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: 11703794
    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: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20230195032
    Abstract: To provide a structure for the process cartridge for receiving input of driving force from outside thereof. The main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving output member provided with an output gear portion and an output coupling portion. The process cartridge that can be mounted to and dismounted from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an input coupling portion provided at the end of the photosensitive member and capable of coupling with the output coupling portion, and an input gear portion capable of meshing with the output gear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11614711
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, and a developing roller supported by the frame. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof, and with the coupling being positioned (i) at a first end of the photosensitive drum, (ii) coaxial with the photosensitive drum, and (iii) at a side of the process cartridge. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof, the helical gear having 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. As measured in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of a projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20230048100
    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: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Akihiro Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20230032591
    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: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Makoto Hayashida, Takatoshi Hamada, Yusuke Niikawa, Akinobu Hirayama, Toshiki Fujino, Tachio Kawai, Teruhiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20220386667
    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: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Odamaki, Ryuta Murakami, Nanami Hashikura
  • Patent number: 11449001
    Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Tadashi Horikawa, Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguichi
  • Patent number: 11402798
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11392081
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11366424
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20220187758
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, a developing roller supported by the frame, and a coupling operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. A stopper is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the stopper having a surface extending in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum and facing the axis of the photosensitive drum. As measured in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther an end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of the projection of the coupling is positioned from the end of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20220082984
    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: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Ryuta Murakami
  • Publication number: 20220054533
    Abstract: A problem is to provide a prebiotic which promotes the growth of a butyrate-producing bacterium. A prebiotic composition is described that promotes the growth of a butyrate-producing bacterium which contains alginic acid and/or a salt thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Odamaki, Nanami Hashikura, Ryuta Murakami, Eiko Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 11169483
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a gear portion having gear teeth configured to receive a driving force from outside of the process cartridge. The gear portion includes an exposed portion exposed to outside of the process cartridge. A shortest distance from an axis of the photosensitive drum to a tooth tip of the exposed portion of the gear portion measured along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive drum is no less than 90% and no more than 110% of a radius of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20210286316
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20210286317
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20210149335
    Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Tadashi Horikawa, Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguichi
  • Patent number: 10962927
    Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Tadashi Horikawa, Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguichi
  • Patent number: 10928771
    Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Tadashi Horikawa, Naoki Matsumaru, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguichi
  • Patent number: 10901366
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and an image forming apparatus main assembly. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes a drive output member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge. The drive output member is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes an inclination imparting portion for inclining the drive output member as the drive output member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Naoki Matsumaru, Tadashi Horikawa, Tetsuji Suzuki