Patents by Inventor Kenji Okado

Kenji Okado 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: 6316156
    Abstract: A carrier for electrophotography and a two component type developer using the carrier. The carrier is composed of magnetic particles of a magnetic ferrite component represented by Formula: (Fe2O3)X(MnO)Y(A)Z. An image forming method is also disclosed which uses the two component type developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Kenji Okado, Tetsuya Ida
  • Patent number: 6312862
    Abstract: A two-component type developer has a negatively chargeable toner having toner particles and an external additive and a magnetic-fine-particle-dispersed resin carrier. The magnetic-fine-particle-dispersed resin carrier has composite particles containing at least inorganic compound particles and a binder resin. The inorganic compound particles have been surface-treated with a lipophilic-treating agent having at least one type of functional group (A) selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group, an amino group, a mercapto group, an organic acid group, an ester group, a ketone group, an alkyl halide group and an aldehyde group, or a mixture of the agent. The composite particles have been surface-coated with at least one type of coupling agent having at least one type of functional group (B) different from the functional group (A) the lipophilic-treating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Ryoichi Fujita, Yushi Mikuriya, Shinya Yachi, Kazumi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 6285848
    Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and (i) a charger, (ii) an imagewise exposure device, (iii) a developing device and (iv) a transfer device, disposed in this order opposite to the photosensitive member. The charger includes a charging member including magnetic particles disposed in contact with the photosensitive member so as to charge the photosensitive member based on a voltage received thereby. The magnetic particles are surface-coated with a coupling agent having a linear alkyl group having a least 6 carbon atoms. The developing device also functions to recover residual toner remaining on the photosensitive member processing by the transfer device and the charger. Because of the coating with such a specific coupling agent, the charging magnetic particles can exhibit good triboelectric changeability for the transfer residual toner for a long period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Aita, Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Fumihiro Arahira, Kiyoshi Mizoe, Yoshifumi Hano
  • Patent number: 6137977
    Abstract: In the image forming machine of the invention, a two-component type developer has a spherical magnetic powder dispersion type carrier, which has a weight average particle diameter of from 15 to 60 .mu.m. The external additive is present in the form of particles on the toner particle, and comprises inorganic oxide fine particles A having a shape factor SF-1 of from 100 to 130, and non-spherical inorganic oxide fine particles B, having a shape factor SF-1 larger than 150 and particles B having been obtained by combining a plurality of component particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Ryoichi Fujita, Masanori Shida, Kazumi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 6124067
    Abstract: A magnetic carrier constituting a two-component developer for use in an electrophotographic image forming method is formed of a carrier core comprising a first resin and magnetic fine particles dispersed in the first resin, and a second resin surface-coating the carrier core. (a) The magnetic carrier has a true specific gravity of 2.5-4.5, a magnetization .sigma..sub.1000 as measured in a magnetic field of 1000.times.(10.sup.3 /4.pi.).multidot.A/m (1000 oersted) of 15-60 Am.sup.2 /kg (emu/g), a residual magnetization .sigma..sub.r of 0.1-20 Am.sup.2 /kg (emu/g) and a resistivity of 5.times.10.sup.11 -5.times.10.sup.15 ohm.cm. (b) The first resin has a polymer chain including a methylene unit (--CH.sub.2 --). (c) The second resin has at least a fluoro-alkyl unit, a methylene unit (--CH.sub.2 --) and an ester unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yushi Mikuriya, Kenji Okado, Kazumi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 6077635
    Abstract: A toner is disclosed which has toner particles and an external additive. The toner has (a) in circularity distribution of particles measured with a flow type particle image analyzer, an average circularity of from 0.920 to 0.995, containing particles with a circularity of less than 0.950 in an amount of from 2% by number to 40% by number; and (b) a weight-average particle diameter of from 2.0 .mu.m to 9.0 .mu.m as measured by Coulter method. The external additive has, on the toner particles, at least (i) an inorganic fine powder (A) present in the state of primary particles or secondary particles and having an average particle length of from 10 m.mu.m to 400 m.mu.m and a shape factor SF-1 of from 100 to 130 and (ii) a non-spherical inorganic fine powder (B) formed by coalescence of a plurality of particles and having a shape factor SF-1 of greater than 150. Also, a two-component developer and an image forming method, using the toner, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Ryoichi Fujita, Wakashi Iida, Yuji Moriki, Kazumi Yoshizaki, Michihisa Magome
  • Patent number: 6077636
    Abstract: A toner is comprised of toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and an external additive fine powder. The toner particles have a specific circularity distribution and a specific particle size distribution. The external additive fine powder has an inorganic fine powder having as primary particles a specific number-average particle length, and a non-spherical inorganic fine powder formed by coalescence of particles and having a specific shape factor and a specific number-average particle length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Moriki, Kenji Okado, Hiroaki Kawakami, Shinya Yachi, Michihisa Magome
  • Patent number: 6030737
