Patents by Inventor Shinichi Arasawa

Shinichi Arasawa 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: 11789380
    Abstract: A powder container includes a toner storage disposed at an upper portion of the powder container and a powder collection portion disposed at a lower portion of the powder container. There is a conveying rotator inside the powder collection portion, the conveying rotator including a shaft portion and one of a screw blade and a coil wound around the shaft portion. There is further a flexible sheet to contact the conveying rotator and swing in a flow path from the outlet port to the conveying rotator. The flexible sheet includes a contact portion that contacts one of the screw blade and the coil; and a tip that does not contact the screw blade and does not contact the coil, the tip having a greater width than the contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Kuniyori Takano, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: 11754963
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching and detaching unit, an attached and detached section, and a pressing member. The attaching and detaching unit includes a developing device including a developer bearer to develop a latent image on a latent image bearer and is detachably attached to the attached and detached section. The attached and detached section includes the latent image bearer, a main reference portion, and a sub-reference portion. The main reference portion contacts a main reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The sub-reference portion contacts a sub-reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The pressing member presses the attaching and detaching unit to generate a biasing force biasing the developer bearer toward the latent image bearer and a rotational moment toward the sub-reference portion of the attached and detached section around the main reference part with respect to the attaching and detaching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Arasawa
  • Publication number: 20220373959
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching and detaching unit, an attached and detached section, and a pressing member. The attaching and detaching unit includes a developing device including a developer bearer to develop a latent image on a latent image bearer and is detachably attached to the attached and detached section. The attached and detached section includes the latent image bearer, a main reference portion, and a sub-reference portion. The main reference portion contacts a main reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The sub-reference portion contacts a sub-reference part of the attaching and detaching unit. The pressing member presses the attaching and detaching unit to generate a biasing force biasing the developer bearer toward the latent image bearer and a rotational moment toward the sub-reference portion of the attached and detached section around the main reference part with respect to the attaching and detaching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Shinichi ARASAWA
  • Publication number: 20220206413
    Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to communicate with an outlet port of a body or removable component, and to receive and collect powder flowing out through the outlet port. There is a shutter to open and close the collection port, and a rotation portion to be engageable with an engagement portion which is to open and close a cartridge shutter to open and close the outlet port through which the powder flows out. An operation device is to rotate the rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion is included in the rotation portion to contact a restriction member. The contact portion is to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki NIEDA, Kuniyori TAKANO, Shinichi ARASAWA
  • Patent number: 11307517
    Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to communicate with an outlet port of a body or removable component, and to receive and collect powder flowing out through the outlet port. There is a shutter to open and close the collection port, and a rotation portion to be engageable with an engagement portion which is to open and close a cartridge shutter to open and close the outlet port through which the powder flows out. An operation device is to rotate the rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion is included in the rotation portion to contact a restriction member. The contact portion is to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Kuniyori Takano, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: 11231664
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The toner container includes an outlet to discharge toner contained in the toner container, an agitating member to agitate the toner in the container, a coupling to transmit a driving force to the agitating member, a shutter to open and close the outlet, a lever disposed at one end of the container and a pivoting portion disposed at the other end and connected by a common shaft such that both rotate together, and the lever and the coupling are disposed at the one end in a mutually non-overlapping manner when viewed from the axial direction of the common shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chui Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20210116843
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Publication number: 20210041805
    Abstract: A powder container includes a discharge port configured to discharge powder stored in the powder container, a container shutter configured to open and close the discharge port, a first rotation portion configured to be engageable with an engagement portion of a removable component, an operation device configured to rotate the first rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion included in the first rotation portion. The engagement portion opens and closes a cartridge shutter to open and close an inlet port of the removable component. A restriction member of the removable component is configured to restrict the rotation of the engagement portion. The contact portion contacts the restriction member to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion in conjunction with attachment of the powder container to the removable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroaki NIEDA, Kuniyori TAKANO, Shinichi ARASAWA
  • Patent number: 10915040
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Patent number: 10866537
    Abstract: A powder container includes a discharge port configured to discharge powder stored in the powder container, a container shutter configured to open and close the discharge port, a first rotation portion configured to be engageable with an engagement portion of a removable component, an operation device configured to rotate the first rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion included in the first rotation portion. The engagement portion opens and closes a cartridge shutter to open and close an inlet port of the removable component. A restriction member of the removable component is configured to restrict the rotation of the engagement portion. The contact portion contacts the restriction member to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion in conjunction with attachment of the powder container to the removable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nieda, Kuniyori Takano, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Publication number: 20200133164
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10564572
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20190286011
    Abstract: A powder container includes a discharge port configured to discharge powder stored in the powder container, a container shutter configured to open and close the discharge port, a first rotation portion configured to be engageable with an engagement portion of a removable component, an operation device configured to rotate the first rotation portion in conjunction with an operation of the operation device, and a contact portion included in the first rotation portion. The engagement portion opens and closes a cartridge shutter to open and close an inlet port of the removable component. A restriction member of the removable component is configured to restrict the rotation of the engagement portion. The contact portion contacts the restriction member to cancel the restriction member from restricting rotation of the engagement portion in conjunction with attachment of the powder container to the removable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroaki NIEDA, Kuniyori TAKANO, Shinichi ARASAWA
  • Patent number: 10401758
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to collect the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member disposed at one end of the powder container in a longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, and a second opening and closing member disposed at another end of the powder container in the longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the second shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Publication number: 20190258191
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Jin Sam PARK, Goo Chul JUNG, Yasunobu OGATA
  • Patent number: 10365584
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Publication number: 20190179237
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to collect the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member disposed at one end of the powder container in a longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, and a second opening and closing member disposed at another end of the powder container in the longitudinal direction of the powder container to open and close the second shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Emi KITA, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Patent number: 10317817
    Abstract: A toner container is detachably attachable to a developing device. The developing device includes an inlet to be poured with a toner, an inlet shutter to move between a closed position, at which the inlet is closed, and an open position, at which the inlet is open, a biasing mechanism to bias the inlet shutter toward the closed position, an engaged structure provided in the inlet shutter, an engaging structure to engage with the engaged structure and to retain the inlet shutter at the open position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and an engagement releasing structure provided in the inlet shutter and to release an engaging state between the engaged structure and the engaging structure. The toner container includes a contacting surface to contact with the engagement releasing structure and to make the engagement releasing structure release the engaging state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Jin Sam Park, Goo Chul Jung, Yasunobu Ogata
  • Patent number: 10254680
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to correct the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, a second opening and closing member to open and close the second shutter, and a shaft portion to link the first opening and closing member and the second opening and closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Shinichi Arasawa
  • Publication number: 20180267430
    Abstract: A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to correct the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, a second opening and closing member to open and close the second shutter, and a shaft portion to link the first opening and closing member and the second opening and closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Shinichi Arasawa