Patents by Inventor Masatoshi Shiraki

Masatoshi Shiraki 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: 20240111244
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a main housing, a first photosensitive drum, a second photosensitive drum, a first developing device to supply toner to the first photosensitive drum, a second developing device to supply toner to the second photosensitive drum, a first reloading device to reload the first developing device with the toner, and a second reloading device to reload the second developing device with the toner, is provided. The first reloading device has a first reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the first developing device. The first reloading port is openable to an outside of the main housing. The second reloading device has a second reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the second developing device. The second reloading port is openable to the outside of the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yasutada KATO, Shunsuke ISHII, Masatoshi SHIRAKI, Shougo SATO
  • Patent number: 11892797
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a main housing, a first photosensitive drum, a second photosensitive drum, a first developing device to supply toner to the first photosensitive drum, a second developing device to supply toner to the second photosensitive drum, a first reloading device to reload the first developing device with the toner, and a second reloading device to reload the second developing device with the toner, is provided. The first reloading device has a first reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the first developing device. The first reloading port is openable to an outside of the main housing. The second reloading device has a second reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the second developing device. The second reloading port is openable to the outside of the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasutada Kato, Shunsuke Ishii, Masatoshi Shiraki, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20230004119
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, having a main housing, a first photosensitive drum, a second photosensitive drum, a first developing device to supply toner to the first photosensitive drum, a second developing device to supply toner to the second photosensitive drum, a first reloading device to reload the first developing device with the toner, and a second reloading device to reload the second developing device with the toner, is provided. The first reloading device has a first reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the first developing device. The first reloading port is openable to an outside of the main housing. The second reloading device has a second reloading port, which accepts the toner for reloading the second developing device. The second reloading port is openable to the outside of the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Yasutada KATO, Shunsuke ISHII, Masatoshi SHIRAKI, Shougo SATO
  • Publication number: 20220187759
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 11269289
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Publication number: 20200103822
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 10520885
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Publication number: 20190354064
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 10459371
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a body, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge both of which are installable into the body, and a shutter attached to the body. The shutter is movable between a first position to prevent installation of the developing cartridge while allowing installation of the drum cartridge with the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge being removed from the body, and a second position to allow installation of the developing cartridge with the drum cartridge being installed in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Shiraki
  • Patent number: 10452023
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a casing and a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum having a circumferential surface which includes a first area and a second area; a first cover which pivotally moves between a first closed position where the first cover covers the first area of the photosensitive drum and a first open position where the first area is exposed; and a second cover which pivotally moves between a second closed position where the second cover covers the second area of the photosensitive drum and a second open position where the second area is exposed. A direction in which the second cover pivotally moves from the second closed position to the second open position is opposite to a direction in which the first cover pivotally moves from the first closed position to the first open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Nakajima, Mayu Wakamatsu, Masatoshi Shiraki, Kei Katagiri, Shota Iriyama
  • Patent number: 10386784
    Abstract: An apparatus main body includes a drum guide configured to guide installation of a drum cartridge into the apparatus main body and a developing guide configured to guide installation of a developing cartridge into the apparatus main body. A downstream end of the developing guide is located farther away from an opening than a downstream end of the drum guide is. The drum cartridge includes a first handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the drum cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The developing cartridge includes a second handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The handle cover is located between the opening and the first handle to cover the first handle, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Masatoshi Shiraki, Kei Katagiri, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10379489
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 10274862
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a casing having a drum guide and a developing guide, a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a handle, and a developing cartridge having a developing roller. The developing guide is longer than the drum guide. With the drum cartridge being installed in the casing and with the developing cartridge being removed from the casing, the handle locates at the first position. Further, with the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge being installed in the casing, being pressed by the developing cartridge, the handle locates at the second position farther away from an opening than the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota Iriyama, Masatoshi Shiraki, Mayu Wakamatsu, Keigo Nakajima, Kei Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20190025755
    Abstract: An apparatus main body includes a drum guide configured to guide installation of a drum cartridge into the apparatus main body and a developing guide configured to guide installation of a developing cartridge into the apparatus main body. A downstream end of the developing guide is located farther away from an opening than a downstream end of the drum guide is. The drum cartridge includes a first handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the drum cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The developing cartridge includes a second handle located inside the apparatus main body in a state where the developing cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body. The handle cover is located between the opening and the first handle to cover the first handle, in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are installed in the apparatus main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Masatoshi Shiraki, Kei Katagiri, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20190025731
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a body, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge both of which are installable into the body, and a shutter attached to the body. The shutter is movable between a first position to prevent installation of the developing cartridge while allowing installation of the drum cartridge with the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge being removed from the body, and a second position to allow installation of the developing cartridge with the drum cartridge being installed in the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Masatoshi Shiraki
  • Publication number: 20190011874
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a casing and a drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum having a circumferential surface which includes a first area and a second area; a first cover which pivotally moves between a first closed position where the first cover covers the first area of the photosensitive drum and a first open position where the first area is exposed; and a second cover which pivotally moves between a second closed position where the second cover covers the second area of the photosensitive drum and a second open position where the second area is exposed. A direction in which the second cover pivotally moves from the second closed position to the second open position is opposite to a direction in which the first cover pivotally moves from the first closed position to the first open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Keigo Nakajima, Mayu Wakamatsu, Masatoshi Shiraki, Kei Katagiri, Shota Iriyama
  • Publication number: 20190011851
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a casing having a drum guide and a developing guide, a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a handle, and a developing cartridge having a developing roller. The developing guide is longer than the drum guide. With the drum cartridge being installed in the casing and with the developing cartridge being removed from the casing, the handle locates at the first position. Further, with the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge being installed in the casing, being pressed by the developing cartridge, the handle locates at the second position farther away from an opening than the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Shota Iriyama, Masatoshi Shiraki, Mayu Wakamatsu, Keigo Nakajima, Kei Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20180321635
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 10036998
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori
  • Publication number: 20170176927
    Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Masatoshi Shiraki, Hiroki Mori