Patents by Inventor Akira Yoshimura
Akira Yoshimura 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).
-
Publication number: 20240077832Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
-
Publication number: 20240004338Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a feeding module, an image forming module, and a fixing module. The feeding module feeds a recording material. The image forming module includes a photosensitive drum and forms a developer image on the recording material fed to the image forming module by the feeding module. The fixing module fixes the developer image formed by the image forming module to the recording material. The image forming module includes a scanner frame that supports an exposure unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The feeding module is installed on the scanner frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Yoshinori Hashimoto, Shogo Miyakawa, Akira Yoshimura, Hiromi Fujinaka, Isao Matsuoka, Shigeru Hoashi, Tomoya Kuruma
-
Publication number: 20230418213Abstract: A cartridge includes a container, a light guide including incident and emergent portions, and a cover including outer and inner surfaces. When a direction directing from the outer surface toward the inner surface is a first direction, and a direction in which the incident and emergent portions are arranged is a second direction, (i) the outer surface is recessed toward a downstream side of the first direction between the incident and emergent portions, (ii) a first end of a bottom of the recessed portion on an incident portion side is positioned on a side downstream with respect to the first direction, of a second end of the bottom on an emergent portion side, and (iii) the bottom is curved so as to be recessed toward the downstream side of the first direction between the first and second ends relative to an imaginary rectilinear line connecting these ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: YUKO HARADA, RYUTA MURAKAMI, MASAKAZU TATSUMI, AKIRA YOSHIMURA, SATOSHI KOGA
-
Patent number: 11852988Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, a tubular body defining a space in which at least a part of the exposure device is contained, and a support portion that supports the exposure device and is provided along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member in the space of the tubular body. The image forming apparatus further includes, in the rotation axis direction, a first side plate fixed to one end portion of the tubular body, and a second side plate fixed to another end portion of the tubular body. One support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the first side plate, and another support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the second side plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Akira Yoshimura, Shogo Nagamine, Naoki Matsushita, Yoshihiko Tanaka, Hisanori Kobayashi, Takatoshi Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Ohta, Hiroki Katayama, Akitoshi Toyota
-
Patent number: 11841673Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
-
Publication number: 20230367260Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
-
Patent number: 11809122Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a feeding module, an image forming module, and a fixing module. The feeding module feeds a recording material. The image forming module includes a photosensitive drum and forms a developer image on the recording material fed to the image forming module by the feeding module. The fixing module fixes the developer image formed by the image forming module to the recording material. The image forming module includes a scanner frame that supports an exposure unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The feeding module is installed on the scanner frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Hashimoto, Shogo Miyakawa, Akira Yoshimura, Hiromi Fujinaka, Isao Matsuoka, Shigeru Hoashi, Tomoya Kuruma
-
Patent number: 11754970Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
-
Patent number: 11722621Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet supporting portion, a sheet feeding portion configured to feed a sheet supported on the sheet supporting portion, a sheet regulation portion configured to regulate a position of the sheet in a width direction, an image forming portion including an exposing portion configured to expose a charged surface of an image bearing member, the image forming portion being configured to form an image on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding portion, and a frame member provided inside the apparatus body. A position of the exposing portion is determined with respect to the frame member. A position of the sheet regulation portion is determined with respect to the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaki Sato, Akira Yoshimura
-
Publication number: 20230110629Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
-
Publication number: 20230093103Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
-
Patent number: 11599058Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
-
Patent number: 11579563Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
-
Patent number: 11561503Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
-
Patent number: 11460802Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
-
Publication number: 20220260938Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, a tubular body defining a space in which at least a part of the exposure device is contained, and a support portion that supports the exposure device and is provided along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member in the space of the tubular body. The image forming apparatus further includes, in the rotation axis direction, a first side plate fixed to one end portion of the tubular body, and a second side plate fixed to another end portion of the tubular body. One support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the first side plate, and another support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the second side plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Akira Yoshimura, Shogo Nagamine, Naoki Matsushita, Yoshihiko Tanaka, Hisanori Kobayashi, Takatoshi Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Ohta, Hiroki Katayama, Akitoshi Toyota
-
Patent number: 11353805Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image on a recording material includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, a tubular body defining a space in which at least a part of the exposure device is contained, and a support portion that supports the exposure device and is provided along a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive member in the space of the tubular body. The image forming apparatus further includes, in the rotation axis direction, a first side plate fixed to one end portion of the tubular body, and a second side plate fixed to another end portion of the tubular body. One support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the first side plate, and another support portion end portion in the rotation axis direction is fixed to the second side plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Akira Yoshimura, Shogo Nagamine, Naoki Matsushita, Yoshihiko Tanaka, Hisanori Kobayashi, Takatoshi Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Ohta, Hiroki Katayama, Akitoshi Toyota
-
Patent number: 11299796Abstract: An object of the present invention is to recover a minor metal and/or rare-earth metal. The present invention provides a method for recovering a minor metal and/or rare-earth metal from a post-chlorination residue in titanium smelting. The minor metal and/or rare-earth metal is one or more metal selected from the group consisting of Sc, V, Nb, Zr, Y, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignees: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION, TOHO TITANIUM CO., LTD.Inventors: Kota Nakashima, Akira Yoshimura, Seiichiro Tani
-
Patent number: 11281149Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first member having a first face, a first protrusion and a second protrusion projecting from the first face, and a groove portion formed in the first face, and a second member having a second face provided with a first hole and a second hole. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are inserted into the first hole and the second hole. The second face is superposed on the first face so that the groove portion located between the first member and the second member is in a visible state. The second face is sandwiched between a part of the first protrusion inserted in the first hole and the first face. The second hole in which the second protrusion has been inserted has a gap between the second hole and the second protrusion in an extending direction of the groove portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shogo Nagamine, Akira Yoshimura, Shoji Yamamoto
-
Publication number: 20220082990Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus includes a feeding module, an image forming module, and a fixing module. The feeding module feeds a recording material. The image forming module includes a photosensitive drum and forms a developer image on the recording material fed to the image forming module by the feeding module. The fixing module fixes the developer image formed by the image forming module to the recording material. The image forming module includes a scanner frame that supports an exposure unit configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The feeding module is installed on the scanner frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Yoshinori Hashimoto, Shogo Miyakawa, Akira Yoshimura, Hiromi Fujinaka, Isao Matsuoka, Shigeru Hoashi, Tomoya Kuruma