Patents by Inventor Yutaka Fukuchi
Yutaka Fukuchi 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: 7321744Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kiyonori Tsuda, Satoshi Narumi, Ryuta Takeichi, Yuji Arai, Masanori Kawasumi, Kazuhiko Umemura, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura
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Publication number: 20080003021Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kiyonori Tsuda, Satoshi Narumi, Ryuta Takeichi, Yuji Arai, Masanori Kawasumi, Kazuhiko Umemura, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura
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Patent number: 7313344Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body having an opening, and image bearing member or an intermediate transfer unit, and an arrangement. The image bearing member or the intermediate transfer unit is configured to have a toner image formed thereon or transferred thereto. The image bearing member or the intermediate transfer unit is configured to be attached to or detached from the main body via the opening. The arrangement includes a positioning member configured to position the image bearing member or the intermediate transfer unit, wherein the arrangement is configured to adjust a position of the image bearing member of the intermediate transfer unit at a position where the opening is closed.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Publication number: 20070242976Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiromichi Ema, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Kazuki Suzuki, Makoto Kikura, Masumi Sato, Hiroyasu Shijo, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Motokazu Yasui
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Publication number: 20070234912Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, that includes multiple imaging units, a loading unit formed on the top face of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a discharging unit disposed at the operation side of the main body. The image forming apparatus further includes multiple developer containing members disposed in the main body for providing the corresponding imaging units with developer, the developer containing members being arranged in a direction extending from the operation side of the main body. The developer containing members are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and can be handled in a space above the image forming apparatus, the space being limited to the width of the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Hiroshi ISHII, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Sasaki
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Patent number: 7263309Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiromichi Ema, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Kazuki Suzuki, Makoto Kikura, Masumi Sato, Hiroyasu Shijo, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Motokazu Yasui
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Publication number: 20070177905Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kiyonori Tsuda, Satoshi Narumi, Ryuta Takeichi, Yuji Arai, Masanori Kawasumi, Kazuhiko Umemura, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura
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Publication number: 20070127946Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiromichi Ema, Hiroshi Ishii, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Kazuki Suzuki, Makoto Kikura, Masumi Sato, Hiroyasu Shijo, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Motokazu Yasui
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Patent number: 7215907Abstract: An image forming apparatus including at least one image bearing member configured to bear a toner image on a surface thereof, and a transferring member arranged close to or in contact with the at least one image bearing member and configured to rotate in substantially synchronism with the at least one image bearing member to transfer the toner image born on the at least one image bearing member onto a recording medium. The apparatus further includes at least one first motor rotating the at least one image bearing member, a second motor rotating the transferring member, and a control mechanism configured to control a rotation number of at least one of the at least one first motor and the second motor during at least one of rise and fall time periods with a command clock signal and a feedback signal in accordance with a predetermined velocity curve.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura, Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiroshi Ishii, Kazuki Suzuki, Joh Ebara, Toshiyuki Uchida, Noriaki Funamoto
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Publication number: 20070098455Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, an image development mechanism, and a toner container holder. The toner container has a longitudinal length with first and second longitudinal ends, is driven for rotation to move the toner. The image development mechanism develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner container holder includes a base plate onto which the toner container is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container. The toner container holder further includes first and second supporters. The first and second supporters are mounted in traversal edge sides of the base plate and support the first and second longitudinal ends of the toner container, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiroshi Ishii, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Publication number: 20070086807Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for protecting circuits from damages caused by elevated temperatures. Presented embodiments illustrate IC thermal protection circuits that shut down power delivery circuits when the circuit temperature reaches a predefined upper threshold and restart the circuit when the circuit cools down to a predefined lower threshold. Other embodiments provide soft shutdown and soft restart, where not only the temperature range between the shutdown and the restart is predetermined, but also the time between the start of a shutdown process and the complete shutdown is controllable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7181152Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that holds its detachably attached constituent units at predetermined positions for operations, and releases the hold when exchanging and inspecting the constituent units. The image forming apparatus includes a main body having an opened portion on one side, one or more devices