, a toner supply portion opening/closing mechanism is provided, that includes a shutter member for opening and closing a toner supply port of the toner transport pipe that is contained in a base portion of the toner transport pipe, a shaft for moving the shutter member back and forth in a longitudinal direction of the developing bath, a second spring member provided such that the shaft is inserted therein, a first spring member for supporting the shaft detachably to the shutter member through its extension and contraction, and a lever member for extending and contracting the first spring member through its releasing and closing.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito, Yusuke Yoshimoto -
Publication number: 20080089718Abstract: In a supply passage assembly having a toner passage arranged under a toner bottle for conveying toner supplied from the toner bottle to a developing unit arranged below, a toner conveying pipe for forming the toner passage is formed of an elastic material and a toner conveying pipe deforming member is arranged adjacent to the toner conveying pipe for elastically deforming the toner conveying pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Okuda, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20080080901Abstract: A supply passage assembly arranged under a toner bottle for conveying toner supplied from the toner bottle to a developing unit arranged below, includes: a toner passage having a toner input port at top and a toner discharge port at bottom and incorporating rotators for agitating the toner supplied from the toner bottle and is constructed so that the toner passage includes a first swing member for agitating toner near the toner input port and a second swing member for agitating toner near the toner discharge port.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Okuda, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20080031657Abstract: Accumulation and coagulation of toner inside a vertically-disposed toner carrying path is properly prevented. The toner carrier apparatus includes: a toner carrier pipe which includes therein a toner carrying path through which toner is carried and is disposed so that the toner carrier path vertically extends; a pipe supporting member which supports the toner carrier pipe in such a way as to allow the toner carrier pipe to be vertically movable; a rotational member and operation wings, which cause the toner carrier pipe to reciprocally move in the vertical direction and horizontally swing; and a knocking mechanism which horizontally hits the toner carrier pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Okuda, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito
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Publication number: 20070059045Abstract: In the developing apparatus including a developing bath and a toner transport pipe for supplying toner to the developing bath, a toner supply portion opening/closing mechanism is provided, that includes a shutter member for opening and closing a toner supply port of the toner transport pipe that is contained in a base portion of the toner transport pipe, a shaft for moving the shutter member back and forth in a longitudinal direction of the developing bath, a second spring member provided such that the shaft is inserted therein, a first spring member for supporting the shaft detachably to the shutter member through its extension and contraction, and a lever member for extending and contracting the first spring member through its releasing and closing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito, Yusuke Yoshimoto
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Publication number: 20060083552Abstract: A waste developer collecting device ejects and collects a waste developer used in a developing unit employing a two-component developing system in which a developer that contains toner and carrier is used. The waste developer collecting device includes: an opening and closing section for opening and closing a developer ejection opening formed on a bottom portion of the developing unit; an opening operation prohibiting section for prohibiting the opening operation of the opening and closing section; a collecting container for collecting the developer ejected through the developer ejection opening; and a collecting container fixing section for fixing the collecting container at a position where the developer ejected from the developing unit is collected. The opening operation prohibiting section prohibits the opening operation of the opening and closing section when the collecting container is fixed by the collecting container fixing section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Inventors: Yuhsuke Yoshimoto, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Hiroshi Kubota, Hiroshi Kawahito, Jun Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20060078354Abstract: By rotating a first and a second screw axle, developer is repeatedly cyclically carried from a first developer path, via an opening portion, a second developer path and an opening to return to the first developer path. While being recirculated and carried, the developer is stuck to an external peripheral face of a development roller, and is carried to a development region between the development roller and a photosensitive drum, wherein an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed by the toner. Furthermore, a first cut-out portion is formed on the first screw axle, and a second and third cut-out portions are formed on the third screw axle, and thus by allowing the developer to back flow from the recycle transport path to the toner supply path, the developer can mix with the toner in the toner supply path, and it is possible to prevent solidification of the toner in the toner supply path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Takeshi Takayama, Jun Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawahito, Yuhsuke Yoshimoto