Patents by Inventor Junichiro Natori

Junichiro Natori 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: 20160341381
    Abstract: Provided is a guidance apparatus including a panel configured to be disposed on at least one of a floor on a predetermined region and a wall on a predetermined region in a passage, an electric-power-generating element configured to be disposed on an opposite side of the panel to a side to which external force is applied, the electric-power-generating element having flexibility, and at least one light source configured to be electrically coupled to the electric-power-generating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Takahiro IMAI, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara, Yuko Arizumi, Junichiro Natori, Mizuki Otagiri, Mayuka Araumi
  • Publication number: 20160344309
    Abstract: An electricity-generating element unit including a plurality of electricity-generating elements, each of the plurality of electricity-generating elements including a first electrode, an intermediate layer, and a second electrode disposed with the intermediate layer being between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a coupling unit coupling the plurality of electricity-generating elements to each other, wherein when an external force is applied to at least one of the plurality of electricity-generating elements to bring the first electrode and the second electrode of the at least one of the plurality of electricity-generating elements close to each other, a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode of the electricity-generating element or each of the electricity-generating elements to which an external force is not applied is increased by the coupling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mizuki OTAGIRI, Tsuneaki KONDOH, Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Yuko ARIZUMI, Junichiro NATORI, Takahiro IMAI
  • Publication number: 20160336505
    Abstract: An element including: electrodes; and intermediate layers, each being sandwiched between any pair of the electrodes, wherein the intermediate layers comprise at least two selected from the group consisting of: intermediate layer that can be elongated and deformed in direction that is not parallel to direction in which external force is applied, when the external force is applied to the intermediate layer; intermediate layer that can be compressed and deformed in direction that is parallel to direction in which external force is applied, when the external force is applied to the intermediate layer; and intermediate layer that can be elongated and deformed in direction that is not parallel to direction in which external force is applied, and can be compressed and deformed in direction that is parallel to the direction in which the external force is applied, when the external force is applied to the intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Yuko ARIZUMI, Tsuneaki KONDOH, Mizuki OTAGIRI, Takahiro IMAI, Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Junichiro NATORI
  • Publication number: 20160328066
    Abstract: A digital signage system includes a transducer configured to transform a pressure to an electrical signal; a control apparatus configured to change information in association with the intensity of the electrical signal; and an output apparatus configured to output the information to an output target based on a command of the control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki KONDOH, Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Yuko ARIZUMI, Junichiro NATORI, Mizuki OTAGIRI, Takahiro IMAI
  • Publication number: 20160276957
    Abstract: To provide an electric generating element including a first electrode; an intermediate layer; and a second electrode, the first electrode, the intermediate layer, and the second electrode being disposed in this order, the intermediate layer being in contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the intermediate layer microscopically moves in a horizontal direction relative to a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode, when the intermediate layer is pressed in a vertical direction relative to the surface of the first electrode and the surface of the second electrode in a state that the intermediate layer is not secured with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Junichiro Natori, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Yuko Arizumi, Mizuki Otagiri, Takahiro Imai
  • Patent number: 9411281
    Abstract: A fixing member, including a releasing layer, wherein the releasing layer contains a fluoropolymer and a polysiloxane having a cross-linked structure, and wherein the fixing member is used in a process for heating a toner image on a recording medium to thereby fix the toner image onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori, Tomoaki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9377734
    Abstract: A fixing member, including a releasing layer, wherein the releasing layer contains a fluoropolymer and a polysiloxane having a cross-linked structure, and wherein the fixing member is used in a process for heating a toner image on a recording medium to thereby fix the toner image onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori, Tomoaki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9201364
    Abstract: To provide an elastic member for image forming apparatus, which contains: a base; and an elastic layer provided on the base, wherein the elastic layer contains a polymer having a structure derived from terpene and a structure where a main chain contains a silicon atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichiro Natori, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 9195191
    Abstract: A fixing member for electrophotographic fixing includes a base body; an elastic layer; and an outermost surface releasing layer. The elastic layer and the outermost surface releasing layer are laminated on the base body. The elastic layer is a continuous layer including fibrous filler distributed in a portion of the elastic layer towards the outermost surface releasing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sugawara, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori
  • Patent number: 9182714
