Patents by Inventor Hiromoto Saitoh

Hiromoto Saitoh 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: 20070035079
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Publication number: 20070035080
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for performing preselected processing with a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a cutter unit configured to cut the sheet or the sheet stack in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A guide member is positioned upstream of the cutter unit in the direction of sheet conveyance for guiding the sheet or the sheet stack being conveyed. A moving device moves the guide member in a direction parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Publication number: 20070029716
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi IIda, Akihito Andoh
  • Patent number: 7137625
    Abstract: A sheet finisher includes means for cutting a non-folded edge of at least one folded sheet. Means are used for setting a cutting position in accordance with a preselected length of the at least one folded sheet in a direction of sheet conveyance and a sensed length of the at least one folded sheet in the direction of sheet conveyance. An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus having means for forming a toner image on a sheet in accordance with image data, and the sheet finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Akihito Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita
  • Patent number: 7137944
    Abstract: A folding device of the present invention includes a fold plate and a fold roller pair for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto. A controller causes the fold roller pair to move back and forth while nipping the folded portion of the sheet or that of the sheet stack at its nip for thereby continuously exerting pressure on the folded portion. The fold roller pair is rotated in opposite directions for thereby sharpening the fold of the sheet or that of the sheet stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Patent number: 7134654
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20060180999
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a discharging member configured to discharge recording media. A tray is configured to receive the discharged recording media. A rotatable moving member is configured to contact the discharged recording media such that an angular position of the rotatable member changes in response to a number of the recording media on the tray. A detecting member is configured to detect a movement of the moving member. A controller is configured to control an output of the recording media to the tray based on an output of the detecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Iida, Junichi Tokita, Shingo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7090213
    Abstract: A sheet stacking device of the present invention includes a receipt tray for stacking sheets sequentially driven out by an outlet roller. The outlet roller has a cylindrical portion and a conveying portion, which is contiguous with the end face of the cylindrical portion facing the center of the sheets, for exerting a conveying force on the sheets. The conveying portion has a circumference greater in diameter than the cylindrical portion and contacts the sheets at a position deviated from a staple bound the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shinji Asami, Junichi Iida, Hiroki Okada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Takeshi Sasaki, Kenji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20060120784
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a conveying member configured to convey recording media and a tray configured to receive the recording media conveyed by the conveying member. The tray includes a holding member configured to hold the recording media therein and to contact a first edge of the recording media such that the recording media is positioned, a rotatable moving member configured to contact the recording media such that the holding member abuts against the recording media, a discharging member configured to discharge the recording media stacked by the holding member, and a protruding member mounted on the discharging member and configured to contact a second edge of the recording media such that the recording media is positioned. One of the rotatable moving member and the protruding member positions the recording media stacked in the tray in a travel direction of the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Junichi Iida, Junichi Tokita, Shingo Matsushita, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Publication number: 20060120783
    Abstract: A paper perforating apparatus which can securely prevent a paper end portion from being caught in a punch hole, without having an assist member, such as mylar, in a paper finisher which comprises a perforating device capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction, the paper perforating apparatus, comprising: a paper conveyance device for conveying a paper; a perforating device for perforating the paper; a paper end portion detecting device for detecting an end portion parallel to the conveyance direction of the paper; and a device for moving the perforating device in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, wherein the paper perforating apparatus offsets a standby position of the perforating device, which is in the direction perpendicular to the paper conveyance direction, from a position in which holes are punched out on the paper by a predetermined distance, and the perforating device starts operation of perforation preparation from the standby position after
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Junichi Tokita, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Iida, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Naohiro Kikkawa, Shingo Matsushita, Hiromoto Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20060055100
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for an image forming apparatus is configured so as to be capable of preventing the misalignment of the end edge of sheets to be scooped and transported from an intermediate tray, and reliably preventing the so-called displacement of end edges in the post-processing steps of sheets as a recording medium with an image formed thereon, and thereby preventing the inferior appearance during binding. A sheet folding apparatus enables a user to easily adjust the misalignment of the fold line of sheets that occurs during actual use, in the middle folding processing steps of sheets as a recording medium with an image formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Iida, Junichi Tokita, Shingo Matsushita, Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Publication number: 20060022394
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes a punching unit configured to punch a sheet handed over from an image forming apparatus to the sheet finisher. A scrap conveying unit conveys scraps produced from the sheet punched by the punching unit. A hopper stores scraps conveyed thereto by there scrap conveying unit. The hopper is mounted on the front side of the sheet finisher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Akihito Andoh, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Junichi Tokita, Naohiro Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 6988729
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device of the present invention includes a sheet conveying mechanism for conveying a sheet, path selectors each for steering the sheet being conveyed by the sheet conveying mechanism in a particular direction, and a drive mechanism for causing the path selectors to move independently of each other. The path selectors are rotatable about a single axis and positioned parallel to each other in such a manner as to sandwich a plane of sheet conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tamura, Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Patent number: 6957810
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20050225021
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20050218579
    Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet-conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance, and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20050206071
    Abstract: A folding device of the present invention includes a fold plate and a fold roller pair for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto. A controller causes the fold roller pair to move back and forth while nipping the folded portion of the sheet or that of the sheet stack at its nip for thereby continuously exerting pressure on the folded portion. The fold roller pair is rotated in opposite directions for thereby sharpening the fold of the sheet or that of the sheet stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Patent number: 6921069
    Abstract: A folding device of the present invention includes a fold plate and a fold roller pair for folding a sheet or a sheet stack conveyed thereto. A controller causes the fold roller pair to move back and forth while nipping the folded portion of the sheet or that of the sheet stack at its nip for thereby continuously exerting pressure on the folded portion. The fold roller pair is rotated in opposite directions for thereby sharpening the fold of the sheet or that of the sheet stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Kenji Yamada, Masahiro Tamura, Hiromoto Saitoh, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Shuuya Nagasako
  • Patent number: 6905118
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention is included in an image forming system and folds a stack of sheets sequentially transferred from an image forming apparatus thereto. The sheet finisher includes a fold roller pair for holding the stack of sheets being conveyed via a nip thereof. A reinforce roller reinforces the fold of the folded sheet stack in cooperation with a guide plate. A drive mechanism causes the reinforce roller to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A shock absorbing member is located at a position where the reinforce roller and guide plate contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shuuya Nagasako, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Rika Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita, Akihito Andoh
  • Publication number: 20050067777
    Abstract: A paper handling apparatus is disclosed, having a first path that guides paper to a processing tray; a second path in which the paper is set aside; and a transportation unit that transports the paper. The paper handling apparatus sets aside a preceding sheet of the paper in the second path, and transports the set-aside preceding sheet of the paper with a following sheet of the paper. The paper handling unit includes: a branching unit that, when the paper is transported in the second direction, leads the paper to the second path; a paper detection unit provided in a more upstream position than the branching unit; and a control unit that determines timing in which the paper is transported in the second direction based on an output of the paper detection unit, and causes the transportation unit to transport the paper to the second path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Junichi IIda, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Tokita, Kenji Yamada, Hiromoto Saitoh, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa