Patents by Inventor Akihiko Kakita
Akihiko Kakita 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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Publication number: 20190187611Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a charger that charges a photoreceptor; a developing part that develops a toner image on the charged and exposed photoreceptor; a detector that detects at least one of humidity, ozone generated from the charger, and toner scattered from the developing part; and a processor that performs a process of reducing at least one of the detected humidity, ozone, and scattered toner, when the at least one of the detected humidity, ozone, and scattered toner is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, predetermined threshold values having been set beforehand for humidity, ozone, and scattered toner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Shinichi KAWABATA, Akihiko KAKITA
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Patent number: 10183835Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: one paper cassette configured to accommodate a paper sheet; an image forming section provided above the paper cassette to form an image on the paper sheet; a main conveying path configured to convey the paper sheet; and a reverse conveying path configured to reverse the paper sheet, wherein the reverse conveying path includes: a first reverse conveying path provided side by side with the paper cassette to extend vertically; a second reverse conveying path configured to connect from the first reverse conveying path and extend below the paper cassette; a guide plate configured to open and close the first reverse conveying path and release pressure of a pair of paper conveying rollers; and an entry restricting unit provided at a boundary point between the first reverse conveying path and the second reverse conveying path to open and close a conveying course of the paper sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Akihiko Kakita
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Patent number: 9919886Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a pair of first rollers configured to nip a paper sheet in a reference position and convey the paper sheet, the pair of first rollers being pressed against each other; and a control unit configured to control operation of the pair of first rollers to correct a positional deviation in a width direction of the paper sheet, by moving the pair of first rollers from the reference position in the width direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the paper sheet, wherein, the control unit controls the operation of the pair of rollers, to complete a series of operations for the pair of rollers to separate from each other, to return to the reference position, and to be again pressed against each other, before a bottom edge of the paper sheet nipped by the pair of rollers passes through the pair of rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Takahiro Okubo, Akihiko Kakita
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Publication number: 20170225917Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: one paper cassette configured to accommodate a paper sheet; an image forming section provided above the paper cassette to form an image on the paper sheet; a main conveying path configured to convey the paper sheet; and a reverse conveying path configured to reverse the paper sheet, wherein the reverse conveying path includes: a first reverse conveying path provided side by side with the paper cassette to extend vertically; a second reverse conveying path configured to connect from the first reverse conveying path and extend below the paper cassette; a guide plate configured to open and close the first reverse conveying path and release pressure of a pair of paper conveying rollers; and an entry restricting unit provided at a boundary point between the first reverse conveying path and the second reverse conveying path to open and close a conveying course of the paper sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventor: Akihiko KAKITA
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Publication number: 20170158446Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a pair of first rollers configured to nip a paper sheet in a reference position and convey the paper sheet, the pair of first rollers being pressed against each other; and a control unit configured to control operation of the pair of first rollers to correct a positional deviation in a width direction of the paper sheet, by moving the pair of first rollers from the reference position in the width direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the paper sheet, wherein, the control unit controls the operation of the pair of rollers, to complete a series of operations for the pair of rollers to separate from each other, to return to the reference position, and to be again pressed against each other, before a bottom edge of the paper sheet nipped by the pair of rollers passes through the pair of rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: TAKAHIRO OKUBO, AKIHIKO KAKITA
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Patent number: 9671741Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that electrophotographically forms an image on a sheet; and a sheet feeding path including a first sheet feeding path that conveys a sheet to the image forming section, and a second sheet feeding path provided continuously with the first sheet feeding path. Unjamming is allowed to be performed by separating the apparatus at a boundary between the first sheet feeding path and the second sheet feeding path, and by pulling out the first sheet feeding path. The apparatus further includes: a jam detection section that detects an occurrence of a jam in the sheet feeding path; and a jam clearing section that determines a procedure for unjamming in accordance with a state of a sheet on the sheet feeding path when a jam occurs, and the jam clearing section makes a request to perform unjamming according to a determined procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Masahiro Matsuo, Takahiro Okubo, Akihiko Kakita
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Patent number: 9630791Abstract: An image-forming apparatus contains an external feeding tray on which a sheet is put, and a feeding roller and a sheet feeder that feed the sheet from the external feeding tray. A controller of the image-forming apparatus sets a first conveying speed and a second conveying speed that is slower than the first conveying speed, controls the sheet feeder to convey a second sheet, which has a longer length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the second conveying speed when the controller determines that a rear end of the second sheet projects from the external feeding tray, and hangs down from the external feeding tray based on the sheet information and controls a first sheet, which has a shorter length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the first conveying speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Yasuo Shiokawa, Akihiko Kakita, Takahiro Okubo
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Publication number: 20160159594Abstract: An image-forming apparatus contains an external feeding tray on which a sheet is put, and a feeding roller and a sheet feeder that feed the sheet from the external feeding tray. A controller of the image-forming apparatus sets a first conveying speed and a second conveying speed that is slower than the first conveying speed, controls the sheet feeder to convey a second sheet, which has a longer length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the second conveying speed when the controller determines that a rear end of the second sheet projects from the external feeding tray, and hangs down from the external feeding tray based on the sheet information and controls a first sheet, which has a shorter length along a conveying direction thereof than the length of the external feeding tray, at the first conveying speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Yasuo Shiokawa, Akihiko Kakita, Takahiro Okubo
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Patent number: 9335670Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium S from an introduction conveying section to a transfer section. The conveying unit includes: a conveyance supporting base that is supported so as to be able to be inserted into and detached from the apparatus body via a movement mechanism, and a plurality of conveying members that is attached to the conveyance supporting base in a detachable manner, and that forms a conveying path through which the recording medium is conveyed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Akihiko Kakita
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Publication number: 20150346644Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium S from an introduction conveying section to a transfer section. The conveying unit includes: a conveyance supporting base that is supported so as to be able to be inserted into and detached from the apparatus body via a movement mechanism, and a plurality of conveying members that is attached to the conveyance supporting base in a detachable manner, and that forms a conveying path through which the recording medium is conveyed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventor: Akihiko KAKITA
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Publication number: 20150277334Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section that electrophotographically forms an image on a sheet; and a sheet feeding path including a first sheet feeding path that conveys a sheet to the image forming section, and a second sheet feeding path provided continuously with the first sheet feeding path. Unjamming is allowed to be performed by separating the apparatus at a boundary between the first sheet feeding path and the second sheet feeding path, and by pulling out the first sheet feeding path. The apparatus further includes: a jam detection section that detects an occurrence of a jam in the sheet feeding path; and a jam clearing section that determines a procedure for unjamming in accordance with a state of a sheet on the sheet feeding path when a jam occurs, and the jam clearing section makes a request to perform unjamming according to a determined procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Masahiro MATSUO, Takahiro OKUBO, Akihiko KAKITA
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Publication number: 20090110412Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type, includes a toner container containing a toner therein, arranged on an upper portion of an outside of a main frame of the apparatus in which an imagewise exposure section, a developing section and a fixing section are housed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Akihiko KAKITA
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Publication number: 20070146827Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an image printing apparatus, which comprises, in order to manufacture a specific type of image printing apparatus, the steps of preparing an accessory device main body that is common among a plurality of types of image printing apparatuses; forming a duct forming member which has at least one of a suction port and an exhaust port and specifically matches the specific type of image printing apparatus regarding at least one of shape, position, and number; connecting the duct forming member to the common accessory device main body to form an accessory device; and connecting the accessory device to the image printing apparatus main body. The present invention further provides an image printing apparatus and an accessory device which are manufactured by the manufacturing method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventor: Akihiko Kakita
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Patent number: 5276491Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a peripheral surface of an image carrying drum and transferring the toner image onto a recording paper. The image forming apparatus comprises a conveyor to convey the recording paper, a register roller to feed the same to the conveyor, transfer unit for transfering the toner image and a pre-charging unit for charging the recording paper before the transferring. A controller of the image forming apparatus controls operation timings of the above units of the image forming apparatus and forms a blank area in the leading portion of the recording paper where no image is formed and no transfer operation is performed to the recording paper by the transfer unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1991Date of Patent: January 4, 1994Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fuma, Mitsuo Motohashi, Yozo Fujii, Akihiko Kakita
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Patent number: 5182602Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus having a transfer device. The transfer device includes a plurality of rollers, a belt and a cam. The belt is rotatable around the plurality of rollers so as to convey a recording sheet thereon. The transfer device is adapted to be pivotable around a pivot axis thereof. The cam pivots the transfer device so as to bring the belt in contact with and out of an imaging surface of a photoreceptor. In the device there is further provided a spring for supporting the transfer device to reduce the weight loaded onto said cam member.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1991Date of Patent: January 26, 1993Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Akihiko Kakita, Tsugio Sugizaki, Yozo Fujii
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Patent number: 5172174Abstract: A transfer belt unit for conveying a recording sheet on a conveyor thereof and transferring a toner image from the surface of an image carrying drum to the recording sheet by electrostatic charging of the recording sheet and the conveyor belt by a corona discharger located on the rear side of the conveyor belt at a contact location of the image carrying drum and the conveyor belt. The transfer belt unit is provided with a preliminary corona discharger located in the wedge shaped space between the surfaces of the conveyor belt and the image carrying drum for charging the conveyor belt and the recording sheet by corona discharging to attract the recording sheet to the surface of the conveyor belt by electrostatic force. The preliminary discharger is composed of an electrode for corona discharging and a shield plate with an opening for restricting a discharging zone from the electrode to the recording sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1990Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fuma, Mitsuo Motohashi, Yozo Fujii, Akihiko Kakita
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Patent number: 5153653Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for transferring a toner image from a photoreceptor to a recording sheet. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers and a belt stretched around the plurality of rollers. The belt is adapted to come in contact with the photoreceptor at a transfer area so that a recording sheet is conveyed on the belt and brought in contact with the image surface at the transfer area and that the toner image is transferred onto the recording sheet. The apparatus further includes a conductive member, disposed so as to come in contact with the belt on one of the plurality of rollers which is positioned upstream in conveying direction than the transfer area, for charging the recording sheet conveyed on the belt.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1990Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Konica CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fuma, Mitsuo Motohashi, Yozo Fujii, Akihiko Kakita, Takashi Murahashi, Kazuo Yasuda, Yoshio Yamazaki, Masashi Sugano