Patents by Inventor Tomohiro Furuhashi

Tomohiro Furuhashi 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: 20230202159
    Abstract: A sheet laminator includes a sheet lamination device, a heater, and circuitry. The sheet lamination device performs a sheet laminating operation on an object by application of heat and pressure. The heater heats the sheet lamination device. The circuitry changes between a first mode in which the heater constantly heats the sheet lamination device while the sheet lamination device is turned on and a second mode in which the heater starts heating the sheet lamination device in response to a request of the sheet laminating operation and stops heating the sheet lamination device after a given time has elapsed from completion of the sheet laminating operation. The circuitry adjusts the given time in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya MONMA, Keisuke SUGIYAMA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Ruki MIDORIKAWA, Sho ASANO
  • Publication number: 20230202780
    Abstract: A sheet separation device includes a sheet separator and a conveyor. The sheet separator separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The conveyor conveys the two-ply sheet toward the sheet separator while bending the two-ply sheet in a direction that intersects a conveyance direction of the two-ply sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru TAKAHASHI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Keisuke SUGIYAMA, Ruki MIDORIKAWA, Shinya MONMA, Sho ASANO
  • Publication number: 20230202790
    Abstract: A sheet stacker for use in a device including a stacker portion, a fence, and a guide face. The stacker portion includes a stacker face that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane and receives a plurality of sheets ejected from above and stack the plurality of sheets on the stacker face. The fence includes an angled face to contact an end of the plurality of sheets stacked on the stacker face. The angled face rises in a direction in which the plurality of sheets is stacked, with respect to a lower side of the stacker face. The guide face guides the sheet conveyed along the lower side toward an outlet port to a lower end of the outlet port, the outlet port opening in an exterior of the device to remove the sheet to an outside of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho ASANO, Keisuke SUGIYAMA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Ruki MIDORIKAWA, Shinya MONMA
  • Patent number: 11679582
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a conveyor, a rotator, a separator, and control circuitry. The conveyor conveys a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and includes a drive roller and a driven roller. The rotator winds the two-ply sheet. The separator separates the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry causes the conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet in a winding direction to wind the two-ply sheet around the rotator to generate a space between the two sheets, and causes the separator to insert into the space between the two sheets to separate the two sheets. The drive roller and the rotator are disposed on a same side with respect to a sheet conveyance passage of the two-ply sheet, and the driven roller and the rotator are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the sheet conveyance passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Suzuka Fujita, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11642878
    Abstract: A laminating device inserts a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and includes a loader, a fixing device, and control circuitry. The loader loads the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning sheet. The fixing device laminates the two-ply sheet in which the sheet-shaped medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry performs a cleaning mode of conveying a plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean the fixing device. The cleaning mode is to convey a subsequent cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets at a position different from a position of a preceding cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the plurality of cleaning sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Monma, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki, Suzuka Fujita
  • Patent number: 11592778
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet separation device, a first sheet feeder, a second sheet feeder, an image forming device, and circuitry. The sheet separation device is configured to separate a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The first sheet feeder is configured to feed the two-ply sheet. The second sheet feeder is configured to feed an inner sheet to be inserted between the two sheets. The image forming device is configured to form an image on a surface of the inner sheet. The circuitry is configured to cause the first sheet feeder to feed the two-ply sheet, perform a sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet and cause the second sheet feeder to start feeding the inner sheet before completion of the sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho Asano, Wataru Takahashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki, Tomohiro Furuhashi
  • Publication number: 20230059133
    Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a winding roller, a conveyance roller pair, and a separation claw. The winding roller rotates and winds the two-ply sheet. The conveyance roller pair conveys the two-ply sheet toward the winding roller. The separation claw is inserted into a gap between the two sheets at a position between the winding roller and the conveyance roller pair. The separation claw is disposed in a space that is bounded by an imaginary plane and includes the winding roller. The imaginary plane passes through a nip of the conveyance roller pair and a winding start position at which the two-ply sheet starts to be wound around the winding roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho ASANO, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Yoshito SUZUKI, Shinya MONMA, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Patent number: 11584606
    Abstract: A sheet processing device separates a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and partially bonded and sandwich a sheet medium between the two sheets. The sheet processing device includes a relay conveyance path, a sheet loader, and control circuitry. The sheet medium is fed from an image forming apparatus connected upstream of the sheet processing device through the relay conveyance path. The sheet loader loads at least one of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry performs a mixing mode to feed the two-ply sheet or the sheet medium from the sheet loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Haraguchi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Wataru Takahashi, Joji Akiyama, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20230032840
    Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one end of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a separator that includes a first separator and a second separator. The first separator is inserted into a gap between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The second separator is inserted between the two sheets at said another end of the two-ply sheet that is opposite to the one end of the two-ply sheet and moves in a width direction of the two-ply sheet after the first separator is inserted into the gap and relatively moves from the one end to said another end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru TAKAHASHI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Shinya MONMA, Yoshito SUZUKI, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Sho ASANO, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230019928
    Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a winding roller and a gripper. The winding roller rotates and winds the two-ply sheet to separate the two-ply sheet. The gripper is disposed in the winding roller and configured to grip a gripped portion of the two-ply sheet at one end of the two-ply sheet without abutting a tip of the gripped portion at the one end of the two-ply sheet on a member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito SUZUKI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Shinya MONMA, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Sho ASANO, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20230001731
