Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
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Patent number: 8655217Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling airflow across a width of a charger support area having a charger housing supporting a corona charger that is proximate to a primary imaging member. In one method, a flow of air is provided proximate an inlet side of the charger housing area and a deflection surface is used to deflect the flow of air from a first direction to a second direction leading to an impact surface against which the flow of air is disbursed. The impact surface is outside of the width of the charger housing so that the air flow can supply a volume of disbursed air into the charger housing and primary imaging member that is sufficient to create a pressure that causes the disbursed air to move to an outlet on an opposite side of the area without directly exposing the charger or the primary imaging member.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Michael Thomas Dobbertin
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Patent number: 8655218Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first process unit and a second process unit arranged in parallel and each having a photosensitive drum configured to form an electrostatic latent image by an exposure and a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive drum; an exposing unit disposed between the first process unit and the second process unit and configured to expose the photosensitive drum of the second process unit; a first flow channel formed between the first process unit and the exposing unit for supplying air to the charging device of the second process unit; and a second flow channel formed in the first process unit and having an outlet for supplying the air to the charging device of the second process unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yohsuke Hata
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Patent number: 8655219Abstract: A cleaning device includes a device body, a cleaning member, and a support member. The device body is moved in a longitudinal direction of a plate-like grid member of a charging device. The cleaning member is disposed in the device body and cleans a first face of the grid member while pressing against the first face when the device body is moved. The support member is provided in the device body and has a support surface that is in contact with and supports a second face opposite to the first face of the grid member pressed by the cleaning member. The support surface is in contact with a mesh portion and a non-mesh portion of the grid member.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventor: Arichika Tanaka
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Patent number: 8655220Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer provided on a surface of the conductive substrate, an outermost layer of the photosensitive layer containing a crosslinked product formed from at least one charge transporting material having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OCH3, —NH2, —SH, and —COOH and at least one selected from a guanamine compound or a melamine compound, the content of the at least one charge transporting material being at least about 90% by weight, and the content of the at least one selected from the guanamine compound or the melamine compound being from about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Iwasaki, Katsumi Nukada, Wataru Yamada, Kenta Ide, Hirofumi Nakamura, Mitsuhide Nakamura, Koji Bando, Kaori Iemula, Kazuya Hongo, Yasuhiro Nida
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Patent number: 8655221Abstract: A cartridge includes a casing, a rotatable member rotatably supported by the casing, a protruding member configured to advance and retract in directions parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotatable member, and an urging member configured to urge the protruding member to advance in an advancing direction. The protruding member has a particular sloping surface configured to be contacted in a direction orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the protruding member when the cartridge is mounted. The particular sloping surface slopes with respect to directions parallel to and orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the protruding member.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasushi Okabe
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Patent number: 8655222Abstract: Provided is a developing member capable of suppressing a variation in resistance even when exposed to a high-temperature, high-humidity environment for a long time period. The developing member comprises: a mandrel; an electro-conductive elastic layer provided on a periphery of the mandrel; and a surface layer provided on a surface of the elastic layer, wherein: the elastic layer contains a dimethyl silicone rubber and carbon black; and an amount ? of a hydrogen atom bound to a silicon atom of the dimethyl silicone rubber, and an amount ? of a hydrogen atom of methyl groups bound to a silicon atom of the dimethyl silicone rubber, satisfy a relationship of 2.5×10?5??/??1.0×10?4.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Minoru Nakamura, Shohei Urushihara, Takashi Koyanagi, Kunimasa Kawamura, Masaki Yamada
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Patent number: 8655223Abstract: The invention provides a developer cartridge with a counting mechanism. The developer cartridge comprises a developer and the counting mechanism, wherein the counting mechanism is provided with protrusions which come in contact with a contact lever on an electronic photographing device so as to count the developer cartridge; and each protrusion has a first position and a second position in the direction perpendicular to a side wall of the developer cartridge, and is, in the first position, in contact with the contact lever, but is not, in the second position, in contact with the contact lever. The working principle of the developer cartridge adopting the counting mechanism is greatly different from the prior art. Therefore, the structure of the counting mechanism of the developer cartridge is simpler and more convenient and reliable; the production precision and the production cost are reduced; and the market competitiveness of the developer cartridge is improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Zhuhai Seine Technology LimitedInventors: Qingfei Peng, Jianxin Cao
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Patent number: 8655224Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer body onto which an image on the image carrier is transferred, and plural rotation members around which the intermediate transfer body is wound, each rotation member rotating around a rotation axis, the intermediate transfer unit detachably attached, in the rotation axis direction, to an apparatus main body; a secondary transfer unit that makes contact with and separates from the intermediate transfer body, the secondary transfer unit provided at an opposite side of the rotation members across the intermediate transfer body; a positioning unit that, when the intermediate transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body, positions the intermediate transfer unit in the secondary transfer unit side at least at two points differently located in the rotation axis direction; and a securing unit that secures the intermediate transfer unit to the apparatus main body.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoto Yoshino, Masaaki Tokunaga
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Patent number: 8655225Abstract: A processing assembly includes: a processing housing configured to support a processor for executing a given process; an immobilizing mechanism configured to immobilize the processing housing and including an operation portion configured to release the immobilized processing housing; a cover mounted on the processing housing so as to be rotatable between a first position where the operation portion is covered by the cover and a second position where the operation portion is exposed to be visible; and a knob rotatably mounted on the processing housing and configured to rotate integrally with the cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventor: Yuzo Ohnishi
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Patent number: 8655226Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Kumiko Kuriki, Yukio Shiohara, Kazuhito Ishida, Masahisa Kato, Tomohisa Higuchi
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Patent number: 8655227Abstract: The opening and closing apparatus includes a lower unit case, an upper unit case, a hinge, a lower guide member, an upper guide member and an opening/closing linking unit. The upper unit case is configured to open and close with respect to the lower unit case. The lower guide member is disposed in the lower unit case, and the upper guide member is disposed in the upper unit case. The opening/closing linking unit includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member and a linking portion. As the upper unit case is closed, the opening/closing linking unit moves from the base end side toward the distal end side along the upper guide member and the lower guide member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoichiro Nishimura, Kumiko Kuriki, Yukio Shiohara, Kazuhito Ishida, Masahisa Kato, Tomohisa Higuchi
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Patent number: 8655228Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes detecting means for detecting a temperature of a recording material on which a non-transparent toner image is heat-fixed; transparent image forming means for effecting image formation by transparent toner on the basis of transparent image data; a heating device for heating the transparent toner image formed by the transparent image forming means; and correcting means for correcting an amount, per unit area, of the transparent toner which is deposited on the non-transparent toner image fixed on the recording material, by the transparent image forming means in accordance with a temperature detected by the detecting means.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Asuna Fukamachi
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Patent number: 8655229Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a controller configured to switch a circumferential velocity of a development roller from a second circumferential velocity to a first circumferential velocity no later than when development of a photoconductive drum is started and to switch the circumferential velocity of the development roller from the first circumferential velocity to the second circumferential velocity after the development of the photoconductive drum is completed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomitake Aratachi, Yoshiteru Hattori
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Patent number: 8655230Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a recording material includes mounting means for detachably mounting a plurality of process cartridges each including a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. Movable members are provided that are actable on first and second clutches for switching between an operation state for transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers and a non-operation state not transmitting the driving force thereto. Also provided is a switching member for switching among a first mode for transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers of all of the process cartridges, a second mode for not transmitting the driving force to any one of the developing rollers, and a third mode for transmitting the driving force only to the developing roller of a black process cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Kawamura
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Patent number: 8655231Abstract: A toner replenishment apparatus for a dry electrophotographic (EP) printer includes a rotatable transport subsystem in the developer. The subsystem includes an elongated housing with a feed port and various apertures arranged along its length. A channel within the housing receives toner from the toner supply through the feed port. A toner transport member in the channel moves toner received through the feed port to the apertures, and a developer-mixing member attached to the outside of the housing mixes toner and carrier particles in the developer. The toner transport member is stationary or rotates at a different angular velocity than the housing. When the rotation of the transport subsystem brings a selected one of the apertures below the center of the housing, toner passes through the selected aperture into the developer in the sump, and is mixed into the developer by the developer-mixing member as the transport subsystem rotates.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Kenneth Joseph Brown
