Patents by Inventor Masahiro Kita

Masahiro Kita 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: 5111248
    Abstract: A printing apparatus employing an electrophotographic system using a continuous recording medium, where an unfixed toner image is transferred onto the recording medium by a transfer unit. A fixing unit for fixing the unfixed toner image onto the recording medium is movably disposed and can be secured at a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kita, Ikuo Negoro
  • Patent number: 5109255
    Abstract: A temperature control system is employed in a electrophotographic printer for controlling the temperature of a heat roller. In the system, the temperature of the heat roller is kept in a predetermined range of an operable range when printing is executed, and kept in a predetermined range of a standby range, which is lower than the operable range, when printing is unexecuted. The temperature of the heat roller is controlled to be raised up to the upper limit of the operable range before it is changed to be in the standby range when printing is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Masahiro Kita, Takaaki Yano, Tatsuya Yoshida, Ryoji Honda, Kiyoshi Negishi, Tsutomu Sato, Shoji Kamasako
  • Patent number: 5105227
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for supplying a record medium to an electrophotograph printer. The printer includes a photosensitive means on which are formed electrostatic latent images concerning with images to be printed on the basis of images data. The latent images are then converted by applying toner to the latent images to sensible images which are then transferred to the record medium at a transfer position where the sensible images are in opposition to a printable zone of the record medium to form printed images. A time from starting motion of the photosensitive means to a moment when the sensible images have arrived at the transfer position is predetermined and the record medium is supplied into the printer so that a leading end of the printable zone of the record medium arrives at the transfer position when the sensible images have arrived at the transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goro Kitamura, Kazuyoshi Shiraishi, Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5101228
    Abstract: A storage vessel detecting mechanism is used for detecting an error condition of a storage vessel, which is detachably fitted in a main apparatus. The vessel is movably fitted in the main apparatus, and one end of a movable member, which is pivoted, is engaged with the vessel. The other end of the movable member is located between first and second positions when the vessel is not installed and when the vessel is accommodating a predetermined amount of substances therein. It is determined whether the other end of the movable member is located in a predetermined range. An error condition of the vessel is detected when the other end of the movable member is located at a position other than in the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Masahiro Kita, Takaaki Yano, Tatsuya Yoshida, Ryoji Honda, Kiyoshi Negishi, Ikuo Negoro, Tsutomu Sato, Shoji Kamasako
  • Patent number: 5101239
    Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer, a toner image formed on a photoconductive member is transferred onto a recording medium by charging the recording medium and by making the charged recording medium contact the toner image formed on the photoconductive member. A transfer charger for charging the recording medium is arranged in such a fashion that the transfer charger faces the recording medium at the upstream-side portion, with respect to the feeding direction of the recording medium, of an area where the photoconductive member and the recording medium contact. Therefore, the recording medium is charged at the upstream side of the portion with respect to the lateral center of the portion where the recording medium and the image carrying means contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Masahiro Kita, Takaaki Yano, Tatsuya Yoshida, Ryoji Honda, Kiyoshi Negishi, Tsutomi Sato, Shoji Kamasako
  • Patent number: 5082730
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a stretched antistatic laminate film comprising at least one coating layer containing a polymer having pyrrolidium rings in the main molecular chain, and a polyester film layer, a magnetic recording medium using the same, and a recording material for heat sensitive transfer printing using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Diafoil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naohiro Takeda, Yuzo Otani, Nariaki Okajima, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5082382
    Abstract: An appartaus utilizing a continuous-form sheet having a plurality of perforations at predetermined intervals of length is provided with a plate member for upwardly guiding the sheet discharged from the apparatus. A connect member provided on the plate member, as well as the apparatus, are arranged to be brought into and out of engagement with each other. The continuous-form sheet discharged from the apparatus is bent at the perforations and falls beyond the plate to be neatly folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Kiyoshi Negishi, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5063416
    Abstract: In a printing device such as a laser beam printer utilizing a continuous-form recording sheet, two controlling members are provided for controlling the recording sheet to be discharged from the printing device after a printing operation, and for controlling the recording sheet so as to be located at a position from which a printing operation is restarted. Thus, recording sheet is not wasted when the output begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Honda, Masahiro Kita, Ikuo Negoro
  • Patent number: 5061957
    Abstract: A power controlling device capable of controlling the supply power to a drive system and to a control system for controlling the drive system. The power controlling device is provided with a main switch capable of turning on and turning off the power supplying device. When the power supplying device is turned off by the main switch, the drive system is turned off before the control system is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Masahiro Kita, Takaaki Yano, Tatsuya Yoshida, Ryoji Honda, Kiyoshi Negishi, Tsutomu Sato, Shoji Kamasako
  • Patent number: 5027135
    Abstract: A self-diagnosis device provided in a printer that detects more than one error among a plurality of functional mechanisms provided in the printer, with one process. Test devices are provided for testing the functional mechanisms, and a control unit operates the test devices to detect an error, even if errors have been detected in other functional mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Negishi, Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5023631
    Abstract: A device for controlling a process of stopping a laser printer having a printing unit including a sensitive drum and a fixing unit. The stopping process control device is provided with a detecting unit for detecting errors occurring in the laser printer, a determining unit for determining whether or not an error detected by the detecting unit is very serious, and a control unit for controlling the printing unit and the fixing unit. The control unit stops the printing unit and the fixing unit after completing a printing and a fixing of the page being printed when the determining unit determines that the error is less serious, and conversely, immediately stops the printing unit and the fixing unit when the determining unit determines that the error is very serious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Negishi, Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5001733
    Abstract: In a reset mechanism for resetting a counter counting the number of rotations of a photoconductive drum which is employed in a laser beam printer and the like, rocking member is provided to be rocked only when the photoconductive drum is primarily rotated and means for resetting the counter in response to the rocking movement of the rocking member. Thus, the counter is accurately reset in case that a new photoconductive drum is installed in the printer and the photoconductive drum is primarily rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4998835
    Abstract: A device for feeding a continuous form in a printer, the device having a timer for controlling the width of a drive pulse for a main motor feeding the form. The timer is formed of a plurality of timers controlled by software. These plurality of timers being, for example, three timers measuring a constant time, and one timer measuring a variable time which is varied in accordance with a feeding speed of the form. The width of the drive pulse is determined by summing up a time obtained by multiplying the constant time by three and adding the variable time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Negishi, Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4967691
    Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided for use in an electrophotographic apparatus. The developing apparatus includes a developer case in which a developer having a mixture of a toner and a carrier is stored, a developing roll which is located in the developer case and which is partially exposed to the outside of the developer case adjacent to a photosensitive drum, a front stirring roll which is located below the developing roll in the developer case to make a flow of developer in the developer case and below the developing roll, a rear stirring roll which is located rearwardly of the front stirring roll in the developer case to create a flow of developer in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the developer produced by the front stirring roll, and a guide plate located between the front and rear stirring rolls for guiding most of the developer which falls form the developing roll towards the front stirring roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Chikama, Toshihiro Isshiki, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4963941
    Abstract: A form feeding control device includes a sensor provided at an inlet mouth of a printer to sense whether or not a continuous form exists in the inlet mouth. A control unit feeds the continuous for transfer thereto of a printed image corresponding to one page of the continuous form. The printed image is then fixed on the continuous form. The control unit also feeds the continuous form to fix the printed image on one page when the sensor senses that the end of the continuous form has passed through the inlet mouth and that a printed image has been transferred to the continuous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Negishi, Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4959695
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus of forming a muticolor picture by electrophotography, first color toner, second color toner and third color toner are allowed to stick onto a photosensitive material according to the conventional method. Then after the surface of the photosensitive material is discharged to decrease the surface potential thereof, a fourth color toner is allowed to stick onto the photosensitive material, whereby mixing of the fourth color with the first, second and third colors is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nishimura, Kazuyuki Shinho, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4949104
    Abstract: A justification system for use in a printer employing a continuous recording form. The justification system comprises a timing pulse signal generating system which generates timing pulses in synchronism with the traveling of sprocket holes of the continuous recording form. The timing pulses signals for commencing the printing on each printing segment defined on the continuous recording form and the timing for stopping the advancement of the continuous recording form are controlled based upon the above timing pulse signals. With this control, printing can be executed with a correct positional relationship with rules on each printing segment, even if the continuous recording form is set in the printer with a slight misalignment in the direction of the travel path of the continuous recording form or if the form itself has expanded or contracted in its longitudinal direction due to the effect of humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Kiyoshi Negishi, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4924266
    Abstract: In a printer for printing information onto a continuous form, at least one of opposite side edges of the continuous form is detected by a side-edge detecting arrangement. It is judged that a traveling abnormality of the continuous form occurs, when a detecting signal representative of the at least one side edge of the continuous form detected by the side-edge detecting arrangement continues for a preset period of time and more. If the continuous form is provided therein with sprocket holes, the side-edge detecting arrangement may include a pair of side-edge detectors each for detecting the sprocket holes in a corresponding one of opposite side edge portions of the continuous form. In this case, it is judged that the traveling abnormality of the continuous form occurs, when the detecting signal representative of the sprocket holes in each side edge portion of the continuous form is not continuously outputted within a preset period of time and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4912490
    Abstract: A justification system for use in an electrophotographic printer. The justification system comprises a detector which detects pulses occuring at intervals each covering a segment of a continuous form. A counter coupled to the detector counts the number of main scannings over the surface of a photoconductive drum during the time to feed each segment, as confirmed in the detector. The counted value is compared with a reference value by a differential arithmetic unit, the output of which is fed to a speed control to control the feed speed of the continuous form. This compensates for the fluctuations in printing positions of each segment due to systematic errors such, as expansion of the continuous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo, K.K.
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Kiyoshi Negishi, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 4890140
    Abstract: In an image fixing apparatus, a fixing roll unit is arranged in a predetermined path along which a continuous form travels, for applying pressure and/or heat to an image on the continuous form to fix the image thereonto. An endless belt member is arranged upstream of the fixing roll unit with reference to a transport direction in which the continuous form travels along the predetermined path. The endless belt member has provided thereon a plurality of projections arranged in spaced relation to each other along an outer periphery of the endless belt member. The projections are engageable with sprocket holes formed in the continuous form along opposite side edges thereof. The endless belt member is capable of running in the transport direction while applying a predetermined back-tension to the continuous form traveling toward the fixing roll unit along the predetermined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Ikuo Negoro, Masahiro Kita