Patents by Inventor Koji Abe

Koji Abe 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: 11300922
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum; and a first storage medium. The drum frame has one end portion and another end portion spaced apart from the one end portion in a first direction. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction and is positioned at the one end portion of the drum cartridge. The first storage medium includes a first electrical contact surface. The first storage medium is positioned at an outer surface of the drum frame, the outer surface being exposed in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Abe, Naoya Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20220102592
    Abstract: A package for mounting a light emitting element includes: a first lead electrode defining a portion of a bottom of a recess and comprising a base member and a plating disposed on the base member, and wherein the first lead electrode comprises, in a plan view: a first region, a second region surrounding a periphery of the first region, wherein, in a height direction, an upper surface of the base member in an entirety of the second region is higher than an upper surface of the base member in the first region, and a third region surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the second region, wherein, in the height direction, an upper surface of the base member in the third region is lower than the upper surface of the base member in the entirety of the second region; a second lead electrode; and a resin molded body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Koji ABE, Yuki SHIOTA
  • Patent number: 11233177
    Abstract: A package for mounting a light emitting element includes: a first lead electrode having, in a plan view, a first region, a second region surrounding a periphery of the first region having a width of 110 ?m or more and a thickness greater than that of the first region, and a third region partially surrounding a periphery of the second region and having a thickness smaller than that of the second region; a second lead electrode spaced apart from the first lead electrode; and a resin molded body fixing a portion of each of the first and second lead electrodes. A portion of each of the first and second lead electrodes and a portion of the resin molded body exposed therebetween form a bottom surface of a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Abe, Yuki Shiota
  • Publication number: 20210382433
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured to accommodate therein toner; a developing roller; a supply roller configured to supply the toner to the developing roller; a layer thickness regulation blade in contact with a circumferential surface of the developing roller; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller; and a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and the layer thickness regulation blade. The supply electrode includes: an electrode member electrically connected to a rotation shaft of the supply roller and movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft; and a connection member in contact with and electrically connecting the electrode member and the layer thickness regulation blade. The electrode member is movable relative to the connection member in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft in a state where the electrode member is in contact with the connection member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi FUKAYA, Tomoya ICHIKAWA, Koji ABE, Naoya KAMIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210364981
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi SHIMIZU, Koji ABE
  • Publication number: 20210364980
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi SHIMIZU, Koji ABE
  • Publication number: 20210349087
    Abstract: The present technology generally relates to stopped-flow microfluidic devices. Select embodiments of the present technology include microfluidic devices having a first porous element configured to receive a first fluid and a second porous element configured to receive a second fluid. The second porous element can have one or more legs overlapping with the first porous element. The device can be configured such that (a) delivery of the first fluid to the first porous element causes the first fluid to flow along the length of the first porous element without substantially wetting the one or more legs, and (b) delivery of the second fluid to the second porous element causes the second fluid to flow into the overlapping regions of the first porous element, thereby substantially stopping flow of the first fluid along at least a portion of the first porous element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Joshua BUSER, Joshua BISHOP, Dylan GUELIG, Arielle HOWELL, Sujatha KUMAR, Paul YAGER, Koji ABE, Erin HEINIGER, Samantha BYRNES, Caitlin ANDERSON, Peter C. KAUFFMAN, Maxwell WHEELER
  • Publication number: 20210327056
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to use of a rapid-test-validation computing device to determine if a result of a rapid test device is valid and identify the result. The rapid-test-validation computing device captures images of the rapid test device and employs a first artificial intelligence mechanism to determine if the rapid test device is properly aligned in the images. The rapid-test-validation computing device then employs a second artificial intelligence mechanism to determine if a result of the rapid test device is valid or invalid. If the result is valid, the rapid-test-validation computing device employs a third artificial intelligence mechanism to determine and present an objective output of the rapid test device result to a user; otherwise, the rapid-test-validation computing device presents a notification to the user that the rapid test device result is invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: James William NEEDHAM, Koji ABE
  • Publication number: 20210320334
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution capable of improving electrochemical characteristics in the case of using an energy storage device at a high temperature and at a high voltage and further capable of inhibiting the gas generation while maintaining a capacity retention rate after storage at a high temperature and at a high voltage and also provides an energy storage device using the same. Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolytic solution having an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a carboxylic acid ester compound represented by the following general formula (I). In the formula, each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a —C(?O)—OR4 group, or the like, and R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure. R3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: MU IONIC SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei SHIMAMOTO, Koji ABE, Shoji SHIKITA, Kazuhiro MIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20210286313
    Abstract: A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame configured to retain the photosensitive drum and to accept a developing cartridge including a toner memory, which stores information concerning the developing cartridge, a first connector electrically connectable with the toner memory in the developing cartridge under a condition where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, a relay board electrically connectable with the first connector, a second connector electrically connectable with a connector in an image forming apparatus and with the toner memory through the relay board, and a thermistor electrically connectable with the relay board, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji ABE, Keita Inoue
  • Patent number: 11112747
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 11079716
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a cover; a developing cartridge; and a drum cartridge including a drum frame, a photosensitive drum, a pressing member configured to press the developing roller to the photosensitive drum in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum frame, and a lock lever, the drum cartridge being mountable to an inside of the housing in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge, wherein in a state where the cover moves from the closed position to the opened position, the lock lever moves from a locked position at which the developing cartridge is prevented from being demounted from the drum frame to a non-locked position at which the developing cartridge is allowed to be demountable from the drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 11073785
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured to accommodate therein toner; a developing roller; a supply roller configured to supply the toner to the developing roller; a layer thickness regulation blade in contact with a circumferential surface of the developing roller; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller; and a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and the layer thickness regulation blade. The supply electrode includes: an electrode member electrically connected to a rotation shaft of the supply roller and movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft; and a connection member in contact with and electrically connecting the electrode member and the layer thickness regulation blade. The electrode member is movable relative to the connection member in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft in a state where the electrode member is in contact with the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Tomoya Ichikawa, Koji Abe, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 11061359
    Abstract: A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame configured to retain the photosensitive drum and to accept a developing cartridge including a toner memory, which stores information concerning the developing cartridge, a first connector electrically connectable with the toner memory in the developing cartridge under a condition where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, a relay board electrically connectable with the first connector, a second connector electrically connectable with a connector in an image forming apparatus and with the toner memory through the relay board, and a thermistor electrically connectable with the relay board, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Abe, Keita Inoue
  • Patent number: 11016435
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Koji Abe
  • Patent number: 10957831
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a light-transmissive member covering the light emitting element, a fluorescent material contained in the light-transmissive member, and a multilayer film disposed on the light-transmissive member and including alternatively layered two types of films of different refractive indices, in which the two types of films are aggregated nano-particles of TiO2 and aggregated nano-particles of SiO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Abe
  • Publication number: 20210080904
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum; and a first storage medium. The drum frame has one end portion and another end portion spaced apart from the one end portion in a first direction. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction and is positioned at the one end portion of the drum cartridge. The first storage medium includes a first electrical contact surface. The first storage medium is positioned at an outer surface of the drum frame, the outer surface being exposed in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji ABE, Naoya KAMIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210072696
    Abstract: A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame configured to retain the photosensitive drum and to accept a developing cartridge including a toner memory, which stores information concerning the developing cartridge, a first connector electrically connectable with the toner memory in the developing cartridge under a condition where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, a relay board electrically connectable with the first connector, a second connector electrically connectable with a connector in an image forming apparatus and with the toner memory through the relay board, and a thermistor electrically connectable with the relay board, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji ABE, Keita INOUE
  • Patent number: 10942465
    Abstract: A toner comprising a toner particle that contains a binder resin and a wax; in a microcompression test under a maximum load condition of 1.1×10?3 N, a force applied to the toner particle when a percentage deformation of the toner particle with reference to a number-average particle diameter of the toner particle at 25° C. reaches 15% is 0.10 to 1.00 mN and the force applied to the toner particle when the percentage deformation at 45° C. reaches 15% is 0.10 to 0.40 mN; and when the force applied to the toner particle is a variable and the percentage deformation of the toner particle is from 15 to 30%, the rate of increase in the percentage deformation of the toner particle at 25° C. and the rate of increase in the percentage deformation of the toner particle at 45° C. satisfy specific formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Kototani, Kentaro Yamawaki, Koji Abe, Tomonori Matsunaga, Masamichi Sato
  • Patent number: 10928770
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a top cover configured to cover a part of an opening of a housing; a front cover configured to cover a part of the remaining of the opening; a toner cartridge; and a drum cartridge, wherein in a state where the front cover is located at the opened position, the drum cartridge having the toner cartridge mounted thereto is mountable and demountable to and from the housing, whereas the drum cartridge is prevented from being mounted and demounted to and from the housing in a state where the front cover is located at the closed position, wherein when the top cover is located at the opened position, the toner cartridge is mountable and demountable to and from the drum cartridge, and wherein when the top cover is located at the closed position, the toner cartridge is prevented from being demounted from the drum cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Abe