Patents by Inventor Kazuhiko Kikuchi

Kazuhiko Kikuchi 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: 20250008035
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image forming unit, a radio communication unit, a receiving unit, and a shielding member. The processor controls supply and ejection of a medium with a radio tag, which is to be housed in a housing unit. The image forming unit forms an image in the supplied medium. The radio communication unit transmits a radio wave for writing information to the radio tag of the supplied medium. The receiving unit receives the ejected medium. The shielding member is formed in a part of the receiving unit and shields radio waves transmitted from the radio communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 12124195
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a belt, and a heater configured to heat the belt and including a substrate and a heating layer that is formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to shut off the heater if no current flows through the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Doi, Eiji Shinohara, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Sasuke Endo, Masaya Tanaka, Ryota Saeki, Kousei Miyashita, Ryosuke Kojima, Yuki Kawashima, Kiyotaka Murakami
  • Publication number: 20240329578
    Abstract: A heating device includes a rotatable film, a heater disposed inside the film and including a substrate that extends along a first direction and having two surfaces opposite to each other, and a heater element on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and a heat conductor including a first portion contacting the other surface of the substrate, and a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and does not contact the other surface of the substrate. A width of the second portion is wider than the heater element in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI, Sasuke ENDO, Masaya TANAKA, Ryota SAEKI, Kiyotaka MURAKAMI, Kousei MIYASHITA, Ryosuke KOJIMA, Yohei DOI, Yuki KAWASHIMA, Eiji SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 12055878
    Abstract: A heating device includes a rotatable film, a heater disposed inside the film and including a substrate that extends along a first direction and having two surfaces opposite to each other, and a heater element on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and a heat conductor including a first portion contacting the other surface of the substrate, and a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and does not contact the other surface of the substrate. A width of the second portion is wider than the heater element in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Sasuke Endo, Masaya Tanaka, Ryota Saeki, Kiyotaka Murakami, Kousei Miyashita, Ryosuke Kojima, Yohei Doi, Yuki Kawashima, Eiji Shinohara
  • Patent number: 12037160
    Abstract: Provided are a packaging container, a packaging method, and a method for carrying metal foil, which can suppress damage and deformation of the packaging container and enable stable carrying even if the packaging container is carried while suspending it in the midair. A packaging container made of corrugated cardboard includes: a pallet 2 having leg portions 21; a body frame 3 arranged on the pallet 2, the body frame 3 having bearing grooves 31 at end wall portions 32 opposing to each other; and a lid portion 4 provided on the body frame 3, wherein each of the leg portions 21 is arranged on an inner side than each of the end wall portions 23 of the pallet 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: JX Advanced Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Sako, Yasunobu Miyata, Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20240201620
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a fixing belt having a surface to which a lubricant is applied and contacting the first surface through the lubricant, a heat conductor contacting the second surface, and a pressing roller capable of pressing and rotating the fixing belt, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the heater, a first thermometer configured to measure temperature of the heat conductor, and a controller configured to determine a first amount of electric power to be supplied to the heater based on the temperature of the heat conductor, and control the power supply to supply the determined first amount of electric power to the heater, before controlling the pressing roller to start rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240201621
    Abstract: A heating device includes a substrate, one or more heating elements arranged along the substrate, a heat conductor contacting the substrate, a plurality of thermometers each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor, and a plurality of thermostats each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor and interrupt electrical power supplied to the heating elements. The thermometers and the thermostats are alternately arranged in a longitudinal direction of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 11982959
    Abstract: A heating device includes a substrate, one or more heating elements arranged along the substrate, a heat conductor contacting the substrate, a plurality of thermometers each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor, and a plurality of thermostats each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor and interrupt electrical power supplied to the heating elements. The thermometers and the thermostats are alternately arranged in a longitudinal direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20240152081
    Abstract: A heater is to face a pressure element via a belt and is to heat the belt. The pressure element sandwiches and conveys a sheet together with the belt. The heater includes a substrate, a heat generating element, a couple of electrodes, and a protective layer. there are the electrodes on both sides of the heat generating element in a conveyance direction of the sheet. Both sides of the heat generating element in the conveyance direction are connected to adjacent electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI, Osamu TAKAGI, Chie MIYAUCHI
  • Patent number: 11966177
