Patents by Inventor Yasuo Fukatsu

Yasuo Fukatsu 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: 9817357
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that can suppress a reduction in a quality of a finish of a fold part of a stack of center-folded sheets without losing an ease of center-folding. The sheet processing apparatus comprises a creasing unit for forming a folding stripe on a sheet so as to facilitate folding the sheet, and an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to a thickness of the sheet. One or more sheets to be provided with folding stripes are determined, from among a plurality of sheets to be folded, according to the information related to the thickness of the sheets, and each of the determined one or more sheets are provided with a folding stripe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9505579
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of reducing the frequency of switching a convey route. The sheet processing apparatus is provided with a switching unit that switches between a first position at which conveyed sheet is led to a first convey path, and a second position at which conveyed sheet is led to a second convey path. A buffering process of overlaying the conveyed sheet conveyed from a buffer path and another sheet subsequently conveyed by the conveyed unit is performed. The second convey path is used by the buffering process when the conveyed sheet to be received into the buffer path is ejected to the second stacking unit, and the first convey path is used by the buffering process when the conveyed sheet to be received into the buffer path is ejected to the first overlaying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 9309076
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of shortening time to align sheets. A first alignment member and a second alignment member are movable in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, and align a sheet. A CPU controls the first and second alignment members to be moved in the sheet width direction. A skew sensor detects a skew amount and skew direction of the sheet. The CPU causes the first and second alignment members to be positioned at respective predetermined standby positions before the sheet is received between the first and second alignment member. Further, the CPU causes one of the first and second alignment members to be moved in a direction toward the sheet, based on the detected skew amount and skew direction, during conveyance of the sheet between the first and second alignment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Publication number: 20160031671
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that can suppress a reduction in a quality of a finish of a fold part of a stack of center-folded sheets without losing an ease of center-folding. The sheet processing apparatus comprises a creasing unit for forming a folding stripe on a sheet so as to facilitate folding the sheet, and an acquisition unit for acquiring information related to a thickness of the sheet. One or more sheets to be provided with folding stripes are determined, from among a plurality of sheets to be folded, according to the information related to the thickness of the sheets, and each of the determined one or more sheets are provided with a folding stripe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20160009518
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of reducing the frequency of switching a convey route. The sheet processing apparatus is provided with a switching unit that switches between a first position at which conveyed sheet is led to a first convey path, and a second position at which conveyed sheet is led to a second convey path. A buffering process of overlaying the conveyed sheet conveyed from a buffer path and another sheet subsequently conveyed by the conveyed unit is performed. The second convey path is used by the buffering process when the conveyed sheet to be received into the buffer path is ejected to the second stacking unit, and the first convey path is used by the buffering process when the conveyed sheet to be received into the buffer path is ejected to the first overlaying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Hitoshi Kato, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 9141066
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that is capable of setting a sheet conveyance distance from a first detection to a second detection according to a sheet length. A sensor unit on which first and second sensors are arranged in a sheet width direction to detect a side end of a sheet in the sheet width direction. A moving unit moves the sensor unit in the sheet width direction. A setting unit sets up a second movement speed based on the sheet length obtained. A control unit controls the moving unit so as to move the sensor unit at a first movement speed, and so as to move the sensor unit at the second movement speed until the end section is detected by the second sensor after the side end is detected by the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Publication number: 20150183605
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of shortening time to align sheets. A first alignment member and a second alignment member are movable in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, and align a sheet. A CPU controls the first and second alignment members to be moved in the sheet width direction. A skew sensor detects a skew amount and skew direction of the sheet. The CPU causes the first and second alignment members to be positioned at respective predetermined standby positions before the sheet is received between the first and second alignment member. Further, the CPU causes one of the first and second alignment members to be moved in a direction toward the sheet, based on the detected skew amount and skew direction, during conveyance of the sheet between the first and second alignment members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 9039002
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus which is capable of shortening time wasted until actual start of punching and enhancing productivity. A drive unit causes a moving member which has a cam and reciprocates. A punching member is driven by a movement of the cam of the moving member and punches a sheet when the moving member moves forth and moves back. A determination unit determines a type of the sheet. A control unit controls, when a sheet to be punched is to be subjected to a punching process, the drive unit such that the moving member starts moving before conveyance of the sheet to be punched stops, and controls, when the sheet to be punched is to be subjected to the punching process, the drive unit such that timing with which the moving member starts moving is changed based on the determination by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Taishi Tomii
  • Publication number: 20150037080
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that is capable of setting a sheet conveyance distance from a first detection to a second detection according to a sheet length. A sensor unit on which first and second sensors are arranged in a sheet width direction to detect a side end of a sheet in the sheet width direction. A moving unit moves the sensor unit in the sheet width direction. A setting unit sets up a second movement speed based on the sheet length obtained. A control unit controls the moving unit so as to move the sensor unit at a first movement speed, and so as to move the sensor unit at the second movement speed until the end section is detected by the second sensor after the side end is detected by the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 8794622
    Abstract: A stacker includes a plurality of sheet stacking units individually movable upward and downward. Sheets are selectively stacked onto either of the stacker trays. To remove the sheets stacked on one of the stacker trays, a door is opened. In a state where the door is open, the stacker trays moved by respective elevation units are movable only downward. In this manner, accidental upward movement of each of the stacker trays caused by a malfunction of a motor or the like is regulated, whereby damage to the stacker is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Obuchi, Yasuo Fukatsu, Naoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8770073