    Abstract: A non-magnetic toner for developing an electrostatic image has non-magnetic toner particles produced by polymerizing in an aqueous medium a polymerizable monomer composition containing at least a polymerizable monomer, a carbon black and an azo type iron compound. The carbon black has a DPB oil absorption of from 110 ml/100 g to 200 ml/100 g, a specific surface area of 100 m.sup.2 /g or below as measured by nitrogen adsorption, a volatile component of 2% or less and an average primary particle diameter of from 20 m.mu. to 60 m.mu., and the azo type iron compound is a compound represented by the following Formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ugai, Kenji Okado
  • Patent number: 5994019
    Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed in which a contact charging means is brought into contact with a latent image bearing member to electrostatically charge the latent image bearing member on which electrostatic latent images are formed and developed with a one component type or two component type developer to form toner images, using a developing assembly provided with a developing container and a developer carrying member. The one component developer is comprised of toner particles. The two component type developer is comprised of toner particles and a magnetic carrier. The toner particles of the one component type and two component type developers contains fine particles as an external additive.The latent image bearing member has a surface layer having a volume resistivity A of from 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.15 .OMEGA..multidot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Kazumi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 5885742
    Abstract: A carrier for electrophotography has carrier particles. Each carrier particle has a carrier core and a silicone resin coat layer that covers the carrier core. The carrier particle has silicon atoms and carrier atoms on its surface in the ratio that satisfies the condition of Si/C=0.1 to 2.0 as the number of atoms present on the carrier particle surface as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and from 0.1% by number to 5% by number of metal atoms are present on the carrier particle surface. Additionally, there is a two-component developer for developing electrostatic images which consists of a toner and the carrier. An image forming method in which the two-component developer having the toner and the carrier is transported to a developing zone which is defined by a latent image carried on a latent image bearing member to develop the latent image. A voltage is applied to the developer to direct the toner from the latent image bearing member to a member carrying the developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 5853938
    Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image has colorant-containing resin particles and amorphous fine titanium oxide particles comprising primary particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 m.mu. to 200 m.mu..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Nakazawa, Kenji Okado
  • Patent number: 5851714
    Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image is formed from toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and an organometallic compound. The binder resin in the toner particles has a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble (THF-insoluble) content of at most 5.0 wt.% based on the binder resin. The toner has a glass transition temperature of 50.degree.-80.degree. C. The toner further has storage modulus characteristics including a storage modulus at 80.degree. C. (G'.sub.80) of 1.times.10.sup.4 -5.times.10.sup.6 ?dyn/cm.sup.2 !, a storage modulus at 130.degree. C. (G'.sub.130) providing a ratio G'.sub.80 /G'.sub.130 of 10-5.times.10.sup.3, and a storage modulus curve showing a minimum (G'min) in a temperature region of 110.degree.-190.degree. C. The toner especially exhibits excellent low-temperature fixability, anti-high temperature offset characteristic, storage stability and color-miscibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Taya, Kenji Okado, Ryoichi Fujita, Makoto Kanbayashi, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Wakashi Iida, Tetsuya Ida
  • Patent number: 5795693
    Abstract: A carrier for electrophotography is constituted by magnetic carrier core particles and a resin coating layer coating the magnetic carrier core particles. The carrier core particles contain a magnetic ferrite component represented by the following formula (I):(Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.x (A).sub.y (B).sub.z (I),wherein A denotes a member selected from the group consisting of MgO, AgO and mixtures thereof; B denotes a member selected from the group consisting of Li.sub.2 O, MnO, CaO, SrO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2 and mixtures thereof; and x, y and z are numbers representing weight ratios and satisfying the relation of: 0.2.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.95, 0.005.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.3, 0<z.ltoreq.0.795, and x+y+z.ltoreq.1. The coated carrier particles thus formed exhibit excellent performances in continuous image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Tetsuya Ida
  • Patent number: 5774771
    Abstract: An image forming method has a developing step of developing an electrostatic latent image by the use of a developer to form a toner image on an electrostatic latent image bearing member, a primary transfer step of transferring the toner image onto an intermediate transfer member to which a voltage is applied, and a secondary transfer step of transferring onto a transfer medium the toner image held on the intermediate transfer member, while a transfer means to which a voltage is applied is pressed against the transfer medium. The developer has a toner. The toner is a black toner having at least i) black toner particles formed of a binder resin with a colorant dispersed therein and ii) an inorganic fine powder. The black toner has the value of shape factor SF-1 of 110<SF-1.ltoreq.180, the value of shape factor SF-2 of 110<SF-2.ltoreq.140, and the value of ratio B/A of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kukimoto, Motoo Urawa, Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Keita Nozawa, Satoshi Yoshida, Yuki Karaki
  • Patent number: 5747213
