Modular Or Displaceable Patents (Class 399/110)
  • Patent number: 8837979
    Abstract: An image-forming device may include a casing and a developing unit that is detachably mounted in the casing and formed with a first opening. The developer unit may have a developer carrying member carrying a developer, wherein the developing unit includes one end. The image-forming device may also include a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening and a developer cartridge that is configured to be detachably mounted in the casing, accommodate the developer, and is formed with a second opening. The second opening may be in alignment with the first opening when the developing unit and the developer cartridge are mounted in the casing. The image-forming device may also include a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening. The image-forming device may also include an alignment member between the developing unit and the developer cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8831478
    Abstract: An image-forming device includes a main casing having a paper tray; a belt accommodated in the main casing; a plurality of developing units juxtaposed along the belt; a mounting member configured to detachably support the plurality of developing units, the mounting member being configured to be pulled outward from the main casing in a pulling direction; and a guide member configured to drawably guide the mounting member from the main casing, the guide member being configured to move between a first position and a second position, the second position being farther from the belt than the first position. When the guide member is at the second position, a first distance between the paper tray and a downstream end portion of the guide member in the pulling direction is shorter than a second distance between the paper tray and an upstream end portion of the guide member in the pulling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoaki Mushika, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8831479
    Abstract: A unit mounting and dismounting mechanism includes a unit mountable in and dismountable from an apparatus body, an engaging portion provided in one of the apparatus body and the unit, a pressing member provided in the other of the apparatus body and the unit, the pressing member engaging with the engaging portion and pressing the unit against the apparatus body with a biasing force of a biasing member in a mounting direction of the unit when the unit is mounted in the apparatus body, and a release member provided in the unit, the release member being operated in a direction different from a dismounting direction of the unit from the apparatus body so as to move the pressing member against the biasing force of the biasing member in a direction to release pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiichirou Arikawa, Masami Ishida, Shigeru Watanabe, Yoshiro Konishi
  • Patent number: 8831470
    Abstract: In an image-forming device, a first roller and a second roller are arranged in a first direction, the first roller being disposed upstream of the second roller in the first direction. An endless belt spanned between the first roller and the second roller forms a straight plane extending in the first direction. The straight plane moves in the first direction when the endless belt is circularly moved. Photosensitive members are arranged in the first direction and face the straight plane. A transfer member is opposed to the first roller across the endless belt. A cleaning unit includes: a cleaning member opposed to the straight plane at an upstream of an upstream most photosensitive member in the first direction; and a treating member disposed upstream of the cleaning member in the first direction to treat residual toner collected by the cleaning member. A conveying path formed between the transfer member and a fixing member passes between the cleaning member and the treating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanari Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8831472
    Abstract: An image forming unit includes a cartridge and a unit frame. The cartridge has a cartridge-grip. The unit frame is configured to accommodate the cartridge. The unit frame includes a first plate, a second plate, a first beam, and a second beam. The first plate has a through hole. The first beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. The first beam includes a frame-grip disposed between an upper end of the first beam and a lower end of the first beam. The second beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. When the cartridge is accommodated in the unit frame, a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the frame-grip is smaller than a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the cartridge-grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8824914
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a developing unit, a drawer movably installed at the main body and including a tray and a cover. The cover includes a first operation section and a second operation section, an interlocking member to be moved along with the drawer in the first operation section of the cover, and a lift member to be vertically moved according to movement of the interlocking member, wherein the developing unit is provided with a first connection terminal. The lift member is arranged with a second connection terminal, and the tray is arranged with a third connection terminal connected to the second connection terminal according to the position of the second connection terminal so that the second and third connection terminals are disconnected prior to extraction of the tray from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gi Cheol Jeong, Byeong Hwa Ahn
  • Patent number: 8824919
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a detachably-mounted cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, first and second portions-to-be-regulated for regulating rotation of the cartridge when a driving force receiving portion receives a driving force, and a transfer member for transferring a developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto a toner image receiving member. A supporting member is movable between an inside position which is in a main assembly of the apparatus and an outer portion, and a contacting and spacing member is movable relative to the supporting member. In addition, a first regulating portion permits movement of the supporting member between the outer position and the inside position, and a second regulating portion regulates rotation of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8824920
