Patents by Inventor Kunihiro Ohyama
Kunihiro Ohyama 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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Publication number: 20140376970Abstract: A development device includes a development casing, a developer bearer, a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer, a second developer conveyance member to transport developer axially, and a partition dividing an interior of the development casing into a supply channel and a collecting channel via which developer received from a downstream end portion of the supply channel is forwarded to an upstream end portion of the supply channel. The supply channel includes a conveyance area and a buffer area disposed adjacent to the conveyance area in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction to temporarily retain developer and midway in the developer conveyance direction inside the supply channel, and an upstream end face defining an upstream end of the buffer area is inclined relative to the axial direction to draw away from the conveyance area downstream in the developer conveyance direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Hideki KIMURA, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Masayuki YAMANE, Yoshihiro FUJIWARA, Masaki TAKAHASHI, Toshiki HAYASHI
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Patent number: 8909071Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Patent number: 8909095Abstract: A process cartridge installed in a body of an image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a development device that includes a developer bearer, a rotary developer conveyance member, and a shaft projecting from a development casing in an axial direction, a gear train including an idler gear provided to the shaft projecting from the development casing, a first side plate, and a hollow shaft projecting in the axial direction from the first side plate. The first side plate includes an image bearer positioning portion and a developer bearer positioning portion to support axial end portions of the developer bearer and the image bearer, the shaft projecting from the development casing is inserted into a recess inside the hollow shaft, and the hollow shaft is inserted into a hollow shaft positioning hole formed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Yamane, Kunihiro Ohyama, Hideki Kimura, Masaki Takahashi, Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Toshiki Hayashi
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Publication number: 20140341602Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Masayuki YAMANE, Takeshi UCHITANI, Tadashi HAYAKAWA, Takuji TAKAHASHI, Shouji OKABE, Akira SHINSHI, Yuichiro UEDA, Masaki TAKAHASHI, Yuuki SATOH
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Patent number: 8873979Abstract: A development device includes a developer container for containing developer, a developer bearer to carry by rotation the developer contained in the developer container to a development range facing a latent image bearer, a partition dividing the developer container into an upper compartment and a lower compartment arranged vertically, an upper developer conveyance member disposed in the upper compartment, a lower developer conveyance member disposed in the lower compartment, a communication portion through which the developer moves from the lower compartment to the upper compartment, disposed in a downstream end portion of the lower compartment in a direction in which the lower developer conveyance member transports the developer, and a toner concentration detector to detect a concentration of toner in the developer beneath the communication portion inside the lower compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Hideki Kimura, Masaki Takahashi, Toshiki Hayashi
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Publication number: 20140314443Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Masayuki YAMANE, Takeshi UCHITANI, Tadashi HAYAKAWA, Takuji TAKAHASHI, Shouji OKABE, Akira SHINSHI, Yuichiro UEDA, Masaki TAKAHASHI, Yuuki SATOH
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Patent number: 8855536Abstract: A development device includes a development casing, a developer bearer, a first developer conveyance member to supply developer to the developer bearer, a second developer conveyance member to transport developer axially, and a partition dividing an interior of the development casing into a supply channel and a collecting channel via which developer received from a downstream end portion of the supply channel is forwarded to an upstream end portion of the supply channel. The supply channel includes a conveyance area and a buffer area disposed adjacent to the conveyance area in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction to temporarily retain developer and midway in the developer conveyance direction inside the supply channel, and an upstream end face defining an upstream end of the buffer area is inclined relative to the axial direction to draw away from the conveyance area downstream in the developer conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Kimura, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Masaki Takahashi, Toshiki Hayashi
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Publication number: 20140286670Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Patent number: 8843034Abstract: A toner container is removably installable in an image forming apparatus having a communication portion and a positioning hole. The toner container includes an electronic data storage device disposed on a surface of the toner container, to communicate with the communication portion in the image forming apparatus, the electronic data storage device having an engaged hole; and a positioning projection, formed in the surface of the toner container, to engage the engaged hole of the electronic data storage device and the positioning hole in the image forming apparatus. The positioning projection inserts into the positioning hole in the image forming apparatus with the positioning projection engaging the engaged hole in the electronic data storage device to determine an installation position of the toner container relative to the image forming apparatus and set the electronic data storage device relative to the communication portion in the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Yamane, Tadashi Hayakawa, Kunihiro Ohyama, Takeshi Uchitani, Yasufumi Takahashi
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Publication number: 20140064794Abstract: A developer container removably installable in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body to contain developer, a cap connectable to the container body, the cap including a supply opening, and a flange projecting beyond an outer circumferential surface of the cap in a radial direction extending from a center of a cross section of the container body. The flange is formed along a circumference of the container body and provided between the container body and the cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Masaki TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Hideki KIMURA
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Patent number: 8660441Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Publication number: 20140050509Abstract: A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Inventors: Ichiro KADOTA, KUNIHIRO OHYAMA, MASAYUKI YAMANE, TAKESHI UCHITANI, NOBUYUKI TAGUCHI, SATORU YOSHIDA, TAKUYA SESHITA
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Patent number: 8655198Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a toner container mount, first and second toner containers removably insertable into the toner container mount horizontally, container guides formed in toner container mount to guide lateral side portions of the first and second toner containers, respectively, and an insertion opening forming member positioned defining first and second insertion openings through which the first and second toner containers are inserted, each including a laterally projecting portion. The second toner container is greater than the first toner container in cross section perpendicular to a direction of insertion, and the second insertion opening is greater than the first insertion opening. The first and second toner containers include guided portions projecting laterally, and the guided portion of the first toner container has a vertical length longer than that of the guided portion of the second toner container.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Yamane, Kunihiro Ohyama, Takeshi Uchitani, Yasufumi Takahashi
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Publication number: 20140037325Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Patent number: 8600262Abstract: A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ichiro Kadota, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Nobuyuki Taguchi, Satoru Yoshida, Takuya Seshita
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Patent number: 8577228Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Publication number: 20130223877Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Masayuki YAMANE, Takeshi UCHITANI, Tadashi HAYAKAWA, Takuji TAKAHASHI, Shouji OKABE, Akira SHINSHI, Yuichiro UEDA, Masaki TAKAHASHI, Yuuki SATOH
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Publication number: 20130188985Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Yasufumi TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
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Patent number: 8488992Abstract: A development device includes a toner-containing chamber for containing supplied toner having an interior wall, a developer-containing chamber for containing developer including toner and carrier communicating with the toner-containing chamber; and a transport screw to transport the supplied toner from the toner-containing chamber to the developer-containing chamber, disposed in the toner-containing chamber so that there is no gap between the outer edge of the transport screw and the interior wall of the toner-containing chamber in a portion lower than a level of the supplied toner in the toner-containing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Ichiro Kadota, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Satoru Yoshida, Takuya Seshita
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Patent number: D698386Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Kunihiro Ohyama, Hideki Kimura