Patents Examined by Hoang Ngo
  • Patent number: 10108125
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a casing, an image reading portion, a first controller substrate provided on one of side surfaces of the casing, a second controller substrate provided on the side surface, wherein a component mounting surface of the second controller substrate is in a non-overlapping position with a component mounting surface of the first controller substrate, an electric wire configured to connect the first controller portion and the image reading portion, and a shielding member fixed to the casing so as to be provided between the electric wire and the second controller substrate and configured to shield electromagnetic radiation from the second controller substrate toward the electric wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daiju Yoshino
  • Patent number: 10108124
    Abstract: A video count value is acquired per unit area predetermined in a direction in which a recording medium is conveyed, based on recording target image data. When an image has been formed on an area of the recording medium from which the video count value has been acquired, control is performed by using the acquired video count value so that a developing unit is replenished with an amount of toner corresponding to the video count value acquired from the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiaki Hirose
  • Patent number: 10108130
    Abstract: A developer cartridge attachable to a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum is provided. The developer cartridge includes a casing configured to store toner therein, a developer roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction, and a developer electrode electrically connectable with the developer roller. The developer electrode is configured to be in contact with a first electrode of an image forming apparatus along the axial direction. In a state where the developer cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, a portion of the developer electrode faces a surface of a lateral wall of the drum cartridge on an opposite side to a surface facing the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Ichikawa, Takashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10101686
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a first flexible container, a second flexible container, and a housing accommodating the first flexible container and the second flexible container. The first flexible container is openably sealed. The second flexible container is openably sealed. At least one of the first flexible container and the second flexible container stores developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 10095146
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing agent bearing member configured to carry a developer used to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The image formation apparatus forms an image by using the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The image formation apparatus further includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain the information about a rotation speed of the image bearing member and a rotation speed of the developing agent bearing member; a determination unit configured to determine, according to the obtained information, a color conversion table used to transfer and record the input image data; and an image formation unit configured to convert a signal of the input image data according to the determined color conversion table and form an image with the converted signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Michihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 10095170
    Abstract: A decoloring device includes a scanner, a decoloring unit, and a processor. The scanner reads an image on a sheet. The decoloring unit decolors the image on the sheet after the scanner has read the image. The processor recognizes a page number included in the image and stores the image read by the scanner and decolored by the decoloring unit at a location that is associated with the recognized page number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya Sato
  • Patent number: 10095149
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive substrate; and a conductive elastic layer disposed on the conductive substrate and exhibiting ionic conduction. The conductive elastic layer contains an elastic material containing epichlorohydrin rubber, and the amount of free chlorine ions in the conductive elastic layer is 1 ?g/g or more and 80 ?g/g or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Tomari, Yuki Tagawa, Masato Ono, Minoru Rokutan, Yuma Tanaka, Masayuki Seko
  • Patent number: 10088784
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers an image carried by the image carrier to a continuous medium; a fixing device that fixes the image transferred to the continuous medium; a determination unit that determines whether or not a tension is applied to the continuous medium; and a controller that drives the fixing device if a tension is applied to the continuous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sato, Kosuke Yamada, Yuki Nagamori, Mitsuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10082758
    Abstract: A developer case (10) according to the present invention includes a case main body (30) and an RF tag (36, 37). The case main body (30) contains developer and is attached to an apparatus main body (2, 71) which includes a communication device (14). The RF tag (36, 37) is arranged at the case main body (30) and makes wireless communication with the communication device (14) within a communicable area (A1, A2) around the communication device (14). The case main body (30) includes a plurality of attachment parts (41a, 41b) opposed to the communication device (14) in a state where the case main body (30) is attached to the apparatus main body (2, 71). The RF tag (36, 37) is arranged at one of the plurality of attachment parts (41a, 41b) according to the communicable area (A1, A2) unique to the RF tag (36, 37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Yoshii
  • Patent number: 10078290
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that enhances measurement accuracy of a pattern image and improves quality of a printed image. Light emitted from a light emission unit based on a first measurement condition is reflected from an image bearing member, and first information is generated based on a measurement result of the image bearing member. Second information is determined based on the first measurement condition, the first information, and a second measurement condition. Light is emitted based on the first measurement condition when a first measurement image is measured, and an image forming condition is generated based on a measurement result of the first measurement image and the first information. Light is emitted based on the second measurement condition when a second measurement image is measured, and the image forming condition is generated based on a measurement result of the second measurement image and the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tomii
  • Patent number: 10073394
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers an image carried by the image carrier to a continuous medium; a fixing device including a first fixing member that contacts the continuous medium and heats the image transferred to the continuous medium and a second fixing member that is disposed so as to face the first fixing member with the continuous medium therebetween and presses the image, the fixing device fixing the image transferred to the continuous medium, the fixing device being configured so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are capable of contacting or separating from each other; and a separation member that contacts the continuous medium and separates the continuous medium from the first fixing member when the first fixing member and the second fixing member separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Sato, Kosuke Yamada, Kazutoshi Sugitani
