Patents by Inventor Masami Okamoto
Masami Okamoto 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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Patent number: 12110424Abstract: A polypropylene-based adhesive containing a polypropylene-based resin (A?) prepared by reducing the weight-average molecular weight of a polypropylene-based resin (A) by decomposition, in which the melting endotherm (?H-D) of the polypropylene-based resin (A) is 0 J/g or more and 80 J/g or less, as obtained from a melting endothermic curve drawn by holding a sample at ?10° C. for 5 minutes in a nitrogen atmosphere followed by heating it at 10° C./min using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.Inventors: Nozomu Fujii, Masami Kanamaru, Takuji Okamoto
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Publication number: 20240201468Abstract: A lens device includes a holding member that holds a lens, a movement member that moves the holding member in a first direction intersecting an optical axis, a first biasing member that biases the holding member in a second direction intersecting the optical axis, and a second biasing member that biases the holding member in a direction of the optical axis, in which a movement portion of the movement member is provided on the holding member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Satoru NEMOTO, Masami OKAMOTO
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Patent number: 10488774Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Takahiro Honda, Masami Okamoto, Kenta Kashiwagi, Kaori Hemmi, Yoshihisa Hara
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Patent number: 10481530Abstract: A separation member that is used to separate a conveyance object from two rotation members, the conveyance object having been sent out from a nip that is formed by the two rotation members that are in contact with one another, the separation member includes a wavy part directed toward the nip and inclined from a normal to a center line of the two rotation members at a predetermined angle. The wavy part covers a contact zone where the conveyance object can come into contact with the separation member along a conveyance direction and along a width direction of the conveyance object, and the wavy part has a plurality of depressions parallel to each other and extending in a direction inclined from the conveyance direction and inclined from the width direction, at least two of the depressions overlapping along the conveyance direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Seiji Saitoh, Keisuke Kubota, Masami Okamoto, Kenji Nozawa, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuki Kikushima, Kaori Hemmi, Yuuta Kanda
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Publication number: 20190271927Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing device and a fixing device is provided. The fixing device includes a fixing rotator having a fixing surface, an opposing rotator opposing the fixing rotator to form a nip portion therebetween, and a fixing surface reformer having an abutting layer to abut the fixing surface. The abutting layer contains abrasive grains having an average grain size of 2.0-6.5 ?m on a surface which abuts the fixing surface. The toner comprises a crystalline polyester resin and exhibits G? (storage elastic modulus) of 1.0×107 Pa or lower at 70° C. in a temperature rising in a viscoelasticity measurement, G? of 1.0×107 Pa or higher at 70° C. in a temperature falling in the viscoelasticity measurement, and an endothermic peak indicating an amount of heat absorption of from 2.0 to 8.0 J/g, derived from the crystalline polyester resin, in a first temperature rising in DSC.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Takahiro Honda, Masami Okamoto, Kenta Kashiwagi, Kaori Hemmi, Yoshihisa Hara
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Patent number: 10394169Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular rotator and a first heater disposed inside the tubular rotator and extended in a longitudinal direction of the first heater. The first heater heats the tubular rotator. A second heater is disposed inside the tubular rotator and extended in a longitudinal direction of the second heater. The second heater heats the tubular rotator. A heating adjuster is interposed between the first heater and the second heater. The heating adjuster adjusts heat conduction from the first heater to the second heater. A joint combines the heating adjuster with the second heater.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Fumihiro Hirose, Keisuke Kubota, Masami Okamoto, Jun Ogino, Kensuke Yamaji, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuta Kanda
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Publication number: 20180299809Abstract: A separation member that is used to separate a conveyance object from two rotation members, the conveyance object having been sent out from a nip that is formed by the two rotation members that are in contact with one another, the separation member includes a wavy part directed toward the nip and inclined from a normal to a center line of the two rotation members at a predetermined angle. The wavy part covers a contact zone where the conveyance object can come into contact with the separation member along a conveyance direction and along a width direction of the conveyance object, and the wavy part has a plurality of depressions parallel to each other and extending in a direction inclined from the conveyance direction and inclined from the width direction, at least two of the depressions overlapping along the conveyance direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Seiji Saitoh, Keisuke Kubota, Masami Okamoto, Kenji Nozawa, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuki Kikushima, Kaori Hemmi, Yuuta Kanda
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Patent number: 10095166Abstract: A fixing device includes a separator disposed downstream from a nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and isolated from a pressure rotator via a fixing belt. The separator stretches the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between a fixing nip formed between the living belt and the pressure rotator and an upstream end of the separator in a rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator. A pressure adjuster, contacting the pressure rotator, changes a pressing position of the pressure rotator relative to the fixing belt to adjust pressure exerted from the pressure rotator to the fixing belt. A presser position adjuster, contacting the presser, changes a presser position of the presser relative to the fixing belt according to the pressing position of the pressure rotator.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masami Okamoto, Keisuke Kubota, Seiji Saitoh, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuta Kanda, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji
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Patent number: 10088786Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and stretches the fixing belt. The separator is spaced apart from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between an exit of the fixing nip and an upstream end of the separator in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Keisuke Kubota, Seiji Saitoh, Masami Okamoto, Kensuke Yamaji, Fumihiro Hirose, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuta Kanda
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Patent number: 10012936Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt and including an elastic layer as a surface layer. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kensuke Yamaji, Keisuke Kubota, Seiji Saitoh, Masami Okamoto, Fumihiro Hirose, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kenji Nozawa, Kaori Hemmi, Jun Ogino, Yuuta Kanda
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Patent number: 10012937Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A gap retainer contacts the nip former and is coupled to the presser to retain isolation of the presser from the nip former.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shuutaroh Yuasa, Keisuke Kubota, Masami Okamoto, Seiji Saitoh, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Jun Ogino, Yuuta Kanda
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Patent number: 9996035Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A mover is coupled to the presser to move the presser between a contact position where the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator and an isolation position where the presser isolates the fixing belt from the pressure rotator.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masami Okamoto, Seiji Saitoh, Keisuke Kubota, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji, Fumihiro Hirose, Yuuta Kanda
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Patent number: 9939761Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless fixing belt stretched taut across a first roller and a second roller and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation. A pressure rotator is pressed against the first roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressure rotator and the fixing belt, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separation aid, disposed downstream from the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt to separate the recording medium from the fixing belt, includes a contact face contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt and a bulge disposed at a center of the contact face in a longitudinal direction of the separation aid. The bulge projects toward the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt relative to each lateral end of the contact face in the longitudinal direction of the separation aid.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Nozawa, Masahiko Satoh, Masami Okamoto, Keisuke Kubota, Yuuki Kikushima, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Kaori Hemmi
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Publication number: 20180081309Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular rotator and a first heater disposed inside the tubular rotator and extended in a longitudinal direction of the first heater. The first heater heats the tubular rotator. A second heater is disposed inside the tubular rotator and extended in a longitudinal direction of the second heater. The second heater heats the tubular rotator. A heating adjuster is interposed between the first heater and the second heater. The heating adjuster adjusts heat conduction from the first heater to the second heater. A joint combines the heating adjuster with the second heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Fumihiro HIROSE, Keisuke KUBOTA, Masami OKAMOTO, Jun OGINO, Kensuke YAMAJI, Shuutaroh YUASA, Yuuta KANDA
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Publication number: 20170357197Abstract: A fixing device includes a separator disposed downstream from a nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and isolated from a pressure rotator via a fixing belt. The separator stretches the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between a fixing nip formed between the living belt and the pressure rotator and an upstream end of the separator in a rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator. A pressure adjuster, contacting the pressure rotator, changes a pressing position of the pressure rotator relative to the fixing belt to adjust pressure exerted from the pressure rotator to the fixing belt. A presser position adjuster, contacting the presser, changes a presser position of the presser relative to the fixing belt according to the pressing position of the pressure rotator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Masami OKAMOTO, Keisuke Kubota, Seiji Saitoh, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Yuuta Kanda, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji
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Publication number: 20170269522Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip former in a recording medium conveyance direction and stretches the fixing belt. The separator is spaced apart from the pressure rotator via the fixing belt. A presser is interposed between an exit of the fixing nip and an upstream end of the separator in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to press the fixing belt against the pressure rotator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke KUBOTA, Seiji SAITOH, Masami OKAMOTO, Kensuke YAMAJI, Fumihiro HIROSE, Shuutaroh YUASA, Yuuta KANDA
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Publication number: 20170269525Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in the rotation direction of the fixing belt. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A mover is coupled to the presser to move the presser between a contact position where the presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator and an isolation position where the presser isolates the fixing belt from the pressure rotator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Masami OKAMOTO, Seiji SAITOH, Keisuke KUBOTA, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI, Fumihiro HIROSE, Yuuta KANDA
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Publication number: 20170269526Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator. A gap retainer contacts the nip former and is coupled to the presser to retain isolation of the presser from the nip former.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Shuutaroh YUASA, Keisuke Kubota, Masami Okamoto, Seiji Saitoh, Fumihiro Hirose, Kensuke Yamaji, Jun Ogino, Yuuta Kanda
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Publication number: 20170269524Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt that is endless and rotatable in a rotation direction and a nip former stretching the fixing belt and including an elastic layer as a surface layer. A pressure rotator presses against the nip former via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A presser is disposed downstream from an exit of the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction. The presser brings the fixing belt into contact with the pressure rotator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Kensuke YAMAJI, Keisuke KUBOTA, Seiji SAITOH, Masami OKAMOTO, Fumihiro HIROSE, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kenji NOZAWA, Kaori HEMMI, Jun OGINO, Yuuta KANDA
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Patent number: 9733600Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt looped over a first roller and a second roller and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a pressure rotator to press against the first roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressure rotator. A separation aid, disposed downstream from the fixing nip in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt, contacts an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt to decrease a radius of curvature of the fixing belt. A polishing roller, disposed downstream from the separation aid and upstream from the second roller in the direction of rotation of the fixing belt, contacts an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt. An opposed roller, disposed opposite the polishing roller via the fixing belt, forms a polishing nip between the polishing roller and the fixing belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Nozawa, Masami Okamoto, Yuuki Kikushima, Keisuke Kubota, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kaori Hemmi