Patents by Inventor Isamu Kubo
Isamu Kubo 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: 20230278338Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle plate having a nozzle from which a liquid is discharged, a housing holding the nozzle plate, a valve that opens and closes the nozzle, an expandable driver disposed inside the housing, and a restraint. The expandable driver has a first end that supports a rear end of the valve and a second end fixed to the housing. The expendable driver moves the valve in a longitudinal direction to push a leading end of the valve against the nozzle to close the nozzle. The restraint positions the second end with respect to the housing in the longitudinal direction. A difference between ?L1 and ?L2 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, where ?L1 represents a thermal deformation amount of a first length due to temperature change, and ?L2 represents a thermal deformation amount of a second length due to the temperature change.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Isamu KUBO, Keitaroh SAKAI
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Patent number: 11707929Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge unit, a position detector, and circuitry. The liquid discharge unit has a liquid discharge port and discharges a liquid from the liquid discharge port toward an object. The position detector detects a position of the liquid discharge unit relative to the object. The circuitry calculates a movement trajectory of the liquid discharge unit based on the position of the liquid discharge unit detected by the position detector. Further, the circuitry performs a first operation of causing the liquid discharge unit to move along the movement trajectory without discharging the liquid and performs a second operation of causing the liquid discharge unit to move along the movement trajectory while discharging the liquid to the object after the first operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Eiji Tachibana, Ryo Honda, Isamu Kubo
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Patent number: 11597221Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge unit and a contact detection unit. The liquid discharge unit has a liquid discharge port from which a liquid is discharged toward an object. The liquid discharge unit is movable along at least one of a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis and movable along a third axis intersecting the first axis and the second axis. The third axis is parallel to a direction in which the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port toward the object. The contact detection unit detects contact of the liquid discharge unit with the object. The contact detection unit is detachably attached to the liquid discharge unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Isamu Kubo, Ryo Honda
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Publication number: 20220111638Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge unit, a position detector, and circuitry. The liquid discharge unit has a liquid discharge port and discharges a liquid from the liquid discharge port toward an object. The position detector detects a position of the liquid discharge unit relative to the object. The circuitry calculates a movement trajectory of the liquid discharge unit based on the position of the liquid discharge unit detected by the position detector. Further, the circuitry performs a first operation of causing the liquid discharge unit to move along the movement trajectory without discharging the liquid and performs a second operation of causing the liquid discharge unit to move along the movement trajectory while discharging the liquid to the object after the first operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Eiji TACHIBANA, Ryo HONDA, Isamu KUBO
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Publication number: 20220105722Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge unit and a contact detection unit. The liquid discharge unit has a liquid discharge port from which a liquid is discharged toward an object. The liquid discharge unit is movable along at least one of a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis and movable along a third axis intersecting the first axis and the second axis. The third axis is parallel to a direction in which the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port toward the object. The contact detection unit detects contact of the liquid discharge unit with the object. The contact detection unit is detachably attached to the liquid discharge unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Isamu KUBO, Ryo HONDA
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Patent number: 10946660Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid discharge apparatus capable of sucking liquid in a cap member while suppressing generation of bubbles by a suction assisting member detachable from a cap member. A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head (6) to discharge liquid from a plurality of nozzles, and a suction mechanism (8) to suck the liquid from the liquid discharge head (6).Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shotaro Ueda, Shingo Masaoka, Isamu Kubo
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Publication number: 20190381798Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid discharge apparatus capable of sucking liquid in a cap member while suppressing generation of bubbles by a suction assisting member detachable from a cap member. A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head (6) to discharge liquid from a plurality of nozzles, and a suction mechanism (8) to suck the liquid from the liquid discharge head (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Shotaro UEDA, Shingo MASAOKA, Isamu KUBO
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Patent number: 9342044Abstract: A fixing unit includes an endless belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop formed by the endless belt, a rotary pressing member rotating in contact with the endless belt in a pressure contact section, and a heat transfer member secured to a side plate within the loop of the endless belt to support and heat the endless belt with heat conducted from the heat source. The heat transfer member has an opening opposite the rotary pressing member. A securing member is disposed in the opening of the heat transfer member in pressure contact with the rotary pressing member via the endless belt. The heat transfer member and the securing member collectively include a pair of latching parts to firmly connect the heat transfer member and the securing member with each other when one of the latching parts is fitted to the other one of the latching parts.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Naitoh, Tomohiko Fujii, Minoru Toyoda, Hitoshi Fujiwara, Tomoya Adachi, Yasuharu Kawarasaki, Tetsu Morino, Isamu Kubo, Yoshiharu Takahashi
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Patent number: 8955945Abstract: An image forming device includes a drive transfer device that selectively transmits a driving force of a first drive source to one of liquid feed pumps, a suction part of a maintenance recovery device and an air-vent opening part. The air-vent opening part is arranged to have a maximum driving-force transmission path leading to the drive transfer device among the liquid feed pumps, the suction part and the air-vent opening part. The maintenance recovery device, the drive transfer device and the liquid feed pumps are arranged in order in a sheet transport direction. The suction part of the maintenance recovery device and the drive transfer device are arranged on opposite sides of a cap of the maintenance recovery device in the sheet transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Miwa, Tomohiro Sawai, Isamu Kubo
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Publication number: 20140098159Abstract: An image forming device includes a drive transfer device that selectively transmits a driving force of a first drive source to one of liquid feed pumps, a suction part of a maintenance recovery device and an air-vent opening part. The air-vent opening part is arranged to have a maximum driving-force transmission path leading to the drive transfer device among the liquid feed pumps, the suction part and the air-vent opening part. The maintenance recovery device, the drive transfer device and the liquid feed pumps are arranged in order in a sheet transport direction. The suction part of the maintenance recovery device and the drive transfer device are arranged on opposite sides of a cap of the maintenance recovery device in the sheet transport direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Miwa, Tomohiro Sawai, Isamu Kubo
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Publication number: 20140056625Abstract: A fixing unit includes an endless belt accommodating a heat source inside a loop formed by the endless belt, a rotary pressing member rotating in contact with the endless belt in a pressure contact section, and a heat transfer member secured to a side plate within the loop of the endless belt to support and heat the endless belt with heat conducted from the heat source. The heat transfer member has an opening opposite the rotary pressing member. A securing member is disposed in the opening of the heat transfer member in pressure contact with the rotary pressing member via the endless belt. The heat transfer member and the securing member collectively include a pair of latching parts to firmly connect the heat transfer member and the securing member with each other when one of the latching parts is fitted to the other one of the latching parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yutaka NAITOH, Tomohiko FUJII, Minoru TOYODA, Hitoshi FUJIWARA, Tomoya ADACHI, Yasuharu KAWARASAKI, Tetsu MORINO, Isamu KUBO, Yoshiharu TAKAHASHI
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Patent number: 8454122Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet droplets of recording liquid; a maintenance device configured to maintain/restore a condition of the recording head, whereby the maintenance device is detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; and a waste liquid tank configured to hold waste liquid collected by the maintenance device, whereby the waste liquid tank is disposed adjacent to the maintenance device. The maintenance device has a jetting tube configured to discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid tank. The waste liquid tank includes an induction opening surrounding the jetting tube, whereby the induction opening has a notch through which the jetting tube passes when the maintenance device is detached from the body. The image forming apparatus further includes a wall member configured to block at least part of the notch when the maintenance device is attached in the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Isamu Kubo
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Patent number: 8205961Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus that records an image by discharging ink from an inkjet recording head is disclosed. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a disposal liquid tank that accommodates disposal ink that is discharged from the inkjet recording head for purposes other than recording, a mixing member that mixes the disposal ink accumulated in the disposal liquid tank, and a cleaning unit that cleans the mixing member.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Isamu Kubo
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Patent number: 8177313Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print head to eject droplets, a subtank to supply ink to the print head, a main tank to supply the ink to the subtank, a supply pump to supply the ink from the main tank to the subtank, a pump driver to drive the supply pump, an amount sensor to sense an ink amount in the subtank and output a signal when the ink amount in the subtank is at a predetermined level, and a unit to drive and control the pump driver, which is configured to decrease an ink supply rate of the supply pump in response to the signal outputted by the amount sensor and to stop the supply pump when predetermined time has passed after the signal is outputted by the amount sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuki Suzuki, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Isamu Kubo
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Patent number: 8038271Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to movably scan, and including a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets and a sub tank configured to supply ink to the recording head; a main tank configured to supply the ink to the sub tank via a tube; a negative pressure detector configured to detect a state of a negative pressure in the sub tank; a count unit configured to count a number of scans conducted by the carriage; and a control unit configured to cause the negative pressure detector to detect the state of the negative pressure in the sub tank to return the negative pressure in the sub tank to a normal state based on a detection result obtained by the negative pressure detector when the number of scans carried out by the carriage as counted by the count unit reaches a predetermined scan count.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Isamu Kubo, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Kazuki Suzuki, Masanori Tanaka
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Patent number: 8033637Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a liquid discharge head to discharge droplets of a recording liquid to form an image on a recording medium and a maintenance-and-recovery mechanism to perform a maintenance and recovery operation on the liquid discharge head. The maintenance-and-recovery mechanism includes a suction device, a control unit, a drain tube, and a drain reservoir. The suction device suctions droplets of the recording liquid from the liquid discharge head. The suctioned droplets are not used for an image forming operation. The control unit controls a suction speed of the suction device. The drain reservoir stores the suctioned droplets drained from the drain tube. The drain tube is inclined relative to an opening portion of the drain reservoir. The control unit controls the suction speed of the suction device to change a drain speed of the suctioned droplets drained from the drain tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Isamu Kubo
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Publication number: 20100321426Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print head to eject droplets, a subtank to supply ink to the print head, a main tank to supply the ink to the subtank, a supply pump to supply the ink from the main tank to the subtank, a pump driver to drive the supply pump, an amount sensor to sense an ink amount in the subtank and output a signal when the ink amount in the subtank is at a predetermined level, and a unit to drive and control the pump driver, which is configured to decrease an ink supply rate of the supply pump in response to the signal outputted by the amount sensor and to stop the supply pump when predetermined time has passed after the signal is outputted by the amount sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2008Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Kazuki Suzuki, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Isamu Kubo
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Publication number: 20100020128Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet droplets of recording liquid; a maintenance device configured to maintain/restore a condition of the recording head, whereby the maintenance device is detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; and a waste liquid tank configured to hold waste liquid collected by the maintenance device, whereby the waste liquid tank is disposed adjacent to the maintenance device. The maintenance device has a jetting tube configured to discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid tank. The waste liquid tank includes an induction opening surrounding the jetting tube, whereby the induction opening has a notch through which the jetting tube passes when the maintenance device is detached from the body. The image forming apparatus further includes a wall member configured to block at least part of the notch when the maintenance device is attached in the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Isamu KUBO
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Publication number: 20090122122Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a carriage configured to movably scan, and including a recording head configured to discharge ink droplets and a sub tank configured to supply ink to the recording head; a main tank configured to supply the ink to the sub tank via a tube; a negative pressure detector configured to detect a state of a negative pressure in the sub tank; a count unit configured to count a number of scans conducted by the carriage; and a control unit configured to cause the negative pressure detector to detect the state of the negative pressure in the sub tank to return the negative pressure in the sub tank to a normal state based on a detection result obtained by the negative pressure detector when the number of scans carried out by the carriage as counted by the count unit reaches a predetermined scan count.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTDInventors: Isamu KUBO, Yasuhiro Kawashima, Kazuki Suzuki, Masanori Tanaka
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Publication number: 20080218564Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus that records an image by discharging ink from an inkjet recording head is disclosed. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a disposal liquid tank that accommodates disposal ink that is discharged from the inkjet recording head for purposes other than recording, a mixing member that mixes the disposal ink accumulated in the disposal liquid tank, and a cleaning unit that cleans the mixing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Isamu Kubo