Patents by Inventor Akihito Andoh

Akihito Andoh 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: 7822378
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Patent number: 7527254
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes a punching unit configured to punch a sheet handed over from an image forming apparatus to the sheet finisher. A scrap conveying unit conveys scraps produced from the sheet punched by the punching unit. A hopper stores scraps conveyed thereto by there scrap conveying unit. The hopper is mounted on the front side of the sheet finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Tokita, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 7458567
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Patent number: 7451980
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7441771
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7407155
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes a punching unit configured to punch a sheet handed over from an image forming apparatus to the sheet finisher. A scrap conveying unit conveys scraps produced from the sheet punched by the punching unit. A hopper stores scraps conveyed thereto by there scrap conveying unit. The hopper is mounted on the front side of the sheet finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Tokita, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 7380786
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7336921
    Abstract: A sheet folding device for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a path along which the sheet or the sheet stack to be folded is conveyed. A fold plate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the above path for forming a fold in the sheet or the sheet stack. A pair of rotatable fold rollers face the fold plate and are positioned one above the other. Pressing members exerts, when the fold is to be formed, a pair of equal pressing forces on the fold rollers to thereby maintain the nip between the fold rollers on a line including the locus of movement of the fold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Tokita, Rika Andoh, legal representative, Akihito Andoh
  • Patent number: 7331572
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Patent number: 7300052
    Abstract: A sheet-shaped medium processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a pair of arranging members 102a, 102b, and these arranging members 102a, 102b have both arranging function for arranging paper S piled on a tray 12 after being discharged in a discharge direction “a” from a paper discharge roller 3 at only fixed position, and sorting/arranging function for arranging the papers S grouped together at different position in direction (direction perpendicular to paper face) perpendicular to the discharge direction “a” in every copy of grouping together predetermined number of the paper S. For that reason, it is possible to conduct sorting/arranging action by using small drive power and to arrange the paper S in high precision regardless of largeness of piled amount of the paper S on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20070145675
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20070108698
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Masahiro TAMURA, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20070108697
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7207556
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet introduced thereinto from an image forming apparatus and then discharging the sheet is disclosed. The sheet finisher includes a stacking device configured to temporarily stack sheets sequentially delivered thereto. Jogger fences jog each sheet within the stacking device. A stapler staples the sheet stack jogged in the stacking device. The stapler is supported by a guide shaft such it is movable along the guide shaft in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance and angularly movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromoto Saitoh, Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiroki Okada, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Junichi Iida
  • Patent number: 7198268
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20070052147
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes a punching unit configured to punch a sheet handed over from an image forming apparatus to the sheet finisher. A scrap conveying unit conveys scraps produced from the sheet punched by the punching unit. A hopper stores scraps conveyed thereto by there scrap conveying unit. The hopper is mounted on the front side of the sheet finisher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Tokita, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 7182333
    Abstract: To ensure that the leading edge of the sheet ejected onto a tray 12 does not push and move loaded sheets in advance, loaded sheets are retained at position (II) by a retaining roller. A roller (returning roller in this case) 121 for applying external force to a sheet S ejected onto the tray 12 and moving the sheet toward a end face 131 for alignment is displaced to a different position in the direction of ejection “a”, thereby firmly gripping the trailing edge of the sheet S ejected on the tray 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Akihito Andoh, Kazuya Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20070035079
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Publication number: 20070035080
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Publication number: 20070029716
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi IIda, Akihito Andoh