    Abstract: An image forming system includes a sheet processing apparatus, a heat presser, an image forming apparatus, and control circuitry. The sheet processing apparatus separates a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet, and sandwiches a sheet medium between the sheets of the two-ply sheet. The heat presser heats and presses the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry performs a first mode to cause the sheet processing apparatus to sandwich the sheet medium, on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet and cause the heat presser to laminate the two-ply sheet, and a second mode to cause the heat presser to laminate a sheet set that includes the sheet medium sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Sho ASANO, Yoshito SUZUKI, Shinya MONMA, Joji AKIYAMA, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Patent number: 11530107
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveyor configured to convey a sheet, a processing tool configured to perform processing to the sheet, a tool contact separation device, a tool moving device, and a tool facing device. The tool contact separation device is configured to contact and separate the processing tool to the sheet. The tool moving device is configured to move the processing tool in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the sheet. The tool facing device has an opposing face and is disposed at a position at which the tool facing portion faces the processing tool via the sheet. The tool facing device is configured to move to change the tool facing portion in accordance with a relative moving direction of the sheet with respect to the processing tool when the processing tool performs the processing to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Sugiyama, Tomohiro Furuhashi
  • Publication number: 20220380166
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus laminates a partially joined two-ply sheet and a sheet medium inserted in the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes a heat presser, an information acquisition device, and control circuitry. The heat presser heats and presses the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The information acquisition device acquires information on the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry sets a fixing temperature of the heat presser in accordance with the information of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium acquired by the information acquisition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru NOZAKI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Yoshito SUZUKI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Shinya MONMA, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Sho ASANO
  • Patent number: 11507000
    Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one end of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a separator that includes a first separator and a second separator. The first separator is inserted into a gap between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The second separator is inserted between the two sheets at said another end of the two-ply sheet that is opposite to the one end of the two-ply sheet and moves in a width direction of the two-ply sheet after the first separator is inserted into the gap and relatively moves from the one end to said another end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Shinya Monma, Yoshito Suzuki, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11500323
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is configured to sandwich one or more sheet media in a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to control insertion processing to insert the one or more sheet media into the two-ply sheet based on a length of the two-ply sheet in a conveyance direction, a length of one of the one or more sheet media in the conveyance direction, and a number of the one or more sheet media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Johji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11492222
    Abstract: A sheet separation device separates a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet separation device includes a winding roller and a gripper. The winding roller rotates and winds the two-ply sheet to separate the two-ply sheet. The gripper is disposed in the winding roller and configured to grip a gripped portion of the two-ply sheet at one end of the two-ply sheet without abutting a tip of the gripped portion at the one end of the two-ply sheet on a member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshito Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11485602
    Abstract: An embodiment of this disclosure provides a folding apparatus configured to stack and fold a designated number of sheets at a time. The folding apparatus includes a conveyor configured to sequentially convey the designated number of sheets, a stacker configured to temporarily store a sheet conveyed by the conveyor to stack the designated number of sheets, a sheet folding device configured to fold the designated number of sheets at a time, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to cause the sheet folding device to fold the stored sheet in response to an occurrence of a sheet jam upstream from the stacker in a direction of sheet conveyance, in processing the designated number of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Hidaka, Takahiro Watanabe, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Fumiharu Yoneyama, Kazuyoshi Matsuo, Koki Sakano, Akira Kunieda, Takuya Morinaga, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20220334523
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus sandwiches a sheet media in a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes a fixing device, a tray, and a roller. The fixing device applies heat and pressure to the two-ply sheet. The tray is disposed downstream from the fixing device in a conveyance direction of the two-ply sheet, to stack the two-ply sheet. The roller conveys the two-ply sheet vertically downward toward the tray after the two-ply sheet passes through the fixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji AKIYAMA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Sho ASANO, Yoshito SUZUKI, Shinya MONMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220289512
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a conveyor, a rotator, a separator, and control circuitry. The conveyor conveys a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet. The rotator winds the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry causes the conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet in a winding direction to wind the two-ply sheet around the rotator such that a sagging space is created in the two-ply sheet, and causes the separator to insert into the sagging space to separate the two-ply sheet into two sheets. The control circuitry causes the conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet in a direction opposite the winding direction before an insertion of the separator into the sagging space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru TAKAHASHI, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Shinya MONMA, Yoshito SUZUKI, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Sho ASANO, Wataru NOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220288910
    Abstract: A laminating device inserts a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and includes a loader, a fixing device, and control circuitry. The loader loads the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning sheet. The fixing device laminates the two-ply sheet in which the sheet-shaped medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry performs a cleaning mode of conveying a plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean the fixing device. The cleaning mode is to convey a subsequent cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets at a position different from a position of a preceding cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the plurality of cleaning sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya MONMA, Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Sho ASANO, Yoshito SUZUKI, Joji AKIYAMA, Yohsuke HARAGUCHI, Wataru NOZAKI, Suzuka FUJITA