Patents by Inventor Noboru Oomoto
Noboru Oomoto 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: 20130250279Abstract: A gloss measuring device that measures a gloss of an image formed on a sheet which is being transported, the gloss measuring device includes a light emission portion that emits light toward the sheet, a light reception portion that receives the light reflected specularly off the image formed on the sheet, and a position adjustment unit that performs adjustment such that the sheet being transported is in a measurement reference position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: So Yano, Naotoshi Kawai, Yoshiyuki Toso, Noboru Oomoto, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Takao Miyamoto
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Publication number: 20130243471Abstract: An image forming apparatus having; a fusing unit that heats and presses a recording medium with an image transferred thereto, thereby fixing the image thereon; a first duct section in which air that contains emissions generated by the fusing unit flows; an ion generation unit provided away from the first duct section to generate ions; a second duct section in which air that contains the ions generated by the ion generation unit flows; a third duct section connected to the first and second duct sections, such that air flows in from the first and second duct sections, whereby the emissions are charged by the ions; a filter unit provided in the third duct section to trap the charged emissions; and a blowing unit that generates air flows from the connections with the first and second duct sections in the third duct section toward the filter unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tomofumi IKEDA, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Kuniya Matsuura, Masayuki Satou, Ryo Oshima, Noboru Oomoto
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Publication number: 20130216262Abstract: A plurality of first viscoelastic bodies are disposed in insertion holes of a first rotary member. A plurality of second viscoelastic bodies are disposed in guide holes of a second rotary member. Each of the first and the second viscoelastic bodies has an elastic coefficient changing in accordance with aging due to use. A guide member moves a contact member along the insertion hole and the guide hole. The contact member applies a compressive load to the first viscoelastic body. The aging of the second viscoelastic body due to the compressive load applied thereto moves a position of the first viscoelastic body where the compressive load is received from the contact member toward a farther side from a rotational shaft side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Naoki MIYAGAWA, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Noboru Oomoto, Naotoshi Kawai, So Yano, Takao Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8478156Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. An exhaust fan is provided inside the duct or in an outlet of the duct for generating an air flow going from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. A first filter member is provided upstream or downstream from the exhaust fan inside the duct and the first filter can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct getting on the air flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, IncInventors: Atsuhiko Shimoyama, Tooru Watanabe, Shigeru Tashiro, Noboru Oomoto, Yoshiyuki Toso, Tou Matsunaga
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Publication number: 20130149008Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a driving source configured to generate power; a first rotator configured to be drivingly rotated by the power generated by the driving source; a first power transmission system configured to transmit the power from the driving source to the first rotator; a second rotator configured to be drivingly rotated by the power generated by the driving source; and a second power transmission system configured to transmit the power to the second rotator from the first power transmission system. A damper having a torsion spring constant and a torsion viscous damping constant making a maximum positional change value of the first rotator equal to or smaller than a predetermined positional change value is disposed between the first power transmission system and the second power transmission system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Noboru OOMOTO, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Yoshiyuki Toso, Takashi Fujiwara, Naoki Miyagawa
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Publication number: 20130071152Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a power transmission targeting unit that switches the target of transmission of rotational power of the motor between the heating rotating body and the switching unit depending on the rotational direction of the motor and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takashi Fujiwara, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Noboru Oomoto, Yoshiyuki Toso, Naoki Miyagawa
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Publication number: 20130071153Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating rotating body driven by a motor, a pressing member, a biasing unit, a switching unit that receives rotational power of the motor in order to either separate the pressing member and the heating rotating body or to allow the biasing unit to press the pressing member and the heating rotating body together, a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational power of the motor to the switching unit over a first path or a second path, the first path having a larger reduction ratio, and a transmission control unit that establishes and cuts off transmission of rotational power of the motor to the switching unit by the power transmission mechanism and that includes a path selection unit that selects the first path during separation and the second path during pressing by the switching unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Noboru OOMOTO, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Yoshiyuki Toso, Takashi Fujiwara, Naoki Miyagawa
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Patent number: 8391767Abstract: A fusing apparatus allows a recording member to pass through between a heat member and a pressure member, to transport and heat the recording member, and thereby fuses a toner image on the recording member. The fusing apparatus includes a temperature detector for detecting a surface temperature of the heat member in a non-contact manner. A surface of the heat member is configured such that a region of the surface all around a cylindrical configuration that faces a temperature detection area of the temperature detector has a higher emissivity than other regions.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takayuki Ito, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Kuniya Matsuura, Noboru Oomoto, Masayuki Satou
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Publication number: 20120308266Abstract: A damper device having: an input member into which a rotary drive force is inputted; an output member which rotates in accordance with the inputted rotary drive force; a columnar viscoelastic member provided between the input member and the output member; a driving-side pressing member which is attached to the input member and which applies a pressing force on one end surface of the viscoelastic member in accordance with the inputted drive force; a passive-side pressing member which is attached to the output member and which receives a pressing force from the other end surface of the viscoelastic member; a first supporting member which supports the driving-side pressing member such that the driving-side pressing member can turn freely relative to the input member; and a second supporting member which supports the passive-side pressing member such that the passive-side pressing member can turn freely relative to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Noboru OOMOTO, Shoichi YOSHIKAWA, Tadayasu SEKIOKA, Yoshiyuki TOSO, Takashi FUJIWARA, Naoki MIYAGAWA
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Publication number: 20120308267Abstract: A damper device having; an input member into which a rotary drive force is inputted; a passive member which receives the rotary drive force inputted into the input member and rotates; a viscoelastic material which is provided between the input member and the passive member; and a flexible member which prevents displacement of the viscoelastic material in a diametrical direction while not preventing a shake of the viscoelastic material in a rotating direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Noboru OOMOTO, Tadayasu Sekioka, Yoshiyuki Toso, Takashi Fujiwara, Naoki Miyagawa
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Publication number: 20120251178Abstract: An image carrier driver includes an image carrier, a first power transmitter, a rotator, a second power transmitter, and a damper. The image carrier is configured to rotate by power generated by a driving source. The first power transmitter is configured to transmit the power from the driving source to the image carrier. The rotator is disposed further downstream than the image carrier in a flow of power transmission. The second power transmitter is configured to transmit the power from the image carrier to the rotator. The damper is disposed in the image carrier and is configured to attenuate an oscillation associated with the power transmission and transmitted to the image carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yoshiyuki TOSO, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Noboru Oomoto, Takashi Fujiwara, Naoki Miyagawa
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Publication number: 20120155921Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driving source, a first rotator, a first power transmission system, at least one second rotator, a second power transmission system, and a damper. The driving source generates power. The first rotator is drivingly rotated by the power generated by the driving source. The first power transmission system transmits the power from the driving source to the first rotator. The second rotator is further downstream than the first rotator in a flow of power transmission. The second power transmission system transmits the power from at least one of the first power transmission system and the first rotator to the at least one second rotator. The damper attenuates oscillation between the first power transmission system and the second power transmission system or between the first rotator and the second power transmission system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takashi Fujiwara, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Noboru Oomoto, Yoshiyuki Toso
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Publication number: 20120148305Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that rotates by power generated by a driving source. A power transmission system transmits the power from the driving source to the image carrier. The power transmission system includes a coupling member to attenuate oscillation. The coupling member includes a viscous fluid, male and female fittings, and a rotating resistor. The viscous fluid provides a resistance against rotation of the image carrier. The male and female fittings are mutually fitted and rotatably supported on a rotary shaft of the image carrier penetrating through the male and female fittings in a direction in which they are mutually fitted. The rotating resistor is accommodated together with the viscous fluid in an accommodation space defined by a recess of the male fitting and a bottom inner surface of the female fitting. The rotating resistor integrally rotates with the rotary shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takashi FUJIWARA, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Tadayasu Sekioka, Noboru Oomoto, Yoshiyuki Toso
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Patent number: 8115796Abstract: In a beltless tandem-type image forming apparatus, a plurality of pairs of transfer rollers are placed side by side at intervals along a conveying direction of sheets. A control section independently conveys sheets in sequence through nip sections of respective pairs of transfer rollers driven by a driving section while sequentially transferring images formed by an imaging section onto the sheets. Conveying speeds of the respective pairs of transfer rollers controlled by the driving section are gradually decreased for every pair of transfer rollers from an upstream side toward a downstream side along a conveying direction of the sheets, and consequently, a driving period for driving the respective pairs of transfer rollers to convey each sheet is gradually increased for every pair of transfer rollers from the upstream side toward the downstream side along the conveying direction of the sheets.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Syuichi Katogi, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Fuminori Moro, Takayuki Ito, Masashi Kawai, Noboru Oomoto
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Patent number: 8103200Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carrier rollers placed on an inner circumferential side of an annular conveying path so as to face the annular conveying path and so as to be juxtaposed in a sheet conveying direction along the annular conveying path. Opposed rollers are provided on the outer circumferential side of the annular conveying path. Imaging sections for forming intrinsic color images on surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers are provided. A sheet is introduced to the annular conveying path and is conveyed along the sheet conveying direction sequentially through nip sections of the rollers, while the images formed on the surfaces of the respective image carrier rollers by the imaging sections are transferred one by one onto the sheet. The sheet with the images transferred thereon is released from the annular conveying path.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takayuki Ito, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Fuminori Moro, Noboru Oomoto
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Publication number: 20110299898Abstract: A fusing apparatus allows a recording member to pass through between a heat member and a pressure member, to transport and heat the recording member, and thereby fuses a toner image on the recording member. The fusing apparatus includes a temperature detector for detecting a surface temperature of the heat member in a non-contact manner. A surface of the heat member is configured such that a region of the surface all around a cylindrical configuration that faces a temperature detection area of the temperature detector has a higher emissivity than other regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Takayuki Ito, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Kuniya Matsuura, Noboru Oomoto, Masayuki Satou
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Publication number: 20110293343Abstract: A fusing apparatus allows a recording member to pass through between a heat member and a pressure member, to transport and heat the recording member, and thereby fuses a toner image on the recording member. The heat member has a release layer, a low emissivity member, and an elastic layer. The release layer is formed on an outermost layer of the heat member. The low emissivity member is provided between the heat source and the release layer so as to abut on the release layer, and is made of a material with a lower emissivity than a material forming the release layer. The elastic layer is provided between the heat source and the low emissivity member. The release layer has infrared transmission properties at wavelengths of 2 to 10 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Masayuki SATOU, Shoichi Yoshikawa, Shigeru Tashiro, Noboru Oomoto, Kuniya Matsuura, Takayuki Ito
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Publication number: 20110229222Abstract: A fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium. In the fixing device, a heating unit heats a recording medium. A pressing unit presses a recording medium in pressure contact with the heating unit. The heating unit and the pressing unit are accommodated in a casing. A heat reflecting unit is provided between the heating unit and the casing. An intermediate member is provided between the heating unit and the heat reflecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kuniya Matsuura, Takayuki Ito, Shigeru Tashiro, Noboru Oomoto, Masayuki Satou
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Publication number: 20110211859Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. An exhaust fan is provided inside the duct or in an outlet of the duct for generating an air flow going from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. A first filter member is provided upstream or downstream from the exhaust fan inside the duct and the first filter can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct getting on the air flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiko SHIMOYAMA, Tooru WATANABE, Shigeru TASHIRO, Noboru OOMOTO, Yoshiyuki TOSO, Tou MATSUNAGA
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Publication number: 20110211860Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. A filter member is provided inside the duct and which can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct. An exhaust fan is provided in the duct upstream or downstream from the filter member for generating an air flow going from the inlet to an outlet of the duct. A control section controls the operation of the exhaust fan according to initial burst conditions under which the fine particles are emitted from the fixing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Atsuhiko SHIMOYAMA, Shoichi YOSHIKAWA, Shigeru TASHIRO, Noboru OOMOTO, Yoshiyuki TOSO, Tou MATSUNAGA