Patents by Inventor Aino Noguchi

Aino Noguchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7070269
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Tadashi Saito, Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Kakuji Murakami, Mitsuo Hasebe, Toshio Kawakubo, Satoru Tomita, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 6935735
    Abstract: Images formed by a liquid are transferred onto both sides of a sheet-like recording medium without the liquid running on or penetrating into the recording medium. A layer of absorbing powder is formed on an intermediate transfer member. The liquid is applied to the powder layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to form a first visible image. The first visible image is transferred onto the front side of the recording medium. Thereafter, another layer of the absorbing powder is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid is applied to the powder layer so as to form a second visible image. The second visible image is transferred onto the back side of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Aino Noguchi, Tadashi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20050068398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Tadashi Saito, Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Kakuji Murakami, Mitsuo Hasebe, Toshio Kawakubo, Satoru Tomita, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 6853822
    Abstract: A device included in an image forming apparatus for removing a substance that disfigures an image. The device includes an adsorbent support that supports an adsorbent. The absorbent has a molecular structure including voids that have a diameter great enough to pass molecules of the disfiguring substance which is deposited on the surface of an image carrier and contain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Yano, Aino Noguchi, Hiromitsu Takagaki, Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Chiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6837578
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Tadashi Saito, Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Kakuji Murakami, Mitsuo Hasebe, Toshio Kawakubo, Satoru Tomita, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 6736500
    Abstract: A method of forming an image includes causing a material, that increases a viscosity of liquid drops by contact with the liquid drops, to adhere to a transfer medium, causing a liquid drop to contact the material according to an image signal such that an image is formed with the liquid drop having been increased in viscosity by contact with the material, and transferring the image to a recording medium. The viscosity of the liquid drop when increased on the transfer medium by contact with the material is set such that the liquid drop adheres to the recording medium without being divided into a part remaining on the transfer medium and another part being transferred to the recording medium. By the above-described image forming method, good image transfer is realized and thereby an image having no blotting is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Takahashi, Aino Noguchi, Mitsuo Hasebe, Kiyoshi Tanikawa
  • Publication number: 20040036754
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Tadashi Saito, Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Kakuji Murakami, Mitsuo Hasebe, Toshio Kawakubo, Satoru Tomita, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 6623816
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Tadashi Saito, Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Kakuji Murakami, Mitsuo Hasebe, Toshio Kawakubo, Satoru Tomita, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuyuki Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 6595631
    Abstract: Images formed by a liquid are transferred onto both sides of a sheet-like recording medium without the liquid running on or penetrating into the recording medium. A layer of absorbing powder is formed on an intermediate transfer member. The liquid is applied to the powder layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to form a first visible image. The first visible image is transferred onto the front side of the recording medium. Thereafter, another layer of the absorbing powder is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid is applied to the powder layer so as to form a second visible image. The second visible image is transferred onto the back side of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Aino Noguchi, Tadashi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20030047272
    Abstract: Images formed by a liquid are transferred onto both sides of a sheet-like recording medium without the liquid running on or penetrating into the recording medium. A layer of absorbing powder is formed on an intermediate transfer member. The liquid is applied to the powder layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to form a first visible image. The first visible image is transferred onto the front side of the recording medium. Thereafter, another layer of the absorbing powder is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid is applied to the powder layer so as to form a second visible image. The second visible image is transferred onto the back side of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Aino Noguchi, Tadashi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6439713
    Abstract: A powder composition containing a powder of a modified polymer having a recurring unit containing at least one carboxyl group, the carboxyl groups of part of the recurring units being in the form of a salt with an aliphatic amine having at least 6 carbon atoms, and a powder of a surfactant. The powder composition is used for forming an image on a printing medium, in which method the composition is applied over a surface of a transfer medium to form a layer of the powder. An image of a liquid ink capable of dissolving or swelling the powder is then formed on the layer so that the viscosity of the liquid ink increases when contacted with the powder. The image on the transfer medium is contacted with the printing medium so that the image is transferred to the printing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aino Noguchi, Yasuo Katano, Nobuyuki Yanagawa, Tadashi Saito, Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Kakuji Murakami
  • Publication number: 20020094214
    Abstract: A device included in an image forming apparatus for removing a substance that disfigures an image is disclosed. The device includes an adsorbent support supporting an adsorbent. The absorbent has a molecular structure including voids that have a diameter great enough to pass molecules of the disfiguring substance, which is deposited on the surface of an image carrier, therethrough and contain water therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Yano, Aino Noguchi, Hiromitsu Takagaki, Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Chiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6402317
    Abstract: An ink-jet image recording apparatus including a sheet feed mechanism feeding a recording sheet along a sheet feed path; an ink-jet recording head provided in the sheet feet path so as to record an image on the recording sheet transported through the sheet feed path, by projecting ink droplets to the recording sheet; and an ink viscosity adjusting mechanism provided in the sheet feet path and providing a substance layer on the recording sheet at an upstream side of the recording head, such that the recording head records the image through the substance layer. The ink viscosity adjusting mechanism further removes the substance layer from the recording sheet at a downstream side of the recording head after the image is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yanagawa, Yasuo Katano, Aino Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20020057322
    Abstract: Images formed by a liquid are transferred onto both sides of a sheet-like recording medium without the liquid running on or penetrating into the recording medium. A layer of absorbing powder is formed on an intermediate transfer member. The liquid is applied to the powder layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to form a first visible image. The first visible image is transferred onto the front side of the recording medium. Thereafter, another layer of the absorbing powder is formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid is applied to the powder layer so as to form a second visible image. The second visible image is transferred onto the back side of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanikawa, Aino Noguchi, Tadashi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20010038409
    Abstract: A method of recording an image on a recording paper by ink-droplets includes the step of covering a surface of the recording paper by a substance that increases, when contacted with an ink droplet, the viscosity of the ink by causes a swelling or melting, and apply an ink droplet for forming an ink image. After the ink image is formed on the recording paper, the substance is removed from the surface of the recording paper. Further, a method of forming a viscous image on an intermediate medium and transferring the viscous image to a recording sheet is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yanagawa, Yasuo Katano, Aino Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20010022607
    Abstract: A method of forming an image includes causing a material, that increases a viscosity of liquid drops by contact with the liquid drops, to adhere to a transfer medium, causing a liquid drop to contact the material according to an image signal such that an image is formed with the liquid drop having been increased in viscosity by contact with the material, and transferring the image to a recording medium. The viscosity of the liquid drop when increased on the transfer medium by contact with the material is set such that the liquid drop adheres to the recording medium without being divided into a part remaining on the transfer medium and another part being transferred to the recording medium. By the above-described image forming method, good image transfer is realized and thereby an image having no blotting is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoko Takahashi, Aino Noguchi, Mitsuo Hasebe, Kiyoshi Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 6257716
    Abstract: A method of recording an image on a recording paper by ink-droplets includes the step of covering a surface of the recording paper by a substance that increases, when contacted with an ink droplet, the viscosity of the ink by causes a swelling or melting, and apply an ink droplet for forming an ink image. After the ink image is formed on the recording paper, the substance is removed from the surface of the recording paper. Further, a method of forming a viscous image on an intermediate medium and transferring the viscous image to a recording sheet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yanagawa, Yasuo Katano, Aino Noguchi