detachably attached to the main body through the opened portion, and a holding unit that is capable of being opened and closed relative to the opened portion. The holding unit is engaged with the devices and holds the devices at the predetermined positions when the holding unit is closed relative to the opened portion. A fixing unit arranged on the holding unit fixes the holding unit when the holding unit is closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiroshi Ishii, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7174121Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, an image development mechanism, and a toner container holder. The toner container has a longitudinal length with first and second longitudinal ends, is driven for rotation to move the toner. The image development mechanism develops an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner container holder includes a base plate onto which the toner container is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container. The toner container holder further includes first and second supporters. The first and second supporters are mounted in traversal edge sides of the base plate and support the first and second longitudinal ends of the toner container, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Yuusuke Noguchi, Hiroshi Ishii, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7164874Abstract: An electrode of an image bearing unit and an electrode of a power supply are positioned in the front, rather than far inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A holder opposes these electrodes in an openable/closable manner. The holder includes an electric conductor that electrically connects the electrode of an image bearing unit and an electrode of a power supply when the holder is closed. The image bearing unit can be detached or attached when the holder is open.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kazuosa Kuma, Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7147223Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a drive roller having a shaft, a driven roller having a shaft, a biasing member that rotatably supports one of the drive roller and the driven roller and biases one of the drive roller and the driven roller against the other one of the drive roller and the driven roller, and a holding member that pivotally holds the biasing member. The sheet conveying device conveys a sheet while rotating the drive roller and the driven roller and passing the sheet through a nip part formed between the drive roller and the driven roller.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Fukuchi
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Patent number: 7086850Abstract: A gear molding method for molding a plurality of plastic gears having a different number of ribs without changing costly gates uses a mold having a prescribed gear shape including a prescribed number of grooves substantially radially arranged in the mold. A prescribed number of gates is provided for pouring molten plastic into the mold. When a plastic gear is molded and separated from the mold, a prescribed number of grooves are additionally cut at a middle angular position between each of the pair of neighboring grooves without changing the gates. Then, another gear having increased number of ribs is molded using the same gates.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Fukuchi
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Publication number: 20060120763Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, that includes multiple imaging units, a loading unit formed on the top face of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a discharging unit disposed at the operation side of the main body. The image forming apparatus further includes multiple developer containing members disposed in the main body for providing the corresponding imaging units with developer, the developer containing members being arranged in a direction extending from the operation side of the main body. The developer containing members are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and can be handled in a space above the image forming apparatus, the space being limited to the width of the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2006Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Sasaki
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Publication number: 20060083555Abstract: A toner container mounting member comprises mounted thereon a plurality of toner containers that perform supply of toner by being themselves rotated. The toner containers are laid in the same direction to be mounted/released from above; a plurality of guiding members that rotatably support the toner containers are integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Inventors: Misaki Uchiyama, Kazuosa Kuma, Kiyonori Tsuda, Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7016629Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, that includes multiple imaging units, a loading unit formed on the top face of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a discharging unit disposed at the operation side of the main body. The image forming apparatus further includes multiple developer containing members disposed in the main body for providing the corresponding imaging units with developer, the developer containing members being arranged in a direction extending from the operation side of the main body. The developer containing members are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and can be handled in a space above the image forming apparatus, the space being limited to the width of the main body.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Yuusuke Noguchi, Kazuosa Kuma, Makoto Kikura, Yutaka Fukuchi, Kazuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Sasaki
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Publication number: 20060045594Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner collecting unit, a moving device, a sheet conveying roller, a driving unit, and a drive force transmitting unit. The waste toner collecting unit receives waste toner. The moving device moves the waste toner in the waste toner collecting unit. The sheet conveying roller transports a transfer sheet. The driving unit drives the sheet conveying roller. The drive force transmitting unit interlinks the moving device to the sheet conveying roller, and transmits a drive force of the driving unit to the moving device via a shaft of the sheet conveying roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2005Publication date: March 2, 2006Inventors: Mitsuru Yamada, Yutaka Fukuchi, Arai Yuji