Patents by Inventor Yutaka Narita

Yutaka Narita 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: 8385780
    Abstract: A charging member, includes: an electrically-conductive support; an electrical resistance adjustment layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrically-conductive support; an intermediate layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrical resistance adjustment layer; and a surface layer having insulation provided on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least a polyether polyol resin, and the surface layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least one of a fluorine-based resin, a silicone-based resin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, and a urethane resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwakt
  • Patent number: 8150295
    Abstract: A charging member is provided in which a minute gap between an image support body and the charging member is set widely but even so the charging member does not abnormally discharge easily, the charging member includes a conductive support body 903, an electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 disposed on the conductive support body 903 and a surface layer 901 disposed on the electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 in which the surface layer contains at least (a) polyol resin grafted with fluorine or silicon, (b) polyether polyol resin, (c) organic anion salt that contains fluorine and alkali metal or alkali earth metal and (d) polyisocyanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 8133161
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive support and an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive support. The electrical resistance adjusting layer includes a thermoplastic resin, a polymeric ion conductive material, and a graft copolymer which is compatible with both of the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material. The electrical resistance adjusting layer is formed in a sea-island structure formed from a sea portion made of the polymeric ion conductive material and island portions made of the thermoplastic resin, the island portions being dispersed in the sea portion and each of the island portions is formed in an elongate shape. A layer made of the graft copolymer is formed at boundaries between the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Toshio Kojima, Tadaaki Hattori, Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8105672
    Abstract: An electroconductive member including an electroconductive support, an electric resistance adjusting layer formed on the electroconductive support, and a top surface layer that coats the surface of the electric resistance adjusting layer, the top surface layer containing at least one oxygen-containing inorganic compound selected from among a composite oxide of silicon and aluminum, an oxygen-containing silicon compound, and an oxygen-containing aluminum compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Toshio Kojima, Yutaka Narita, Tadaaki Hattori, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 8038590
    Abstract: A conductive member (10) includes a conductive supporting body (1), an electric resistance adjusting layer (2), which is formed onto the conductive supporting body (1) and is disposed to face a photoconductor (4), and a pair of space holding members (3, 3) disposed in both ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2), so as to have contact with the photoconductor (4) to maintain a predetermined gap (G) between the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and the photoconductor, and each of the space holding members (3, 3) includes a cylinder portion (3a) attached to the outer circumference surface (2a) of the electric resistance adjusting layer and an end plate (3b) provided in one end portion of the cylinder portion and disposed to have contact with the end surface (2b) of the electric resistance adjusting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Akiko Tanaka, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 8041259
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive supporting member provided facing an image bearing member and including a continuous or discontinuous fixing groove provided in the vicinity of each of both ends of the conductive supporting member in a peripheral direction thereof, an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive supporting member and including a step portion which includes at least one step disposed in the vicinity of each of the both ends of the electrical resistance adjusting member, and gap retainers each provided to the step portion and including a cylinder portion which contacts at least one surface of the step portion, and an end plate so that a predetermined gap is formed between the image bearing member and the electrical resistance adjusting layer. The end plate contacts at least one surface of the step portion and fits into the fixing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadaaki Hattori, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 8032050
    Abstract: The charge assembly according to the present invention includes a charge member having a conductive support body on which a resistance adjusting layer and a surface layer covering the resistance adjusting layer are formed, to rotate a surface of the image support body to electrically charge the image support body, the surface layer having a static friction coefficient of 1.0 or more; and a cleaning member rotating the surface layer of the charge member in contact therewith to remove foreign particles on the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 7941077
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive supporter, an electric resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive supporter and gap retaining members which are of a different material from that of the electric resistance adjusting layer and are disposed respectively at both ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer for contacting an image carrier so as to maintain a predetermined gap between the electric resistance adjusting layer and the image carrier, wherein the electric resistance adjusting layer is made from a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin containing an ether group, an organic phosphonium salt and a fluorine-containing organic anion salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20100215400
    Abstract: A charging member, includes: an electrically-conductive support; an electrical resistance adjustment layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrically-conductive support; an intermediate layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrical resistance adjustment layer; and a surface layer having insulation provided on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least a polyether polyol resin, and the surface layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least one of a fluorine-based resin, a silicone-based resin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, and a urethane resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAMURA, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwakt
  • Patent number: 7734221
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive member 10 with a superior durability by controlling an electric resistance value of an electric resistance adjusting layer 2 within a semi conductive range, preventing an ion conductive material from bleeding out of the electric resistance adjusting layer 2 to avoid improper charging and avoiding strength decreasing of a weld portion of the electric resistance adjusting layer and an electric resistance value fluctuation. The electric resistance adjusting layer 2 is made from a resin composition prepared by melting and kneading a thermoplastic resin, a high molecular ion conductive material containing an alkali metal salt and a graft copolymer which has an affinity for both the thermoplastic resin and the high molecular ion conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadaaki Hattori, Toshio Kojima, Makoto Nakamura, Yutaka Narita
  • Patent number: 7693456
    Abstract: A conductive member including a conductive supporting body (1), an electric resistance adjusting layer (2) formed on the conductive supporting body (1), and space holding members (3, 3) provided on opposite ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2), at least one engaging projection (50, 60,70, 80) being provided on one of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3), and an engaging opening (51, 61, 71, 81) in which the engaging projection is inserted being provided in the other of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2) and each of the space holding members (3, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Akiko Tanaka, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 7693455
    Abstract: A conductive member to be disposed so as to abut on an image carrier is provided. The conductive member includes an elongate conductive supporter, an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on a circumferential surface of the supporter, and a pair of gap maintaining members provided respectively to the two ends of the adjusting layer. A gap with a certain clearance between an outer circumferential surface of the adjusting layer and an outer circumferential surface of the image carrier provided in parallel to the adjusting layer is formed. A stepped portion is formed in a joint section between the adjusting layer and each of the gap maintaining members with the joint section. An inclination is formed so as to be continuously inclined from the outer circumferential surface of each of the gap maintaining members to the outer circumferential surface of the adjusting layer in the stepped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taisuke Tokuwaki, Yutaka Narita, Toshio Kojima, Tadaaki Hattori, Makoto Nakamura, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Publication number: 20090274487
    Abstract: A charging member is provided in which a minute gap between an image support body and the charging member is set widely but even so the charging member does not abnormally discharge easily, the charging member includes a conductive support body 903, an electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 disposed on the conductive support body 903 and a surface layer 901 disposed on the electrical resistance adjustment layer 902 in which the surface layer contains at least (a) polyol resin grafted with fluorine or silicon, (b) polyether polyol resin, (c) organic anion salt that contains fluorine and alkali metal or alkali earth metal and (d) polyisocyanate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAMURA, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 7603062
    Abstract: A conductive member, including a long conductive supporting body, an electrical resistance adjusting layer, disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the conductive supporting body and having a reduced diameter section at either end, and a pair of gap maintaining members which are respectively fitted onto said reduced diameter sections of the electrical resistance adjusting layer. The outer circumferential surfaces of the gap maintaining members have a height differential with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the electrical resistance adjusting layer, in such a manner that when abutted against an image carrier, a prescribed gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier and the outer circumferential surface of the electrical resistance adjusting layer. An interval between the end faces of the electrical resistance adjusting layer and the faces of the gap maintaining members opposing the end faces satisfies a predetermined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Shimojo, Masanori Kawasumi, Yoshiyuki Kimura, Masahiko Satoh, Takeshi Uchitani, Hideki Zemba, Yutaka Narita, Shunichi Hashimoto, Eisaku Murakami, Shin Kayahara
  • Publication number: 20090180806
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive support and an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive support. The electrical resistance adjusting layer includes a thermoplastic resin, a polymeric ion conductive material, and a graft copolymer which is compatible with both of the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material. The electrical resistance adjusting layer is formed in a sea-island structure formed from a sea portion made of the polymeric ion conductive material and island portions made of the thermoplastic resin, the island portions being dispersed in the sea portion and each of the island portions is formed in an elongate shape. A layer made of the graft copolymer is formed at boundaries between the thermoplastic resin and the polymeric ion conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Tadayuki OSHIMA, Hiroki FURUBAYASHI, Taisuke TOKUWAKI, Toshio KOJIMA, Tadaaki HATTORI, Yutaka NARITA, Makoto NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20090142679
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive supporting body, an electrostatic resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive supporting body, and a space holding member, which is formed on each of both end portions of the electric resistance adjusting layer, has a material different from a material of the electric resistance adjusting layer, and constantly maintains a space between the electric resistance adjusting layer and the image carrier, wherein the electric resistance adjusting layer comprises a resin composition including thermoplastic resin containing at least polyamide elastomer and polyolefin block polymer and plural types of salt containing at least one type of salt selected from perchlorate and at least one type of salt selected from fluorine-containing organic anion salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Tadayuki OSHIMA, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Satoshi Terashima
  • Patent number: 7515852
    Abstract: An conductive member includes a long conductive supporting body to which a predetermined potential is applied, extending from one side to the other side, an electric resistance adjusting layer, which is formed to surround a circumference surface of the conductive supporting body and adjusts an electric resistance, and a surface protection layer, which is provided to cover a surface of the electric resistance adjusting layer and protects the surface of the electric resistance adjusting layer, and the electric resistance adjusting layer contains a thermoplastic resin material having an ether group in a molecular and an organic phosphonium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Tadaaki Hattori, Toshio Kojima, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 7493064
    Abstract: An electrical conductive member is configured to prevent a shape distortion in gap retaining members caused by that the gap retaining members are fitted to an end surface of an electric resistance adjusting layer, and to be able to maintain a gap between the electric residence adjusting layer and an image carrier for a long-term in a constant state with a high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Toshio Kojima, Tadaaki Hattori, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi
  • Publication number: 20090042117
    Abstract: A conductive member for use in an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge including the conductive member as a charging member, an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, a charging member, and a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the charging member. The conductive member includes a surface coated with a powder lubricant. The charging member includes a conductive member and a powder lubricant applied to a surface of the conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAMURA, Yutaka Narita, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi, Taisuke Tokuwaki
  • Publication number: 20080279588
    Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive supporting member provided facing an image bearing member and including a continuous or discontinuous fixing groove provided in the vicinity of each of both ends of the conductive supporting member in a peripheral direction thereof, an electrical resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive supporting member and including a step portion which includes at least one step disposed in the vicinity of each of the both ends of the electrical resistance adjusting member, and gap retainers each provided to the step portion and including a cylinder portion which contacts at least one surface of the step portion, and an end plate so that a predetermined gap is formed between the image bearing member and the electrical resistance adjusting layer. The end plate contacts at least one surface of the step portion and fits into the fixing groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Yutaka Narita, Makoto Nakamura, Taisuke Tokuwaki, Tadaaki Hattori, Tadayuki Oshima, Hiroki Furubayashi