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Patent number: 8655232Abstract: The invention discloses a processing cartridge, which includes a powder tube, a sliding member and a mechanism for holding the sliding member, wherein the powder tube is used for receiving toner and the sliding member is capable of freely sliding in the powder tube. The mechanism for holding the sliding member is driven to close a powder outlet under the non-use state and a powder outlet portion is arranged on the powder tube. The powder outlet is arranged on the powder outlet portion and the sliding member closes the powder outlet under the action of the mechanism for holding the sliding member under the non-use state, and moves under the action of an external force to open the powder outlet under the use state. An internal member provided with an internal powder feeding opening is also arranged inside the powder outlet portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Zhuhai Seine Technology LimitedInventors: Lianjun Wu, Jinlian Liu, Qingfei Peng
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Patent number: 8655233Abstract: A developer container includes: an outer case; an ejection opening that is rectangular and formed on the outer case and extends longitudinally along an axial direction of the outer case, and from which a developer is ejected by a weight of the developer. A toner ejection index that is calculated from S/?dM is equal to or more than 0.79, where ? is a degree of agglomeration of the developer, d is a compact density, M is a fill amount of the developer and S is the area of the ejection opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Koichi Matsuzaki
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Patent number: 8655234Abstract: A toner supply assembly includes a toner container mount and a toner container including a container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter for the toner outlet, to move horizontally. The cap includes a shutter guide rail, a contact portion, and a pressed rail provided on a lateral side. The shutter includes a shutter body to engage the shutter guide rail and a deformable portion deformable vertically and including a stopper to contact the contact portion of the cap for inhibiting the shutter from opening the toner outlet, and a stopper release projection pressed by a bottom projection on a bottom surface of the toner container mount in conjunction with installation of the toner container. A pressing member provided in a side portion of the toner container mount engages the pressed rail of the cap, inhibiting the cap from moving upward.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Eisuke Hori, Nobuo Takami, Yuji Suzuki, Noriyuki Kimura, Hideki Kimura, Kenji Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8655235Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a main body; a shutter; a toner seal; and a shift member. The main body defines an internal space for accommodating toner and formed with a communication hole, through which an interior and an exterior of the main body communicate. The shutter is movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter is also shiftable between a first position in which the shutter is positioned away from the main body and a second position in which the shutter is positioned close to the main body. The toner seal is disposed between the main body and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position. The shift member is configured to shift the shutter from the first position to the second position when the shutter is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 8655236Abstract: A developer storage body includes a housing in which a developer is stored, a shutter portion mounted to the housing and having a hole portion through which the developer is replenished into the housing, and a cap portion covering the hole portion. The cap portion includes a structural portion that constitutes an enclosure body enclosing a hollow portion. The structural portion is formed of a first material. The cap portion further includes a seal portion that covers the structural portion to seal the hollow portion. The seal portion is formed of a second material having a lower flexural modulus than the first material.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Junichi Ushikubo
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Patent number: 8655237Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry the developer to a development range, a magnetic field generator disposed inside the developer bearer for generating magnetic force, a developer regulator for adjusting an amount of the developer, a developer supply compartment disposed adjacent to the developer bearer, separated by a side wall from a portion where the developer bearer is provided, a developer agitator provided in the supply compartment, and a blocker disposed above the side wall of the supply compartment across a supply gap through which the developer moves from the supply compartment. The magnetic field generator has an attraction magnetic pole and a regulation magnetic pole. The blocker prevents the developer blocked by the developer regulator from moving along a magnetic force line of the regulation magnetic force toward the circumferential surface of the developer bearer.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Akihiro Takayama, Kentaro Nodera, Hiroyuki Uenishi, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Koichi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 8655238Abstract: Provided is a developing roller including elastic layer and resin layer adhered to each other and having an appropriately resistance, thereby suppressing fogging. The developing member comprises a mandrel; an elastic layer; and a resin layer, wherein: the resin layer comprises polyurethane resin obtained by isocyanate and polyol; and the elastic layer includes cured silicone rubber composition comprising (a)-(d): (a) organopolysiloxane having two or more alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atom and having methyl group as a group other than the alkenyl bonded to the silicon; (b) organopolysiloxane having three or more hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atom and having methyl group as a group bonded to the silicon; (c) carbon black; (d) organopolysiloxane represented by formula (1) and having Mw of 18,000-110,000 and Mw/Mn of 1.0-2.0 (R1 represents alkenyl group, R2 represents functional group reacting with isocyanate, and n represents an integer of 1 or more).Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Uno, Takashi Kusaba, Shohei Urushihara, Ryo Sugiyama
