Patents by Inventor Shinichi Kotera

Shinichi Kotera 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: 9164453
    Abstract: A copy machine 1 is provided with: a main body device includes a main body ejection portion that ejects a target material on which an image is formed; and a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the target material that is fed to a post-processing unit inlet. The post-processing device is provided with a transformation unit that transforms a voltage of power supplied from a main power supply unit inside the main body device to a voltage required for driving of the post-processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 8584371
    Abstract: A detecting member 35 has three substantially rectangular plate-shaped detecting plates 51a, 51b, and 51c formed integrally therewith which are arranged to face an arc-shaped portion 33a of a following member 33. The detecting plates 51a, 51b, and 51c are, at one end, supported on a main portion 50, and are composed of base-end portions R1, with which, at their reverse side, a prop 60 makes contact, and swing portions R2, which are located on the tip-end side of the base-end portions R1 and with which protrusions 43a and 43b on the arc-shaped portion 33a make contact. The base-end portions R1 have a wider elastically deformable range than the swing portions R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Marumoto, Kazuhisa Hirahara, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 8454014
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a main body for performing an image forming process on a sheet. An internal discharge stores a sheet after the image forming process and a discharge opening discharges a sheet to the internal discharge. A post-processing unit can be attached to the apparatus main body to apply a specified post processing to a received sheet. A junction can be assembled into the internal discharge to convey a sheet from the discharge opening to a receiving opening of the post-processing unit. The junction includes a first guide having a first guide surface for guiding a sheet, a second guide having a second guide surface facing the first guide at a predetermined distance and a support for supporting the second guide by a rotatable supporting portion. The support has a facing surface facing the first guide surface and has the supporting portion arranged on the facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Publication number: 20120134728
    Abstract: A copy machine 1 is provided with: a main body device includes a main body ejection portion that ejects a target material on which an image is formed; and a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing on the target material that is fed to a post-processing unit inlet. The post-processing device is provided with a transformation unit that transforms a voltage of power supplied from a main power supply unit inside the main body device to a voltage required for driving of the post-processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi KOTERA
  • Publication number: 20120117814
    Abstract: A detecting member 35 has three substantially rectangular plate-shaped detecting plates 51a, 51b, and 51c formed integrally therewith which are arranged to face an arc-shaped portion 33a of a following member 33. The detecting plates 51a, 51b, and 51c are, at one end, supported on a main portion 50, and are composed of base-end portions R1, with which, at their reverse side, a prop 60 makes contact, and swing portions R2, which are located on the tip-end side of the base-end portions R1 and with which protrusions 43a and 43b on the arc-shaped portion 33a make contact. The base-end portions R1 have a wider elastically deformable range than the swing portions R2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi MARUMOTO, Kazuhisa Hirahara, Shinichi Kotera
  • Publication number: 20110227272
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a main body for performing an image forming process on a sheet. An internal discharge stores a sheet after the image forming process and a discharge opening discharges a sheet to the internal discharge. A post-processing unit can be attached to the apparatus main body to apply a specified post processing to a received sheet. A junction can be assembled into the internal discharge to convey a sheet from the discharge opening to a receiving opening of the post-processing unit. The junction includes a first guide having a first guide surface for guiding a sheet, a second guide having a second guide surface facing the first guide at a predetermined distance and a support for supporting the second guide by a rotatable supporting portion. The support has a facing surface facing the first guide surface and has the supporting portion arranged on the facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 7961363
    Abstract: In order to provide an image reading apparatus of which a contact glass sheet can be replaced and recycled with ease without damaging the contact glass sheet when removing the same, and further intrusion of particles of dust into the apparatus when operating the apparatus can be prevented, an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit mounted to be able to be reciprocated in a frame body of the apparatus and a contact glass sheet is composed such that; the frame body comprises an upward-open lower frame in which the image reading unit is accommodated to be able to be reciprocated and an upper frame having an opening on the upper face thereof to be covered with the contact glass sheet, the upper and lower frames are assembled detachably by means of fitting portions provided to both frames, the contact glass sheet is attached to said upper frame by means of a strip-shaped adhesive member glued onto the undersurface of the upper frame along the brim part of the opening to be covered with the contact gl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Tsujimoto, Tomohide Hozono, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 7745752
    Abstract: An operation key 3 is fitted in a guide hole 4 of an operation section cover 2 while making contact with support pieces 12 of a film member 10a. Thus, the support pieces 12 are pressed, widened, and then bent by an operation section 3b, thus sandwiching the support pieces 12 between the operation section 3b and the guide hole 4. Here, the film member 10a has an elastic force; thus, the operation key 3 is positioned at a substantially vertical center of the guide hole 4 by restoring forces of the support pieces 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 7665726
    Abstract: A paper feeder cassette includes a bottom part, a pair of support plates that moves relative to the bottom part and supports the both lateral sides of the sheets of paper in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper transporting direction, and a paper disposition plate that is disposed above the bottom part and disposes the sheet of paper thereon and includes an edge portion provided along a direction approximately perpendicular to the paper transporting direction on the downstream side of the pair of the support plates in the paper transporting direction and a contact avoidance portion for preventing the sheets of paper from making contact with the edge portion when disposition of the sheets of paper are performed by sliding the sheets of paper along the paper transporting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Publication number: 20090260968
    Abstract: An operation key 3 is fitted in a guide hole 4 of an operation section cover 2 while making contact with support pieces 12 of a film member 10a. Thus, the support pieces 12 are pressed, widened, and then bent by an operation section 3b, thus sandwiching the operation section 3b from the top and bottom. Here, the film member 10a has an elastic force; thus, the operation key 3 is positioned at a substantially vertical center of the guide hole 4 by restoring forces of the support pieces 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 7567365
    Abstract: In order to provide an image reading apparatus of which a contact glass sheet can be replaced and recycled with ease without damaging the contact glass sheet when removing the same, and further intrusion of particles of dust into the apparatus when operating the apparatus can be prevented, an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit mounted to be able to be reciprocated in a frame body of the apparatus and a contact glass sheet is composed such that; the frame body comprises an upward-open lower frame in which the image reading unit is accommodated to be able to be reciprocated and an upper frame having an opening on the upper face thereof to be covered with the contact glass sheet, the upper and lower frames are assembled detachably by means of fitting portions provided to both frames, the contact glass sheet is attached to said upper frame by means of a strip-shaped adhesive member glued onto the undersurface of the upper frame along the brim part of the opening to be covered with the contact gl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Tsujimoto, Tomohide Hozono, Shinichi Kotera
  • Publication number: 20090168121
    Abstract: In order to provide an image reading apparatus of which a contact glass sheet can be replaced and recycled with ease without damaging the contact glass sheet when removing the same, and further intrusion of particles of dust into the apparatus when operating the apparatus can be prevented, an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit mounted to be able to be reciprocated in a frame body of the apparatus and a contact glass sheet is composed such that; the frame body comprises an upward-open lower frame in which the image reading unit is accommodated to be able to be reciprocated and an upper frame having an opening on the upper face thereof to be covered with the contact glass sheet, the upper and lower frames are assembled detachably by means of fitting portions provided to both frames, the contact glass sheet is attached to said upper frame by means of a strip-shaped adhesive member glued onto the undersurface of the upper frame along the brim part of the opening to be covered with the contact gl
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichiro Tsujimoto, Tomohide Hozono, Shinichi Kotera
  • Publication number: 20080296832
    Abstract: A paper feeder cassette includes a bottom part, a pair of support plates that moves relative to the bottom part and supports the both lateral sides of the sheets of paper in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper transporting direction, and a paper disposition plate that is disposed above the bottom part and disposes the sheet of paper thereon and includes an edge portion provided along a direction approximately perpendicular to the paper transporting direction on the downstream side of the pair of the support plates in the paper transporting direction and a contact avoidance portion for preventing the sheets of paper from making contact with the edge portion when disposition of the sheets of paper are performed by sliding the sheets of paper along the paper transporting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi KOTERA
  • Publication number: 20050063022
    Abstract: In order to provide an image reading apparatus of which a contact glass sheet can be replaced and recycled with ease without damaging the contact glass sheet when removing the same, and further intrusion of particles of dust into the apparatus when operating the apparatus can be prevented, an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit mounted to be able to be reciprocated in a frame body of the apparatus and a contact glass sheet is composed such that; the frame body comprises an upward-open lower frame in which the image reading unit is accommodated to be able to be reciprocated and an upper frame having an opening on the upper face thereof to be covered with the contact glass sheet, the upper and lower frames are assembled detachably by means of fitting portions provided to both frames, the contact glass sheet is attached to said upper frame by means of a strip-shaped adhesive member glued onto the undersurface of the upper frame along the brim part of the opening to be covered with the contact gl
