Patents by Inventor Tomoe Aruga

Tomoe Aruga 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: 7917065
    Abstract: A developing system comprises: a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic latent images, formed on the plurality of image carriers, with respective liquid developers of different colors of which carrier is nonvolatile solvent; and developer collecting means which are disposed at a plurality of locations for collecting excess developers, wherein the developing devices have developer containers, respectively. The developing system further comprises a carrier storing tank for distributing the carrier to the respective developer containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7769325
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reservoir base section with a recess that receives liquid developer scraped off of a developing roller by a cleaning blade. The recess is substantially U-shaped with an opened top side and an arc angle of not less than 180°. A conveying base station is continuous with the reservoir base section and has a conveying port formed thereon. A conveying member arranged in the reservoir and conveying base sections conveys liquid developer through a hollow path from the recess to the conveying port by rotating about its axis. The radius r1 of the outer periphery of the conveying member, the radius r2 of the conveying port and the radius r3 of curvature of the recess have the relationship r1<r2<r3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7742723
    Abstract: The invention provides a developing device employing a liquid developer which is capable of effectively cleaning a development roller or the like having an elastic outer layer. The developing device of the invention is provided with an elastic roller such as a development roller for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. In image forming process, toner particles uniformly dispersed in carrier are agglutinated to the elastic roller side by means of compaction. A cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the agglutinated toner particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20100040395
    Abstract: A developing system comprises: a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic latent images, formed on the plurality of image carriers, with respective liquid developers of different colors of which carrier is nonvolatile solvent; and developer collecting means which are disposed at a plurality of locations for collecting excess developers, wherein the developing devices have developer containers, respectively. The developing system further comprises a carrier storing tank for distributing the carrier to the respective developer containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7657210
    Abstract: A developer collection system comprises a plurality of image carrier members, a plurality of development sections for developing the electrostatic latent images formed respectively on the plurality of image carrier members by means of liquid developers of different colors containing a non-volatile solvent as carrier, an intermediate transfer member for sequentially transferring the developer images developed by the primary transfer sections respectively corresponding to the plurality of image carrier members, superposing them one on the other and carrying and conveying the developer images, an output section for transferring the superposed developer images from the intermediate transfer member onto a sheet on a sheet conveyance route in the secondary transfer section and developer collection means for collecting excessive developers from at least two of the plurality of image carrier members, the plurality of development means, the intermediate transfer member and the output section and at least two of the fl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7630671
    Abstract: A developing system comprises: a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic latent images, formed on the plurality of image carriers, with respective liquid developers of different colors of which carrier is nonvolatile solvent; and developer collecting means which are disposed at a plurality of locations for collecting excess developers, wherein the developing devices have developer containers, respectively. The developing system further comprises a carrier storing tank for distributing the carrier to the respective developer containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090103948
    Abstract: The invention provides a developing device employing a liquid developer which is capable of effectively cleaning a development roller or the like having an elastic outer layer. The developing device of the invention is provided with an elastic roller such as a development roller for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. In image forming process, toner particles uniformly dispersed in carrier are agglutinated to the elastic roller side by means of compaction. A cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the agglutinated toner particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7493066
    Abstract: The invention provides a developing device employing a liquid developer which is capable of effectively cleaning a development roller or the like having an elastic outer layer. The developing device of the invention is provided with an elastic roller such as a development roller for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. In image forming process, toner particles uniformly dispersed in carrier are agglutinated to the elastic roller side by means of compaction. A cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the agglutinated toner particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20090035022
    Abstract: A developer conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus having such a developer conveying apparatus can smoothly convey residual liquid developer. A developer conveying apparatus according to the present invention comprises a developer reservoir 310 for storing liquid developer, a developer conveying screw 320 in the developer reservoir 310 to convey the liquid developer by rotating around the axis thereof and a hollow path containing the developer conveying screw 320 in the inside thereof and guiding the liquid developer being conveyed by the developer conveying screw 320.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7418229
    Abstract: A fusing unit for fusing a nonfused toner image formed on a sheet medium, including: a heating roller; a pressing roller pressed to the heating roller; a heat-resistant belt which is wrapped around an outer periphery of the pressing roller and travels while being nipped at a nip portion between the pressing roller and the heating roller; a belt stretching member which stretches the heat-resistant belt; and a sliding member which is disposed between the belt stretching member and the pressing roller and slides along the outer periphery of the pressing roller, wherein the sliding member is disposed to be brought into contact with the heating roller through the heat-resistant belt at a contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7406286
    Abstract: In a fixing device for causing a pressurizing roller to come in pressure contact with a heating roller including a central region heating heater for heating a central region and a side end region heating heater for heating a side end region on an outside of the central region, thereby fixing an unfixed toner, or an image forming apparatus comprising the fixing device, an outside of an image region of the heating roller is caused to have a peak of heat distribution of the central region heating heater and heat radiated from both side ends of the heating roller is compensated to flatten the temperature distribution of the image region, thereby preventing a deterioration in an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenjiro Yoshioka, Kiyoteru Katsuki, Tomoe Aruga
  • Patent number: 7383008
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium. A heat source is incorporated in a first roller. A heat-resistant belt member is stretched by a second roller and a stretcher and circulated therearound. The belt member is brought into contact with the first roller to form a nip portion therebetween through which the recording medium is passed. At least one of the first roller and the second roller is provided with a cylindrical core member and a rubber layer. The cylindrical core member is formed with a first portion having a first diameter, a second portion having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter, and a step portion continuously connecting the first portion and the second portion. The rubber layer is secured to an outer periphery of the core member so as to cover at least the first portion and a part of the step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoe Aruga
  • Publication number: 20070140739
    Abstract: A developer collection system comprises a plurality of image carrier members, a plurality of development sections for developing the electrostatic latent images formed respectively on the plurality of image carrier members by means of liquid developers of different colors containing a non-volatile solvent as carrier, an intermediate transfer member for sequentially transferring the developer images developed by the primary transfer sections respectively corresponding to the plurality of image carrier members, superposing them one on the other and carrying and conveying the developer images, an output section for transferring the superposed developer images from the intermediate transfer member onto a sheet on a sheet conveyance route in the secondary transfer section and developer collection means for collecting excessive developers from at least two of the plurality of image carrier members, the plurality of development means, the intermediate transfer member and the output section and at least two of the fl
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20070140738
    Abstract: A developing system comprises: a plurality of image carriers; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic latent images, formed on the plurality of image carriers, with respective liquid developers of different colors of which carrier is nonvolatile solvent; and developer collecting means which are disposed at a plurality of locations for collecting excess developers, wherein the developing devices have developer containers, respectively. The developing system further comprises a carrier storing tank for distributing the carrier to the respective developer containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7218883
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: an image transfer carrying means 18 having flexibility and having an endless sleeve-like shape; a plurality of image forming means 7 which are arranged along the image transfer carrying means 18 such that respective image carriers 17 thereof are in contact with the image transfer carrying means 18, each image forming means 7 comprising a latent image forming means 6 for forming a latent image on the image carrier and a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier; and transfer bias applying means 16 which are disposed on the back of the image transfer carrying means at positions where the respective image carriers are in contact with the image transfer carrying means for applying transfer bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Nobumasa Abe, Yujiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 7215917
    Abstract: In a device for fusing a toner image on a recording medium, a first roller provided with a heat source and a second roller are provided. A stretcher is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the second roller. An endless belt is stretched by an outer circumferential face of the second roller and a first face of the stretcher, and circulated in accordance with rotation of the first roller and the second roller. The endless belt is sandwiched between the first roller and the second roller to form a nipping portion through which the recording medium passes to fuse the toner image thereon. A supporter is disposed between the second roller and the stretcher. The supporter is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the second roller, and is provided with at least one first projection having a first face which is brought into slide contact with at least a longitudinal center portion of the outer circumferential face of the second roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20070092300
    Abstract: The invention provides a developing device employing a liquid developer which is capable of effectively cleaning a development roller or the like having an elastic outer layer. The developing device of the invention is provided with an elastic roller such as a development roller for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. In image forming process, toner particles uniformly dispersed in carrier are agglutinated to the elastic roller side by means of compaction. A cleaning blade is provided for cleaning the agglutinated toner particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoe ARUGA, Ken IKUMA
  • Patent number: 7103307
    Abstract: In a fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, a heating roller is provided with an elastic layer formed on an outer periphery thereof. An endless belt is adapted to be circulated. A press member presses a part of the endless belt against the heating roller so as to deform the elastic layer, thereby forming a fixing nip portion through which the recording medium it passed. A guide member has a slope portion extended so as to close to a tangential line defined at a press contact position between the heating roller and the press member, as is being away from the exit of the fixing nip portion. A fixing pressure generated at the exit of the fixing nip portion is greater than a fixing pressure generated at an entrance of the fixing nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20060147231
    Abstract: A fusing unit for fusing a nonfused toner image formed on a sheet medium, including: a heating roller; a pressing roller pressed to the heating roller; a heat-resistant belt which is wrapped around an outer periphery of the pressing roller and travels while being nipped at a nip portion between the pressing roller and the heating roller; a belt stretching member which stretches the heat-resistant belt; and a sliding member which is disposed between the belt stretching member and the pressing roller and slides along the outer periphery of the pressing roller, wherein the sliding member is disposed to be brought into contact with the heating roller through the heat-resistant belt at a contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Tomoe Aruga, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7058345
    Abstract: A transfer belt unit and image forming apparatus that achieves the reduction in size and cost of a transfer belt unit and can prevent fluctuation of the cleaning performance. The unit has a transfer belt, and a plurality of rollers around which the transfer belt 14 is laid with certain tension, wherein at least one of the rollers is a tension roller 13 for tensioning to the transfer belt; frames supporting the plurality of rollers; tensioning mechanisms which are disposed on the side faces of the frames to bias the tension roller in a belt tensioning direction; a cleaning device in contact with the transfer belt at a position opposing the tension roller; rotation preventing members which prevent the rotational torque from being transmitted to the cleaning device; and position restricting members which restrict the relative position between the cleaning device and the tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumasa Abe, Tomoe Aruga, Yujiro Nomura