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Patent number: 8655239Abstract: A secondary transfer unit stretches a transfer belt in an endless form over a driving roller, a driven roller, a transfer roller, an auxiliary roller, and a support roller therebetween. The transfer belt moves, by rotation of the driving roller, along a circulation path which passes through a transfer position. The transfer roller and the auxiliary roller press the transfer belt from the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt toward an intermediate transfer belt in the transfer position. The transfer belt has an outer peripheral surface thereof which is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt and is roughened so that the surface roughness of the outer peripheral surface becomes 6 ?m to 10 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumito Mizoguchi, Toshiki Takiguchi, Hideshi Izumi, Hiroshi Tachiki
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Patent number: 8655241Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer for transferring a toner image to a receiver sheet has a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. A compressible, rotatable nip-forming member that is relatively less stiff than the image-bearing member is adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the image-bearing member. A mount holds the nip-forming member against the image-bearing member, and permits the axis of rotation of the nip-forming member to move closer to or farther from the transport web. When the leading edge of the receiver on the web engages with the image-bearing member, the nip-forming member compresses. The axis of rotation of the nip-forming member translates by an amount less than the thickness of the receiver sheet minus the compression of the compliant coating of the image-bearing member.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Mark Cameron Zaretsky, Andrew Peter Kittleson, James H. Huntington, Timothy John Young, Jerry Eugene Livadas
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Patent number: 8655242Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotatable image heating member for heating an image on a recording material and for forming a nip; a blowing member for blowing air; and an ejecting member for ejecting air to separate the recording material passing through the nip from the image heating member, the ejecting member ejecting the air from the blowing member toward the image heating member so that the speed of the air toward an end portion of the image heating member is higher than that of the air toward a central portion of the image heating member with respect to a rotational axis direction of the image heating member.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 8655243Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable heater heating an image on a recording material; a rotatable pressor contacting the heater to form a nip therebetween; a driving source; first and second helical gears rotatable by a driving force supplied from the driving source and having different twisting directions; first and second switching members for switching between rotation transmission and non-transmission from a driving gear to the first and second helical gears, respectively; third and fourth helical gears provided on the heater in meshing engagement with the first and second helical gears, respectively; and a switch for switching at least between drive transmission by first switching member and drive transmission by the second switching member to change a position of the heating rotatable member along a rotational axis direction of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Suzuki
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Patent number: 8655244Abstract: A fixing device includes a stationary at least partially tubular thermal member, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The thermal member has a tubular portion thereof extending in an axial direction and defining a closed axial cross-section. A circumference of the thermal member is subjected to heating. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the thermal member. An inner circumference of the fuser belt at least partially faces the thermal member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends opposite the thermal member in the axial direction with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The fuser pad is pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The thermal member is spaced apart from the fuser pad.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Hasegawa, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Akira Shinshi, Kenji Ishii, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Naoki Iwaya, Tetsuo Tokuda, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Toshihiko Shimokawa, Shuntaroh Tamaki, Takamasa Hase, Ippei Fujimoto, Takahiro Imada
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Patent number: 8655245Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a fusing belt, a pressure roller disposed to face the fusing belt so as to press a recording medium onto the fusing belt, a nip forming member to support an inner surface of the fusing belt so as to form a fusing nip along with the pressure roller, and a heat source disposed inside the fusing belt to simultaneously apply radiant heat to the fusing belt and the nip forming member. The nip forming member includes a hill portion, which is located to one side thereof farther downstream in a movement direction of the recording medium and protrudes toward the hill portion. The hill portion causes the recording medium, which has curled in a given direction, to be bent in an opposite direction immediately prior to exiting from between the nip forming member and the pressure roller, thereby reducing curling of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Cheol Moon, Hwan Hee Kim, Dae Won Kang
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Patent number: 8655246Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member formed into a loop and rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation. A heating assembly faces a first region on an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member to heat the fixing member. The heating assembly is thermally deformed to contact and move the fixing member. A first fixing member support and a second fixing member support face a second region on the inner circumferential surface of the fixing member other than the first region. The first fixing member support and the second fixing member support contact and support the rotating fixing member moved by the thermally deformed heating assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuo Tokuda, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Kenji Ishii, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Naoki Iwaya, Yoshiki Yamaguchi, Yutaka Ikebuchi, Ippei Fujimoto, Takuya Seshita, Takahiro Imada, Takamasa Hase, Toshihiko Shimokawa
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Patent number: 8655247Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat source, a roller being heated by the heat source, an endless belt that contacts the roller and rotates along with a rotation of the roller, a guiding portion that includes a first resin member being disposed inside the endless belt and guiding a rotation of the endless belt, a pressing portion that includes a second resin member being disposed inside the endless belt and pressing the endless belt on the roller, and a plate member that includes an elongated metal member of which the longitudinal direction is arranged to be parallel to a rotation axis of the roller, a first end and a second end of the elongated metal member in the transverse direction being unified with the first resin member and the second resin member, respectively, wherein the elongated metal member has a part facing the inner surface of the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Fuchigami, Kazutoshi Misonoo
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Patent number: 8655248Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic-field-producing member producing an alternating-current magnetic field, a fixing belt that is heated by electromagnetic induction caused by the alternating-current magnetic field and fixes toner on a recording material, and a pressure applying member pressed against the fixing belt and forming a press-fixing part therebetween through which the recording material having an unfixed image is transported. The fixing belt includes a metal body that is a stack of at least three layers including a base layer and a protective layer both made of metal, and a conductive layer provided between the base layer and the protective layer and to be heated by electromagnetic induction. In a section of the fixing belt taken in a thickness direction, the metal body has its neutral axis on a side of the protective layer with respect to a thickness center line thereof and in the protective layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayoshi Nakao, Hideaki Ohhara, Motofumi Baba
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Patent number: 8655249Abstract: A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser module that is movable to engage and disengage to a main frame of the belt-roll fuser system. The belt-roll fuser has an internal pressure member that defines a fusing nip with an external pressure member of the main frame when the belt-roll fuser module is engaged. The belt-roll fuser module is movable by a latch, and when engaged, a nip load path crosses through a point at which the latch attaches to the belt-roll fuser module.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Augusto E. Barton, Paul M. Fromm, William A. Burton, Stephen B. Williams, Brian J. Dunham
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Patent number: 8655250Abstract: An apparatus and method control fix levels in a printing apparatus. The apparatus can include a media transport configured to transport a media sheet having marking material on at least a first side of the media sheet. The apparatus can include a media sheet rub module configured to rub a rub material against the first side of the media sheet. The apparatus can include a sensor configured to sense marking material on the rub material, the marking material rubbed from the first side of the media sheet onto the rub material. The apparatus can include a controller configured to determine a fix level of marking material on the media sheet based on the sensed marking material on the rub material, the fix level indicating how well the marking material is affixed to the media sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Grace T. Brewington, Anthony S. Condello, Frank J. Bonsignore, Christopher Lynn, John Newell, Phillip Crispino
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Patent number: 8655251Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a gloss applying mode for applying gloss to an image on a sheet and a non-gloss-applying mode. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device including a fixing member and a pressurizing member that is pressed into contact with the fixing member to form a fixing nip portion in which toner is fixed to the sheet; and a gloss applying device including a first roller including a heating unit and a second roller that is pressed into contact with the first roller to form a gloss applying nip portion in which gloss is applied to the toner. The fixing device and the gloss applying device are provided on a sheet conveying path line. When the sheet is conveyed in the non-gloss-applying mode, nip pressure of the gloss applying nip portion in the gloss applying device is lower than that in the gloss applying mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Takahiro Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8655252Abstract: An image control device for controlling an image forming portion which includes a clear toner image forming portion for forming a clear image on a color toner image fixed on a recording material and includes a fixing device for fixing the formed clear toner image on the recording material, includes a converting portion for converting an image data for designating a toner amount per unit area of the clear toner image at each pixel into an output data, wherein the image data is capable of providing a value which monotonically increases to a maximum from a minimum designating that the toner amount per unit area is zero and the output data is capable of providing a value which monotonically increases to a maximum from a minimum designating that the toner amount per unit area is larger than zero; and includes a controller for controlling, in accordance with the output data, formation of the clear toner image by the clear toner image forming means, by which a clear toner is placed even where the image data is zero.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuharu Chiyoda
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Patent number: 8655253Abstract: A glossing device includes a heat roller, a stripper roller, an endless, rotary glossing belt, a first belt cooler, a pressure member, an endless, rotary cooling belt, and a second belt cooler. The heat roller is subjected to heating. The stripper roller is disposed parallel to the heat roller. The glossing belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller and the stripper roller. The first belt cooler is disposed adjacent to the glossing belt to cool the glossing belt. The pressure member is disposed opposite the heat roller. The cooling belt is looped for rotation around the pressure member. The second belt cooler is disposed adjacent to the cooling belt to cool the cooling belt. The heat roller and the pressure member press against each other via the glossing belt and the cooling belt to form a glossing nip therebetween through which the recording medium is conveyed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kunii, Akiyasu Amita
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Patent number: 8655254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Yuji Arai, Ken Amemiya, Toshio Koike, Michiya Okamoto, Takuma Iwasaki, Hiroyuki Nagashima, Fumihito Itoh, Hiroshi Ono, Masahiko Shakuto, Kaoru Yoshino, Satoshi Hatori, Yuta Azeyanagi
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Patent number: 8655255Abstract: A sheet conveyer device is provided. The sheet conveyer device includes a sheet tray, a feeder roller, a separator roller, a roller holder to rotatably support the feeder roller and to be coupled with the separator roller, spreading from a separator roller side toward a feeder roller side, to be movable between a first position and a second position, a manipulation arm configured to be coupled to the roller holder and to manipulate the roller holder to move between the first position and the second position, and a driving unit to drive the manipulation arm to move the roller holder. The manipulation arm is coupled to the roller holder at a coupled section, which is in a position between the feeder roller and the separator roller and in a position between two tangent planes which are common to the feed roller and the separator roller.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Ichikawa
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Patent number: 8655256Abstract: A recording material processing apparatus includes a recording material supplying device supplying a recording material, an image recording device recording an image on the recording material, a recording material transporting mechanism and a burr curing device including a pressurizing member for curing the burrs at the edge of the recording material. The recording material transporting mechanism changes a transporting state of the recording material at a predetermined transportation changing position. The pressurizing member is provided on a recording material transporting path between the recording material supplying device and the transportation changing position and is provided on the side nearer to the recording material supplying device than a trailing end position. The trailing end position indicates a position of the trailing end of the recording material in the transporting path when a leading end of the recording material in the transporting direction passes the transportation changing position.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Furusawa, Masataka Konishi, Yasushi Kawahata, Masakazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 8655257Abstract: A moving, shooting, video recording, human-appearing combat training machine comprising of three major components referred to as the mobile base unit, the target body and an unattached control system is provided. The base unit has a chassis plate driven by a plurality of motors and a plurality of wheel assemblies within an exterior armor which protects internal components of the chassis from projectile impacts. The target body mounts to an extension plate affixed to the underside of the chassis plate of the base unit, creating an overall human appearing subject that moves in varying directions. The combat training machine returns fire by shooting projectiles while recording video with an electronic or mechanical sighting system for target and video playback for training analysis.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: Daniel Spychaiski
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Patent number: 8655258Abstract: An embodiment includes an electronic learning aid apparatus including a base unit. The base unit includes a surface for accepting a printed activity worksheet, a sensor positioned beneath the worksheet surface, a microprocessor, a code-reading device, a memory for storing digital speech data and digital control data, a speech synthesizer and speaker, an input device, and a communication port capable of permitting the electronic learning aid apparatus to communicate with a personal computer. The apparatus further includes at least one printed activity worksheet having a code thereon that is readable by the code-reading device and serves to identify activity worksheets and associated digital speech data and digital control data. The digital speech data and digital control data serve to generate an output to the user in response to the user's manipulation of the input device as detected by the sensor when the child touches the stylus to the activity worksheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: VTech Electronics Ltd.Inventor: Doric Fung
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Patent number: 8655259Abstract: The invention describes a system and method for allowing an individual to view an educational program remotely. In the preferred embodiment, the invention is used as a healthcare education system. The system comprises a file server which is connected to a database holding the educational programs. A remote interface connected to the file server allows an administrator to assign educational programs to an individual. The remote interface also includes a memory card writer which records the individual's identification code and the address of the file server on a memory card. The individual is given the memory card to take home. When the individual places the memory card in the memory card reader of a multimedia processor, the processor uses the file server address to automatically connect to the file server. The file server receives the individual's identification code from the processor, retrieves the corresponding educational program from the database, and sends the program to the processor to be displayed.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch Healthcare Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J Brown, Roger J. Quy
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Patent number: 8655260Abstract: A system for creating the learning organizational tool known as a concept map to thereby facilitate learning includes a manipulation-sensing device with a wireless data transceiver, an information integration platform, and a data processing device. The wireless manipulating-sensing device allows users to physically manipulate the concept map and then transmit/receive data related to the results of the physical manipulation via a wireless network. The wireless manipulation-sensing device includes a plurality of conceptual modules for recording data in the process of learning a concept map, a plurality of connecting modules for recording data of the connection relations between the conceptual modules, and a plurality of connecting wires connected between the plurality of conceptual modules and the plurality of connecting modules to form connection relations therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: National Taiwan UniversityInventors: Hsiu-Ping Yueh, Chih-Ting Lin, Shih-Kuan Hsu, Jo-Yi Huang, Jen-Jun Pan, Jun-Yu Chen, Yen-Liang Chou
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Patent number: 8655261Abstract: An RF redirection module incorporated into an RF system already having a receive antenna and a first transmit antenna allows the RF system to be coupled to a second transmit antenna and to provide a transmit signal to the second transmit antenna.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Thomas Broski, Kevin L. Laughlin
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Patent number: 8655262Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audio signal for an event at a venue are disclosed. For example, the method authorizes a customer endpoint device, wherein the authorizing enables the customer endpoint device to decode the audio signal for the event. The method transmits the audio signal for the event at the venue.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventor: Scott White
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Method, terminal and radio network controller for searching for the single frequency network cluster
Patent number: 8655263Abstract: A method for searching for a broadcast/multicast single frequency network cluster, when a terminal needs to receive the broadcast/multicast service in the broadcast/multicast single frequency network cluster, the terminal synchronizes to a non broadcast/multicast single frequency network cell which is associated with the broadcast/multicast single frequency network cluster; and the terminal searches for the broadcast/multicast single frequency network cluster on the basis of the information indicated by the system information in the non broadcast/multicast single frequency network cell. So that the UE can search for the corresponding MBSFN cluster, and can receive the MBMS service in the searched MBSFN cluster.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications TechnologyInventors: Xuelong Wang, Yu Ding, Shiyan Ren, Lei Mao -
Patent number: 8655264Abstract: A communication system includes a unicast base station device, a multicast base station device, and a mobile station device. Before receiving information concerning a multicast service, the mobile station device transmits, to a position register server, identification information identifying a reception area in which a multicast service is provided. When receiving incoming call information indicating that information concerning a unicast service has been received, the multicast base station device transmits the incoming call information to the mobile station device. The mobile station device receives the incoming call information even while receiving the information concerning the multicast service.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiaki Kameno, Koichi Tsunekawa, Katsutoshi Ishikura, Yoshio Konno
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Patent number: 8655265Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises an exchange of messages between an access point and a wireless network switch. One message, a PROXY IGMP JOIN message, is transmitted to the access point for propagation to a multicast router. This is performed so that multicast data associated with the multicast group identified by the PROXY IGMP JOIN message is routed to the access point without any unnecessary involvement by the wireless network switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Aruba Networks, Inc.Inventors: Partha Narasimhan, Merwyn Andrade
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Patent number: 8655266Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a first mobile media player and a second mobile media player. The first mobile media player stores first media files, and the second mobile media player stores second media files. The first mobile media player and second mobile media player communicate with one another in a peer-to-peer network to generate a playlist and to play media files from the playlist.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Ramanathan T. Jagadeesan, Bich T. Nguyen, Gregory D. Pelton, Labhesh Patel
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Patent number: 8655267Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a cellular signal is received and amplified by a particular amount of gain. A power level of the amplified cellular signal is measured and compared to a power level threshold. The particular amount of gain is adjusted based on the comparison to alter the power level of the amplified cellular signal by less than 1 dB. The cellular signal having the altered power level is then transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Clear RF LLCInventor: Peter E. Wilhite