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method including the steps of: forming an electrostatic latent image on a latent image holding member; developing the electrostatic latent image by using a color toner to form a toner image; transferring the toner image onto a recording material; and fixing the toner image to the recording material by a heat fixing device including a heating member in contact with the toner image. In the method, the color toner contains at least a binder resin, a colorant and wax, the wax having a molecular weight distribution measured by GPC, which has a ratio of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of 1.45 or less, and a solubility parameter (SP value) of 8.4 to 10.5. If the contact angles between the wax and the heating member at 100.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. are A and B, respectively, the contact angles A and B satisfy the following relations:60.degree..ltoreq.A.ltoreq.80.degree.10.degree..gtoreq.B-A.gtoreq.3.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Ryuichiro Maeyama, Kouji Inaba
  • Patent number: 5747209
    Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic images is formed of toner particles comprising (a) a binder resin, (b) a colorant or magnetic material, (c) an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A), and (d) a metal compound of the aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A). The aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A) and the metal compound of the aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A) are contained in a weight ratio of 1:99 to 10:90. As a result of co-inclusion of a small amount of the aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A) in addition to the metal compound thereof, the resultant toner is provided with a quick chargeability in a low humidity environment and an improved level of triboelectric charge in a high humidity environment, presumably because of the stabilization effect of the small amount of the aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid (A) on the metal compound thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Kenji Okado, Masaaki Taya, Ryoichi Fujita, Makoto Kanbayashi, Kohji Inaba, Wakashi Iida, Kazunori Kato, Tetsuya Ida, Shinya Yachi
  • Patent number: 5733702
    Abstract: An image forming method is conducted by forming a toner image on a latent image bearing member containing an organic photoconductive material. The latent image bearing member includes a photosensitive layer containing an organic photoconductive material and a protective layer which contains fluorine-containing resin particles in an amount from 5% by weight to 40% by weight. The toner contains toner particles and external additives. The external additives include titanium oxide particles having a weight average particle diameter from 0.01 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m having been subjected to hydrophobic treatment, organic resin particles having a weight average particle diameter from 0.02 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m, and inorganic compound particles having a weight average particle diameter from 0.5 .mu.m to 2.5 m.The inorganic compound particles may be specific titanates, oxides or carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Yasuhiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5700617
    Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image is formed from toner particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge-controlling agent. The charge-controlling agent comprises an aromatic oxycarboxylic acid, a metal compound of the aromatic oxycarboxylic acid, and an inorganic compound formed from an inorganic anion and an inorganic cation. The aromatic oxycarboxylic acid, the metal compound of the aromatic carboxylic acid and the inorganic anion are contained in proportions of A (wt. %), B (wt. %) and C (ppm), respectively, satisfying the following conditions: 1/99.ltoreq.A/B.ltoreq.20/80, and 10.sup.2 .ltoreq.C. Because of the inclusion of an inorganic compound providing a sufficient amount of inorganic anion, the charge-controlling agent shows a stable charge-controlling characteristic, and the resultant toner exhibits a stable developing performance and transferability in continuous image formation in various environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Kenji Okado, Masaaki Taya, Ryoichi Fujita, Makoto Kanbayashi, Wakashi Iida, Tetsuya Ida
  • Patent number: 5670288
    Abstract: A carrier for electrophotography has carrier particles. The carrier has a 50% average particle diameter (D.sub.50) of from 15 .mu.m to 45 .mu.m and contains from 1% to 20% of carrier particles with a size smaller than 22 .mu.m, not more than 3% of carrier particles with a size smaller than 16 .mu.m, from 2% to 15% of carrier particles with a size of 62 .mu.m or larger, and not more than 2% of carrier particles with a size of 88 .mu.m or larger. The carrier has a specific surface area S.sub.1 as measured by an air-permeability method and a specific surface area S.sub.2 as calculated by the following expression:S.sub.2 =(6/.rho..multidot.D.sub.50).times.10.sup.4wherein .rho. is a specific gravity of carrier; satisfying the following condition:1.2 .ltoreq.S.sub.1 /S.sub.2 .ltoreq.2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Makoto Kanbayashi, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Yasuhiro Ichikawa, Wakashi Iida
  • Patent number: 5637432
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toner for developing an electrostatic image, comprising toner particles and external additives, wherein;said external additives comprise (A) titanium oxide particles having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.01 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m, having been subjected to hydrophobic treatment, (B) organic resin particles having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.02 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m and (C) an inorganic compound having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.5 .mu.m to 2.5 .mu.m; said external additives being added in an amount satisfying the relationship:(A):(B)=2:1 to 10:1(A):(C)=1:1 to 5:1; andsaid toner contains toner particles having a particle diameter of from 2 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m in an amount of from 15% by number to 40% by number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Okado, Toshiyuki Ugai, Ryoichi Fujita, Tsuyoshi Takiguchi, Yasuhiro Ichikawa