Patents by Inventor Kazuo Chadani

Kazuo Chadani 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: 8588647
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8583007
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20130287439
    Abstract: A cleaning unit including: frame abutment portions each including a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion; support portions each including a first support portion which abuts against the first abutment portion, and a second support portion which abuts against the second abutment portion so as to support a cleaning member in a pivotable manner about the frame abutment portions as a pivot axis; and an urging member configured to urge the cleaning member in a direction in which an elastic member is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum by pivoting the cleaning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Akihiro Fujiwara, Susumu Nittani, Masato Tanabe, Hideki Kakuta, Keisuke Nomura
  • Publication number: 20130272753
    Abstract: A developing unit for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, having a shaft member, for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer; and a bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft member, the bearing including a bearing base portion of a first resin molded material and a bearing portion of a second resin molded material different from the first resin molded material, the bearing portion having a through-hole, wherein the bearing portion includes a contact portion contacting a stepped abutting portion of the shaft member, and a retaining portion overlapping with the bearing base portion in a direction crossing with an axial direction of the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Fukasawa, Kazuo Chadani, Kuniaki Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 8559849
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that includes a drum unit and a developing unit. The cartridge also includes a charging roller for charging a surface of a photosensitive drum by being urged and contacted to the photosensitive drum. The cartridge further includes a link engaged with an end of a rotation shaft of the charging roller, and a locking member locked with the link in a state that the charging roller is spaced from the drum for holding a spaced state of the charging roller from the drum. When the process cartridge is mounted to the apparatus, a space releasing member of the developing unit is moved by a driving force from a gear train through a connecting member, and the space releasing member releases locking between the link and the locking member, thereby ceasing the spaced state of the charging roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Kazuo Chadani, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 8503906
    Abstract: An assembling method for a process cartridge the assembling method includes a step of preparing a drum unit supporting a electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a step of preparing a developing unit supporting a developing roller for developing a electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum a developer supplying roller for supplying a developer to the developing roller and a developer accommodating portion having a developer supply opening; a unit coupling process of coupling the drum unit and the developing unit with each other; a first-end developing-device spacing member mounting step after the unit coupling process of engaging with a opening provided at a first end portion of the drum unit a first-end developing-device spacing member provided rotatably about a shaft at a first end portion of the developing unit to regulate rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit; and a second-end developing-device spacing member mounting step of engaging, with a proje
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Kazuo Chadani
  • Patent number: 8447209
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8442416
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8401424
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum unit, and a developing roller. The apparatus further comprises a developer supplying roller, and a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer. A developing unit is swingably coupled with the drum unit and supporting the developing roller, the developer supplying roller, and the developer accommodating portion. A first-end developing-device spacing member is provided rotatably about an axis of a shaft at a first end portion of the developing unit to limit rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit to maintain spacing between the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A second-end developing-device spacing member is provided rotatably about an axis of a shaft at a second end portion of the developing unit to limit rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit to maintain spacing between the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Kazuo Chadani
  • Patent number: 8346127
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120328324
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes: an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a recess provided in an outer wall of a frame for forming the accommodating portion; and a sheet member provided so as to cover the recess. The sheet member and the recess are configured so that an amount of flexure of the sheet member is larger than that of the recess when the cartridge is griped on the sheet member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Shuichi Gofuku
  • Patent number: 8335454
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum unit containing a movably connected to a developing unit containing a developing roller between a contact position where the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position where the roller is spaced from the drum, a drum coupler engaging a first main assembly drive transmitter transmitting a first rotational driving force to the drum, when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, a shaft coupler transmitting a second rotational driving force with a deviation permitted between an axis of a second main assembly drive transmitter and an axis of the roller, from the second main assembly drive transmission member to the roller when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120281999
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8306460
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes first and second rotatable main assembly drive transmission members. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum coupling member, provided on one axial end of the drum, for engaging the first m transmission member and transmitting a first rotational driving force to the drum, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and a shaft coupler provided on one axial end of the developing roller, for transmitting a second rotational driving force with a deviation permitted between an axis of the second transmission member and an axis of the developing roller. The shaft coupler includes an engaging portion for engaging the second transmission member and receiving the second rotational driving force, when the cartridge is mounted to the main.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120275815
    Abstract: A support member disposed in a photosensitive member unit for supporting a photosensitive drum to be movable between an acting position, at which the photosensitive drum is brought into contact with a process unit, and a non-acting position, at which the photosensitive drum is separated from the process unit or is brought into contact with the process unit with a pressure lower than a pressure with which the photosensitive drum contacts the process unit at the acting position is included, and when the developing unit is located at a development position, the photosensitive drum secures the acting position, and when the developing unit is located at a non-development position, the photosensitive drum secures the non-acting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Koyama, Kazuo Chadani, Yasunori Toriyama
  • Publication number: 20120230726
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120189344
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120189343
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120170953
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum unit, and a developing roller. The apparatus further comprises a developer supplying roller, and a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer. A developing unit is swingably coupled with the drum unit and supporting the developing roller, the developer supplying roller, and the developer accommodating portion. A first-end developing-device spacing member is provided rotatably about an axis of a shaft at a first end portion of the developing unit to limit rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit to maintain spacing between the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A second-end developing-device spacing member is provided rotatably about an axis of a shaft at a second end portion of the developing unit to limit rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit to maintain spacing between the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Kazuo Chadani
  • Publication number: 20120128388
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tomonori Mori, Koji Hashimoto