Patents by Inventor Emi Kita

Emi Kita 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: 11953843
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Nodera, Emi Kita, Akihiro Takayama, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Teppei Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20220342347
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro NODERA, Emi KITA, Akihiro TAKAYAMA, Susumu TATEYAMA, Shinnosuke KOSHIZUKA, Tatsuya KUBO, Teppei KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 11467532
    Abstract: An access restriction device for a consumable component of an apparatus body includes an access restriction cover is rotatably attached to a side surface of the apparatus body; a lock mechanism to lock and unlock opening of the cover; the cover openable in an unlocked state of the lock mechanism; a hinge portion disposed at a lower position in a direction of gravity and a position closer to the apparatus body in a horizontal direction than a center of gravity of the cover in a closed state of the cover, the cover being rotatably coupled to the apparatus body via the hinge portion; and an engaged portion disposed at a position higher in the direction of gravity than the center of gravity of the cover in the closed state. The cover is engaged with an engaging portion of the lock mechanism via the engaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Noriaki Funamoto, Hiroshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11422483
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Nodera, Emi Kita, Akihiro Takayama, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Teppei Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20220004141
    Abstract: An access restriction device for a consumable component of an apparatus body includes an access restriction cover is rotatably attached to a side surface of the apparatus body; a lock mechanism to lock and unlock opening of the cover; the cover openable in an unlocked state of the lock mechanism; a hinge portion disposed at a lower position in a direction of gravity and a position closer to the apparatus body in a horizontal direction than a center of gravity of the cover in a closed state of the cover, the cover being rotatably coupled to the apparatus body via the hinge portion; and an engaged portion disposed at a position higher in the direction of gravity than the center of gravity of the cover in the closed state. The cover is engaged with an engaging portion of the lock mechanism via the engaged portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Emi KITA, Noriaki FUNAMOTO, Hiroshi OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11054762
    Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to receive and collect powder from outside; a driven unit that is disposed on one end side in a width direction of the powder container and to which drive is transmitted from outside; a first rotary shaft that rotates by the drive transmitted to the driven unit; a first gear disposed on other end side of the powder container and rotating with the first rotary shaft; a second rotary shaft that is disposed on the other end side, that includes a second gear to which drive is transmitted from the first gear, and that rotates with the second gear; and a driving gear that is disposed on the second rotary shaft in a position between the second gear and a central portion in the width direction of the powder container, and that rotates with the second rotary shaft to transmit drive to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniyori Takano, Emi Kita, Hiroyoshi Haga, Yasuhide Ohkubo
  • Publication number: 20210080864
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro NODERA, Emi KITA, Akihiro TAKAYAMA, Susumu TATEYAMA, Shinnosuke KOSHIZUKA, Tatsuya KUBO, Teppei KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 10871730
    Abstract: A developer container includes a developer chamber configured to store a developer, a discharge port configured to discharge the developer in the developer chamber to a developing device, a developer conveyance path configured to transport the developer in the developer chamber to the discharge port, a supply port configured to supply the developer in the developer chamber to the developer conveyance path, a conveyor disposed in the developer conveyance path and configured to transport the developer to the discharge port, a partition between the developer conveyance path and the developer chamber, and a communication port disposed in the partition between the discharge port and the supply port and connecting the developer conveyance path with the developer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Hiroaki Nieda
  • Patent number: 10871729
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Nodera, Emi Kita, Akihiro Takayama, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Teppei Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20200183302
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro NODERA, Emi KITA, Akihiro TAKAYAMA, Susumu TATEYAMA, Shinnosuke KOSHIZUKA, Tatsuya KUBO, Teppei KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200183301
    Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to receive and collect powder from outside; a driven unit that is disposed on one end side in a width direction of the powder container and to which drive is transmitted from outside; a first rotary shaft that rotates by the drive transmitted to the driven unit; a first gear disposed on other end side of the powder container and rotating with the first rotary shaft; a second rotary shaft that is disposed on the other end side, that includes a second gear to which drive is transmitted from the first gear, and that rotates with the second gear; and a driving gear that is disposed on the second rotary shaft in a position between the second gear and a central portion in the width direction of the powder container, and that rotates with the second rotary shaft to transmit drive to outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Kuniyori TAKANO, Emi KITA, Hiroyoshi HAGA, Yasuhide OHKUBO
  • Publication number: 20200166872
    Abstract: A developer container includes a developer chamber configured to store a developer, a discharge port configured to discharge the developer in the developer chamber to a developing device, a developer conveyance path configured to transport the developer in the developer chamber to the discharge port, a supply port configured to supply the developer in the developer chamber to the developer conveyance path, a conveyor disposed in the developer conveyance path and configured to transport the developer to the discharge port, a partition between the developer conveyance path and the developer chamber, and a communication port disposed in the partition between the discharge port and the supply port and connecting the developer conveyance path with the developer chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Emi KITA, Hiroaki NIEDA
  • Patent number: 10606187
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kentaro Nodera, Emi Kita, Akihiro Takayama, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Teppei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10558142
    Abstract: A powder storage container is provided. The powder storage container includes a container body, a discharge port, a conveyer, a stirrer, a return port, and a partition wall. The container body is configured to contain powder. The powder contained in the container body is dischargeable through the discharge port. The conveyer is configured to convey the powder to the discharge port. The stirrer is configured to stir the powder contained in the container body by rotating. The return port is disposed outside a rotational locus of the stirrer in a radial direction, and the powder conveyed by the conveyer is returnable through the return port toward the stirrer. The partition wall is disposed between the stirrer and the return port with at least a part of the partition wall positioned above the return port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Matsumoto, Emi Kita, Kenji Nakamura, Minoru Toyoda
  • Patent number: 10401758
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to collect the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member disposed at one end of the powder container in a longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, and a second opening and closing member disposed at another end of the powder container in the longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the second shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Publication number: 20190179237
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to collect the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member disposed at one end of the powder container in a longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, and a second opening and closing member disposed at another end of the powder container in the longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the second shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Emi KITA, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: D896306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Emi Kita
  • Patent number: D924319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Emi Kita
  • Patent number: D931365
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Emi Kita
  • Patent number: D983258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Emi Kita