    Abstract: A fixing member used for fixing toner includes a base, an elastic layer provided on an outer circumference of the base, and a release layer provided on an outer circumference of the elastic layer. The elastic layer includes silicone rubber, carbon fibers, saturated hydrocarbon having a liquid form at room temperature, and hole portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Arizumi, Tomoaki Sugawara, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori
  • Patent number: 9158249
    Abstract: A fixing member including a base; a first elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the base, the first elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler; a second elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler and a heat conductive sphere shaped filler; and a release layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the second elastic layer. An amount of the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is larger than an amount of the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Arizumi, Tomoaki Sugawara, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori
  • Patent number: 9152109
    Abstract: A cylindrical fixing member includes a substrate; an elastic layer overlying the substrate; an outermost surface release layer overlying the elastic layer; and a heat source inside. The elastic layer includes a carbon fiber and has a heat diffusivity (X) not less than 1.0×10?6 m2/s in a direction of a rotational axis of the fixing member, and the heat diffusivity (X) is not less than 2.0 times of a heat diffusivity (Z) in a direction of thickness of the elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sugawara, Yuko Arizumi, Junichiro Natori, Tsuneaki Kondoh
  • Publication number: 20150252821
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator, which contains: a tubular elastic body, at least part of which contains short fibers aligned in a longitudinal direction; a fluid storing chamber, which is formed within an internal space of the tubular elastic body, and can store a fluid; and an inlet-outlet pore, which is formed at least one end of the tubular elastic body relative to the longitudinal direction, and can introduce and discharge the fluid into and from the fluid storing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Tsuneaki KONDOH, Yuko ARIZUMI, Junichiro NATORI
  • Publication number: 20150248083
    Abstract: A fixing member, including a releasing layer, wherein the releasing layer contains a fluoropolymer and a polysiloxane having a cross-linked structure, and wherein the fixing member is used in a process for heating a toner image on a recording medium to thereby fix the toner image onto the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki KONDOH, Junichiro NATORI, Tomoaki SUGAWARA
  • Patent number: 9104152
    Abstract: A pressing member includes a heat resistant material, highly heat conductive needle shaped fillers included in the heat resistant material, and hole portions included in the heat resistant material. The pressing member is provided in a fixing device including a fixing member, a heating member to heat the fixing member, and a pressure roller. The pressing member is arranged to press the fixing member and form a nip portion between the fixing member and the pressure roller through which a recording sheet passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara, Yuko Arizumi, Junichiro Natori
  • Publication number: 20150177654
    Abstract: A fixing member including a base; a first elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the base, the first elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler; a second elastic layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer formed of a silicone rubber composition including a heat conductive filler and a micro-balloon, the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is a heat conductive needle shaped filler and a heat conductive sphere shaped filler; and a release layer overlaid on an outer circumference of the second elastic layer. An amount of the heat conductive filler of the second elastic layer is larger than an amount of the heat conductive filler of the first elastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko Arizumi, Tomoaki Sugawara, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori
  • Patent number: 9037064
    Abstract: To provide a fixing member, which contains a base, and a polyorganosiloxane layer provided on the base, where the polyoranosiloxane layer contains polyoranosiloxane including a silicon atom bonded to three or four oxygen atoms, and wherein the fixing member is designed to be used in a process for heating a toner image on a recording medium to fix the toner image onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara, Junichiro Natori
  • Publication number: 20150078794
    Abstract: To provide an elastic member for image forming apparatus, which contains: a base; and an elastic layer provided on the base, wherein the elastic layer contains a polymer having a structure derived from terpene and a structure where a main chain contains a silicon atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Junichiro Natori, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Tomoaki Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20150030363
    Abstract: A cylindrical fixing member includes a substrate; an elastic layer overlying the substrate; an outermost surface release layer overlying the elastic layer; and a heat source inside. The elastic layer includes a carbon fiber and has a heat diffusivity (X) not less than 1.0×10?6 m2/s in a direction of a rotational axis of the fixing member, and the heat diffusivity (X) is not less than 2.0 times of a heat diffusivity (Z) in a direction of thickness of the elastic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki SUGAWARA, Yuko ARIZUMI, Junichiro NATORI, Tsuneaki KONDOH
  • Publication number: 20140270823
    Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing device includes a pressure roller, and a fixing rotary member disposed at a fixed distance away from the pressure roller. The fixing rotary member includes a layer formed of an elastic body. The elastic body includes carbon fibers and hole portions. The electrophotographic fixing device controls pressure of a nip between the pressure roller and the fixing rotary member by a temperature setting according to a sheet type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sugawara, Tsuneaki Kondoh, Junichiro Natori, Yuko Arizumi