Patents by Inventor Susumu Nittani

Susumu Nittani 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: 20160223985
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Publication number: 20160170370
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 9304444
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Patent number: 9285756
    Abstract: A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a projection-recess portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Publication number: 20160048105
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Patent number: 9141083
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Patent number: 9110439
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, includes a grip member that is provided on the frame member for gripping the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted on or dismounted from the apparatus body, the grip member including a first molded member that is integrally molded with the frame member, and a second molded member that is integrally molded on the first molded member with a second resin after the molding of the first molded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Susumu Nittani, Masato Tanabe
  • Patent number: 9042774
    Abstract: A cartridge attachable/detachable to/from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a developer storage unit configured to store developer, a partitioning member movably provided inside the developer storage unit and configured to partition the developer storage unit, a developer conveyance member configured to convey the developer stored in the developer storage unit, and an operated portion configured to move the partitioning member, wherein when the cartridge is attached to the main assembly, the operated portion is moved by touching the main assembly to move the partitioning member from a first position to a second position where the developer storage unit is caused to be greater in capacity than that in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20150078780
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Patent number: 8971760
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Publication number: 20140334845
    Abstract: A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a biting portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 8886109
    Abstract: A cleaning unit including: frame abutment portions each including a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion; support portions each including a first support portion which abuts against the first abutment portion, and a second support portion which abuts against the second abutment portion so as to support a cleaning member in a pivotable manner about the frame abutment portions as a pivot axis; and an urging member configured to urge the cleaning member in a direction in which an elastic member is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum by pivoting the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chadani, Akihiro Fujiwara, Susumu Nittani, Masato Tanabe, Hideki Kakuta, Keisuke Nomura
  • Patent number: 8862015
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a developer supplying roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller. The process cartridge also includes first and second portions-to-be-positioned on ends of the cartridge, and a portion-to-be urged for receiving an elastic force. A developer supplying roller bias contact is provided exposed at an end side of the process cartridge for receiving a supplying roller bias voltage to be supplied to the developer side supplying roller, with the cartridge side developer supplying roller bias facing obliquely downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8831487
    Abstract: A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a projection-recess portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima
  • Patent number: 8712284
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum frame, a movable developing frame taking a position where the roller contacts the drum, and a force receiver having first and second force receivers for receiving first and second external forces. The second force receiver moves relative to the developing frame. The second force receiver takes a stand-by position retracted from an operating position when the first force receiver receives the first external force, and moves from the stand-by to the operating position for moving the developing frame from the contacting position to the spacing position. The distance the second force receiver moves from the stand-by to the operating position is larger than the distance the first force receiver moves by the first external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinjiro Toba, Akira Yoshimura, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20140086618
    Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus includes a frame; a cleaning blade; a first seal sealing between the frame and the blade, provided by injection molding into the frame adjacent to an axial end; and a second seal between the frame and the drum, provided opposing to the free end portion adjacent to the axial end portion, and the second seal having a L-like configuration with projection extending in a direction crossing with the axial direction outwardly beyond an end surface of the blade, wherein the first seal includes a base portion provided at a position inside of the end surface and extending in the crossing direction and an extension extending from the base portion in the axial direction, the extension having a free end portion compressed by the projection to seal between the projection and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Shimizu, Susumu Nittani, Keisuke Nomura, Hideki Kakuta
  • Publication number: 20140086629
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, includes a grip member that is provided on the frame member for gripping the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted on or dismounted from the apparatus body, the grip member including a first molded member that is integrally molded with the frame member, and a second molded member that is integrally molded on the first molded member with a second resin after the molding of the first molded member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Fujiwara, Susumu Nittani, Masato Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20140056614
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, and a developer supplying roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller. The process cartridge also includes first and second portions-to-be-positioned on ends of the cartridge, and a portion-to-be urged for receiving an elastic force. A developer supplying roller bias contact is provided exposed at an end side of the process cartridge for receiving a supplying roller bias voltage to be supplied to the developer side supplying roller, with the cartridge side developer supplying roller bias facing obliquely downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao Koishi, Susumu Nittani, Masatomo Tsuzuki, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20130315622
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Kazunari Murayama, Susumu Nittani, Atsushi Numagami
  • Publication number: 20130308978
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive member unit including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member, the developing unit being movable between a contact position in which the developing roller is contacted to the photosensitive member and a separated position in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive member. The process cartridge also includes a drive transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force for driving the developing roller at one longitudinal end side of the developing unit. The drive transmitting portion provides to the developing unit a force for moving the developing unit in a direction from the separated position toward the contact position by receiving the driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Susumu Nittani, Kazunari Murayama, Hideki Maeshima, Yukio Kubo