Patents by Inventor Masaaki Sato

Masaaki Sato 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).

  • Publication number: 20210405574
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20210405552
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer container having a replenishment port, a developer bearing member, a detection portion configured to output remainder amount information corresponding to the amount of developer accommodated in the developer container, a notification portion capable of notifying a first state, and a second state, and a control portion, wherein the maximum amount of the developer that the developer container is capable of accommodating is larger than a value obtained by adding the amount of the developer accommodated in a replenishment container containing the developer for replenishment to the first amount, and wherein notification of the second state corresponds to notification of a case where the amount of the developer remaining in the developer container is larger than a case where the amount of the developer remaining in the developer container is the smallest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Akitoshi Toyota, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20210405555
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source, wherein the apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akotoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20210405577
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion and a replenishment port, a transfer portion configured to transfer a developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray including a supporting surface configured to support the recording material thereon, and a discharge portion configured to discharge the recording material, onto which the developer image has been transferred, on the supporting surface, wherein the supporting surface has an opening portion opening such that the replenishment port is exposed through the supporting surface, and wherein an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position where the opening/closing member covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
  • Patent number: 11199794
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20210362688
    Abstract: A vehicle cleaner system includes: a cleaner unit configured to be mounted on a vehicle and to discharge a cleaning liquid to an external sensor that acquires information outside the vehicle so as to clean the external sensor; and a cleaner control unit configured to control the cleaner unit. The cleaner control unit is configured to acquire vehicle speed information related to a traveling speed of the vehicle, and control the cleaner unit such that at least one of a discharge amount of the cleaning liquid, a discharge amount of the cleaning liquid per unit time, the number of times of discharge of the cleaning liquid, the number of times of discharge of the cleaning liquid per unit time, and a discharge time of the cleaning liquid varies according to the vehicle speed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki KAWAMURA, Akinobu KUBOTA, Masaru SAKAI, Masaaki SATO
  • Patent number: 11175624
    Abstract: Control to drive and stop developing roller is effected. A cartridge includes a drive transmission member movable between a transmitting position capable of transmitting the driving force toward a developing roller and a blocking position capable of blocking the transmission of the driving force to the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sohta Sugimoto, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20210339303
    Abstract: A tool for a press brake includes a tool main body, an attachment portion formed on a base end side of the tool main body and configured to be detachably attached to a tool installation portion of the press brake by using a tool changer, and a bending portion formed on a distal end side of the tool main body and used to bend a plate-shaped workpiece. An engagement hole having a circular cross-sectional shape to be engaged with a bar-shaped finger of the tool changer extends through the tool main body in a thickness direction. An anti-rotation bottomed depressed portion configured to receive a distal end of an anti-rotation member of the tool changer is formed in a vicinity of the engagement hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki SATO, Shiro HAYASHI, Shingo KAMADA, Hideto YAMADA, Yohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11156954
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
  • Publication number: 20210323046
    Abstract: A tool changer includes a slider provided behind (or in front of) a table of a press brake, and configured to slide in a right-left direction along a tool installation part of the table, a finger provided in the slider, and configured to be inserted into an engagement hole extending through a tool and to move in a front-rear direction, and an engagement member configured to be protruded and retracted relative to an outer peripheral surface of the finger on a tip side, and to be engaged with a peripheral edge portion of the engagement hole of the tool (or an inner stepped portion formed at an intermediate position of the engagement hole).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki SATO, Shiro HAYASHI, Shingo KAMADA, Hideto YAMADA, Yohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210325824
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a main assembly side drive transmission member and a main assembly side urging member, the cartridge including a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the drum, the developing roller contactable to and spaceable from the drum; an urging force receiving portion for receiving an urging force from the urging member to space the roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission portion capable of coupling with the main assembly side drive transmission member to receive a rotational force for rotating the roller; a releasing member capable of urging the main assembly side drive transmission member to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member by the urging force receiving portion receiving the urging force from the main assembly side urging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsushi Uneme, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20210311431
    Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Masaaki Sato, Hiroyuki Munetsugu
  • Patent number: 11131960
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Publication number: 20210291252
    Abstract: A tool for a press brake includes a tool main body, an attachment portion formed on a base end side (one end side) of the tool main body and configured to be detachably attached to a tool installation portion of the press brake by using a tool changer, and a bending portion formed on a tip side (the other end side) of the tool main body and used to bend a plate-shaped workpiece. At a correspondent position, in a lateral direction, in the tool main body to a gravity-center position (the gravity-center position of the tool), an engagement hole having a circular cross-sectional shape to be engaged with a bar-shaped finger of the tool changer extends in a thickness direction (a direction of a thickness of the tool).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki SATO, Shiro HAYASHI, Shingo KAMADA, Hideto YAMADA, Yohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 11112751
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller configured to develop image formed on the drum, the developing roller being capable of contacting to and spacing from the drum; an urging force receiving portion configured to receive, from a main assembly side urging member, an urging force for spacing the developing roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission member capable of the coupling with a main assembly side drive transmission member and configured to receive, from the main assembly side drive transmission member, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller; and a decoupling member capable of urging the cartridge side drive transmission member by the urging force received by the urging force receiving portion to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuhiko Kanno, Satoshi Nishiya, Masatoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20210263467
    Abstract: Movement and/or urging of a developer carrying member is carried out with high precision. A cartridge that is mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developing roller; a frame supporting the developing roller; a movable part movably supported by the frame and movable to a first position and to a second position relative to the frame; and an elastic part provided between the frame and the movable part to urge the movable part. The movable part includes a first force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the first position to the second position, and a second force receiving part that receives force from the apparatus main assembly, in a direction of moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Yukio Kubo, Hiroyuki Munetsugu, Koji Wada
  • Patent number: 11099521
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a main assembly side drive transmission member and a main assembly side urging member, the cartridge including a rotatable photosensitive drum; a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the drum, the developing roller contactable to and spaceable from the drum; an urging force receiving portion for receiving an urging force from the urging member to space the roller from the drum; a cartridge side drive transmission portion capable of coupling with the main assembly side drive transmission member to receive a rotational force for rotating the roller; a releasing member capable of urging the main assembly side drive transmission member to decouple the cartridge side drive transmission member from the main assembly side drive transmission member by the urging force receiving portion receiving the urging force from the main assembly side urging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsushi Uneme, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20210252578
    Abstract: In an installing method for installing divided upper tools to upper tool holders disposed to be spaced at an appropriate interval in a left-right direction in a lower portion of an upper table of a press brake, by using a tool changer, a round bar-shaped finger provided in the tool changer is engaged in a circular engagement hole provided at a central portion in the lateral direction of each divided upper tool. The divided upper tool is temporarily positioned in a gap between an upper tool holder to which the divided upper tool is to be installed, and an adjacent upper tool holder. The temporarily positioned divided upper tool is moved in the left-right direction to be installed to the upper tool holder to which the divided upper tool is to be installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki SATO, Shiro HAYASHI, Shingo KAMADA, Hideto YAMADA, Yohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210252582
    Abstract: An upper tool stocker for detachably supporting a plurality of divided upper tools in a press brake includes a stocker main body extending in a left-right direction, and provided with a left-right directional installing groove, attachment portions provided in upper portions of the divided upper tools being detachably installed in the installing groove, wherein the stocker main body includes a front-back directional cutout communicated with the installing groove to remove the divided upper tools downward or in the front-back direction from the installing groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Masaaki SATO, Shiro HAYASHI, Shingo KAMADA, Hideto YAMADA, Yohei YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210247706
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container including a storage portion and a supplying inlet, a discharging portion configured to discharge a recording material in a discharging direction, a discharging outlet through which the recording material is discharged to an outside of the image forming apparatus, and a stacking portion which is a part of a top surface of an exterior of the image forming apparatus. The stacking portion includes a first area on which the recording material discharged from the discharging outlet is stacked, and a second area which is positioned outward with respect to the discharging outlet in a width direction orthogonal to the discharging direction. The supplying inlet is disposed at a position corresponding to the first area in the width direction. At least a part of the second area is positioned below the discharging outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Akinori Mitsumata, Takeo Kawanami, Masaaki Sato