Patents by Inventor Kenjiro Nishiwaki
Kenjiro Nishiwaki 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: 9557681Abstract: A developing device includes a casing configured to accommodate developer, a developing roller, a seal member, at least portion of which is disposed between the developing roller and the casing, and which includes a fabric member including a plurality of first fibers extending in a first direction, and a heat radiation member configured to contact end surfaces of the first fibers of the seal member and radiate heat of the seal member.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Takanori Uno, Takuya Amaike, Masateru Kawamura, Kazuna Taguchi, Motoaki Mushika, Yasuo Fukamachi, Shunji Yoshimoto, Masahiro Ishii
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Publication number: 20140178093Abstract: A developing device includes a casing configured to accommodate developer, a developing roller, a seal member, at least portion of which is disposed between the developing roller and the casing, and which includes a fabric member including a plurality of first fibers extending in a first direction, and a heat radiation member configured to contact end surfaces of the first fibers of the seal member and radiate heat of the seal member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Takanori Uno, Takuya Amaike, Masateru Kawamura, Kazuna Taguchi, Motoaki Mushika, Yasuo Fukamachi, Shunji Yoshimoto, Masahiro Ishii
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Patent number: 8699923Abstract: A development agent supply device has a transfer board including a supply section disposed upstream relative to a proximity position in a development agent transfer direction, and a retrieving section disposed downstream relative to the proximity position in the development agent transfer direction. The supply section includes first transfer electrodes arranged along the development agent transfer direction to transfer development agent toward the proximity position with an electric field generated with a supply bias applied to the first transfer electrodes and supply the development agent to the development agent holding surface near the proximity position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8600270Abstract: A developer transport body transports a developer on a transport surface in a predetermined direction. This transport surface is composed of a first constituent surface which renders relatively large the absolute value of a charge amount of the developer due to friction, and a second constituent surface disposed in an area downstream of and adjacent to the first constituent surface and which renders the absolute value of the charge amount of the developer smaller than if the first constituent surface was disposed in the area. Therefore, when the developer is moved toward a latent-image forming surface by electrostatic force, the developer is less likely to be affected by disturbing forces other than the electrostatic force. Further, since the absolute value of the charge amount of the developer becomes smaller on the second constituent surface, adhesion of the developer to the transport surface and aggregation of the developer can be restrained.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8591111Abstract: The need for a related-art nipple 3 is eliminated to lift restriction on the stroke of the slider S. A tubular protrusion 9 is provided on the face of a seal body H facing an end cap C, and maintains a positional relationship of being inserted into a lubricant supply hole 8 formed in the end cap when the face of the seal body faces the face of the end cap, and it has an insertion portion 9a receiving insertion of a lubricant supply nozzle 10 for a supply of lubricant, and a supply port 9b connected to a rolling-element directing passage 7 via the lubricant supply hole when it is inserted into the lubricant supply hole. A seal element is created on the insertion portion 9a and makes close contact with the lubricant supply nozzle in a process of inserting the lubricant supply nozzle into the insertion portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junya Mori, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8526865Abstract: An image forming device is provided which includes a developer carrying body and a developer supply device to supply a developer to the developer carrying body. The developer supply device includes a plurality of transfer electrodes, and a transfer voltage applying unit to apply traveling-wave shaped transfer voltages to the plurality of transfer electrodes. The developer includes a fine particle charged in a predetermined polarity and a fine particle charged in a polarity opposite to the predetermined polarity. The transfer voltage applying unit is configured to apply the transfer voltages having waveforms, which make a fly height of the fine particle charged in the predetermined polarity higher than a fly height of the fine particle charged in the opposite polarity, to the plurality of transfer electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8498557Abstract: A developer supply device is provided, which includes a bias controller that, during an image forming operation by an image forming apparatus, applies a first bias to a first transfer board and applies a second bias to between a developer holding body and the first transfer board, so as to make the developer holding body hold development agent thereon while transferring the development agent along a first developer transfer path of the first transfer board. At least one of before and after the image forming operation, the bias controller applies the first bias to the first transfer electrodes without applying the second bias to between the developer holding body and the first transfer board, so as to transfer the development agent along the first developer transfer path without making the developer holding body hold the development agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8494420Abstract: A development agent supply device is provided, which includes a development agent holding member configured to rotate around an axis parallel to a first direction such that a development agent holding surface, which faces an intended device to be supplied with development agent in a first position, moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a transfer board configured to charge and transfer development agent thereon to a second position to face the development agent holding surface, and a facing member disposed to face the development agent holding surface in a position between the first position and the second position in the second direction, the facing member being configured to charge development agent held on the development agent holding surface under an alternating electric field generated between the facing member and the development agent holding member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuna Taguchi, Keisuke Takahashi, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8457535Abstract: A development agent supply device includes a casing having an opening and a development agent storage section, a development agent holding member housed in the casing such that a development agent holding surface thereof faces a developer-supplied device via the opening, a first electric-field transfer board that transfers development agent with a traveling-wave electric field along a down-facing development agent transfer surface in a predetermined direction from the development agent storage section to the opening and faces the development agent holding surface at a downstream end in the predetermined direction, and a second electric-field transfer board that includes a first section facing an downstream end of the first electric-field transfer board in the predetermined direction, and a second section facing the development agent holding member and transfers development agent received from the first electric transfer board at the first section, to the second section with a traveling-wave electric field.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8412078Abstract: A development agent supply device includes a casing having an opening, a first development agent storage section, and a second development agent storage section, a development agent holding member housed in the casing such that a development agent holding surface thereof faces a developer-supplied device via the opening, a first electric-field transfer board that transfers development agent with a traveling-wave electric field along a down-facing development agent transfer surface in a predetermined direction from the first development agent storage section to the opening and faces the development agent holding surface at a downstream end in the predetermined direction, and a development agent retrieving unit that agitates development agent stored in the second development agent storage section and inadequately-charged development agent falling from the development agent transfer surface and conveys the development agent to the first development agent storage section.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8401445Abstract: A developer supply apparatus is provided which supplies a toner to a supply object, the developer supply apparatus including a developer storage body which stores a powdery developer, and a transfer body which transfers the developer along the developer transfer path with traveling wave electric fields. The developer includes a toner having a predetermined charging characteristic and an electric neutralizer having an opposite charging characteristic, which is opposite to the predetermined charging characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanori Uno, Mitsukiyo Okamura, Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Yasuhiro Maruyama, Tomoaki Hazeyama, Masataka Maeda, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8385789Abstract: A development device, comprising: a casing; a developer reservoir formed at a bottom part of the casing; a developer supply chamber that accommodates the developer; a developer holding body that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in a width direction of the casing and is located on an upper side of the developer reservoir to face an image holding body; a first carry member that is provided in the developer supply chamber to extend in the width direction and to carry the developer to the width direction, a second carry member that is provided on a casing side to extend in the width direction and to carry the developer to the width direction; and a carry substrate that is provided in the casing so that the developer is carried from the developer reservoir to a position facing the developer holding body.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shougo Sato, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8346136Abstract: There is provided a developer carrying device, including a first carrying body having a first electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate charged developer through a facing portion with respect to a developer supply target; and a second carrying body having a second electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate the developer through a facing part with respect to the first electrode group so that the developer being carried is supplied to the first carrying body.