Patents by Inventor Shuntaro Tamaki

Shuntaro Tamaki 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).

  • Publication number: 20140356036
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a first heat generator and a second heat generator that heat a fixing rotator. A support is disposed inside the fixing rotator. A reflector is mounted on the support and interposed between the support and each of the first heat generator and the second heat generator to reflect light radiated from the first heat generator and the second heat generator toward the fixing rotator. The reflector includes a body mounted on the support and a shield portion projecting from the body toward the first heat generator and the second heat generator to shield the fixing rotator from the first heat generator and the second heat generator. The shield portion includes a wing disposed opposite a non-conveyance span of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof where a recording medium is not conveyed over the fixing rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA, Masaaki YOSHIKAWA, Takayuki SEKI, Yuji ARAI, Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Ryuuichi MIMBU, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Takuya SESHITA, Shuntaro TAMAKI, Hajime GOTOH, Takahiro IMADA, Kazuya SAITO, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI, Akira SUZUKI, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA
  • Publication number: 20140356038
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt or a fixing belt; a pressure member to contact an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt and contacting the pressure member via the fixing belt; a heat source disposed at an interior side of the fixing belt to heat the fixing belt with radiant heat, a plurality of shielding members disposed between the heat source and the fixing belt and movable between a shielding position where the shielding member shields a non-sheet passing area on the fixing belt from the radiant heat from the heat source and a retracted position; and a controller to move the plurality of shielding members between the shielding position and the retracted position at a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Arai, Takayuki Seki, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Shuntaro Tamaki, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kazuya Saito, Hiroshi Yoshinaga
  • Publication number: 20140341624
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. A nip formation assembly presses against an opposed body via the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotary body and the opposed body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A movable heat shield movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable axial span of the fixing rotary body. A stationary heat shield, interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater, is disposed outboard from a lateral edge of a heat generator of the heater in an axial direction of the fixing rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yuji ARAI, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Takayuki Seki, Takeshi Yamamoto, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuntaro Tamaki, Hajime Gotoh, Takahiro Imada, Kazuya Saito, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji, Akira Suzuki, Hiroshi Yoshinaga
  • Publication number: 20140341627
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly contacting an inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. An opposed rotator presses against the nip formation assembly via the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip between the fixing rotator and the opposed rotator, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A support, disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, supports the nip formation assembly. A heater, disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, heats the fixing rotator. A reflector, disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator, reflects heat radiated from the fixing rotator onto the fixing rotator. The reflector spans a circumferential span of the fixing rotator where the fixing rotator is spaced apart from the support with a decreased interval therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Masaaki YOSHIKAWA, Takayuki SEKI, Yuji ARAI, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Ryuuichi MIMBU, Takuya SESHITA, Shuntaro TAMAKI, Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Takahiro IMADA, Hajime GOTOH, Kazuya SAITO, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI, Akira SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20140341625
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator heated by a heater and a pressing rotator pressed against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A heat shield interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotator to shield the fixing rotator from the heater in a variable axial shield span of the fixing rotator. The fixing rotator performs fixing rotation to convey the recording medium through the fixing nip while heating the recording medium and supplemental rotation other than fixing rotation. The heat shield moves to a decreased shield span position where the heat shield shields the fixing rotator from the heater in a decreased axial shield span of the fixing rotator during supplemental rotation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro IMADA, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Takayuki Seki, Yuji Arai, Takeshi Yamamoto, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuntaro Tamaki, Hajime Gotoh, Kazuya Saito, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji, Akira Suzuki, Hiroshi Yoshinaga
  • Publication number: 20140341623
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation, a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotator to heat the fixing rotator, and an opposed rotator contacting an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator. A heat shield interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator shields the fixing rotator from the heater. A support supports the heat shield. The heat shield includes a first section supported by the support and having a decreased thermal conductivity and a second section abutting the first section in an axial direction of the heat shield and having an increased thermal conductivity greater than the decreased thermal conductivity of the first section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Yuji Arai, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Takayuki Seki, Takeshi Yamamoto, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuntaro Tamaki, Hajime Gotoh, Takahiro Imada, Kazuya Saito, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Kensuke Yamaji, Akira Suzuki, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Yoshio Hattori
  • Publication number: 20140341626
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator heated by a heater and a pressing rotator to press against the fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween. A heating span adjuster, interposed between the heater and the fixing rotator, is movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotator. The heating span adjuster moves to a retracted position where the heating span adjuster allows the heater to heat the fixing rotator in an increased axial heating span of the fixing rotator after the heater starts heating the fixing rotator until the fixing rotator and the pressing rotator start conveying the recording medium through the fixing nip. The heating span adjuster at the retracted position is outboard from a circumferential, direct heating span of the fixing rotator where the heater heats the fixing rotator directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ryuuichi MIMBU, Masaaki YOSHIKAWA, Takayuki SEKI, Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Takuya SESHITA, Shuntaro TAMAKI, Hajime GOTOH, Takahiro IMADA, Kazuya SAITO, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA, Shuutaroh YUASA, Kensuke YAMAJI, Akira SUZUKI, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Yuji ARAI
  • Publication number: 20140270832
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite and heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body between a home position where the heat shield is disposed opposite the heater indirectly and a shield position where the heat shield is disposed opposite the heater directly to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater. A controller is operatively connected to the heat shield to move the heat shield to the home position when a print job is finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Saito, Takayuki Seki, Yuji Arai, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Shuntaro Tamaki, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Shuutaroh Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20140270833
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a heater for heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable circumferential direct heating span of the fixing rotary body where the heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body directly. A controller is operatively connected to the heater and the heat shield to move the heat shield after the controller turns on the heater as a print job starts so as to change an area of the direct heating span of the fixing rotary body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuutaroh Yuasa, Shuntaro Tamaki, Takayuki Seki, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Yuji Arai, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Kazuya Saito
  • Publication number: 20140270875
    Abstract: A pressure adjuster for changing pressure between a plurality of opposed bodies pressed against each other includes a cam rotatable in a given direction of rotation and having a top dead center on an outer circumferential surface thereof that is distanced farthest from a rotation axis of the cam. A driver is connected to the cam to drive and rotate the cam. A cam rest contacts the cam and is connected to one of the plurality of opposed bodies. A cam regulation assembly is connected to the cam to regulate rotation of the cam at least when the top dead center of the cam passes a contact position where the cam contacts the cam rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuuichi MIMBU, Takayuki SEKI, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Yuji ARAI, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Yoshiki YAMAGUCHI, Kazuya SAITO, Shuutaroh YUASA, Shuntaro TAMAKI, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA, Naoki IWAYA
  • Publication number: 20140270831
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing rotary body and a heater for heating the fixing rotary body. An opposed body contacts the fixing rotary body with releasable pressure therebetween to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A heat shield is interposed between the heater and the fixing rotary body and movable in a circumferential direction of the fixing rotary body to shield the fixing rotary body from the heater in a variable circumferential direct heating span of the fixing rotary body where the heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotary body directly. A controller halts the heat shield instantly when a fault occurs during a print job.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Takayuki SEKI, Yuji ARAI, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Ryuuichi MIMBU, Yoshiki YAMAGUCHI, Shuntaro TAMAKI, Kazuya SAITO, Shuutaroh YUASA, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140248072
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a support member disposed to support a nip formation member on an inner peripheral surface of a fixing belt. The support member includes a parallel portion that supports the nip formation member and extends parallel to a sheet transport direction in a nip portion, and a rise portion that extends from the parallel portion in a direction drawn apart from the nip portion. The rise portion is inclined to the parallel portion such that an inclination direction of the rise portion is substantially parallel to a virtual straight line connecting a center of rotation of the fixing belt and an inlet point of the nip portion or falls within a range of rotational angles of ±15° by which the virtual straight line is rotated around the center of rotation of the fixing belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takayuki Seki, Yuji Arai, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Shuntaro Tamaki, Kazuya Saito, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Toshihiko Shimokawa