Patents Issued in January 29, 2019
  • Patent number: 10191397
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is a single-layer photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains a charge generating material, a hole transport material, an electron transport material, and a binder resin. The binder resin contains a polyarylate resin. The polyarylate resin is represented by general formula (1). The hole transport material contains a compound represented by general formula (HTM1), (HTM2), (HTM3), (HTM4), (HTM5), (HTM6), or (HTM7). The photosensitive layer has a scratch resistance depth of no greater than 0.50 ?m. The photosensitive layer has a Vickers hardness of at least 17.0 HV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keiji Maruo, Tomofumi Shimizu, Jun Azuma
  • Patent number: 10191398
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor including a support, an undercoat layer, and a photoconductive layer, the undercoat layer and the photoconductive layer being disposed on the support in an order mentioned, wherein the undercoat layer includes zinc oxide particles, a urethane bond-containing resin, and methylethyl ketone oxime, and the undercoat layer satisfies a formula below: 10<M/L<400??(Formula) where M is a ratio (ppm) of the methylethyl ketone oxime included in the undercoat layer, and L is an average thickness (?m) of the undercoat layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishida, Tetsuro Suzuki, Eiji Kurimoto, Tomoharu Asano, Daisuke Nii
  • Patent number: 10191399
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes first toner particles containing a binder resin and a colorant and second toner particles containing a binder resin and containing or not containing a colorant, wherein a content PCa of the colorant contained in the first toner particles is from 4% by weight to 20% by weight with respect to the first toner particles, a content PCb of the colorant contained in the second toner particles is from 0% by weight to 2% by weight with respect to the second toner particles, and a weight ratio of the first toner particles and the second toner particles (weight of the first toner particles/weight of the second toner particles) is from 50/50 to 98/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Mizutani, Kotaro Yoshihara, Erina Saito, Narumasa Sato
  • Patent number: 10191400
    Abstract: A toner for electrostatic charge image development includes toner base particles including at least a binder resin, has a volume resistivity of 1.0×1014 ?·cm or more at 25° C. with 50% RH by a temperature change method, and has a volume resistivity of 1.0×1015 ?·cm or less at 67° C. by the temperature change method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fujisaki, Junichi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10191401
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a first frame having a plate-like shape and made of metal, the first frame being configured to support the image forming unit, a second frame arranged on an opposite side, with respect to the first frame, of the first frame with sandwiching the image forming unit therebetween, the second frame having a plate-like shape and made of resin, the second frame being configured to support the image forming unit in association with the first frame, a third frame bridging between the first frame and the second frame, a sheet supplying unit being secured to the third frame, and a contacting part formed to each of the first frame and the second frame, contact parts formed to the third frame being configured to contact the first and second frames, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10191402
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for developing an image with developer includes a development part, a transfer part, and a fuser the medium. The developer is configured with a plurality of particles, an average circularity degree of the developer is ranged within 0.955 to 0.970, and a peeling rate (%) of the external additive by a following equation is 30.6% or less, peeling rate (%)=[1?(X/Y)]×100??(1) wherein X is an amount (weight %) of the external additive included in the developer after ultrasonic waves are applied, and Y is an amount (weight %) of the external additive included in the developer before the ultrasonic waves are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10191403
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a controller, which starts rotation of a rotary polygon mirror when a predetermined condition is satisfied, rotates the rotary polygon mirror at a predetermined rotation speed based on a first pulse in a first state in which light beams are not emitted from a light source, thereafter starts emission of the light beams, switches a rotation control based on the first pulse to a rotation control based on the second pulse, and rotates the rotary polygon mirror at the predetermined rotation speed based on the second pulse in a second state in which the light beams are emitted from the light source, and thereafter detects a temperature of a drive circuit board by a temperature detector, and corrects color misregistration using a detected temperature of the temperature detector and the detection result of a pattern detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoka Omura, Koichi Taniguchi, Daisuke Aruga
  • Patent number: 10191404
    Abstract: A charging member is provided having an electroconductive substrate, and a resin layer on the substrate, in which the charging member has an area on the surface of the charging member, the area including a compound represented by the following formula (1),
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamauchi, Masataka Kodama, Noriko Suzumura
  • Patent number: 10191405
    Abstract: The present teachings describe a bias charging member. The charging member includes a conductive core and an outer surface layer disposed on the conductive core. The outer surface layer includes a crosslinked hydroxyl terminated poly(oxetane) based fluorinated polyether and an aminoplast resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Wu, Lin Ma
  • Patent number: 10191406
    Abstract: A rotatable member for use with a rotatable driving member provided in a process cartridge or an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical rotation shaft engageable with the rotatable driving member. The rotation shaft includes a seam extending from one end to the other end thereof in an axial direction thereof. The rotation shaft includes a transmitting surface engageable with the driving member and configured to receive a driving force for rotating the rotation shaft about the axial direction. The transmitting surface is twisted or inclined with respect to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Fumito Nonaka, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Makoto Hayashida
  • Patent number: 10191407
    Abstract: In one example, a method is described that includes a processor detecting a voltage of a photoconductor layer (103) of a printing device, comparing the voltage of the photoconductor layer (103) to a threshold voltage, and applying a corrective voltage to a charging unit (110) or to a transfer member (104) when the voltage of the photoconductor layer (103) exceeds the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Sasi Moalem, Shmuel Borenstain, Amit Levi, Ronen Friedman, Moshe Issic
  • Patent number: 10191408
    Abstract: A cartridge configured to accommodate a developing agent may include a detection gear, a first protrusion, and a memory. The detection gear may be rotatable about a first axis extending in a predetermined direction. The first protrusion may be movable with rotation of the detection gear. The memory may include a first storage region storing a first yield information representing at least one of amount of the developing agent in the cartridge and the number of printable sheets by the developing agent in the cartridge, wherein at least one of the amount of the developing agent and the number of sheets by the developing agent in the cartridge may be confirmable based on the first yield information and the first protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Kyotani, Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 10191409
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member, a toner bottle having a storage portion storing the toner and a discharge portion made of resin and discharging the toner stored in the toner storage portion, and an attachment portion attached with the toner bottle. A driving portion drives the storage portion, a controller controls the driving portion, and a memory disposed in the toner bottle memorizes information regarding component dimensions of a molded discharge portion of the toner bottle. An information reading portion reads information regarding the component dimensions of the molded discharge portion, and the controller controls the driving portion so that a discharge amount of the toner from the discharge portion becomes a specific toner amount targeted based on the information regarding the component dimensions of the molded discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumiyoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 10191410
    Abstract: A developing device for use with an image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member carrying a developer for developing a latent image, a supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member and forming a nip in contact with the developer carrying member, and an accommodating portion, provided below the supplying member in a state the developing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus for use, for accommodating the developer to be supplied from the supplying member to the developer carrying member. In addition, a feeding member, provided in the accommodating portion, feeds the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion to the supplying member, and a rotatable member, provided above the feeding member and located at a downstream side of the nip with respect to a rotational direction of the supplying member, moves the developer toward the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Kawasaki, Hisashi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10191411
    Abstract: Provided is a remaining toner conveying apparatus including a cleaning blade which recovers a toner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum and a conveying screw which conveys the remaining toner so that a conveyance amount per predetermined time in a first conveyance path conveying the remaining toner recovered by the cleaning blade to a discharge portion for discharging the remaining toner is equal to or less than a conveyance amount in a second conveyance path in a downstream side in a conveyance direction where the conveyance path is narrower than the first conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Nisca Inc.
    Inventors: Ikuyo Kuroiwa, Yuki Nagahashi, Akihito Yokote, Hideo Nagura
  • Patent number: 10191412
    Abstract: A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer, and a discharge opening configured and positioned to permit discharging of the developer in the developer accommodating portion, with the discharge opening having an area not more than 12.6 mm2. In addition, a driving force receiving portion is configured and positioned to receive a driving force, and a pump portion is configured and positioned to act on the developer accommodating portion by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to alternately change an internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion between a pressure lower than an ambient pressure and a pressure higher than the ambient pressure to discharge the developer through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayatomo Okino, Toshiaki Nagashima, Katsuya Murakami, Fumio Tazawa, Yusuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 10191413
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for accommodating toners includes a barrel, a transmission member and a toner conveying shaft. The barrel is adapted for accommodating toners and provided at an end thereof with an opening. The transmission member is rotatably disposed at the end of the barrel. The toner conveying shaft is rotatably disposed inside the barrel and provided with a shaft portion and at least one scoop portion extending from the shaft portion in a way that the scoop portion conveys the toners from the barrel to the transmission member when the toner conveying shaft rotates relative to the barrel. As a result, the toners inside the barrel can be continuously discharged out via the scoop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-His Chuang, Chi-Chin Huang
  • Patent number: 10191414
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrophotographic printer (100) to control the optical density of a printed image is described. The method comprises providing a printing substance on a transfer member (104); emitting a pulse of heat to heat the printing substance on the transfer member to increase flowability of the printing substance on the transfer member; and transferring, from the transfer member to a substrate (108), the printing substance heated by the pulse of heat so as to provide the printed image on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Nedelin, Mark Sandler, Shai Lior
  • Patent number: 10191415
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, an image bearer, a transfer rotator, a blade contacting a surface of the transfer rotator, and a controller to control the developing device, the image bearer, and the transfer rotator. A first toner pattern image is formed on the image bearer, transferred onto the transfer rotator, and passed past the blade at least twice together with rotation of the transfer rotator in at start-up of the image forming apparatus. A second toner pattern image is formed on the image bearer after the start-up and during passage of a non-image area in which toner images are not formed. A range of the first toner pattern image is wider than a range of the second toner pattern image in a width direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the image bearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Mizutani, Naoto Kochi, Katsuhito Haruno, Atsushi Nakamoto, Masakazu Imai, Osamu Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 10191416
    Abstract: In an example, a method of wetting a print blanket includes receiving a null cycle trigger during a printing session. The method also includes maintaining printing voltages on a forecast BID (binary ink developer) that has been prepared to print a next color separation onto a photoreceptor, and applying wet null voltages to a non-forecast BID. The method then includes engaging the non-forecast BID with the photoreceptor to transfer fluid other than ink to the photoreceptor during the null cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Vitaly Portnoy, Michel Assenheimer, Amiran Lavon, Eric G. Nelson, Amir Ofir
  • Patent number: 10191417
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first rotatable member configured to heat, in a fixing nip, an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet with a toner having a parting material. A second rotatable member cooperates with the first rotatable member to form the fixing nip. A cleaner is configured to clean the first rotatable member, and a covering member is configured to cover the first rotatable member over a range from the cleaner to an entrance of the fixing nip along a rotational direction of the first rotatable member with a gap D of not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 3.5 mm. In addition, the gap D (mm) between the covering member and the first rotatable member and the peripheral speed V of the first rotatable member (mm/s) satisfy 0.5?D?0.0059×V+0.72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nojima, Kota Aoki
  • Patent number: 10191418
    Abstract: A fixation apparatus includes a rotatable fixation belt, a pressurization roller which is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixation belt and rotates the fixation belt, a pressing member which is provided to face the pressurization roller with the fixation belt being interposed and presses the fixation belt against the pressurization roller, a heating roller which provides heat to paper which passes through a portion of contact between the fixation belt and the pressurization roller by providing heat to the fixation belt, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting an amount of attachment of a lubricant to an inner circumferential surface of the fixation belt. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the amount of attachment of the lubricant such that an amount of attachment of the lubricant while the fixation belt remains stopped is smaller than an amount of attachment of the lubricant during rotation of the fixation belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hideki Hadano
  • Patent number: 10191419
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a door for accessing the fixing unit and a member positioned on an upstream side of the fixing unit in a conveyance direction of the recording material, a conveyance path for a recording material having a length in the conveyance direction equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. The fixing unit fixes the formed image on the recording material at a nip portion. The recording material with fixed image is conveyed on the conveyance path. In a case where a predetermined recording material is conveyed to the conveyance path when a length of the predetermined recording material in the conveyance direction is shorter than the predetermined length, the control unit stops conveyance of the nipped predetermined recording material at the nip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Haruna
  • Patent number: 10191420
    Abstract: A first rotating body heats media on which a toner image is formed at a heating temperature. A second rotating body sandwiches the media in cooperation with the first rotating body and presses the media. A first heat supplying part supplies the first rotating body with heat. A charging part charges the first rotating body, includes a discharging electrode and an auxiliary electrode to form an electric field in cooperation with the discharging electrode, causes the discharging electrode to discharge, and charges the first rotating body with a same polarity as polarity of toner. A second heat supplying part supplies the discharging electrode with heat. A controller controls the second heat supplying part in a period in a non-fixing operation and executes heat supplying mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takeru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10191421
    Abstract: A fuser includes an endless belt, a base member, a sheet member including a first section pinched between an inner surface of the endless belt and the base member, a second section extending from an end of the first section, and a third section extending from another end of the first section, and a stationary member configured to pinch the second and third sections of the sheet member with a base member, the stationary member having a claw configured to stick in the second and third sections of the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasumasa Fujii, Hisashi Tsukawaki
  • Patent number: 10191422
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a heater, comprising an insulator substrate, a first member, a plurality of electrodes, and a second member. The first member is configured to generate heat on an upper surface of the insulator substrate across a first direction. The first member has a first end opposite a second end. The plurality of electrodes are formed on both the first end and the second end of the first member, respectively, and each electrode is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second member is configured to store heat. The second member comprises a latent heat material having latent heat in a target temperature zone. Furthermore, the latent heat material is fixed to a side surface or a bottom surface of the insulator substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Takagi
  • Patent number: 10191423
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing belt stretched across a first roller and a second roller including an elastic layer. A pressure rotator presses against the second roller via the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the pressure rotator and the fixing belt. A recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed through the fixing nip. A clearance detector detects a clearance between the first roller and the second roller. A mover moves the pressure rotator with respect to the second roller in a pressing direction in which the pressure rotator presses against the second roller via the fixing belt and a separation direction in which the pressure rotator separates from the second roller. A controller controls an amount of movement of the pressure rotator moved by the mover toward the second roller based on the clearance detected by the clearance detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohhei Sugiyama, Hironori Yamaoka, Takashi Sakamaki, Tetsuo Tokuda, Akiyasu Amita, Shinichi Namekata, Yohhei Watanabe, Fumihiro Hirose, Teppei Kawata, Masateru Ujiie
  • Patent number: 10191424
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a downtime for switching between a monochrome image forming mode and a color image forming mode. In the image forming apparatus, images formed by a plurality of image forming stations are transferred in superimposition onto a transfer member. Further, the image forming apparatus controls image formation in each of a first mode of performing image formation using only an image forming station located at the most downstream position in a moving direction of the transfer member among the plurality of image forming stations, and a second mode of performing image formation using the plurality of image forming stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Shimura, Hiroto Nishihara, Keita Takahashi, Shinnosuke Iwadate, Teruhito Kai
  • Patent number: 10191425
    Abstract: A device includes a reception unit configured to receive, from outside the device, a usage request to use one of a plurality of hardware resources of the device; and a selection unit configured to select a combination of the plurality of hardware resources to which power is to be supplied, according to a state of the device. The selection unit restricts a selection of a combination, in which power is not supplied to the one of the plurality of hardware resources relevant to the usage request received from the reception unit, among the combinations of the plurality of hardware resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 10191426
    Abstract: According to some examples, an apparatus includes a monitoring module to determine a length of a portion of an imaging member as the imaging member rotates; and indicate a fault condition in response to the determined length being different from a reference length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Kobi Shkuri, Sasi Moalem, Rafael Kahatabi
  • Patent number: 10191427
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a high-voltage power supply that supplies high-voltage electric power, a charging device that is charged by the electric power supplied from the high-voltage power supply, a photoconductor that carries an image to be formed on a recording medium, with the electric power supplied from the charging device, a temperature sensor disposed at a distant from the photoconductor that detects temperature inside the image forming apparatus, a humidity sensor disposed at a distant from the photoconductor that detects inside the image forming apparatus, and circuitry that outputs a signal for commanding an electric power value to the high-voltage power supply to cause the high-voltage power supply to supply the electric power with the electric power value, and controls supply of the electric power based on an electric power value feedback signal from the high-voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuuji Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 10191428
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs misregistration correction based on a detection result of a detection pattern. The detection pattern includes basic patterns arranged at a first interval in a sub-scanning direction. Each basic pattern includes N image groups arranged at a second interval. In the N image groups, a first group including an image at a first angle and a second group including an image at a second angle are arranged alternately in the sub-scanning direction. The first interval corresponds to a distance that a surface of an image carrier moves in a period of M times a first period corresponding to a rotation period of a rotational member, and the second interval corresponds to a distance that a surface of the image carrier moves in a period of 1/(N?1) of the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Takuya Mukaibara
  • Patent number: 10191429
    Abstract: A main casing includes a driving source, a first sheet passage sensor for detecting a sheet, and a detecting sensor. A drum cartridge is detachably mounted on the main casing. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum being rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; a first detection gear being rotatable by receiving driving force from the driving source; and a first detection protrusion being rotatable together with the first detection gear. The first detection protrusion is arranged to contact the first sheet passage sensor. A developing cartridge is detachably mounted on the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a second detection gear being rotatable by receiving driving force from the driving source; and a second detection protrusion being rotatable together with the second detection gear. The second detection protrusion is arranged to contact the detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 10191430
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, mounting unit to which a container is mounted, cover, detector, controller, and display unit. The image forming unit forms an image by using a developer, the cover is opened/closed to replace/cover the mounted container, the detector detects the mounted container in a cover closed/opened state, the controller determines whether a remaining amount of the developer in the container is more than a predetermined amount, and the display unit displays, in a case where the container in which the remaining amount is more than the predetermined amount is removed, a first screen promoting re-mounting of the container, a second screen on closing the cover without detecting the container after displaying the first screen, and a third screen after displaying the second screen in a case where the container is not mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryou Sakaguchi, Toshifumi Oikawa, Hiroyuki Eda
  • Patent number: 10191431
    Abstract: A series-connected tandem image forming system includes first and second image forming apparatuses capable of forming images on recording media by image forming units, the first and second image forming apparatuses being connected in series, the image forming system forming an image on a recording media by either one or both of the first and second image forming apparatuses, wherein the first image forming apparatus includes a first conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, and a second conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, the first and second conveyance paths being selectable therebetween, the second image forming apparatus includes a third conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, and a fourth conveyance path for conveyance of the recording medium, the third and fourth conveyance paths being selectable therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshige Kidera
  • Patent number: 10191432
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a recording medium; a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording medium from the storage unit; an image formation unit configured to perform an image formation for forming an image to be transferred onto the recording medium conveyed from the storage unit; and a detection unit configured to detect a start of the image formation. Upon the detection unit detecting the start of the image formation, the conveyance unit moves the recording medium by a predetermined distance from the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Hamahashi
  • Patent number: 10191433
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first sensor configured to output a signal in response to detecting passage of each sheet fed by a sheet feeder, a second sensor configured to output a signal in response to detecting passage of each sheet re-conveyed by a re-conveyance unit, and a controller configured to acquire a passing time period during which a preceding sheet fed by the sheet feeder is passing through the first sensor, based on the signal from the first sensor, determine an adjustment time period between a time when a leading end of the preceding sheet re-conveyed by the re-conveyance unit is detected based on the signal from the second sensor and a time for the sheet feeder to feed a subsequent sheet toward the image forming unit, and control the sheet feeder to feed the subsequent sheet toward the image forming unit with timing adjusted based on the determined adjustment time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomonori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10191434
    Abstract: Provided is an image formation system including an image formation device and a post-processing device configured to convey a paper sheet on which an image has been formed at the image formation device or carry out post-processing thereon, including: a paper ejection tray on which the discharged paper sheet is placed; a jam detector configured to detect a jam of the paper sheet conveyed in a paper conveyance passage; a partition paper sheet inserter configured to insert a partition paper sheet on the paper ejection tray; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the partition paper sheet inserter such that, after the jam is detected and paper sheets to be removed, at least including a responsible paper sheet, are removed, the partition paper sheet is inserted on the paper ejection tray before the paper sheet remaining in the paper conveyance passage is discharged to the paper ejection tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Zhu
  • Patent number: 10191435
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image formation part that forms an image on a paper sheet; a conveyor that includes a plurality of conveying members and conveys the paper sheet; a hardware processor that acquires information on a smudge on a paper sheet on which an image has been formed by the image formation part, and identifies, from the plurality of conveying members, one or more dirty conveying member(s) that may have caused the smudge based on at least one of the information on the smudge, information on the conveying members, and information on a job for image formation executed by the image formation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Terada
  • Patent number: 10191436
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having a cylinder, a rotational force receiving member, a spherical member including a projected portion, and a drum flange provided at one end portion of the cylinder and accommodating the spherical member. The drum flange includes (i) a hole portion capable of accommodating the spherical portion and having an opening that opens outwardly in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, (ii) a groove portion that continues from the hole portion and is capable of accommodating the projected portion for receiving the rotational force from the projected portion, and (iii) a limiting portion for limiting inward movement of the spherical portion in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Yoshiyuki Batori
  • Patent number: 10191437
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an intermediate transfer belt; a photosensitive drum; a primary transfer member; a secondary transfer member; a first backup member; a first power supply electrically connected to the primary transfer member and to the secondary transfer member; and a first resistor electrically connected to the first power supply and to the primary transfer member. A first current route, in which the first resistor, the primary transfer member, and the photosensitive drum are connected in series in that order, is connected to the first power supply and to a basis potential. A second current route, in which the secondary transfer member and the first backup member are connected in series, is connected to the first power supply and to the basis potential. The first current route is connected in parallel to the second current route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10191438
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an optical sensor including a light emitting portion, a light receiving portion and a cover member, a cleaning member, and a supporting member movable between a proximity position where the optical sensor opposes the image bearing member with a predetermined distance and a spaced position where the optical sensor is spaced from the image bearing member by a distance more than the predetermined distance to form a cleaning space between the optical sensor and the image bearing member. When the supporting member is in the proximity position, the cleaning member is in a retracted position retracted from an opposing space between the optical sensor and the image bearing member. When the supporting member is in the spaced position, the cleaning member is in a cleaning position for cleaning the cover member with the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuki Takase
  • Patent number: 10191439
    Abstract: A cleaning blade includes a support and an elastic member with a flat shape. The elastic member has a secured end secured to the support and a free end. A ridgeline of the free end contacts a cleaning target to remove substances adhering to a surface of the cleaning target. The elastic member includes a base and a surface layer made of a cured product of a curable composition. The surface layer is disposed on at least a part of an opposite face disposed to oppose a downstream side of the cleaning target downstream from a contact portion of the elastic member with the cleaning target in a direction of movement of the cleaning target. A thickness of the surface layer progressively decreases toward the secured end along a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Juri, Masanobu Gondoh, Yohta Sakon, Masahiro Ohmori, Yuuki Mizutani, Yuka Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10191440
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, based on print target image data, obtains a video count of a developer unit that forms an image on a photoconductor for each of regions divided in a scanning direction of a laser that exposes the photoconductor. Also after obtaining the video count, halftone processing is performed on the image data. Based on the obtained video count, patch data for cleaning the photoconductor corresponding to each region is generated. The developer unit is controlled to execute image formation based on image data for which the halftone processing is performed, and to execute image formation based on the generated patch data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kanako Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10191441
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a driving mechanism rotates a bottle attached to a bottle attaching portion by engaging with a first end of the bottle. A cover member, positioned to face a second end of the bottle, is supported to be able to open and close an opening from which the bottle is inserted. An elastic member applies upwards elastic force to the bottle attaching portion. A level sensor detects a position of the bottle attaching portion in an up-down direction. A signal processing device executes a full-state notifying process when a detection signal of the level sensor during operation of the driving mechanism fails to satisfy an abnormality condition, and the position indicated by the detection signal is lower than a predetermined reference position. The abnormality condition includes either or both of an amplitude condition and a cycle condition for a rotation cycle of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10191442
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a cartridge removably attached thereto. The image forming unit includes: a toner image forming unit; and a toner storing portion including a first toner storing portion that stores a first toner, a waste toner storing portion that stores a waste toner, and a movable partition that separates the storing portions. The cartridge includes a second toner storing portion that stores a second toner. The image forming unit includes: a first portion for supplying the first toner in the first toner storing portion to the toner image forming unit; a second portion for supplying the second toner in the second toner storing portion to the toner image forming unit; and a conveying member that conveys the first toner supplied through the first portion and the second toner supplied through the second portion, to the toner image forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10191443
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable member rotatable relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; and a supporting member connected between the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and the openable member configured to support the openable member when the openable member is opened. The supporting member includes a first arm member and a second arm member which are slidable relative to each other, a pinion provided on the first arm member, a viscous damper mounted on a rotation shaft of the pinion, a rack provided on the second arm member and engaged with the pinion. By opening the openable member, relative slide movement is caused between the first arm member and the second arm member so that the pinion engaged with the rack rotates and a braking force is produced by the viscous damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Iwase
  • Patent number: 10191444
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a guide portion provided to a supporting member, engages a cartridge and guides the cartridge, to move the cartridge toward a mounting portion. A regulated portion provided to a frame, and a regulating portion provided to the supporting member, regulates the position of the regulated portion when the cartridge is at a position not engaged with the guide portion. The supporting member is configured with an upstream side of a light emitting surface being opened with regard to mounting the cartridge to the mounting portion in the mounting direction. A gap is formed between the frame and the light emitting surface when the regulated portion is in contact with the regulating portion and the position of the regulated portion is being regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 10191445
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable unit including a regulating portion for regulating a position of a developing unit for supporting a developer carrying member, a driving member for moving the movable unit from a contact position to a spaced position, and an openable member for opening and closing an opening provided for demounting the developer carrying member and/or the image bearing member from a main assembly of the image forming apparatus. A pressing member presses and moves the movable unit by being moved in interrelation with an opening operation of the openable member. When the driving member is displaced from a contact phase to a spaced phase, the movable unit is moved to a first spaced position, and when the openable member is opened, the pressing member presses and moves the movable unit to a second spaced position from the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoichi Zensai, Tomofumi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10191446
    Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Miyamoto, Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi, Jun Miyazaki