Patents by Inventor Takamasa Ozeki

Takamasa Ozeki 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: 7813680
    Abstract: To downsize a developing device in the developing carrier axial direction without generating image concentration irregularities from recirculation of developer in the magnetic roller end regions, an N2 pole and an N3 pole, which are mutually adjacent having the same polarity (N polarity), and which are for generating a magnetic force for removing from a developing sleeve a developer that has passed through a developing region, are provided on a magnetic roller. Magnets of this developing device, which are for generating a magnetic field to displace to the inside in the axial direction magnetic force lines that cause peeling force in the direction of separation from the developing sleeve to act on developer on the developing sleeve, based on the magnetic force of the N2 pole and the N3 pole, and that pass through the axial direction end regions within a developer separation region on the developing sleeve, are provided on the outside of the magnetic roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Masuda, Yoshio Hattori, Hiroyuki Uenishi, Yuji Suzuki, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20090245887
    Abstract: To downsize a developing device in the developing carrier axial direction without generating image concentration irregularities from recirculation of developer in the magnetic roller end regions, an N2 pole and an N3 pole, which are mutually adjacent having the same polarity (N polarity), and which are for generating a magnetic force for removing from a developing sleeve a developer that has passed through a developing region, are provided on a magnetic roller. Magnets of this developing device, which are for generating a magnetic field to displace to the inside in the axial direction magnetic force lines that cause peeling force in the direction of separation from the developing sleeve to act on developer on the developing sleeve, based on the magnetic force of the N2 pole and the N3 pole, and that pass through the axial direction end regions within a developer separation region on the developing sleeve, are provided on the outside of the magnetic roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Katsumi Masuda, Yoshio Hattori, Hiroyuki Uenishi, Yuji Suzuki, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20090245889
    Abstract: A developing unit includable in a process cartridge and in an image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member including a magnetic field generator and a nonmagnetic hollow member, a developer container, an agitation/conveyance member, and a developer regulating member. The magnetic field generator has first and second magnetic poles to generate respective magnetic forces for removing the developer from the developer bearing member after the developer passes the development region. A developer-releasing region releases the developer from the developer bearing member using a release force. The developer is disposed higher than a surface of the developer in the developer storing chamber. A component of a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator in a direction normal to the developer-releasing region is directed to a same direction as the first and second magnetic poles across the developer-releasing region without forming a local maximum point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Kyohta Koetsuka, Masayuki Ohsawa, Yoshiyuki Takano, Katsumi Masuda, Yoshio Hattori, Yuji Suzuki, Takamasa Ozeki, Hiroyuki Uenishi
  • Publication number: 20090245882
    Abstract: A developing unit includable in a process cartridge and in an image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member including a magnetic field generator and a nonmagnetic hollow member, a developer container, an agitation/conveyance member, a developer regulating member to regulate the thickness of a layer of the two-component developer. The magnetic field generator has first and second magnetic poles to generate respective magnetic forces for removing the developer from the developer bearing member after the developer passes the development region. The second magnetic pole generates a magnetic force to attract the developer to form a magnetic brush on the developer bearing member. The developer regulating member includes a magnetic member outwardly disposed on an exterior perimeter surface of the developer bearing member upstream from the developer regulating member, and one planar surface of the magnetic member faces the second magnetic pole across an effective development region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Takamasa OZEKI, Katsumi Masuda, Yoahio Hattori, Hiroyuki Uenishi, Yuji Suzuki, Kyohta Koetsuka, Masayuki Ohsawa, Yoshlyuki Takano, Takeroh Kurenuma
  • Patent number: 7474867
    Abstract: A two-component developer including toner and magnetic carriers is provided. The two-component developer is characterized in that when a development device including a developer bearing member bearing the two-component developer is operated under a development condition of an image forming apparatus using a quasi-photoconductor in which a 10 ?m thick layer of tetrafluoroethylene resin is provided to a conductive material, the number of times of light emission occurring in a magnetic brush formed on the developer bearing member due to partial conduction in the magnetic brush is 10 times or less per second at an observation cross section that is perpendicular relative to a rotation axis of the developer bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Takayuki Maruta, Takuji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 7283774
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 ?m to 20 ?m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami
  • Publication number: 20060188297
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 ?m to 20 ?m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami
  • Patent number: 7095971
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 ?m to 20 ?m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami
  • Patent number: 7003235
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer including toner having a coloring agent dispersed in a binder resin, and carrier having a core material, and a coating layer covering the core material and containing a binder resin and a powder. A toner density detecting device detects a toner density of the developer by use of a bulk density sensor, and a control device controls the toner density based on a detection result of the toner density detecting device. The toner density is controlled such that ratio (D/h) of an average particle diameter (D) of the powder to a thickness of the coating layer is greater than 1 and less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Azami, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20050281593
    Abstract: A two-component developer including toner and magnetic carriers is provided. The two-component developer is characterized in that when a development device including a developer bearing member bearing the two-component developer is operated under a development condition of an image forming apparatus using a quasi-photoconductor in which a 10 ?m thick layer of tetrafluoroethylene resin is provided to a conductive material, the number of times of light emission occurring in a magnetic brush formed on the developer bearing member due to partial conduction in the magnetic brush is 10 times or less per second at an observation cross section that is perpendicular relative to a rotation axis of the developer bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Takayuki Maruta, Takuji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 6904244
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer carrier and a developer regulating member including a developer regulating part opposing a surface of the developer carrier to regulate the developer carried and conveyed by the developer carrier. The developer regulating member is formed from a single metallic member and includes a space that faces an inner surface of the metallic member. The space extends in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the developer carrier. The developing device can include a cooling device that cools the developer regulating member from an inner surface side of the metallic member facing the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, LTD
    Inventors: Akira Azami, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Patent number: 6895203
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 ?m to 20 ?m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami
  • Publication number: 20050058464
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer including toner having a coloring agent dispersed in a binder resin, and carrier having a core material, and a coating layer covering the core material and containing a binder resin and a powder. A toner density detecting device detects a toner density of the developer by use of a bulk density sensor, and a control device controls the toner density based on a detection result of the toner density detecting device. The toner density is controlled such that ratio (D/h) of an average particle diameter (D) of the powder to a thickness of the coating layer is greater than 1 and less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Akira Azami, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20050053400
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 ?m to 20 ?m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 ?m to 60 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami
  • Publication number: 20040190946
    Abstract: A two-component developer including toner and magnetic carriers is provided. The two-component developer is characterized in that when a development device including a developer bearing member bearing the two-component developer is operated under a development condition of an image forming apparatus using a quasi-photoconductor in which a 10 &mgr;m thick layer of tetrafluoroethylene resin is provided to a conductive material, the number of times of light emission occurring in a magnetic brush formed on the developer bearing member due to partial conduction in the magnetic brush is 10 times or less per second at an observation cross section that is perpendicular relative to a rotation axis of the developer bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Shigekazu Enoki, Osamu Ariizumi, Hisao Kurosu, Shinichi Namekata, Takamasa Ozeki, Takayuki Maruta, Takuji Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20030161645
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer including toner having a coloring agent dispersed in a binder resin, and carrier having a core material, and a coating layer covering the core material and containing a binder resin and a powder. A toner density detecting device detects a toner density of the developer by use of a bulk density sensor, and a control device controls the toner density based on a detection result of the toner density detecting device. The toner density is controlled such that ratio (D/h) of an average particle diameter (D) of the powder to a thickness of the coating layer is greater than 1 and less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Akira Azami, Takamasa Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20030161665
    Abstract: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters the amount of the developer deposited on the sleeve. The sleeve has surface roughness Rz ranging from 5 &mgr;m to 20 &mgr;m. The carrier grains each are covered with a coating layer containing at least binder resin and grains. The ratio of the diameter D of the individual grain contained in the coating layer to the thickness h of the binder resin layer lies in the range of 1<D/h<10. The carrier grains have a weight-mean grain size ranging from 20 &mgr;m to 60 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Takamasa Ozeki, Akira Azami