Patents by Inventor Hideshi Nishiyama
Hideshi Nishiyama 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).
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Publication number: 20200225604Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing, an auger rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, an auger gear rotatable with the auger, an agitator aligned with the auger in a second direction, an agitator gear rotatable with the agitator, and a detection gear positioned opposite to the auger gear with respect to the agitator gear in the second direction. The detection gear is rotatable from a first position to a second position. At the first position, a through-hole or a cutout of the detection gear is positioned farther away from the auger than an outer surface of another end portion of the casing in the second direction is. At the second position, a portion of the detection gear different from the through-hole or the cutout is positioned farther away from the auger than the outer surface of the another end portion of the casing is.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomonori WATANABE, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Shinya KUSUDA, Tomoya YAMAMOTO
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Publication number: 20200225613Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive member cartridge including a photosensitive member; and a developing cartridge including a developer carrier. The developing cartridge further includes: an inputting portion; a first cover; and a second cover. The first cover has a first engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The first engagement portion is positioned between an axis of the developer carrier extending in an axial direction and an axis of the inputting portion extending in the axial direction, when projected in the axial direction. The second cover has a second engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The second engagement portion is positioned between the axis of the developer carrier and the axis of the inputting portion, when projected in the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10705456Abstract: Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Keita Shimizu
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Publication number: 20200201223Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing including an image forming unit and a discharge tray, and an optional device configured to be removably attached to the main casing. The main casing includes a conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed from the image forming unit, a discharge path through which the sheet is conveyed toward one of the discharge tray and the optional device, the discharge path diverging from the conveying path, and a return path including a first path through which the sheet is conveyed temporarily out of the main casing via an opening formed in the main casing, and a second path through which the sheet is conveyed toward the image forming unit. The first path diverges from the conveying path. The second path diverges from the first path. The optional device is disposed closer to the discharge tray than the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Yusuke Ikegami
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Patent number: 10684587Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Ryosuke Hayashi, Masaaki Furukawa, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 10684586Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing, a cover a process cartridge, an LED array, and a link member. The cover is pivotally movable about an axis extending in a first direction between an open position and a closed position. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, and is attachable to and detachable from the housing in an open state where the cover is at the open position. The link member is movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in interlocking relation to movement of the cover. The link member is configured to: move the developing unit away from the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position; and move the developing unit toward the axis in the second direction during movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shougo Sato, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10678183Abstract: A developing roller and a photosensitive drum are aligned in a second direction different from a first direction. A toner storage portion stores toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum by the developing roller. A waste-toner storage portion stores toner conveyed through a conveyance pipe. The waste-toner storage portion has a main portion and a protruding portion protruding from the main portion in the first direction. A drum cartridge has a guide portion configured to guide the protruding portion of the waste-toner storage portion when a developing cartridge is being mounted on the drum cartridge. The guide portion includes first and second guides. The first guide extends in a third direction different from the first and second directions. The second guide continues from the first guide and is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the first guide is. The second guide extends in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20200159162Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Aya ADACHI, Atsushi FUKAYA
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Publication number: 20200150585Abstract: A developing roller and a photosensitive drum are aligned in a second direction different from a first direction. A toner storage portion stores toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum by the developing roller. A waste-toner storage portion stores toner conveyed through a conveyance pipe. The waste-toner storage portion has a main portion and a protruding portion protruding from the main portion in the first direction. A drum cartridge has a guide portion configured to guide the protruding portion of the waste-toner storage portion when a developing cartridge is being mounted on the drum cartridge. The guide portion includes first and second guides. The first guide extends in a third direction different from the first and second directions. The second guide continues from the first guide and is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the first guide is. The second guide extends in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Hideshi NISHIYAMA
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Publication number: 20200142332Abstract: A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10642190Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing, an auger rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, an auger gear rotatable with the auger, an agitator aligned with the auger in a second direction, an agitator gear rotatable with the agitator, and a detection gear positioned opposite to the auger gear with respect to the agitator gear in the second direction. The detection gear is rotatable from a first position to a second position. At the first position, a through-hole or a cutout of the detection gear is positioned farther away from the auger than an outer surface of another end portion of the casing in the second direction is. At the second position, a portion of the detection gear different from the through-hole or the cutout is positioned farther away from the auger than the outer surface of the another end portion of the casing is.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Naoya Kamimura, Tomonori Watanabe, Yasuo Fukamachi, Shinya Kusuda, Tomoya Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20200125027Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Ryosuke Hayashi, Masaaki Furukawa, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 10620580Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive member cartridge including a photosensitive member; and a developing cartridge including a developer carrier. The developing cartridge further includes: an inputting portion; a first cover; and a second cover. The first cover has a first engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The first engagement portion is positioned between an axis of the developer carrier extending in an axial direction and an axis of the inputting portion extending in the axial direction, when projected in the axial direction. The second cover has a second engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The second engagement portion is positioned between the axis of the developer carrier and the axis of the inputting portion, when projected in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10585384Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Hideshi Nishiyama, Aya Adachi, Atsushi Fukaya
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Patent number: 10585374Abstract: In a developing apparatus, a housing has a first opening. A shutter is movable between an open position and a closed position. A locking member is movable between a lock position and a release position. The locking member is located between the housing and the shutter in a cartridge-attachment direction. The locking member is located at the lock position in a case where the toner cartridge is detached from the developing apparatus. The locking member is in contact with the toner cartridge, thereby moving from the lock position to the release position in a case where the toner cartridge is attached to the developing apparatus. A cover having a second opening that is in communication with the first opening in a state where the shutter is at the open position is located at an opposite side of the locking member with respect to the shutter in the cartridge-attachment direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10579011Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Ryosuke Hayashi, Masaaki Furukawa, Shougo Sato
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Patent number: 10571828Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a first supporting member is attached to a housing and has a first developing supporting portion and a driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion, the first developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a first part of a rotational shaft, the driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a driving-force-receiving member. The second supporting member is attached to the housing and has a second developing supporting portion and a detection-rotational-body supporting portion, the second developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a second part of the rotational shaft, the detection-rotational-body supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a detection rotational body.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Yasuo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 10545454Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Ryosuke Hayashi, Masaaki Furukawa, Shougo Sato
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Publication number: 20200019111Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Aya ADACHI, Atsushi FUKAYA
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Publication number: 20200019115Abstract: A process cartridge, comprising: a drum cartridge; and a waste toner case, the drum cartridge comprising: a development roller; a first side wall to support one end of a shaft of the development roller; a second wall to support the other end of the shaft; a photosensitive drum; a cleaner; and a conveying tube, the conveying tube comprising: a first part disposed on an opposite side of the second side wall with respect to the first side wall in an axis direction, the first part being connected to the cleaner; a second part disposed closer to the second side wall relative to the first part and connected to the waste toner case; and a third part connecting the first part with the second part, wherein a direction in which the waste toner case is attached is equal to a direction in which the second part extends.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Shougo Sato