Patents Issued in March 28, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190094755
    Abstract: A component has a surface to which a sheet material having an adhesive surface is adhered, and an adhesive target region on a surface of the component, to which the sheet material is adhered, is provided at the peripheral edge thereof with a first region and a second region. The first region includes a recess that allows a predetermined sheet material peeling tool to be insertable to a side of the adhesive surface of the sheet material. The second region is positioned in the vicinity of the first region, and includes a region not in contact with the adhesive surface of the sheet material or a region mixedly including a part in contact with the adhesive surface and a part not in contact with the adhesive surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Yuzo HARADA
  • Publication number: 20190094756
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus prevents sheets from remaining inside the image forming apparatus even when a container that is not empty is replaced with another container. The image forming apparatus includes a mount to which a container containing developer is mounted, and a replenishing unit replenishing an image forming unit with the developer from the mounted container. In a case where the mounted container is replaced with another one without replacement of the container necessary during image formation of the image forming unit, a controller suspends feeding of a sheet, discharges the sheet remaining in a conveying path, and disables an image forming operation. A display displays a screen for prompting replacement of the mounted container if replacement of the container is necessary, and displays a screen for prompting re-mounting of the replaced container in a case where the mounted container is replaced without replacement of the container necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Eda
  • Publication number: 20190094757
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a toner cartridge to accommodate toner, a developing unit comprising a developing roller, and a drum unit. The developing unit has a toner supply member supplying the toner to the developing roller, and a frame. The toner supply member has a shaft, and flexible sheets provided at the shaft. The frame has a first chamber accommodating the developing roller, a second chamber next to the first second chamber for accommodating the toner supply member, an inlet opening for introducing the toner from the toner cartridge to the second chamber, and an adjustment member positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The adjustment member allows the toner to move from the second chamber to the first chamber when the sheets move from a lower edge to an upper edge of the adjustment member with contacting the adjustment member by rotating the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20190094758
    Abstract: A removable device is to be detachably attached to an apparatus main body. The removable device includes a conveying drive gear attached to a first rotational shaft, an agitating drive gear attached to a second rotational shaft, and a torque transmission gear attached to a third rotational shaft. When an addendum circle diameter of the conveying drive gear is A, and an addendum circle diameter of the agitating drive gear is B, B>A is satisfied. The torque transmission gear moves around the conveying drive gear to access the agitating drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kubota, Naoki Nakatake, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Shoh Tsuritani, Manabu Hamada, Masato Tsuji, Masanari Fujita
  • Publication number: 20190094759
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Masaaki Matsushita, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Masaki Furutani, Tetsuo Uesugi, Kojiro Yasui, Tomonori Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20190094760
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method of electrostatic printing. The method may include forming a latent electrostatic image on a surface and transferring a first volume of a charged toner to the latent electrostatic image on the surface. The method may also include transferring a second volume of a charged toner to the surface, such that a toner image comprising the first volume of charged toner and the second volume of charged toner is formed on the surface, the second volume of charged toner being disposed on the first volume of charged toner. The method may also include transferring the image to a print substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Uri Lidai, Shmuel Borenstain
  • Publication number: 20190094761
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a conductive base and a single-layer photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive base, the single-layer photosensitive layer including a binder resin, a charge-generating material, a hole-transporting material, and an electron-transporting material; and a developing unit including a developing roller that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer including a toner in order to form a toner image, the developing roller being arranged to come into contact with the photosensitive layer. The ratio R/P of the content R [mass %] of the binder resin in the photosensitive layer to the pressing force P [N/mm] at which the developing roller is pressed against the photosensitive layer is about 11.5 or more and about 19.6 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiteru YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20190094762
    Abstract: The belt conveyance device includes an endless belt member, and a steering roller that stretches the belt member and has a tiltable rotation axis. The steering roller includes a roller that slides on the belt member and rubbing members that rub against the belt member at both ends of the roller. One or a plurality of recessed portions is formed in the surface of each rubbing member in an area where the surface of the rubbing member is opposed to an inner surface of the belt member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Ran Kudo
  • Publication number: 20190094763
    Abstract: A separation cam is disposed on a shaft of an opposing roller. The separation cam rotates about the shaft in response to a separation unit separating an intermediate transfer belt from a photosensitive drum, and the separation cam thereby separates a secondary transfer roller from the intermediate transfer belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshimi Suzuki, Takateru Ohkubo, Kazuki Takase
  • Publication number: 20190094764
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator being rotatable and a heater to heat the fixing rotator. The heater includes a tube, a heat generator, disposed inside the tube, to generate heat, and a sealing portion, disposed at each lateral end of the tube in a longitudinal direction of the heater, to seal the tube. A reflector reflects heat radiated from the heater toward the fixing rotator. The reflector includes an outboard edge being disposed inboard from at least a part of the sealing portion in an axial direction of the fixing rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yasunori ISHIGAYA, Kazuya SAITO, Keitaro SHOJI, Toshihiko SHIMOKAWA, Hiromasa TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20190094765
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport unit, a printing unit, a fixing unit, and a control unit. The transport unit transports a first printing medium having an adhering matter and a second printing medium other than the first printing medium. The printing unit forms an image on the first printing medium. The fixing unit heats and presses the first printing medium at a fixing temperature. The control unit executes a printing operation on the first printing medium and executes a cleaning operation based on a usage amount of the first printing medium. In the printing operation, the first printing medium is transported by the transport unit, an image is formed on the first printing medium, and the first printing medium is heated and pressed by the fixing unit. In the cleaning operation, the second printing medium is transported and is passed through the fixing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Masaya Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20190094766
    Abstract: In a fixing device of the present invention, first and second movable members are each urged toward a flexible member so that the contact between contact surfaces of the first and second movable members and end faces of the flexible member are each maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Satoshi Murasaki, Motoyasu Muramatsu, Hiroki Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20190094767
    Abstract: A thermal transfer apparatus is disclosed. The thermal transfer apparatus has a heating roller movable between a film contact position and a retracted position. The thermal transfer apparatus also includes a nip roller positioned opposed to the heating roller when the heating roller is in the film contact position. The heating roller is moved from the film contact position to the retracted position in response to opening of the cover and is not moved from the retracted position to the film contact position during closing of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryosuke SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20190094768
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing member; a holding member; and a cam member. The holding member holds the fixing member such that the fixing member can be displaced between a pressure contact position and a separation position. The cam member is rotatable about an axis in a first direction and a second direction. A distance between a cam surface of the cam member and the axis is reduced in the second direction. A part of the cam surface is in contact with the holding member at a first position in a state where the fixing member is at the separation position, and away from the holding member at a second position in a state where the fixing member is at the pressure contact position. The first direction is opposite to a direction from the first position to the second position about the axis with a smaller central angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota Shinoya, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190094769
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first fixing member; a second fixing member; a holding member; a cam member; an urging member; a spring member; a drive source; a transmission section; a regulating member; and a controller. The cam member is rotatable about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The spring member has one end portion movable in interlocking relation with the cam member and another end portion whose movement is regulated by the regulating member. The spring member suppresses rotation of the cam member in the first direction while storing a restoring force by the rotation of the cam member in the first direction; and facilitates rotation of the cam member in the second direction while releasing the restoring force by the rotation of the cam member in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shota SHINOYA, Yasuhiro SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20190094770
    Abstract: A fuser includes: a heater; a rotation body which is heated by the heater; an endless belt; an elastic pad which is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a nip portion with the endless belt intervening between the elastic pad and the rotation body; and a wall surrounded by the endless belt and disposed upstream of the elastic pad in a moving direction of the endless belt at the nip portion. The wall has a facing surface facing the elastic pad in the moving direction. The facing surface includes: contact portions positioned at both ends in a width direction of the endless belt and in contact with the elastic pad; and a center portion positioned between the contact portions in the width direction, at an upstream side of the contact portions in the moving direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20190094771
    Abstract: A fuser includes: a heater; a rotation body which is heated by the heater; an endless belt; an elastic pad which is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to form a nip portion with the endless belt intervening between the elastic pad and the rotation body; and a wall surrounded by the endless belt and disposed downstream of the elastic pad in a moving direction of the endless belt in the nip portion. The wall has a surface facing the elastic pad in the moving direction. The surface includes: contact portions positioned at both ends in a width direction of the endless belt and in contact with the elastic pad; and a center portion positioned between the contact portions in the width direction, at a downstream side of the contact portions in the moving direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Tomoaki Hazeyama
  • Publication number: 20190094772
    Abstract: A fixing member used for a fixing device includes a tubular base layer; an electrode portion formed on the base layer; a heat generating portion formed on the base layer in such a manner as to be positioned next to the electrode portion in a longitudinal direction of the fixing member, the heat generating portion being electrically connected to the electrode portion; and an overcoat layer formed on the heat generating portion. The heat generating portion is a layer formed by a plurality of thin linear layers extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixing member and spaced from one another along a circumferential direction of the fixing member. The overcoat layer extends over a boundary between the heat generating portion and the electrode portion in the longitudinal direction of the fixing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Yutaka Sato, Takashi Narahara, Takeshi Shinji, Kazuhiro Doda, Kohei Wakatsu
  • Publication number: 20190094773
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, an image carrier, a deviation correction section, a specific pixel detection section and a determination section. The developing section forms a visible image on a photoconductor for each type of developer. The image carrier carries the visible images formed in a plurality of the developing sections. The deviation correction section corrects position deviation of the plurality of visible images formed on the image carrier. The specific pixel detection section detects the specific pixel used to form an image with a plurality types of developers. The determination section determines execution of correction in the deviation correction section according to information indicating an amount of the specific pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Tomoaki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20190094774
    Abstract: A coming-off stopping mechanism includes a supporting member and a coming-off stopping member. The tubular supporting member elongated in an axial direction has a notch portion at an end and supports a rotating body. The coming-off stopping member is fitted to the supporting member from the outside in the axial direction, and restrains movement of the rotating body toward the outside. The coming-off stopping member includes an annular portion and a plurality of first engaging portions. The annular portion is formed so as to enclose the outside in a diameter direction of the supporting member except for the notch portion. The plurality of first engaging portions is connected to both ends of the annular portion, and is inserted into the inside of the supporting member from the notch portion while elastically deforming and fitted into a plurality of first engaging holes formed in the supporting member from the inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takafumi NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20190094775
    Abstract: A heater including a rectangular substrate; a resistance heat-generating element that is provided on one surface of the substrate along a longitudinal direction of the substrate; a thermistor that is provided on the other surface, which is a rear side of the one surface of the substrate, and measures temperature of the substrate; and a conductor that is provided on the other surface of the substrate, is extended up to an end portion of the substrate from the thermistor along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and supplies power to the thermistor. A first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, which are connected to the conductor, are provided at both ends of the thermistor. A connection direction, in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged on the other surface of the substrate, is different from a lateral direction of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Satoko Kato, Kentaro Kimura, Masahiko Tamai
  • Publication number: 20190094776
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading device; an image forming device including a photoconductor, a charger, an exposure device including a light-emitting element, a memory to store a first correction value for correction a light emission amount of the light-emitting element, and a driver to drive the light-emitting element, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device. The image forming apparatus further includes a processor to calculate a second correction value for correcting the light emission amount, based on density data of image data of a predetermined pattern on a recording medium; calculate a third correction value for correcting the light emission amount, based on the first correction value and the second correction value; and determine, before calculating the third correction value, whether placement of the recording medium on the reading table is correct based on the density data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: TAKUMA NISHIO, Yoshinobu Sakaue, Susumu Narita, Ryo Sato, Koichi Murota, Masashi Suzuki, Hiroaki Nishina
  • Publication number: 20190094777
    Abstract: System and method for adaptively switching a print mode from duplex to simplex. In one embodiment, a processor monitors memory to detect a duplex page followed by multiple contiguous simplex pages. The processor estimates a first time for the duplex sheet corresponding to the duplex page to traverse a duplex media path for switching from a duplex print mode to a simplex print mode. The processor also estimates a second time for simplex sheets corresponding to the multiple contiguous simplex pages to traverse the simplex media path in the simplex print mode, and estimates a third time for the simplex sheets to traverse the duplex media path in the duplex print mode. If the third time is less than a sum of the first time and the second time, the processor modifies the instructions to print the multiple contiguous simplex pages in the duplex print mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan A. Hren
  • Publication number: 20190094778
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an external connection control section, a determination section and a guidance control section. The external connection control section controls connection with an external device. The determination section determines a type of the external device connected with the image forming apparatus. The guidance control section selects, on the basis of a determination result of the determination section, a message of guidance and displays the message on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20190094779
    Abstract: A power source device includes a control substrate and a power source substrate. The control substrate has a modulation signal generating integrated circuit that outputs a modulation signal modulated to generate an AC voltage. The power source substrate generates a high AC voltage by demodulating the modulation signal which is output from the modulation signal generating integrated circuit of the control substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke OTA
  • Publication number: 20190094780
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: an endless intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transferrer, wherein the secondary transferrer includes a secondary transfer roller and a counter roller, a value calculated from w/Vsys is defined as a nip time N [sec], when the secondary transferrer is deemed as an equivalent circuit including a resistance R1 [?·m2] of the secondary transfer roller, a resistance R2 [?·m2] of the intermediate transfer belt, a resistance R3 [?·m2] of the counter roller, and capacitance Cmed [F/m2] of a recording medium, in a case where a combined resistance in the equivalent circuit is defined as Rtotal [?·m2], and combined capacitance in the equivalent circuit is defined as Ctotal [F/m2], a value calculated from Rtotal×Ctotal is defined as a time constant ? [sec], and the image forming device further includes: a sheet detector; and a hardware processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Eiji TABATA, Nofumi MIZUMOTO, Makiko WATANABE, Shigeo UETAKE, Toshiya NATSUHARA
  • Publication number: 20190094781
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus prevents a situation in which in place of a container in which developer remains, a container other than the container is mounted. A toner bottle containing developer to be replenished to the developing device is mounted to a toner replenishment section. A sensor detects amount of developer in the developing device, and in a case where the detected amount of the developer is smaller than a predetermined amount, a first screen for prompting a user to replace the toner bottle is displayed. In a case where the toner bottle is removed without determining that the toner bottle satisfies a replacement condition, a second screen for prompting the user to remount the removed toner bottle is displayed. In a case where the detected amount of the developer is smaller than the predetermined amount while the second screen is displayed, the second screens continues to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Eda, Ryou Sakaguchi, Toshifumi Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20190094782
    Abstract: A management server of the management system receives event information related to the replacement of a toner bottle mounted on a printing apparatus. After receiving event information, if the received event information is an alarm indicating the detection of a failure in a memory tag of the toner bottle, the management server generates a preliminary delivery alarm that provides an instruction to deliver the toner bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Junko Sato
  • Publication number: 20190094783
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a supporting shaft, a rotating unit removable from an installation portion, a movable shaft, and an interlocking device. The rotating unit includes first and second ends, a holding member that holds a rotating body that conveys a sheet. The supporting shaft supports the rotating unit at the first end in an axial direction of the rotating body. The movable shaft is movable in the axial direction and supports the second end. The interlocking device moves the movable shaft per the rotating unit movement. Where the rotating unit is to be moved at a moving amount towards a side in which the rotating unit separates from the supporting shaft as part of removing the rotating unit from the installation portion, the interlocking device moves the movable shaft in the axial direction at a moving amount that is larger than the moving amount the rotating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Satoshi Koga
  • Publication number: 20190094784
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first unit, a second unit fixed to the first unit at a portion upstream of the first unit in a conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed, and an electric board. In the image forming apparatus, a disposition of the electric board is restricted by the first unit and the second unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Ryuji Hamasaki
  • Publication number: 20190094785
    Abstract: A system and method for removing residual toner and submicron particles from a photoconductive drum of a toner-based printer includes an electrified cleaner blade that electrostatically attracts residual toner and submicron particles from the photoconductive drum as the photoconductive drum is rotated towards the electrified cleaner blade. An electrostatic charge unit can be configured to apply a suitable electric charge of between ?500 VDC and ?2000 VDC to the electrified cleaner blade. Particles lodged on the electrified cleaner blade can be electrostatically dislodged by temporarily reversing the voltage applied to the electrified cleaner blade. Cycling the voltage applied to the electrified cleaner blade between a positive voltage and a negative voltage is used to improve the action of electrostatically dislodging particles lodged on the electrified cleaner blade. The electrified cleaner blade can apply an initial charge to the photoconductive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Donald W. STAFFORD, Gary L. NOE, Michael W. LAWRENCE, Donn D. BRYANT
