Patents by Inventor Saya Minoshima
Saya Minoshima 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: 20240111237Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism reciprocates by drive force from a drive source and to press a chute to move from a first position to a second position. In response to determining that a parameter is greater than a threshold for the parameter, a controller executes a first mode of actuating the drive source when conveying one sheet. The parameter decreases as a conveyance speed of the sheet at the fixing nip increases. The threshold is such a value that, when the parameter is greater than the threshold, a difference between a conveyance speed of the sheet at a transfer nip and the conveyance speed of the sheet at the fixing nip is greater than a particular level. In response to determining that the parameter is smaller than or equal to the threshold, the controller executes a second mode of not actuating the drive source when conveying one sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Soma NAGAYA
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Publication number: 20240077826Abstract: A chute is located between a transfer roller and a fuser in a direction crossing both a first direction along a drum axis direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. The chute causes a sheet having passed through a transfer nip to be directed toward a fixing nip. The chute is movable in the second direction between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position toward one side in the second direction. The chute located at the second position is farther away from an imaginary plane passing through the nips than the chute located at the first position. A reciprocating mechanism is located on an other side of the chute in the second direction. The reciprocating mechanism reciprocates by drive force from the drive source and presses the chute to move between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Tomonori WATANABE, Ayaka OHIRA, Tetsuya MORITA
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Publication number: 20240043241Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes: a first conveyance path configured to allow a sheet to be conveyed along the first conveyance path; a second conveyance path that extends upward from a branch position in the first conveyance path; a third conveyance path that extends downward from the branch position; a first conveyance roller disposed in the second conveyance path and configured to rotate normally and reversely to convey the sheet; a first drive motor disposed below the branch position; and a first belt disposed in a drive transmission path from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller and configured to transmit a driving force from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Yasuhiro SUZUKI
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Publication number: 20240012345Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner housing, a toner conveyor unit, a first cover, a shutter, a toner memory, and a memory holder. The first cover covers a toner housing opening and is movable together with the toner housing. The shutter includes a protrusion. The memory holder holds the toner memory and is movable relative to the toner housing. When the toner cartridge is attached, the protrusion is located in place, and the toner housing is movable between a close position in which the shutter closes a cover opening of the first cover and an open position in which at least part of a shutter opening of the shutter is aligned with at least part of the cover opening to allow toner to be let out through the cover opening. The position of the memory holder is different from the position of the shutter in a first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Keita SHIMIZU
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Publication number: 20230375958Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Saya MINOSHIMA, Nao ITABASHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Misato OSUKA, Junya SUMIDA, Shinya KUSUDA
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Publication number: 20230359137Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the casing in a second direction crossing the first direction; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; a supply roller rotatable about a supply axis extending in the first direction and configured to supply toner to the developing roller; a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction; and an IC chip having an electrical contact surface positioned at one end portion of the casing in the first direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned opposite the developing electrode in the second direction with respect to a part of the supply electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Keita SHIMIZU
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Patent number: 11762312Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya Kamimura, Tomitake Aratachi, Yasuo Fukamachi, Junichi Hashimoto, Saya Minoshima, Nao Itabashi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Misato Osuka, Junya Sumida, Shinya Kusuda
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Publication number: 20230280675Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a housing, a cartridge, and a fixing device. The fixing device includes a heating member, a fixing frame, and a shutter movable between an open position for opening an opening of the fixing frame and a closed position for closing the opening. The housing includes: a guide frame for guiding a guide protrusion of the cartridge for attachment of the cartridge to the housing; and a connection link connected to the shutter and positioned opposite the cartridge with respect to the guide frame. The connection link moves the shutter to the open position in conjunction with the attachment of the cartridge to the housing, and moves the shutter to the closed position in conjunction with detachment of the cartridge from the housing. The connection link abuts on the guide protrusion through a through-hole of the guide frame during the attachment of the cartridge to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Tomonori WATANABE, Yuichi IKENO
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Patent number: 11745977Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes: a first conveyance path configured to allow a sheet to be conveyed along the first conveyance path; a second conveyance path that extends upward from a branch position in the first conveyance path; a third conveyance path that extends downward from the branch position; a first conveyance roller disposed in the second conveyance path and configured to rotate normally and reversely to convey the sheet; a first drive motor disposed below the branch position; and a first belt disposed in a drive transmission path from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller and configured to transmit a driving force from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya Minoshima, Yasuhiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 11726424Abstract: In an image forming apparatus capable of turning over a sheet to form images on both sides of the sheet, when duplex printing is executed successively on three or more sheets, a controller causes a first sheet conveyed from an image forming unit and a second sheet conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a first path by positioning a guide member in a first position, and then conveyed into a third path by a first roller, and causes a third and subsequent sheets conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a second path by positioning the guide member in a second position, and then conveyed into the third path by a second roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Saya Minoshima, Shintaro Sakaguchi
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Publication number: 20230236538Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a cover movable between a closed position and an open position; a fixing unit including a heating member and a pressure roller configured to form a nipping region therebetween; an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a nipping pressure between the heating member and the pressure roller in conjunction with movement of the cover; and a link mechanism connected to both the adjustment mechanism and the cover. The adjustment mechanism includes an arm pressing the heating member such that the heating member and the pressure roller form the nipping region. The link mechanism includes: a first link connected to the cover; a second link connected to the first link and pivotally movable about an axis extending in a width direction; and a third link connected to both the second link and the adjustment mechanism. The third link is movable in a front-rear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masataka KAMIYA, Tomonori WATANABE, Saya MINOSHIMA, Tetsuya MORITA
