Patents Issued in March 31, 2011
  • Publication number: 20110076045
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming system having a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, the image forming system including: a first image forming unit provided to the first image forming apparatus and forming an image on a first surface of a recording sheet; and a second image forming unit provided to the second image forming apparatus and forming an image on a second surface of the recording sheet on the first surface of which the image has been formed by the first image forming unit, in which, when the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit form pattern images for image position adjustment on the recording sheet, the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit form a first pattern image and a second pattern image on the same surface of the recording sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumitaka Sobue
  • Publication number: 20110076046
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects whether a cover is opened or closed in each of a general power mode and a power saving mode. The image forming apparatus includes a cover opening/closing sensor to detect opening or closing of a cover, a cover opening/closing sensing power-supply input unit to provide or not to provide a voltage different from an operation voltage of the image forming apparatus, to the cover opening/closing sensor according to the opening or closing of the cover, and an interlock switch to connect or not to connect the cover opening/closing sensor to the cover opening/closing sensing power-supply unit according to the opening or closing of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joo Young Oh
  • Publication number: 20110076047
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a placement tray, an image forming unit, a drive unit, a control board, a power supply substrate, a high-voltage board, and low-voltage power supply harnesses. The placement tray holds a recording sheet thereon. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording sheet. The drive unit supplies driving force to the image forming unit. The control board controls the drive unit. The power supply substrate supplies electric power to the control board. The high-voltage board is disposed in one side of the placement tray. In the high-voltage board, voltage is generated higher than voltage in the power supply substrate. The low-voltage power supply harnesses are disposed in another side of the placement tray so as to supply electric power from the power supply substrate to the control board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi NOBE, Hiroyuki OKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110076048
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main unit and a process cartridge including: an image holding member rotating about a rotation axis; an image developing device to develop a latent image on the image holding member; and a supporting member formed with a side face spreading in a direction of the rotation axis to support the image holding member and the image developing device and be moved in the direction to be attached/detached to/from the main unit. The main unit includes a main unit connector positioned adjacently to a side face of the supporting member of the process cartridge attached to the main unit such that a face mating with a counterpart connector faces the side face. The process cartridge includes on the side face a cartridge side connector electrically connected to the main unit side connector when the process cartridge is attached to the main unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu UTO, Tetsuo ISHIZUKA, Fumio FURUSAWA, Shiroh SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20110076049
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a frame, a developer carrying member, a developer supplying member, and an electrode member. The developer carrying member is rotatably supported on the frame and carries a developer. The developer carrying member has a first rotational axis defining an axial direction. The developer supplying member is rotatably supported on the frame and contacts the developer carrying member to supply the developer to the developer carrying member. The developer supplying member has a second rotational axis parallel to the first rotational axis. Both of the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis lie in a first plane. The electrode member is provided on the frame, and configured to receive an electrical power from an external power supplying member. The electrode member has a contact portion that is configured to contact with the external power supplying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuichi KATO
  • Publication number: 20110076050
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include an apparatus body, and a photosensitive-member unit slidably attached to the apparatus body and retaining a plurality of photosensitive members. The apparatus body includes side wall portions opposing each other with a unit receiving section sandwiched therebetween, and a plurality of apparatus-body-side electrode members provided on the side wall portions, and each urged inward in an opposing direction of the side wall portions. The photosensitive-member unit includes a plurality of unit-side electrode members each protruding outward in the opposite direction and a guide path comprising a flat surface formed in a flat shape so that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacts to the flat surface during attachment of the photosensitive-member unit with respect to the unit receiving section, and that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacted maintains a constant inward and outward position in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasushi OKABE
  • Publication number: 20110076051
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt unit having a driving roller, a driven roller, a driving roller gear; and a belt which is looped around the driving roller and the driven roller; a belt driving gear which is engaged with the driving roller gear; a photosensitive drum which contacts the belt; and a positioning section which contacts a portion of the belt unit to position the belt unit with respect to a moving direction of the belt. The positioning section contacts the portion of the belt unit in a direction of receiving a force with which the photosensitive drum is pressing the belt unit. The belt driving gear is engaged with the driving roller gear such that a force pressing the belt unit from the belt driving gear via the driving roller gear presses the belt unit against the positioning section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110076052
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a latent image bearing member on which a latent image is formed; a developing unit that develops the latent image using a liquid developer; a transfer member onto which the image is transferred; a cleaning unit that cleans the latent image bearing member; a cleaning roller, to which a bias is applied, that cleans the transfer member by making contact with the transfer member; a blade that cleans the cleaning roller by making contact with the cleaning roller; a cleaning blade that cleans the transfer member cleaned by the cleaning roller by making contact with the transfer member; a holding unit that holds collected material scratched by the blade and the cleaning blade; an application unit that applies the collected material to the cleaning roller; and a transport channel that transports the collected material collected by the cleaning unit to the holding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki SHIIYA, Ken IKUMA
  • Publication number: 20110076053
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoreceptor; a charging portion; an exposure portion; a developing portion; a transfer body; a cleaning portion; and a control portion. The charging portion charges the photoreceptor. The exposure portion forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. The developing portion forms a developed image on the photoreceptor. The developed image thus formed is primarily transferred to the transfer body and the transfer body secondarily transfers the developed image thus primarily transferred to a predetermined recording medium. The cleaning portion cleans the transfer body. The control portion performs control to: form a cleaning developed image on the photoreceptor outside of a paper feeding width and inside of a developing width, primarily transfer the cleaning developed image to the transfer body, and make the cleaning portion clean the cleaning developed image thus primarily transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: MASAKI KADOTA
  • Publication number: 20110076054
    Abstract: A latch apparatus has a latch base, a latch frame, and at least one flexible bracket connecting the latch frame to the latch base. Connectors are used to connect the flexible bracket to the latch frame and connect the flexible bracket to the latch base. The connectors prevent the outer surface of the flexible bracket from moving along the surface of the latch frame or the surface of the latch base. A biasing member is connected to the latch base and the latch frame. The flexible bracket maintains a gap between the latch base and the latch frame and prevents the latch base from contacting or sliding along the latch frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark A. Atwood, Joseph M. Wing, Michael L. Gumina
  • Publication number: 20110076055
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes a body housing having an opening and a cover covering the opening, a body frame in the body housing for supporting thereon various component parts of the image forming apparatus, an image forming cartridge receivable into the body housing through the opening to be detachably supported on the body frame and a support assembly supporting the mounted image forming cartridge. The support assembly includes a locking member movable between a locking position at which the image forming cartridge is limited in its movement along the direction of separating away from the body frame and a releasing position at which the image forming cartridge is allowed to move away from the body frame. The support assembly further includes an elastic member elastically biasing the locking member to the releasing position and a pressing member provided on the cover for pressing the locking member to remain in the locking position when the covered is closed to cover the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Kyun LEE, Myoung-Sub Jang, Seung-Kyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20110076056
    Abstract: A developer container includes a casing, a conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The casing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber and a first opening. The developer accommodating chamber accommodates developer therein. The waste-developer accommodating chamber accommodates waste developer therein. The first opening provides fluid communication between the developer accommodating chamber and outside of the casing. The casing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction. The conveying member is configured to convey the waste developer in a conveying direction defined to be directed from the first end to the second end. The conveying-member accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the conveying member therein. The conveying-member accommodating unit has an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion in the conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo SATO
  • Publication number: 20110076057
    Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic photoconductor including: a conductive substrate; a photosensitive layer; and a surface layer having grooves which do not intersect each other, the photosensitive layer and the surface layer being laid over the conductive substrate, wherein the grooves each have a width of 60 ?m to 100 ?m and a depth of 0.2 ?m to 2 ?m, wherein the standard deviation of the depths of the grooves is 1/10 or less of the average value of the depths of the grooves measured at any four places, and wherein the grooves are formed in a direction which diagonally crosses a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction of the electrophotographic photoconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Hidetoshi KAMI, Kazuhiro Egawa
  • Publication number: 20110076058
    Abstract: Provided is a surface emitting laser manufacturing method, etc., which reduces process damage occurring to a surface relief structure, enabling stable provision of a single transverse mode characteristic. Provided is a method including a surface relief structure for controlling a reflectance in a light emitting portion of an upper mirror, the surface relief structure including a stepped structure, includes: forming a resist pattern including a pattern for forming a mesa structure and a pattern for forming a stepped structure, on or above the upper mirror, and performing first-phase etching for etching the surface layer of the upper mirror to determine the horizontal position of the stepped structure; forming a current confining structure after the performing first-phase etching; and performing second-phase etching for further etching the area that the first-phase etching has been performed, to determine the depth position of the stepped structure, after the forming a current confining structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Ikuta, Yasuhisa Inao, Takako Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110076059
    Abstract: The electrographic printing of one or more multi-channeled layers having a particular pattern by electrographic techniques that produces a specialty item electrographically. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing predetermined sized marking particles; and, where desired, forming one or more final multi-channeled layers utilizing marking particles of a predetermined size or size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Donna P. Suchy, Diane M. Herrick
  • Publication number: 20110076060
    Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus surely moves and stops each developing device supported by a rotary in a development position without an independent driving motor for rotating the rotary. By the rotation of the rotary, the V number of developing devices supported by the rotary are sequentially replaced and moved to the development position in which the developing device faces a photosensitive drum. A drive transmission mechanism is provided in which each time one of a M number claw portions of a trigger cam is disengaged from and engaged with a solenoid, the trigger cam makes a 1/M revolution, and once every 1/M revolution of the trigger cam, a driving force is transmitted to a rotary gear from a rotary drive gear which is rotated integrally with the trigger cam so that the rotary is stopped after rotated by an angle W which is an aliquot part of (360/V).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Aoki, Yasuhiro Fukase
  • Publication number: 20110076061
    Abstract: A powder storage container includes a container body, an opening formed in a portion of the container body, an opening-and-closing cover, a cover holding frame, a protrusion portion provided in the opening-and-closing cover, a blocking portion provided in the cover holding frame, a position regulating protrusion protruding from the cover holding frame, and a disengagement suppressing protrusion provided in the opening-and-closing cover. When the opening-and-closing cover takes such an attitude that the opening-and-closing cover is swingably supported by a contact portion, serving as a fulcrum, between the disengagement suppressing protrusion and the cover holding frame and is arranged along the opening-and-closing operation direction, a distal end position of the protrusion portion is located in a position where the distal end position can be released from the blocking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu TSUMITA, Hiroaki OKUMA
  • Publication number: 20110076062
    Abstract: A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the opening; a feeding member, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and having an elasticity, for feeding the developer by rotation thereof; a deforming portion, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and contactable to the feeding member, for deforming the feeding member against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member; and a restoration portion for permitting the feeding member deformed by the deformed portion to restore elastically, thereby to throw the developer toward the opening, wherein a boundary portion between the deformed portion the restoration portion is disposed below a lower end of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110076063
    Abstract: A developer storage case includes: a storage case that includes a discharge opening formed in the horizontal direction side surface thereof, that is formed in a flat shape having a horizontal direction width larger than the vertical direction height thereof, and that stores a developer therein; a delivery member that has a center of rotation disposed shifted to the discharge opening, that is rotatably supported on one end wall of the storage case, and that delivers the developer stored within the storage case; and a drive transmission member that is supported on the end portion of the delivery member, and that drives and rotates the delivery member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro SAITO, Masanori MURASE
  • Publication number: 20110076064
    Abstract: A developing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developer cartridge detachably mounted on the developing unit, a developing case in which a developing member and a first supply member are provided, a developer supply passage to supply a developer stored in the developer cartridge to the developing case, and a developer supplement unit mounted in a portion connecting the developing case and the developer supply passage, to agitate the developer supplied through the developer supply passage and to supply the agitated developer to the developing case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ji-won MOON, Hyun-cheol Lee, Yun-kyu Sim
  • Publication number: 20110076065
    Abstract: In a belt transfer device according to an embodiment, rotation of a rear side detection roller or a front side detection roller, which contacts with a rib of a transfer belt and is rotated, is converted into linear driving by using a worm gear. The movement of a linear movement shaft is transmitted to a steering roller through a slider. The steering roller is tilted and meandering of the transfer belt is regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro HARA
  • Publication number: 20110076066
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a first fixing unit including a first heating unit heats to a transfer material onto which an image has been transferred and a first pressure unit that forms a first nip portion; a second fixing unit including a second heating unit heats to the transfer material fixed in the first fixing unit and a second pressure unit that forms a second nip portion; and a fixing unit suction guide, including a suction surface that sucks the transfer material fixed in the first fixing unit upward with a surface of the transfer material onto which the image has been transferred facing downward, an end of the suction surface on a side toward the second fixing unit in a transport direction of the transfer material being located higher in the vertical direction than an imaginary line that connects the first nip portion and the second nip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhito GOMI, Yoshiyuki NAGAI, Kenjiro YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20110076067
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus for forming an image on a transfer material includes first and second fixing roller units, a suction guide, and a movement member. The first fixing roller unit includes a first heating roller that heats the transfer material bearing the image and a first pressure roller being in contact with the first heating roller. The suction guide guides the transfer material, and includes a suction surface that vertically upwardly sucks the transfer material after being heated by the first fixing roller unit. The second fixing roller unit fixes the transfer material after being guided by the suction guide, and includes a second heating roller heating the transfer material and a second pressure roller being in contact with the second heating roller. The second pressure roller is disposed above the second heating roller in the vertical direction. The movement member causes the second pressure roller to move vertically upwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki NAGAI, Kenjiro YOSHIOKA, Katsuhito GOMI
  • Publication number: 20110076068
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a heating belt configured to heat a toner to be transferred onto a sheet; a heater for heating the heating belt; a peeling blade for peeling off the sheet adhering to the heating belt; and a driving unit configured to drive the peeling blade between a contact position where the driving unit brings the peeling blade into contact with the heating belt and a separated position where the driving unit separates the peeling blade from the heating belt. The peeling blade is located in the contact position until the heating belt rotates at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kunugi
  • Publication number: 20110076069
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording medium; a pressing member that presses the recording medium against the fixing member; an oiling unit that applies release oil onto a surface of the fixing member to clean the surface; a removing member that is arranged between an downstream side of the oiling unit and an upstream side of the pressing member in a rotating direction of the fixing member and movable between an in-contact state where the removing member is in contact with the surface of the fixing member and an out-of-contact state where the removing member is out of contact with the surface; a drive unit that drives the removing member; and an oiling control unit that, when starting earliest fixing, controls the drive unit to gradually move the removing member from the in-contact state into the out-of-contact state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Makoto YAGAWARA, Tsukasa Onose, Souichi Nakazawa, Sho Sawahata, Ken Onodera, Masahiro Mizuno, Soushi Kikuchi, Takahiro Inoue
  • Publication number: 20110076070
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an excitation coil; an image heating member for heating an image on a recording material by heat generated by a magnetic flux of the excitation coil; a core disposed opposed to the coil; a moving device for moving the core between a first position in which the core is opposed to the excitation coil and a second position in which the core is remoter from the excitation coil than the first position; and an air blower for blowing air into a space between the core and the excitation coil, the space being provided by moving the core to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohei Koshida
  • Publication number: 20110076071
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a nip formation member, a pressing member, and a low-friction sheet. The nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member rotating in a predetermined direction of rotation. The pressing member is pressed against the nip formation member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. The fixing member and the pressing member rotate and convey the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip. The low-friction sheet, over which the fixing member slides, covers the nip formation member. The nip formation member includes a first sandwiching member covered by the low-friction sheet, and a second sandwiching member sandwiching the low-friction sheet together with the first sandwiching member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshiki YAMAGUCHI, Kenichi HASEGAWA, Masaaki YOSHIKAWA, Hiroshi YOSHINAGA, Kenji ISHII, Akira SHINSHI, Naoki IWAYA, Tetsuo TOKUDA, Ippei FUJIMOTO, Yutaka IKEBUCHI, Shuntaroh TAMAKI, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110076072
    Abstract: In one embodiment, in a fixing apparatus that is provided with a plurality of rollers including a fixing roller, and an endless fixing belt that is wound around the plurality of rollers, a regulation belt for regulating movement of the fixing belt in the axial direction is wound around at least one of both sides in the axial direction of at least one roller (for example, two rollers) among the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Masaki AMEMIYA, Takashi YAMANAKA, Masaya ASAKAWA, Hirokazu NAKAMURA, Noriko INOUE
  • Publication number: 20110076073
