Patents by Inventor Kanji Yokomori

Kanji Yokomori 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: 8036543
    Abstract: A developing apparatus usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a developer accommodating container, a developer chamber including a developer carrying member carrying and feeding a developer supplied from the container to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a stirrer stirring the developer in the chamber and supplying the developer from the container into the chamber through an opening in the container, a wall surface, provided in the container, for being contacted by a free end portion of the stirrer while the stirrer moves, and a detector detecting a remaining amount of the developer. The position where the free end portion of the stirrer separates from the wall surface is above the detector and inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Yuuki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080292331
    Abstract: A developing apparatus usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a developer accommodating container, a developer chamber including a developer carrying member carrying and feeding a developer supplied from the container to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a stirrer stirring the developer in the chamber and supplying the developer from the container into the chamber through an opening in the container, a wall surface, provided in the container, for being contacted by a free end portion of the stirrer while the stirrer moves, and a detector detecting a remaining amount of the developer. The position where the free end portion of the stirrer separates from the wall surface is above the detector and inside the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Yuuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7340197
    Abstract: A process cartridge which is capable of being carried on a movable guide provided in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is movable from a receiving position toward a mount position in interrelation with movement of the movable guide, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a cartridge frame supporting the drum and the process means; a first portion to be carried, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a second portion to be carried, provided at the other longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a first positioning portion to be positioned relative to a main assembly, the first positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adjacent the other longitudinal end of the drum; a second positioning portion to be positioned relative to the main assembly, the second positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Murayama, Kanji Yokomori, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 7272339
    Abstract: A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus which can stably keep a developing separated state for a long period by a compact construction, and in which when a separating member has been mounted on the process cartridge, the separating member is supported in a center impeller fashion by one frame, and the other frame is supported by a portion therebetween to thereby keep the developing separated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatomo Tsuzuki, Kanji Yokomori, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 7215909
    Abstract: Disclosed are a developing device, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which image deficiency is prevented by absorbing the tolerance of each component and making the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant and which are easy to assemble. A frame member is equipped with an urging unit that axially urges the developing roller, the urging unit urging the developing roller in the direction of movement of the developing roller by the thrust force of a helical gear when a driving force is transmitted to the developing roller, to thereby make the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Nittani, Kanji Yokomori, Masatomo Tsuduki
  • Patent number: 7162181
    Abstract: A process cartridge remanufacturing method including the steps of: separating photosensitive drum and developing units; dismounting a first side cover member; a dismounting a first gear group from a first bearing member; dismounting a supporting member from the first bearing member; dismounting a second gear group from the first bearing member; dismounting the first bearing member; dismounting a developing roller; dismounting a developing blade; filling a developer into a developer accommodating portion; mounting the developing blade; mounting the developing roller; mounting the second gear group, mounting the supporting member; mounting the first gear group; mounting the first side cover member; and rotatably connecting the photosensitive drum and developing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Maeshima, Kanji Yokomori, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Nobuharu Hoshi, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7158735
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device actable on the drum, a drum frame, first and second drum frame openings at a different longitudinal ends of the drum frame, first and second end regulating portions at different longitudinal ends of the drum frame, a drum shaft with a through hole, a drum end flange with an end flange opening for receiving the drum shaft, first and second openings provided opposite from each other at a periphery of the end flange opening, and a connecting member penetrating the first opening and the through hole and engaged with the second opening to connect the photosensitive drum with the drum shaft. The regulating portions regulate the position of the drum in its longitudinal direction and the connecting member connects the drum shaft with the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Murayama, Kanji Yokomori, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 7146115
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, where the second operating mode has an image forming velocity different from that in the first operating mode. The image forming apparatus includes a developing-agent containing portion, which contains a developing agent, an optical developing-agent amount detecting portion, which detects the amount of developing agent in the developing agent containing portion, a processing portion, which obtains the amount of developing agent based on data on the amount of developing agent detected by the developing-agent amount detecting portion, and a storing portion, which stores information for correcting data on the amount of developing agent detected by the developing-agent amount detecting portion in the second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Nobuharu Hoshi, Kanji Yokomori
  • Publication number: 20060245784
    Abstract: A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus which can stably keep a developing separated state for a long period by a compact construction, and in which when a separating member has been mounted on the process cartridge, the separating member is supported in a center impeller fashion by one frame, and the other frame is supported by a portion therebetween to thereby keep the developing separated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomo Tsuzuki, Kanji Yokomori, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 7072603
    Abstract: When a space holding member for holding a photosensitive drum and a developing roller in a spaced-apart state act on a process cartridge main body, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are held in the spaced-apart state, and when the holding member is acting on a process cartridge, a storing medium provided in the process cartridge and the communication member of the storing medium are covered and hidden by the holding member. By the above-described construction, the spacing-apart of the developing roller and the protection of the storing medium can be effected by a member, and an improvement in usability and the curtailment of the number of parts can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatomo Tsuzuki, Susumu Nittani, Tatsuya Suzuki, Kanji Yokomori, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 7039339
