Patents by Inventor Nobuo Iwata

Nobuo Iwata 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: 20080244402
    Abstract: An information processor includes an information processing unit that executes an information process by reference to a setting, a setting unit that executes a provisional selection to select one or more selection items among multiple selection items and a definitive selection for deciding the provisional selection by reference to an operation by a user and determines a setting of the information process by reference to a result of the definitive selection, a determination unit that determines a selection item to be explained by reference to one or more selection item provisionally selected by the setting unit, and an explanation outputting unit that outputs an explanation for the user for the selection item to be explained which is determined by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakakibara, Nobuo Iwata
  • Publication number: 20080226349
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a development device for supplying a developer containing toner and carrier to an electrostatic latent image carrying member for carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image, or a process cartridge for integrally storing the development device and the electrostatic latent image carrying member. The development device includes a conveyance path for charging and conveying the developer, and a developer carrying member for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image with the use of the developer conveyed through the conveyance path. The conveyance path includes a first conveyance member for receiving replenished toner and generating conveyance force for conveying the replenished toner and the developer in one direction, and a second conveyance member for generating conveyance force for conveying a portion of the developer conveyed by the first conveyance member in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the first conveyance member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Nobuo IWATA, Junichi Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Natsumi Katoh
  • Patent number: 7406278
    Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit, and a nozzle coupled to a toner container is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container to the setting unit and the coupling direction of the nozzle to the toner container are different. There is a powder container having an upper section and a multi-part lower section. The multi-part lower section has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having an opening which is perpendicular to an opening of the upper portion. The upper and lower portions are rotatably engaged such that the upper portion and the lower portion are engaged with each other when rotated to a first position relative to each other, and the upper portion and the lower portion are unengaged with each other when rotated to a second position relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080152380
    Abstract: The toner supply unit is provided with a preventing unit for preventing toner contamination due to toner leakage from that sealing valve. A mouth ring of the toner container is provided with the sealing valve. This valve is opened/closed by removing/inserting a nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Yoshio Hattori, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Takaaki Yanagisawa, Masumi Sato, Kouta Fujimori, Kazuhisa Sudo
  • Patent number: 7356290
    Abstract: The toner supply unit is provided with a preventing unit for preventing toner contamination due to toner leakage from that sealing valve. A mouth ring of the toner container is provided with the sealing valve. This valve is opened/closed by removing/inserting a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Yoshio Hattori, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Takaaki Yanagisawa, Masumi Sato, Kouta Fujimori, Kazuhisa Sudo
  • Patent number: 7356288
    Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a developing agent, a refilling port, a transport member, and an agitation enhancer. The developing agent includes toner particles and carrier particles and is refilled to the developing apparatus from the refilling port. The transport member transports the developing agent to the developing roller while agitating the developing agent. The agitation enhancer is provided on a peripheral portion of the transport member to increase agitation movement of the developing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Nobutaka Takeuchi, Junichi Matsumoto, Takayuki Koike
  • Publication number: 20080069596
    Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit (100), and a nozzle (110) coupled to a toner container (20) is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container (20) to the setting unit (100) and the coupling direction of the nozzle (110) to the toner container (20) are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7346299
    Abstract: A developer container storing a developer of the present invention includes a developer outlet formed in the side wall thereof, and a shutter member for selectively opening or closing the developer outlet. The shutter member opens the developer outlet when the developer container is mounted to the body of an image forming apparatus or closes it when the former is dismounted from the latter. The toner container with this configuration surely prevents the developer from leaking when the developer container is dismounted from an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata
  • Patent number: 7346286
    Abstract: A developer container includes a developer container configured to contain a developer including a toner and a carrier, a developer delivering mechanism configured to deliver the developer toward an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus, and a detecting mechanism configured to detect deterioration of the developer based on a predetermined characteristic of the developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Nobutaka Takeuchi, Takayuki Koike, Eriko Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20080038019
    Abstract: A developing device of the present invention develops a latent image formed on an image carrier with a two-ingredient type developer made up of toner and carrier. The developing device includes a storing member for storing a fresh developer to be replenished. A conveying device conveys the fresh developer from the storing member to a case, which stores the two-ingredient type developer to be deposited on the image carrier, while fluidizing the fresh developer. An excess developer discharging portion is configured to discharge excess part of the two-ingredient type developer to the outside. The developer storing member is implemented as an at least partly flexible bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20070274740
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing unit, a developer agitating unit, a developer conveying unit, and a toner supplementing unit. The developing unit develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier with a developer containing toner and carrier. The developer agitating unit agitates the developer. The developer conveying unit connects the developing unit and the developer agitating unit, and conveys the developer from the developing unit to the developer agitating unit. The toner supplementing unit is connected to the developer conveying unit, and supplements toner to the developer conveyed from the developing unit to the developer agitating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Natsumi Katoh, Junichi Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Nobuo Iwata
  • Publication number: 20070264053
    Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus that uses developing agent supplied from a supplying device. The developing device includes a developing roller configured to bear the developing agent thereon and develop a toner image on an image bearing member. The device also includes a supply and circulation system configured to receive developing agent from the supplying device, and being configured to supply the developing agent to the developing roller and circulate the developing agent within the developing device. The system includes an agitate conveying member, and a circulation route having at least a portion that extends upward. The agitate conveying member is provided within the upwardly extending portion of the circulation route, and is configured to convey the developing agent upward through the upwardly extending portion of the circulation route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Nobuo Iwata, Junchi Matsumoto, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Natsumi Katoh, Tomoya Ohmura
  • Patent number: 7277664
    Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit, and a nozzle coupled to a toner container is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container to the setting unit and the coupling direction of the nozzle to the toner container are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20070189813
    Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: JUNICHI MATSUMOTO, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Goro Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 7257348
    Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Goro Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20070166079
    Abstract: A developing apparatus using a two-component developer constituted by a magnetic carrier and a toner, and an image forming apparatus comprising the developing apparatus. A developing unit and a stirring unit are provided, and in order to suppress toner scattering that may occur after a development operation has been halted for a long time, and thereby suppress contamination of the apparatus interior, the developer in a developing machine is transferred to a stirrer serving as a developer storage unit on the exterior of the developing machine when the development operation ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Iwata, Natsumi Katoh
  • Patent number: 7245853
    Abstract: A developer container includes a developer storage unit made of a flexible sheet material for storing developer, and a cap unit from which the developer is discharged. The developer storage unit includes a holding member that holds a folded state when the developer storage unit is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Muramatsu, Nobuo Iwata, Junichi Matsumoto, Nobutaka Takeuchi, Takayuki Koike
  • Publication number: 20070154242
    Abstract: A developing device including a development part for developing latent images to toner images. The developing device also includes an agitation part that agitates developer, and a controller, which controls an agitation strength of an agitator in the agitation part. The developer circulates between the development part and the agitation part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Natsumi Katoh, Nobuo Iwata, Tomoyuki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20070122207
    Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Goro Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 7221891
    Abstract: The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Goro Katsuyama