Patents by Inventor Nao Itabashi

Nao Itabashi 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: 20180373195
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a storage medium; a first holder; a second holder; and a coupling. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the casing in a first direction. The first holder has an outer surface at which an electrical contact surface of the storage medium is held. The second holder is positioned away from the first holder in a direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The first holder and the second holder are movable relative to the casing and the coupling between a first position and a second position in the first direction. The second position is closer to the developing roller than the first position. A portion of the coupling is positioned between the first holder and the second holder in a case where the first holder and the second holder are positioned at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 10162302
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a storage medium and a holder. The developing cartridge may be configured to move from a first position to a second position and further from the second position to a third position. The holder may include a first outer surface, a second outer surface, and an engaging portion. The second outer surface may have a guide surface out of contact with part of an image forming apparatus in a case where the developing cartridge is at the first position. The guide surface may contact with the part of the image forming apparatus in a case where the developing cartridge is at the second position. The engaging portion may be configured to allow the holder to engage with the image forming apparatus in a state where an electric contact surface contacts with an electric connector in a case where the developing cartridge is at the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama
  • Publication number: 20180356751
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a first gear, a second gear, and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The second gear is configured to engage with the first gear and rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction and circularly movable together with rotation of the second gear. The first gear is movable in a direction away from the second gear from a first position to engage with the second gear to a second position to disengage from the second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Shota Shinoya
  • Patent number: 10152017
    Abstract: A first gear cover has a first cover portion that covers an outer peripheral surface of a joint and that protrudes from a third outer surface in a first direction. A gear rotates about a third axis extending in the first direction by receiving driving force from coupling, and is located at a second outer surface. A second gear cover covers at least part of the gear, and has a second cover portion protruding in the first direction, and is located at the second outer surface. A first protruding portion protrudes from the first cover portion in a second direction, and is located at an opposite side from the developing roller with respect to the joint in the second direction. A second protruding portion protrudes from the second cover portion in the second direction, and is located at a same position as the first protruding portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10133232
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a frame and a cartridge attachable thereto. The cartridge includes a casing, a storage medium including an electrical contact surface, and a holder positioned at one side of the casing in a first direction. The holder includes a first outer surface holding the electrical contact surface. The first outer surface is movable relative to the casing in a second direction. The frame includes first and second guide surfaces, an electrical contact configured to contact the electrical contact surface, and a support surface. A gap distance between the first and second guide surfaces in the second direction is reduced from a first distance to a second distance in an inserting direction. The electrical contact is positioned farther from an insertion opening of the frame than the first guide surface. A gap distance between the electrical contact and the support surface is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20180321632
    Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive member cartridge including a photosensitive member; and a developing cartridge including a developer carrier. The developing cartridge further includes: an inputting portion; a first cover; and a second cover. The first cover has a first engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The first engagement portion is positioned between an axis of the developer carrier extending in an axial direction and an axis of the inputting portion extending in the axial direction, when projected in the axial direction. The second cover has a second engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The second engagement portion is positioned between the axis of the developer carrier and the axis of the inputting portion, when projected in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10118752
    Abstract: A packing member includes: a cushion surrounding an object and containing gas; an elastic member attachable and detachable from the cushion; and a container box containing the cushion to which the elastic member is attached. The container box includes: a container having an opening; and a lid that opens and closes the opening. The cushion includes: a first portion surrounding a portion of the object and containing the gas; a no-gas containing portion containing no gas; and a pair of second portions containing the gas, communicating with the first portion, and respectively provided on opposite sides of the object. The elastic member includes: a base disposed between the lid and the no-gas containing portion; and a pair of nipping portions respectively extending from opposite ends of the base and each disposed between the container and a corresponding one of the pair of second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10101684
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a detection gear and a memory. The detection gear may be rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The detection gear may include a first protrusion movable with rotation of the detection gear. The memory may include a first storage region configured to store, based on the motion of the first protrusion, new product determination information representing that the cartridge is detected as a new product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Kyotani, Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10101686
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a first flexible container, a second flexible container, and a housing accommodating the first flexible container and the second flexible container. The first flexible container is openably sealed. The second flexible container is openably sealed. At least one of the first flexible container and the second flexible container stores developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Yasushi Okabe
  • Patent number: 10088798
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a shaft, a tubular member, an elastic member, and a gear. The tubular member is rotatable about the shaft and is movable from a first position and a second position. The tubular member at the second position is farther from an outer surface of the casing in an axial direction than at the first position. The gear is rotatable about the shaft from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. In case where the gear is at the first rotational position, the gear engages with the tubular member and the tubular member is rotatable together with the gear at the first position. In a case where the gear is at the second rotational position, the engagement of the gear with the tubular member is released and the tubular member stops rotating at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10073377
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a developing roller, a developer bag, a housing, and a shaft. The developer bag stores a developer therein. The housing includes a developer storage chamber accommodating the developer bag therein. The housing supports the developing roller. The shaft is fixed to the developer bang and movable pull the developer bag theretoward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10054875
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a first gear, a second gear, and a protrusion. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The second gear is configured to engage with the first gear and rotatable about a second axis extending in the predetermined direction. The protrusion extends in the predetermined direction and circularly movable together with rotation of the second gear. The first gear is movable in a direction away from the second gear from a first position to engage with the second gear to a second position to disengage from the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Shota Shinoya
  • Patent number: 10048645
    Abstract: A process cartridge including: a photosensitive member cartridge including a photosensitive member; and a developing cartridge including a developer carrier. The developing cartridge further includes: an inputting portion; a first cover; and a second cover. The first cover has a first engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The first engagement portion is positioned between an axis of the developer carrier extending in an axial direction and an axis of the inputting portion extending in the axial direction, when projected in the axial direction. The second cover has a second engagement portion configured to move the developer carrier away from the photosensitive member. The second engagement portion is positioned between the axis of the developer carrier and the axis of the inputting portion, when projected in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10042282
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a developing electrode; a gear; a rack gear including a protrusion; and a cam having first and second cam surfaces. The rack gear meshes with the gear and is movable in a direction from one end toward another end of the casing. The cam is movable from a first position to a second position. The first cam surface of the cam at the first position contacts the protrusion, and causes the cam to move to the second position as the rack gear moves in the direction in a state where the first cam surface is in contact with the protrusion. A second cam surface moves the developing electrode in a direction away from the cam different from moving directions of the rack gear and the cam while contacting the developing electrode as the cam moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10031472
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20180203408
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a storage medium and a holder. The developing cartridge may be configured to move from a first position to a second position and further from the second position to a third position. The holder may include a first outer surface, a second outer surface, and an engaging portion. The second outer surface may have a guide surface out of contact with part of an image forming apparatus in a case where the developing cartridge is at the first position. The guide surface may contact with the part of the image forming apparatus in a case where the developing cartridge is at the second position. The engaging portion may be configured to allow the holder to engage with the image forming apparatus in a state where an electric contact surface contacts with an electric connector in a case where the developing cartridge is at the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao ITABASHI, Hideshi NISHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 10025225
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 10025264
    Abstract: A developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction is positioned at one end portion of a casing of a developing cartridge in a second direction. A holder, movable relative to the casing between first and second positions in a third direction crossing an electric contact surface of a storage medium, has one end portion, in the third direction, that holds the electric contact surface. A first lever is movable relative to the casing between third and fourth positions about a second axis extending in the first direction. A second lever movable together with the holder is movable between fifth and sixth positions relative to the first lever. The holder is at the first position in a case where the second lever is at the fifth position, and is at the second position in a case where the second lever is at the sixth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20180196373
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10018960
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a casing for accommodating therein developing agent; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; a holder movable along with the electric contact surface in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, the holder being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the casing in the first direction; and a pressure member for pressing the holder while being moved in a second direction crossing the first direction when the holder is moved between the first position and the second position. A distance in the first direction between the electric contact surface and the pressure member when the holder is positioned at the first position is greater than a distance in the first direction between the electric contact surface and the pressure member when the holder is positioned at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi