Patents by Inventor Noriyuki Kimura

Noriyuki Kimura 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).

  • Patent number: 5800419
    Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer particles are used in a liquid-absorbent core of a disposable body fluid absorbent garment. The polymer particles include first polymer particles having a relatively high water-absorption speed and second polymer particles having a water-absorption speed longer than that of the first polymer particles by 10 seconds or more. The second polymer particles are integrally bonded to the first polymer particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Soga, Noriyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 5797069
    Abstract: A color printer including a photoconductive belt, a black developing unit which is located adjacent the photoconductive belt and a revolving type developing unit which is located adjacent the photoconductive belt and has a developing position on the photoconductive belt which is different from that of the black developing unit. The revolving type developing unit has a yellow developing device, a magenta developing device and a cyan developing device, each including a detachable toner cartridge by which yellow toner, magenta toner and cyan toner is replenished. The black developing unit is replaceable independent of the revolving type developing unit by being removably mounted on a removable frame on which the revolving type developing unit is mounted. Both developing units are removable from the color printer as a body by removal of the removable frame from the color printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Tsuyoshi Deki, Takeshi Motohashi
  • Patent number: 5671465
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a developing device is disposed adjacent to a belt-like photosensitive member. A rotary type developing device has a hollow cylindrical casing rotatable around a shaft having a central portion for rotation. The developing device includes a casing which is rotated in a predetermined direction, and four partitions which divide the casing to make four developing units which extend radially outward from the shaft. A toner storing section or hopper is provided on one side of the developing device, i.e., on a front side of the image forming apparatus, and a toner cartridge is detachable from a top of the hopper, and the toner cartridge is exchanged when an end signal of the toner is detected by a sensor in the casing. The toner hopper is filled by new toner from the toner cartridge, and the toner is carried by conveyor members, which control an amount of the toner in the casing, and a supply roller supplies the toner to a developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki, Kouji Sakamoto, Kouichi Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Deki, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Eiichi Sasaki, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Chiyako Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5664523
    Abstract: A material for treating excretions of pet animals which is obtainable by combining pulp (A), inorganic substance (B), guar gum (C) and optionally water-absorbent resin (D) to form guranules. The weight ratios of (A) to (B) to (C) to (D) is 15-55:15-55:5-40: 5-45.The treating material is capable of absorbing liquids from excretions quickly, forming into clumps when absorbing liquid and maintaining the shape of the clump even when handled for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Ochi, Noriyuki Kimura, Yukio Zenitani, Masami Koike, Yoji Fujiura
  • Patent number: 5655193
    Abstract: A developing device capable of obviating the cohesion of toner and reducing the amount of dead toner is disclosed. The device has a developing unit accommodating a first and a second screw therein. The first and second screws extend from the toner hopper to the other longitudinal end of the developing unit in parallel to a developing roller and a supply roller. The first screw feeds toner from a toner hopper to a developing section. The second screw collects toner not contributed to development from the developing section and returns it to the first screw for recirculation. In this configuration, the collected toner and dead toner aggregating in the lower portion of the developing unit are forcibly moved to the developing section. The direction in which the screw portion of the second screw is inclined may be partly reversed to form a reverse transfer portion. Alternatively, a part of a casing adjoining the hopper may be implemented as a slant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatsugu Fujishiro, Minoru Suzuki, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Noriyuki Kimura, Katsuhiro Aoki, Chiyako Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5636204
    Abstract: Designed such that in systems comprising a plurality of transmission devices and transmission lines connecting the transmission devices, transmission line fault data indicating fault event conditions on transmission lines is circulated among the transmission devices and when a fault is verified on a connecting transmission line, verified transmission line fault data is appended by the transmission devices to the input transmission line fault data for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mizuno, Takashi Tai, Noriyuki Kimura, Hiroaki Nagao
  • Patent number: 5583630
    Abstract: A joint having an OLDHAM state coupling at a leading edge thereof is held movably in a direction which is parallel to a joint axis at a full-color printer body. A coupling gear is substantially connected to a developing roller disposed in each mono-color developing unit, which makes up a revolving type developing device. At the time of developing by one of the mono-color developing units, the joint is capable of moving in parallel to the axis of the joint in the state of being rotated toward the coupling. A projection is further provided at the leading edge of the coupling, and a claw is further provided at the end of the coupling gear. Thereby, smooth engagement between the coupling gear and the coupling is made by the help of the OLDHAM state coupling, the projection and the claw. As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the joint to the developing roller disposed in the developing unit, so that the developing roller can rotate at a predetermined speed and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki, Takatsugu Fuzishiro
  • Patent number: 5579722
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an absorbent composite panel to be laid on a urination tray for pet animals such as cats and dogs, the composite panel comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between these two sheets, the absorbent core comprising a plurality of core elements intermittently arranged independently of one another and the top- and backsheets being bonded together over zones defined between each pair of adjacent core elements so that a selected portion of the composite panel may be cut off from the remainder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masamitsu Yamamoto, Noriyuki Kimura, Kengo Ochi
  • Patent number: 5565973
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing device effects development by revolving a plurality of developing sections around a rotary shaft until any one of them reaches a developing position where it faces an image carrier. Cartridges are respectively mounted to hoppers included in the developing sections. Guides are provided on the inner periphery of each cartridge in order to guide toner, moving due to the revolution or the developing device, toward a toner outlet formed in the cartridge. Even when the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge is small, the entire toner is replenished into the associated hopper and fully consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatsugu Fujishiro, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Noriyuki Kimura, Katsuhiro Aoki, Yuichi Ueno, Chiyako Kobayashi, Minoru Suzuki, Tomoji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5537197
    Abstract: A rotary developing device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of rotary developing units accommodating a powder developer and being supported around a common axis, and a plurality of toner cartridges corresponding to the plurality of rotary developing units for supplying toner to the plurality of rotary developing units. Each rotary developing unit is moved to a developing position facing a latent image carrier by the rotation about the common axis and an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier is developed. The plurality of toner cartridges are connected with the plurality of rotary developing units so as to rotate together, and a toner outlet of the toner cartridge is disposed such that the toner is supplied to the respective rotary developing unit by the force of gravity on the toner accommodated in the respective toner cartridge at the time of rotational movement of the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatsugu Fujishiro, Minoru Suzuki, Noriyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 5515145
    Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the type having a photoconductive belt for forming a latent image thereon electrostatically. The latent image is developed to turn out a corresponding toner image. The toner image is transferred from the photoconductive belt to an intermediate transfer belt. Such a procedure is repeated to form a composite color image on the intermediate belt. The color image is transferred from the intermediate belt to a recording medium. Any point on the intermediate belt in the direction of rotation and any points on drive rollers assigned to the two belts, respectively, in the direction of rotation are held in the same positional relation to a stationary member every time the intermediate belt completes one rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Sasaki, Koichi Noguchi, Minoru Suzuki, Koji Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Tsuyoshi Deki, Noriyuki Kimura, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Chiyako Hatsuyama
  • Patent number: 5512984
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a revolver type developing device has a plurality of developing units and revolves to sequentially bring them to a developing position facing an image carrier on which a latent image is electrostatically formed. The revolver promotes easy replacement and safe handling of the developing units and can be accurately positioned relative to the body of the image forming apparatus. Despite that the revolver is miniature, it prevents developers from leaking or flying off from the developing units and contaminating the inside of the apparatus or being mixed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki, Takatsugu Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 5465139
    Abstract: A developing device using a one-component developer or toner and applicable to image forming equipment for supplying the developer to a photoconductive element disposed above the device. The device supplies a desired amount of toner to a toner supply roller and a developing roller at all times with no regard to the position thereof, thereby insuring stable images. Further, the device enhances free layout of the equipment and occupies a minimum of sectional area relative to the photoconductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5440373
    Abstract: An electrophotographic color image forming apparatus is disclosed which allows a photoconductive element and an intermediate transfer belt, which are expendables, to be removed from the body thereof at the same time. This promotes easy replacement, inspection and so forth of expendables. The photoconductive element and intermediate transfer belt can be replaced substantially at the same period, reducing the frequency of replacement of expendables. A cartridge including the photoconductive element can be replaced with a minimum of component parts wasted, thereby enhancing the cost performance of the apparatus. Moreover, when a cover hinged to the body of the apparatus is opened, various units can be removed one after another, a unit around which the greatest space is available being first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Deki, Minoru Suzuki, Koji Sakamoto, Koichi Noguchi, Hiroyuki Matsushiro, Eiichi Sasaki, Noriyuki Kimura, Takatsugu Fujishiro, Chiyako Hatsuyama
  • Patent number: 5417680
    Abstract: A disposable diaper comprises an auxiliary pad being deformable to present an inverted .OMEGA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Yoshihisa Fujioka, Hirotomo Mukai
  • Patent number: 5331390
    Abstract: Image forming equipment of the type having a revolver type or rotational developing device. The revolver type developing device is rotatable about a shaft to bring any one of a plurality of developing units to a developing position where the developing unit faces an image carrier for effecting development. A protective member rotatably accommodates the developing device therein and has an opening which faces the image carrier at the developing position when the protective member is mounted on the equipment. Rotation restricting means is provided for selectively inhibiting the developing device from rotating relative to the protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minour Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5325151
    Abstract: A revolver type developing device for an image forming apparatus. A rotary body is mounted on a shaft and has a plurality of developing units mounted thereon. The developing units are arranged around the shaft, and each stores a powdery developer and accommodates a developer transport member for supplying the developer to an image carrier. A drive source rotates the rotary body to bring any one of the developing units to a developing position where the developing unit faces the image carrier. A one-way transmission mechanism is located on a drive transmission path extending from the drive source to the rotary body for preventing a drive force from being imparted from the rotary body to the drive source. When the rotary body tends to rotate or vibrate due to an external force or vibration, the rotation or vibration is prevented from reaching the drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5309762
    Abstract: A mass flow meter includes a housing body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough with a capillary tube communicating with the fluid passageway. The capillary tube is connected through a pair of metallic sleeves mounted on a base member which in turn is fastened to the housing body. A pair of sensor coils is connected to the capillary tube to measure any fluid flow. A metal sensor case is welded airtight to the base member to encapsulate the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Stec Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Satoh, Noriyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 5258819
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image carrier for electrostatically forming a latent image thereon, and a revolver type developing device located in close proximity to the image carrier and having a plurality of developing units each containing a powdery developer of particular color arranged around a rotary shaft, and rotating the developing device to selectively locate one of the developing units at a developing position where the developing unit faces the image carrier for developing the latent image. A guide member is mounted on a body of the apparatus and formed with an engaging portion for guiding the developing device toward and away from the image carrier in engagement with the rotary shaft. A movable member holds the developing device in such a manner as to allow it to be mounted and dismounted in the up-and-down direction and causes the device to move along the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Richo Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5198866
    Abstract: A rotary developing device incorporated in image forming equipment has a plurality of developing units rotatably mounted on a rotary shaft and rotating the developing units for sequentially developing latent images electrostatically formed on an image carrier at a developing position where the developing units sequentially face the image carrier. First side plates are formed integrally at least with the rotary shaft. Partitions extend radially away from said rotary shaft for separating said developing units from one another. Second side plates are respectively removably mounted on the first side plates. At least a developer carrier included in each of the developing units and a member also included in the developing unit and contacting or adjoining the developer carrier in a predetermined positional relation are mounted on the second side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kimura, Minoru Suzuki