Patents by Inventor Ryuta Murakami

Ryuta Murakami 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: 12625463
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a side surface at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end positioned at the side of the process cartridge and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum. A projection is positioned coaxial with the photosensitive drum and at the side of the process cartridge, with the projection projecting from the side surface of the frame in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with at least a tip of the projection being exposed to outside of the process cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20260104659
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes a container and a stirring member. The container includes first and second frames mutually bonded to constitute an accommodating space for a developer. The stirring member stirs the developer by being rotated in a rotational direction and includes a sheet fixed to a rotational shaft. The first frame includes a recessed portion provided along an edge of the first frame and opening toward an upstream side in the rotational direction. The second frame includes a projection provided along an edge of the second frame, projects toward a downstream side in the rotational direction and engages with the recess, and so as to prevent the sheet from contacting an end surface, on the upstream side, of an inner end of the recess and includes a part of an inner wall constituting the accommodating space, a visor provided on a position opposite to the end surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI YADA, RYUTA MURAKAMI, YUKO HARADA, TERUHIKO SASAKI
  • Patent number: 12602001
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member rotatable about a rotational axis thereof, a rotatable first helical gear portion; and a second helical gear portion integrally rotatable with the first helical gear portion. A twisting direction of a tooth of the second helical gear portion is the same as a twisting direction of a tooth of the first helical gear portion, and a helix angle of the tooth of the second helical gear portion is greater than a helix angle of the tooth of the first helical gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Makoto Hayashida, Takatoshi Hamada, Yusuke Niikawa, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino, Tachio Kawai, Teruhiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20260079442
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a side surface at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end positioned at the side of the process cartridge and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum. A projection is positioned coaxial with the photosensitive drum and at the side of the process cartridge, with the projection projecting from the side surface of the frame in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with at least a tip of the projection being exposed to outside of the process cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20250344735
    Abstract: An aspect is to provide a prebiotic for growing a butyrate-producing bacterium. A prebiotic composition for a butyrate-producing bacterium includes alginic acid and/or a salt thereof having an average molecular weight of 10000 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Applicant: MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Odamaki, Ryuta Murakami, Nanami Hashikura
  • Patent number: 12429811
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, the movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing an inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position retracted from the first position. By this, driving connection can be smoothly carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara, Akinobu Hirayama, Daisuke Makiguchi, Hiroaki Nosho, Takuro Kanno, Goshi Ozaki, Tachio Kawai, Daisuke Abe
  • Publication number: 20250199451
    Abstract: A photosensitive member unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a first main assembly side helical gear portion and a second main assembly side helical gear portion which are coaxially rotatable, the photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member rotatable about a rotational axis thereof; a first unit side helical gear portion for meshing engagement with the first main assembly side helical gear portion; and a second unit side helical gear portion for meshing engagement with the second main assembly side helical gear portion, wherein a twisting direction of a tooth of the second unit side helical gear portion is the same as the twisting direction of a tooth of first unit side helical gear portion, wherein a helix angle of the tooth of the second unit side helical gear portion is larger than a helix angle of the tooth of the first unit side helical gear portion, and wherein the first unit side helical gear portion and the se
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Makoto Hayashida, Takatoshi Hamada, Yusuke Niikawa, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino, Tachio Kawai, Teruhiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20250164918
    Abstract: A drum unit for a cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a flange positioned at an end of the photosensitive drum coaxially with the photosensitive drum to transmit a driving force to the photosensitive drum. A first coupling is supported by the flange such that at least a part of the first coupling is exposed from the flange to receive the driving force, with the first coupling being inclinable relative to the flange. A second coupling operatively connected to the first coupling and the flange to transmit the driving force from the first coupling to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Ryuta Murakami
  • Publication number: 20250147461
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, the movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing an inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position retracted from the first position. By this, driving connection can be smoothly carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara, Akinobu Hirayama, Daisuke Makiguchi, Hiroaki Nosho, Takuro Kanno, Goshi Ozaki, Tachio Kawai, Daisuke Abe
  • Patent number: 12287600
    Abstract: To accomplish engagement between a coupling member and a drive transmission member of main assembly. A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member which is provided adjacent to an end portion of the photosensitive drum and which is connected with the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of drive transmission. the coupling member is inclinable relative to a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and an inclination angle relative to photosensitive drum is reduced with rotational driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Ryuta Murakami
  • Publication number: 20250004393
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sensing portion that has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion that receives light from the light-emitting portion, the light from inside of a toner accommodating portion to outside of the toner accommodating portion via a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion has a first lightguide portion that guides the light to the inside of the toner accommodating portion, and a second lightguide portion that guides the light to the light-receiving portion. The image forming apparatus further includes a cover member that covers the first lightguide portion and the second lightguide portion. A part of the second lightguide portion that is closest to a passage region of laser light is at a position closer to the passage region than any of parts of the first lightguide portion, and a cover member is configured so as not to cover the part that is closest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: TOSHIYA GOTO, MAKOTO HAYASHIDA, RYUTA MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20240411243
    Abstract: [Task] To further develop the photosensitive member unit. [SOLUTION] A photosensitive member unit capable of being mounted to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member rotatable about a rotational axis thereof, a first gear portion, and a second gear portion having a plurality of teeth. The first gear portion is a helical gear portion including a helical tooth which is twisted in a first circumferential direction about the rotational axis of the photosensitive member as a distance from the photosensitive member measured along the rotational axis of the photosensitive member increases. Between the first gear portion and the photosensitive member with respect to a direction of the rotational axis of the photosensitive member, the second gear portion is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: TOSHIKI FUJINO, TERUHIKO SASAKI, TACHIO KAWAI, AKINOBU HIRAYAMA, RYUTA MURAKAMI, TAKATOSHI HAMADA, MAKOTO HAYASHIDA, YUSUKE NIIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20240295851
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a side surface at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end positioned at the side of the process cartridge and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum. A projection is positioned coaxial with the photosensitive drum and at the side of the process cartridge, with the projection projecting from the side surface of the frame in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with at least a tip of the projection being exposed to outside of the process cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 12072664
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, with the developing roller being configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with toner. The cartridge also includes a first electrical contact electrically connected to the charging roller and the second electrical contact electrically connected to the developing roller. As viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned on opposite sides with respect to a line that passes through an axis of the photosensitive drum and an axis of the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 12072667
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a container, a light guide including incident and emergent portions, and a cover including outer and inner surfaces. When a direction directing from the outer surface toward the inner surface is a first direction, and a direction in which the incident and emergent portions are arranged is a second direction, (i) the outer surface is recessed toward a downstream side of the first direction between the incident and emergent portions, (ii) a first end of a bottom of the recessed portion on an incident portion side is positioned on a side downstream with respect to the first direction, of a second end of the bottom on an emergent portion side, and (iii) the bottom is curved so as to be recessed toward the downstream side of the first direction between the first and second ends relative to an imaginary rectilinear line connecting these ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuko Harada, Ryuta Murakami, Masakazu Tatsumi, Akira Yoshimura, Satoshi Koga
  • Patent number: 12032325
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, with the developing roller being configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with toner. The cartridge also includes a first electrical contact electrically connected to the charging roller and the second electrical contact electrically connected to the developing roller. As viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are positioned on opposite sides with respect to a line that passes through an axis of the photosensitive drum and an axis of the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 12025941
    Abstract: To accomplish engagement between a coupling member and a drive transmission member of main assembly. A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member which is provided adjacent to an end portion of the photosensitive drum and which is connected with the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of drive transmission. the coupling member is inclinable relative to a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and an inclination angle relative to photosensitive drum is reduced with rotational driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Ryuta Murakami
  • Patent number: 12019392
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame and a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a driving force can be transferred from the coupling to the photosensitive drum. A developing roller is supported by the frame, with the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A gear is positioned at a side of the process cartridge, with the gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge, and with a tip of at least one of the exposed teeth facing the axis of the photosensitive drum. As measured in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the teeth of the gear are shorter than the projection of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11927910
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum supported by a frame, a coupling positioned at an end of the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being configured to receive a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum. A lever is movably supported by a part of the frame at a position that is adjacent to the end of the photosensitive drum, with the lever being movable between a first position and a second position. As viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, an end of the lever is a first distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the first position, and the end of the lever is a second distance from the axis of the photosensitive drum when the lever is in the second position, with the second distance being greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Goshi Ozaki, Daisuke Abe, Tachio Kawai
  • Publication number: 20240045364
    Abstract: To accomplish engagement between a coupling member and a drive transmission member of main assembly. A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member which is provided adjacent to an end portion of the photosensitive drum and which is connected with the photosensitive drum so as to be capable of drive transmission. the coupling member is inclinable relative to a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and an inclination angle relative to photosensitive drum is reduced with rotational driving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Ryuta Murakami