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masataka Maeda, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8326188Abstract: A developer supply device carrying charged developer along a developer carrying path to a supply target, including: a carrying substrate that includes a plurality of carrying electrodes arranged along the developer carrying path and is configured to carry the developer through an electric field generated by voltage application to the plurality of carrying electrodes. The carrying substrate comprises a vertical carrying substrate provided to stand to carry the developer upward in a substantially vertical direction. The developer is supplied to the supply target around an upper end portion of the vertical carrying substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Publication number: 20120219332Abstract: A developer supply device configured to supply charged development agent to an intended device is provided, the developer supply device including a developer storage section storing the development agent, an electric-field transfer board that includes transfer electrodes arranged along a developer transfer path in parallel with each other, and transfers the development agent stored in the developer storage section along the developer transfer path when the transfer electrodes are supplied with a multi-phase alternating-current voltage, and a brush roller that is disposed to face the intended device in a predetermined developer supply position and face the electric-field transfer board in a predetermined developer carrying position, and configured to receive the development agent from the electric-field transfer board in the predetermined developer carrying position and carry the received development agent to the predetermined developer supply position where the development agent is supplied to the intended deType: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keisuke TAKAHASHI, Kenjiro NISHIWAKI
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Patent number: 8200129Abstract: Each transport electrode has its longitudinal direction intersecting with a sub-scanning direction. Transport electrodes are disposed in parallel with each other and are arrayed along the sub-scanning direction. A transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section is connected to root portions of the transport electrodes. The root portions are one end portions of the transport electrodes with respect to the longitudinal direction. Toner transport guide members are disposed to cover the transport-electrode electricity supply wiring section and opposite end portions of the transport electrodes; i.e., the root portions and distal end portions.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Seiichi Senda, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8123408Abstract: A linear motion guide unit has a binding strip adapted to fasten a retainer plate to a carriage miniature in dimension, but long in lengthwise direction. The linear motion guide unit has a retainer plate lying lengthwise of the carriage in opposition to load-carrying race to keep more than one roller running through the load-carrying race, and a binding strip to fasten the retainer plate to the carriage. The binding strip is composed of a major part having any number of bents which are positioned at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of binding strip, and lengthwise opposite angled parts prepared to come into engagement with the end caps, so that the binding strip urges elastically at the bents thereof the retainer to come into close engagement with carriage.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8112019Abstract: A developer supply device, comprising: a carrying substrate having electrodes arranged along a developer transport path at predetermined intervals to carry a developer through a traveling electric field, wherein the carrying substrate comprises: a rigid upper carrying substrate formed to stand to carry the developer upward; and a flexible bottom carrying substrate curved to be a semispherical shape and is configured to charge the developer by friction with the developer and to be connected with a lower end portion of the upper carrying substrate so as to form a bottom surface of a developer reservoir portion, and wherein a joint portion of the bottom carrying substrate connected to the lower end portion is overlapped with the lower end portion such that the joint portion carries the developer in a same direction as a direction in which the developer is carried by the lower end portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Suzue Onoda, Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Kazutoshi Kotama, Tomoaki Hattori
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Patent number: 8107862Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer containing casing, a developer transport body, transport electrodes, and a developer vibrating section. The developer containing casing is a box-like member in which a developer is contained. The developer transport body has a developer transport surface, and is disposed within the developer containing casing. The plurality of transport electrodes are provided along the developer transport surface. These transport electrodes are configured such that they can transport the developer in a predetermined developer transport direction on the developer transport surface upon application of traveling-wave voltages. The developer vibrating section is configured to be able to vibrate the developer which is to be transported on the developer transport surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoaki Hattori, Kenjiro Nishiwaki
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Patent number: 8095052Abstract: A developer supply device, comprising a casing having: a developer reservoir at a bottom part of the casing; a developer amount adjustment chamber provided close to a side of the developer reservoir to communicate with a top portion of the developer reservoir; and a communication part through which the top portion of the developer reservoir and the developer amount adjustment chamber communicate with each other, and further comprising: a carrying substrate having electrodes arranged along a developer transport path to carry a developer through a traveling electric field, each of the electrodes having a longer side extending in a width direction of the developer reservoir, and a developer providing unit to provide the developer into the developer reservoir, and wherein the carrying substrate comprises an upper carrying substrate on an inner wall of the casing on an opposite side of the communication part to carry the developer upward.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenjiro Nishiwaki, Kazutoshi Kotama