    Abstract: A mount-demount mechanism includes a unit that is mountable on and demountable from an apparatus main body, and a pair of slide rails that are disposed on the apparatus main body and slidably support both surfaces parallel to a mount-demount direction of the unit. Provided, on both side surfaces thereof parallel to a mount-demount direction of the unit, are a pair of unit-side rollers that include a first roller that is disposed in a downstream insertion direction and a second roller that is disposed in an upstream insertion direction. The slide rail is provided with a rail groove that includes a lower rail and an upper rail, a cut-away portion for allowing the unit-side roller run off from the rail groove is formed on a portion of the upper rail or the lower rail, wherein either of the first roller and the second roller runs off from the rail groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Daisuke Eto
  • Publication number: 20140241753
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an LED unit capable of being in an exposing position or a retracted position, and a cartridge capable of being inserted into or pulled out with the LED unit in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiro Ushiozu, Yuji Mitsui, Keita Nakajima, Koji Miwa
  • Patent number: 8818233
    Abstract: An image-forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of developer cartridges; a belt; a holder; and a plurality of urging members. Each developer cartridge has a photosensitive drum. The belt is configured to contact the photosensitive drums of the developer cartridges. The holder is configured to move between a position inside the main body and a position outside the main body and to hold the developer cartridges such that the developer cartridges are arranged in a row along a first direction. The plurality of urging members are configured to urge the developer cartridges to cause the photosensitive drums to contact the belt when the holder is at the position inside the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Kamimura, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8814454
    Abstract: An image processing device is provided with a first unit, a second unit attached to the first unit rotatably around a rotational axis, flat cables connecting elements in the first unit with elements in the second unit, and a guide member having wiring paths each defined between two of separations walls, the guide member guiding, from the first unit to the second unit, the flat cables laid through the wiring paths, respectively, in a state spaced apart from each other in a thickness direction thereof without contacting each other, at least one of the separation walls including a curving wall curving to surround the rotational axis, at least one of the flat cables guided to have a curving section along the curving wall, a first extension extending continuously from the curving section to the first unit, and a second extension extending continuously from the curving section to the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sakae Ito
  • Patent number: 8811856
    Abstract: An image forming device may include a process unit including: cartridges arrayed side by side in an array direction; and a support unit supporting the cartridges and movable in the array direction between an accommodated position where the support unit is accommodated in a main casing and a pulled out position, away from the accommodated position, for detachment and attachment of the support unit. The support unit includes: a frame; a first handgrip including a leg portion having a portion connected to the frame, and a grip portion connected to the leg portion and positioned downstream of a most upstream end of a most upstream side cartridge in a pulling out direction along the array direction for pulling out the support unit when the support unit is at the accommodated position; and a second hand grip positioned downstream of the first hand grip in the pulling out direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8810833
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a body that has a first connection portion and a second connection portion inside the body; an image processing board that is electrically connected to the first connection portion, the image processing board performing image processing; a functional board that is disposed so as to cover a part of the image processing board on one side of the image processing board; a side panel attached to the image processing board at a position opposite to the first connection portion, the side panel being a part of a side surface of the body; and an extension board disposed so as to cover another part of the image processing board on the same side as the functional board with respect to the image processing board, the extension board being electrically connected to the second connection portion and independently attachable to and removable from the image processing board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiroh Suzuki, Tetsuo Ishizuka, Fumio Furusawa, Osamu Uto
  • Patent number: 8805236
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a casing, and a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel along one direction in the casing and formed with an electrostatic latent image. The apparatus can further include a plurality of developing agent carriers opposed to the image carriers, for visualizing the electrostatic latent image by feeding a developing agent to the image carriers, and a plurality of developing agent cartridges, arranged in parallel in the one direction to be opposed to the developing agent carriers in the longitudinal direction of the developing agent carriers, and configured to be together attachable/detachable to/from the casing along the one direction, for accommodating the developing agent fed to the developing agent carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8805235
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8805234
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pressure unit and first and second positioning portions. A photosensitive unit, configured to be mounted in a main frame of the image forming apparatus along a prescribed direction, may include a plurality of photosensitive drums, a pair of metal plates, and a resin frame. The pair of metal plates is spaced away from each other in the axial direction of each photosensitive drum and supports the photosensitive drums. The metal plates are configured to be positioned on the second positioning portion. The resin frame is configured to support the metal plates and developer cartridges. The resin frame is further configured to be positioned on the first positioning portion. The pair of metal plates is pressed against the second positioning portion to be positioned with respect to the main frame when the resin frame is pressed by the pressure unit in the prescribed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Makoto Souda, Yoshiya Tomatsu
  • Patent number: 8797613
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a cover portion of an image reader or other multifunctional peripheral. The cover portion may move between an uncovering position and a covering position by pivoting about a first axis. The cover portion may include a movable member that moves between an open position where the movable member functions as a document tray and a closed position where the movable member constitutes a part of an upper surface of the cover portion. The cover portion may also include a conveyor configured to convey one or more documents placed on the movable member when it is in the open position. Further, the cover portion may include an operation portion configured to receive user inputs. Moreover, the operation portion may be positioned near a center of the cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Yukihiko Sato, Ryoichi Nakagawa, Tomoyuki Nanno
  • Patent number: 8798504
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image carrier, a detachable transfer body on which an image is transferred, a contact and separation mechanism that moves the transfer body into contact with and away from the image carrier, and a coupling member to be coupled to the contact and separation mechanism. When the coupling member is turned forward to a first turn position in a coupled state coupled to the contact and separation mechanism, the contact and separation mechanism contacts the transfer body with the image carrier, and when the coupling member is turned in reverse from the first turn position to a second turn position in the coupled state, the contact and separation mechanism separates the transfer body from the image carrier and the coupling member withdraws in a direction opposite a direction to couple the coupling member to the contact and separation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Shiba, Osamu Iida
  • Patent number: 8798496
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit. The photosensitive unit has a first peripheral portion at a downstream side in an attaching direction provided with a first contact portion and has a second peripheral portion at an upstream side in the attaching direction provided with a second contact portion. The main casing includes a pair of side walls and first and second positioning members. The first and second positioning members span between the side walls. The first positioning member has a first positioning portion with which the first contact portion is contactable for positioning the photosensitive unit relative to the main casing. The second positioning member is positioned upstream of the first positioning member in the attaching direction. The second positioning member has a second positioning portion with which the second contact portion is contactable for positioning the photosensitive unit relative to the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8798497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a main assembly; a movable member movable, while supporting a cartridge including at least one of an image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed and developing means for developing with a developer the latent image formed on the image bearing member, between an outside position in which the cartridge is located outside the main assembly and an inside position in which the cartridge is located inside the main assembly; and a cartridge displacing member for displacing the cartridge with respect to the movable member in a demounting direction in which the cartridge is demountable from the movable member in a state in which the movable member is located at the outside position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiharu Kawai
  • Patent number: 8792804
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a plurality of image bearing members, a plurality of developing units, a plurality of toner cartridges, a plurality of shutter driving members, a driving force generating member that generates a driving force, and a driving force transmitting mechanism that transmits the driving force to the shutter driving members. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the corresponding developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. Each of the shutter driving members moves the corresponding shutter between the opening position and the closing position when supplied with the driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoya Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20140205315
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided including a body including an opening, a photoreceptor cartridge attached to, or detached from, the body through the opening and including a mounting portion, a development cartridge attached to, or detached from, the mounting portion through the opening when the photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in the body, and a cover opening or closing the opening and fixing the development cartridge to the mounting portion by pressurizing the development cartridge while the opening is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-jin JANG, Young-chae Kim, Sang-jin Park, Ki-hyun Yoo, Sang-hoon Lee, Seung-gweon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140205316
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge are provided. The apparatus including a separating member mounted in a development cartridge. The separating member includes a development nip separating portion and a charging nip separating portion respectively separating a development nip and a charging nip when the development cartridge is mounted in a mounting portion of a photoreceptor cartridge mounted in a body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-geun LEE, Sung-jin Kim, YONG-IL MOON, Ji-won Moon, Seung-chan Park, Hyung-seok Chang
  • Publication number: 20140205314
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a development cartridge are provided. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a body including an opening, a photoreceptor cartridge attached to, or detached from, the body through the opening, a photoconductive drum and a mounting portion, a development cartridge attached to, or detached from, the mounting portion through the opening while the photoreceptor cartridge is mounted in the body, a development roller supplying toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductive drum, a cover for opening or closing the opening, and a pressurizing unit fixing the development cartridge to the mounting portion by providing a pressing force to the development cartridge in a direction parallel to a center line connecting centers of the photoconductive drum and development roller while the opening is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung-seok CHANG, Byeong-no JEONG, Seong-ho JEONG, Ji-won MOON, Jong-won HAN
  • Publication number: 20140205317
    Abstract: In order to correct a corrugation caused when a sheet widthwise edge portion elongates more than the vicinity of the center in a sheet feeding direction, a sheet processing apparatus includes: a fixing portion that fixes a toner image onto a sheet by heating, a plurality of pairs of rollers provided along a sheet feeding direction with an interval in the downstream of the fixing portion in the feeding direction to nip and convey a sheet; and a tensioning device that applies a tensile strength of the sheet feeding direction to a sheet in a center area of a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Takematsu, Kazuhisa Okuda, Kenjiro Sugaya, Shutaro Saito
  • Patent number: 8787791
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement of an image formation apparatus and a process cartridge includes a main body formed with an accommodation chamber configured to accommodate a process cartridge containing toner used for image formation. The main body is formed with an opening through which the process cartridge is detachably attached. The image formation apparatus is configured to be packaged with the process cartridge attached in the accommodation chamber. An openable cover configured to openably cover the opening is provided, and a drying agent is detachably arranged in a clearance formed between an inner face of the accommodation chamber and the process cartridge attached in the accommodation chamber. A part of the drying agent is exposed to outside through the opening of the clearance when the cover is opened, while the process cartridge and the drying agent are covered when the cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8787801
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing roller and a feed roller accommodated in a developing chamber of a developing frame, a first agitating member accommodated in a storing chamber of the developing frame for agitating the developer by rotating in a prescribed rotational direction while moving the developer in the rotational direction, a second agitating member accommodated in a developer accommodation chamber of a developer cartridge, a wall portion provided between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber and formed with an opening for circulating the developer between the storing chamber and the developer accommodation chamber to face the storing chamber on a position above the upper end portion of the feed roller, and a conveyance member arranged between the opening of the wall portion and the developer accommodation chamber for conveying the developer in an axial direction of the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Soichiro Mase
  • Patent number: 8774674
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body frame, a transport unit, an image carrier, a transfer device, a fixing device, a guide member assembly, a door, and a positioning member. The guide member assembly includes a guide member, a positioned portion, and a support member. The support member supports the guide member and has a side wall that extends in such a direction as to intersect a line drawn in the width direction and that has a hole through which a support shaft is inserted with some play being present. The guide member assembly is supported by the door with some play being present between the guide member assembly and a base plate and is urged by an urging member. The hole is a long hole having a major axis extending in an opening direction of the door away from a center line of rotation of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Tokunaga, Masakazu Shirai, Masatoshi Yamada, Mabumi Kashihara, Hiroyuki Koide
  • Patent number: 8774672
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a body; a holding member movable between a housing position and a drawn-out position; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached to the holding member along a attachment path, so that the plurality of cartridges are placed at image forming positions and are arranged in a movement direction of the holding member; and a plurality of restricting members disposed correspondingly with the cartridges. In a state where the holding member is drawn out to the drawn-out position, the plurality of restricting members are located at unrestricted positions that are retracted from the attachment path. In an attachment process in which the holding member is moved from the drawn-out position to the housing position, the plurality of restricting members advance from the unrestricted positions to restricting positions on the attachment path to restrict the cartridges from being detached from the image forming positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8774673
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a cable. The main body circuit board is arranged below the belt, and the cable passes a region outside the belt in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum and is connected to the main body circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Hiroshi Nakano, Hirotaka Mori
  • Patent number: 8774675
    Abstract: A covers opening/closing sequence regulation system includes a first cover and a second cover openably and closably attached to a housing. The first and second covers are provided in a way that the first cover becomes openable and closable while the second cover is in a fully-closed state, and that the second cover becomes unable to be fully-closed from an opened state while the first cover is in a fully-closed state. A regulation mechanism is configured to stop the first cover in a spaced-out position, which is spaced out from a fully-closed position of the first cover, in an operation of closing the first cover toward the fully-closed position with the second cover being in an opened state. The second cover is openable and closable while the first cover is in the spaced-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20140186071
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; a belt unit including a first roller, a second roller positioned higher than the first roller and a belt; image bearing members; developer containers; a removing member; an accommodating member; and a conveying member. The image bearing members includes a first image bearing member and a second image bearing member. The removing member is positioned adjacent to the second image bearing member and below an imaginary plane. The accommodating member accommodates the waste toner removed by the removing member, and is positioned adjacent to the first image bearing member and above the imaginary plane. The accommodating member is mounted in and removed from the casing along with a first developer container corresponding to the first image bearing member. The conveying member conveys the waste toner removed by the removing member to the accommodating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8768206
    Abstract: The retaining unit is configured to retain a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed with each other in a predetermined direction. The retaining unit is movable between an internal position within the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing. Each photosensitive drum includes a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion opposite to the first pressed portion in an axial direction. The endless belt is disposed above the retaining unit that is in the internal position. The retaining unit includes a pair of side plates. Each of the pair of side plates includes a plurality of receiving portions each of which being configured to receive each photosensitive drum to be movable in a vertical direction. The first pressed portion and the second pressed portion protrude outward from a corresponding one of the plurality of receiving portions in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8768202
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first moving member pressed and moved by an openable/closable member when the member is opened. A cartridge is switched from being positioned in an image forming position to a state where the positioning is released. A second moving member is pressed and moved by the openable/closable member when the member is opened, and the exposure member is moved from an exposure position to a retracted position. When the cartridge is released, a reaction force applied from the first moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a first peak. When the exposure member is moved to the retracted position, a reaction force applied from the second moving member to the openable/closable member reaches a second peak. Timing of the first peak is different from timing of the second peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuji Tanaami, Keita Nakajima, Koji Miwa, Yuji Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8768204
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing and a photosensitive unit having photosensitive bodies arrayed in an array direction. The main casing includes a first side plate having a first primary portion extending in the array direction, and having a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion spaced away therefrom in the array direction. The photosensitive unit includes a second side plate supporting the photosensitive bodies and having a second primary portion extending in the array direction. The second side plate has a third positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the first positioning portion and has a fourth positioning portion subjected to positioning relative to the second positioning portion. The first and third portions are overlapped with each other and the second and fourth positioning portions are overlapped with each other while the first primary portion and the second primary portion are spaced away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tomatsu, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8768207
    Abstract: An image forming device is provided. The image forming device includes a main casing having a guide and a drawer configured to be installed in and withdrawn from the main casing along the guide in a first direction for installation and in a second direction for withdrawal opposite the first direction. The drawer may include a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged along the first direction and an engagement portion disposed closer to a rear edge of the drawer than to a front edge of the drawer. The main casing may include a stopper disposed below the guide and closer to the front edge of the drawer than to the rear edge of the drawer. The stopper may include a hook which the engagement portion engages when the drawer is withdrawn from the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8767231
    Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8768203
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure device as a light source, a developer container storing developer and attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the photoconductor, a developing unit and a photoconductor unit having a photoconductor for bearing a latent image thereon each detachably attached to the main body substantially in the same direction as the developer container. An exposure device displacing mechanism displaces the exposure device between a first position enabling the exposure device to function as the light source and a second position disabling the exposure device to function as the light source. The photoconductor unit is detached when the developer container is either displaced from an initially attached position or is removed from the main body and the exposure device displacing device has displaced the exposure device to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Hamada, Tomofumi Yoshida, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Takeru Muramatsu, Tomohiro Kubota, Shinichi Arasawa, Shoh Tsuritani, Masanari Fujita, Tatsuo Fukushima, Nobuhiko Kita, Haruo Hashimoto
  • 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: 8768210
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a cartridge tray supporting a plurality of cartridges is movable through a plurality of opening portions to respective outside positions outside an apparatus main body. In the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the plurality of cartridges are removably mounted to the apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge tray, which is movable, while supporting the plurality of cartridges, between an inside position positioned inside the apparatus main body and the outside positions, a plurality of opening portions provided in the apparatus main body, through which the cartridge tray is movable between the inside position and the outside positions, and doors for opening and closing the plurality of opening portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Hoashi
  • Publication number: 20140178095
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a compact size in height. The apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of image forming components arrayed in the main frame in an array direction to form an image, a belt extending in the array direction and in contact with the plurality of image forming components, a first sheet accommodating portion configured to accommodate therein a recording sheet, and extending in the array direction and positioned below the belt, a collection member disposed in contact with the belt and configured to collect developing agent on the belt, and a container configured to hold the developing agent collected by the collection member. The container is positioned below the belt such that the container is juxtaposed with the first sheet accommodating portion in the array direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Souda
  • Patent number: 8760733
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a fed original placing portion on which an original is placed, wherein the fed original placing portion is configured to be rotated; an feeding portion that feeds the original placed on the fed original placing portion; an image reading portion that reads an image of the original fed by the feeding portion; a discharging portion, disposed below the fed original placing portion, onto which the original with the image read by the image reading portion is discharged; an irradiation portion that irradiates the discharging portion with light; and a stopping unit that stops the irradiation of the light by the irradiation portion according to a rotation of the fed original placing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140169828
    Abstract: The present invention is concerning to an image forming apparatus comprising: a drawer unit that includes therein a paper-feeding conveying path for conveying a recording medium conveyed from a paper feeding unit on which the recording mediums are stacked to an image forming unit and/or a discharge conveying path for conveying the recording medium on which an image has been formed to a discharging unit, and be drawn out from an apparatus main body; a lock unit that locks the drawer unit to the apparatus main body; a straddle detecting unit that detects whether the recording medium straddles a conveying path in the apparatus main body and a conveying path in the drawer unit; and a controller that controls the lock unit to lock the drawer unit to the apparatus main body when the straddle detecting unit detects the straddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide OHTA, Joh EBARA, Hiroshi ISHII, Junichi KAWASE, Kohta TAKENAKA, Tetsuji NISHIKAWA, Kohta HIRAKAWA, Toshihiro SHIMADA, Yusuke FUNAYAMA, Tsuyoshi ENDO, Yusuke MASU, Makoto SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8755718
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an LED unit capable of being in an exposing position or a retracted position, and a cartridge capable of being inserted into or pulled out with the LED unit in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiro Ushiozu, Yuji Mitsui, Keita Nakajima, Koji Miwa
  • Publication number: 20140161483
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus loadable with a cartridge includes a supporting member movable, carrying the cartridge, between an inside position and an outside position, the supporting member being provided with a first regulating portion to limit the cartridge in one of the longitudinal directions and a second regulating portion to limit movement of the cartridge in the other one of the longitudinal directions; a third regulating portion to limit the supporting member in the one longitudinal direction; and a fourth regulating portion to limit the supporting member in the other longitudinal direction; wherein the first, second, third and fourth regulating portions are all provided at the one longitudinal end portion side and outside an image forming region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Fukui, Noritomo Yamaguchi, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20140161480
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus gas a photosensitive drum, an anti-static lamp, and a drum unit, The drum unit includes a unit main frame for holding the photosensitive drum, and a holder frame for holding the anti-static lamp, The holder frame is detachably attached to the unit main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Susumu HANANO, Hirofumi TSUJI
  • Patent number: 8750757
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotaka Mori, Hiroshi Nakano, Noboru Suzuki, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20140153964
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of removing a jam and a method of removing a jam using the image forming apparatus are provided. The apparatus is capable of removing a jam that occurred at the inside of an apparatus body without separating a tray from a tray guide unit and without increasing the size of the apparatus body by including a tray guide unit having a two-stepped rail structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong-yeong PARK, Chun-sub Ryu
  • Patent number: 8744305
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion for forming an image on a recording material; an image reading portion, for reading an original image, movable between a first position in which the image reading portion opposes the image forming portion and a second position in which the image reading portion is partly raised from the image forming portion; an openable member movable, relative to the image forming portion independently of the image reading portion, between an open position in which the openable member exposes an inside of the image forming portion and a closed position in which the openable member covers the image forming member; and preventing means capable of preventing movement of the openable member toward the closed position when the image reading member is located at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Niikawa
  • Patent number: 8744311
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a moving member supports developing units and is movable between a mounted position and a pulled-out position. A drum supporting member integrally supports photosensitive drums. The drum supporting member is detachably supported by the moving member. An endless belt is disposed above the moving member when the moving member is disposed in the mounted position. The drum supporting member is configured so as to be detached upward from the moving member, while the moving member supports the developing units and the moving member is in the pulled-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Hiroshi Igarashi