Patents by Inventor Kohta Sakaya

Kohta Sakaya 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: 11868064
    Abstract: A toner conveying device includes a toner conveying section and a toner conveyor. The toner conveying section includes a bent portion and an outlet port. The bent portion bends in a predetermined direction. The outlet port discharges toner. The toner conveyor is bendable and driven by a driving device to rotate to convey toner. The toner conveyor is disposed in the toner conveying section such that a first end of the toner conveyor is coupled to the driving device and a second end of the toner conveyor is a free end. The toner conveyor includes a reverse-flow conveying portion, between the outlet port and the free end, to convey the toner from the second end to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kohta Sakaya, Yasunobu Shimizu, Shintaro Yamada
  • Publication number: 20220373934
    Abstract: A toner conveying device includes a toner conveying section and a toner conveyor. The toner conveying section includes a bent portion and an outlet port. The bent portion bends in a predetermined direction. The outlet port discharges toner. The toner conveyor is bendable and driven by a driving device to rotate to convey toner. The toner conveyor is disposed in the toner conveying section such that a first end of the toner conveyor is coupled to the driving device and a second end of the toner conveyor is a free end. The toner conveyor includes a reverse-flow conveying portion, between the outlet port and the free end, to convey the toner from the second end to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kohta SAKAYA, Yasunobu SHIMIZU, Shintaro YAMADA
  • Patent number: 11231664
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The toner container includes an outlet to discharge toner contained in the toner container, an agitating member to agitate the toner in the container, a coupling to transmit a driving force to the agitating member, a shutter to open and close the outlet, a lever disposed at one end of the container and a pivoting portion disposed at the other end and connected by a common shaft such that both rotate together, and the lever and the coupling are disposed at the one end in a mutually non-overlapping manner when viewed from the axial direction of the common shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chui Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20210116843
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10915040
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20200133164
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10564572
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20190258191
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10365584
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Patent number: 10317817
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20180253032
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10025227
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Patent number: 10025228
    Abstract: A unit includes a part that is detachably attachable relative to an other unit, wherein the other unit includes an opening through which image forming powder is supplied from or received by the other unit, and a shutter that opens and closes the opening, and a collecting member that collects the image forming powder falling from at least one of the opening and the shutter by making contact with the shutter when detaching the unit from the other unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: 9740147
    Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fujiwara, Tomoya Adachi, Tomohiko Fujii, Masahiro Samei, Yutaka Naitoh, Yoshiharu Takahashi, Yasuharu Kawarasaki, Kenta Kashiwagi, Kohta Sakaya
  • Publication number: 20170219965
    Abstract: A unit includes a part that is detachably attachable relative to an other unit, wherein the other unit includes an opening through which image forming powder is supplied from or received by the other unit, and a shutter that opens and closes the opening, and a collecting member that collects the image forming powder falling from at least one of the opening and the shutter by making contact with the shutter when detaching the unit from the other unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA
  • Publication number: 20170219957
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 9690231
    Abstract: A toner container includes a container body that is used to house a toner and that is detachably attachable to a mounting portion in a developing device; and an operating member that is used to open and close a shutter. The shutter as well as the operating member includes an engaging portion that can engage with a linking member which is disposed in the mounting portion and which can perform a reciprocating linear movement. In the state in which the container body is not mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member are in a non-linked state with each other. In contrast, in the state in which the container body is mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member become able to be linked to each other via the linking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20160378028
    Abstract: A separator for separating a recording medium from a fixing rotator includes a separation body including a front end and a conveyance path side face. The front end is disposed in proximity to an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. The conveyance path side face faces a conveyance path where the recording medium is conveyed. At least one rotary separation aid projects beyond the conveyance path side face of the separation body toward the conveyance path. The rotary separation aid is rotated by the recording medium as the recording medium comes into contact with the rotary separation aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Fujiwara, Tomoya Adachi, Tomohiko Fujii, Masahiro Samei, Yutaka Naitoh, Yoshiharu Takahashi, Yasuharu Kawarasaki, Kenta Kashiwagi, Kohta Sakaya
  • Publication number: 20160109827
    Abstract: A toner container includes a container body that is used to house a toner and that is detachably attachable to a mounting portion in a developing device; and an operating member that is used to open and close a shutter. The shutter as well as the operating member includes an engaging portion that can engage with a linking member which is disposed in the mounting portion and which can perform a reciprocating linear movement. In the state in which the container body is not mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member are in a non-linked state with each other. In contrast, in the state in which the container body is mounted in the mounting portion, the shutter and the operating member become able to be linked to each other via the linking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 9261816
    Abstract: A developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer inside a developer container includes a light-emitting element; a light-receiving element; a first light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-emitting element and a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-emitting face; a second light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-receiving element, a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-receiving face to face the light-emitting face across a gap; and a cleaner including a sliding portion to slidingly contact the light-emitting face and the light-receiving face. The cover of each of the first and second light guides includes a material lower in chargeability with the sliding portion than a material of a body of each of the first and second light guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Yasunobu Ogata