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Patent number: 11592771Abstract: A controller is configured to control a print engine and a conveyor to form an image on both sides of a sheet. The controller is configured to: in a case where images to be formed on both sides of each of an Nth (N is a positive integer) sheet, an (N+1)th sheet, and an (N+2)th sheet are all monochrome image or all color image, convey the (N+2)th sheet to the print engine and form an image before forming an image on both sides of the (N+1)th sheet; and in a case where the images to be formed on both sides of each of the Nth sheet, the (N+1)th sheet, and the (N+2)th sheet are a mixture of the monochrome image and the color image, convey the (N+2)th sheet to the print engine and form an image after forming an image on both sides of the (N+1)th sheet.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shintaro Sakaguchi, Yusuke Ikegami, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Saya Minoshima
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Publication number: 20220317589Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Saya MINOSHIMA, Nao ITABASHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Misato OSUKA, Junya SUMIDA, Shinya KUSUDA
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Publication number: 20220221815Abstract: A controller is configured to control a print engine and a conveyor to form an image on both sides of a sheet. The controller is configured to: in a case where images to be formed on both sides of each of an Nth (N is a positive integer) sheet, an (N+1)th sheet, and an (N+2)th sheet are all monochrome image or all color image, convey the (N+2)th sheet to the print engine and form an image before forming an image on both sides of the (N+1)th sheet; and in a case where the images to be formed on both sides of each of the Nth sheet, the (N+1)th sheet, and the (N+2)th sheet are a mixture of the monochrome image and the color image, convey the (N+2)th sheet to the print engine and form an image after forming an image on both sides of the (N+1)th sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shintaro SAKAGUCHI, Yusuke IKEGAMI, Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Saya MINOSHIMA
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Publication number: 20210294258Abstract: In an image forming apparatus capable of turning over a sheet to form images on both sides of the sheet, when duplex printing is executed successively on three or more sheets, a controller causes a first sheet conveyed from an image forming unit and a second sheet conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a first path by positioning a guide member in a first position, and then conveyed into a third path by a first roller, and causes a third and subsequent sheets conveyed from the image forming unit to be guided into a second path by positioning the guide member in a second position, and then conveyed into the third path by a second roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Saya Minoshima, Shintaro Sakaguchi
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Publication number: 20210253383Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes: a first conveyance path configured to allow a sheet to be conveyed along the first conveyance path; a second conveyance path that extends upward from a branch position in the first conveyance path; a third conveyance path that extends downward from the branch position; a first conveyance roller disposed in the second conveyance path and configured to rotate normally and reversely to convey the sheet; a first drive motor disposed below the branch position; and a first belt disposed in a drive transmission path from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller and configured to transmit a driving force from the first drive motor to the first conveyance roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Yasuhiro SUZUKI
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Patent number: 10788772Abstract: A process unit includes a main unit and a toner cartridge. The main unit includes a photosensitive drum, a developing unit, a cleaner, a cleaning frame and a toner recovery pipe. The toner cartridge includes a toner accommodation box and a toner recovery box. The toner accommodation box has a toner supply pipe having a toner supply opening. The toner recovery box has a receiving portion having a toner recovery opening for receiving toner. When the toner cartridge is attached to the main unit, the toner supply pipe is inserted into the insertion opening on the developing frame in a first direction which is perpendicular to a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum. When the toner cartridge is attached to the main unit, the toner recovery pipe is inserted into the receiving portion in a direction parallel to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya Minoshima, Shougo Sato
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Publication number: 20200050129Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner supply pipe and a first shutter. The toner supply pipe has a toner supply opening. When the toner cartridge is mounted onto a main unit, the toner supply pipe moves through an insertion opening from an outside position at which the toner supply opening is located outside a developing frame to an inside position at which the toner supply opening is located inside the developing frame. The first shutter is provided at the toner supply pipe. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe between an open position at which the toner supply opening is opened and a closed position at which the toner supply opening is closed. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe from the closed position to the open position in a state where the toner supply pipe is located at the inside position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Shougo SATO
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Patent number: 10466622Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner supply pipe and a first shutter. The toner supply pipe has a toner supply opening. When the toner cartridge is mounted onto a main unit, the toner supply pipe moves through an insertion opening from an outside position at which the toner supply opening is located outside a developing frame to an inside position at which the toner supply opening is located inside the developing frame. The first shutter is provided at the toner supply pipe. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe between an open position at which the toner supply opening is opened and a closed position at which the toner supply opening is closed. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe from the closed position to the open position in a state where the toner supply pipe is located at the inside position.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2019Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya Minoshima, Shougo Sato
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Publication number: 20190137906Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner supply pipe and a first shutter. The toner supply pipe has a toner supply opening. When the toner cartridge is mounted onto a main unit, the toner supply pipe moves through an insertion opening from an outside position at which the toner supply opening is located outside a developing frame to an inside position at which the toner supply opening is located inside the developing frame. The first shutter is provided at the toner supply pipe. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe between an open position at which the toner supply opening is opened and a closed position at which the toner supply opening is closed. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe from the closed position to the open position in a state where the toner supply pipe is located at the inside position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Saya MINOSHIMA, Shougo SATO