Patents by Inventor Tomoaki Arai

Tomoaki Arai 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: 20120234714
    Abstract: An article holder for holding a cylindrical article in a packaging container includes an upper face, a lower face, an inner face on a center side in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical article, and an outer face on an outer side in the longitudinal direction, and at least one first article receiver formed in the upper face of the article holder to support a lower side of the end portion of the cylindrical article. The first article receiver includes a first recess semilunar in vertical cross section, forming, a semilunar opening in the inner face of the article holder as well as a rectangular opening continuous with the semilunar opening in the upper face of the article holder, and a first arc-shaped projection projecting from an inner circumferential surface of the first recess, having a radius smaller than a radius of the first recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 8234993
    Abstract: An impact detector includes a case, an impact indicator disposed on a front side of the case, to indicate an impact history of the impact detector, a first weight that moves inside the case to a side to which the case falls, causing the impact indicator to indicate the impact history by moving through at least one of a first transition path and a second transition path, a first guide member to guide the first weight to a first impact detection position along the first transition path when the case falls in a first direction, and a second guide member to guide the first weight to the second impact detection position along the second transition path when the case falls in a second direction. The first transition path at least partly overlaps with the second transition path on a projection plane on the front side of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Moku Naruishi, Sakae Ishikawa, Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 8167193
    Abstract: A packaging container for containing an object includes a substantially square-shaped first sheet member and a substantially square-shaped second sheet member overlaid on one another and forming four sides. At least one of the four sides forms an opening from which the object can be inserted. The packaging container also includes a first flap adjacent to the first sheet member through a first fold line at the opening, including a first cover piece to cover one half of the opening when folded, and a second flap adjacent to the second sheet member through a second fold line at the opening, including a second cover piece to cover another half of the opening when folded. The first flap and the second flap are provided at the opening so as not to overlap each other, and the first cover piece and the second cover piece cover substantially all the opening when folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 8157093
    Abstract: A packing unit includes a pallet, a structural base, and a fixing device. The pallet mounts an article thereon. The structural base has a fixed portion and is detachably attached to the article. The fixing device fixes the article to the pallet and includes an article fixing member slidably supported by the pallet. The article fixing member is movable between a fix position at which the article fixing member is engaged with the fixed portion of the structural base of the article to fix the article to the pallet and a release position at which the engagement of the article fixing member and the fixed portion is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Hideyuki Goda, Hirofumi Sugane, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Tsuyoshi Abe, Moku Naruishi
  • Publication number: 20120067253
    Abstract: A pallet apparatus includes a pallet base including a caster unit and a mounting plate for mounting a product having a first fastening unit; a fixing member disposed between the product and the mounting plate of the pallet base; and a second fastening unit fixing the fixing member onto the mounting plate. The product can be fixed to or released from the fixing member by fastening or unfastening the first fastening unit. The fixing member includes a slit at a position corresponding to the first fastening unit, the slit allowing the fixing member to be inserted between or detached from the product and the mounting plate without contacting the first fastening unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Harada, Takashi Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Abe, Tomoaki Arai
  • Publication number: 20100300178
    Abstract: An impact detector includes a case, an impact indicator disposed on a front side of the case, to indicate an impact history of the impact detector, a first weight that moves inside the case to a side to which the case falls, causing the impact indicator to indicate the impact history by moving through at least one of a first transition path and a second transition path, a first guide member to guide the first weight to a first impact detection position along the first transition path when the case falls in a first direction, and a second guide member to guide the first weight to the second impact detection position along the second transition path when the case falls in a second direction. The first transition path at least partly overlaps with the second transition path on a projection plane on the front side of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Moku Naruishi, Sakae Ishikawa, Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 7798352
    Abstract: A packaging device includes a bottom plate and a mounting plate arranged above the bottom plate at a specific distance form the bottom plate. An article to be transported is placed on the mounting plate. A cushioning member is arranged in a space between the bottom plate and the mounting plate. The cushioning member protects the article from shocks. A reinforcing unit is arranged on the bottom plate in the space between the bottom plate and the mounting plate so that support members of the article rest on the reinforcing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Moku Naruishi, Tsuyoshi Abe, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Hideyuki Goda, Tomoaki Arai, Noriyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7748540
    Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Juusei Matsumoto, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Takefumi Adachi, Hisao Chikano, Satoshi Kitaoka, Junichi Murano
  • Patent number: 7673569
    Abstract: When a first article is to be delivered to a customer and a second article is to be collected from the customer, first rack components required for delivery of the first article and second rack components not required for delivery of the first article, yet required for collecting the second article, are specified. Delivery procedure and collection procedure of the articles using the specified first rack components and second rack components are instructed to a worksite. Accordingly, delivery and collection of the articles can be carried out by making efficient use of the rack components commonly used for the first article and the second article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Satoshi Ishihara, Tomoaki Arai, Isamu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090025342
    Abstract: A packing unit includes a pallet, a structural base, and a fixing device. The pallet mounts an article thereon. The structural base has a fixed portion and is detachably attached to the article. The fixing device fixes the article to the pallet and includes an article fixing member slidably supported by the pallet. The article fixing member is movable between a fix position at which the article fixing member is engaged with the fixed portion of the structural base of the article to fix the article to the pallet and a release position at which the engagement of the article fixing member and the fixed portion is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Hideyuki Goda, Hirofumi Sugane, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Tsuyoshi Abe, Moku Naruishi
  • Publication number: 20080110965
    Abstract: A packaging container for containing an object includes a substantially square-shaped first sheet member and a substantially square-shaped second sheet member overlaid on one another and forming four sides. At least one of the four sides forms an opening from which the object can be inserted. The packaging container also includes a first flap adjacent to the first sheet member through a first fold line at the opening, including a first cover piece to cover one half of the opening when folded, and a second flap adjacent to the second sheet member through a second fold line at the opening, including a second cover piece to cover another half of the opening when folded. The first flap and the second flap are provided at the opening so as not to overlap each other, and the first cover piece and the second cover piece cover substantially all the opening when folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Tomoaki Arai
  • Patent number: 7222471
    Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Juusei Matsumoto, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Takefumi Adachi, Hisao Chikano, Satoshi Kitaoka, Junichi Murano
  • Publication number: 20060282193
    Abstract: When a first article is to be delivered to a customer and a second article is to be collected from the customer, first rack components required for delivery of the first article and second rack components not required for delivery of the first article, yet required for collecting the second article, are specified. Delivery procedure and collection procedure of the articles using the specified first rack components and second rack components are instructed to a worksite. Accordingly, delivery and collection of the articles can be carried out by making efficient use of the rack components commonly used for the first article and the second article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Satoshi Ishihara, Tomoaki Arai, Isamu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20060226046
    Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Juusei Matsumoto, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Takefumi Adachi, Hisao Chikano, Satoshi Kitaoka, Junichi Murano
  • Publication number: 20060186072
    Abstract: A packaging device includes a bottom plate and a mounting plate arranged above the bottom plate at a specific distance form the bottom plate. An article to be transported is placed on the mounting plate. A cushioning member is arranged in a space between the bottom plate and the mounting plate. The cushioning member protects the article from shocks. A reinforcing unit is arranged on the bottom plate in the space between the bottom plate and the mounting plate so that support members of the article rest on the reinforcing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Moku Naruishi, Tsuyoshi Abe, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Hideyuki Goda, Tomoaki Arai, Noriyuki Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20060144302
    Abstract: An article transporting/storing device of the present invention includes a table to be loaded with a desired article. A pair of post units are spaced from each other, and each include two posts connected together. A pair of unit supporting devices respectively support the two post units on the table such that the post units are selectively locked in a position in which they stand substantially vertically on the table or unlocked and allowed to be angularly moved toward the mount surface of the table between the post units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Juusei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7044065
    Abstract: An article transporting/storing device of the present invention includes a table to be loaded with a desired article. A pair of post units are spaced from each other, and each include two posts connected together. A pair of unit supporting devices respectively support the two post units on the table such that the post units are selectively locked in a position in which they stand substantially vertically on the table or unlocked and allowed to be angularly moved toward the mount surface of the table between the post units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Juusei Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20050188901
    Abstract: An article transporting/storing device of the present invention includes a table to be loaded with a desired article. A pair of post units are spaced from each other, and each include two posts connected together. A pair of unit supporting devices respectively support the two post units on the table such that the post units are selectively locked in a position in which they stand substantially vertically on the table or unlocked and allowed to be angularly moved toward the mount surface of the table between the post units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Juusei Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20050159839
    Abstract: When a first article is to be delivered to a customer and a second article is to be collected from the customer, first rack components required for delivery of the first article and second rack components not required for delivery of the first article, yet required for collecting the second article, are specified. Delivery procedure and collection procedure of the articles using the specified first rack components and second rack components are instructed to a worksite. Accordingly, delivery and collection of the articles can be carried out by making efficient use of the rack components commonly used for the first article and the second article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sakae Ishikawa, Satoshi Ishihara, Tomoaki Arai, Isamu Tanaka, Isamu Seki, Hideaki Arai, Masashi Nagatsuka, Kazuharu Yoshikawa, Takashi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20040182048
    Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming. apparatuses has a palette to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the palette. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the palette. When securing the article to the palette, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Juusei Matsumoto, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Takefumi Adachi, Hisao Chikano, Satoshi Kitaoka, Junichi Murano