Patents by Inventor Kiyoshi Horikawa

Kiyoshi Horikawa 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).

  • Cleaning device and image forming apparatus including the cleaning device that controls occurrences of background fouling and abnormal image
    Patent number: 7277657
    Abstract: A cleaning device is used in an image forming apparatus to remove residual attachments including toner and paper powders from a surface of a movable intermediate transfer element onto which toner images are transferred from an image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning brush that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element to apply a bias having a predetermined polarity to the toner adhered onto the surface of the intermediate transfer element so as to make uniform a polarity of the toner. The cleaning device further includes a pressing member that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element with a predetermined pressure. The pressing member is disposed at a position upstream of the cleaning brush in a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Uchida, Kiyoshi Horikawa, Hiroyoshi Haga, Kazuchika Saeki
  • Cleaning device and image forming apparatus including the cleaning device that controls occurrences of background fouling and abnormal image
    Publication number: 20050047816
    Abstract: A cleaning device is used in an image forming apparatus to remove residual attachments including toner and paper powders from a surface of a movable intermediate transfer element onto which toner images are transferred from an image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning brush that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element to apply a bias having a predetermined polarity to the toner adhered onto the surface of the intermediate transfer element so as to make uniform a polarity of the toner. The cleaning device further includes a pressing member that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element with a predetermined pressure. The pressing member is disposed at a position upstream of the cleaning brush in a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Satoru Uchida, Kiyoshi Horikawa, Hiroyoshi Haga, Kazuchika Saeki