Patents by Inventor Kenichirou Isobe

Kenichirou Isobe 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: 12172862
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking unit including a plate, a feeding unit including a roller, a holder including a detected member, a drive unit and a controller. The detected member is positioned in a first position where the detected member is not detected by a detector in a case that the feeding unit is new, and is moved from the first position to a second position where the detected member is projected so as to be detected by the detector when the new feeding unit is mounted on the holder and the roller is driven. The controller controls the drive unit to perform up-and-down operation of the plate so that the plate is set to a feedable state of the sheet in a case that the feeding unit is mounted, and determines whether or not the feeding unit is new based on a detection result of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Suzuki, Kenichirou Isobe, Eiji Wakiyama, Takashi Yano, Hidehiro Ushiozu
  • Publication number: 20240308262
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus having a stacking unit, a moving unit, and a thermal compression bonding unit. The stacking unit includes a stack of plural sheet having an adhesive layer for bonding the plural sheets together. The thermal compression bonding unit includes a heating member having a heat generation area. In a case where a length of the adhesive layer regarding a longer-side direction of the heating member is greater than a length of the heat generation area, an entire area of the adhesive layer on the plural sheets is heated and pressed by applying heat and pressure to the adhesive layer more than once while changing, via the moving unit, a relative position of the plural sheets having been conveyed onto the stacking unit and the heat generation area regarding the longer-side direction of the heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventor: KENICHIROU ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20240094660
    Abstract: A developer storage device that stores developer includes a frame having an internal space and an inlet, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space into first and second chambers, the partition portion including a communication port through which the first and second chamber communicate, a conveyance portion arranged in the internal space and configured to convey the developer, and a detection unit detecting an amount of the developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of the developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is conveyed to a far side portion of the first chamber by the conveyance portion. When the detection unit detects that the amount of the developer in the first chamber reaches the predetermined value or more, the conveyance portion conveys the developer to the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Shuichi Gofuku, Shinichi Ueda, Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 11841646
    Abstract: A developer storage device that stores developer includes a frame having an internal space and an inlet, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space into first and second chambers, the partition portion including a communication port through which the first and second chamber communicate, a conveyance portion arranged in the internal space and configured to convey the developer, and a detection unit detecting an amount of the developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of the developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is conveyed to a far side portion of the first chamber by the conveyance portion. When the detection unit detects that the amount of the developer in the first chamber reaches the predetermined value or more, the conveyance portion conveys the developer to the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Gofuku, Shinichi Ueda, Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 11718497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance unit including an image forming unit to convey a sheet on which an image is formed, and a second conveyance unit including a cover movable between a close position and an open position, the second conveyance unit being movable between a first position where the sheet can be conveyed to the sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position. The first conveyance unit includes a retaining portion to retain the cover at a predetermined position, wherein the cover does not interfere with the retaining portion when the second conveyance unit is positioned at the first position, and the cover is in contact with the retaining portion and retained at the open position in a condition where the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position and the cover is moved from the close position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Publication number: 20230159291
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking unit including a plate, a feeding unit including a roller, a holder including a detected member, a drive unit and a controller. The detected member is positioned in a first position where the detected member is not detected by a detector in a case that the feeding unit is new, and is moved from the first position to a second position where the detected member is projected so as to be detected by the detector when the new feeding unit is mounted on the holder and the roller is driven. The controller controls the drive unit to perform up-and-down operation of the plate so that the plate is set to a feedable state of the sheet in a case that the feeding unit is mounted, and determines whether or not the feeding unit is new based on a detection result of the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Masato Suzuki, Kenichirou Isobe, Eiji Wakiyama, Takashi Yano, Hidehiro Ushiozu
  • Publication number: 20220382185
    Abstract: A developer storage device that stores developer includes a frame having an internal space and an inlet, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space into first and second chambers, the partition portion including a communication port through which the first and second chamber communicate, a conveyance portion arranged in the internal space and configured to convey the developer, and a detection unit detecting an amount of the developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of the developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is conveyed to a far side portion of the first chamber by the conveyance portion. When the detection unit detects that the amount of the developer in the first chamber reaches the predetermined value or more, the conveyance portion conveys the developer to the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Shuichi Gofuku, Shinichi Ueda, Kenichirou Isobe
  • Publication number: 20220144577
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance unit including an image forming unit to convey a sheet on which an image is formed, and a second conveyance unit including a cover movable between a close position and an open position, the second conveyance unit being movable between a first position where the sheet can be conveyed to the sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position. The first conveyance unit includes a retaining portion to retain the cover at a predetermined position, wherein the cover does not interfere with the retaining portion when the second conveyance unit is positioned at the first position, and the cover is in contact with the retaining portion and retained at the open position in a condition where the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position and the cover is moved from the close position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 11261051
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus include a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit including a cover and configured to be movable between a first position where a sheet conveyed from the first conveyance unit can be conveyed to a sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position, and a retaining portion configured to retain the cover at an open position and to retain the second conveyance unit at the second position through the cover retained at the open position in a case where the cover is positioned at the open position in a condition in which the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 11254536
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a swingable member feeding portion, a sheet stacking portion including a stacking tray and a sheet feeding passage and movable between a first position where a sheet feed from the feeding portion is feedable to the sheet feeding passage and a second position away from the first position, and a movable member movable to a space, between the feeding portion and the stacking portion, generating with movement of the stacking portion from the first position to the second position in interrelation with the movement of the stacking portion from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Noda, Kenichirou Isobe, Kenji Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 11199801
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a discharging unit to discharge a sheet such that the sheet nipped between a first roller and a second roller is warped as viewed from a downstream side in a sheet discharge direction, a sheet supporting member to support the sheet discharged by the discharging unit, and a first charge-removing portion to remove electrostatic charges of the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet at a position downstream of a position where the first roller and the second roller nip the sheet in the sheet discharge direction. In addition, a second charge-removing portion removes electrostatic charges of the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet at a position downstream of the position where the first charge-removing portion comes into contact with the sheet in the sheet discharge direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 11124378
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a discharge portion including a first member configured to apply a force to a first region of a sheet from an upper surface and a second member configured to apply a force to a second region of the sheet from a lower surface, and a contact portion including a first guide surface disposed contactably with the first region and a second guide surface disposed contactably with the second region. The first guide surface is formed such that an angle with respect to a tangential line at a contact point between the first member and the first region of the sheet becomes a first angle. The second guide surface is formed such that an angle with respect to a tangential line at a contact point between the second member and the second region of the sheet becomes a second angle which is smaller than the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshisuke Kasuya, Kenichirou Isobe, Hirotaka Ishii
  • Patent number: 11061353
    Abstract: An upstream roller pair and a downstream roller pair are disposed on a first conveyance path and configured to perform a reverse conveyance operation on a sheet. The upstream roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller abutting with each other. The downstream roller pair is configured to nip and convey a sheet by a third roller and a fourth roller in a state that areas in a width direction where a plurality of first rotary members contact a first surface of a sheet do not overlap with areas in the width direction where a plurality of second rotary members contact a second surface of a sheet opposite to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Mizuta, Kenichirou Isobe, Tomooku Koyama
  • Publication number: 20210002097
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a discharge portion including a first member configured to apply a force to a first region of a sheet from an upper surface and a second member configured to apply a force to a second region of the sheet from a lower surface, and a contact portion including a first guide surface disposed contactably with the first region and a second guide surface disposed contactably with the second region. The first guide surface is formed such that an angle with to a tangential line at a contact point between the first member and the first region of the sheet becomes a first angle. The second guide surface is formed such that an angle to a tangential line at a contact point between the second member and the second region of the sheet becomes a second angle which is smaller than the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshisuke Kasuya, Kenichirou Isobe, Hirotaka Ishii
  • Publication number: 20200278634
    Abstract: An upstream roller pair and a downstream roller pair are disposed on a first conveyance path and configured to perform a reverse conveyance operation on a sheet. The upstream roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller abutting with each other. The downstream roller pair is configured to nip and convey a sheet by a third roller and a fourth roller in a state that areas in a width direction where a plurality of first rotary members contact a first surface of a sheet do not overlap with areas in the width direction where a plurality of second rotary members contact a second surface of a sheet opposite to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Takayuki Mizuta, Kenichirou Isobe, Tomooku Koyama
  • Publication number: 20200209799
    Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus includes a discharging unit configured to discharge a sheet such that the sheet nipped between a first roller and a second roller is warped as viewed from a downstream side in a sheet discharge direction, a sheet supporting member configured to support the sheet discharged by the discharging unit, a first charge-removing portion configured to remove electrostatic charges of the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet at a position downstream of a position where the first roller and the second roller nip the sheet in the sheet discharge direction, and a second charge-removing portion configured to remove electrostatic charges of the sheet by coming into contact with the sheet at a position downstream of the position where the first charge-removing portion comes into contact with the sheet in the sheet discharge direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Publication number: 20200122951
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a swingable member feeding portion, a sheet stacking portion including a stacking tray and a sheet feeding passage and movable between a first position where a sheet feed from the feeding portion is feedable to the sheet feeding passage and a second position away from the first position, and a movable member movable to a space, between the feeding portion and the stacking portion, generating with movement of the stacking portion from the first position to the second position in interrelation with the movement of the stacking portion from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Shinya Noda, Kenichirou Isobe, Kenji Ninomiya
  • Publication number: 20200122940
    Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus include a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit including a cover and configured to be movable between a first position where a sheet conveyed from the first conveyance unit can be conveyed to a sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position, and a retaining portion configured to retain the cover at an open position and to retain the second conveyance unit at the second position through the cover retained at the open position in a case where the cover is positioned at the open position in a condition in which the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventor: Kenichirou Isobe
  • Patent number: 9371867
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus which can suppress the rotational vibrations by suppressing rotation of the pressure member relative to the clutch member is provided. The power transmitting apparatus can comprise a clutch housing rotatable together with an input member and a plurality of driving-side clutch discs mounted thereon; a clutch member with a plurality of driven-side clutch discs mounted thereon and interleaved with the driving-side clutch discs; and a pressure member axially movably relative to the clutch member to increase or release the press-contacting force acting on the driving-side clutch discs and the driven-side clutch discs. The power transmitting apparatus can further comprise one or more slide-suppressing members for applying sliding resistance to the pressure member when the pressure member is rotated relative to the clutch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kenichirou Isobe, Shigeki Kawashima, Shinji Furuhashi, Go Ando
  • Patent number: 9109639
    Abstract: A clutch device is provided which facilitates an operation of checking whether or not spring seats have been properly disposed and effectively prevents falling off or a change in attitude of the spring seats, thereby reducing the labor required for manufacture. A clutch device 100 includes a pressure plate 110 which presses friction plates 103 which are rotationally driven by a drive shaft against clutch plates 107. The pressure plate 110 includes clutch springs 112 and spring seats 113 disposed in receiving portions 111 having a concave shape. Each spring seat 113 has two plate-shaped arms 113a and 113b extending along the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111 and has a C-like shape. Protrusions 114a and 114b project from the peripheries of the arms 113a and 113b. Recesses 111b into which the protrusions 114a and 114b fit are formed in an inner wall portion of each receiving portion 111 at a position near the bottom 111a of the receiving portion 111.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Satou, Shinji Furuhashi, Norikazu Takeda, Kenichirou Isobe