Patents by Inventor Masawo Otsuka

Masawo Otsuka 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).

  • Image forming apparatus, transfer belt unit, cleaning device and cleaner unit used for image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 6477344
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of removing a toner remaining on the transfer belt (toner supporting member) with a simple configuration. The image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt that moves with charged toner supported on the surface thereof; a cleaner roller that is rotated while being pressed onto the intermediate transfer belt; a power source for supplying potential for electrically attracting the toner to the cleaner roller from the intermediate transfer belt; and a pretreatment roller that is pressed onto the intermediate transfer belt upstream from the cleaner roller in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Asakura, Yasutaka Tamai, Masanori Yoshikawa, Noboru Katakabe, Masawo Otsuka