  • Patent number: 10073413
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an air blowing device, an apparatus body, and at least one developer container that has an outer periphery, that is disposed in the apparatus body, and that contains developer. The image forming apparatus has a first transport path that allows a recording medium having undergone heat fixing is transported therethrough and a second transport path that extends in a different direction from a direction of the first transport path and that allows the recording medium to be transported along the outer periphery of the at least one developer container. A space is formed between the at least one developer container and the second transport path. The air blowing device is disposed between the first transport path and the at least one developer container, causes air to flow through the space so as to blow the air toward the first transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Takada, Satoru Nishikawa, Hirofumi Ueno, Xubin Zhou, Naoki Sambe
  • Patent number: 10073372
    Abstract: An exposure unit comprises a polygon mirror configured to include a plurality of reflection surfaces; first to fourth light sources arranged at different angle positions along a rotation direction of the polygon mirror; two photo detectors configured to selectively detect first laser light and fourth laser light respectively at a scanning start end side of a main scanning direction among first to fourth laser light which are emitted from the respective light sources and reflected by the polygon mirror to be scanned in the main scanning direction; and a control section configured to control light emitting timing of the first to the fourth light sources on the basis of detection results of these photo detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 10067459
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, an operating portion provided slidably between a first position and a second position of the main assembly, a supporting position, a slide rail, a slidable member, and an urging unit. A relationship of engagement between the slide rail and the slidable member is set so that the engagement between the slide rail and the slidable member when the operating portion is in a position between the first position and the second position is looser than the engagement between the slide rail and the slidable member when the operating portion is in the first position or the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 10067449
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a primary heater and a secondary heater that heat a fixing rotator. The primary heater includes a primary major heat generation portion and a primary minor heat generation portion. The primary minor heat generation portion includes a major heat generator that generates an increased amount of heat and a minor heat generator that generates a decreased amount of heat smaller than the increased amount of heat generated by the major heat generator. The major heat generator has a width in an axial direction of the fixing rotator that is not smaller than 30 percent and not greater than 35 percent with respect to a width of the primary minor heat generation portion in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. A temperature detector is disposed opposite the minor heat generator of the primary heater to detect a temperature of the fixing rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Matsuda, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Yasunori Ishigaya, Kazuya Saito, Keitaro Shoji
  • Patent number: 10067446
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a cleaning device including a cleaning member that abuts a surface of an image carrier and cleans a surface of the image carrier; a detector that detects a stain generated on the surface of the image carrier in a moving direction of the surface of the image carrier; an adjusting mechanism that adjusts a relative position between the image carrier and the cleaning member in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction; and a hardware processor that controls the relative position between the image carrier and the cleaning member by driving the adjusting mechanism based on information regarding the stain detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Tomo Kitada
  • Patent number: 10048638
    Abstract: A drive transmission device, which is included in an image forming apparatus and detachably attached to an apparatus body configured to include a driven body to which a driving force is transmitted, includes a first opposing body and a second opposing body disposed facing each other and forming a gap therebetween, a gear rotatably disposed in the gap formed between the first opposing body and the second opposing body, and a rotary shaft configured to receive the driving force from a drive source and rotate in the gap. One rotational axial end of the rotary shaft being passed through the second opposing body and rotatably supported by the second opposing body in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10048642
    Abstract: An image forming unit and a paper feed unit on which the image forming unit is stacked is provided. The image forming unit or the paper feed unit includes a connecting fixing member including a connection portion with which the units are connected to and fixed to each other. The connecting fixing member is rotatably provided to one device which is one of the image forming unit and the paper feed unit. The connection portion rotates to an engagement position of the other device, when the connecting fixing member comes into contact with the other device which is the other one of the image forming unit and the paper feed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10042282
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a developing electrode; a gear; a rack gear including a protrusion; and a cam having first and second cam surfaces. The rack gear meshes with the gear and is movable in a direction from one end toward another end of the casing. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position. The first cam surface of the cam at the first position contacts the protrusion, and causes the cam to move to the second position as the rack gear moves in the direction in a state where the first cam surface is in contact with the protrusion. A second cam surface moves the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam different from moving directions of the rack gear and the cam while contacting the developing electrode as the cam moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10042317
    Abstract: A photoconductor unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing and a photoconductive drum rotatably mounted on the housing. The photoconductive drum has an outer surface. A cap is detachably mounted on the housing. A lubricant supply is positioned to provide a lubricant material to the outer surface of the photoconductive drum. The lubricant supply is mounted on the cap such that detachment of the cap from the housing separates the lubricant supply from the housing permitting replacement of the lubricant supply independent of the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lester Boettcher, Joshua Carl Poterjoy