Patents by Inventor Takeshi Fukao
Takeshi Fukao 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).
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Patent number: 11275329Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a toner image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a switching unit, and control circuitry. The toner image forming unit forms toner images on the latent image bearer. The primary transfer member transfers the toner images on the latent image bearer onto the intermediate transfer member. The secondary transfer member transfers the toner images on the intermediate transfer member onto recording materials. The switching unit switches a position of one of the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member between a first and a second position. The control circuitry controls at least one of a first and a second operation. The control circuitry changes at least one of the first and the second operation when the toner images satisfy a specified abnormal image reduction condition at a first and a second timing.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Nagata, Masakazu Imai, Takeshi Fukao
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Publication number: 20210333728Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a toner image forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a switching unit, and control circuitry. The toner image forming unit forms toner images on the latent image bearer. The primary transfer member transfers the toner images on the latent image bearer onto the intermediate transfer member. The secondary transfer member transfers the toner images on the intermediate transfer member onto recording materials. The switching unit switches a position of one of the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member between a first and a second position. The control circuitry controls at least one of a first and a second operation. The control circuitry changes at least one of the first and the second operation when the toner images satisfy a specified abnormal image reduction condition at a first and a second timing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi NAGATA, Masakazu IMAI, Takeshi FUKAO
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Publication number: 20200379395Abstract: A sheet conveyance device includes a conveyor configured to convey a sheet in a sheet conveyance path and a discharger disposed at an intermediate position in the sheet conveyance path. The conveyor is configured to contact the sheet in a contact range within and narrower than a passage range where the sheet passes through the sheet conveyance path in a width direction of the sheet. The discharger is disposed close to the sheet that the conveyor is conveying in the sheet conveyance path, in a range different from the contact range and configured to remove static electricity from the sheet that the conveyor is conveying in the sheet conveyance path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Takeshi FUKAO, Masakazu IMAI, Atsushi NAGATA, Ryo HASEGAWA
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Patent number: 10481515Abstract: A charging device is detachably attachable with respect to a body of an image forming apparatus. The charging device includes a charging roller and a cleaning member. The charging roller charges an image bearer. The cleaning member cleans the charging roller. The cleaning member has a higher cleaning performance on the charging roller during detachment in which the charging device is detached from the body of the image forming apparatus than during attachment in which the charging device is attached to the body of the image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuo Kuwabara, Daisuke Tomita, Norio Kudoh, Kento Aoki, Takeshi Fukao
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Publication number: 20190258188Abstract: A charging device is detachably attachable with respect to a body of an image forming apparatus. The charging device includes a charging roller and a cleaning member. The charging roller charges an image bearer. The cleaning member cleans the charging roller. The cleaning member has a higher cleaning performance on the charging roller during detachment in which the charging device is detached from the body of the image forming apparatus than during attachment in which the charging device is attached to the body of the image forming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuo Kuwabara, Daisuke Tomita, Norio Kudoh, Kento Aoki, Takeshi Fukao
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Patent number: 10281866Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearer, an exposure device, a development unit, an adjuster, and a magnetic member. The exposure device forms a latent image on a surface of the image bearer. The developing unit renders the latent image visible with developer including toner and carrier. The adjuster contacts each of the image bearer and the exposure device to regulate a distance between the image bearer and the exposure device. The magnetic member is arranged side by side with the adjuster in a direction of rotation of the image bearer.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Michiya Okamoto, Nobuyuki Taguchi, Takeshi Fukao, Shinya Karasawa, Takuma Iwasaki, Kentaro Nodera, Masanari Shimamoto
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Patent number: 10265886Abstract: Provided herein is a molding material that attains little fluctuation in amount of short fibers and powdery resin among individual products and that allows continuous production without damaging a die. In the step of pouring, slurry is poured onto a slurry diffusion member 7 from above the slurry diffusion member 7. The slurry diffusion member 7 extends in an upward direction, and is shaped such that the area of a transverse section taken along a direction orthogonal to the upward direction becomes smaller as the slurry diffusion member 7 extends in the upward direction. In the step of cleaning, a dispersion medium that is the same as the dispersion medium used in the step of pouring or water is poured onto the slurry diffusion member 7 from above the slurry diffusion member 7 to cause the short fibers and the powdery resin adhering to a slurry diffusion portion 71 of the slurry diffusion member 7 to fall down.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masaya Ozawa, Masao Sugiyama, Takeshi Fukao
