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).
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Publication number: 20200310278Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao ITABASHI
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Publication number: 20200310340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao ITABASHI
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Publication number: 20200310339Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame, and a first memory. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. The drum frame includes a first end and a second end being apart from the first end in an up-down direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end. The first memory is positioned at the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi YOKOI, Nao ITABASHI
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Patent number: 10782644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 10768550Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Yasuo Fukamachi
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Publication number: 20200264536Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20200233338Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Yasuo Fukamachi
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Publication number: 20200225613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Publication number: 20200201205Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao ITABASHI, Naoya KAMIMURA
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Publication number: 20200183319Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge is removably insertable into to the main body casing in a first direction. The developing cartridge is removably insertable into the main body casing in the first direction. The drum cartridge includes a first handle. The first handle has a first recess having a first hollow. The developing cartridge includes a second handle. The second handle has a second recess having a second hollow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao ITABASHI
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Patent number: 10670994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Publication number: 20200166887Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge to which one of a first toner cartridge and a second toner cartridge is attachable; a frame including a first slot and a second slot; and a controller including a control memory and a processor. The drum cartridge to which the one of the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridges is attached is attachable to one of the first slot and the second slot. The control memory stores first color information allocated to the first slot, and second color information allocated to the second slot. In a state where the drum cartridge is attached to one of the first slot and the second slot and when the drum memory does not store any color information, the processor is configured to perform: writing, into the drum memory, one of the first color information and the second color information which is appropriate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi SUZUKI, Tomoyasu YABUKI, Tadao KYOTANI, Nao ITABASHI
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Publication number: 20200150561Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 10649369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 10620580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura, Ryuya Yamazaki, Hideshi Nishiyama
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Patent number: 10585373Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; a toner cartridge; a drum cartridge; a main electrode; a first reading portion; and a controller. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and includes: a developing roller; and a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller. The drum cartridge is attachable to the casing and includes: a photosensitive drum; a pressing member; and a drum memory. The pressing member presses the toner cartridge toward the photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller contacts an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The drum memory stores a pressing force value indicating a pressing force to be applied by the pressing member. The controller is configured to perform: reading, through the first reading portion, the pressing force value from the drum memory; and applying a voltage to the main electrode based on the pressing force value.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiyuki Sano, Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 10571828Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Yasuo Fukamachi
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Patent number: 10564596Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drawer having an exposure head. The drawer can include first and second guides to receive a drum cartridge and a developer cartridge, respectively. The first guide extends from a first side of the drawer into the drawer and toward the exposure head from a first side of the exposure head, and the second guide extends from the first side of the drawer into the drawer and toward the exposure head from a second side of the exposure head opposite the first side. In some instances, the drum cartridge is positioned at least partially below the developer cartridge but is removable from the drawer without removing the developer cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Masamitsu Ukai, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 10564599Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge to which one of a first toner cartridge and a second toner cartridge is attachable; a frame including a first slot and a second slot; and a controller including a control memory and a processor. The drum cartridge to which the one of the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridges is attached is attachable to one of the first slot and the second slot. The control memory stores first color information allocated to the first slot, and second color information allocated to the second slot. In a state where the drum cartridge is attached to one of the first slot and the second slot and when the drum memory does not store any color information, the processor is configured to perform: writing, into the drum memory, one of the first color information and the second color information which is appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takashi Suzuki, Tomoyasu Yabuki, Tadao Kyotani, Nao Itabashi
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Publication number: 20200033754Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi