Patents by Inventor Keiji Arai

Keiji Arai 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: 20240008677
    Abstract: A beverage maker includes a receptacle, a piston, a fluid circuit, a first heater, and a second heater. The receptacle is configured to receive a flavoring capsule. The piston is configured to compress the flavoring capsule to direct flavoring fluid from the beverage flavoring capsule and into a container via a channel. The fluid circuit has an outlet configured to direct water into the container adjacent to the channel. The first heater is disposed within the receptacle and is configured to heat the beverage flavoring capsule. The second heater is disposed along the circuit and is configured to heat the water flowing through the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Marcos Aurelio DE SOUZA, Matheus UNGERICHT, Henrique Keiji ARAI YAMAKI
  • Publication number: 20230350318
    Abstract: An image forming system uses: an organic photoreceptor; and a toner for electrostatic charge image development containing toner particles, wherein the organic photoreceptor has a protective layer containing a cured resin; the toner particle has a form in which at least one type of lubricant particle and at least one type of non-lubricant particle are contained or adhered on a surface of a plurality of convex portions or on a surface between the plurality of convex portions, of a toner base particle having the plurality of convex portions thereon; and an average spacing D1 of the convex portions on the surface of the toner base particle, a median diameter D2 of the lubricant particle having the smallest median diameter, and a median diameter D3 of the non-lubricant particle having the largest median diameter, satisfy the relationship of the following formula (1): Formula (1) D3?D1?D2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Keiji ARAI, Kentarou MOGI, Atsushi IIOKA, Minori MOMMA
  • Patent number: 11781805
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Publication number: 20230251029
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Patent number: 11668516
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20230053641
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11525623
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Publication number: 20220206403
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes: toner base particles containing a binder resin and a metal pigment; and an external additive containing lanthanum-containing strontium titanate particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventor: Keiji ARAI
  • Publication number: 20210356199
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11098948
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Publication number: 20210025648
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20200386472
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Patent number: 10837698
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Publication number: 20200208904
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaito Choy, Ravi Joshi, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki
  • Patent number: 10698329
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic charge image developer containing toner particles and carrier particles, wherein the toner particles contain at least silica particles or alumina particles as an external additive; the carrier particles contain core material particles and a coating resin layer covering a surface of the core particles; the coating resin layer contains metal oxide particles; an element measured by XPS (photoelectron spectroscopy) of the carrier particle is at least Si or Al; and a content of Si or Al in the carrier particle is in the range of 1 to 6 at % with respect to the total elements constituting the carrier particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Futoshi Kadonome, Keiji Arai, Junichi Furukawa, Ikuko Sakurada
  • Publication number: 20190384201
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic charge image developer containing toner particles and carrier particles, wherein the toner particles contain at least silica particles or alumina particles as an external additive; the carrier particles contain core material particles and a coating resin layer covering a surface of the core particles; the coating resin layer contains metal oxide particles; an element measured by XPS (photoelectron spectroscopy) of the carrier particle is at least Si or Al; and a content of Si or Al in the carrier particle is in the range of 1 to 6 at % with respect to the total elements constituting the carrier particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Futoshi KADONOME, Keiji ARAI, Junichi FURUKAWA, Ikuko SAKURADA
  • Patent number: 10509338
    Abstract: Provided is a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic latent image containing: toner particles having toner mother particles and an external additive on a surface of the toner mother particles; and carrier particles, wherein the external additive contains alumina particles; the alumina particles are subjected to a surface modification with a hydrophobilizing agent; among the hydrophobilizing agent existing on the surface of the alumina particles after the surface modification, a ratio of the hydrophobilizing agent in a state of being liberated from the surface is 20% or less when extraction treatment is performed under a predetermined condition; the alumina particles have a number average primary particle diameter in the range of 5 to 60 nm; and the carrier particles have a resin covering layer, and the resin covering layer is formed with an alicyclic (meth)acrylate monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Ikuko Sakurada, Satoshi Uchino, Shinya Obara, Futoshi Kadonome, Keiji Arai
  • Publication number: 20190243272
    Abstract: Provided is a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic latent image containing: toner particles having toner mother particles and an external additive on a surface of the toner mother particles; and carrier particles, wherein the external additive contains alumina particles; the alumina particles are subjected to a surface modification with a hydrophobilizing agent; among the hydrophobilizing agent existing on the surface of the alumina particles after the surface modification, a ratio of the hydrophobilizing agent in a state of being liberated from the surface is 20% or less when extraction treatment is performed under a predetermined condition; the alumina particles have a number average primary particle diameter in the range of 5 to 60 nm; and the carrier particles have a resin covering layer, and the resin covering layer is formed with an alicyclic (meth)acrylate monomer
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Ikuko SAKURADA, Satoshi Uchino, Shinya Obara, Futoshi Kadonome, Keiji Arai
  • Patent number: 10338489
    Abstract: The present invention provides a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic charge image, which includes a toner and a carrier, wherein the toner contains an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin as binder resins and an inorganic particle as external additive particle, and the carrier has a surface to which silica particles having a number average particle diameter of 10 to 30 nm are attached in an amount in the range of the following Equation (1): 5 at %?S1?10 at %, wherein S1 represents a concentration of Si element as measured by XPS and indicates an amount of silica on the surface of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Futoshi Kadonome, Keiji Arai, Junichi Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20180364602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic charge image, which includes a toner and a carrier, wherein the toner contains an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin as binder resins and an inorganic particle as external additive particle, and the carrier has a surface to which silica particles having a number average particle diameter of 10 to 30 nm are attached in an amount in the range of the following Equation (1): 5 at %?S1?10 at %, wherein S1 represents a concentration of Si element as measured by XPS and indicates an amount of silica on the surface of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Futoshi KADONOME, Keiji ARAI, Junichi FURUKAWA