Patents by Inventor Mitsutoshi HONGO

Mitsutoshi HONGO 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: 20240329560
    Abstract: A developing device includes a tubular member through which developer is to be transported, a tube supporting member that supports the tubular member, and a sensor that is positioned relative to the tube supporting member and is configured to acquire information on the developer that is present in the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Mizue SEKINE, Atsushi FUNADA, Mitsutoshi HONGO, Tatsuya TAMAI
  • Publication number: 20240329566
    Abstract: A developing device, configured to perform development on an image carrier, includes: a loop-shaped developer movement path in which developer is to circulate, the developer movement path including an upper movement path and a lower movement path along each of which the developer is to move, the lower movement path being located lower than the upper movement path; and an inlet through which fresh developer is to be supplied to the developing device. The developer received at the inlet is caused to move along the upper movement path before moving to the lower movement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuya TAMAI, Atsushi FUNADA, Mitsutoshi HONGO, Mizue SEKINE
  • Publication number: 20240329564
    Abstract: A developing device includes a tubular member through which developer is to be transported, an end support that supports an end of the tubular member, and a blocking member that extends over an end face of the tubular member and the end support and that blocks the developer from entering a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the tubular member and the end support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi HONGO, Atsushi FUNADA, Tatsuya TAMAI, Mizue SEKINE
  • Patent number: 11835892
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a medium; a heating unit that is provided on a downstream side in a transport path from the image forming unit and that is configured to heat a medium being transported in a non-contact manner; a fixing unit that is provided on a downstream side in the transport path from the heating unit and fixes the toner image on the medium; a shielding unit to which force is applied so as to be inform a closed state in which the heating unit is shielded; and an open state forming unit configured to receive power supply to drive the shielding unit so as to form an open state in which the heating unit is opened, and maintain the open state while the power is being supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
    Inventors: Hideki Kuge, Norio Ogawahara, Kouichi Kimura, Mitsutoshi Hongo
  • Patent number: 11703779
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a heating unit configured to heat a medium to be conveyed along a conveyance path by radiation; and a shielding unit made of non-metallic material, the shielding unit being configured to form a shielding state in which radiation from the heating unit is shielded and a non-shielding state in which radiation from the heating unit is not shielded, in which the shielding unit being expanded in a direction intersecting the radiation in the shielding state and is stored in the non-shielding state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Hongo, Norio Ogawahara, Hideki Kuge, Kouichi Kimura, Takayuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11681242
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path provided at an upper side and a lower side in a gravitational direction and that transport a developer. The developing device also includes an ejecting path that is provided in the first transport path disposed at the upper side in the gravitational direction and that ejects an excess developer. The developing device includes a reverse helical section that is disposed in front of a support that supports the second transport member. The reverse helical section helically extends in a reverse direction relative to a helical section provided for circulating the developer, the developer being transported to the ejecting path by the reverse helical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Shota Igawa, Masanori Kato, Katsumi Yamada, Yoshihisa Nakao, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo
  • Patent number: 11656562
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a case in which a hollow transporting path is formed; a transporting member configured to transport a developer in the transporting path; a support portion fixed to an end portion of the case by a fastening member to support the transporting member at an end portion of the transporting path; and a cooling unit fixed by being sandwiched between the support portion and the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tamai, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo, Mizue Sekine
  • Patent number: 11609510
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path. The developing device includes a developing device body in which the first transport path and the second transport path are formed. The developing device also includes a developer discharging structure that discharges excess developer discharged from the first transport path to outside through the second transport path or through a space between an end portion of the second transport path and the developing device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Katsumi Yamada, Yoshihisa Nakao, Masanori Kato, Shota Igawa, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo, Makoto Kanno, Daisuke Uchimitsu
  • Patent number: 11567432
    Abstract: Provided is a developing device having a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path provided at an upper side and a lower side in a gravitational direction. The transport members transport a developer so as to cause the developer to circulate between the first transport path and the second transport path. A partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path from each other and has an opening including an open-close member that opens and closes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corn.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Hongo, Atsushi Funada, Tatsuya Tamai, Mizue Sekine
  • Patent number: 11567430
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a developing member that is disposed to face the first transport path and that receives the developer from the first transport path; and a third transport member that is disposed in a third transport path through which the developer that has not been used by the developing member is collected and transported to the second transport path. A central shaft of the second transport member is disposed farther in a vertically upward direction than is a central shaft of the third transport member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Daisuke Uchimitsu, Masanori Kato, Katsumi Yamada, Shota Igawa, Yoshihisa Nakao, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo, Makoto Kanno, Yoshitaka Nakajima, Sadayuki Tsujino
  • Patent number: 11567429
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a developing member that is disposed to face the first transport path and that receives the developer from the first transport path; and a driving device that operates such that a relative speed ratio between a rotational speed of the developing member and a rotational speed of the second transport member is changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Masanori Kato, Katsumi Yamada, Shota Igawa, Yoshihisa Nakao, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo, Makoto Kanno, Daisuke Uchimitsu, Yoshitaka Nakajima, Sadayuki Tsujino
  • Publication number: 20220373928
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a developing member that is disposed to face the first transport path and that receives the developer from the first transport path; and a third transport member that is disposed in a third transport path through which the developer that has not been used by the developing member is collected and transported to the second transport path. A central shaft of the second transport member is disposed farther in a vertically upward direction than is a central shaft of the third transport member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Daisuke UCHIMITSU, Masanori KATO, Katsumi YAMADA, Shota IGAWA, Yoshihisa NAKAO, Atsushi FUNADA, Mitsutoshi HONGO, Makoto KANNO, Yoshitaka NAKAJIMA, Sadayuki TSUJINO
  • Publication number: 20220373931
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a developing device body in which the first transport path and the second transport path are formed; and a developer discharging structure that discharges excess developer discharged from the first transport path to outside through the second transport path or through a space between an end portion of the second transport path and the developing device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Katsumi YAMADA, Yoshihisa Nakao, Masanori Kato, Shota Igawa, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo, Makoto Kanno, Daisuke Uchimitsu
  • Publication number: 20220373927
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first transport member and a second transport member that are respectively disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path arranged in a vertical direction and that transport developer so as to circulate the developer between the first transport path and the second transport path; a developing member that is disposed to face the first transport path and that receives the developer from the first transport path; and a driving device that operates such that a relative speed ratio between a rotational speed of the developing member and a rotational speed of the second transport member is changeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Masanori KATO, Katsumi YAMADA, Shota IGAWA, Yoshihisa NAKAO, Atsushi FUNADA, Mitsutoshi HONGO, Makoto KANNO, Daisuke UCHIMITSU, Yoshitaka NAKAJIMA, Sadayuki TSUJINO
  • Publication number: 20220373929
    Abstract: Provided is a developing device having a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path provided at an upper side and a lower side in a gravitational direction. The transport members transport a developer so as to cause the developer to circulate between the first transport path and the second transport path. A partition wall that separates the first transport path and the second transport path from each other and has an opening including an open-close member that opens and closes the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi HONGO, Atsushi Funada, Tatsuya Tamai, Mizue Sekine
  • Publication number: 20220373930
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first transport member and a second transport member that are disposed in a first transport path and a second transport path provided at an upper side and a lower side in a gravitational direction and that transport a developer so as to cause the developer to circulate between the first transport path and the second transport path; an ejecting mechanism that is provided in the first transport path disposed at the upper side in the gravitational direction and that ejects an excess developer; and a reverse helical section that is disposed in front of a support that supports the second transport member disposed at the lower side in the gravitational direction, the reverse helical section helically extending in a reverse direction relative to a helical section provided for circulating the developer, the developer being transported to the ejecting mechanism by the reverse helical section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Shota IGAWA, Masanori Kato, Katsumi Yamada, Yoshihisa Nakao, Atsushi Funada, Mitsutoshi Hongo
  • Publication number: 20220373932
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a case in which a hollow transporting path is formed; a transporting member configured to transport a developer in the transporting path; a support portion fixed to an end portion of the case by a fastening member to support the transporting member at an end portion of the transporting path; and a cooling unit fixed by being sandwiched between the support portion and the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
    Inventors: Tatsuya TAMAI, Atsushi FUNADA, Mitsutoshi HONGO, Mizue SEKINE
  • Publication number: 20220075297
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a heating unit configured to heat a medium to be conveyed along a conveyance path by radiation; and a shielding unit made of non-metallic material, the shielding unit being configured to form a shielding state in which radiation from the heating unit is shielded and a non-shielding state in which radiation from the heating unit is not shielded, in which the shielding unit being expanded in a direction intersecting the radiation in the shielding state and is stored in the non-shielding state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi HONGO, Norio OGAWAHARA, Hideki KUGE, Kouichi KIMURA, Takayuki YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20220075298
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a medium; a heating unit that is provided on a downstream side in a transport path from the image forming unit and that is configured to heat a medium being transported in a non-contact manner; a fixing unit that is provided on a downstream side in the transport path from the heating unit and fixes the toner image on the medium; a shielding unit to which force is applied so as to be inform a closed state in which the heating unit is shielded; and an open state forming unit configured to receive power supply to drive the shielding unit so as to form an open state in which the heating unit is opened, and maintain the open state while the power is being supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Hideki KUGE, Norio OGAWAHARA, Kouichi KIMURA, Mitsutoshi HONGO
  • Patent number: 10747153
    Abstract: A belt-type transport device includes a belt, a pressure unit, a nip forming unit, a belt stretching roller, an inclination controller, a contact unit, and a support unit. The belt is an endless belt, has an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface, and is to be rotated. The pressure unit is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the belt. The nip forming unit presses the belt against the pressure unit so as to form a nip through which a recording medium is to be transported. The belt stretching roller is disposed inside the belt and stretches the belt. The inclination controller controls inclination of the belt stretching roller. The contact unit is provided along a width direction of the belt and is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the belt. The support unit supports the contact unit such that the contact unit is able to follow inclination of the belt which is changed due to the inclination of the belt stretching roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Hongo, Kouichi Kimura, Hideki Kuge, Kei Tanaka, Noboru Hirakawa, Takashi Matsubara, Takashi Ohashi, Takashi Ochi, Toshimasa Toyama