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transparent image forming device for forming a transparent toner image on a sheet with a transparent toner in an amount per unit area; a manual selector for selecting an image area in which the transparent toner image is to be formed and for selecting the amount per unit area; a heating device for heating the transparent toner image formed on the sheet; a glossing device for processing the transparent toner image formed on the sheet so that glossiness is higher than that by the heating device; a mode selector for selecting a first mode in which the glossing device is not used and a second mode in which the glossing device is used; and a controlling device for controlling the amount per unit area of the transparent toner in the image area so as to be not less than a predetermined amount in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Haruhiko Omata
  • Publication number: 20110076074
    Abstract: Provided is a method for forming an image containing the steps of: supplying a clear toner on a surface of an image forming support; heating the supplied clear toner on the surface of the image forming support to melt; close contacting the surface of the image forming support supplied with the clear toner with a belt; and cooling the clear toner in a state of close contacting with the belt so as to form a clear toner layer on the image forming support, wherein the aforesaid clear toner contains at least a resin formed with a polymerizable monomer represented by Formula (1) and a vinyl monomer, Formula (1): H2?CR1—COOR2, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R2 represents a chain alkyl group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, or a cyclic alkyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takao YAMANOUCHI, Kazue NAKAMURA, Ryuichi HIRAMOTO, Michiyo FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20110076075
    Abstract: A lubricant applicator includes: a lubricant application unit that is arranged so as to be in contact with a surface of an image carrier, scrapes a solid lubricant, and applies the solid lubricant onto the surface of the image carrier while moving a surface of the lubricant application unit; a lubricant holding member that holds the solid lubricant; and a lubricant biasing unit that biases the solid lubricant against the lubricant application unit. The lubricant biasing unit is housed in a housing under a state that one end of the lubricant biasing unit is held by the lubricant holding member so that a position of the one end of the lubricant biasing unit is restricted, and another end of the lubricant biasing unit is held by a biasing-unit holding member that is provided to restrict a position of the another end of the lubricant biasing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Yuji Arai, Ken Amemiya, Toshio Koike, Michiya Okamoto, Takuma Iwasaki, Hiroyuki Nagashima, Fumihito Itoh, Hiroshi Ono, Masahiko Shakuto, Kaoru Yoshino, Satoshi Hatori, Yuta Azeyanagi
  • Publication number: 20110076076
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising: a printing section including a conveyer, a reconveyer, and a printer; a sensor; a determination section; and a controller. The determination section determines whether a pair of the first sheet and the second sheet is eligible for the high-speed duplex printing based on the combination of the length of the first sheet and the length of the second sheet before the second sheet conveyed by the reconveyer. The controller controls the printing section to convey the first sheet and the second sheet to the reconveyer when the pair of the length of the first sheet and the second sheet is eligible for the high-speed duplex printing, and controls the printing section to eject at least one of the first and the second sheet when the pair of the length of the first and the second sheets is not eligible for the high-speed duplex printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naomichi BAN
  • Publication number: 20110076077
    Abstract: A measuring device of a length of a recording material includes: a rotary unit that rotates while coming into contact with the recording material; a pulse signal output unit that outputs a pulse signal in response to a rotation angle of the rotary unit; first and second detection unit that detect the recording material; and a calculation unit that calculates a length of the recording material. The calculation unit calculates a peace of the length of the recording material corresponding to a time below pulse interval of the pulse signal and then calculates the total length in the transport direction of the recording material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji MOROFUJI, Takeshi KATO, Toshiyuki KAZAMA, Kozo TAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110076078
    Abstract: A sheet discharge unit of an image forming apparatus includes a first path discharging the sheet to the outside, a second path for feeding the sheet again to the image forming unit in the case of performing a duplex image forming process, a sheet conveyor conveying the sheet from the first path to the outside, and a corrugating member corrugating the sheet in a width direction of the sheet orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheet to give the sheet stiffness when the sheet conveyor conveys the sheet. The second path includes an upstream path section having a width that extends in a thickness direction of the sheet, the width being set to be narrow to such a degree that the corrugation of the sheet is reduced when the sheet passes the upstream path section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110076079
    Abstract: A press is described having an upper platen. The press includes one piece base for support an upper rotatable support arm and a lower cantilever support arm. The upper support arm is adapted to selectively move the upper platen between an open position, a partially open position and a closed position with respect to a lower platen. A lower cantilever support arm configured to provide an open working surface around a lower platen. A sliding mechanism disposed on the base to selectively move the lower platen to an open, partially open or closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: BENJAMIN B. ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20110076080
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a body, a tray, a moving member, an actuator, a sensor, a reference position moving mechanism and a control unit. The moving member is movable to a first position, a second position, a third position and a reference position. The actuator moves the moving member to the first position, the second position and the third position. The sensor outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal based on positions of the moving member, the positions including the first position, the second position, the third position and the reference position. The reference position moving mechanism moves the moving member to the reference position. The control unit determines a detection position to be detected based on a change of the ON signal and the OFF signal of the sensor when the moving member is moved between the detection position and the reference position by the reference position moving mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kensuke HIRATE
  • Publication number: 20110076081
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium on which the image is formed; a crease forming unit that performs a crease forming process on the conveyed recording medium; a determining unit that determines whether or not the recording medium is a predetermined recording medium; and a control unit that prohibits the crease forming process from being performed by the crease forming unit when the determining unit determines that the recording medium is the predetermined recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hattori, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Takashi Saito, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Hidetoshi Kojima, Naoki Oikawa, Go Aiba
  • Publication number: 20110076082
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus wherein the controller is configured to adjust a distance between a first recording medium and a second recording medium fed subsequently to the first recording medium in a medium feeding direction on the basis of a length L1 of a trailing-end marginal area of the first recording medium, a length L2 of a leading-end marginal area of the second recording medium, and a length L0 of a feeding-path recording area on a medium feeding path in the medium feeding direction such that the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not overlapped with each other in the feeding-path recording area and such that respective image recorded areas of the first recording medium and the second recording medium are not disposed on the feeding-path recording area at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya OUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110076083
    Abstract: A support apparatus to support a roll-shaped recording medium with a simple configuration and to enhance a conveyance performance. A recording medium support apparatus for supporting a recording medium rolled around a core tube includes a first fitting portion to be fitted to a first end portion of the core tube, a second fitting portion to be fitted to a second end portion of the core tube, a first rotation shaft to be supported by the first fitting portion via bearings such that the first rotation shaft can be rotated with respect to the first fitting portion, a second rotation shaft to be supported by the second fitting portion via bearings such that the second rotation shaft can be rotated with respect to the second fitting portion, and a supporting unit to support the first and second rotation shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norio Tsurui, Ryoya Shinjo, Masahiro Koshikawa
  • Publication number: 20110076084
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a label producing apparatus comprising: a roll housing part that houses a roll winding a print-receiving tape into a roll shape; a feeding roller that feeds out and transports said print-receiving tape from said roll housed in said roll housing part; a printing device that prints desired print on said print-receiving tape fed out from said roll by the feeding of said feeding roller; and a guide device that guides said print-receiving tape fed out from said roll housed in said roll housing part; wherein: said guide device comprises either a first guide part capable of guiding said roll according to roll diameters of different sizes, or a second guide part capable of guiding said roll according to roll widths of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kasugai, Keiji Seo
  • Publication number: 20110076085
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials, the applicator comprising: a base including a reception zone and an electric heater element having two opposite sides; and an applicator unit comprising a support that extends along a longitudinal axis, that is fastened in removable manner on the reception zone, and that carries a mass of cosmetic composition that presents an application face that is suitable for coming into contact with keratinous materials; the mass of composition having a greatest dimension that is less than 40 mm, extending on only one side of the electric heater element, and being carried by the support before fastening the unit on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Frederic JOLLET, Virginie Orliac, Marcel Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20110076086
    Abstract: A multipurpose case having an inlet opening element and ejecting, retracting and protecting a core part without using a conventional cap. The case can use core parts having different sizes and usages in addition to specified core parts. The case can be produced at low cost and can easily eject or retract the core part by rotating or pulling the lower cap. The case includes an upper cap; a lower cap having an opening at an end and receiving a lower portion of the upper cap; an inlet opening element mounted to the lower cap and opening and closing the inlet part of the upper cap; a rotary actuator received in the lower cap; and a core part received in the rotary actuator so as to be ejected outside the upper cap along a spiral groove of the rotary actuator when the actuator is rotated by the lower cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Joung Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20110076087
    Abstract: A writing implement that includes a tubular body that extends longitudinally along a central axis and has an outer surface, and a clip that includes an arm that extends parallel to the central axis, between a front end and a back end near which a first and a second flange extend towards the body element. The flanges are mounted on a pivot shaft in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, and around which the clip pivots between a closed position in which the arm comes in contact with the implement, and an open position. The outer surface of the body element has a first and a second sunken region, one on each side of a first longitudinal plane passing through the central axis, and from which protrude a first and a second pin both extending collinearly to the pivot shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Franck Rolion, Samuel Malinverni
  • Publication number: 20110076088
    Abstract: A package for dispensing a liquid personal care product, the package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand; an applicator comprising an applicator base and a skin-contacting portion extending from the applicator base to a first height; at least one dispensing conduit comprising a central longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises an inlet that is in fluid communication with the body, wherein the distal end extends from the applicator base, wherein said distal end comprising at least one orifice, wherein said central longitudinal line does not intersection said at least one orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: David Matthew Groh
  • Publication number: 20110076089
    Abstract: An improved fountain pen (1) comprises a hollow barrel (2) with a longitudinal central axis of extension (X), a nib (3) located at a first longitudinal end (2a) of the barrel (2), an ink reservoir (4) located inside the barrel (2) and designed to feed the ink to the nib (3), a piston (5) able to move axially along the central axis (X) to create a vacuum inside the ink reservoir (4); the ink reservoir (4) also comprising a sac (6) made of deformable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Marco Geminiani
  • Publication number: 20110076090
    Abstract: An oral care implement (1) includes a head (12), a handle (10), a neck portion (11) connecting the head and the handle, and a reservoir (15) which contains at least one active agent. The implement has an activator (22) for activating a delivery device which delivers the active agent to one or more outlets (50). A powered delivery device (18) disposed in the head to deliver a liquid from the reservoir via the outlet. A wide variety of types of active agents may be administered at appropriate and accurate doses for therapeutic, hygienic, and/or other benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Donghui Wu, John P. Rouse, John Gatzemeyer, Sharon Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20110076091
    Abstract: This is directed to a hook and receiving element combination for securing components forming the shell of an electronic device. The receiving element can include a beam connected to the outer shell component and operative to deflect as the hook element approaches the receiving element. To limit deflections of the outer shell component, the beam can be restrained at opposing ends in directions perpendicular to the beam length, but free to slide along the beam axis. In some embodiments, the receiving element can include a lip for guiding the deflection of the beam as the beam contacts the hook element. In particular, the lip can ensure that the beam deflects at an angle relative to the hook element motion such that a smaller hook element motion is required to engage the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: AppleInc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Jenks
  • Publication number: 20110076092
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus of a cargo insulation panel includes a fixing plate adhered to one face of an insulation panel, a plurality of fixing brackets protruded to the outside of the fixing plate, protruded portions of the fixing brackets fixed by stud bolts arranged on the hull, and a plurality of couplers configured to couple the fixing brackets to the fixing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND.CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Hun JOH, Sang-Eon Chun, Chang-Seon Bang, Dai-Gil Lee, Byung-Chul Kim, Bu-Gi Kim, Jin-Gyu Kim, Soon-Ho Yoon, Sang-Wook Park, Kwan-Ho Lee, Seong-Su Kim, Byoung-Jung Kim, Po-Chul Kim, Ha-Na Yu, Min-Woo Lim, In-Uk Hwang
  • Publication number: 20110076093
    Abstract: An auxiliary housing (20) inserted into a frame (10) is locked in a retained state by the locking action of resiliently deformable lock arms (13) and locks (21). The lock arms (13) and the locks (21) include locking surfaces (17, 23) that are substantially normal to an inserting direction of the auxiliary housing (20) and come into contact with each other with the lock arms (13) and the locks (21) engaged in an insertion process of the auxiliary housing (20). When an inserting force exceeding a locking force of the locking surfaces (17, 23) is applied to the auxiliary housing (20), the lock arms (13) are resiliently deformed to disengage the locking surfaces (17, 23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Makino
  • Publication number: 20110076094
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure is provided for supporting a joint of two cable tray sections, wherein each of the two cable tray sections includes a side rail having a planar body member, a bottom edge and a top edge, and wherein the joint is positioned over a structural support member. The reinforcing structure may include a top member; a body member extending substantially perpendicularly from the top member; and a bottom member extending substantially perpendicularly from the body member. The bottom member may be configured for mounting on the structural support member. The bottom member may be configured to receive the bottom edge of the side rail. The top member may include an inside edge configured to support the planar body member of the side rail when the bottom edge of the side rail is received into the bottom member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Cardin