Patents by Inventor Masanari Morioka

Masanari Morioka 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: 20200241466
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10712709
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10712710
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10705481
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a drum unit including a photosensitive drum; a developing unit including a developing roller, a driving force receiving portion, and a development gear; a driving train for transmitting the driving force to the development gear. The developing roller is movable between a contact position and spacing position relative to the drum. The driving train includes a first driving portion connected with the driving force receiving portion and a second driving portion for transmitting the driving force toward the gear. When the developing unit is in the contact position, the first and second driving portions are connected with each other to transmit the driving force from the first driving portion to the second driving portion, and when the developing unit is in the spacing position, the first and the driving portion are not connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sohta Sugimoto, Kenji Hasegawa, Masanari Morioka, Yasuyuki Egami, Tetsushi Uneme, Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10671018
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20200159165
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10656556
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing frame including a developing chamber, an accommodating chamber accommodating toner, and a partition wall provided with an opening connecting the developing chamber and the accommodating chamber. The developing device further includes an agitating member agitating the developer in the accommodating chamber, a shaft member including an attachment portion to which the agitating member is attached, and a conveying sheet conveying the toner. The conveying sheet includes a fixed portion fixed to the inner wall of the developing frame forming the accommodating chamber, and a displacement portion that is movable toward the opening by coming into contact with the agitating member. The rotation center of the shaft member is provided within an imaginary circle centered at the boundary point between the fixed portion and the displacement portion and passing through the distal end of the displacement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Egami, Masanari Morioka, Tetsushi Uneme, Shinichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 10627778
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10620582
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10585391
    Abstract: A process cartridge, combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature that a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the fixed axis of rotation of the drive shaft. In one position, the axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In another position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10571859
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10564591
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes photosensitive drums and a frame including positioning portions. One and the other end shaft portions of the photosensitive drums are movable between first positions in which the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions and second positions in which the above-mentioned one end of the other end shaft portions are not positioned by said positioning portions. The photosensitive member unit includes a plurality of mounting portions which are provided in the frame and to which developing units including developing members capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums are mountable, and from which the developing units are dismountable without dismounting the photosensitive drums from the frame, in a state that the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Masanari Morioka, Hiroshi Takarada
  • Patent number: 10551793
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a coupling member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion of the coupling member includes at least one pair of projections, with each of the projections includinga facing portion that faces the axis L2, each facing portion being open to the axis L2. A maximum dimension in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2 of at least a part of the connecting portion is smaller than a diameter of an imaginary circle that is tangent to the facing portions of the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10539923
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing and developer contained within the casing. The process cartridge also includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, with the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a developing roller having an axis L1?, with the developing roller being configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with the developer, and with the developing roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1?. A coupling member is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including a body having an axis L2, and the coupling member including at least one projection provided at an end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10539924
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is movable between a position in which an axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis of the photosensitive drum and a position in which the axis of the coupling member is not substantially coaxial with the axis of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20200012232
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20200012231
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20200012230
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10520887
    Abstract: A developing device that is useable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The developing device also includes a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20190391528
    Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a pin supported by a flange, with the pin being configured to transmit the rotational force to the flange. The device also includes a coupling member having a rotational axis, the coupling member including (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, with the first end portion including a through-hole portion. The pin penetrates the through-hole portion and is capable of receiving the rotational force from the coupling member, and the coupling member is movable with respect to the pin between a first position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is coaxial with an axis of the flange, and a second position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano