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: 20110158681
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20110142490
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the apparatus includes a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive drums; a cartridge which contains a developer and which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge mounting portion for mounting the cartridge; a plurality of cleaning members for removing the developers remaining on surfaces of the electrophotographic photosensitive drums; a removed-developer accommodating container for accommodating the developers removed by the cleaning members, the removed-developer accommodating container being detachably mountable to the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, wherein the cartridges are disposed along a second direction, and the removed-developer accommodating container are adjacent to the cartridge
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20110058846
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a first frame member which has an opening through which a developer accommodated therein is fed; a sealing member which seals the opening and which is pulled out to unseal the opening; a second frame member which sandwiches the sealing member with the first frame member; a welding portion which is formed on one of the first frame member and the second frame member and adapted to weld the first frame member and the second frame member at an area outside the opening; and a sandwiching portion which is formed on one of the first frame member and the second frame member and which is melted with the welding of the welding portion at an area outside the opening and inside the welding portion to sandwich the sealing member between the first frame member and the second frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kuniaki Hirukawa, Toshiyuki Shuto, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Publication number: 20110033201
    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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Akutsu, Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 7817936
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium, including: a cartridge supporting member, which moves between an inside position that is positioned inside the apparatus main body and a pullout position pulled out from the inside position to an outside of the apparatus main body, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges; in which the plurality of cartridges are arranged side-by-side and supported on the cartridge supporting member so that a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of cartridges is orthogonal to a pullout direction in which the cartridge supporting member moves from the inside position to the pullout position, and a cartridge, which is heaviest among the plurality of cartridges, is supported most upstream in the pullout direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100247142
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material, the apparatus includes an image forming unit rotatable relative to a main assembly of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the image forming unit including a plurality of mounting portions for demountably mounting cartridges each provided with a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member drum with a developer, and a transfer member for transferring the developed image on the recording material, wherein the image forming unit is rotatable between a transfer position for transferring the developed image from the transfer member onto the recording material and a mounting and demounting position, different from the transfer position, for mounting and dismounting the cartridge relative to the mounting portion in a state in which cartridges containing different color developers are mounted to the mounting portion; and a gr
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100247140
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100247138
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100239308
    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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100239312
    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: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100239311
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a transfer member for transferring a developed image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a mounting portion for demountably mounting a cartridge, the image formation unit being movable, in a state that the cartridge is demountably mounted to the mounting portion, 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 cartridge relative to the mounting portion; and a regulating member for limiting movement, outward of the unit, of the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion, when the unit moves between the transfer position and the mounting and demounting position, the regulating member being movable between a regulating position for limiting the movement, outward of the unit, of the cartridge,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20100202797
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a transfer member, includes a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is provided with a transfer member for transferring a developer image onto the transfer member; a supporting member movable between an inside position which is for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which the developer image is to be formed and which is inside the main assembly, and an outside position which is outside the main assembly; and a contacting and spacing member movable between a first position for spacing the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the transfer member in the state that the supporting member is in the inside position, and a second position for contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the transfer member, the contacting and spacing member being provided in the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Publication number: 20100189474
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes an apparatus body having an endless belt incorporated therein configured to transfer toner images formed on a plurality of image bearing members to the recording medium, and a supporting member configured to support the plurality of image bearing members and to be slidable between inner and outer positions of the apparatus body along the arranged direction of the plurality of image bearing members, wherein when the supporting member slides between the inner and outer positions of the apparatus body while at least one of the plurality of image bearing members is in contact with the belt, a force is applied to the belt to rotate the belt along the moving direction of the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Publication number: 20100158559
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted to an apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium, including: a cartridge supporting member, which moves between an inside position that is positioned inside the apparatus main body and a pullout position pulled out from the inside position to an outside of the apparatus main body, while detachably supporting the plurality of cartridges; in which the plurality of cartridges are arranged side-by-side and supported on the cartridge supporting member so that a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of cartridges is orthogonal to a pullout direction in which the cartridge supporting member moves from the inside position to the pullout position, and a cartridge, which is heaviest among the plurality of cartridges, is supported most upstream in the pullout direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 6900814
    Abstract: To provide a three-dimensional CAD apparatus for collectively performing the appropriate image processing of color or gradation on the face or edge line for a 3D model in accordance with a processing for the 3D model instructed by the user. Thereby, it is unnecessary to set the color for each portion every time different processing is performed, whereby the fast operation is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 6901229
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium. The image forming apparatus has a twisted hole, the cross-section of which has a plurality of corners. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a driving-force transmitting part provided on one lengthwise end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a twisted protrusion to be fitted in the hole and whose cross-section has a plurality of corners. The process cartridge also includes a shaft portion supported by a bearing portion, and a gear portion for transmitting a driving force to the developing roller, the shaft portion and the gear portion overlapping each other in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Teruhiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20050093860
    Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus having display means for virtually displaying planes, in which attribute information concerning a three-dimensional model is laid out, in three-dimensional space identical with that of the three-dimensional model, and output means, which is responsive to a direct designation by designating means of a plane displayed by the display means, for outputting print data of the three-dimensional model and of the attribute information as viewed from a normal-line direction of the virtual plane designated. The information processing apparatus (a 3D-CAD apparatus, for example) prints drawings more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Ryozo Yanagisawa, Yoshikazu Sasago, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu, Hiroshi Takarada
  • Publication number: 20040113918
    Abstract: To provide a three-dimensional CAD apparatus for collectively performing the appropriate image processing of color or gradation on the face or edge line for a 3D model in accordance with a processing for the 3D model instructed by the user. Thereby, it is unnecessary to set the color for each portion every time different processing is performed, whereby the fast operation is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 6522854
    Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus which has a developer carrying member opposed to an image bearing member for bearing a latent image and adapted to carry magnetic developer, a magnet provided within the developer carrying member and having one end secured to a frame of the apparatus, and a bearing fitted on other end of the magnet and adapted to rotatably support the developer carrying member, wherein a fitting portion between the magnet and the bearing has a non-circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Publication number: 20020044794
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus having a twisted hole, of which the cross-section has a plurality of corners, the process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a driving-force transmitting part provided on lengthwise one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a twisted protrusion to be fitted in the hole and of which the cross-section has a plurality of corners, and a shaft portion supported by a bearing portion, and a gear portion for transmitting a driving force to the developing roller, the shaft portion and the gear portion overlapping each other in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and when the hole is rotated with the protrusion fitted in the hole when th
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Teruhiko Sasaki