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Tsujimoto, Tomohide Hozono, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5867754
    Abstract: An image-forming machine having a photosensitive drum disposed in the machine housing, a movable mounting plate disposed in the machine housing so as to be moved toward, and away from, the photosensitive material drum, a developing device detachably mounted on the movable mounting plate from the front side of the machine housing, and a push-operation mechanism for moving the developing device and the movable mounting plate between a push position close to the photosensitive material drum and a push-release position moved away from the push position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Endo, Shinsuke Kawashima, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5715502
    Abstract: A toner conveyer applied to a housing having a pair of side walls and a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of side walls. The toner conveyer includes a shaft which is inserted at its one end portion in said through hole formed in one of said pair of side walls and is mounted between said pair of side walls to rotate. A main spiral vane is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a main portion of the shaft. An inside limiting piece is formed at the one end portion of the shaft. The inside limiting piece has protruded portions that extend in the radial direction beyond the inner diameter of the through hole and non-protruded portions located on the inside of the inner diameter of the through hole in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Taniguchi, Hiroki Morishita, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5708952
    Abstract: An imaging unit comprising a frame means, an image-carrying means mounted on the frame means, a developing means and a cleaning means. The cleaning means includes a toner conveying pipe member made of a synthetic rubber for defining a passage for conveying the toner removed from the image-carrying means, a toner conveying means for conveying the toner through the toner conveying pipe member, and a toner-recovering container detachably combined to the toner conveying pipe member. When the toner-recovering container is combined to the toner conveying pipe member, the toner discharge opening formed in the side surface of the toner conveying pipe member is communicated with the toner receiving opening formed in the toner-recovering container. A positioning member is disposed to place the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening in positions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Taniguchi, Hiroki Morishita, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5617194
    Abstract: There is provided a cleaning unit for removing residual toner present on the periphery of a photoconductive drum after toner image transfer, which includes: a main blade for scraping the toner from the surface of the photoconductive drum; and a cleaning roller disposed below the main blade and abutting against the periphery of the photoconductive drum. The inner space of the cleaning housing is divided into a cleaning chamber and a toner storage by a separator plate. A spacing between the lower end of the separator plate and the periphery of the cleaning roller is adjusted to preferably 1 mm to 2 mm, more preferably 1.3 mm to 1.5 mm. By thus adjusting the spacing, the toner is compressed when passing through the spacing and, hence, the toner transportation pressure is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Mita Industrial, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Morishita, Susumu Taniguchi, Shinichi Kotera
  • Patent number: 5581367
    Abstract: A facsimile apparatus, which receives image information and records the information on a paper sheet, features a device for recording received image information, a storing device for storing received information and an environmental condition detecting device for detecting environmental conditions in the vicinity of the facsimile apparatus. The facsimile apparatus also includes a control unit for preventing the recording device from recording the received information on a paper sheet, and instead causing the storing device to store the received image information in response to the environmental condition detecting device detecting an unsuitable environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadakazu Oogiri, Kohichi Yasuda, Hiroki Morishita, Shigeki Hayashi, Hiroyuki Ueda, Naoyuki Ishida, Shinichi Kotera, Yasuhiko Moriuchi
  • Patent number: 5572305
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using a transfer unit of a roller transfer method, the contact between the transfer unit and a photoreceptor drum can easily be canceled. The transfer unit is brought into contact with the photoreceptor drum by supplying an upward pushing force to a supporting member of the transfer unit, and a lever engaging with the supporting member to push down the supporting member is provided to connect with a front cover of the apparatus body. The transfer roller, the pre-transfer roller for feeding a sheet to the photoreceptor drum and driving force transmitting gears provided therebetween are supported by the same member to fix their relative positions so that the driving force is constantly transmitted from the transfer roller to the pre-transfer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Hayashi, Hiroyuki Ueda, Tadakazu Ogiri, Shinichi Kotera, Hiroki Morishita, Yasuhiko Moriuchi, Kohichi Yasuda, Naoyuki Ishida