Patents by Inventor Yoshitaka Fujinuma

Yoshitaka Fujinuma 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).

  • Patent number: 11141976
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle, a cover, a connector board, and a cap. The nozzle is configured to discharge liquid. The cover covers at least a part of the liquid discharge head except the nozzle. The connector board includes a connector, and a first engaging portion. The connector is detachably connected to a wiring component. The first engaging portion is configured to engage the cover in a first direction. The cap is detachably attached to the cover. The cap includes an opening and a second engaging portion. The opening is configured to engage at least one of the connector and the connector board in a second direction intersecting the first direction and expose at least a part of the connector. The second engaging portion is configured to engage the cover in a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Odaka, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Koji Kawahara
  • Patent number: 10792920
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles arrayed in a nozzle array direction to discharge a liquid; a plurality of pressure chambers arrayed in the nozzle array direction and communicating with the plurality of nozzles, respectively; and a diaphragm forming a displaceable wall of each of the plurality of pressure chambers. The diaphragm includes a concave portion outside an arrangement region of the plurality of pressure chambers in which the plurality of pressure chambers is arrayed in the nozzle array direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Iwata, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Kanshi Abe, Takayuki Nakai, Koji Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20200276818
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a nozzle, a cover, a connector board, and a cap. The nozzle is configured to discharge liquid. The cover covers at least a part of the liquid discharge head except the nozzle. The connector board includes a connector, and a first engaging portion. The connector is detachably connected to a wiring component. The first engaging portion is configured to engage the cover in a first direction. The cap is detachably attached to the cover. The cap includes an opening and a second engaging portion. The opening is configured to engage at least one of the connector and the connector board in a second direction intersecting the first direction and expose at least a part of the connector. The second engaging portion is configured to engage the cover in a third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Toshimichi ODAKA, Yoshitaka FUJINUMA, Koji KAWAHARA
  • Publication number: 20190358953
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles arrayed in a nozzle array direction to discharge a liquid; a plurality of pressure chambers arrayed in the nozzle array direction and communicating with the plurality of nozzles, respectively; and a diaphragm forming a displaceable wall of each of the plurality of pressure chambers. The diaphragm includes a concave portion outside an arrangement region of the plurality of pressure chambers in which the plurality of pressure chambers is arrayed in the nozzle array direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Junichi IWATA, Yoshitaka FUJINUMA, Kanshi ABE, Takayuki NAKAI, Koji KAWAHARA
  • Patent number: 10081182
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a head body, a wiring member, a connector, and a protector. The head body discharges liquid. The wiring member transmits a signal to the head body. The connector is disposed at the wiring member to connect the wiring member to the head body. The protector covers the head body and the connector. The head body includes a fitting portion. The protector includes a fitting portion to fit the fitting portion of the head body in a fitting direction. The connector is disposed more backward than a leading end of the fitting portion of the protector in the fitting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kikuchi, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Junichi Iwata
  • Publication number: 20170232741
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a head body, a wiring member, a connector, and a protector. The head body discharges liquid. The wiring member transmits a signal to the head body. The connector is disposed at the wiring member to connect the wiring member to the head body. The protector covers the head body and the connector. The head body includes a fitting portion. The protector includes a fitting portion to fit the fitting portion of the head body in a fitting direction. The connector is disposed more backward than a leading end of the fitting portion of the protector in the fitting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kikuchi, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Junichi Iwata
  • Patent number: 8620194
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system, with which developer splashed by the transport member is not discharged from the device, fluctuations of the amount of developer discharged to the outside are not produced, and the output image quality is stable. This developing device is provided with a pocket part, which is installed in a depressed manner facing the outside in relation to the transport route formed by the transport member, and into and out of which part of the developer transported in the transport route flows. This pocket part is provided with a discharge port for discharging developer to outside the device when the surface of the developer flowing into the pocket part exceeds a specified height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8374528
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus, include at least one developing roller. A plurality of transport members with screw and shaft portions, transport developing agent housed within the device in a longitudinal direction, and form a circulation path. A discharge aperture, formed in a transport path wall of one transport member, discharges developing agent to the outside when a surface of the developing agent transported by one of the plurality of transport members exceeds a predetermined height. The one transport member is adjacent to the developing roller that supplies the developing agent and includes, in a part in the longitudinal direction, an area on which the screw portion is not formed. The discharge aperture is disposed opposite to the area on which the screw portion is not formed, and the length of the discharge aperture is formed smaller than that of the area in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kubo, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama
  • Patent number: 8346134
    Abstract: A developing device that can discharge developer by an amount of developer in the developing device increased by a carrier supplemented into the developing device includes a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw in a top and bottom positional relationship, the rotational axes of the supply transport screw and the receiving transport screw are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member. The developing device also includes an inclined transport screw arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and an other end of the receiving transport screw. The developing device also includes a supply unit for supplying new carrier into a casing and a discharge port and discharge unit for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port provided on a part of the casing corresponding to an upper part of the inclined transport screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Takeyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Publication number: 20120163875
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system, with which developer splashed by the transport member is not discharged from the device, fluctuations of the amount of developer discharged to the outside are not produced, and the output image quality is stable. This developing device is provided with a pocket part, which is installed in a depressed manner facing the outside in relation to the transport route formed by the transport member, and into and out of which part of the developer transported in the transport route flows. This pocket part is provided with a discharge port for discharging developer to outside the device when the surface of the developer flowing into the pocket part exceeds a specified height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8145102
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system, with which developer splashed by the transport member is not discharged from the device, fluctuations of the amount of developer discharged to the outside are not produced, and the output image quality is stable. This developing device is provided with a pocket part, which is installed in a depressed manner facing the outside in relation to the transport route formed by the transport member, and into and out of which part of the developer transported in the transport route flows. This pocket part is provided with a discharge port for discharging developer to outside the device when the surface of the developer flowing into the pocket part exceeds a specified height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Publication number: 20120039627
