Patents by Inventor Masashi Imai

Masashi Imai 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: 12111587
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20240280423
    Abstract: An optical fiber-embedded PC steel strand includes a PC steel strand in which a plurality of PC steel wires are twisted together, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is fixed with a resin in a twist groove that is a groove between two PC steel wires of the PC steel wires, the two PC steel wires being disposed at an outer surface of the PC steel strand and being next to each other. A coefficient of variation in distance between a common tangent of the two PC steel wires that form the twist groove and are next to each other, and a center of the optical fiber is 0.5 or less, as measured in 10 cross sections of the PC steel strand that are perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the PC steel strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Noboru UEDA, Youji NAKAI, Katsuhito OSHIMA, Yoshiyuki MATSUBARA, Motonobu NISHINO, Masashi OIKAWA, Shinji NAKAUE, Naoki SOGABE, Michio IMAI, Toru YAMAMOTO, Shinichi YAMANOBE, Kazumasa OKUBO
  • Patent number: 11808337
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a strain wave gear device. The method includes steps of measuring a between pin diameter of an internal gear, measuring an over pin diameter of an external gear, where the external gear is to be placed radially inside the internal gear, configured to mesh with the internal gear, and flexible, measuring a dimension of a bearing, where the bearing is to be placed radially inside the external gear, and flexible, and machining an elliptical cam, where the elliptical cam is to be placed radially inside the bearing, and configured to flex the external gear in a non-circular manner. The elliptical cam is machined based on the measured dimensions of the internal gear, external gear and bearing such that the internal and external gears mesh with each other at a constant position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Imai, Yuichi Asakawa
  • Publication number: 20230280676
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11698595
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20220282777
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a strain wave gear device. The method includes steps of measuring a between pin diameter of an internal gear, measuring an over pin diameter of an external gear, where the external gear is to be placed radially inside the internal gear, configured to mesh with the internal gear, and flexible, measuring a dimension of a bearing, where the bearing is to be placed radially inside the external gear, and flexible, and machining an elliptical cam, where the elliptical cam is to be placed radially inside the bearing, and configured to flex the external gear in a non-circular manner. The elliptical cam is machined based on the measured dimensions of the internal gear, external gear and bearing such that the internal and external gears mesh with each other at a constant position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Masashi IMAI, Yuichi ASAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11392083
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The controller is configured to perform determining a value of a first initial developing bias for a first toner cartridge based on a cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in a drum memory of the drum cartridge at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the first toner cartridge is equal to zero. After determining the first initial developing bias, the controller is configured to perform determining a value of a second initial developing bias for a second toner cartridge based on the cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in the drum memory at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the second toner cartridge is equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunji Yoshimoto, Naoya Kamimura, Masashi Imai, Masaki Ueji, Keita Hironaka, Hotaka Kakutani
  • Patent number: 11352501
    Abstract: Provided is an anthocyanin pigment composition having the following features: (A) an aqueous solution containing the composition and adjusted to pH of 3 with a citrate buffer (pH: 3.0) has a maximum absorption wavelength of 500 to 550 nm in the visible light region; (B) when a pigment-composition-containing aqueous solution containing the composition, 0.2 mass % citric acid, 20 mass % ethanol, and water is prepared so as to have a color value E10%1 cm of 10, 1 mL of the aqueous solution is sealed in a 20-mL vial, and the vial is stored at 50° C. for 5 days and further maintained at 40° C. for 30 minutes, the total amount of methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide in the gas in the sealed space of the vial is 100 pg/mL or less; and (C) the gas in the sealed space of the vial contains 5-methylthiopentanenitrile when the vial is maintained at 40° C. for 30 minutes in (B) above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SAN-EI GEN F.F.I., INC.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ishida, Takayoshi Ohara, Nobuko Fukino, Tomohiro Kakizaki, Tomomichi Ohno, Koji Hamasaki, Takamasa Yokoyama, Masashi Imai
  • Publication number: 20220091540
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11221570
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20210141336
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The controller is configured to perform determining a value of a first initial developing bias for a first toner cartridge based on a cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in a drum memory of the drum cartridge at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the first toner cartridge is equal to zero. After determining the first initial developing bias, the controller is configured to perform determining a value of a second initial developing bias for a second toner cartridge based on the cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in the drum memory at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the second toner cartridge is equal to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunji YOSHIMOTO, Naoya KAMIMURA, Masashi IMAI, Masaki UEJI, Keita HIRONAKA, Hotaka KAKUTANI
  • Publication number: 20210088936
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10915064
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The controller is configured to perform determining a value of a first initial developing bias for a first toner cartridge based on a cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in a drum memory of the drum cartridge at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the first toner cartridge is equal to zero. After determining the first initial developing bias, the controller is configured to perform determining a value of a second initial developing bias for a second toner cartridge based on the cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in the drum memory at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the second toner cartridge is equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunji Yoshimoto, Naoya Kamimura, Masashi Imai, Masaki Ueji, Keita Hironaka, Hotaka Kakutani
  • Patent number: 10871731
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20200356026
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10827769
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique of suppressing precipitation of an anthocyanin pigment in a range other than the highly acidic range. The present invention provides an anthocyanin pigment preparation, comprising: an anthocyanin pigment; and an emulsifier, wherein the pH when the anthocyanin pigment preparation is diluted with water or dissolved in water so that a color value becomes 10 is more than 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SAN-EI GEN F.F.I., INC.
    Inventors: Mayu Suzuki, Minoru Iniwa, Masashi Imai, Koji Nishiyama
  • Publication number: 20200310344
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge. The controller is configured to perform determining a value of a first initial developing bias for a first toner cartridge based on a cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in a drum memory of the drum cartridge at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the first toner cartridge is equal to zero. After determining the first initial developing bias, the controller is configured to perform determining a value of a second initial developing bias for a second toner cartridge based on the cumulative number of drum rotations that is stored in the drum memory at the time when the cumulative dot count stored in the toner memory of the second toner cartridge is equal to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shunji YOSHIMOTO, Naoya KAMIMURA, Masashi IMAI, Masaki UEJI, Keita HIRONAKA, Hotaka KAKUTANI
  • Patent number: 10761457
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20200201206
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 10599068
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Masashi Imai, Shougo Sato