Patents by Inventor Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko

Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko 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: 20140219678
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiramatsu, Takashi Akutsu, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8768208
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a plurality of cartridges each including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member. The apparatus also includes a cartridge supporting member including a plurality of mounting portions in which the plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable, with the cartridge supporting member being movable between an inside position inside of a main assembly of the image forming apparatus and an outside position outside of the main assembly. An associated preventing member is positioned at a first position when an associated cartridge is incorrectly mounted in an associated mounting portion, and the associated preventing member is retracted into a second position in contact with the cartridge supporting member when the associated cartridge is mounted in the associated mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 8768213
    Abstract: A guide surface of an attachment guide for a cartridge attached to a position nearest to a scanner has, in the vicinity of an inlet of the attachment guide, a portion oriented so as to be away from a guide surface of a guide unit for another cartridge from the upstream toward the downstream side in the direction in which the cartridges are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8737872
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiramatsu, Takashi Akutsu, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140105641
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the cartridge containing a developer for effecting development and including a force receiving portion, wherein the cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and an urging member for urging the cartridge; wherein by mounting the cartridge, the force receiving portion receives a force from the urging member to urge the developing roller to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8682212
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which a drawer supporting a cartridge is mounted in an apparatus main body, and an impact when a drawer is mounted into the apparatus main body may be suppressed to prevent a developer from scattering within a developer container. The drawer supporting the cartridge is movable between an inside position in the apparatus main body and a pullout position at which the cartridge is mounted and removed. On a forward side of the inside position, a force giving portion for giving a force to the drawer in a direction opposite to a mounting direction is provided. The force giving portion gives the force gradually to the drawer along with movement of the drawer in the mounting direction. With this structure, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the developer in the cartridge caused by the impact on mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8666278
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiramatsu, Takashi Akutsu, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140037330
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiramatsu, Takashi Akutsu, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8639158
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the cartridge containing a developer for effecting development and including a force receiving portion, wherein the cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and an urging member for urging the cartridge; wherein by mounting the cartridge, the force receiving portion receives a force from the urging member to urge the developing roller to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8626008
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an image bearing member for bearing a developer image and a cartridge that contains a developer that has a developing roller. A cleaning member is provided for removing developer remaining on the surface of the image bearing member, and a removed-developer accommodating container is provided for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8626025
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet includes a transfer member for transferring a developed image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto the sheet; a cartridge mounting portion for demountably mounting a cartridge accommodating the developer; an image forming unit movable, relative to a main assembly of the apparatus in a state that the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, between an image forming position for effecting image formation and a mounting and demounting position, away from the image formation position, for mounting and demounting the cartridge to the mounting portion; a cleaning member for removing a developer remaining on a surface of the drum; a residual developer container, demountably mounted to the image forming unit, for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning member; wherein the residual developer container and the cartridge are detachably mountable individually relative to the image forming unit when the image forming unit is p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20130336675
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a plurality of cartridges each including a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member. The apparatus also includes a cartridge supporting member including a plurality of mounting portions in which the plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable, with the cartridge supporting member being movable between an inside position inside of a main assembly of the image forming apparatus and an outside position outside of the main assembly. An associated preventing member is positioned at a first position when an associated cartridge is incorrectly mounted in an associated mounting portion, and the associated preventing member is retracted into a second position in contact with the cartridge supporting member when the associated cartridge is mounted in the associated mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 8571440
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided for forming an image on a recording material. The apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member on which a plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable. The cartridge supporting member is movable between an inside position inside a main assembly of the image forming apparatus and an outside position outside the main assembly. A plurality of preventing members are provided movably in the main assembly, with each preventing member being movable between a first position in which each preventing member prevents movement of the cartridge supporting member from the outside position to the inside position by contacting the cartridge supporting member, and a second position, retracted from the first position, in which each preventing member permits the movement of the cartridge supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 8565638
    Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus including an openable member capable of opening and closing a unit mounting and demounting opening includes: a grip portion, provided rotatably about a rotational shaft on a side wall of a frame of the unit, being rotatably moved to a projected position in which the grip portion is projected from the side wall and to a retracted position in which the grip portion is retracted in a longitudinal direction so as to be closer to the side wall than the projected position; and a force receiving portion at which the grip portion located at the projected position receives a force from the openable member when the openable member is closed in a state in which the unit is mounted in the main assembly, the force receiving portion being configured to receive the force for rotating the grip portion from the projected position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8526848
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an opening provided in a main assembly of the apparatus; an openable member for closing and opening the openable member; a drawer member for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the drawer member being movable between an inside position inside the main assembly and an outside position outside the main assembly where the cartridge can be mounted and dismounted; a transfer unit disposed above the drawer member and being movable between a contact position in contact with the drum and a separation position separated from the drum in a state that the drawer member is in the inside position; and an interrelating member interrelating the openable member and the transfer unit with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Ken Kikuchi, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8509650
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet includes a transfer member for transferring a developed image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto the sheet; a cartridge mounting portion for demountably mounting a cartridge accommodating the developer; an image forming unit movable, relative to a main assembly of the apparatus in a state that the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, between an image forming position for effecting image formation and a mounting and demounting position, away from the image formation position, for mounting and demounting the cartridge to the mounting portion; a cleaning member for removing a developer remaining on a surface of the drum; a residual developer container, demountably mounted to the image forming unit, for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning member; wherein the residual developer container and the cartridge are detachably mountable individually relative to the image forming unit when the image forming unit is p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8483594
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided for forming an image on a recording material. The apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges, and a cartridge supporting member including a plurality of mounting portions in which the plurality of cartridges is detachably mountable. A plurality of preventing members are each provided movably in an associated cartridge, corresponding to the plurality of mounting portions. Each preventing member is movable between a first position in which each preventing member prevents movement of the cartridge supporting member from an outside position to an inside position by contacting the main assembly, and a second position, retracted from the first position, in which each preventing member permits the movement of the cartridge supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 8467701
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a transfer member for transferring a developed image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto the recording material, and mounting portions for demountably mounting cartridges arranged substantially in a vertical direction, the unit being movable, in a state that the cartridge is demountably mounted to the mounting portions, between a transfer position for transferring the developed image from the transfer member onto the recording material in a main assembly of the apparatus, and a mounting and demounting position, different from the transfer position, for mounting and demounting the cartridges relative to the mounting portion; a first path for mounting and demounting the cartridge relative to such a mounting portion of the mounting portions as is provided at a topmost position; and a second path, different from the first path, for mounting and demounting the cartridge relative to the mounting portio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8463156
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a cartridge accommodating a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member, a supporter detachably mounting the cartridge, and a preventor. The supporter moves between an inside position where the cartridge forms an image inside a main assembly of the apparatus and an outside position where the cartridge is mounted and demounted outside the main assembly. The preventor moves between a first position in which it prevents, when the cartridge is not mounted, movement of the supporter from the outside position to the inside position by contacting a portion thereof, and a second position, retracted from the first position, in which the it permits, when the cartridge is mounted, the movement of the supporter from the outside position to the inside position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 8412070
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the cartridge containing a developer for effecting development and including a force receiving portion, wherein the cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and an urging member for urging the cartridge; wherein by mounting the cartridge, the force receiving portion receives a force from the urging member to urge the developing roller to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu