Patents by Inventor Akinori Kumonaka

Akinori Kumonaka 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).

  • Fixing unit
    Patent number: 6775491
    Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a developing material deposited on a recording medium by heating and pressing the recording medium. The fixing unit includes two heating members that apply heat to the recording medium and two temperature-sensitive shutoff devices. The two temperature-sensitive shutoff devices are connected in series with a corresponding one of the heating members. Each of the temperature-sensitive shut-off devices includes a first heat-sensitive shut-off element and a second heat-sensitive shut-off element. The first heat-sensitive shut-off element shuts off electric power to the corresponding one of the two heating members when a temperature of a surface of the corresponding one of the two heating members exceeds a certain value. The second heat-sensitive shut-off element shuts off electric power to the corresponding one of the two heating members when a temperature of a surface of the second one of the two heating members exceeds a certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Naoji Akutsu, Akinori Kumonaka
  • Fixing unit
    Publication number: 20030206745
    Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a developing material deposited on a recording medium by heating and pressing the recording medium. The fixing unit includes two heating members that apply heat to the recording medium and two temperature-sensitive shutoff devices. The two temperature-sensitive shutoff devices are connected in series with a corresponding one of the heating members. Each of the temperature-sensitive shut-off devices includes a first heat-sensitive shut-off element and a second heat-sensitive shut-off element. The first heat-sensitive shut-off element shuts off electric power to the corresponding one of the two heating members when a temperature of a surface of the corresponding one of the two heating members exceeds a certain value. The second heat-sensitive shut-off element shuts off electric power to the corresponding one of the two heating members when a temperature of a surface of the second one of the two heating members exceeds a certain value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Naoji Akutsu, Akinori Kumonaka
  • Fixing unit
    Patent number: 6597879
    Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a developing material deposited on a recording medium by heating and pressing the recording medium. The fixing unit includes a first number of heating members that apply heat to the recording medium and a second number of switches that supply electric power to the first number of heating members. Each of the heating members receives electric power through a series circuit of the switches. Each of the switches responds to a surface temperature of a corresponding one of the heating members so that when the surface temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the electric power is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Naoji Akutsu, Akinori Kumonaka
  • Fixing unit
    Publication number: 20030007803
    Abstract: A fixing unit fixes a developing material deposited on a recording medium by heating and pressing the recording medium. The fixing unit includes a first number of heating members that apply heat to the recording medium and a second number of switches that supply electric power to the first number of heating members. Each of the heating members receives electric power through a series circuit of the switches. Each of the switches responds to a surface temperature of a corresponding one of the heating members so that when the surface temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the electric power is shut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Naoji Akutsu, Akinori Kumonaka