Patents by Inventor Kazuna Taguchi
Kazuna Taguchi 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: 20210389721Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a drum cartridge, and a development cartridge. The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge. The development cartridge includes a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Patent number: 11199809Abstract: An image forming device, including: a housing; a drawer movable between an inside position at which the drawer is located inside the housing and an outside position at which the drawer is located outside the housing; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and a developer roller and mountable on the drawer; a toner cartridge storing toner to be supplied to the developer roller and mountable on the drawer, wherein the drawer includes a first guide that guides the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer, and wherein the drum cartridge includes a second guide connected to the first guide in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer, the second guide being configured to guide the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer in the state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Shougo Sato
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Publication number: 20210373487Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drawer movable in a first direction from an inside position to an outside position via an intermediate position; a stopper movable between a first position at which the stopper stops the drawer from moving from the intermediate position to the outside position, and a second position at which the stopper allows the drawer to move from the intermediate position to the outside position; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and mountable on the drawer; and a developing cartridge including a developing roller and mountable on the drawer. The developing cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the intermediate position. The drum cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the outside position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Patent number: 11137704Abstract: In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member in combination forms a nip, a first gear receives a driving force from a main gear provided in an image forming apparatus, a second gear rotates together with the first gear about a center of rotation of the first gear, a third gear provided in mesh with the second gear rotates together with the first fixing member. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably supported by a metal shaft. The first fixing member and the metal shaft are supported by a side frame. A sleeve is provided around the metal shaft. A material of the second gear and a material of the sleeve have melting points higher than a melting point of a material of the first gear, and the first gear is supported via the sleeve by the metal shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuna Taguchi
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Patent number: 11126136Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drawer movable in a first direction from an inside position to an outside position via an intermediate position; a stopper movable between a first position at which the stopper stops the drawer from moving from the intermediate position to the outside position, and a second position at which the stopper allows the drawer to move from the intermediate position to the outside position; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and mountable on the drawer; and a developing cartridge including a developing roller and mountable on the drawer. The developing cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the intermediate position. The drum cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the outside position.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Kazuna Taguchi
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Publication number: 20210271198Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cover, is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a switching member. The switching member switches states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein the toner cartridge is restricted from being detached, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The process cartridge is movable between an attached position to be placed entirely inside the main body and a detached position to be entirely outside the main body. The main body includes a restrictor to restrict the process cartridge from moving from an intermediate position toward the detached position. While the process cartridge is restricted by the restrictor, a supportive part in the cover supports the process cartridge with the switching member being at least partly placed outside the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Motoaki MUSHIKA, Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20210247711Abstract: A fuser configured to nip a sheet by a heating member and a pressurizing member and to thermally fix an image formed in a toner on the sheet, is provided. The fuser includes a supporting member, a temperature sensor, and a sensor cover. The supporting member supports the heating member. The temperature sensor is attached to the supporting member and is configured to detect a temperature of the heating member without contacting the heating member. The sensor cover is located on a side of the temperature sensor opposite to the heating member to cover the temperature sensor. The sensor cover includes a base having an opening at an upper position with respect to the temperature sensor and a windshield wall located in adjacent to the base. The windshield wall protrudes upward and extends in a lengthwise direction for the heating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Mingguang ZHANG
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Publication number: 20210240112Abstract: A fixing device includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a heater, a temperature sensor, a sensor holder, and a first frame. The temperature sensor detects a temperature of the first fixing member or the second fixing member. The sensor holder is configured to hold the temperature sensor and is fixed on the first frame. The first frame is made of metal and includes a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall. The second wall is connected to the first wall via the first bend. The third wall is connected to the second wall via the second bend. The fourth wall is connected to the third wall via the third bend. The first wall and the second wall form an acute angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20210240118Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi HANDA, Tomonori WATANABE, Shuhei FUKUE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Kazuna TAGUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Publication number: 20210200127Abstract: In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member in combination forms a nip, a first gear receives a driving force from a main gear provided in an image forming apparatus, a second gear rotates together with the first gear about a center of rotation of the first gear, a third gear provided in mesh with the second gear rotates together with the first fixing member. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably supported by a metal shaft. The first fixing member and the metal shaft are supported by a side frame. A sleeve is provided around the metal shaft. A material of the second gear and a material of the sleeve have melting points higher than a melting point of a material of the first gear, and the first gear is supported via the sleeve by the metal shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20210181662Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Hiroshi HANDA, Shuhei FUKUE, Tomonori WATANABE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Tatsuo OGASAWARA
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Publication number: 20210173329Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing; a developing roller extending in a first direction; a developing-roller gear; a coupling including a coupling gear; a first idle gear; a second idle gear; an agitator; a first agitator gear; and a protrusion. The developing-roller gear, the coupling, the first idle gear, the second idle gear, the first agitator gear, and the protrusion may be positioned at an outer surface of the casing. The protrusion may be positioned between a first axis of the coupling and a third axis of the first agitator gear in a second direction connecting the first and third axes. The protrusion may be positioned outside an addendum circle of the developing-roller gear, an addendum circle of the coupling gear, an addendum circle of the first idle gear, and an addendum circle of the second idle gear. The first agitator gear may be spaced apart from the protrusion in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Kazuna TAGUCHI, Takuya KANDA
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Publication number: 20210157260Abstract: A device includes a rotator, a belt facing the rotator and having an outer peripheral surface which contacts the rotator to form a nip therebetween, a first pad configured to press the belt toward the rotator to form one part of the nip, a second pad configured to press the belt toward the rotator, to form another part of the nip, a holder holding the first pad and the second pad, a stay supporting the holder, and an urging member urging the stay toward the rotator in an urging direction. The second pad is located upstream of the first pad in a conveyance direction in the nip orthogonal to the urging direction. At least a portion of a contact area between the stay and the holder is located downstream of a center of the nip and upstream of a front edge of the first pad in the conveyance direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Tomonori WATANABE, Kenji TAKEUCHI, Hiroshi HANDA, Mingguang ZHANG, Shuhei FUKUE, Hirotaka IMAEDA
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Patent number: 11009826Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cover, is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge, a toner cartridge, and a switching member. The switching member switches states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein the toner cartridge is restricted from being detached, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The process cartridge is movable between an attached position to be placed entirely inside the main body and a detached position to be entirely outside the main body. The main body includes a restrictor to restrict the process cartridge from moving from an intermediate position toward the detached position. While the process cartridge is restricted by the restrictor, a supportive part in the cover supports the process cartridge with the switching member being at least partly placed outside the main body.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo Sato, Yasuo Fukamachi, Motoaki Mushika, Kazuna Taguchi
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Patent number: 10996600Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a first stay surrounded by the belt and extending in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis, a holder holding the nip forming member, and an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay includes a first end and a second end. The holder includes a first engaging portion positioned at a first end of the holder, and a second engaging portion positioned at a second end of the holder. The first engaging portion engages the first end of the first stay. The second engaging portion engages the second end of the first stay.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi Handa, Tomonori Watanabe, Shuhei Fukue, Kenji Takeuchi, Kazuna Taguchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Publication number: 20210080896Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drawer movable in a first direction from an inside position to an outside position via an intermediate position; a stopper movable between a first position at which the stopper stops the drawer from moving from the intermediate position to the outside position, and a second position at which the stopper allows the drawer to move from the intermediate position to the outside position; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and mountable on the drawer; and a developing cartridge including a developing roller and mountable on the drawer. The developing cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the intermediate position. The drum cartridge mounted on the drawer is removable from the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the outside position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20210080902Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cartridge supporter is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge attachable to the drum cartridge; and a switching member switchable states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein detachment of the toner cartridge is restricted, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The cartridge supporter is movable between a first position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be placed entirely in an inner space in the main body on an inner side of the opening, and a second position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be at least partly placed outside the inner space. When the cartridge supporter is in the second position, the switching member is at least partly placed outside the inner space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Motoaki MUSHIKA, Kazuna TAGUCHI
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Patent number: 10942478Abstract: A device includes a rotator having a rotation axis, a belt, a nip forming member surrounded by the belt, a holder holding the nip forming member, a first stay supporting the holder, an urging member urging the first stay toward the rotator, a second stay, and a connector. The nip forming member is configured to, with the rotator, pinch the belt to form a nip. The first stay extends in a width direction parallel to the rotation axis. The second stay is positioned upstream of the first stay in a moving direction of the belt at the nip. The moving direction is perpendicular to the width direction. The connector extends through at least one of the first stay and the second stay to connect the first stay to the second stay.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Hiroshi Handa, Shuhei Fukue, Tomonori Watanabe, Kenji Takeuchi, Tatsuo Ogasawara
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Publication number: 20210063958Abstract: An image forming device, including: a housing; a drawer movable between an inside position at which the drawer is located inside the housing and an outside position at which the drawer is located outside the housing; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and a developer roller and mountable on the drawer; a toner cartridge storing toner to be supplied to the developer roller and mountable on the drawer, wherein the drawer includes a first guide that guides the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer, and wherein the drum cartridge includes a second guide connected to the first guide in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer, the second guide being configured to guide the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer in the state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuna TAGUCHI, Shougo SATO
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Publication number: 20210063949Abstract: An image forming device, including: a housing; a drawer movable between an inside position at which the drawer is located inside the housing and an outside position at which the drawer is located outside the housing; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and a developer roller and mountable on the drawer; and a toner cartridge storing toner to be supplied to the developer roller and mountable on the drawer, wherein the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mountable on the drawer in a state in which the drawer is located at the outside position, and wherein the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are arranged in a drawer moving direction in which the drawer moves, in the state in which the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are mounted on the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shougo SATO, Kazuna TAGUCHI