Patents by Inventor Seiichi Shinohara
Seiichi Shinohara 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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Patent number: 11493860Abstract: In a toner cartridge configured such that, by rotating a toner housing portion relative to a shutter in a state in which a first portion-to-be-engaged is engaged to a first engaging portion of a developing unit, relative positions of a cover and the shutter are displaced from first relative position, in which a closing portion opposes a second opening, to second relative position, in which the interior of the toner housing portion communicates with the developing unit through a first opening and the second opening, and a second portion-to-be-engaged is engaged to a second engaging portion of the developing unit, thereby being attached to the developing unit, a biasing member is provided in order to exert a biasing force for generating relative rotation between the cover and the shutter in a direction for displacing the relative positions thereof from the second relative position to the first relative position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shunsuke Mizukoshi, Seiichi Shinohara, Masanori Tanaka
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Publication number: 20220011692Abstract: In a toner cartridge configured such that, by rotating a toner housing portion relative to a shutter in a state in which a first portion-to-be-engaged is engaged to a first engaging portion of a developing unit, relative positions of a cover and the shutter are displaced from first relative position, in which a closing portion opposes a second opening, to second relative position, in which the interior of the toner housing portion communicates with the developing unit through a first opening and the second opening, and a second portion-to-be-engaged is engaged to a second engaging portion of the developing unit, thereby being attached to the developing unit, a biasing member is provided in order to exert a biasing force for generating relative rotation between the cover and the shutter in a direction for displacing the relative positions thereof from the second relative position to the first relative position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Shunsuke Mizukoshi, Seiichi Shinohara, Masanori Tanaka
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Patent number: 10642206Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member including a photosensitive layer and a light transmitting surface layer provided outside the photosensitive layer; an exposing unit configured to expose the surface of the photosensitive member to a laser beam which deflects in a main scan direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the photosensitive member, so that a latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member in the main scan direction; and a controller configured to control a pulse width of an image signal for switching, on the basis of image data, between projection and non-projection of the beam from the exposing unit. The controller controls the pulse width such that it is smaller than when the thickness of the surface layer is larger.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Kazuhisa Shida
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Patent number: 10635018Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member to rotate; a charging member to charge a surface of the image bearing member; a charging voltage applying portion to apply an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined charging frequency to the charging member; and an exposing portion to perform image exposure and background exposure. A plurality of modes are settable for the image forming apparatus, and the plurality of image forming modes include image forming modes different in a background potential difference which is a potential difference between a surface potential of the image bearing member after the surface of the image bearing member is charged and before the charged surface is exposed by the exposing portion and a surface potential of a portion of the surface of the image bearing member which has been subjected to the background exposure.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ryosuke Kanai, Seiichi Shinohara, Kuniaki Tamagaki
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Publication number: 20190265606Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member to rotate; a charging member to charge a surface of the image bearing member; a charging voltage applying portion to apply an alternating-current voltage having a predetermined charging frequency to the charging member; and an exposing portion to perform image exposure and background exposure. A plurality of modes are settable for the image forming apparatus, and the plurality of image forming modes include image forming modes different in a background potential difference which is a potential difference between a surface potential of the image bearing member after the surface of the image bearing member is charged and before the charged surface is exposed by the exposing portion and a surface potential of a portion of the surface of the image bearing member which has been subjected to the background exposure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Ryosuke Kanai, Seiichi Shinohara, Kuniaki Tamagaki
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Publication number: 20190179245Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member including a photosensitive layer and a light transmitting surface layer provided outside the photosensitive layer; an exposing unit configured to expose the surface of the photosensitive member to a laser beam which deflects in a main scan direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the photosensitive member, so that a latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member in the main scan direction; and a controller configured to control a pulse width of an image signal for switching, on the basis of image data, between projection and non-projection of the beam from the exposing unit. The controller controls the pulse width such that it is smaller than when the thickness of the surface layer is larger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Kazuhisa Shida
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Patent number: 10185251Abstract: The engagement between a fixing member and a resin member is released and the resin member is separated from a frame thereby separating a bearing member from the frame. Parts to be used in a developing device are replaced or the developing device is replenished with a developer. The resin member is connected to the frame to connect the bearing member to the frame. The fixing member is inserted into a through hole to engage with the resin member and fix the resin member to the frame, thereby fixing the bearing member to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumito Nonaka, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Seiichi Shinohara
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Publication number: 20180004125Abstract: The engagement between a fixing member and a resin member is released and the resin member is separated from a frame thereby separating a bearing member from the frame. Parts to be used in a developing device are replaced or the developing device is replenished with a developer. The resin member is connected to the frame to connect the bearing member to the frame. The fixing member is inserted into a through hole to engage with the resin member and fix the resin member to the frame, thereby fixing the bearing member to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Fumito Nonaka, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Seiichi Shinohara
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Patent number: 9366994Abstract: A developer container configured to contain developer to be used for image formation, includes a first electrode provided in the developer container, a second electrode provided opposing to the first electrode configured to detect an electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, to detect a quantity of the developer, a conveyance member provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and on a bottom surface side inside the developer container, and configured to convey the developer contained in the developer container, and a vibration imparting member configured to impart vibration to the conveyance member, wherein the developer on a developer conveyance surface of the conveyance member contacting the developer is conveyed by the vibration of the conveyance member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Hiroki Ogino, Kojiro Yasui
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Developer accommodating container, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