    Abstract: A sheet punching apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of movement distance of a movable member and maintaining the durability of a drive unit of the apparatus. A sheet post-processing apparatus controller computes a time period corresponding to an amount of overrun of a slider at the time of stopping the slider in an initial operation. In a punching operation, the sheet post-processing apparatus controller starts a punch motor at a timing earlier by the computed time period corresponding to the amount of overrun than a stop timing of a conveyance motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8757608
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of enhancing productivity in flattening a fold top of a sheet bundle. The sheet processing apparatus has a conveying unit that conveys a folded sheet bundle to a processing position, and a holding unit that holds the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying unit. When the folded sheet bundle has been conveyed by a predetermined distance after a leading end of the sheet bundle has been detected and before the sheet bundle reaches a processing position, the holding unit starts holding the sheet bundle, and then the conveying units stops conveyance of the sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8752819
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that is capable of aligning sheets in a sheet longitudinal direction with high accuracy when bundling the sheets. A conveyance unit conveys a sheet. A stacking unit stacks a plurality of sheets that are conveyed by the conveyance unit. A grasping member performs a grasping operation that grasps the rear end of the sheet surface of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit. A driving unit moves the grasping member. A control unit controls the driving unit so as to align the sheets stacked on the stacking unit in a sheet conveyance direction by making the grasping member contact the rear end of the stacked sheets after the sheets are stacked on the stacking unit, and controls the driving unit so that the grasping member performs the grasping operation when a following sheet is stacked on the stacked sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoharu Sato, Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu
  • Publication number: 20140053699
    Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus which is capable of shortening time wasted until actual start of punching and enhancing productivity. A drive unit causes a moving member which has a cam and reciprocates. A punching member is driven by a movement of the cam of the moving member and punches a sheet when the moving member moves forth and moves back. A determination unit determines a type of the sheet. A control unit controls, when a sheet to be punched is to be subjected to a punching process, the drive unit such that the moving member starts moving before conveyance of the sheet to be punched stops, and controls, when the sheet to be punched is to be subjected to the punching process, the drive unit such that timing with which the moving member starts moving is changed based on the determination by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo FUKATSU, Hitoshi KATO, Naoki ISHIKAWA, Taishi TOMII
  • Patent number: 8657286
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus which is capable of efficiently stacking sheets of various sizes while efficiently using space therein to thereby realize compactness thereof, and maintaining a high availability. Stacker trays for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus can be separately removed. It is detected whether any of the stacker trays is removed. When large-size sheets are stacked, a stacker control section causes the stacker trays to operate as one tray to stack the sheets in a state extending on the stacker trays, whereas when small-size sheets are stacked, the section causes one of the stacker trays to stack the sheets. Further, when one stacker tray is removed to make it impossible to stack the large-size sheets, the section causes a display section to display a guide message advising setting of the removed stacker tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi Moriyama, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 8657276
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of high-speed and accurate detection of a lateral displacement and a skew of a sheet. A motor laterally shifts the sensors during sheet conveyance by a conveying motor, to determine first and second positions of the sheet lateral edge detected respectively by first and second sensors. A finisher controller determines a third position of the lateral edge of the sheet closer to a sheet trailing edge, based on the first and second positions and an amount of conveyance of the sheet from when the first position is detected to when the second position is detected. A lateral displacement of the sheet is corrected by laterally shifting the sheet according to the third position of the sheet lateral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Taishi Tomii
  • Patent number: 8613435
    Abstract: A folding line is pressed using both a first and second pressing members of press roller pairs. Further, positions of the first and second pressing members are shifted from each other. When the number of the sheets included in a booklet is a predetermined number or less, the folding line is pressed by only the first pressing member. When the number of the sheets is more than the predetermined number, the folding line is pressed by both the first and second pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8596631
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet stacking unit, a binding unit, a folding unit, a conveyance unit, a press unit, a grasping unit, and a control unit. The binding unit performs binding processing on a sheet bundle stacked in the sheet stacking unit. The conveyance unit conveys a sheet bundle folded by the folding unit. The press unit presses a fold line portion of the conveyed sheet bundle from a direction perpendicular to a surface of a front page of the sheet bundle while moving along the fold line portion. The grasping unit is switched between a first state in which the grasping unit fixes the sheet bundle in position and a second state in which the grasping unit does not grasp the conveyed sheet bundle. The control unit shifts the grasping unit to the first state and causes the press unit to press the sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Hitoshi Kato, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8596630
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of stabilizing a stop position of the sheet bundle, to thereby enable creation of a high finish quality product, and is compact in size and can be manufactured at low costs. Conveyance belts convey the sheet bundle to a flattening position. A pressing roller flattens the folded spine of the sheet bundle by pressing the folded spine. Clampers hold the sheet bundle such that the sheet bundle is not moved when flattening is performed. A CPU starts to stop driving of the conveyance belts when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a predetermined location upstream of the flattening position in the conveying direction of the sheet bundle, and stops the sheet bundle at the flattening position by holding the sheet bundle with the clampers before the conveyance of the sheet bundle is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Naoki Ishikawa, Yasuo Fukatsu, Tomoharu Sato
  • Patent number: RE46875
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes an aligning member and a shift conveying unit. The aligning member is movable in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction and presses a sheet stack loaded on a sheet processing tray so as to align the sheet stack in the width direction. The unit is provided on the upstream side of the tray and conveys a sheet, shifting the sheet in the width direction. Being shifted by the unit, sheets are loaded at first and second loading positions on the tray. When sheets are loaded at the first loading position, the aligning member is moved to a first standby position corresponding to the first loading position in advance. When sheets are loaded at the second loading position, the aligning member is moved in advance to a second standby position corresponding to the second loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiko Fujita, Daisaku Kamiya, Hideki Kushida, Yasuo Fukatsu, Takako Hanada, Takayuki Fujii, Toshiyuki Miyake, Kenichi Hayashi