Patents by Inventor Susumu Sakuma

Susumu Sakuma 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: 10518533
    Abstract: A head module includes a head, a driver IC, a heat spreader, a holder and a heat insulator. The head ejects liquid in response to the driver IC. The heat spreader is in thermal communication with the driver IC. The holder supports the head. The heat insulator is located to thermally isolate the heat spreader and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20180178516
    Abstract: A head module includes a head, a driver IC, a heat spreader, a holder and a heat insulator. The head ejects liquid in response to the driver IC. The heat spreader is in thermal communication with the driver IC. The holder supports the head. The heat insulator is located to thermally isolate the heat spreader and the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu SAKUMA
  • Patent number: 9829848
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20170010575
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9500993
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9454127
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9298157
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first frame, an image-carrying member, a transfer member, and a second frame. The image-carrying member is rotatably supported by the first frame and is configured to carry a developer image thereon. The transfer member is rotatably supported by the first frame and faces the image-carrying member. The transfer member is configured to transfer the developer image from the image-carrying member to a recording medium. The image-carrying member and the transfer member define a nip portion therebetween. The second frame is attached to the first frame and is disposed downstream from the nip portion in a passage direction in which a recording medium passes. The second frame defines at least part of a first opening. The first opening allows a recording medium that has passed through the nip portion to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9268301
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; and a process cartridge. The housing is formed with a first opening through which recording medium is to be introduced into an inside of the housing. The process cartridge is configured to be mounted in the inside of the housing and is provided with a photosensitive body. The process cartridge is provided with a process cartridge holding part configured to be held by a user so as to remove the process cartridge from the housing. The process cartridge holding part is configured such that in a state where the process cartridge is mounted in the inside of the housing, the process cartridge holding part prevents at least part of light that has entered the inside of the housing through the first opening from reaching the photosensitive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Sakuma, Yasumasa Fujii, Hiroki Mori, Saya Minoshima
  • Publication number: 20150362887
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9170552
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the plurality of photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; a cleaning unit having a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt; and a positioning member configured to cause the cleaning member to be positioned at a contacting position where the cleaning member contacts with the conveyor belt and at a spaced-apart position where the cleaning member is away from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9122209
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20150220022
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9052642
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; and a cleaning unit including a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member. The cleaning member is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt and upstream from the image forming unit as viewed in a sheet conveyance direction along which the recording sheet is conveyed on the conveyor belt, and the image forming unit and the cleaning unit are pulled out together from a main body of the image forming apparatus toward an upstream side of the sheet conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 9046867
    Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer casing, a developer carrying member, and a receptacle. The developer carrying member is mounted on the developer casing. The receptacle is supported on the developer casing to be slidable linearly with respect to the developing casing, and is configured to accommodate a waste developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kensuke Miyahara, Hikaru Yoshizumi, Susumu Sakuma, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9031476
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20150125178
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; and a process cartridge. The housing is formed with a first opening through which recording medium is to be introduced into an inside of the housing. The process cartridge is configured to be mounted in the inside of the housing and is provided with a photosensitive body. The process cartridge is provided with a process cartridge holding part configured to be held by a user so as to remove the process cartridge from the housing. The process cartridge holding part is configured such that in a state where the process cartridge is mounted in the inside of the housing, the process cartridge holding part prevents at least part of light that has entered the inside of the housing through the first opening from reaching the photosensitive body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Susumu Sakuma, Yasumasa Fujii, Hiroki Mori, Saya Minoshima
  • Publication number: 20150125179
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first frame, an image-carrying member, a transfer member, and a second frame. The image-carrying member is rotatably supported by the first frame and is configured to carry a developer image thereon. The transfer member is rotatably supported by the first frame and faces the image-carrying member. The transfer member is configured to transfer the developer image from the image-carrying member to a recording medium. The image-carrying member and the transfer member define a nip portion therebetween. The second frame is attached to the first frame and is disposed downstream from the nip portion in a passage direction in which a recording medium passes. The second frame defines at least part of a first opening. The first opening allows a recording medium that has passed through the nip portion to pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8989622
    Abstract: A toner cartridge is mountable on a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a supply roller. The toner cartridge includes a first accommodating unit and an agitating member. The first toner accommodating unit has a peripheral surface in which an inner hollow space for accommodating a toner is formed. The agitating member is disposed in the first toner accommodating unit and rotates in a rotating direction to agitate the toner. The peripheral surface has a wall portion formed with a first supply-hole at an upstream side in the rotating direction. The wall portion is curved about a reference line as a center of curvature and depressed inward the first toner accommodating unit. The reference line is outside of the first toner accommodating unit in a radial direction of the agitating member and extending in a prescribed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma, Ryuya Yamazaki, Shunsuke Ishii
  • Publication number: 20150003861
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20140348554
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; and a cleaning unit including a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member. The cleaning member is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt and upstream from the image forming unit as viewed in a sheet conveyance direction along which the recording sheet is conveyed on the conveyor belt, and the image forming unit and the cleaning unit are pulled out together from a main body of the image forming apparatus toward an upstream side of the sheet conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma