Patents by Inventor Akihiko Itami
Akihiko Itami 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).
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Patent number: 7851118Abstract: An image forming method, comprising: forming an electrostatic latent image on a rotatable organic photoreceptor; forming a developing brush with a developing agent containing a toner on a rotatable developing sleeve; and bringing the developing brush in contact with the photoreceptor at a developing region so as to visualize the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The photoreceptor comprises a conductive support member, an intermediate layer containing a binder resin and inorganic particles which have a number average primary order particle size of 3 to 200 nm, and a photosensitive layer provided on the intermediate layer, and the rotating direction of the developing sleeve is counter to that of the photoreceptor at the developing region.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Masao Asano, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Kunio Shigeta
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Patent number: 7846626Abstract: A toner image is formed while a developing sleeve is rotated in a direction counter to that of an organic photoreceptor at the developing section and a developing agent contains toner which contains toner particles having a particle diameter of 0.7×(Dp50) or less in an amount of 8 number % or less and has water content of 0.1 to 2.0 mass % under an environment of 30° C. and 80% RH, where Dp50 represents 50% number % particle diameter of toner particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Masao Asano, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Kunio Shigeta
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Publication number: 20100294368Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element having a semiconductor layer and a charge transfer layer provided between a first electrode and a second electrode is disclosed, and the semiconductor layer has light absorption in an absorption wavelength region at least 350 to 1,000 nm and has light transmission in the absorption wavelength region of the semiconductor, the charge transfer layer comprises a charge transfer complex formed by an electron-donating compound and an electron-accepting compound, and the charge-transfer complex has an absorption wavelength in the transmission wavelength of the semiconductor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Mayuko USHIRO, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Hidekazu KAWASAKI
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Publication number: 20100288360Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element comprising a conductive support and provided thereon, a semiconductor layer, a charge transporting layer and an opposed electrode, the semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor with a dye, wherein the dye is a compound represented by the following formula (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Mayuko USHIRO
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Publication number: 20100290808Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises an electrically conductive support and provided thereon, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer in that order, wherein the charge transport layer contains a resin having a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1), a charge transport material represented by the following formula (2), and an ultraviolet absorbent in an amount of from 0.1 to 30.0% by weight based on the weight of the charge transport material, and can provide an organic photoreceptor exhibiting high thin line reproduction, employing a small diameter exposure light spot, and excellent durability capable of forming a stable image for a long period, wherein even when an image is repeatedly formed at high speed, exposure electric potential variation is reduced and image memory generation is prevented, and an image formation apparatus employing the organic photoreceptor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Akihiko Itami
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Publication number: 20100282322Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element containing a pair of opposite electrodes having therebetween: a semiconductor layer containing a sensitizing dye which is supported by a semiconductor; and a charge transport layer, wherein the sensitizing dye is a compound represented by Formula (1),Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Mayuko USHIRO
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Publication number: 20100275988Abstract: A dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion element, comprises a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other; a semiconductor layer including a semiconductor supporting a sensitizing dye; and an electrolyte layer. At least the semiconductor layer and the electrolyte layer are provided between the pair of electrodes, and the sensitizing dye contains a compound represented by the following Formula (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Mayuko USHIRO
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Publication number: 20100263726Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element for which a novel compound (dye) exhibiting excellent adsorption to an oxide semiconductor and exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency is used, and also provided is a solar cell employing the photoelectric conversion element. Disclosed is a dye-sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element possessing at least a pair of facing electrodes, a semiconductor layer possessing a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye supported on the semiconductor, and a charge transport layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the charge transport layer are provided between the facing electrodes, and wherein the sensitizing dye comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Mayuko USHIRO
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Publication number: 20090250115Abstract: Provided are a newly developed dye-sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element employing a highly durable sensitizing dye, exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and a solar cell fitted with the photoelectric conversion element. Also disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) between a pair of facing electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Hideya MIWA, Akihiko ITAMI, Kazuya ISOBE, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Mayuko USHIRO
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Publication number: 20090197195Abstract: Provide is an electrophotographic photoreceptor exhibiting excellent evenness of halftone images together with fine line reproduction, and an image forming method thereof, as to a photoreceptor in which an oxytitanium phthalocyanine pigment having a maximum diffraction peak at a Bragg angle (2?±0.2°) of 27.2° in CuK? X-ray diffraction. Also disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor possessing a body having cylindrical conductive support provided thereon photosensitive layer containing oxytitanium phthalocyanine pigment having maximum diffraction peak at a Bragg angle (2?±0.2°) of 27.2° in CuK? X-ray diffraction, and flanges jointed at both ends of the body, wherein at least one of flanges is fitted with driving shaft having drive hole having at least 3 sides, and a ratio B/A of cross-sectional area B of engaging part of rotation shaft to rotate the electrophotographic photoreceptor with respect to cross-sectional area A of the drive hole is 0.890-0.998.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Eiichi SAKAI, Yoshihiko Eto, Kimiyuki Itou, Akihiko Itami, Takeo Oshiba
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Publication number: 20090123854Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming method is disclosed, wherein a cylindrical developing sleeve carrying a developer is brought into contact with a photoreceptor with rotating the developing sleeve in the counter direction to the rotation of the photoreceptor, and a lubricant is supplied to the photoreceptor and the photoreceptor comprises a uppermost surface layer containing a polyarylate having a structure unit represented by the following formula and the toner comprises toner particles exhibiting a glass transition temperature of from 16 to 44° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Akihiko ITAMI, Eiichi SAKAI, Yoshihiko ETO, Takeo OSHIBA
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Patent number: 7482106Abstract: An image forming method comprising steps of forming a toner image by developing by a toner a latent image on a photoreceptor comprised of a layer formed on a substrate, transferring the toner image onto a recording medium on which the toner image is recorded and fixing, wherein the average circular degree of the toner is not less than 0.94, and the toner contains a wax comprising an ester of a carboxylic acid having carbon atoms of not less than 16 or an ester of an alcohol having carbon atoms of not less than 16, and the layer is a layer to be contacted to the toner in the developing step and contains an inorganic fine particles having a number average of primary particle diameter of approximately not less than 1 nm and less than 100 nm.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Hideo Yoshizawa, Akihiko Itami
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Patent number: 7479359Abstract: A photoconductor for electrophotography, includes a conductive substrate; a photosensitive layer containing charge generation material formed on the conductive substrate. The charge generation material contains a substituted or unsubstituted gallium phthalocyanine dimer (GaPhC dimmer) and a substituted or unsubstituted hydroxy gallium phthalocyanine (GaPhC monomer) and has distinctive diffraction peaks at the Bragg angles (2?±0.2) of 7.5° and 28.3° in a Cu-K? characteristic X-ray diffraction spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keiichi Inagaki, Masao Asano, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Hideo Yoshizawa, Akihiko Itami
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Patent number: 7477866Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with an organic photoreceptor; a developing device to bring a developing brush in contact with the organic photoreceptor so as to visualize an electrostatic latent image to toner image; a transfer device; and an agent supplying device to provide a surface energy lowering agent to the surface of the organic photoreceptor. The electrostatic latent image is visualized to the toner image while the developing sleeve is rotated in a direction counter to that of the organic photoreceptor at the developing section.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Kunio Shigeta
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Patent number: 7473509Abstract: A toner image is formed while a developing sleeve is rotated in a direction counter to that of an organic photoreceptor at the developing section and a surface layer of the organic photoreceptor contains metal oxide particles which have a number average primary particle diameter of 3 to 150 nm and are chosen from metal of the 3rd or 4th cycle of a periodic table.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Masao Asano, Hiroshi Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20080296564Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element having a pair of electrodes, and a semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor carrying a dye and an electrolyte layer is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Akihiko ITAMI, Fumitaka MOCHIZUKI, Hideya MIWA, Hidekazu KAWASAKI
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Patent number: 7459256Abstract: There are described an image forming method and apparatus, which enable to form an electrophotographic image having high image density and excellent color reproducibility. The method includes: applying a uniform surface potential to an organic photoreceptor; irradiating light, having a wavelength in a range of 350-500 nm, on the photoreceptor, to form a latent image on the photoreceptor; and contacting a developing blush, containing toner and carrier, with the organic photoreceptor so as to form a visible toner image. The developing sleeve bears developing agent including the toner and the carrier. An absolute value of an electric charge potential of non-exposed area on the organic photoreceptor is in a range of 250-450 Volts and the developing sleeve is rotated in a counter direction, being counter to a rotating direction of the organic photoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Kunio Shigeta, Shigeaki Tokutake
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Patent number: 7449267Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming method is disclosed. The method contains steps of forming an electrostatic latent image on an organic photoreceptor, and developing the electrostatic latent image by a developer containing toner to form a toner image on the photoreceptor. In this method the photoreceptor contains inorganic particles in a surface layer, the toner has circle equivalent diameter d of 3.0 to 8.0 ?m viewed from a direction which maximizes the projective area of toner particles, the toner has a flatness ratio d/t of 2.0 to 5.0, wherein d is circle equivalent diameter and t is average thickness of toner particles, and the electrostatic latent image is developed in such a manner that the developing sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction to the photoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Masao Asano, Hiroshi Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20080178933Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element is disclosed. comprising a compound represented by the following formula between a pair of opposed electrodes: wherein Ar1, AR2 and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, x is an organic residue having an acidic group and n is an integer of 2 to 8. A solar cell comprising the photoelectric conversion element is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Tomoko Sakimura, Fumitaka Mochizuki, Hideya Miwa
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Publication number: 20080173346Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprising a pair of electrodes containing therebetween a compound represented by Formula (1) or Formula (2):Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Akihiko ITAMI, Fumitaka MOCHIZUKI, Kazukuni NISHIMURA