Patents by Inventor Hideki Kakuta

Hideki Kakuta 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: 20230244181
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Patent number: 11650538
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Publication number: 20230066319
    Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes: a process unit to be used to form an image; a first member including a first resin material; a second member including a second resin material having higher flame retardant capability than the first resin material; and an electrode member including a contact section configured to be supplied with power from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The electrode member is configured to electrically connect the apparatus main body to the process unit. The second resin material of the second member has a greater density than the first resin material of the first member. The contact section is located in the vicinity of the first and second members and is closer to the second member than to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yuichi Sakakibara, Yosuke Kashiide, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Yuko Harada, Goshi Ozaki, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi, Hideki Kakuta, Hiroki Shimizu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Takatoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11520286
    Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes: a process unit to be used to form an image; a first member including a first resin material; a second member including a second resin material having higher flame retardant capability than the first resin material; and an electrode member including a contact section configured to be supplied with power from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The electrode member is configured to electrically connect the apparatus main body to the process unit. The second resin material of the second member has a greater density than the first resin material of the first member. The contact section is located in the vicinity of the first and second members and is closer to the second member than to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Sakakibara, Yosuke Kashiide, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Yuko Harada, Goshi Ozaki, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi, Hideki Kakuta, Hiroki Shimizu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Takatoshi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20220171328
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Publication number: 20220066387
    Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes: a process unit to be used to form an image; a first member including a first resin material; a second member including a second resin material having higher flame retardant capability than the first resin material; and an electrode member including a contact section configured to be supplied with power from an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. The electrode member is configured to electrically connect the apparatus main body to the process unit. The second resin material of the second member has a greater density than the first resin material of the first member. The contact section is located in the vicinity of the first and second members and is closer to the second member than to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yuichi Sakakibara, Yosuke Kashiide, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Yuko Harada, Goshi Ozaki, Masanari Morioka, Naoki Hayashi, Hideki Kakuta, Hiroki Shimizu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Takatoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11199789
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming unit including a photosensitive unit including an image bearing member, a developing unit including a developer bearing member and a container capable of containing a developer, a rotation shaft, the developing unit being rotated around the rotation shaft and positioned at one of a development position where the developer bearing member supplies the developer to the image bearing member and a separation position where the developer bearing member separates from the image bearing member, and a sensing portion sensing a variation or an amount corresponding to an amount of the developer contained in the developing unit. The rotation shaft is located below a developing portion, which is formed of the image bearing member and the developer bearing member, in a gravity direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Kusano, Hiroki Shimizu, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Hideki Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20210080862
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming unit including a photosensitive unit including an image bearing member, a developing unit including a developer bearing member and a container capable of containing a developer, a rotation shaft, the developing unit being rotated around the rotation shaft and positioned at one of a development position where the developer bearing member supplies the developer to the image bearing member and a separation position where the developer bearing member separates from the image bearing member, and a sensing portion sensing a variation or an amount corresponding to an amount of the developer contained in the developing unit. The rotation shaft is located below a developing portion, which is formed of the image bearing member and the developer bearing member, in a gravity direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yohei Kusano, Hiroki Shimizu, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 10895825
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container includes a developer accommodating portion, a stirring member, and a drive transmitting member. The developer accommodating container further includes an elastic member fixed to the stirring member at one end portion thereof and capable of expanding and contracting in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion. With respect to the longitudinal direction, the stirring member is disposed so as to form (1) a first gap between one end portion thereof and an inner surface of the developer accommodating portion on one side and (2) a second gap between the other end portion thereof and another inner surface of the developer accommodating portion on the other side. The stirring member is supported by the developer accommodating portion so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the developer accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Hamada, Naoya Asanuma, Yohei Kusano, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 10488785
    Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer bearing member, a container, an end seal, a sheet, and a backup member. The container contains a developer. The container has an opening for supplying the developer to the developer bearing member. The end seal is disposed between the developer bearing member and the developer container. The end seal is disposed at an area of the container outside a longitudinal end of the opening. The sheet seals a gap between the developer bearing member and the container. One widthwise end of the sheet is fixed to the container. The other widthwise end is in contact with the developer bearing member. A longitudinal end of the sheet includes a sandwiched portion between the end seal and the developer bearing member. The backup member is provided in an area facing a surface of the sheet opposite to a surface in contact with the developer bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Yuuki Nakamura, Shota Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20190302652
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container includes a developer accommodating portion, a stirring member, and a drive transmitting member. The developer accommodating container further includes an elastic member fixed to the stirring member at one end portion thereof and capable of expanding and contracting in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion. With respect to the longitudinal direction, the stirring member is disposed so as to form (1) a first gap between one end portion thereof and an inner surface of the developer accommodating portion on one side and (2) a second gap between the other end portion thereof and another inner surface of the developer accommodating portion on the other side. The stirring member is supported by the developer accommodating portion so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the developer accommodating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Takatoshi Hamada, Naoya Asanuma, Yohei Kusano, Hideki Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20180231917
    Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer bearing member, a container, an end seal, a sheet, and a backup member. The container contains a developer. The container has an opening for supplying the developer to the developer bearing member. The end seal is disposed between the developer bearing member and the developer container. The end seal is disposed at an area of the container outside a longitudinal end of the opening. The sheet seals a gap between the developer bearing member and the container. One widthwise end of the sheet is fixed to the container. The other widthwise end is in contact with the developer bearing member. A longitudinal end of the sheet includes a sandwiched portion between the end seal and the developer bearing member. The backup member is provided in an area facing a surface of the sheet opposite to a surface in contact with the developer bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Yuuki Nakamura, Shota Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9927737
    Abstract: There is provided a developing apparatus including a conveyance member configured to bend in contact with an inner wall of a conveyance chamber and convey developer, a portion configured to bend the conveyance member, and a first releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member, a deforming portion configured to bend the conveyance member moved and released from the first releasing portion, and a second releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member on the downstream side of the deforming portion in the rotational direction of the conveyance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Yoshida, Shuhei Kawasaki, Hideki Kakuta, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20170285520
    Abstract: There is provided a developing apparatus including a conveyance member configured to bend in contact with an inner wall of a conveyance chamber and convey developer, a portion configured to bend the conveyance member, and a first releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member, a deforming portion configured to bend the conveyance member moved and released from the first releasing portion, and a second releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member on the downstream side of the deforming portion in the rotational direction of the conveyance member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Yoshida, Shuhei Kawasaki, Hideki Kakuta, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9625852
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 9529300
    Abstract: In a developing device, a rotation shaft is provided with a developer feeding member, a cleaning member, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion is provided downstream of the developer feeding member and upstream of a light transmitting member, provided to a wall surface of a developer accommodating chamber of the developing device, with respect to a rotational direction of the rotation shaft when the cleaning member has passed through the light transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Tetsuo Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20160170370
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 9360825
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a printer includes a cleaning member including a blade and a supporter having first and second surfaces, and a bent portion connecting them, the blade extending in a longitudinal direction at an end of the first surface opposite from the bent portion; and a resin sealing member provided between the cleaning member and the frame, the sealing member including a first portion between the cleaning member and the frame in a region from the blade to the second surface by way of the first surface along the crossing direction at each of one and the other longitudinal ends of the cleaning member, and a second portion sealing between the second surface and the frame in a region between the first portions at the one and the other ends along the longitudinal direction. The second portion is contacted to the second surface with an inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Kazuo Chadani, Keisuke Nomura
  • Patent number: 9304444
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20160070201
    Abstract: In a developing device, a rotation shaft is provided with a developer feeding member, a cleaning member, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion is provided downstream of the developer feeding member and upstream of a light transmitting member, provided to a wall surface of a developer accommodating chamber of the developing device, with respect to a rotational direction of the rotation shaft when the cleaning member has passed through the light transmitting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Tetsuo Furukawa