Patent number: 9354553Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the developer; a sealing member for sealing the opening in a state in which the sealing member is bonded to a periphery of the opening, wherein the sealing member is capable of exposing the opening by being removed by pulling; and a reinforcing portion, provided at least as a part of the periphery of the opening, for decreasing a degree of deformation of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masatomi Yoshida, Masaki Furutani, Masaaki Matsushita, Tetsuo Uesugi, Seiichi Shinohara -
Publication number: 20160097993Abstract: A developer container configured to contain developer to be used for image formation, includes a first electrode provided in the developer container, a second electrode provided opposing to the first electrode configured to detect an electrostatic capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, to detect a quantity of the developer, a conveyance member provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and on a bottom surface side inside the developer container, and configured to convey the developer contained in the developer container, and a vibration imparting member configured to impart vibration to the conveyance member, wherein the developer on a developer conveyance surface of the conveyance member contacting the developer is conveyed by the vibration of the conveyance member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Hiroki Ogino, Kojiro Yasui
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Patent number: 9098062Abstract: A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, including a shaft member and an elastic layer therearound, for developing operation while contacting an image bearing member with a peripheral speed difference; a toner supplying roller contactable to the developing roller; a regulating member, contactable to the developing roller, wherein a length of the regulating member is shorter than that of the developing roller; and a cleaning blade, contactable to the image bearing member. The developing roller has a region capable of carrying the toner regulated by the regulating member and a region, outside thereof, both of which regions are contactable to the image bearing member, wherein the cleaning blade extends over the regions when the cleaning blade is contacted to the image bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Seiichi Shinohara
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DEVELOPER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Publication number: 20140199093Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the developer; a sealing member for sealing the opening in a state in which the sealing member is bonded to a periphery of the opening, wherein the sealing member is capable of exposing the opening by being removed by pulling; and a reinforcing portion, provided at least as a part of the periphery of the opening, for decreasing a degree of deformation of the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masatomi Yoshida, Masaki Furutani, Masaaki Matsushita, Tetsuo Uesugi, Seiichi Shinohara -
Publication number: 20120134710Abstract: A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, including a shaft member and an elastic layer therearound, for developing operation while contacting an image bearing member with a peripheral speed difference; a toner supplying roller contactable to the developing roller; a regulating member, contactable to the developing roller, wherein a length of the regulating member is shorter than that of the developing roller; and a cleaning blade, contactable to the image bearing member. The developing roller has a region capable of carrying the toner regulated by the regulating member and a region, outside thereof, both of which regions are contactable to the image bearing member, wherein the cleaning blade extends over the regions when the cleaning blade is contacted to the image bearing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2011Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Seiichi Shinohara
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Publication number: 20110293295Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit including means contributable to image formation; a second unit constituting a pair with the first unit and including means contributable to the image formation; a detecting device for detecting a degree of use of each of the first unit and the second unit, wherein limits of usability are predetermined for the first unit and the second unit, respectively; and a control device capable of outputting information signals for notifying states near the limits of usability on the basis of preset thresholds of degrees of use, respectively, wherein a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for the first unit to the limit of usability of the first unit is larger than a number of capable image formations from an output of the signal indicating the near state for said second unit to the limit of usability of the second unit, and wherein the control device outputs the signal for the second unit when the degree of the secondType: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Seiichi Shinohara
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Patent number: 7426482Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that includes an order placement means for executing an operation associated with order placement of an expendable used in an image forming apparatus, data associated with image formation is accumulated to have a timing associated with order placement as a trigger, and the operation of the order placement means is controlled on the basis of the accumulated value. In this manner, redundant orders for expendables can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoru Inami, Masanobu Saito, Seiichi Shinohara, Takayuki Namiki
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Patent number: 7158740Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic images formed on the image bearing member with developers, the developing devices including respective developer carrying members for carrying respective developers; moving means for moving a selected one of the developing devices to an operative position, wherein each of the developer carrying members is movable selectively to be in contact with or spaced from the image bearing member at the operative position; wherein the apparatus is operable in a first image formation mode in which an image is formed using the plurality of developing devices and a second image formation mode in which an image is formed using one of the plurality of developing devices, and wherein the developer carrying member which is at the operative position in the first image formation mode is capable of being spaced from the image bearing member by a first distance during non-developing-operation, and the developType: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Hiroshi Sato, Syuhei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 7155137Abstract: A developing cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a developing roller, for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, having an elastic roller portion and a shaft portion supporting the elastic roller portion, a developer regulating member; a protecting member including a contact portion provided for contact with the elastic roller portion when the protecting member is demountably mounted between the developing roller and the developer regulating member; and a supporting portion for supporting the contact portion and provided for contact with the elastic roller portion when the protecting member is demountably mounted between the developing roller and the developer regulating member. The contact portion has a hardness which is not less than a predetermined value and not more than a hardness of the elastic roller portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kojiro Yasui, Hironobu Isobe, Hiroshi Sato, Seiichi Shinohara, Yasufumi Yoshino, Syuhei Kawasaki
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Patent number: 7068966Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing devices for developing electrostatic images formed on the image bearing member with developers, the developing devices including respective developer carrying members for carrying respective developers; moving devices for moving a selected one of the developing devices to an operative position, wherein each of the developer carrying members is movable selectively to be in contact with or spaced from the image bearing member at the operative position. The apparatus is operable in a first image formation mode in which an image is formed using the plurality of developing devices and a second image formation mode in which an image is formed using one of the plurality of developing devices. The developer carrying member which is at the operative position in the first image formation mode is capable of being spaced from the image bearing member by a first distance during non-developing-operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Shinohara, Hiroshi Sato, Syuhei Kawasaki
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Patent number: D587003Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Inventor: Seiichi Shinohara