Patents by Inventor Masato Makino
Masato Makino 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: 9213309Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a cover unit, and a liquid channel. The cover unit is disposed above an image forming unit. The cover unit includes a first member, a second member, and a neighboring portion positioned between the first member and the second member. The liquid channel is configured to guide liquid and includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is disposed between the neighboring portion and the image forming unit. The first channel includes a recess part and a liquid outlet. The recess part is disposed below the neighboring portion and extending toward the frame in an extending direction. The liquid outlet is positioned at an end portion of the recess part in the extending direction. The second channel is disposed at the frame. The second channel is configured to allow liquid to pass through the frame in the extending direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masato Makino, Kouji Watanabe, Nobuyuki Futatsuki
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Publication number: 20150117927Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a control device controls a releasing member to release a release object onto a sheet to perform an image processing; controls a first rotating body to rotate to convey the sheet on which the releasing member has released the release object; controls a second rotating body to rotate to convey the sheet whose leading edge has passed through the first rotating body; determines whether a cover is in an open position or a close position relative to a housing of the image processing apparatus based on a signal outputted by a cover sensor; and restricts, when the cover is determined to be in the open position based on the signal, a rotation of the second rotating body while the first rotating body rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Masato Makino, Yohei Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20150117893Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a cover unit, and a liquid channel. The cover unit is disposed above an image forming unit. The cover unit includes a first member, a second member, and a neighboring portion positioned between the first member and the second member. The liquid channel is configured to guide liquid and includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is disposed between the neighboring portion and the image forming unit. The first channel includes a recess part and a liquid outlet. The recess part is disposed below the neighboring portion and extending toward the frame in an extending direction. The liquid outlet is positioned at an end portion of the recess part in the extending direction. The second channel is disposed at the frame. The second channel is configured to allow liquid to pass through the frame in the extending direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Masato Makino, Kouji Watanabe, Nobuyuki Futatsuki
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Publication number: 20150110511Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a second transfer unit, and a control device. If a prescribed condition is satisfied, the control device sets a transfer current value for the second transfer unit so that an absolute value of a difference between the first current value and a second current value is greater than an absolute value of a difference between a third current value and a fourth current value. The first current value is set in a black-white mode, in which an image is formed by using black toner only, under the prescribed condition; the second current value is set if the prescribed condition is unsatisfied in the black-white mode; the third current value is set in a multi color mode, in which an multi-color image is formed, under the prescribed condition; and the fourth current value is set if the prescribe condition is unsatisfied in the multi color mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Masato Makino, Yuji Takimoto
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Publication number: 20140248065Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshige HIRAMATSU, Hirotaka MORI, Mayu OKADA, Masato MAKINO
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Patent number: 8824913Abstract: An electrophotographic image formation device configured to form images on a recording sheet is provided with a belt unit having an endless belt wound around a first roller and a second roller, a cleaning unit facing the endless belt and collects particles adhered on the endless belt with use of an electrostatic attractive force, a first voltage being applied to the cleaning unit, a backup unit arranged to face the cleaning unit with the endless belt being located therebetween, a second voltage that is different from the first voltage being applied to the backup unit, an electric wiring unit provided to the belt unit and electrically connected with the backup unit, and an electric current detection unit configured to detect an current value of an electric current flowing through the electric wiring unit. The electric wiring unit is electrically independent from other electric wiring units provided to the belt unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masato Makino
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Patent number: 8731425Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Hirotaka Mori, Mayu Okada, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 8725057Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a belt unit and a drawer casing configured to accommodate the plurality of process units. The drawer casing is movable in a horizontal direction so that it is insertable in and/or drawable from a main body of the image formation apparatus. An openable cover for an opening formed on an end face of the drawer casing is provided. The drawer casing is arranged above an imaginary plane including the bridging surface of an endless belt, while a sheet tray is arranged below the imaginary plane. A pair of rollers is arranged on the sheet tray side with respect to the movable path and configured to feed the sheet fed from the sheet tray to the belt unit. A first guide and a second guide, which is provided opposite to the first guide with a predetermined clearance therebetween, are provided to form a sheet feed path.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hikaru Iino, Hiroyuki Okuchi, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 8644724Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: an endless belt stretched by a plurality of rollers; and a detection sensor located to face one of the plurality of rollers while sandwiching the endless belt between the detection sensor and the one of the plurality of rollers, the detection sensor reading information formed on the endless belt through use of reflection of light. A recessed part is formed, to catch foreign particles, on the one of the plurality of rollers at a position which is shifted in an axis direction of the one of the plurality of rollers with respect to a detection area on the endless belt to which light from the detection sensor is irradiated.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 8577253Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a removable/attachable belt unit. In operation, the belt unit may be secured to a main body of the image forming apparatus using a lock mechanism to prevent extraneous or unexpected shifts and/or other movements. The lock mechanism may be located closer to a rotation pivot than to a midpoint between the rotation pivot and a rotation axis of a driven roller. This positioning of the lock mechanism may allow easier attachment and removal of the belt unit. Additionally, the lock mechanism may include an urging member configured to sandwich a protruding member of the belt unit against a contact surface in a front-rear direction. This reduces the potential for elastic or creep deformation of the belt unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirotaka Mori, Masato Makino
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Publication number: 20120039623Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshige HIRAMATSU, Hirotaka MORI, Mayu OKADA, Masato MAKINO
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Publication number: 20120027449Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: an endless belt stretched by a plurality of rollers; and a detection sensor located to face one of the plurality of rollers while sandwiching the endless belt between the detection sensor and the one of the plurality of rollers, the detection sensor reading information formed on the endless belt through use of reflection of light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi NAKANO, Masato MAKINO
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Publication number: 20110280617Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a belt unit, a drawer casing configured to accommodate the plurality of process units. The drawer casing is movable in a horizontal direction so that it is insertable in and/or drawable from a main body of the image formation apparatus. An openable cover for an opening formed on an end face of the drawer casing is provided. The drawer casing is arranged above an imaginary plane including the bridging surface of an endless belt, while a sheet tray is arranged below the imaginary plane. A pair of rollers arranged on the sheet tray side with respect to the movable path and configured to feed the sheet fed from the sheet tray to the belt unit. A first guide and a second guide, which provided opposite to the first guide with a predetermined clearance therebetween, are provided to form a sheet feed path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hikaru IINO, Hiroyuki OKUCHI, Masato MAKINO
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Publication number: 20110274457Abstract: An electrophotographic image formation device configured to form images on a recording sheet is provided with a belt unit having an endless belt wound around a first roller and a second roller, a cleaning unit facing the endless belt and collects particles adhered on the endless belt with use of an electrostatic attractive force, a first voltage being applied to the cleaning unit, a backup unit arranged to face the cleaning unit with the endless belt being located therebetween, a second voltage that is different from the first voltage being applied to the backup unit, an electric wiring unit provided to the belt unit and electrically connected with the backup unit, and an electric current detection unit configured to detect an current value of an electric current flowing through the electric wiring unit. The electric wiring unit is electrically independent from other electric wiring units provided to the belt unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masato MAKINO
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Publication number: 20110200355Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a removable/attachable belt unit. In operation, the belt unit may be secured to a main body of the image forming apparatus using a lock mechanism to prevent extraneous or unexpected shifts and/or other movements. The lock mechanism may be located closer to a rotation pivot than to a midpoint between the rotation pivot and a rotation axis of a driven roller. This positioning of the lock mechanism may allow easier attachment and removal of the belt unit. Additionally, the lock mechanism may include an urging member configured to sandwich a protruding member of the belt unit against a contact surface in a front-rear direction. This reduces the potential for elastic or creep deformation of the belt unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirotaka Mori, Masato Makino