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: 20210397124
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface; and a resilient member positioned between the electrical contact surface and the drum frame. The resilient member is configured to expand and compress in a second direction crossing the electrical contact surface between a first state and a second state, the resilient member having a shorter length in the second state than in the first state. A distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the second state is smaller than a distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao ITABASHI, Naoya KAMIMURA
  • Publication number: 20210364946
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a holder, a toner memory, an electrical contact and a wiring. The holder is positioned at an outer surface of one side in a first direction of the casing. The electric contact surface is positioned at an outer surface of one side in a second direction of the holder. The second direction crosses the electric contact surface. The electrical contact is positioned on an outer surface of another side in the second direction of the holder. The wiring electrically connects the electrical contact and the electric contact surface. The electric contact surface includes a first electric contact surface and a second electric contact surface. The first electric contact surface electrically is connected to the electrical contact through the wiring. The second electric contact surface electrically is connected to the toner memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsubasa KIRIYAMA, Hiroki MORI, Nao ITABASHI, Atsushi FUKAYA
  • Publication number: 20210349422
    Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a first supporting member is attached to a housing and has a first developing supporting portion and a driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion, the first developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a first part of a rotational shaft, the driving-force-receiving-member supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a driving-force-receiving member. The second supporting member is attached to the housing and has a second developing supporting portion and a detection-rotational-body supporting portion, the second developing supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a second part of the rotational shaft, the detection-rotational-body supporting portion being configured to rotatably support a detection rotational body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Yasuo Fukamachi
  • Publication number: 20210341869
    Abstract: In an image-forming device, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge are detachably attached to a frame. A controller is configured to perform: a drum replacement necessity determination process; and a mode switch process. The drum replacement necessity determination process determines, based on life information for the drum cartridge, whether replacement of the drum cartridge is necessary. The mode switch process switches a mode of a printing process between a normal printing mode and an extended printing mode. The normal printing mode allows the image-forming device to perform the printing process when the replacement of the drum cartridge is determined to be unnecessary. The extended printing mode allows the image-forming device to perform the printing process on a condition that the developing cartridge attached to the frame is not replaced with another developing cartridge in a state where the replacement of the developing cartridge is necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao KYOTANI, Takashi SUZUKI, Shingo FUJIWARA, Nao ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 11150602
    Abstract: A drum cartridge that enables a developing cartridge to be mountable thereon, includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about a shaft extending in a first direction, and an electrically conductive movable member. When the developing cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the movable member applies pressure to a developing electrode included in the developing cartridge toward the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20210318638
    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: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20210318640
    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: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20210318639
    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: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20210311429
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a housing; a storage medium; and a holder. The storage medium has an electrical contact surface. The holder is movable relative to the housing. The holder includes: a first holder member; and a second holder member. The first holder member has a pawl portion and is configured to hold the electrical contact surface. The second holder member includes a corner portion. The pawl portion is engageable with the corner portion. The second holder member has a through-hole. An engagement part of the pawl portion engaging with the corner portion is accessible from outside the second holder member through the through-hole in a state where the pawl portion engages with the corner portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao ITABASHI, Kazuya KAMIKAWA, Shuhei HATANO, Kazuaki OOKA
  • Publication number: 20210311430
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a drum coupling; and an electrical contact surface. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction. The drum frame has one end portion in a second direction at which the photosensitive drum is positioned. The drum coupling is rotatable together with the photosensitive drum. The drum coupling is positioned at an outer surface of one side in the first direction of the drum frame. The electrical contact surface is positioned closer to another side in the second direction of the drum frame than the drum coupling is to the another side in the second direction of the drum frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki MORI, Atsushi FUKAYA, Tsubasa KIRIYAMA, Nao ITABASHI
  • Publication number: 20210311415
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 11137697
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft extending in a first direction, a casing, and a developing electrode, or a pivotable member configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The developing electrode or pivotable member has a first end portion electrically connected to the developing roller shaft and a second end portion located farther away from the developing roller shaft than the first end portion, the second end portion being pivotable about a rotation axis extending in the first direction with respect to the first end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11112755
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a first drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; and a second drum frame having an outer surface; and a memory having an electrical contact surface. The first drum frame is at one end portion of the drum cartridge in a second direction and the second drum frame is at another end portion of the drum cartridge in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned at the outer surface of the second drum frame and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the second drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11112756
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface; and a resilient member positioned between the electrical contact surface and the drum frame. The resilient member is configured to expand and compress in a second direction crossing the electrical contact surface between a first state and a second state, the resilient member having a shorter length in the second state than in the first state. A distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the second state is smaller than a distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20210271200
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a developing roller and a casing capable of containing a developer material, a member having a first end portion and a second end portion, the member being movable together with the casing and the developing roller, and the member having a first hole extending in a direction between the first end portion and the second end portion; and a first lever movable relative to the casing between a first position and a second position, the first lever including one end portion that functions as the point of effort, an other end portion that functions as the point of application, and a cam surface that is located between the one end portion and the other end portion and that functions as a pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 11099501
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a holder, a toner memory, an electrical contact and a wiring. The holder is positioned at an outer surface of one side in a first direction of the casing. The electric contact surface is positioned at an outer surface of one side in a second direction of the holder. The second direction crosses the electric contact surface. The electrical contact is positioned on an outer surface of another side in the second direction of the holder. The wiring electrically connects the electrical contact and the electric contact surface. The electric contact surface includes a first electric contact surface and a second electric contact surface. The first electric contact surface electrically is connected to the electrical contact through the wiring. The second electric contact surface electrically is connected to the toner memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsubasa Kiriyama, Hiroki Mori, Nao Itabashi, Atsushi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20210255573
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum rotates about a first axis extending in a first direction. A photosensitive drum is located at one end portion of a housing in a second direction. A cleaning roller cleans a surface of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning roller rotates about a second axis extending in the first direction. A cleaning electrode is electrically connected to the cleaning roller. The cleaning electrode is located at an outer surface of the housing in the first direction. The cleaning electrode is located at a tip end of the one end portion of the housing in the second direction. The cleaning electrode includes a contact surface and a guide surface. The contact surface contacts an electrical contact to which a voltage is supplied. The contact surface is perpendicular to the first direction. The guide surface guides the electrical contact to the contact surface when the drum cartridge is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi FUKAYA, Hiroki MORI, Nao ITABASHI, Tsubasa KIRIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210240099
    Abstract: A developing cartridge 1 may include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a casing capable of containing a developer material, and a developing electrode or a member configure to be electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The developing electrode or the member has a first end portion configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller shaft and a second end portion located farther away from the developing roller shaft than the first end portion. The second end portion is farther away in the second direction from the one end of the casing than the first end portion is from the one end of the casing. The developing electrode has a first hole extending in the second direction between the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao ITABASHI
  • Publication number: 20210232065
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao ITABASHI, Naoya KAMIMURA
  • Patent number: 11073786
    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 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi