Patents by Inventor Tamotsu Kaneko

Tamotsu Kaneko 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: 20230221662
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores a toner that is to be supplied to a developing portion. An attachment location of the toner supply container isbelow a light scanning portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Kazushi Suzuki, Takeshi Sugita, Tamotsu Kaneko, Hisahiro Saito, Yoichiro Maebashi
  • Patent number: 11630403
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores a toner that is to be supplied to a developing portion. An attachment location of the toner supply container is below a light scanning portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Suzuki, Takeshi Sugita, Tamotsu Kaneko, Hisahiro Saito, Yoichiro Maebashi
  • Publication number: 20210223718
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores a toner that is to be supplied to a developing portion. An attachment location of the toner supply container isbelow a light scanning portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kazushi Suzuki, Takeshi Sugita, Tamotsu Kaneko, Hisahiro Saito, Yoichiro Maebashi
  • Patent number: 11009812
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores a toner that is to be supplied to a developing portion. An attachment location of the toner supply container is below a light scanning portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazushi Suzuki, Takeshi Sugita, Tamotsu Kaneko, Hisahiro Saito, Yoichiro Maebashi
  • Publication number: 20190377283
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of being attached with a toner supply container. The toner supply container stores a toner that is to be supplied to a developing portion. An attachment location of the toner supply container is below a light scanning portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Kazushi Suzuki, Takeshi Sugita, Tamotsu Kaneko, Hisahiro Saito, Yoichiro Maebashi
  • Publication number: 20180288255
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit, an original conveyance unit, a reversing unit, an image forming unit, an image forming conveyance unit, and a control unit. The original conveyance unit conveys an original in a first direction toward the image reading unit, which reads an image of the original. The reversing unit conveys an original passing through the image reading unit in the first direction, or reversely conveys the original toward the image reading unit in a second direction. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The image forming conveyance unit conveys, to the image forming unit, an original reversely conveyed by the reversing unit via the image reading unit. The control unit controls an operation for reading an image of the original by using the image reading unit and for overprinting the original with an image by using the image forming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Kazushi Suzuki, Hideki Ohta, Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20180282100
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes first and second discharge portions to discharge sheets, first and second stacking portions on which sheets are to be stacked, and a control unit to control the second stacking portion to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is that a downstream side of the second stacking portion is positioned and inclined upwardly with respect to an upstream side of the second stacking portion in a sheet conveyance direction of the sheets discharged from the second discharge portion. The second position is that the downstream side of the second stacking portion is positioned on a lower side of the first position of the downstream side of the second stacking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Emi Machii, Tamotsu Kaneko, Kazushi Suzuki, Hideki Ohta
  • Patent number: 9146530
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus electric-contact that is connectable to a cartridge electric-contact of a cartridge, which is equipped with a memory that stores information related to the cartridge, such that the information is transmitted from the cartridge to a main apparatus body of the image forming apparatus; a connector having the apparatus electric-contact and a first engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge so as to position the cartridge electric-contact and the apparatus electric-contact in a predetermined direction; and a connector holder that holds the connector in a movable manner. The connector holder has a second engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge. The connector is movable in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Seto, Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20140169824
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus electric-contact that is connectable to a cartridge electric-contact of a cartridge, which is equipped with a memory that stores information related to the cartridge, such that the information is transmitted from the cartridge to a main apparatus body of the image forming apparatus; a connector having the apparatus electric-contact and a first engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge so as to position the cartridge electric-contact and the apparatus electric-contact in a predetermined direction; and a connector holder that holds the connector in a movable manner. The connector holder has a second engaging unit that is engageable with the cartridge. The connector is movable in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Seto, Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8699911
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, wherein a cartridge including at least a photosensitive drum is detachably mountable to said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus includes a first abutting portion, provided in an upstream side with respect to a mounting direction in which the cartridge is moved in its longitudinal direction to be mounted to said apparatus; a first urging means, provided in an upstream side with respect to the mounting direction, for urging, when the cartridge is mounted to said apparatus, the cartridge, in a direction crossing with a center axis of the photosensitive drum to position the cartridge in the crossing direction; a second abutting portion, provided in a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction; and a second urging means, provided in a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, for urging, when the cartridge is mounted to said apparatus, the cartridge, in a direction crossing with the center axis of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8238781
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino, Tamotsu Kaneko, Satoshi Murasaki, Ken-ichi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8203586
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a laser scanner configured to irradiate a photoconductive drum with light and having a cover glass transmitting the light, a laser shutter movable between a closed position, where the laser shutter blocks an optical path of the light emitted from the laser scanner through the cover glass toward the photoconductive drum, and an open position, where the laser shutter opens the optical path, and a cleaning member with which the cover glass is cleaned, the cleaning member being supported by the laser shutter in such a manner as to be movable along the laser shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamotsu Kaneko, Ken-ichi Tomita, Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino
  • Publication number: 20110286761
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino, Tamotsu Kaneko, Satoshi Murasaki, Ken-ichi Tomita
  • Patent number: 7995946
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino, Tamotsu Kaneko, Satoshi Murasaki, Ken-ichi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20110188887
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, wherein a cartridge including at least a photosensitive drum is detachably mountable to said image forming apparatus, said image forming apparatus includes a first abutting portion, provided in an upstream side with respect to a mounting direction in which the cartridge is moved in its longitudinal direction to be mounted to said apparatus; a first urging means, provided in an upstream side with respect to the mounting direction, for urging, when the cartridge is mounted to said apparatus, the cartridge, in a direction crossing with a center axis of the photosensitive drum to position the cartridge in the crossing direction; a second abutting portion, provided in a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction; and a second urging means, provided in a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, for urging, when the cartridge is mounted to said apparatus, the cartridge, in a direction crossing with the center axis of
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20090269102
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a laser scanner configured to irradiate a photoconductive drum with light and having a cover glass transmitting the light, a laser shutter movable between a closed position, where the laser shutter blocks an optical path of the light emitted from the laser scanner through the cover glass toward the photoconductive drum, and an open position, where the laser shutter opens the optical path, and a cleaning member with which the cover glass is cleaned, the cleaning member being supported by the laser shutter in such a manner as to be movable along the laser shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tamotsu Kaneko, Ken-ichi Tomita, Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino
  • Patent number: 7433622
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly. The main assembly includes a main assembly electrical contact, first and second projections, main assembly positioning portions, and a force application member. The cartridge includes first and second frames, a first-frame drum, first and second portions, a second-frame developing roller, a second-frame force receiving portion, a regulating portion, a first-frame memory, a cartridge electrical contact, and a first-frame recess and a second-frame recess. When the cartridge is set in the main assembly, the cartridge electrical contact moves integrally with the main assembly electrical contact by the first frame recess engaging the first main assembly projection and the second frame recess engaging the second main assembly projection, upon the first frame rotating about the first portion and the second portion by the force receiving portion receiving the force from the force application member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Tamotsu Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20080205951
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Ueda, Kazushi Ino, Tamotsu Kaneko, Satoshi Murasaki, Ken-ichi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20080145122
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least one image forming unit configured to form an image, a belt for transferring an image formed by the image forming unit onto a recording material, and an opening and closing unit having the belt and openable and closable relative to a main body of the apparatus. The belt is provided above the image forming unit, and the image forming unit is removable from the main body of the apparatus when the opening and closing unit is open. The opening and closing unit slides substantially horizontally, thereby opening and closing relative to the main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tamotsu Kaneko, Takayuki Miyamoto, Hiroshi Kawamura, Kazushi Ino, Katsuhiko Oba
  • Patent number: 7369759
    Abstract: An iris authentication apparatus includes a camera for obtaining the image of an eye; a display panel arranged on the same plane as where the lens of the camera is arranged; and guide character generation means, wherein a guide character is displayed on a display panel, and the eye of a person to be authenticated who watches the guide character is guided. As a result, a satisfactory iris image can be obtained by the iris authentication apparatus of one camera type that does not have a zooming function, so that the iris authentication apparatus that can be mounted to a small body, such as a portable telephone, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kusakari, Jyoji Wada, Tamotsu Kaneko