Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Munetsugu

Hiroyuki Munetsugu 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: 11822265
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus to which the toner container is detachably mountable. The image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino
  • Patent number: 11796958
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a first and second positioning portions Configured to position the photosensitive drum unit relative to the main assembly; and a developing unit connected with the photosensitive drum unit, the developing unit including a developing roller, a storing means having a contact surface electrically connectable with a main assembly contact of the main assembly to communicate with the main assembly. As seen in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a first line segment connecting the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion with each other and a first linear line passing through the contact surface and perpendicular to the contact surface crosses with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Ryota Shibuya, Goshi Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20230324829
    Abstract: A toner container includes a storage portion configured to store toner and a communicating member including a receiving port, a discharge port, and a passage. The passage includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the discharge port to each other. When viewed in a third direction perpendicularly intersecting with both of a first direction and a second direction, the first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the second direction such that a more downstream portion of the first inclined surface in the first direction is closer to the discharge port in the second direction, and the second inclined surface is inclined with respect to the second direction such that a more downstream portion of the second inclined surface in the first direction is closer to the discharge port in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: HIROYUKI MUNETSUGU, HIROSHI TAKARADA, MITSUHIRO SATO
  • Publication number: 20230297024
    Abstract: A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Publication number: 20230266695
    Abstract: An accommodating container includes a flexible pouch including a bottom portion and a side portion extending from the bottom portion so as to form an opening and a communicating member disposed inside the side portion on a side of the opening and provided with a communicating portion communicating between inside and outside of the pouch. The communicating member includes an opposite surface opposing the bottom portion, and the side portion includes a fold forming portion forming a folding shape along an edge portion of the opposite surface of the communicating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: HIROYUKI MUNETSUGU, HIROSHI TAKARADA, NORIHIKO OCHI
  • Publication number: 20230244157
    Abstract: A toner supply container includes a memory portion, a container portion, a discharging portion, and a shutter. The memory portion includes a memory for storing information and an electrode having an exposed surface. The discharging portion is disposed on one end side of the container portion with respect to a first direction. The shutter is configured to rotate around an axis extending in the first direction. As viewed along the first direction, the exposed surface is disposed inside of an imaginary circle that passes through an outer end of the shutter with the axis as a center of the imaginary circle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: YUKIO KUBO, HIROYUKI MUNETSUGU
  • Patent number: 11698601
    Abstract: A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11693355
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Publication number: 20230205129
    Abstract: [Task] To further develop conventional technique. [SOLUTION] An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; a plurality of process cartridges detachably mountable to the main assembly. The process cartridges each includes a photosensitive member, a first frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive member, a developing member for depositing toner onto the photosensitive member, and a second frame rotatably supporting the developing member and movable relative to the first frame between a developing position for the developing member to deposit the toner onto the photosensitive member and a retracted position in which the developing member is more remote from the photosensitive member than in the developing position. The apparatus further includes a connecting member 201 connecting at least two of the second frames of the process cartridges and removable from at least one of the process cartridges and from the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro Suetsugu, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shinjiro Toba, Shinichi Nishida, Yuichi Fukui, Takeo Kawanami, Yasuyuki Egami
  • Publication number: 20230205114
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus to which the toner container is detachably mountable. The image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mountable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino
  • Publication number: 20230205113
    Abstract: A developer container includes a pouch, a communication member, and a cap. A marking including an arrowhead part and a parting line are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cap. A rear end of the arrowhead part is disposed between a first position that is a position 45° upstream from a reference position in a direction of rotation and a second position that is a position 45° downstream in the direction of rotation. The rear end of the arrowhead part overlaps the parting line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: HIROYUKI MUNETSUGU, MITSUHIRO SATO, SHINJIRO TOBA
  • Publication number: 20230185234
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20230176503
    Abstract: A toner container includes a toner accommodating portion, a discharge portion, a shutter, a sealing member, and a guiding portion. In a case where a direction from the toner accommodating portion toward the discharge portion in a rotational axis direction is a first direction, where a direction opposite to the first direction is a second direction, and where an end portion of the sealing member on a downstream side of the first direction is a first end portion, a downstream end portion of the guiding portion is positioned downstream of the first end portion of the sealing member with respect to the first direction. The downstream end portion of the guiding portion overlaps with the sealing member as viewed in the rotational axis direction, and includes an inclined surface inclined so as to approach the contact surface of the seal member as it goes in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Yuichi Fukui, Goshi Ozaki, Mitsuhiro Sato, Tetsushi Uneme, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 11662673
    Abstract: A toner container includes a toner accommodating body, a nozzle in fluid communication with the toner accommodating body, and a shutter configured to open and close the opening of the nozzle. A projection is positioned at an end portion of the toner container in a direction of the rotational axis, the projection having an inner peripheral surface facing towards the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino
  • Patent number: 11662687
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20230152729
    Abstract: A container for accommodating a content of powder or a liquid includes an accommodating portion; an end portion including a rotatable member and a discharging portion which includes a discharge opening and a passage, wherein the end portion is on a side opposite from the accommodating portion with respect to a rotational axis direction; and a flange portion extending in a radial direction of a phantom circle about the rotational axis, wherein as viewed in the rotational axis direction, an outer edge of the flange portion includes an arcuate portion which is on an outermost side of the end portion with respect to the radial direction and which is formed along the phantom circle about the rotational axis and includes a connecting portion which connects a first point and a second point on the phantom circle and which is provided in a region inside the phantom circle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Mitsuhiro Sato
  • Publication number: 20230143399
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a first toner containing portion, a container base portion having a discharge port for discharging toner, and a container shutter that is moved between open and closed positions and includes an engaged portion, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a main body base portion that detachably attaches the toner container and has a receiving port for receiving the toner and, a second toner containing portion, a movable member that is moved between first and second positions and includes an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion, a regulating member that is moved between a regulation position and a regulation release position, and an urging member that urges the movable member to move from the first position to the second position when the regulating member is located at the regulation release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Shohei Katsuya
  • Patent number: 11640127
    Abstract: A toner container includes a toner accommodating body, a nozzle in fluid communication with the toner accommodating body, and a shutter configured to open and close the opening of the nozzle. A projection is positioned at an end portion of the toner container in a direction of the rotational axis, the projection having an inner peripheral surface facing towards the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Goshi Ozaki, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Teruhiko Sasaki, Tachio Kawai, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino
  • Patent number: 11630416
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Publication number: 20230096202
    Abstract: A toner container includes a toner storage unit, a container base portion including a discharge port provided on an outer surface of the container base portion, the outer surface extending in a first direction, the discharge port communicating with the toner storage unit, and a container shutter configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a direction along the first direction between a shielding position and an open position. The container base portion includes an engaging portion configured to be engaged with an engaged portion of the image forming apparatus so that rotation of the container base portion with respect to the image forming apparatus about the rotation axis is restricted. At least a part of the engaging portion of the container base portion is exposed from the container shutter in a case where the container shutter is in the shielding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Isao Koishi, Hiroshi Takarada, Shoei Katsuya, Shunsuke Hijinkata, Goshi Ozaki, Mitsuhiro Sato