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus, include at least one developing roller. A plurality of transport members with screw and shaft portions, transport developing agent housed within the device in a longitudinal direction, and form a circulation path. A discharge aperture, formed in a transport path wall of one transport member, discharges developing agent to the outside when a surface of the developing agent transported by one of the plurality of transport members exceeds a predetermined height. The one transport member is adjacent to the developing roller that supplies the developing agent and includes, in a part in the longitudinal direction, an area on which the screw portion is not formed. The discharge aperture is disposed opposite to the area on which the screw portion is not formed, and the length of the discharge aperture is formed smaller than that of the area in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Tatsuya KUBO, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama
  • Publication number: 20120027466
    Abstract: A developing device that can suitably discharge developer from the developing device by the amount of developer in the developing device increased by carrier supplemented into the developing device, including: a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw, the rotational axes of which are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member and which are arranged in a top and bottom positional relationship, and an inclined transport screw which is arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and the other end of the receiving transport screw; supply means for supplying new carrier into a casing; and a discharge port and discharge means for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port being provided on the part of the casing corresponding to the upper part of the inclined transport screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Takeyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8045893
    Abstract: A developing device that can discharge developer by an amount of developer in the developing device increased by a carrier supplemented into the developing device includes a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw in a top and bottom positional relationship, the rotational axes of the supply transport screw and the receiving transport screw are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member. The developing device also includes an inclined transport screw arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and an other end of the receiving transport screw. The developing device also includes a supply unit for supplying new carrier into a casing and a discharge port and discharge unit for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port provided on a part of the casing corresponding to an upper part of the inclined transport screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Takeyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8045900
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus, have transport members with screw and shaft portions, transporting developer within the device in a longitudinal direction of a circulation path. A supply supplies new carrier to the device. A discharge aperture in a transport path wall of one transport member discharges developer outside the circulation path, when a surface of the developer transported by the one transport member exceeds a predetermined height. A bias path aperture in the transport path wall upstream of the discharge aperture has a bottom at a higher level than a bottom of the discharge aperture, and diverts developer at a level higher than the bottom of the discharge aperture to another transport member. An area in the longitudinal direction of the one transport member has no screw portion, and the discharge aperture is disposed opposite the area and has a length smaller than the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kubo, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama
  • Patent number: 8041269
    Abstract: A development apparatus includes a first developer chamber configured to store and supply the developer, a first developer bearer configured to convey the developer supplied from the first developer chamber to a first development domain, defined by a portion of the first developer bearer facing a latent image bearer, to develop the latent image, a second developer bearer configured to convey the developer passed through the first development domain to a second development domain, defined by a portion of the second developer bearer facing the latent image bearer, to develop the latent image, a second developer chamber configured to recover the developer passing through the second development domain and store the recovered developer, and a transfer prevention member provided between the second developer chamber and the second developer bearer to reduce a transfer of the developer from the second developer chamber to the second developer bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kubo, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Takashi Suzuki, Susumu Tateyama, Tsutomu Nakagawa, Masayoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8027623
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system, with which developer splashed by the transport member is not discharged from the discharge port, fluctuations of the amount of developer discharged to the outside are not produced, and the output image quality is stable. The transport member comprises, in a part thereof in the longitudinal direction, a cutaway region where the screw part is not formed. The discharge port faces the cutaway region, and is formed such that the longitudinal length thereof is smaller than that of the cutaway region. A wall part, which protrudes toward the interior of the transport route from a partition wall where the discharge port is formed, is then installed upstream of the transport route in relation to the discharge port and within the range of the cutaway region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentarou Nodera, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8014706
    Abstract: A developing device is disclosed. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed to face an image carrier and a toner carrier capturing roller disposed to face the developing roller for capturing toner carriers adhered onto the image carrier. The developing roller generates a magnetic pole at a side facing the toner carrier capturing roller. A first virtual line, which connects a rotational center of the developing roller to a rotational center of the toner carrier capturing roller, passes through a region between a position where a magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole in the normal line direction is minimum on the developing roller at the upstream side in the rotational direction of the developing roller and a position where the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole in the normal line direction is maximum on the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8010020
    Abstract: The developer conveyance amount on the upstream side of an agitation conveyance path in a developer conveyance direction becomes larger than the amount of developer to be transported from a recovery conveyance path to the agitation conveyance path, by making the developer conveyance amount on the upstream side of an agitating screw in the developer conveyance direction equal to or larger than the developer conveyance amount on the downstream side of a recovery screw in the developer conveyance direction. Accordingly, the bulk of the developer existing on the downstream side of the recovery conveyance path in the developer conveyance direction can be prevented from reaching the level where the recovered developer re-adheres to a developing roller, and further the developer existing on the downstream side of the recovery conveyance path in the developer conveyance direction can be prevented from re-adhering to the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Emi Kita, Koichi Kato, Kiyonori Tsuda, Yuki Oshikawa, Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma
  • Patent number: 7904001
    Abstract: A developing unit containing developer including carrier and toner and developing a latent image formed on an image carrier is disclosed. The developing unit includes multiple conveyor members configured to convey the contained developer in respective longitudinal directions so as to form a circulation channel; a supply part configured to supplement the carrier in the developing unit; a discharge part configured to discharge a first part of the contained developer outside the developing unit; and a bypass channel configured to cause a second part of the developer to return to the upstream side of the circulation channel without passing a position where the discharge part is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Masayoshi Nakayama, Tatsuya Kubo