Having Subunit Separation Patents (Class 399/113)
  • Patent number: 11971682
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Patent number: 11940755
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming device having a tray and force applying components. The process cartridge has a process cartridge frame, a photosensitive unit, a developing unit rotatable relative to the photosensitive unit. The process cartridge frame has a driving side and a conductive side disposed oppositely along a length direction. The driving side has a first driving force receiving portion for rotating a photosensitive drum and a second driving force receiving portion for rotating a developing roller. The developing unit has a force receiving portion for receiving force of force applying components to rotate the developing unit relative to the photosensitive unit. When the process cartridge is pushed into to the image forming device, the force receiving portion move at least in a left-and-right direction and/or an up-and-down direction relative to the frame of the process cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: JIANGXI YIBO E-TECH CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Liangliang Hu, Shiping Ao, Fei Hu, Mei Yan, Junliang Qiu, Shaohua Chen, Shuangchun Yuan
  • Patent number: 11927913
    Abstract: A cartridge unit includes: a first unit which includes a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion; and a second unit which includes a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a storage member, the storage member including a memory contact, and a contact arrangement surface on which the memory contact is disposed. The second unit rotates from a first position to a second position in a state in which the first supported portion is supported by the first supporting portion and the second supported portion is supported by the second supporting portion to be positioned with respect to the first unit. A normal direction of the contact arrangement surface faces toward a direction in which the memory contact is exposed. The normal direction faces toward a direction opposite to a direction in which the second unit is directed from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Komatsu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tomonori Mori, Makoto Hayashida
  • Patent number: 11899381
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit that is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body; and a cleaning unit that is provided in the apparatus main body, and at the time of attachment or detachment of the detachable unit, comes into contact with a grip portion of the detachable unit to clean a floating substance adhered to the grip portion, the floating substance being in the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventor: Yusuke Sakai
  • Patent number: 11774905
    Abstract: A driving-force transmission member includes a coupling portion that includes a driving-force transmission surface and that transmits a driving force to a cartridge coupling, a first helical gear portion that engages with a driven gear of a cartridge to transmit the driving force, and a second helical gear portion that engages with a drive gear to receive the driving force. The portions rotate integrally with each other when the driving-force transmission member rotates about the axis of rotation. The driving-force transmission surface is shaped with a twist in the same direction as the driving-force transmission member. Helical teeth of the first helical gear portion are shaped with a twist in the same direction as the driving-force transmission surface. Helical teeth of the second helical gear portion are shaped with a twist in a direction opposite to the twist direction of the helical teeth of the first helical gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Inaba, Tetsuji Suzuki, Yoshihiro Ito, Ryuta Murakami
  • Patent number: 11754969
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11754963
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching and detaching unit, an attached and detached section, and a pressing member. The attaching and detaching unit includes a developing device including a developer bearer to develop a latent image on a latent image bearer and is detachably attached to the attached and detached section. The attached and detached section includes the latent image bearer, a main reference portion, and a sub-reference portion. The main reference portion contacts a main reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The sub-reference portion contacts a sub-reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The pressing member presses the attaching and detaching unit to generate a biasing force biasing the developer bearer toward the latent image bearer and a rotational moment toward the sub-reference portion of the attached and detached section around the main reference part with respect to the attaching and detaching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: 11709455
    Abstract: A cartridge that can be inserted in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus by moving along an axial direction of an image bearing member includes the image bearing member, a frame configured to support the image bearing member, a storage member configured to store therein information on the cartridge, and include an electrical contact, and a first pressed section and a second pressed portion configured to be pressed by the apparatus main body. The electrical contact is disposed between the first pressed section and the second pressed section, and is configured to be in contact with the main body contact on a lower side in a state where the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Osamu Anan, Kazuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11683426
    Abstract: A medium feeding device includes: a medium mounting section onto which a medium to be fed is mounted; a feeding unit that feeds the medium mounted on the medium mounting section; and a supporting member that supports an end in a width direction of the medium mounted on the medium mounting section and that supports the medium at a higher position than the medium mounting section in a direction of loading of the medium, the width direction being a direction crossing a feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoichi Shuto, Yoichiro Nishimura, Yuhei Hamada
  • Patent number: 11635728
    Abstract: A developing cartridge and an electronic imaging apparatus, where the developing cartridge is detachable installed in the electronic imaging apparatus, and includes a cartridge, a power reception member, a rotary member and an activation member; the cartridge includes a first side wall and a second side wall provided opposite to each other along a first direction, where a power reception member is located at the first side wall, a rotary member is installed between the first side wall and the second side wall, one end of the rotary member is provided with a first gear, and the other end of the rotary member is provided with a second gear, an activation member is located at the second side wall; and the activation member includes a movable member and a trigger part provided at the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NINESTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Geming Ding, Tiansheng Peng, Hao Yang, Shuchun Dai, Likun Zeng
  • Patent number: 11613125
