Patents by Inventor Takuya Seshita
Takuya Seshita 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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Publication number: 20230408972Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, a temperature detector, and processing circuitry. The fixing device fixes a toner image on a surface of a sheet by heating of a heater. The temperature detector detects an internal temperature of the image forming apparatus. The processing circuitry switches a continuous print mode to an intermittent print mode when the internal temperature is equal to or higher than a first execution temperature during the continuous print mode. The processing circuitry cancels the intermittent print mode and switches to the continuous print mode when the internal temperature is equal to or lower than a first cancellation temperature. The processing circuitry causes the heater to stop heating the fixing device in the intermittent print mode when the internal temperature is higher than the first cancellation temperature even after a predetermined time has elapsed since a start of the intermittent print mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Taira OTSUKA, Hiroyuki SUGIYAMA, Takuya SESHITA
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Publication number: 20230359142Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a pair of conveyors each including a conveyance face to convey a recording medium inside an image forming apparatus. One of the pair of conveyors further includes an exposed face, a handle, and a swing fulcrum. The exposed face is exposed to an outside of the apparatus while an inside of the apparatus is open. The handle is exposed to the outside of the apparatus and operatable to expose the conveyance face to the outside of the apparatus while the inside of the apparatus is open. The swing fulcrum swings the one of the pair of conveyors to expose the conveyance face to the outside of the apparatus when the handle is operated while the inside of the apparatus is open. The handle includes a partial annular portion. The partial annular portion is included in a plane including a swing direction around the swing fulcrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Takahiro IMADA, Yoshikuni SASAKI, Hiromasa TAKAGI, Takuya SESHITA, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Arinobu YOSHIURA
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Patent number: 11703780Abstract: A heating device includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor that detect a temperature of at least one of a first rotator, a second rotator, and a heater that heats at least one of the first rotator and the second rotator. The first temperature sensor is disposed outboard from an increased conveyance span where an increased size sheet having an increased width in a longitudinal direction of the heater is conveyed. The second temperature sensor is disposed outboard from a decreased conveyance span where a decreased size sheet having a decreased width in the longitudinal direction of the heater is conveyed. The decreased conveyance span is smaller than the increased conveyance span. The second temperature sensor is disposed within the increased conveyance span and disposed opposite the first temperature sensor via a center of the increased conveyance span in the longitudinal direction of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Takuya Seshita, Yuusuke Furuichi
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Patent number: 11567435Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, a heat source to heat the rotator, a first thermal equalization plate, a second thermal equalization plate, and an overheating preventer. The first thermal equalization plate and the second equalization plate are in contact with the heat source. The overheating preventer is in contact with one end of the second thermal equalization plate in an axial direction of the rotator. The first thermal equalization plate is in contact with a portion of the heat source, and the portion of the heat source is farther from a center of the rotator than the one end of the second thermal equalization plate in the axial direction of the rotator. The first thermal equalization plate is spaced apart from the one end of the second thermal equalization plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Takuya Seshita
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Publication number: 20230010218Abstract: A heating device includes a first rotator, a second rotator, a heater, and a first, second and third temperature sensors. The second rotator contacts an outer circumferential surface of the first rotator to form a nip through which a recording medium passes. The heater heats the first rotator. The first temperature sensor is disposed outside a space extending from a first region through which a minimum recording medium passes and detects the temperature of the first rotator. The second temperature sensor is disposed outside the space extending from the first region and detects the temperature of the heater. The third temperature sensor is disposed outside the space extending from the first region and detects the temperature of the second rotator. At least one of the second temperature sensor or the third temperature sensor is disposed outside a space extending from a second region through which a maximum sheet passes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Keitaro SHOJI, Takuya SESHITA, Yuusuke FURUICHI
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Publication number: 20220283529Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator, a heat source to heat the rotator, a first thermal equalization plate, a second thermal equalization plate, and an overheating preventer. The first thermal equalization plate and the second equalization plate are in contact with the heat source. The overheating preventer is in contact with one end of the second thermal equalization plate in an axial direction of the rotator. The first thermal equalization plate is in contact with a portion of the heat source, and the portion of the heat source is farther from a center of the rotator than the one end of the second thermal equalization plate in the axial direction of the rotator. The first thermal equalization plate is spaced apart from the one end of the second thermal equalization plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takuya SESHITA
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Publication number: 20220179338Abstract: A heating device includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor that detect a temperature of at least one of a first rotator, a second rotator, and a heater that heats at least one of the first rotator and the second rotator. The first temperature sensor is disposed outboard from an increased conveyance span where an increased size sheet having an increased width in a longitudinal direction of the heater is conveyed. The second temperature sensor is disposed outboard from a decreased conveyance span where a decreased size sheet having a decreased width in the longitudinal direction of the heater is conveyed. The decreased conveyance span is smaller than the increased conveyance span. The second temperature sensor is disposed within the increased conveyance span and disposed opposite the first temperature sensor via a center of the increased conveyance span in the longitudinal direction of the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Takuya SESHITA, Yuusuke FURUICHI
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Patent number: 11353812Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Takamasa Hase, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takeshi Uchitani, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuutaroh Yuasa
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Patent number: 11188014Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, control circuitry, and a controller. The fixing device includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body in pressure contact with the first rotating body, and a heat source to heat the first rotating body. The circuitry, at startup of the fixing device, causes the fixing device to perform a rotating operation to rotate the first rotating body while causing the heat source to perform a heating operation to heat the first rotating body, thereby performing a fixing startup operation to raise a temperature of the first rotating body. The circuitry delays at least one of a timing for start of the rotating operation and a timing for start of the heating operation to be later than a start of a controller startup operation such that the fixing startup operation is completed in time with completion of the controller startup operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Takuya Seshita
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Publication number: 20210223730Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takamasa HASE, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Takeshi UCHITANI, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Takuya SESHITA, Shuutaroh YUASA
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Patent number: 11003119Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takamasa Hase, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takeshi Uchitani, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuutaroh Yuasa
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Patent number: 10962911Abstract: A fixing device is provided that includes a rotatable endless fixing member; a heat source for heating the fixing member; a pressure member that forms a nip with the fixing member; and a nip forming portion that faces the pressure member inside the fixing member and forms the nip; wherein the nip forming portion has a base material and a heat equalizing member, the heat equalizing member has a flat portion between the base material and the pressure member and a bent portion that begins to bend away from the pressure member at an upstream side edge of the base material with respect to a conveyance direction of a recording medium that is configured to be conveyed between the pressure member and the fixing member, and then the bent portion further bends to at least partially hook over a convex part of the base material that is formed at the upstream side of the base material such that an end portion of the bent portion is farther downstream with respect to the conveyance direction of a recording medium than theType: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takuya Seshita
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Patent number: 10955780Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator configured to press the fixing rotator, a fixing structure, a temperature detector, a discharger, and a holder. The fixing structure is configured to hold at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The temperature detector is configured to contact a detected member that is at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator and detect a temperature of the detected member. The discharger is configured to contact and discharge the detected member. The holder is fixed on the fixing structure and configured to hold the temperature detector and the discharger.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takuya Seshita, Hiroshi Kajiyama, Hitoshi Fujiwara
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Patent number: 10935911Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and a nip formation assembly disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. An opposed rotary body is pressed against the nip formation assembly via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the opposed rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed. A belt holder contacts and supports each lateral end of the endless belt in an axial direction thereof. The belt holder is isolated from the opposed rotary body with a first interval interposed therebetween in the axial direction of the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Teppei Kawata, Masahiko Satoh, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Kenji Ishii, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Tadashi Ogawa, Takahiro Imada, Hiromasa Takagi, Kazuya Saito, Naoki Iwaya, Kensuke Yamaji, Takamasa Hase, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuutaroh Yuasa, Takuya Seshita, Takeshi Uchitani, Arinobu Yoshiura, Hajime Gotoh, Akira Suzuki
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Publication number: 20210041815Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, control circuitry, and a controller. The fixing device includes a first rotating body, a second rotating body in pressure contact with the first rotating body, and a heat source to heat the first rotating body. The circuitry, at startup of the fixing device, causes the fixing device to perform a rotating operation to rotate the first rotating body while causing the heat source to perform a heating operation to heat the first rotating body, thereby performing a fixing startup operation to raise a temperature of the first rotating body. The circuitry delays at least one of a timing for start of the rotating operation and a timing for start of the heating operation to be later than a start of a controller startup operation such that the fixing startup operation is completed in time with completion of the controller startup operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventor: Takuya Seshita
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Publication number: 20210011400Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator configured to press the fixing rotator, a fixing structure, a temperature detector, a discharger, and a holder. The fixing structure is configured to hold at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The temperature detector is configured to contact a detected member that is at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator and detect a temperature of the detected member. The discharger is configured to contact and discharge the detected member. The holder is fixed on the fixing structure and configured to hold the temperature detector and the discharger.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Takuya SESHITA, Hiroshi KAJIYAMA, Hitoshi FUJIWARA
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Publication number: 20200272080Abstract: A fixing device is provided that includes a rotatable endless fixing member; a heat source for heating the fixing member; a pressure member that forms a nip with the fixing member; and a nip forming portion that faces the pressure member inside the fixing member and forms the nip; wherein the nip forming portion has a base material and a heat equalizing member, the heat equalizing member has a flat portion between the base material and the pressure member and a bent portion that begins to bend away from the pressure member at an upstream side edge of the base material with respect to a conveyance direction of a recording medium that is configured to be conveyed between the pressure member and the fixing member, and then the bent portion further bends to at least partially hook over a convex part of the base material that is formed at the upstream side of the base material such that an end portion of the bent portion is farther downstream with respect to the conveyance direction of a recording medium than theType: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventor: Takuya SESHITA
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Publication number: 20200117126Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takamasa HASE, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takeshi Uchitani, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuutaroh Yuasa
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Patent number: 10558154Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a pressing device, an apparatus body, an opening body, and a vibration insulator. The pressing device housed in the apparatus body is configured to press a pressing body to a pressing target body. The opening body is configured to open and close to the apparatus body. The opening body presses a pressing target portion of the apparatus body, at a first pressing portion to cancel a pressing state of the pressing device by opening of the opening body and at a second pressing portion to enter the pressing state of the pressing device by closing of the opening body. The vibration insulator is provided on at least one of the pressing target portion and the second pressing portion, at a contact portion at which the pressing target portion contacts the second pressing portion when the first pressing portion cancels the pressing state.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Kajiyama, Naoki Iwaya, Hitoshi Fujiwara, Takuya Seshita, Takahiro Imada, Yoshiharu Takahashi, Natsuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 10551777Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary endless fixing belt; a nip forming member disposed in an interior of the fixing belt; a rotary opposed member to contact the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip together with the fixing belt; a heat source to directly heat the fixing belt at a portion other than the nip, including at lease one heat-generation part disposed outside lateral ends of a maximum area of the fixing belt where a recording medium passes through, wherein a recording medium carrying an unfixed image is conveyed to the nip and the fixing device fixes the unfixed image onto the recording medium; and a shielding member disposed between the fixing belt and the heat generation part of the heat source and configured to shield heat from the heat source at least at an area outside the maximum passing area of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Takamasa Hase, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takeshi Uchitani, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Takuya Seshita, Shuutaroh Yuasa