Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Munetsugu

Hiroyuki Munetsugu 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: 20220206412
    Abstract: An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes: a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached; and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nogami, Takeo Kawanami, Akinori Mitsumata, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20220197211
    Abstract: A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11353822
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20220155722
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 11314199
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying memer is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11307529
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying memer is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Publication number: 20220082960
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a first toner containing portion, a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging toner, and a container shutter that is moved between open and closed positions and includes an engaged portion, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a main body base portion that detachably attaches the toner container and has a receiving port for receiving the toner and, a second toner containing portion, a movable member that is moved between first and second positions and includes an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, a regulating member that is moved between a regulation position and a regulation release position, and an urging member that urges the movable member to move from the first position to the second position when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shohei Katsuya
  • Patent number: 11275338
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20220066387
    Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes: a process unit to be used to form an image; a first member including a first resin material; a second member including a second resin material having higher flame retardant capability than the first resin material; and an electrode member including a contact section configured to be supplied with power from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The electrode member is configured to electrically connect the apparatus main body to the process unit. The second resin material of the second member has a greater density than the first resin material of the first member. The contact section is located in the vicinity of the first and second members and is closer to the second member than to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yuichi Sakakibara, Yosuke Kashiide, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Yuko Harada, Goshi Ozaki, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi, Hideki Kakuta, Hiroki Shimizu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Takatoshi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20220035307
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11215940
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a first toner containing portion, a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging toner, and a container shutter that is moved between open and closed positions and includes an engaged portion, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a main body base portion that detachably attaches the toner container and has a receiving port for receiving the toner and, a second toner containing portion, a movable member that is moved between first and second positions and includes an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, a regulating member that is moved between a regulation position and a regulation release position, and an urging member that urges the movable member to move from the first position to the second position when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shohei Katsuya
  • Publication number: 20210364948
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a first toner containing portion, a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging toner, and a container shutter that is moved between open and closed positions and includes an engaged portion, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a main body base portion that detachably attaches the toner container and has a receiving port for receiving the toner and, a second toner containing portion, a movable member that is moved between first and second positions and includes an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, a regulating member that is moved between a regulation position and a regulation release position, and an urging member that urges the movable member to move from the first position to the second position when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shohei Katsuya
  • Publication number: 20210311431
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 11131960
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Publication number: 20210263467
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11067950
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20200409304
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 10795310
    Abstract: Provided is a cartridge that includes a photosensitive member unit, a development unit that moves with respect to the photosensitive member unit so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, a regulating member that is movable between a regulating position at which the regulating member contacts the photosensitive member unit and the development unit to regulate movement of the development unit from the first position to the second position and a nonregulating position at which movement of the development unit is not regulated, and an urging member that urges the regulating member to move the regulating member from the nonregulating position to the regulating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki, Yosuke Kashiide
  • Patent number: 10782647
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a rotatable developer carrying member rotatably supported by the frame and rotatable about an axis L1 and a coupling member rotatable about an axis L2, with the coupling member being configured to transmit a rotational force to the developer carrying member. The coupling member is movable between (a) a reference attitude in which the axis L2 of the coupling member is parallel to and offset from the axis L1 of the developer carrying member, (b) a first inclination attitude in which the coupling member is inclined in a direction toward the developer carrying member, and (c) a second inclination attitude in which the coupling member is inclined in a direction different from the direction that the coupling member is inclined in the first inclination attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20200249623
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying memer is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada