Patents Issued in December 6, 2018
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Publication number: 20180348632Abstract: A photoresist composition comprising a resin which comprises a structural unit represented by the formula (I): and a salt represented by the formula (B1):Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Tatsuro MASUYAMA, Masahiko SHIMADA, Koji ICHIKAWA
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Publication number: 20180348633Abstract: A composition for resist underlayer film formation, includes a first compound and a solvent. The first compound includes a first group represented by formula (1) and a partial structure comprising an aromatic ring. In the formula (1), R1 represents a single bond or an oxygen atom, R2 represents a divalent chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and * denotes a bonding site to a moiety other than the first group of the first compound.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: JSR CORPORATIONInventors: Goji Wakamatsu, Naoya Nosaka, Tsubasa Abe, Kazunori Sakai, Yuushi Matsumura, Hayato Namai
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Publication number: 20180348634Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication method for electronic products, comprising planarization coating of a flexible substrate using a radiation curable composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jin Wu, Lin Ma
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Publication number: 20180348635Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wire grid pattern includes providing a laminate having a base member, a metal layer disposed on the base member, a mask layer disposed on the metal layer and containing a metal oxide, an adhesive layer disposed on the mask layer, and a patterned resin layer disposed on the adhesive layer and formed by irradiation of first light; and irradiating the laminate with second light. The adhesive layer may comprise a silane coupling agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Min Hyuck Kang, Eun Ae Kwak, Dong Eon Lee, Gug Rae Jo
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Publication number: 20180348636Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet lithography pattern stack, including, an inorganic hardmask layer, an under layer on the inorganic hardmask layer, and a resist layer on the under layer, where the inorganic hardmask layer, under layer, and resist layer have a combined thickness in the range of about 8.5 nm to about 70 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Ekmini A. De Silva, Karen E. Petrillo, Indira P. Seshadri
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Publication number: 20180348637Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides methods for reproducibly fabricating hydrogel-based organ and tumor models inside multi-well plates. A hydrogel precursor, which can include cells, is instilled into a well. A pillar is inserted into the well to contact the hydrogel precursor with a surface that can be shaped or textured to provide a desired surface configuration or contour, for example that of a desired organoid or tumor feature. The hydrogel precursor is polymerized and the pillar removed. A second hydrogel precursor, which can contain a different cell type, is then instilled into the well and a second pillar, which can have a different configuration or texture, inserted. Subsequent polymerization generates a second hydrogel portion within the well. Polymerization can be carried out by photopolymerization. Different wells can be aligned with different, individually controlled light sources or a single, collimated light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Kolin Hribar
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Publication number: 20180348638Abstract: Within area where of four heads installed on a wafer stage, heads included in the first head group and the second head group to which three heads each belong that include one head different from each other face the corresponding areas on a scale plate, the wafer stage is driven based on positional information which is obtained using the first head group, as well as obtain the displacement (displacement of position, rotation, and scaling) between the first and second reference coordinate systems corresponding to the first and second head groups using the positional information obtained using the first and second head groups. By using the results and correcting measurement results obtained using the second head group, the displacement between the first and second reference coordinate systems is calibrated, which allows the measurement errors that come with the displacement between areas on scale plates where each of the four heads face.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi SHIBAZAKI
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Publication number: 20180348639Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for lithography patterning in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes forming a resist layer over a substrate and performing an exposing process to the resist layer. The resist layer includes a polymer backbone, an acid labile group (ALG) bonded to the polymer backbone, a sensitizer bonded to the polymer backbone, a photo-acid generator (PAG), and a thermo-base generator (TBG). The method further includes baking the resist layer at a first temperature and subsequently at a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The method further includes developing the resist layer in a developer, thereby forming a patterned resist layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Chen-Yu Liu, Ya-Ching Chang, Cheng-Han Wu, Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
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Publication number: 20180348640Abstract: Cantilever-Free Scanning Probe Lithography (CF-SPL) techniques are used to enable generation of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-D information containing patterns in a mask-free manner that, in turn, enables instantaneous change of pattern design.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Andrey IVANKIN, Jared A. MAGOLINE
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Publication number: 20180348641Abstract: A method for determining whether to order a mask structure using a processor may include acquiring a simulation result of an EUV pattern layout, determining a correlation parameter (CP), generating a predicted wafer process window, and determining the mask structure is suitable for ordering based on the CP and the predicted wafer process window. The processor may determine the CP based on a weighting value and a simulated depth of focus (DOF), a simulated energy latitude (EL), and simulated line-LER area and LER-width parameters in the simulation result. The CP may indicate a correlation between the simulation result of the EUV pattern layout and an actual wafer result of the EUV pattern layout. The predicted wafer process window may be generated using the processor based on the CP. The predicted wafer process window may indicate whether the actual wafer result of the EUV pattern layout will include a patterning defect.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seongjong Kim
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Publication number: 20180348642Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a liquid supply system having a supply path via which liquid is supplied to a space under a projection system; a liquid recovery system having a recovery path via which the supplied liquid is collected; a supply flow-meter provided at the supply path; a recovery flow-meter provided at the recovery path; a stage system having a movable stage apparatus on which a substrate is held; and a light receiver which is provided at the movable stage apparatus and which receives detection light via a light-transmissive member. The light-transmissive member has a liquid repellent upper surface from which the detection light is incident on the light-transmissive member. The substrate is exposed through liquid in a liquid immersion area formed on a portion of an upper surface of the substrate while supplying liquid via the supply path and collecting liquid via the recovery path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuya ONO
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Publication number: 20180348643Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a sensor for detecting light arriving from a projection optical system via a liquid provided on an image plane side of the projection optical system. The sensor includes a light transmissive member provided on a stage and a light receiving element for receiving light arriving from the projection optical system via the light transmissive member. The light transmissive member includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is arranged on the stage, comes into contact with the liquid, and is a surface on which the light arriving from the projection optical system is incident via the liquid. At least one of the first and second surfaces diffuses or diffracts the light having arrived from the projection optical system. The light receiving element receives the light that has been diffused or diffracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Hisashi NISHINAGA, Ikuo HIKIMA, Mitsunori TOYODA, Masahiro NAKAGAWA, Tsuneyuki HAGIWARA, Yasushi MIZUNO, Naonori KITA, Osamu TANITSU, Nozomu EMURA
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Publication number: 20180348644Abstract: Excimer laser annealing apparatus includes and excimer laser delivering laser-radiation pulses to a silicon layer supported on a substrate translated with respect to the laser pulses such that the consecutive pulses overlap on the substrate. The energy of each of the laser-radiation pulses is monitored, transmitted to control-electronics, and the energy of a next laser pulse is adjusted by a high-pass digital filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Igor BRAGIN
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Publication number: 20180348645Abstract: A metrology apparatus is disclosed that measures a structure formed on a substrate to determine a parameter of interest. The apparatus comprises an optical system configured to focus radiation onto the structure and direct radiation after reflection from the structure onto a detector, wherein: the optical system is configured such that the detector detects a radiation intensity resulting from interference between radiation from at least two different points in a pupil plane field distribution, wherein the interference is such that a component of the detected radiation intensity containing information about the parameter of interest is enhanced relative to one or more other components of the detected radiation intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Janneke Ravensbergen, Nitesh Pandey, Zili Zhou, Armand Eugene Albert Koolen, Sebastianus Adrianus Goorden, Bastiaan Onne Fagginger Auer, Simon Gijsbert Josephus Mathijssen
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Publication number: 20180348646Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and apparatuses relating to hardware configurations for performing multi-wavelength three dimensional (3D) printing using photoinhibition. In at least one aspect, a system for 3D printing comprises a reservoir capable of holding a liquid including a photoactive resin, a build head that undergoes relative motion within the reservoir during 3D printing of a 3D object on the build head, a light projection device that projects a photoinitiation light beam at a first wavelength into a build area within the liquid, and a plurality of light sources arranged with respect to the light projection device and the reservoir that project a plurality of photoinhibiting light beams into the build area at a second wavelength. Each of the plurality of photoinhibition light beams may be projected at a peak intensity in a different respective position in the build area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Pierre Lin, Arian AGHABABAIE, Richard GREENE, Brian ADZIMA, Jonathan POMEROY
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Publication number: 20180348647Abstract: A measurement method comprising using multiple radiation poles to illuminate a diffraction grating on a mask at a mask side of a projection system of a lithographic apparatus, coupling at least two different resulting diffraction orders per illumination pole through the projection system, using the projection system to project the diffraction orders onto a grating on a wafer such that a pair of combination diffraction orders is formed by diffraction of the diffraction orders, coupling the combination diffraction orders back through the projection system to detectors configured to measure the intensity of the combination diffraction orders, and using the measured intensity of the combination diffraction orders to measure the position of the wafer grating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Carolus Johannes Catharina SCHOORMANS, Petrus Franciscus VAN GILS, Johannes Jacobus Matheus BASELMANS
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Publication number: 20180348648Abstract: Metrology target designs on the reticle and on the wafer, and target design and processing methods are provided. Target designs comprise coarse pitched periodic structures having fine pitched sub-elements, which vary in sub-element CD and/or height, an orthogonal periodic structure, perpendicular to the measurement direction, with an orthogonal unresolved pitch among periodically recurring bars, which provide a calibration parameter for achieving well-printed targets. Orthogonal periodic structures may be designed on the reticle and be unresolved, or be applied in cut patterns on the process layer, with relatively low sensitivity to the cut layer overlay. Designed targets may be used for overlay metrology as well as for measuring process parameters such as scanner aberrations and pitch walk.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Yoel Feler, Vladimir Levinski
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Publication number: 20180348649Abstract: A method may include, but is not limited to, receiving a measurement including a metrology parameter for a layer of a metrology target and an alignment mark from an overlay metrology tool prior to a lithography process; deriving a merit figure from the metrology parameter and the alignment mark; deriving a correction factor from the merit figure; providing the correction factor to the lithography process via a feed forward process; receiving an additional measurement including an additional metrology parameter for the layer and an additional layer from an additional overlay metrology tool after the lithography process; deriving an adjustment from the additional metrology parameter; and providing the adjustment to the lithography process via a feedback process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Tsachy Holovinger, Liran Yerushalmi, David Tien, DongSub Choi
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Publication number: 20180348650Abstract: A table for a lithographic apparatus, the table having a catchment opening formed in an upper surface of the table, the catchment opening in fluid communication through the table with the environment of the table at a drain opening in a surface of the table other than the upper surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventors: Nicolaas TEN KATE, Raymond Wilhelmus Louis Lafarre
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Publication number: 20180348651Abstract: A mask manufacturing apparatus, a method of manufacturing the mask, and a mask for lithography, capable of providing a pattern having a size in nanometer unit using the photo-lithography process are provided. A mask manufacturing apparatus, a method of manufacturing the mask, and an elastic film for a photo-mask lower a critical dimension of the pattern(s) without increasing a manufacturing cost. The mask manufacturing apparatus and the method of manufacturing the mask, and the mask for lithography provide a pattern having a size in nanometer unit using the photo-lithography process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: POSTECH Academy-Industry FoundationInventors: Jun Suk RHO, In Ki KIM, Heon Yeong JEONG
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Publication number: 20180348652Abstract: A liquid crystal exposure apparatus is equipped with: a substrate holder that is disposed below a projection optical system and holds a substrate; a first drive section that moves the substrate holder along an XY plane; heads that measures the position information of the substrate holder; head stages that support the heads and are movable within the XY plane; and a second drive section that moves the head stages in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the second drive section moves the head stages in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction when the substrate holder is moved in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction by the first drive section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Atsushi HARA
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Publication number: 20180348653Abstract: A liquid immersion exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by irradiating an exposure beam on the substrate through liquid. The apparatus has a substrate stage which is provided with a substrate holding portion on which the substrate is held and is provided with a stage member having an upper surface. The upper surface of the stage member is provided adjacent to the upper surface of the held substrate with a gap between the held substrate and the stage member. A temperature adjustment system, a part of which is provided under the upper surface of the stage member, performs temperature adjustment for the stage member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki KOBAYASHI, Soichi OWA, Shigeru HIRUKAWA, Yasuhiro OMURA
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Publication number: 20180348654Abstract: A method of characterizing a deformation of a plurality of substrates is described. The method comprising the steps of: —measuring, for a plurality of n different alignment measurement parameters ? and for a plurality of substrates, a position of the alignment marks; —determining a positional deviation as the difference between the n alignment mark position measurements and a nominal alignment mark position; —grouping the positional deviations into data sets; —determining an average data set; —subtracting the average data set from the data sets to obtain a plurality of variable data sets; —performing a blind source separation method on the variable data sets, thereby decomposing the variable data sets into a set of eigenwafers representing principal components of the variable data sets; —subdividing the set of eigenwafers into a set of mark deformation eigenwafers and a set of substrate deformation eigenwafers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.Inventor: Franciscus Godefridus Casper BIJNEN
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Publication number: 20180348655Abstract: Toner particles of a toner contain a non-crystalline polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin, a styrene-acrylic acid-based resin, and an ester wax. The crystalline polyester resin has a repeating unit derived from an acrylic acid-based monomer and a repeating unit derived from a styrene-based monomer. The styrene-acrylic acid-based resin has a repeating unit derived from an acrylic acid-based monomer having an amino group and a repeating unit derived from a styrene-based monomer. An amino group ratio in the styrene-acrylic acid-based resin is at least 40% and no greater than 60%. The toner has a storage elastic modulus of at least 1.00×105 Pa and no greater than 5.00×105 Pa at 90° C. The ester wax has a melting point of at least 60° C. and no higher than 80° C. A dispersion diameter of the ester wax in the toner particles is at least 500 nm and no greater than 1,000 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventors: Kohei YAMAUCHI, Toshiki TAKEMORI
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Publication number: 20180348656Abstract: A toner for electrophotography containing a resin binder containing a crystalline composite resin C and an amorphous polyester A and an ester wax, wherein the crystalline composite resin C is a resin containing a polycondensation resin component and a styrenic resin component, wherein the polycondensation resin component is obtained by polycondensing an alcohol component containing an aliphatic diol having 9 or more carbon atoms and 14 or less carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid component containing an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid compound having 9 or more carbon atoms and 14 or less carbon atoms, wherein a mass ratio of the amorphous polyester A to the crystalline composite resin C (amorphous polyester A/crystalline composite resin C) is 60/40 or more and 95/5 or less, and wherein a mass ratio of the crystalline composite resin C to the ester wax (crystalline composite resin C/ester wax) is 0.5 or more and 9 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Kao CorporationInventors: Hideaki KONDO, Kohei KATAYAMA, Kouta IJICHI, Hiroki KAKIUCHI
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Publication number: 20180348657Abstract: Provided are a toner, and a developing agent container, an image forming unit and an image forming apparatus including the toner. The toner includes a toner particle. The toner particle includes at least one brilliant pigment particle, binder resin containing the brilliant pigment particle, and a parting agent dispersed in the binder resin, wherein a hydrophobicity degree of the brilliant pigment particle is in a range from 61.2 to 92.7.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Hideharu KUWABARA
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Publication number: 20180348658Abstract: A curable liquid developer containing: a toner particle containing a pigment and a binder resin; a toner particle dispersing agent; and a cationically polymerizable liquid monomer, wherein the binder resin contains a polyester resin having an acid value of at least 5 mg KOH/g; the polyester resin contains an alcohol component-derived monomer unit and an acid component-derived monomer unit; the alcohol component-derived monomer unit and the acid component-derived monomer unit contain specific monomer units in specific proportions; and the content of the polyester resin in the binder resin is at least 50 mass % and not more than 100 mass %.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Naohiko Tsuchida, Takashi Hirasa, Yasutaka Akashi, Yuzo Tokunaga, Akifumi Matsubara, Ryo Natori, Waka Hasegawa, Ayano Mashida, Junji Ito, Yasuhiro Aichi, Jun Shirakawa
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Publication number: 20180348659Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing agent bearing member configured to carry a developer used to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The image formation apparatus forms an image by using the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The image formation apparatus further includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain the information about a rotation speed of the image bearing member and a rotation speed of the developing agent bearing member; a determination unit configured to determine, according to the obtained information, a color conversion table used to transfer and record the input image data; and an image formation unit configured to convert a signal of the input image data according to the determined color conversion table and form an image with the converted signal value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Michihiko Yamada
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Publication number: 20180348660Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a controller. The image forming section selectively forms a first toner image to be printed on transfer paper other than plain paper with use of a toner and forms a second toner image to be printed on the plain paper with use of the toner. The controller controls the image forming section and thereby makes a first area density of the toner in the first toner image and a second area density of the toner in the second toner image differ from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Yuichi FURUKAWA, Kohei KIGAWA
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Publication number: 20180348661Abstract: The electrophotographic roller has a surface layer comprising an electro-conductive elastic layer on an electro-conductive substrate. The opening of a bowl-shaped resin particle is exposed on the surface of the electrophotographic roller. The number of contact portions of the convex portion with the glass plate in a square region where a length of a nip in a direction along the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic roller of a nip formed by pressing the roller on the glass plate with a specific load applied as the length of one side and is located at any position in the nip is 8 or more. The average value of the areas of the contact portions is 10 ?m2 to 111 ?m2. The variation coefficient of the areas of the contact portions and the variation coefficient D of the areas of a plurality of Voronoi regions each including a contact portion satisfy specific relationships.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Atsushi Uematsu, Mototeru Goto, Masataka Kodama
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Publication number: 20180348662Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a deflector configured to deflect a light beam from a light source and scan a surface to be scanned in a main-scanning direction and a single imaging optical element configured to guide the light beam deflected by the deflector to the surface to be scanned. Scanning speeds of the light beam on the surface to be scanned at an on-axis image height and at an off-axis image height are different from each other, and conditions 0.0<(R1±h/2+R2±h/2)/(R1±h/2?R2±h/2)<1.7 and 0.8<h/TC<2.0 are satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Yoshiyuki Taki, Noa Sumida
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Publication number: 20180348663Abstract: In an image forming apparatus (10), a seal member (436) is a non-conductive, flexible member supported by a developing device (43). The seal member (436) is formed to project from an edge part (43b) of the developing device (43) that faces an image carrying member (41), along a longitudinal direction (D1) of the image carrying member (41). The seal member (436) fills a part of a gap between the developing device (43) and an outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member (41). An electrode film (437) is adhered to a surface of the seal member (436). The electrode film (437) is a conductive film. A potential detecting device (642) detects a potential of the electrode film (437). A charging controller (8b) controls a charging voltage based on a result of comparison between a predetermined reference potential and the potential detected by the potential detecting device (642).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Norio Tomiie
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Publication number: 20180348664Abstract: A remaining powder amount detection device includes: a powder moving portion configured to change a distribution of powder in an inner space of a powder container containing the powder; a drive unit configured to drive the powder moving portion; a change value detector configured to detect a change value indicating a positional change of the powder container; and a remaining powder amount detector configured to detect a remaining amount of the powder contained in the powder container, based on the change value. The drive unit is configured to drive the powder moving portion so as to move the powder to near the change value detector. The remaining powder amount detector is configured to detect the remaining amount based on the change value in a state where the powder is moved to near the change value detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Hiroshi OKAMURA, Masaki TSUGAWA, Yuji IKEDA, Natsuko ISHIZUKA, Hayato FUJITA, Yohei KUSHIDA, Keita MAEJIMA
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Publication number: 20180348665Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member capable of achieving both high leak resistance and reduction in variations in dark part potential and bright part potential due to repeated use even when CB is used for an electrically conductive layer. An electrophotographic photosensitive member including: a support, an electrically conductive layer, and a photosensitive layer, sequentially, wherein the electrically conductive layer contains a binder resin and carbon black, a number average primary particle diameter of the carbon black is 200 nm or more and 500 nm or less, an average inter-particle distance of the carbon black is 200 nm or more and 600 nm or less, a coefficient of variation of an inter-particle distance is 1.2 or less, and SF-1 of the carbon black is 150 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Taichi Sato, Jumpei Kuno, Kenichi Kaku, Takashi Anezaki, Atsushi Fujii
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Publication number: 20180348666Abstract: A printing device, including: a cartridge storing developer; a memory provided in the cartridge; and a controller configured to execute a printing process of operating the cartridge form a developer image on a sheet by use of the developer in the cartridge, a first access process of performing access to the memory when the printing process is not being executed, and a second access process of performing access to the memory in a period in which the printing process is being executed, in response to a predetermined operation of the printing device, wherein, when an access failure occurs in the first access process, the controller notifies an error, and wherein, when an access failure occurs in the second access process, the controller continues the printing process and executes the second access process again in response to a next timing of the predetermined operation of the printing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Tadao Kyotani
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Publication number: 20180348667Abstract: Each of a plurality of cartridges configured to contain toner and to be detachably attached to an apparatus main body 2 includes a storage element that stores a type of thermal characteristic information on the toner which is classified into at least two types and which is contained in each of the cartridges. The image forming apparatus has a reading portion configured to read the type of the thermal characteristic information stored in the storage element, and a control portion switches a thermal fixing condition to control the fixing portion in accordance with a combination of the types of the thermal characteristic information that has been read by the reading portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Masahito Omata, Yasuhito Minamishima, Takao Kume
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Publication number: 20180348668Abstract: According to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method of the present invention, an image is formed by arranging powders 200 on a surface of a resin image composed of sheet S and a color toner layer (resin layer 100) arranged thereon. The image forming apparatus includes: a powder spraying section 98 for supplying powders 200 on the surface of resin layer 100 which is adjusted to be in a softened state; and rubbing roller 74 for rubbing, from a side of resin layer 100, the resin image to which powders 200 have been supplied.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Michiyo FUJITA, Makoto NOMIYA, Tomomi OSHIBA
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Publication number: 20180348669Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: MICHAEL NUESTRO BAYUBAY, SALVADOR CAPURIHAN BONANCIAR, BRIAN SCOTT CARPENTER, DONATO AUSTRIA MARMOL, ROBERT WATSON MCALPINE, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN
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Publication number: 20180348670Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Shougo Sato
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Publication number: 20180348671Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt, a cleaning device that sweeps off toner remaining on a transfer surface of the transfer belt by using a rotary brush, electrically adsorbs the toner swept by a recovery roller, and removes the toner, a pre-cleaning brush that slidably contacts with the transfer surface of the transfer belt at an upstream side in a belt rotation direction from the cleaning device, and a support member that supports the pre-cleaning brush. A support wall of the support member is formed with openings that liberate foreign matters such as toner and paper powder deposited onto the pre-cleaning brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Masayuki YAMADA
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Publication number: 20180348672Abstract: Provided an endless belt-shaped electrophotographic belt comprising an electro-conductive base layer comprising a thermoplastic resin and carbon black, the base layer is a cylindrical extrusion product of a resin mixture comprising the thermoplastic resin and the carbon black, and when observing a cross section of the cylindrical extrusion product with a transmission electron microscope and obtaining an electron image under conditions of a resolution of 0.01 to 1 nm/pixel and a lowest gray of more than 0 and a highest gray of less than 255, and extracting from the TEM image a square region of 100 nm a side in which the carbon black occupies 50 area % or more, among pixels resulting from the carbon black and constituting 1% by frequency from the lowest gray in the square region, pixel group constituted by the pixels that are mutually adjacent, has an area of at least 10 nm2.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventor: Toshiyuki Yoshida
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Publication number: 20180348673Abstract: A powder-amount detection device includes an outer electrode, an inner electrode, and a detector. The outer electrode is disposed outside a powder container to be replaceably installed to an image forming apparatus. The inner electrode is disposed inside a powder supply port of the powder container. The detector is configured to apply an electric field between the outer electrode and the inner electrode to detect a capacitance between the outer electrode and the inner electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Taku KUMIYA, Masahide YAMASHITA, Yohei KUSHIDA, Takuya MURATA, Keita MAEJIMA
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Publication number: 20180348674Abstract: An image forming device is provided. The image forming device may include a transfer belt to move in a preset direction, a plurality of image generators to respectively generate a toner image on the transfer belt, and a controller to output an image generation signal to each of the plurality of image generators such that the plurality of image generators respectively generate a toner image. A plurality of toner images generated using the plurality of image generators are arranged on the transfer belt in parallel to each other, and an arrangement order of the plurality of toner images is identical to an arrangement order of the plurality of image generators.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Jongchoon KIM, Uichoon LEE, Jungwoo SON, Byoungil LEE
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Publication number: 20180348675Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit includes an endless intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image is primarily transferred from an image carrying member, a driving roller that conveys the intermediate transfer belt with the primarily transferred toner image to a secondary transfer position for a sheet material, and a cleaning device which cleans a peripheral surface of the driving roller around which the intermediate transfer belt is wound.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Satoru NAKAMURA, Ayaka KONDO, Teppei SHIBUYA
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Publication number: 20180348676Abstract: A fixing device includes a heat generating member extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first region and a second region, an endless belt, an opposing member opposing the endless belt, a heat conductive member extending in the longitudinal direction within the first region in which a surface of the heat conductive member contacts the heat generating member, a positioning portion extending from an end portion of the surface, an electric power shut-off member provided at a position corresponding to the second region, and a supporting member provided with an opening at a position corresponding to the second region and configured to support the heat generating member through the heat conductive member. The opening is configured to permit insertion of the positioning portion to prevent movement of the heat conductive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Takao Kume, Masahito Omata, Yasuhito Minamishima
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Publication number: 20180348677Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a tubular film, an elongate heater, a roller, and a lubricant interposed between the heater and the film. A temperature detecting member detects a temperature of the heater, a controller controls electrical power supplied to the heater so that a temperature detected by the temperature detecting member reaches a target temperature, and a guide member guides the film. The guide member has a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the inner surface of the film. In a longitudinal direction of the guide member, a first region of the guide member corresponds to the temperature detecting member, and a second region of the guide member does not correspond to the temperature detecting member. In addition, a width of one protrusion located at the first region is greater than a width of some of the plurality protrusions located at the second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Kensuke Umeda, Masashi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20180348678Abstract: A fixing device includes a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a heat generating member, a temperature detecting member configured to detect a temperature of the heat generating member, a motor configured to drive the first rotatable member or the second rotatable member, and a controller configured to control the fixing device. The controller causes the motor to rotate in a state in which predetermined electric power is supplied to the heat generating member and then supply of electric power to the heat generating member is stopped. On the basis of a change amount of a detected temperature of the temperature detecting member during rotation of the motor, the controller detects a rotational state of the first rotatable member or the second rotatable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Atsushi Nakamoto, Takanori Mitani, Satoshi Nishida, Isamu Takeda, Masahito Omata, Yasuhito Minamishima
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Publication number: 20180348679Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a cover, and a separation member. The cover is movable between a closing position at which a conveyance path is formed and an opening position at which the conveyance path is exposed. The cover includes a recess. The separation member is movable between a contact position at which the separation member comes in contact with a face of the fixing member and a withdrawing position at which the separation member is separated from the fixing member. The separation member separates a medium from the face of the fixing member in a state in which the separation member is arranged at the contact position. A tip end part of the separation member enters an interior of the recess of the cover in a state in which the separation member is arranged at the withdrawing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Yuya SHIMOHORA
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Publication number: 20180348680Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a plurality of heat sources having different heat distributions to heat the fixing rotator, a pressing member to press the fixing rotator and form a nip to fix the unfixed toner image on the recording material, a shield disposed between the plurality of heat sources, a plurality of temperature sensors each disposed opposite to the heat source, a processor to control the plurality of heat sources so that a temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes a predetermined target temperature. The processor controls the heaters so that a temperature difference ?T=T2?T1 becomes greater than zero, wherein T1 is the target temperature for the temperature sensor close to an entrance of the nip, and T2 is the target temperature for the temperature sensor far from the entrance of the nip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Ippei Fujimoto, Kazunari Sawada, Kenji Ishii, Hiroshi Yoshinaga, Takayuki Seki, Ryohei Matsuda
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Publication number: 20180348681Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt, a rotatable member, a heater, a temperature detecting portion, and a controller configured to control a temperature, at which energization to the heater is turned off, depending on a temperature rise rate per unit time of a detection temperature of the temperature detecting portion. When the temperature rise rate is a first rise rate, the controller turns off the energization to the heater in response to that the detection temperature reaches a first temperature. When the temperature rise rate is a second rise rate lower than the first rise rate, the controller turns off the energization to the heater in response to that the detection temperature reaches a second temperature higher than the first temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Yusuke Yamaguchi, Masayuki Tamaki, Hiroki Kawai, Ikuo Nakamoto