Patents by Inventor Yasuhide Ohkubo
Yasuhide Ohkubo 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: 11579545Abstract: A toner container includes a toner discharge port and a shutter to open and close the toner discharge port. The shutter includes a shutter main portion and shutter deforming portions. Each of the shutter deforming portions includes a stopper and a stopper releaser. The stopper contacts a contact portion of the toner container to restrict a movement of the shutter in an opening direction. The stopper releaser receives an external force from below to displace the stopper upward to release a contact state of the stopper with the contact portion. The stopper releaser of one of the shutter deforming portions releases the contact state with the contact portion independently of another of the shutter deforming portions. When the contact state of the stopper with the contact portion is released in all of the shutter deforming portions, restriction of the movement of the shutter in the opening direction is released.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Yasuhide Ohkubo
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Publication number: 20220155707Abstract: A toner container includes a toner discharge port and a shutter to open and close the toner discharge port. The shutter includes a shutter main portion and shutter deforming portions. Each of the shutter deforming portions includes a stopper and a stopper releaser. The stopper contacts a contact portion of the toner container to restrict a movement of the shutter in an opening direction. The stopper releaser receives an external force from below to displace the stopper upward to release a contact state of the stopper with the contact portion. The stopper releaser of one of the shutter deforming portions releases the contact state with the contact portion independently of another of the shutter deforming portions. When the contact state of the stopper with the contact portion is released in all of the shutter deforming portions, restriction of the movement of the shutter in the opening direction is released.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventor: Yasuhide OHKUBO
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Patent number: 11054762Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to receive and collect powder from outside; a driven unit that is disposed on one end side in a width direction of the powder container and to which drive is transmitted from outside; a first rotary shaft that rotates by the drive transmitted to the driven unit; a first gear disposed on other end side of the powder container and rotating with the first rotary shaft; a second rotary shaft that is disposed on the other end side, that includes a second gear to which drive is transmitted from the first gear, and that rotates with the second gear; and a driving gear that is disposed on the second rotary shaft in a position between the second gear and a central portion in the width direction of the powder container, and that rotates with the second rotary shaft to transmit drive to outside.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kuniyori Takano, Emi Kita, Hiroyoshi Haga, Yasuhide Ohkubo
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Patent number: 10816916Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveying screw including a screw portion helically wound around an axis of rotation of the conveying screw in an axial direction of the conveying screw and a wall having an opening. The wall surrounds the conveying screw with a clearance relative to the conveying screw in a radial direction of the conveying screw. The toner conveyance device further includes a film attached to the wall at a predetermined distance away from an edge of the opening in the axial direction of the conveying screw.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yasuhide Ohkubo, Kuniyori Takano
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Publication number: 20200183301Abstract: A powder container includes a collection port to receive and collect powder from outside; a driven unit that is disposed on one end side in a width direction of the powder container and to which drive is transmitted from outside; a first rotary shaft that rotates by the drive transmitted to the driven unit; a first gear disposed on other end side of the powder container and rotating with the first rotary shaft; a second rotary shaft that is disposed on the other end side, that includes a second gear to which drive is transmitted from the first gear, and that rotates with the second gear; and a driving gear that is disposed on the second rotary shaft in a position between the second gear and a central portion in the width direction of the powder container, and that rotates with the second rotary shaft to transmit drive to outside.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Kuniyori TAKANO, Emi KITA, Hiroyoshi HAGA, Yasuhide OHKUBO
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Publication number: 20200174399Abstract: A toner conveyance device includes a conveying screw including a screw portion helically wound around an axis of rotation of the conveying screw in an axial direction of the conveying screw and a wall having an opening. The wall surrounds the conveying screw with a clearance relative to the conveying screw in a radial direction of the conveying screw. The toner conveyance device further includes a film attached to the wall at a predetermined distance away from an edge of the opening in the axial direction of the conveying screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Yasuhide OHKUBO, Kuniyori TAKANO
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Patent number: 9500992Abstract: A developing device includes a housing to store a powder, a developing roller to hold the powder, a supplying roller to supply the powder to the developing roller, a regulator to regulate the powder held by the developing roller, a powder conveyer to convey the powder for image forming, a first powder storing chamber, and a second powder storing chamber. The powder conveyor includes a first conveying part that includes a rotating axis, and a conveying surface inclined with respect to the rotating axis along a direction of the rotating axis. The powder conveyor further includes a second conveying part that includes a conveying surface parallel to the rotating axis along the direction of the rotating axis, and the first conveying part and the second conveying part are disposed alternately along the direction of the rotating axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Takafumi Miyazaki, Rie Mitani, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Yuusuke Furuichi
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Patent number: 9261816Abstract: A developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer inside a developer container includes a light-emitting element; a light-receiving element; a first light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-emitting element and a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-emitting face; a second light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-receiving element, a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-receiving face to face the light-emitting face across a gap; and a cleaner including a sliding portion to slidingly contact the light-emitting face and the light-receiving face. The cover of each of the first and second light guides includes a material lower in chargeability with the sliding portion than a material of a body of each of the first and second light guides.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kohta Sakaya, Shinichi Arasawa, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Yasunobu Ogata
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Patent number: 9229372Abstract: A developing device is provided. The developing device includes a developer carrier, a regulator, a first developer storing chamber, a plurality of conveyers disposed within the first developer storing chamber, a second developer storing chamber in communication with the first developer storing chamber, and a supply member disposed within the second developer storing chamber. The developer carrier carries developer on its surface and supplies developer to a latent image carrier carrying a latent image. The regulator regulates the thickness of developer on the surface of the developer carrier. The first developer storing chamber stores developer separated from the developer carrier by the regulator and is to be supplied with fresh developer. Each of the plurality of conveyers coveys developer in a different conveyance direction. The second developer storing chamber is to be supplied with developer from the first developer storing chamber. The supply member supplies developer to the developer carrier.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tomofumi Yoshida, Takafumi Miyazaki, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Yuusuke Furuichi, Rie Mitani
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Patent number: 9201393Abstract: A toner container includes a substantially tetrahedral toner-containing portion having an openable edge to discharge toner contained in the toner-containing portion, and a reference fold along which the toner container is foldable after the openable edge is opened. The reference fold extends from the openable edge and is provided on medians of two triangular faces of the toner-containing portion adjoining each other along the openable edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuusuke Furuichi, Rie Mitani, Takafumi Miyazaki, Hidekazu Shono, Osamu Saito, Ryuji Inoue, Tetsumaru Fujita, Kei Hasegawa, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Tomofumi Yoshida, Shintaro Yamada, Yoshihiro Fukuhata, Ryouhei Ohi
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Publication number: 20150286163Abstract: The powder conveyer includes a first conveying part and a second conveying part. The first conveying part includes a rotating axis, and a conveying surface inclined with respect to the rotating axis along a direction of the rotating axis. The second conveying part includes a conveying surface parallel to the rotating axis along the direction of the rotating axis. The first conveying part and the second conveying part are disposed alternately along the direction of the rotating axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Takafumi MIYAZAKI, Rie MITANI, Yasuhide OHKUBO, Yuusuke FURUICHI
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Publication number: 20150132026Abstract: A developing device is provided. The developing device includes a developer carrier, a regulator, a first developer storing chamber, a plurality of conveyers disposed within the first developer storing chamber, a second developer storing chamber in communication with the first developer storing chamber, and a supply member disposed within the second developer storing chamber. The developer carrier carries developer on its surface and supplies developer to a latent image carrier carrying a latent image. The regulator regulates the thickness of developer on the surface of the developer carrier. The first developer storing chamber stores developer separated from the developer carrier by the regulator and is to be supplied with fresh developer. Each of the plurality of conveyers coveys developer in a different conveyance direction. The second developer storing chamber is to be supplied with developer from the first developer storing chamber. The supply member supplies developer to the developer carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Takafumi MIYAZAKI, Yasuhide OHKUBO, Yuusuke FURUICHI, Rie MITANI
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Publication number: 20150132018Abstract: A developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer inside a developer container includes a light-emitting element; a light-receiving element; a first light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-emitting element and a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-emitting face; a second light guide including a first end disposed to face the light-receiving element, a second end disposed inside the developer container, covered with a translucent cover including a light-receiving face to face the light-emitting face across a gap; and a cleaner including a sliding portion to slidingly contact the light-emitting face and the light-receiving face. The cover of each of the first and second light guides includes a material lower in chargeability with the sliding portion than a material of a body of each of the first and second light guides.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Kohta SAKAYA, Shinichi ARASAWA, Yasuhide OHKUBO, Yasunobu OGATA
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Publication number: 20150063865Abstract: A toner container includes a substantially tetrahedral toner-containing portion having an openable edge to discharge toner contained in the toner-containing portion, and a reference fold along which the toner container is foldable after the openable edge is opened. The reference fold extends from the openable edge and is provided on medians of two triangular faces of the toner-containing portion adjoining each other along the openable edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Yuusuke FURUICHI, Rie MITANI, Takafumi MIYAZAKI, Hidekazu SHONO, Osamu SAITO, Ryuji INOUE, Tetsumaru FUJITA, Kei HASEGAWA, Yasuhide OHKUBO, Tomofumi YOSHIDA, Shintaro YAMADA, Yoshihiro FUKUHATA, Ryouhei OHI
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Patent number: 8953975Abstract: A seal includes a photoreceptor contacting portion to contact a photoreceptor, and a charge roller contacting portion to contact a charge roller. The photoreceptor contacting portion removes toner on the photoreceptor, and the charge roller contacting portion removes the toner on the charge roller, when the seal is mounted along the photoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ryouhei Ohi, Yuusuke Furuichi, Osamu Saito
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Patent number: 8874021Abstract: A mechanism for guiding a recording medium into a nip formed between a first rotary member subjected to heating, and a second rotary member pressed against the first rotary member includes a guide member and a biasing member. The guide member is disposed upstream from the nip to guide the recording medium therealong. The biasing member is connected to the guide member to mechanically bias the guide member. The guide member is subjected to a constant biasing force from the biasing member and to a pressure force from the recording medium. The pressure force is opposite the biasing force and variable with a stiffness of the recording medium being guided. The guide member is movable to different operational positions depending on the biasing and pressure forces acting thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kohta Sakaya, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Tamotsu Ikeda, Yoshiharu Takahashi, Chikara Hiraoka, Toshio Ogiso
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Patent number: 8807552Abstract: A base plate is selectively attached to a lower surface of a main body of an image forming apparatus or to an optional sheet feeder attachable to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kazuyoshi Kondo, Yasuo Matsuyama, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Toshikane Nishii, Mizuna Tanaka, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira
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Publication number: 20140140722Abstract: A seal includes a photoreceptor contacting portion to contact a photoreceptor, and a charge roller contacting portion to contact a charge roller. The photoreceptor contacting portion removes toner on the photoreceptor, and the charge roller contacting portion removes the toner on the charge roller, when the seal is mounted along the photoreceptor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Yasuhide OHKUBO, Ryouhei Ohi, Yuusuke Furuichi, Osamu Saito
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Patent number: 8678371Abstract: An adjusting member is positioned in a sheet feeding opening. The adjusting member is adjusted according to the size of the paper sheet. The adjusting member does not jut out of an exterior surface of an apparatus body.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Shigeo Nanno, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Yoshihide Ohta, Tomoyoshi Yamazaki, Haruyuki Honda
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Patent number: 8561979Abstract: An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshikane Nishii, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Yasuhide Ohkubo, Ippei Kimura, Mizuna Tanaka, Haruyuki Honda, Masafumi Takahira, Hiroshi Fujiwara