Patents by Inventor Midori SHIMOMURA

Midori SHIMOMURA 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: 11338573
    Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus includes a transferer and a hardware processor. The transferer transfers, onto a recording medium, ink that is ejected from an inkjet head and is borne on a transfer member. The hardware processor performs control for reducing transferability of the ink in a case where the ink borne on the transfer member is not-to-be-transferred ink, compared with a case where the ink is to-be-transferred ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Midori Shimomura, Yukimasa Azuma
  • Publication number: 20220056229
    Abstract: A laminated film having a resin layer laminated on at least one surface of a base film. The laminated film is characterized by: the base film being a semi-aromatic polyamide film that has been at least uniaxially stretched; the resin layer having a thickness of 0.03 to 0.5 ?m; and the close adhesion between the base film and the resin layer, according to the cross-cut method described in JIS K 5600, being 95% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: UNITIKA LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Okabe, Nobuyasu Okumura, Masafumi Yamamoto, Kumi Ashihara, Midori Shimomura, Yoshimi Ueno
  • Publication number: 20200338882
    Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus includes a transferer and a hardware processor. The transferer transfers, onto a recording medium, ink that is ejected from an inkjet head and is borne on a transfer member. The hardware processor performs control for reducing transferability of the ink in a case where the ink borne on the transfer member is not-to-be-transferred ink, compared with a case where the ink is to-be-transferred ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Midori SHIMOMURA, Yukimasa AZUMA
  • Patent number: 10618333
    Abstract: An image forming method, includes: forming a precoat layer by applying a precoat agent onto a front surface of an intermediate transfer body; forming an ink layer by applying an ink onto a front surface of the formed precoat layer, according to an ink jet method; and transferring the formed precoat layer and ink layer to a recording medium, wherein a contact angle of the precoat agent with respect to the front surface of the intermediate transfer body is less than a contact angle of the ink with respect to the front surface of the intermediate transfer body, and a viscosity of the precoat agent is lower than a viscosity of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Midori Shimomura, Yusuke Nishisaka, Taiya Munenaka, Yukimasa Azuma, Kuniya Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10440831
    Abstract: A conductive pattern formation method includes: a step of patterning a base member with an ink in which conductive particulates are distributed to form a pattern; a step of making a conductive developer act on the pattern; and a pressurization step of pressurizing the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Dai Suwama, Sayaka Morita, Keita Saito, Midori Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20190232701
    Abstract: An image forming method, includes: forming a precoat layer by applying a precoat agent onto a front surface of an intermediate transfer body; forming an ink layer by applying an ink onto a front surface of the formed precoat layer, according to an ink jet method; and transferring the formed precoat layer and ink layer to a recording medium, wherein a contact angle of the precoat agent with respect to the front surface of the intermediate transfer body is less than a contact angle of the ink with respect to the front surface of the intermediate transfer body, and a viscosity of the precoat agent is lower than a viscosity of the ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Midori SHIMOMURA, Yusuke Nishisaka, Taiya Munenaka, Yukimasa Azuma, Kuniya Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20190232695
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head, a hardware processor that controls an imager former so that an untransferred image is formed on a transferer at a position between two continuous transferred images, and a first cleaning member and a second cleaning member that remove the untransferred image formed on the transferer from the transferer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Yukimasa AZUMA, Yusuke Nishisaka, Kuniya Matsuura, Taiya Munenaka, Midori Shimomura
  • Patent number: 10149393
    Abstract: There is provided a burning method of burning, on a base member, a precursor in which conductive particles are dispersed in a dispersion medium, and the burning method includes: a first pressurization step of pressurizing the precursor heated to a burning temperature or above; and a second pressurization step of pressurizing, after the first pressurization step, the precursor with a pressurization force higher than a pressurization force in the first pressurization step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Sayaka Morita, Keita Saito, Dai Suwama, Midori Shimomura
  • Patent number: 10054886
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater; a pressure belt in pressure contact with the fixing roller; and a pressing part which presses the pressure belt toward the fixing roller. The fixing device adopts a belt-nip system and fixes a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium by heat and pressure while the recording medium is nipped and conveyed through a nip part. The nip part is formed by the fixing roller and the pressure belt and includes an adhesion nip and a separation nip. The pressing part includes a pressing member, a sheet member which covers the pressing surface of the pressing member along a conveying direction of the recording medium, and a pressing fluid which is filled at the adhesion nip between the pressing member and the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeda, Miho Yamano, Dai Suwama, Midori Shimomura
  • Patent number: 10031453
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes the following. A heating unit includes an outer surface driven to rotate and heats a sheet on which color material is transferred. A reflecting unit reflects heat emitted from the heating unit. The reflecting unit further includes, a covering unit which covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating unit so that there is a predetermined space; and a movable unit which is provided in the covering unit and which can be switched between a first position and a second position in which air in the space can flow more easily than the first position. The fixing apparatus also includes, a switching unit which switches the movable unit between the first position and the second position; and a controller which controls the switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Miho Yamano, Hiroyuki Maeda, Dai Suwama, Midori Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Patent number: 9952549
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a heating member that has an outer circumferential surface to be driven in a circulative manner and heats a sheet; a heat radiation suppression member that covers a part of an outer circumferential surface of the heating member to have a predetermined gap and suppresses heat radiation, wherein the heat radiation suppression member has a movable part capable of moving to a first position and a second position more distant than the first position from a part covered by the heating member; a moving unit that moves the movable part to the first position or the second position; a jam detection unit that detects a jam of a sheet in the vicinity of the downstream side end portion of the nip part; and a control unit that controls the moving unit such that the movable part is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA INC.
