Patents by Inventor Masahiro Imuta

Masahiro Imuta 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: 6793213
    Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ito, Masahiro Imuta
  • Publication number: 20030132569
    Abstract: In a feeding apparatus for material sheets, package blanks (B) are stored stacked in layers in a hopper (2) that opens downward, for example. A plurality of stopper guides (20) are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the package blanks (B) at the outlet of the hopper (2). Restrainer lugs (24) are located continuous with the guide surfaces (22) of the stopper guides (20). The package blanks (B) are supported in layers on the stopper guides (20), and the lowest one is supported directly on the guide surfaces (22). Since guide surfaces are inclined in the direction of delivery of the package blanks (B), the lowest one of the package blanks (B) deflects to the maximum degree, and a gap is formed between the lowest package blank and the overlying package blank (B). Further, the package blank (B) can be delivered as it gets over the restrainer lugs (24) by elastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ito, Masahiro Imuta