Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Takarada

Hiroshi Takarada 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: 11573521
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20230026290
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20220404738
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a toner container is detachably mountable includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mountable and which includes a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the toner container, a passage for permitting passing of the toner received through the receiving port and provided with a through hole, and a filter portion provided so as to cover the through hole and for permitting passing of air; and an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the toner received through the receiving port. At least a part of the through hole overlaps with the receiving port as viewed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction of gravitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Hiroshi Takarada, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Goshi Ozaki, Sohta Sugimoto, Mitsuhiro Sato, Shinichi Nishida, Yuichi Fukui, Yukio Kubo
  • Patent number: 11506996
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20220365462
    Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11487222
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 11478495
    Abstract: An AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activating agent comprises 1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O—(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-b-D-glucose (“GHG”) as an active ingredient. The AMPK activating agent can be a GHG-containing composition wherein the GHG is an active ingredient of the composition. The GHG-containing composition can be derived from Kenyan purple tea, whose scientific name is Camellia sinensis, variety name: TRFK306. An effective amount of the GHG can be administered to a cell to activate the AMPK. Drinks, foods, and cosmetics can have the GHG as an active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ORYZA OIL & FAT CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Takarada, Hiroshi Shimoda, Hiromichi Murai
  • Patent number: 11422484
    Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20220155708
    Abstract: A toner container for use with an image forming apparatus is provided with a toner accommodating portion in which toner is accommodated; a base portion including a receiving opening for receiving the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion, a discharge opening for permitting discharge of the toner, received through the receiving opening, to an outside of the toner container, and a passage which is a passage extending from the receiving opening to the discharge opening and which is for permitting passing of the toner; and a shutter constituted so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis relative to the base between an open position where the discharge opening is exposed to the outside and a closed position where the shutter covers the discharge opening, wherein the passage extends in a direction in which the passage is inclined relative to the rotational axis so that the receiving opening is in a position where the receiving opening crosses the rotational axis and so that the discharge opening
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Hiroshi Takarada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20220066355
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20210405555
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source, wherein the apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akotoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20210405574
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11199794
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20210109457
    Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20210096483
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10564591
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes photosensitive drums and a frame including positioning portions. One and the other end shaft portions of the photosensitive drums are movable between first positions in which the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions and second positions in which the above-mentioned one end of the other end shaft portions are not positioned by said positioning portions. The photosensitive member unit includes a plurality of mounting portions which are provided in the frame and to which developing units including developing members capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums are mountable, and from which the developing units are dismountable without dismounting the photosensitive drums from the frame, in a state that the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Masanari Morioka, Hiroshi Takarada
  • Patent number: 10451996
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a developer container, a regulating blade including a plate-like elastic portion, and an elastic seal sealing, and a pressing member pressing the elastic seal, wherein the plate-like elastic portion includes a metal plate, a second projection projecting from a second surface of the metal plate facing the developer bearing member, and a first projection projecting from a first surface opposite to the second surface of the metal plate, and wherein a projecting amount of the first projection is greater than a projecting amount of the second projection, wherein a top surface of the second projection contacts the surface of the developer bearing member, and an end surface of the first projection contacts an end surface of the elastic seal in the rotation axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Katsuya, Yoshiyuki Batori, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Wada, Goshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 10401762
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame formed of a resin material; a plurality of resin members molded on the cartridge frame by injection molding of a resin material different from that of the cartridge frame; a plurality of contact surfaces, provided on the cartridge frame, to which metal molds corresponding to the resin members are to be contacted from the same side when the resin members are molded; and a plurality of resin material inlet ports, provided in an opposite side of said cartridge frame from a side where the contact surfaces are provided. The resin material has been flowed into the cartridge frame when the resin members are molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuharu Hoshi, Akira Suzuki, Hiroshi Takarada, Toshiteru Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10353339
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes: a restriction member provided on a toner cartridge, the restriction member being movable between a restriction position, at which relative movement between (1) the toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion of the process cartridge and (2) the process cartridge is restricted by an engagement of the restriction member and the process cartridge, and a non-restriction position, at which the relative movement is not restricted; and a driving transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the apparatus body to the toner cartridge by engaging with the apparatus body. The restriction member moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position when a driving force reception unit receives the driving force from the driving transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Shinjiro Toba, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Keita Moue, Toshiyuki Karakama
  • Publication number: 20190025729
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a developer container, a regulating blade including a plate-like elastic portion, and an elastic seal sealing, and a pressing member pressing the elastic seal, wherein the plate-like elastic portion includes a metal plate, a second projection projecting from a second surface of the metal plate facing the developer bearing member, and a first projection projecting from a first surface opposite to the second surface of the metal plate, and wherein a projecting amount of the first projection is greater than a projecting amount of the second projection, wherein a top surface of the second projection contacts the surface of the developer bearing member, and an end surface of the first projection contacts an end surface of the elastic seal in the rotation axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Shohei Katsuya, Yoshiyuki Batori, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Wada, Goshi Ozaki