Patents by Inventor Takahiro Bito

Takahiro Bito 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: 9040217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier for a two-component electrophotographic developer, comprising a core particle and a thermoset silicone resin layer coated thereon, wherein said layer comprises a charge control agent and is formed by heat-treatment at a temperature below the melting point of said charge control agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuki Takatsuka, Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Satoh, Masaki Ueji
  • Patent number: 8531719
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus into which a memory device is insertable and which performs a printing process on an image of image data stored in the memory device. The image forming apparatus includes a memory reading section for detecting insertion of the memory device into the image forming apparatus, and a display processing section for performing a notification process of warning of accidental ingestion of the memory device, when the memory reading section detects the insertion of the memory device. This makes it more surely possible to cause a user to give attention to accidental ingestion by young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuki Takatsuka, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Kato, Toru Nishikawa, Junichi Saito, Hitoshi Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8126340
    Abstract: The toner transporting section is provided with a plurality of toner discharge portions, selectively discharges a waste toner from any one of the plurality of toner discharge portions, and stores the waste toner in a waste toner container to which the waste toner discharged from the selected toner discharge portion is to be stored. Accordingly, it is possible to exchange the waste toner container corresponding to the toner discharge portion not used for discharging the waste toner. Therefore, it is possible to exchange the waste toner containers without stopping an image forming operation in an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Bito, Hitoshi Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8043781
    Abstract: A toner comprising a small-particle diameter external additive having a number average particle diameter of 7 to 20 nm, a large-particle diameter external additive having a number average particle diameter of 40 to 80 nm and a toner particle having a volume average particle diameter of 4 to 7 ?m, wherein the large-particle diameter external additive is stuck to the surface of the toner particles in a semi-embedded state and has a rate of liberation of 0.1% by weight or less from the surface of the toner particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Satoh
  • Publication number: 20110205599
    Abstract: A memory storage section in which a memory attachment section is provided is provided in a place of a platen which place is to be covered with a platen cover. This makes it possible to prevent a young child from accidentally detaching a portable recording medium detachably attached to an image reading device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Takeshi KATO, Takahiro Bito, Toru Nishikawa, Junichi Saito, Kazuki Takatsuka, Hitoshi Nagahama
  • Publication number: 20110188083
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus into which a memory device is insertable and which performs a printing process on an image of image data stored in the memory device. The image forming apparatus includes a memory reading section for detecting insertion of the memory device into the image forming apparatus, and a display processing section for performing a notification process of warning of accidental ingestion of the memory device, when the memory reading section detects the insertion of the memory device. This makes it more surely possible to cause a user to give attention to accidental ingestion by young children.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kazuki Takatsuka, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Kato, Toru Nishikawa, Junichi Saito, Hitoshi Nagahama
  • Publication number: 20090226218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier for a two-component electrophotographic developer, comprising a core particle and a thermoset silicone resin layer coated thereon, wherein said layer comprises a charge control agent and is formed by heat-treatment at a temperature below the melting point of said charge control agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Kazuki Takatsuka, Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Satoh, Masaki Ueji
  • Patent number: 7514193
    Abstract: Provided is a developing toner for electrostatic latent images capable of coping with the size reduction of an image forming apparatus and decrease of the consumption amount, not shortening the working life of a photoreceptor, less causing paper jam, background fogging, etc., excellent in various characteristics required for the toner, and capable of forming images of good picture quality. The developing toner being used when images are formed to a recording material in an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming station, a recording material feeding station, an image fixing station and a controlling station, the developing toner for electrostatic latent images containing hydrophobic fluidizing particles deposited to the surface of coloring resin particles comprising a binder resin containing a polyester resin, a polyalkylene, a polyolefin dispersant and a non-oxidized polyethylene resin, and an inorganic pigment, and having time constant ? of from 100 to 350 msec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nagahama, Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Tenjiku Eiji, Takeshi Satoh, Ohkawa Takeshi
  • Publication number: 20090035683
    Abstract: A toner comprising a small-particle diameter external additive having a number average particle diameter of 7 to 20 nm, a large-particle diameter external additive having a number average particle diameter of 40 to 80 nm and a toner particle having a volume average particle diameter of 4 to 7 ?m, wherein the large-particle diameter external additive is stuck to the surface of the toner particles in a semi-embedded state and has a rate of liberation of 0.1% by weight or less from the surface of the toner particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Tatsuo IMAFUKU, Takahiro Bito, Takeshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 7449274
    Abstract: A toner for electrostatic image development, which contains toner particles in which not more than 13 percent by number of the toner particles have a particle diameter of smaller than 4 ?m, not less than 20 percent by number of the toner particles have a particle diameter of 4 ?m to 6 ?m, and not more than 2.0 percent by volume of the toner particles have a particle diameter of 16 ?m or greater. The toner particles have a volume average diameter of 4 ?m to 9 ?m, and at least an external additive is added to the toner particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Eiji Tenjiku, Takeshi Satoh, Takeshi Ohkawa, Akiko Tsujimoto
  • Publication number: 20080075483
    Abstract: The toner transporting section is provided with a plurality of toner discharge portions, selectively discharges a waste toner from any one of the plurality of toner discharge portions, and stores the waste toner in a waste toner container to which the waste toner discharged from the selected toner discharge portion is to be stored. Accordingly, it is possible to exchange the waste toner container corresponding to the toner discharge portion not used for discharging the waste toner. Therefore, it is possible to exchange the waste toner containers without stopping an image forming operation in an image forming apparatus provided with a cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Bito, Hitoshi Nagahama
  • Patent number: 7070897
    Abstract: In the two-component developer for use in electrophotography containing a toner and a carrier, said toner contains a magnetic powder as an external additive, said carrier is a resin coated magnetic carrier of 6.0 to 8.0 in true specific gravity, and the coating resin is a silicone based resin containing a crosslinking agent having phenyl groups and an aminosilane coupling agent. The crossliking agent in the coating resin for the carrier has phenyl groups in a content ratio of 0.2 to 15% by number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Imafuku, Junichi Saito, Takahiro Bito
  • Publication number: 20060093947
    Abstract: A toner for electrostatic image development, which contains toner particles in which not more than 13 percent by number of the toner particles have a particle diameter of smaller than 4 ?m, not less than 20 percent by number of the toner particles have a particle diameter of 4 ?m to 6 ?m, and not more than 2.0 percent by volume of the toner particles have a particle diameter of 16 ?m or greater. The toner particles have a volume average diameter of 4 ?m to 9 ?m, and at least an external additive is added to the toner particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Eiji Tenjiku, Takeshi Satoh, Takeshi Ohkawa, Akiko Tsujimoto
  • Publication number: 20050221214
    Abstract: Provided is a developing toner for electrostatic latent images capable of coping with the size reduction of an image forming apparatus and decrease of the consumption amount, not shortening the working life of a photoreceptor, less causing paper jam, background fogging, etc., excellent in various characteristics required for the toner, and capable of forming images of good picture quality. The developing toner being used when images are formed to a recording material in an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming station, a recording material feeding station, an image fixing station and a controlling station, the developing toner for electrostatic latent images containing hydrophobic fluidizing particles deposited to the surface of coloring resin particles comprising a binder resin containing a polyester resin, a polyalkylene, a polyolefin dispersant and a non-oxidized polyethylene resin, and an inorganic pigment, and having time constant ? of from 100 to 350 msec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nagahama, Tatsuo Imafuku, Takahiro Bito, Tenjiku Eiji, Takeshi Satoh, Ohkawa Takeshi
  • Patent number: 6864031
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic developer which reduces toner contamination on the surface of a developer carrier even when a development effective range is narrowed and which is stabilized in an image quality in every environmental situation and has a long life and a low cost and an image-forming method using the same. In the present invention, used for the electrostatically charged-image holder described above having a radius of curvature of 18 mm or less in a development effective range is the electrophotographic developer which is a two-component developer comprising a toner comprising at least a binder and a colorant and a carrier which is coated with a resin and has a weight average particle diameter of 40 to 100 ?m, wherein the above toner has a volume average particle diameter of 8 to 11.5 ?m, and the toner particles having a diameter of 6.35 ?m or less account for 20 number % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ishida, Tatsuo Imafuku, Junichi Saito, Takahiro Bito
  • Publication number: 20040142267
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic developer which reduces toner contamination on the surface of a developer carrier even when a development effective range is narrowed and which is stabilized in an image quality in every environmental situation and has a long life and a low cost and an image-forming method using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushika Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ishida, Tatsuo Imafuku, Junichi Saito, Takahiro Bito
  • Publication number: 20030082471
    Abstract: In the two-component developer for use in electrophotography containing a toner and a carrier, said toner contains a magnetic powder as an external additive, said carrier is a resin coated magnetic carrier of 6.0 to 8.0 in true specific gravity, and the coating resin is a silicone based resin containing a crosslinking agent having phenyl groups and an aminosilane coupling agent. The crossliking agent in the coating resin for the carrier has phenyl groups in a content ratio of 0.2 to 15% by number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Imafuku, Junichi Saito, Takahiro Bito
  • Publication number: 20020119387
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic developer which reduces toner contamination on the surface of a developer carrier even when a development effective range is narrowed and which is stabilized in an image quality in every environmental situation and has a long life and a low cost and an image-forming method using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ishida, Tatsuo Imafuku, Junichi Saito, Takahiro Bito
  • Patent number: 6317576
    Abstract: A magnetic member is arranged at a position on the downstream side with respect to the rotational direction of a developing sleeve, outside the developer conveyance path where the magnetism from the magnetic member has no influence on the magnetic field of the developing magnetic pole. When the magnetic member is arranged with its N pole facing the developing sleeve, the magnetic attractive force from the magnetic member weakens the developer's attraction to the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve. When the magnetic member is arranged with its S pole facing the developing sleeve, the developer being conveyed along the developer conveyance path is magnetized in such a direction as to repel the peripheral surface of the developing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ishida, Hitoshi Nagahama, Katsuaki Sumida, Takahiro Bito, Keizo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6110635
    Abstract: A binder resin as the main component of the toner has a low molecular weight polypropylene as a separating agent, encapsulated therein. Using this binder a toner with the wax having a diameter of 0.3 .mu.m or less dispersed therein is produced. The wax is included 0.5 part to 5 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. This limitation of the toner prevents the setoff phenomenon during the fixing process and at the same time prevents the filming phenomenon over the photoreceptor and achieves an improved fixing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Urata, Tatsuo Imafuku, Toshihisa Ishida, Takahiro Bito, Tadashi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Akazawa, Yasuharu Morinishi, Nobuyasu Honda