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Publication number: 20180113411Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearer, an exposure device, a development unit, an adjuster, and a magnetic member. The exposure device forms a latent image on a surface of the image bearer. The developing unit renders the latent image visible with developer including toner and carrier. The adjuster contacts each of the image bearer and the exposure device to regulate a distance between the image bearer and the exposure device. The magnetic member is arranged side by side with the adjuster in a direction of rotation of the image bearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Michiya Okamoto, Nobuyuki Taguchi, Takeshi Fukao, Shinya Karasawa, Takuma Iwasaki, Kentaro Nodera, Masanari Shimamoto
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Patent number: 9703253Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a toner conveyance path through which toner is transported. The toner conveyance path includes a flexible portion, a toner conveyor inside the conveyance path to convey the toner, and a restrictor outside the toner conveyance path to restrict deformation of the toner conveyance path.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Daisuke Tomita, Toshiya Satoh, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Hajime Teraji, Norio Kudoh, Hiroyuki Uenishi
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Publication number: 20160306318Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a toner conveyance path through which toner is transported. The toner conveyance path includes a flexible portion, a toner conveyor inside the conveyance path to convey the toner, and a restrictor outside the toner conveyance path to restrict deformation of the toner conveyance path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Daisuke TOMITA, Toshiya SATOH, Satoshi HATORI, Takeshi FUKAO, Hajime TERAJI, Norio KUDOH, Hiroyuki UENISHI
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Publication number: 20160200004Abstract: Provided herein is a molding material that attains little fluctuation in amount of short fibers and powdery resin among individual products and that allows continuous production without damaging a die. In the step of pouring, slurry is poured onto a slurry diffusion member 7 from above the slurry diffusion member 7. The slurry diffusion member 7 extends in an upward direction, and is shaped such that the area of a transverse section taken along a direction orthogonal to the upward direction becomes smaller as the slurry diffusion member 7 extends in the upward direction. In the step of cleaning, a dispersion medium that is the same as the dispersion medium used in the step of pouring or water is poured onto the slurry diffusion member 7 from above the slurry diffusion member 7 to cause the short fibers and the powdery resin adhering to a slurry diffusion portion 71 of the slurry diffusion member 7 to fall down.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Masaya OZAWA, Masao SUGIYAMA, Takeshi FUKAO
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Publication number: 20160195830Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an electric charging member, spaced apart from an image bearer across an electric charge gap, electrically charges the image bearer uniformly across the electric charge gap. A voltage applying device applies a voltage to the electric charging member. A cleaner collects residual toner remaining on the image bearer therefrom after a transfer device transfers a toner image onto a recording medium. An electric charge gap maintaining device forms and keeps constant the electric charge gap between the electric charging member and the image bearer. A calculating device calculates a value of discharge current to be generated by the electric charging member. A processor controls the voltage applying device to vary a voltage applied to the electric charging device to render the value of discharge current calculated by the calculating device substantially constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Seki, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Yuta Kawashima
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Publication number: 20160179027Abstract: An electric charging-diselectrifying device includes an electric charging member that contacts an image bearer to form an electric charging nip between the electric charging member and the image bear. The electric charging member electrically charges multiple electric charge regions in the image bearer located both upstream and downstream of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation of the image bearer. An electric charge removing device is provided to remove electric charge borne on the image bearer by irradiating the multiple electric charging regions of the image bearer with light. The electric charging member is made of a material that allows the light emitted from the electric charge removing device to penetrate the electric charging member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Seki, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Yuta Kawashima
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Patent number: 9367022Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveyance channel through which toner is transported, communicating with a conveyance origin and a destination container disposed inside an image forming apparatus, a conveyor disposed in the conveyance channel to rotate in the conveyance channel, a driving source to drive the conveyor; and a slide-assist sheet attached to an inner face of the conveyance channel positioned facing the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yuta Kawashima, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Hideyasu Seki
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Patent number: 9366985Abstract: An electric charging-diselectrifying device includes an electric charging member that contacts an image bearer to form an electric charging nip between the electric charging member and the image bear. The electric charging member electrically charges multiple electric charge regions in the image bearer located both upstream and downstream of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation of the image bearer. An electric charge removing device is provided to remove electric charge borne on the image bearer by irradiating the multiple electric charging regions of the image bearer with light. The electric charging member is made of a material that allows the light emitted from the electric charge removing device to penetrate the electric charging member.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Seki, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Yuta Kawashima
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Patent number: 9354538Abstract: A charging device includes a charger and a power supply circuit. The charger is disposed opposing a latent image bearer. The power supply circuit applies to the charger an alternating voltage obtained by superimposing a pulsating voltage on a direct-current voltage. The alternating voltage generates normal discharge from the charger to a surface of the latent image bearer and reverse discharge from the surface of the latent image bearer to the charger. A pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a reverse discharge side relative to a desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer is shorter than a pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a normal discharge side relative to the desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Seki, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Yuta Kawashima
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Patent number: 9310707Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, an electric charging member to electrically charge the latent image bearer uniformly while forming an electric charging nip therebetween by contacting the latent image bearer. A value obtained by dividing a moment of inertia of area of the latent image bearer by the cube of length thereof ranges from about 0.000058 [mm] or more to about 0.000145 [mm] or less. A width of the electric charging nip in a direction of rotation at longitudinal ends of the latent image bearer is larger than that at a longitudinal center thereof. A difference between the width of the electric charging nip in the direction of rotation at the longitudinal ends of the latent image bearer and that at the longitudinal center thereof is larger than an amount of deformation of the latent image bearer generated during rotation at the longitudinal center thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Seki, Satoshi Hatori, Takeshi Fukao, Yuta Kawashima
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Patent number: 9170531Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotary shaft, a first image bearing member, a nip forming member, a moving device, and a restriction device. The first image bearing member bears a visible image on a surface thereof and is rotatable about the rotary shaft which is driven directly or indirectly. The nip forming member contacts the first image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween. The moving device is disposed on the rotary shaft and rotates to move the nip forming member to contact and separate from the first image bearing member. The restriction device inhibits rotation of the moving member in a state in which the nip forming member is separated from the first image bearing member by the rotation of the moving device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Fukao
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Publication number: 20150301496Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveyance channel through which toner is transported, communicating with a conveyance origin and a destination container disposed inside an image forming apparatus, a conveyor disposed in the conveyance channel to rotate in the conveyance channel, a driving source to drive the conveyor; and a slide-assist sheet attached to an inner face of the conveyance channel positioned facing the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yuta KAWASHIMA, Satoshi HATORI, Takeshi FUKAO, Hideyasu SEKI
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Publication number: 20150248075Abstract: A charging device includes a charger and a power supply circuit. The charger is disposed opposing a latent image bearer. The power supply circuit applies to the charger an alternating voltage obtained by superimposing a pulsating voltage on a direct-current voltage. The alternating voltage generates normal discharge from the charger to a surface of the latent image bearer and reverse discharge from the surface of the latent image bearer to the charger. A pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a reverse discharge side relative to a desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer is shorter than a pulse ON time of a voltage component toward a normal discharge side relative to the desired surface potential Vde of the latent image bearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hideyasu SEKI, Satoshi HATORI, Takeshi FUKAO, Yuta KAWASHIMA