Patents by Inventor Kazuaki OOKA
Kazuaki OOKA 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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Patent number: 10901340Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki Ooka, Junichi Hashimoto, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima, Kengo Yada
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Patent number: 10890857Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
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Patent number: 10890858Abstract: A development device includes a layer thickness regulating blade including a support sheet metal, a blade rubber section, and a side edge seal, the support sheet metal having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, in an axial direction of a development roller. In a width direction of the support sheet metal, the first end portion of the support sheet metal in the axial direction is shorter than the center portion of the support sheet metal in the axial direction. In the width direction, a distal-end edge of the first end portion of the support sheet metal is closer to a base end portion of the support sheet metal than a distal-end edge of the blade rubber section.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kengo Yada, Keigo Nakajima, Shota Iriyama, Kazuaki Ooka
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Patent number: 10859942Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Kazuaki Ooka, Isao Kishi, Junichi Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20200379401Abstract: A drawer includes: a photosensitive drum; and a frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in an axial direction. The photosensitive drum has an outer circumferential surface. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller having an outer circumferential surface. The developing cartridge is attachable to the frame in a state where the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller faces the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The frame is configured to move the developing roller in a separation direction in response to movement in the axial direction of at least a portion of the developing cartridge attached to the frame. The separation direction is a direction in which the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller separates from the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
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Publication number: 20200363752Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki OOKA, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Shota IRIYAMA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Kengo YADA
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Publication number: 20200341426Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
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Publication number: 20200301351Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a casing, a cover, a first motor, a photosensitive drum, a second motor, a developing motor, a clutch, a contact/separation cam, a switching cam, and a controller, is provided. The controller conducts a first process, in which, when the cover is moved from an open position to a closed position, the controller drives the first motor to rotate the photosensitive drum without causing rotation of the developing roller; and a second process, in which, after a lapse of a first period since the controller started driving the first motor, the controller drives the second motor to move the contact/separation cam from the first phase to the second phase and move the switching cam from the first phase to the second phase causing the developing roller to be moved from the contacting position to the separated position while the photosensitive drum is rotating.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki OOKA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Masahito SAEKI
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Publication number: 20200285170Abstract: A development device includes a layer thickness regulating blade including a support sheet metal, a blade rubber section, and a side edge seal, the support sheet metal having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a center portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, in an axial direction of a development roller. In a width direction of the support sheet metal, the first end portion of the support sheet metal in the axial direction is shorter than the center portion of the support sheet metal in the axial direction. In the width direction, a distal-end edge of the first end portion of the support sheet metal is closer to a base end portion of the support sheet metal than a distal-end edge of the blade rubber section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kengo YADA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Shota IRIYAMA, Kazuaki OOKA
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Patent number: 10754289Abstract: A drawer includes: a photosensitive drum; and a frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in an axial direction. The photosensitive drum has an outer circumferential surface. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller having an outer circumferential surface. The developing cartridge is attachable to the frame in a state where the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller faces the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The frame is configured to move the developing roller in a separation direction in response to movement in the axial direction of at least a portion of the developing cartridge attached to the frame. The separation direction is a direction in which the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller separates from the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
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Publication number: 20200257241Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
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Patent number: 10739698Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki Ooka, Junichi Hashimoto, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima, Kengo Yada
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Patent number: 10725427Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
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Patent number: 10684584Abstract: A development device includes a housing, a development roller, and a layer thickness regulating blade, the layer thickness regulating blade including a support sheet metal and a blade rubber section, the blade rubber section including a contact portion and an extension, the contact portion contacting the development roller, the extension extending from the contact portion, the extension including a curved surface portion having a curved surface, the curved surface being formed to be closer to the support sheet metal in a thickness direction of the support sheet metal as being farther away from the contact portion, the curved surface having a curvature radius equal to or more than 1.5 mm and equal to or less than 3.0 mm, the curved surface portion having a height equal to or less than 1.0 mm in the thickness direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima, Kengo Yada, Kei Katagiri, Kazuaki Ooka
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Patent number: 10649397Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
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Publication number: 20200103786Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuaki OOKA, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Shota IRIYAMA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Kengo YADA
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Publication number: 20200081371Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Kazuaki OOKA, Isao KISHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO
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Publication number: 20200050142Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A frame includes a first side plate located at first end in the first direction and a second side plate spaced from the first side plate in the first direction. The frame rotatably supports the photosensitive drum between the first side plate and the second side plate in the first direction. The frame holds a developer cartridge. A lock lever is pivotable about a pivot axis extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The lock lever is movable between a lock position at which the developer cartridge is locked on the frame and a release position at which the developer cartridge is unlocked from the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
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Publication number: 20200033789Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Isao KISHI, Kazuaki OOKA
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Patent number: 10520853Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuwen Wang, Kazuaki Ooka, Isao Kishi, Junichi Hashimoto