    Abstract: A process cartridge, detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing member for developing an image formed on the drum, first and second end cover portions provided at different ends of the drum, first and second cartridge-bottom-surface portions to be guided by first and second main assembly guide portions, first and second longitudinally-outwardly-drum-projecting portions to be positioned by first and second main assembly positioning portions, respectively, a downstream-projecting third portion to be positioned by a third main assembly positioning portion, and a driving force receiving portion, partly exposed through the first end cover portion between the first and third portions to be positioned, which engages, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, a main assembly driving force transmitting portion to receive a driving force for rotating the developing member from the main assembly dr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Takeshi Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 7024137
    Abstract: Disclosed are a developing device, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which image deficiency is prevented by absorbing the tolerance of each component and making the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant and which are easy to assemble. A frame member is equipped with an urging unit that axially urges the developing roller, the urging unit urging the developing roller in the direction of movement of the developing roller by the thrust force of a helical gear when a driving force is transmitted to the developing roller, to thereby make the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Nittani, Kanji Yokomori, Masatomo Tsuduki
  • Patent number: 7024134
    Abstract: A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus incorporating the same. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a container supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning member including a blade and a support portion supporting the blade, the blade selectively contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to remove the developer from the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the support portion, the cartridge frame including a contact portion contacting the support portion under external forces on the cartridge frame to prevent deformation of the cartridge frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Shinjiro Toba, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 7016626
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cylinder and flanges provided on end portions in the axial direction of the cylinder. One flange has an outer peripheral portion, a hole portion and ribs, and the flange is caulked by bending part of the cylinder inwardly in the radial direction at two positions opposing each other across the hole portion, those two positions being other than positions at which the ribs intersect the outer peripheral portion in the extending direction of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Kojiro Yasui, Tachio Kawai
  • Publication number: 20060013618
    Abstract: Disclosed are a developing device, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which image deficiency is prevented by absorbing the tolerance of each component and making the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant and which are easy to assemble. A frame member is equipped with an urging unit that axially urges the developing roller, the urging unit urging the developing roller in the direction of movement of the developing roller by the thrust force of a helical gear when a driving force is transmitted to the developing roller, to thereby make the position of the developing roller in the thrust direction constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Nittani, Kanji Yokomori, Masatomo Tsuduki
  • Patent number: 6980758
    Abstract: A process cartridge which is capable of being carried on a movable guide provided in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is movable from a receiving position toward a mount position in interrelation with movement of the movable guide, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a cartridge frame supporting the drum and the process means; a first portion to be carried, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a second portion to be carried, provided at the other longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a first positioning portion to be positioned relative to a main assembly, the first positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adjacent the one longitudinal end of the drum; a second positioning portion to be positioned relative to the main assembly, the second positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adja
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Murayama, Kanji Yokomori, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Publication number: 20050260011
    Abstract: A process cartridge which is capable of being carried on a movable guide provided in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is movable from a receiving position toward a mount position in interrelation with movement of the movable guide, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a cartridge frame supporting the drum and the process means; a first portion to be carried, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a second portion to be carried, provided at the other longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a first positioning portion to be positioned relative to a main assembly, the first positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adjacent the other longitudinal end of the drum; a second positioning portion to be positioned relative to the main assembly, the second positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame ad
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Murayama, Kanji Yokomori, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Publication number: 20050220485
    Abstract: A process cartridge, detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing member for developing an image formed on the drum, first and second end cover portions provided at different ends of the drum, first and second cartridge-bottom-surface portions to be guided by first and second main assembly guide portions, first and second longitudinally-outwardly-drum-projecting portions to be positioned by first and second main assembly positioning portions, respectively, a downstream-projecting third portion to be positioned by a third main assembly positioning portion, and a driving force receiving portion, partly exposed through the first end cover portion between the first and third portions to be positioned, which engages, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, a main assembly driving force transmitting portion to receive a driving force for rotating the developing member from the main assembly dr
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Takeshi Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 6934489
    Abstract: A process cartridge, detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing member for developing an image formed on the drum, first and second end cover portions provided at different ends of the drum, first and second cartridge-bottom-surface portions to be guided by first and second main assembly guide portions, first and second longitudinally-outwardly-drum-projecting portions to be positioned by first and second main assembly positioning portions, respectively, a downstream-projecting third portion to be positioned by a third main assembly positioning portion, and a driving force receiving portion, partly exposed through the first end cover portion between the first and third portions to be positioned, which engages, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, a main assembly driving force transmitting portion to receive a driving force for rotating the developing member from the main assembly dr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Yokomori, Takeshi Arimitsu
  • Patent number: D519150
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Kojima, Kanji Yokomori, Kazunari Murayama, Nobuharu Hoshi, Tatsuya Suzuki, Hideki Maeshima, Shinjiro Toba, Takahiro Noguchi