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes a casing, a tank formed with a liquid storage chamber which stores liquid, an inlet which allows the liquid to be poured into the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid outflow channel which allows the liquid to flow out from the liquid storage chamber, a conveying mechanism which conveys a recording medium along a conveying path extending in a front-rear direction, a carriage which moves in a left-right direction, and a head mounted on the carriage and having a nozzle which jets the liquid onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveying mechanism. The tank, the conveying path, and the carriage are arranged inside the casing, the tank is arranged outside the conveying path in the left-right direction, and at least a part of the tank is arranged inside both ends of a movement area of the carriage in the left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Tomohisa Higuchi, Akira Shinoda, Akinori Igarashi, Suguru Tomoguchi, Hisaki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11573523
    Abstract: Provided is a processing cartridge detachably installed in an imaging device. The processing cartridge includes a first unit and a second unit, and a movable assembly coupled to and receive force from the force applying portion. When the processing cartridge is assembled to the imaging device, the first t and second units can be switched between states of approaching and separating. The movable assembly comprises an installing part and an acting part movable relative to and connectable with each other. The movable assembly is installed in the processing cartridge by the installing part, the acting part is coupled to the force applying portion and receives force from the force applying portion, to force the first and second units to switch between the two states. The acting part is retractable relative to the installing part and comprises an acting block and a guide block guided by the installing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOPJET TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chengchang Wan, Lujun Liu, Huolin Tian, Yijun Wen
  • Patent number: 11531301
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum. A movable member is provided movable relative to a frame and a rotatable portion is supported by the movable member and rotatable relative to the movable member. A regulating member is movable between a regulating position for regulating movement of the movable member by contacting the rotatable portion and a non-regulating position where the regulating member does not regulate the movable member. A position of an end portion of the movable member in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum changes relative to the frame by movement of the movable member between a first position and a second position, and the end portion of the movable member is closer to the coupling member in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum when the movable member is in the second position than when the movable member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Kubo, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11520285
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a casing having an outer surface; a first shaft rotatable about a rotational axis; a first arm; and a cam. The first arm and the cam extend radially outward from an outer periphery of the first shaft and pivotally movable along with rotation of the first shaft. The cam has: one end connected to the first shaft; another end positioned farther from the rotational axis than the one end is farther from the rotational axis; and a pressure contact surface inclined so as to approach the outer surface of the casing as extending from the one end toward the another end. When a pressing force is applied to the pressure contact surface, the first arm pivotally moves from a first position to a second position along with: pivotal movement of the cam; and the rotation of the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Go Iwasa, Yuwen Wang
  • Patent number: 11507013
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a first longitudinal end of the housing and a second latch-receiving shelf is positioned on a second longitudinal end of the housing. Contact surfaces on top portions of the first and second latch-receiving shelves are positioned to contact corresponding first and second latches in an image forming device. The contact surface of the first latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than a first rotational axis of a first drive coupler of the toner cartridge and higher than a second drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The contact surface of the second latch-receiving shelf is positioned lower than at least a portion of a first electrical contact of the toner cartridge and higher than at least a portion of a second electrical contact of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher, James Anthany Carter, II
  • Patent number: 11487216
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Tsukada, Junichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11422502
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 11402794
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming stations including respective electrophotographic photosensitive drums; an image transfer belt contactable to the drums; image transfer rollers, contactable to the transfer belt to urge the belt to the drums for transferring the toner images from the drums onto the belt, the rollers being provided with respective rotational shafts about an axis of which the rollers are rotatable; and a slidable member slidable in a direction in which the stations are arranged to retract the rollers away from the corresponding drums, the slidable member being provided with inclined surfaces contactable to the shafts, the inclined surfaces being disposed at such positions that the rollers are retracted from respective drums sequentially with the movement of the slidable member in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomomichi Kawashima, Takayuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11402793
    Abstract: A rotating body to be inserted with a shaft includes a holding portion on an end portion of the rotating body to hold the rotating body on the shaft. The holding portion includes a hook to be elastically deformable and detachably hook on a recess of an end portion of the shaft. The holding portion is rotatingly movable, with elastic deformation of the hook, over a convex portion of the shaft that is outside the recess in an axial direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Saitou, Naoki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 11385593
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11347180
    Abstract: A component separator system for use with an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first replaceable unit and a second replaceable unit for use in the image forming device. The second replaceable unit is manually separable from the first replaceable unit. The first replaceable unit is mateable with the second replaceable unit in an operative position of the first replaceable unit relative to the second replaceable unit with a first imaging component of the first replaceable unit in operative contact with a second imaging component of the second replaceable unit. Engagement of a first engagement member of the first replaceable unit with a second engagement member of the second replaceable unit retains the first replaceable unit in a storage position relative to the second replaceable unit with the first imaging component spaced away from the second imaging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11340554
