Patents by Inventor Takao Yamanouchi

Takao Yamanouchi 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: 20080299477
    Abstract: An objective is to provide a toner and a method of manufacturing the toner by which a charging amount of toner is kept maintaining to be an appropriate value for a long duration, print images with no fog, together with high density obtained even after heavy-duty printing are obtained, and no contamination within an apparatus caused by toner scattering is generated. Also disclosed is an electrophotographic toner possessing at least a resin and a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a compound represented by Formula (1) or a lake product of the compound, and the colorant extracted from the electrophotographic toner surface has a colorant surface-exposure amount index of 0.3-0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Akio Sato, Shingo Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20080050156
    Abstract: A method of forming an image comprising: (a) developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor with an electrophotographic toner so as to obtain a toner image; (b) transferring the toner image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a recording paper; and (c) fixing the transferred toner image with a fixing device comprising a belt fixing member having an endless belt, wherein the electrophotographic toner comprises a polymer having a glass transition point of 20 to 40° C.; an interfacial adhesion force (Fr) between the electrophotographic toner and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) is 1 to 3.5 N; and the fixing device comprises a heating roller which is provided at a position apart from a fixing nip area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Shingo Fujimoto, Shiro Hirano, Junya Onishi
  • Publication number: 20080038653
    Abstract: An electrophotographic developer comprising a toner and a carrier is disclosed. The toner contains a toner binder resin, a colorant and a releasing agent, and a carrier contains a magnetic particles dispersed in a carrier binder resin, wherein the releasing agent contained in toner is composed of from 40 to 98% by weight of a first releasing agent component of an ester compound and 60 to 2% by weight of a second releasing agent component of a hydrocarbon compound having a branched-chain structure, and the carrier has a shape coefficient SF-1 of from 1.0 to 1.2 and a shape coefficient S-2 of from 1.1 to 2.5, and a volume based median diameter of from 10 to 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi YAMAZAKI, Shingo FUJIMOTO, Ken OHMURA, Takao YAMANOUCHI
  • Publication number: 20080020316
    Abstract: An electrophotographic toner is disclosed, meeting the requirement that a ratio of a storage modulus at 60° C. [G?(60)] to a storage modulus at 80° C. [G?(80)], G?(60)/G?(80) is from 1×102 to 1×104; a ratio of a storage modulus at 100° C. [G?(100)] to a storage modulus at 120° C. [G?(120)], G?(100)/G?(120) is from 1 to 10; and a storage modulus at a temperature of from 140 to 160° C., [G?(140-160)] is not less than 102 dyn/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shiro HIRANO, Shingo FUJIMOTO, Takao YAMANOUCHI, Hirofumi KOGA, Masaaki KONDO, Junya ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20070254233
    Abstract: In an image forming method in which a toner image, which is visualized via an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor, employing a developer incorporating toner, is transferred onto a recording material followed by fixing, and any residual toner remaining on the electrophotographic photoreceptor is removed, an image forming method in which an electrophotographic photoreceptor and a toner which satisfy specified requirements are employed and image formation is carried out while feeding a surface energy lowering agent from the developer onto the aforesaid electrophotographic photoreceptor, and an image forming apparatus employing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shingo FUJIMOTO, Takao YAMANOUCHI, Hirofumi KOGA, Masaaki KONDO, Shiro HIRANO, Junya ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20070206866
    Abstract: Provided are a specific image information adding method with enhanced detection accuracy enabling multiple pieces of information to be added, and an image forming apparatus using the method. In the method of adding specific image information about a recorded image onto the recorded image, the specific image information consists of reference information and identification information, the reference information is formed so as to be able to set a reference position for reading of the specific image information, and the identification information is formed from dot images indicative of bit information at predetermined positions on an arc or a circumference around the reference position. The identification information can represent a single information item by a plurality of dot images, which are placed on a plurality of different arcs or circumferences and arranged at predetermined spacings in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakai, Koichi Sumida, Takao Yamanouchi
  • Publication number: 20070178399
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic image forming method which comprises steps of forming a toner image on an image support, fixing the toner image on the image support in a fixing nip section of a fixing device employing a contact heating system and the toner contains a first releasing agent, a dynamic viscosity of the first releasing agent is 4-20 mm2/sec; and a fixing temperature in the fixing nip section of the fixing device is 75-100° C. higher than a melting point of the first releasing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Shingo Fujimoto, Takao Yamanouchi, Kazuya Isobe, Hirofumi Koga
  • Publication number: 20070178397
    Abstract: An electrophotographic toner is disclosed, comprising a binding resin, a colorant and a releasing agent, wherein the releasing agent comprises a first releasing agent component of a monoester compound represented by formula (1) and a second releasing agent component composed of a hydrocarbon compound having a branched chain structure, and the first releasing agent component accounting for 40% to 98% by mass of the total amount of the first and second releasing agent components: R1—COO—R2 ??(1) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrocarbon group having 13 to 30 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takao YAMANOUCHI, Shingo FUJIMOTO, Makoto KOBAYASHI, Kazuya ISOBE, Hirofumi KOGA
  • Publication number: 20060269861
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toner having a core/shell structure and including a hydrophilic resin and a hydrophobic resin, and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Shiro Hirano, Shingo Fujimoto, Takao Yamanouchi, Junya Onishi
  • Patent number: 7018761
    Abstract: A toner used for an image forming method comprises steps of: limiting an amount of toner on a surface of a toner carrier by allowing a toner layer limiting member to be pressed to the surface of the toner carrier; and developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier using the toner carried and transferred by the toner carrier, based on a non-magnetic single component development system, wherein the toner comprises toner particles having a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 9 ?m, an arithmetic mean value of shape factor of 1.1 to 1.5, a coefficient of variation of shape factor of 16% or less, a ratio of rounded toner particle of 50% by number or more and a coefficient of variation of number particle diameter distribution of 26% or less, and a conveyance index of 2.0 to 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Masafumi Uchida, Masahiro Anno, Chikara Tsutsui, Takeshi Arai
  • Patent number: 7018765
    Abstract: An electrostatic photographic image forming toner is disclosed. The toner comprises a toner particle containing a binder resin and a colorant in which the binder resin has a specific softening point of from 105 to 132° C. and the toner particle has a hardness of from 6.0 to 24.0 mN and a circularity of from 0.92 to 0.99.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Uchida, Masafumi Uchida, Michiaki Ishikawa, Takao Yamanouchi, Ryuji Kitani, Yasuko Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20050237560
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus (data processing apparatus) stores data in a storing unit (storing means), inputs and outputs the data to and from the storing unit via a storage control unit (input-output means) and processes the data outputted from the storing unit with a control unit (processing means). The storage control unit inputs and outputs image data to and from the storing unit by the DMA method through a path via a DMA control unit and inputs and outputs other data such as a control instruction to and from the storing unit by the PIO method through a path via a PIO control unit. Image data to be inputted and outputted to and from the storing unit by the DMA method is encrypted in an input operation and decrypted in an output operation by an encryption/decryption unit provided on the input-output path for DMA method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakai, Koichi Sumida, Takao Yamanouchi, Yohichi Shimazawa
  • Patent number: 6821695
    Abstract: A toner for forming an electrophotographic image is disclosed. The toner particle contains at least two inorganic salts including an inorganic salt comprising a positive ion having a first valence and an inorganic salt comprising a positive ion having a second valence different from the first valence, a total amount of the inorganic salt having the first valence is greatest among the inorganic salts in the toner particle, and a total amount of the inorganic salt having the second valence is second greatest among the inorganic salts in the toner particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Asao Matsushima, Ken Ohmura, Takao Yamanouchi, Naohiro Hirose, Tomoe Kitani, Yoshiki Nishimori
  • Patent number: 6808853
    Abstract: An electrostatic image developing toner comprising a resin and a colorant is disclosed. The resin comprises a polymerization component of a polymerizable monomer having a polar group in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 percent by weight, and a polymerization component of a polyfunctional polymerizable monomer in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0 percent by weight; ratio (A/B) is from 0.5 to 20.0 percent; and either a peak or a shoulder is positioned in the molecular weight region of 5,000 to 20,000, wherein A is an area of a chromatograph curve in the molecular weight region of 60,000 to 1,000,000, based on GCP measurement of a THF soluble component of toner and B is an entire area of the chromatograph curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoe Kitani, Takao Yamanouchi, Naohiro Hirose, Ken Ohmura
  • Publication number: 20040142268
    Abstract: A toner includes a resin and a colorant, wherein the toner is obtained by carrying out a step of salting-out/fusing resin particles and colorant particles in a water-base medium, the toner having a compressive strength of 14 to 20, and a standard deviation of the compressive strength of smaller than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicants: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Masafumi Uchida, Masahiro Anno, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Chikara Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20040126692
    Abstract: A toner used for an image forming method comprises steps of: limiting an amount of toner on a surface of a toner carrier by allowing a toner layer limiting member to be pressed to the surface of the toner carrier; and developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier using the toner carried and transferred by the toner carrier, based on a non-magnetic single component development system, wherein the toner comprises toner particles having a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 9 &mgr;m, an arithmetic mean value of shape factor of 1.1 to 1.5, a coefficient of variation of shape factor of 16% or less, a ratio of rounded toner particle of 50% by number or more and a coefficient of variation of number particle diameter distribution of 26% or less, and a conveyance index of 2.0 to 10.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicants: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Masafumi Uchida, Masahiro Anno, Chikara Tsutsui, Takeshi Arai
  • Publication number: 20040115553
    Abstract: A toner includes a resin and a colorant; wherein the toner is obtained by carrying out a step of salting-out/fusing resin particles and colorant particles in a water-base medium, the toner satisfying the following relationship: 0.88≦F25/F50≦1.0, where F25 represents an adhesive stress at a toner temperature of 25° C., and F50 represents an adhesive stress at a toner temperature of 50° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicants: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamanouchi, Masafumi Uchida, Masahiro Anno, Yoshitaka Sekiguchi, Minoru Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20030215732
    Abstract: An electrostatic photographic image forming toner is disclosed. The toner comprises a toner particle containing a binder resin and a colorant in which the binder resin has a specific softening point of from 105 to 132° C. and the toner particle has a hardness of from 6.0 to 24.0 mN and a circularity of from 0.92 to 0.99.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Uchida, Masafumi Uchida, Michiaki Ishikawa, Takao Yamanouchi, Ryuji Kitani, Yasuko Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20030175610
    Abstract: An electrostatic image developing toner comprising a resin and a colorant is disclosed. The resin comprises a polymerization component of a polymerizable monomer having a polar group in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 percent by weight, and a polymerization component of a polyfunctional polymerizable monomer in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0 percent by weight; ratio (A/B) is from 0.5 to 20.0 percent; and either a peak or a shoulder is positioned in the molecular weight region of 5,000 to 20,000, wherein A is an area of a chromatograph curve in the molecular weight region of 60,000 to 1,000,000, based on GCP measurement of a THF soluble component of toner and B is an entire area of the chromatograph curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Tomoe Kitani, Takao Yamanouchi, Naohiro Hirose, Ken Ohmura
  • Patent number: 6617091
    Abstract: A method of preparing toner for developing an electrostatic image is disclosed. The method comprises process for adhering by fusing resin particles onto surface of colored particles (core particles) containing a resin particle and a colorant by salting-out/fusion-adhering to form the resin layer (shell).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishimori, Takao Yamanouchi, Shigenori Kohno, Meizo Shirose, Hiroyuki Yamada