    Inventors: Midori Shimomura, Dai Suwama, Miho Yamano, Hiroyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9955585
    Abstract: A conductive pattern production device includes: a patterning unit that forms a pattern of a composite ink on a base member; and a burning unit that burns the pattern by high-frequency heating. The composite ink is obtained by mixing a particle material that is a material having a relative permeability of 200 or above or a carbon micro-coil and a conductive ink that has, after the burning, a resistivity of 1 to 2000 ??·cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Keita Saito, Midori Shimomura, Dai Suwama, Sayaka Morita
  • Patent number: 9874517
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes: a light emission unit configured to emit light to a surface of a particle dispersed liquid applied to a base material, the particle dispersed liquid having particles dispersed in a solvent; a reflected light amount monitoring unit configured to detect an amount of the light reflected, and monitor a temporal variation of the detected value; and a condition adjustment unit configured to adjust a condition for a particle securing process, the particle securing process being performed to remove the solvent and secure the particles onto the base material, wherein, when the temporal variation falls within a predetermined range after the value has reached an extreme value, securing of the particles is determined to have been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Keita Saito, Midori Shimomura, Dai Suwama, Sayaka Morita
  • Publication number: 20170343941
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing roller heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater; a pressure belt in pressure contact with the fixing roller; and a pressing part which presses the pressure belt toward the fixing roller. The fixing device adopts a belt-nip system and fixes a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium by heat and pressure while the recording medium is nipped and conveyed through a nip part. The nip part is formed by the fixing roller and the pressure belt and includes an adhesion nip and a separation nip. The pressing part includes a pressing member, a sheet member which covers the pressing surface of the pressing member along a conveying direction of the recording medium, and a pressing fluid which is filled at the adhesion nip between the pressing member and the sheet member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki MAEDA, Miho YAMANO, Dai SUWAMA, Midori SHIMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20170199489
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a heating member that has an outer circumferential surface to be driven in a circulative manner and heats a sheet; a heat radiation suppression member that covers a part of an outer circumferential surface of the heating member to have a predetermined gap and suppresses heat radiation, wherein the heat radiation suppression member has a movable part capable of moving to a first position and a second position more distant than the first position from a part covered by the heating member; a moving unit that moves the movable part to the first position or the second position; a jam detection unit that detects a jam of a sheet in the vicinity of the downstream side end portion of the nip part; and a control unit that controls the moving unit such that the movable part is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Midori SHIMOMURA, Dai SUWAMA, Miho YAMANO, Hiroyuki MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20170123355
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes the following. A heating unit includes an outer surface driven to rotate and heats a sheet on which color material is transferred. A reflecting unit reflects heat emitted from the heating unit. The reflecting unit further includes, a covering unit which covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating unit so that there is a predetermined space; and a movable unit which is provided in the covering unit and which can be switched between a first position and a second position in which air in the space can flow more easily than the first position. The fixing apparatus also includes, a switching unit which switches the movable unit between the first position and the second position; and a controller which controls the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Miho Yamano, Hiroyuki Maeda, Dai Suwama, Midori Shimomura, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20160027557
    Abstract: A conductive pattern production device includes: a patterning unit that forms a pattern of a composite ink on a base member; and a burning unit that burns the pattern by high-frequency heating. The composite ink is obtained by mixing a particle material that is a material having a relative permeability of 200 or above or a carbon micro-coil and a conductive ink that has, after the burning, a resistivity of 1 to 2000 ??·cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Keita SAITO, Midori SHIMOMURA, Dai SUWAMA, Sayaka MORITA
  • Publication number: 20150382477
    Abstract: There is provided a burning method of burning, on a base member, a precursor in which conductive particles are dispersed in a dispersion medium, and the burning method includes: a first pressurization step of pressurizing the precursor heated to a burning temperature or above; and a second pressurization step of pressurizing, after the first pressurization step, the precursor with a pressurization force higher than a pressurization force in the first pressurization step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Sayaka MORITA, Keita SAITO, Dai SUWAMA, Midori SHIMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20150371740
    Abstract: A conductive pattern formation method includes: a step of patterning a base member with an ink in which conductive particulates are distributed to form a pattern; a step of making a conductive developer act on the pattern; and a pressurization step of pressurizing the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Dai SUWAMA, Sayaka MORITA, Keita SAITO, Midori SHIMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20150268165
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes: a light emission unit configured to emit light to a surface of a particle dispersed liquid applied to a base material, the particle dispersed liquid having particles dispersed in a solvent; a reflected light amount monitoring unit configured to detect an amount of the light reflected, and monitor a temporal variation of the detected value; and a condition adjustment unit configured to adjust a condition for a particle securing process, the particle securing process being performed to remove the solvent and secure the particles onto the base material, wherein, when the temporal variation falls within a predetermined range after the value has reached an extreme value, securing of the particles is determined to have been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Keita SAITO, Midori SHIMOMURA, Dai SUWAMA, Sayaka MORITA