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 11314199
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying memer is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11287770
    Abstract: A first replaceable unit is provided for use with a second replaceable unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. The first replaceable unit includes a latch movable between a latching position for latching the first replaceable unit to the second replaceable unit and an unlatching position for permitting the first replaceable unit to separate from the second replaceable unit. The latch is positioned to contact a latch catch on the second replaceable unit in order to prevent the first replaceable unit from separating from the second replaceable unit when the first replaceable unit is mated with the second replaceable unit and the latch is in the latching position. The latch includes a cam follower surface for contacting a camming surface on the second replaceable unit during mating of the first replaceable unit with the second replaceable unit to cause the latch to move toward the latching or unlatching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11175621
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner and a rotatable developer roll mounted on the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A portion of an outer surface of the developer roll is exposed along a front of the body for supplying toner from the reservoir to a corresponding photoconductive drum on an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit in an operative position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit. A first engagement member positioned on a rear of the body is configured to engage a corresponding second engagement member on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit to retain the toner cartridge in a storage position of the toner cartridge relative to the imaging unit with the developer roll spaced away from the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Cavill, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11150599
    Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed. The support assembly may comprise a component to interact with a photoconductive imaging unit, the component being rotatable relative to the photoconductive imaging unit. The support assembly may comprise an air bearing positioned adjacent to a surface of the photoconductive imaging unit, the air bearing to generate a cushion of gas to support the component at a defined distance from the photoconductive imaging unit. A method and a print apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Israel Katz, Boris Khodos, Avi Barazani, Sergio Turnowski
  • Patent number: 11112751
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11112750
    Abstract: A development cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive unit including a photoconductive drum, a developing unit including a developing roller having a rotation shaft and coupled to the photoconductive unit to be rotatable to a release position where the developing roller is separated from the photoconductive drum, and to a development position where the developing roller contacts the photoconductive drum, and a coupler located between and couplable to the rotation shaft of the developing roller and a rotational power transmission member. When the coupler is coupled to the rotational power transmission member, the coupler is selectively rotatable in a first rotation direction or a second rotation direction by a rotational force from the rotational power transmission member. When the coupler is rotated in the first rotation direction and then in the second rotation direction, transmission of the rotational force to the developing roller is partially interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Sang-hoon Lee, Seung-beom Yang, Seung-gweon Lee
  • Patent number: 10942486
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 10921732
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 10901365
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10875292
    Abstract: An example printing system for printing liquid ink has a developer device to transfer ink to an image plate of the printing system. The developer device has an ink inlet to receive ink from an ink reservoir of the printing system; a developer roller to transfer ink to the image plate, a motor to rotate the developer roller, and an ink sensor to detect arrival of ink at the developer device. The printing system is configured to start the motor in response to the ink sensor detecting arrival of ink at the developer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Lavi Cohen, Asaf Shoshani
  • Patent number: 10866560
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body housing, a drawer, a drum cartridge, an exposure device, developing cartridge, a transfer roller, and a fixing device. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and is attachable to and detachable from a first supporting position on the drawer. The developing cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a second supporting position on the drawer and includes a developing roller. The drawer includes a first guide. The drum cartridge includes a second guide. In a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the first supporting position on the drawer, the first guide of the drawer and the second guide of the drum cartridge forms a developing cartridge guide configured to guide the developing cartridge toward the second supporting position on the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10845731
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developing roller, a housing, an electrode, a gear, and a hook. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The housing extends in the first direction and is configured to store toner therein. The electrode is positioned at an outer surface of the housing in the first direction and extends in the first direction. The gear is rotatable about the electrode. The hook is positioned opposite to the developing roller relative to the gear in a second direction and is movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10816929
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a drawer and a main body. The drawer includes a frame holding a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and a drawer-side connector including a drawer-side electrical contact part. The main body includes: a housing including a main body-side electrical contact part; a shaft extending in the first direction; a unit removably insertable to the housing; and a connection member. One end in a third direction intersecting with the first and second directions of the unit is fitted to the housing and the other end is supported to the shaft via the connection member. The main body-side connector is supported to the unit. The drawer-side electrical contact part and the main body-side electrical contact part are interconnected when the drawer is accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota Shinoya
  • Patent number: 10809661
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Scott Carpenter, Gregory Alan Cavill, James Richard Leemhuis, Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges
  • Patent number: 10802437
    Abstract: A static eliminating device includes a light guide body formed in a bar shape and attached to a drum frame, and a light source. The light source is arranged at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the light guide body. The light guide body includes a plurality of reflection parts and an attachment part. The plurality of reflection parts is arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction within a range at the other end side from a start position spaced a predetermined distance from one end in the longitudinal direction. The attachment part is arranged between one end in the longitudinal direction and the start position to act as a start point of thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction. The attachment part is composed of two protrusions to interpose an edge of a positioning hole provided in the drum frame at one end side in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hironobu Oi, Teruhiko Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10795310
    Abstract: Provided is a cartridge that includes a photosensitive member unit, a development unit that moves with respect to the photosensitive member unit so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, a regulating member that is movable between a regulating position at which the regulating member contacts the photosensitive member unit and the development unit to regulate movement of the development unit from the first position to the second position and a nonregulating position at which movement of the development unit is not regulated, and an urging member that urges the regulating member to move the regulating member from the nonregulating position to the regulating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki, Yosuke Kashiide
  • Patent number: 10782630
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic image forming method includes a casing having a front wall to which an opening is formed and a rear wall facing the front wall, a photosensitive drum located close to the front wall, a support member configured to support the photosensitive drum. The support member is slidably movable between an accommodated position a drawn position at which the photosensitive drum is drawn out of the casing through the opening. The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet tray, a feeding roller configured to feed the plurality of sheets supported by the sheet tray, a first conveying guide arranged between the support member and the sheet tray to face the support member, and a second conveying guide formed to the support member at a position facing the first conveying guide to guide the sheet inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Yasutada Kato, Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazuna Taguchi
  • Patent number: 10719051
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10705480
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10649401
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the housing, respectively, and that run along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Third and fourth alignment guides extend outward from the first side of the housing. The third alignment guide is spaced toward the front of the housing from the fourth alignment guide. Bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are unobstructed to sit on top of a corresponding guide surface in an image forming device to control a vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. The bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are aligned with each other in a vertical dimension of the housing and are positioned higher than the first and second alignment guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Paul Hale, Kyle Bradley Martin, Jeremy Keith Payne, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edward Lynn Triplett
  • Patent number: 10520885
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 10514656
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 10514655
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 10509360
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a cartridge including at least an image bearing member. The apparatus further includes a tray drawable from the main assembly, wherein the cartridge is mountable to and dismountable from the tray in one direction and an opposite direction, respectively; and a light emission unit provided in the tray and including a plurality of light emission elements arranged in an axial direction of the image bearing member to form a latent image on the image bearing member. The cartridge is capable of being inserted into the tray by moving it in the one direction, in response to which the light emission unit is moved in a direction crossing with the one direction to outside of a movement range of insertion of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hijikata, Yuichiro Inaba, Toshiyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10488813
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 10466646
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a particular direction. A frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum. A developing roller is rotatable according to driving force about a second axis extending in the particular direction. A surface of the developing roller contacts a surface of the photosensitive drum through toner. A resistance generating member generates a resistance torque TQ1 serving as resistance between the frame and photosensitive drum in a case where the photosensitive drum rotates relative to the frame. In a case where the developing roller rotates according to the driving force in a state where the surface of the developing roller contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum through toner, the resistance torque TQ1 is smaller than a torque TQ2 that causes the photosensitive drum to rotate due to friction between the surface of the developing roller and the surface of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Ichikawa, Takashi Shimizu, Masaaki Furukawa, Naoya Kamimura, Takashi Yasuda, Masanari Yoshikawa, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 10386784
    Abstract: An apparatus main body includes a drum guide configured to guide installation of a drum cartridge into the apparatus main body and a developing guide configured to guide installation of a developing cartridge into the apparatus main body. A downstream end of the developing guide is located farther away from an opening than a downstream end of the drum guide is. The drum cartridge includes a first handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the drum cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The developing cartridge includes a second handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The handle cover is located between the opening and the first handle to cover the first handle, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Masatoshi Shiraki, Kei Katagiri, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10372079
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, a transfer roller, a mounting portion capable of mounting a development unit including a development roller, a first gear and a second gear each provided at one end of the photosensitive member in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, and a third gear provided at one end of the transfer roller in an axial direction of the photosensitive member and configured to engage with the second gear. The first gear, the second gear, and the third gear are helical gears. A direction in which helical teeth of the first gear are inclined is opposite to a direction in which helical teeth of the second gear are inclined, and the direction in which the helical teeth of the first gear are inclined matches a direction in which helical teeth of the third gear are inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi