Patents by Inventor Shoutaro Okamoto

Shoutaro Okamoto 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: 8073365
    Abstract: An ion generating device is arranged such that a heater electrode is wired so as to heat (i) a creeping discharge area and (ii) areas where respective terminal sections of an induction electrode, a discharge electrode, and the heater electrode are provided. This allows prevention of dew condensation and nitric acid generation in the vicinities of the respective terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Shoutaro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8068768
    Abstract: In an ion generating element, (i) an induction electrode and a heater electrode are provided away from each other on one surface of an insulating base material such that the induction electrode and the heater electrode are insulated from each other, (ii) a dielectric layer is provided on the surface of the insulating base material, and (iii) the dielectric layer has a length covering the insulating base material and the dielectric layer has openings above a ground terminal of the induction electrode and above a ground terminal and a power supply connection terminal of the heater electrode so that the terminals are exposed. As a result, it is possible to provide an ion generating element for generating ions along with creeping discharge, a charging device, and an image forming apparatus, each of which can be produced at low costs and prevent damages when unexpected troubles occur, and each of which is excellent in terms of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Shoutaro Okamoto, Toshiaki Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20100158582
    Abstract: An ion generating device is arranged such that a heater electrode is wired so as to heat (i) a creeping discharge area and (ii) areas where respective terminal sections of an induction electrode, a discharge electrode, and the heater electrode are provided. This allows prevention of dew condensation and nitric acid generation in the vicinities of the respective terminal sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Shoutaro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20090311008
    Abstract: In an ion generating element, (i) an induction electrode and a heater electrode are provided away from each other on one surface of an insulating base material such that the induction electrode and the heater electrode are insulated from each other, (ii) a dielectric layer is provided on the surface of the insulating base material, and (iii) the dielectric layer has a length covering the insulating base material and the dielectric layer has openings above a ground terminal of the induction electrode and above a ground terminal and a power supply connection terminal of the heater electrode so that the terminals are exposed. As a result, it is possible to provide an ion generating element for generating ions along with creeping discharge, a charging device, and an image forming apparatus, each of which can be produced at low costs and prevent damages when unexpected troubles occur, and each of which is excellent in terms of safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Katsumi ADACHI, Shoutaro OKAMOTO, Toshiaki KAGAWA