Patents by Inventor Hideaki Yoshimune

Hideaki Yoshimune 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: 11806991
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a feeding tray inserted into and pulled out from the housing, an image forming unit, and first and second guide members. The feeding tray includes a first accommodation part in which a roll body having a configuration where a sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape is accommodated and a second accommodation part in which stacked sheet-shaped media are accommodated. The first guide member guides a sheet-shaped medium to a conveying path. The second guide member guides a roll medium unrolled from the roll body to the conveying path. The second guide member is movable between a guide position for guiding the roll medium to the conveying path, and a retreat position further distant from the first guide member than the guide position and where the second guide member does not interfere with a sheet-shaped medium accommodated in the second accommodation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatomo Yamaguchi, Satoshi Miyase, Yuya Tatematsu, Hideaki Yoshimune, Gakuro Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20230286300
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a conveyer configured to convey a sheet-like medium in a conveying direction along a conveying path, a recorder configured to record an image on the sheet-like medium conveyed by the conveyer, a cutter unit including a cutter and configured to cut the sheet-like medium in the conveying path, a carriage to which the cutter unit is detachably attached, and a lever swingably attached to the carriage. The lever is configured to swing between a fixing position for fixing the cutter unit to the carriage and a releasing position for releasing the fixing of cutter unit to the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomo YAMAGUCHI, Hideaki YOSHIMUNE
  • Publication number: 20230276009
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a feed tray configured to accommodate a sheet-shaped medium, the sheet-shaped medium including at least one of a first sheet-shaped medium or a second sheet-shaped medium, and a recording device configured to record an image on the sheet-shaped medium fed from the feed tray. The feed tray includes a first accommodation portion configured to accommodate a roll, in which the first sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape, a second accommodation portion configured to accommodate a plurality of the second sheet-shaped media in a stacked state, and a display portion that displays setting information on setting of the sheet-shaped medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi MIYASE, Kengo NODA, Hideaki YOSHIMUNE
  • Publication number: 20230191809
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyor to convey a sheet medium, a print engine to form an image on the sheet medium, a cutter to cut the sheet medium, a signal output device, and a controller. The cutter includes a first blade, a second blade, and a moving device to move at least one of the first and second blades. The controller receives, from the signal output device, a signal indicating a variation over time in a value correlated with a moving load for the at least one blade, and determines, based on the received signal, which state the sheet medium is in among a plurality of states including a first state where the sheet medium is cut normally, a second state where there is an abnormality in cutting the sheet medium, and a third state where there is a different abnormality in cutting the sheet medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Masatomo YAMAGUCHI, Yuya TATEMATSU, Takashi SUZUKI, Yuto CHIBA
  • Publication number: 20230065393
    Abstract: A feed tray configured to accommodate a roll, in which a sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape, the feed tray includes: a support portion configured to contact an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the roll at two support positions with a lower end of the roll being interposed therebetween and to rotatably support the roll; and a path having an inlet disposed between the two support positions and configured to guide the sheet-shaped medium unrolled from the roll. The two support positions are shifted from each other in an upper-lower direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yuya TATEMATSU, Satoshi MIYASE, Hideaki YOSHIMUNE
  • Patent number: 11553098
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motor, a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a conveyance roller, a first clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the sheet feeding roller, and a second clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the separation roller. The first clutch set includes a first one-way clutch and a first two-way clutch, and the second clutch set includes a second one-way clutch and a second two-way clutch. A maximum value of a first play angle set between a first transmission portion and a first transmitted portion in the first two-way clutch is larger than a maximum value of a second play angle set between a second transmission portion and a second transmitted portion in the second two-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki Yoshimune, Tianjin Xie
  • Publication number: 20220314630
    Abstract: A base board includes a board and a controller mounted on the board. A controller is configured to receive signals outputted from a first sensor and a second sensor. A recording head, a case, the first sensor, a maintenance unit, a waste liquid container, the second sensor, and the base board are arranged in an internal space of a housing. The base board has a flat surface extending in a first horizontal direction and in a second horizontal direction. A range occupied by the base board in a vertical direction overlaps each of a range occupied by the first sensor in the vertical direction and a range occupied by the second sensor in the vertical direction. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The vertical direction is perpendicular to both the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Hikaru TAMURA, Akinari ISHIBE
  • Publication number: 20220203710
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a feeding tray inserted into and pulled out from the housing, an image forming unit, and first and second guide members. The feeding tray includes a first accommodation part in which a roll body having a configuration where a sheet-shaped medium is rolled in a roll shape is accommodated and a second accommodation part in which stacked sheet-shaped media are accommodated. The first guide member guides a sheet-shaped medium to a conveying path. The second guide member guides a roll medium unrolled from the roll body to the conveying path. The second guide member is movable between a guide position for guiding the roll medium to the conveying path, and a retreat position further distant from the first guide member than the guide position and where the second guide member does not interfere with a sheet-shaped medium accommodated in the second accommodation part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Masatomo Yamaguchi, Satoshi Miyase, Yuya Tatematsu, Hideaki Yoshimune, Gakuro Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20220150373
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motor, a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a conveyance roller, a first clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the sheet feeding roller, and a second clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the separation roller. The first clutch set includes a first one-way clutch and a first two-way clutch, and the second clutch set includes a second one-way clutch and a second two-way clutch. A maximum value of a first play angle set between a first transmission portion and a first transmitted portion in the first two-way clutch is larger than a maximum value of a second play angle set between a second transmission portion and a second transmitted portion in the second two-way clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Tianjin XIE
  • Publication number: 20220144570
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a tray, a device body having a conveying route of a sheet and supporting the tray, a side guide supported by the tray to be movable in a first direction intersecting with a conveying direction of the sheet and contacting an end portion in the first direction of the sheet placed on the tray, a cover rotatable with respect to the device body and covering the conveying route, and a lock lever locking the cover to the device body and provided in a position overlapping the side guide in a second direction intersecting with the conveying direction and the first direction. The lock lever is rotatable between a lock position where the cover is locked and a release position where the cover is released. The side guide includes a first notched portion facing a rotation track of the lock lever with a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinari ISHIBE, Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Hikaru TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210070576
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus is provided, including a casing; a tray which is to be installed to the casing by being inserted in a first orientation and which is to be withdrawn from the casing in a second orientation that is opposite to the first orientation; a sheet conveying passage; a platen; a recording part; and an interlock which moves the platen while being interlocked with movement of the tray in the first orientation or movement in the second orientation. The platen is movable to a printing position and a release position. The interlock moves the platen from the printing position to the release position while being interlocked with the withdrawal of the tray from the casing or the insertion of the tray into the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuta ARAKAWA, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Kengo NODA
  • Patent number: 10281871
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first opening on a side surface of the casing, first and second frames, a cartridge detachably attached through the first opening, and light receiver and light emitter respectively provided to the first and second frames. The cartridge shields the light from the light emitted when attached to an attachment position. The first and second frames face across the attachment position. The light reaches the light receiver when the cartridge is detached from the casing. A door is movably secured to the casing between closing and opening positions, and a second opening allowing a sheet to pass through is formed on the door. External light entering through the second opening and directed toward the light receiver is shielded by a light shielding part provided to the first frame, which also serves as a guiding part to guide attachment of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Yoshimune, Tomoyuki Mizuno, Masahito Saeki, Tomoya Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20180335750
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first opening on a side surface of the casing, first and second frames, a cartridge detachably attached through the first opening, and light receiver and light emitter respectively provided to the first and second frames. The cartridge shields the light from the light emitted when attached to an attachment position. The first and second frames face across the attachment position. The light reaches the light receiver when the cartridge is detached from the casing. A door is movably secured to the casing between closing and opening positions, and a second opening allowing a sheet to pass through is formed on the door. External light entering through the second opening and directed toward the light receiver is shielded by a light shielding part provided to the first frame, which also serves as a guiding part to guide attachment of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Tomoyuki Mizuno, Masahito Saeki, Tomoya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10118795
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reconveying unit including a reconveying roller; and a second transmission mechanism. The second transmission mechanism transmits a drive force to the reconveying roller and includes an input gear; an output gear; an intermediate gear including first and second gears; and first and second swinging gears. The first toothless part of the first gear and the second toothless part of the second gear are provided at such a position that, when the intermediate gear is rotated by a drive force transmitted from the input gear through the second swinging gear while the second swinging gear meshes with the second toothed part of the second gear and the output gear meshes with the first toothed part of the first gear, the first toothless part reaches a position confronting the output gear and then the second toothless part reaches a position confronting the second swinging gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomonori Watanabe, Hideaki Yoshimune, Yurimi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10095158
    Abstract: A cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a conveying member configured to convey toner from a tonner accommodating part of the cartridge to a developing device, and a switching lever configured to switch a state of the conveying member between a driven state and a non-driven state. The toner replenishment lever is movable between a first position at which the replenishment lever pushes the switching lever and a second position at which the replenishment lever is spaced from the switching lever. The contacting part is retracted to outside of a space through which the cartridge passes when attached to or detached from the attachment position. The switching lever is configured to switch the state of the conveying member between the driven state and the non-driven state depending on whether the contacting part of the toner replenishment lever is located at the first position or the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yamamoto, Masahito Saeki, Tomoyuki Mizuno, Hideaki Yoshimune
  • Publication number: 20180118506
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reconveying unit including a reconveying roller; and a second transmission mechanism. The second transmission mechanism transmits a drive force to the reconveying roller and includes an input gear; an output gear; an intermediate gear including first and second gears; and first and second swinging gears. The first toothless part of the first gear and the second toothless part of the second gear are provided at such a position that, when the intermediate gear is rotated by a drive force transmitted from the input gear through the second swinging gear while the second swinging gear meshes with the second toothed part of the second gear and the output gear meshes with the first toothed part of the first gear, the first toothless part reaches a position confronting the output gear and then the second toothless part reaches a position confronting the second swinging gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Tomonori Watanabe, Hideaki Yoshimune, Yurimi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9896302
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a reconveying unit including a reconveying roller; and a second transmission mechanism. The second transmission mechanism transmits a drive force to the reconveying roller and includes: an input gear; an output gear; an intermediate gear including first and second gears; and first and second swinging gears. The first toothless part of the first gear and the second toothless part of the second gear are provided at such a position that, when the intermediate gear is rotated by a drive force transmitted from the input gear through the second swinging gear while the second swinging gear meshes with the second toothed part of the second gear and the output gear meshes with the first toothed part of the first gear, the first toothless part reaches a position confronting the output gear and then the second toothless part reaches a position confronting the second swinging gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomonori Watanabe, Hideaki Yoshimune, Yurimi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20170267473
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a reconveying unit including a reconveying roller; and a second transmission mechanism. The second transmission mechanism transmits a drive force to the reconveying roller and includes: an input gear; an output gear; an intermediate gear including first and second gears; and first and second swinging gears. The first toothless part of the first gear and the second toothless part of the second gear are provided at such a position that, when the intermediate gear is rotated by a drive force transmitted from the input gear through the second swinging gear while the second swinging gear meshes with the second toothed part of the second gear and the output gear meshes with the first toothed part of the first gear, the first toothless part reaches a position confronting the output gear and then the second toothless part reaches a position confronting the second swinging gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Tomonori Watanabe, Hideaki Yoshimune, Yurimi Hashimoto