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a fixing belt having a surface to which a lubricant is applied and contacting the first surface through the lubricant, a heat conductor contacting the second surface, and a pressing roller capable of pressing and rotating the fixing belt, a power supply configured to supply electric power to the heater, a first thermometer configured to measure temperature of the heat conductor, and a controller configured to determine a first amount of electric power to be supplied to the heater based on the temperature of the heat conductor, and control the power supply to supply the determined first amount of electric power to the heater, before controlling the pressing roller to start rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20240103414
    Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Kiyotaka MURAKAMI, Kazuhiko KIKUCHI, Sasuke ENDO, Masaya TANAKA, Ryota SAEKI, Kousei MIYASHITA, Ryosuke KOJIMA, Yohei DOI, Yuki KAWASHIMA, Eiji SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 11880152
    Abstract: A heater is to face a pressure element via a belt and is to heat the belt. The pressure element sandwiches and conveys a sheet together with the belt. The heater includes a heat generating element, a couple of electrodes, and a protective layer. there are the electrodes on both sides of the heat generating element in a conveyance direction of the sheet. Both sides of the heat generating element in the conveyance direction are connected to adjacent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Osamu Takagi, Chie Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 11868067
    Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Murakami, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Sasuke Endo, Masaya Tanaka, Ryota Saeki, Kousei Miyashita, Ryosuke Kojima, Yohei Doi, Yuki Kawashima, Eiji Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20230418196
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a cylindrical film and a pressing element that rotates with the cylindrical film and forms a nip with the cylindrical film. A medium is conveyed along a conveyance path from an upstream side to a downstream side through the nip. The heating apparatus includes a heater inside the cylindrical film and a guide member inside the cylindrical film and including a first guide portion including a first end portion that is located closer to the pressing element than the heater in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance path, and a second guide portion located downstream of a downstream end of the heater. The nip is formed along the conveyance path between a first position corresponding to the first end portion and a second position corresponding to the downstream end of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230393501
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a belt, and a heater configured to heat the belt and including a substrate and a heating layer that is formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to shut off the heater if no current flows through the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yohei DOI, Eiji SHINOHARA, Kazuhiko KIKUCHI, Sasuke ENDO, Masaya TANAKA, Ryota SAEKI, Kousei MIYASHITA, Ryosuke KOJIMA, Yuki KAWASHIMA, Kiyotaka MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20230333502
    Abstract: A heating device includes a substrate, one or more heating elements arranged along the substrate, a heat conductor contacting the substrate, a plurality of thermometers each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor, and a plurality of thermostats each configured to measure a temperature of the heat conductor and interrupt electrical power supplied to the heating elements. The thermometers and the thermostats are alternately arranged in a longitudinal direction of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI
  • Patent number: 11782370
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a cylindrical film and a pressing element that rotates with the cylindrical film and forms a nip with the cylindrical film. A medium is conveyed through the nip from an upstream side to a downstream side. The heating apparatus further includes a heater arranged inside the cylindrical film and on which a heating element is disposed. An upstream end of the heater is located downstream of an upstream end of the nip, and a downstream end of the heater is located downstream of a downstream end of the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11774887
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a fixing belt, and a heater configured to heat the fixing belt and including a substrate and a heating layer that is formed on the substrate, and a controller configured to, upon detecting an absence of a current flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater to not generate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Doi, Eiji Shinohara, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Sasuke Endo, Masaya Tanaka, Ryota Saeki, Kousei Miyashita, Ryosuke Kojima, Yuki Kawashima, Kiyotaka Murakami
  • Publication number: 20230266701
    Abstract: A heating device according to an embodiment generally includes substrate, blocks, and temperature sensors. The blocks are arranged on the substrate with a gap therebetween in a first direction. The temperature sensors are provided for each of the blocks and detect the temperature of the blocks. The block includes a plurality of first blocks on at least one side in the first direction, and the first block is adjacent to two blocks in the first direction, and the temperature sensor detects temperature of a temperature detection region on the first block, which is closer to the one of the adjacent two blocks being longer in the first direction of the two blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Chie MIYAUCHI, Osamu TAKAGI, Kazuhiko KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20230259058
    Abstract: A heating device includes a rotatable film, a heater disposed inside the film and including a substrate that extends along a first direction and having two surfaces opposite to each other, and a heater element on one of the surfaces of the substrate, and a heat conductor including a first portion contacting the other surface of the substrate, and a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and does not contact the other surface of the substrate. A width of the second portion is wider than the heater element in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko KIKUCHI, Sasuke ENDO, Masaya TANAKA, Ryota SAEKI, Kiyotaka MURAKAMI, Kousei MIYASHITA, Ryosuke KOJIMA, Yohei DOI, Yuki KAWASHIMA, Eiji SHINOHARA