  • Publication number: 20190094786
    Abstract: A developer container according to an embodiment includes: a container having a space that contains a developer; an optical system includes a first optical member including first end face exposed to a containing space in the container and a second optical member including a second end face exposed to the containing space and being opposed to the first end face in a first direction, and on which the light is incident through the second end face; a shaft provided in the containing space to be rotatable about the first direction; a cleaning member provided to the shaft to be movable in the first direction to clean the first and second end faces by passing through a gap with a rotation of the shaft; and a guide member provided upstream of the optical system and that comes into contact with the cleaning member to guide the cleaning member to a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Hisatoshi SAITO, Tetsu KOYAMA, Masashi FUJII, Shun HATANAKA
  • Publication number: 20190094787
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit that includes a first image holding member and a first developing unit, the first developing unit accommodating a first developer that includes a first toner and a first carrier; a first transfer unit; a second image forming unit that is disposed downstream of the first image forming unit in a traveling direction of the transfer medium and includes a second image holding member and a second developing unit, the second developing unit accommodating a second developer that includes a second toner and a second carrier; and a second transfer unit, in which a volume resistivity of the first carrier is lower than a volume resistivity of the second carrier, and a volume average particle diameter of the first carrier is less than a volume average particle diameter of the second carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro ANNO, Hiroaki SAIJO, Takuro WATANABE, Yasuaki HASHIMOTO, Fusako KIYONO
  • Publication number: 20190094788
    Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member that charges a member to be charged and a cleaning member that is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging member and that cleans the surface of the charging member. The cleaning member includes a core and two foamed elastic layers disposed adjacent to each other in an axial direction around an outer peripheral surface of the core from one end to another end of the core in a substantially double-helical pattern. The two foamed elastic layers are a first foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D1 smaller than an average spacing Sm between irregularities in the surface of the charging member and a second foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D2 larger than or equal to the average spacing Sm between the irregularities in the surface of the charging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi MIZOGUCHI, Fuyuki KANO
  • Publication number: 20190094789
    Abstract: A transport device includes a transport member and a moving member. The transport member includes a shaft and a blade helically extending on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The transport member transports a granular material with a rotation of the shaft. The moving member extends from an outer side of the transport member in a radial direction to the shaft. The moving member includes a distal end portion moving in an axial direction of the shaft in a gap defined by the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi SUTO, Koichi SATO, Yoshiyuki TAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20190094790
    Abstract: A container includes a collecting portion in which toner discharged from an apparatus body is accumulated, a conveying member that conveys the toner in the collecting portion in a direction away from an intake portion provided in the collecting portion, and a movable member movable in accordance with an amount of toner in the collecting portion and that causes, when the movable member reaches a first position, a detecting portion to detect an amount of toner in the collecting portion. The movable member includes a guiding portion that guides the toner in a direction away from the first position while the toner is conveyed by the conveying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Seiji Inada, Chikara Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20190094791
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a document cover closer as well as office equipment having such a document cover closer, wherein it is possible to finely adjust a spring force and to set its adjusting range within a wide range, as well as to downsize the apparatus. To achieve the above-mentioned object, in a document cover closer 5 according to the invention, a supporting part 20 is rotatably attached to an attaching part 10 being a base via a first hinge pin 81, and a lift part 30 to which the document cover is fixed is rotatably attached to the supporting part 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Tetsuo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20190094792
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier disposed so as to face the image carrier, a transfer body disposed so as to face the image carrier, and a contact-separation mechanism. The contact-separation mechanism brings the developer carrier and the image carrier into contact with each other and separates the developer carrier and the image carrier from each other, and brings the image carrier and the transfer body into contact with each other and separates the image carrier and the transfer body from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kazuteru KURIHARA, Atsushi OHTA
  • Publication number: 20190094793
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit and a developing unit attaching portion that is provided in an apparatus main body. The developing unit and the developing unit attaching portion are provided with an insertion guide. The insertion guide makes the developing unit a state it is inclined from a normal posture so as to be moved on a position departed from a photoreceptor drum during a period from a start of insertion of the developing unit into the developing unit attaching portion until just before completion of the insertion, and makes, during a period from just before completion of the insertion until completion of the insertion, the developing unit turn according to an insertion operation of the developing unit so as to be brought close to the photoreceptor drum, whereby the developing unit is positioned so as to take the normal posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Jun YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190094794
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a photosensitive drum, a lever, and an electrical connector. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, a memory storing information related to the developing cartridge, and an electrical contact electrically connected to the memory. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction. The lever moves the developing cartridge between a first position where a surface of the developing roller contacts a surface of the photosensitive drum and a second position where the surface of the developing roller separates from the surface of the photosensitive drum. The electrical connector contacts the electrical contact in the second position of the developing cartridge, and separates from the electrical contact in the first position of the developing cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi HAYAKAWA, Yoshiteru HATTORI, Takuya YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20190094795
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a cartridge, a rotationally movable member, an engaging portion, and a flexible member integrally including a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a regulating portion. A position of the regulating portion of the flexible member relative to the engaging portion is changeable by a change in a flexed state of a portion of the flexible member between the first supported portion and the second supported portion, in interrelation with a change in relative position between the first supported portion and the second supported portion with rotational movement of the rotationally movable member When the rotationally movable member is in the first position, the regulating portion is in a regulating position to limit the elastic deformation of the engaging portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Ryota Yasui
  • Publication number: 20190094796
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cartridge including a rotating member, the cartridge including a driving force receiving member, and an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attachable. The apparatus main body including a driving force transmitting member, an output member, and a biasing member disposed between the output member and the driving force transmitting member, wherein when the cartridge is detached from the apparatus main body and an engagement between the driving force transmitting member and the driving force receiving member is released, the driving force transmitting member is rotated relative to the output member in the predetermined rotation direction by biasing force of the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tomofumi Kawamura, Shoichi Zensai, Takamichi Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20190094797
    Abstract: A process cartridge, comprising: a drum cartridge; and a waste toner case, the drum cartridge comprising: a development roller; a first side wall to support one end of a shaft of the development roller; a second wall to support the other end of the shaft; a photosensitive drum; a cleaner; and a conveying tube, the conveying tube comprising: a first part disposed on an opposite side of the second side wall with respect to the first side wall in an axis direction, the first part being connected to the cleaner; a second part disposed closer to the second side wall relative to the first part and connected to the waste toner case; and a third part connecting the first part with the second part, wherein a direction in which the waste toner case is attached is equal to a direction in which the second part extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Aya Adachi, Hideshi Nishiyama, Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20190094798
    Abstract: A process cartridge configured to be detachably installed to a main body of the imaging device includes a housing, and a photosensitive drum arranged in the housing. A drive coupler configured to receive a driving force from a drive head of the main body of the imaging device is provided at an end of the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge can be installed to the main body of the imaging device or be detached from the main body of the imaging device in a manner that the photosensitive drum rotation axis forms a variable included angle with respect to the drive head rotation axis. The installation of the process cartridge is facilitated, and the engagement of the drive coupler with the drive head of the imaging device is facilitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicants: ZHUHAI FAST IMAGE PRODUCTS CO., LTD., Ninestar Corporation
    Inventor: Chuanjiang LIN
  • Publication number: 20190094799
    Abstract: A noise reducing structure includes an internal structural body that includes a noise source; an exterior body that includes an inner side surface facing the internal structural body and that covers an outer side of the internal structural body; a space portion that is surrounded by an erected wall, the internal structural body, and the inner side surface, the erected wall being erected so as to, from one of the internal structural body and the inner side surface towards the other of the internal structural body and the inner side surface, be connected to the other of the internal structural body and the inner side surface; and a sound absorbing opening portion that is connected to the space portion and that is formed at a portion near the noise source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ko UMENAI, Fuyuki KOKUBU, Takayuki SUEHIRO
  • Publication number: 20190094800
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a humidity sensor, a developing device, a supply device, an acquisition section, and a controller. The supply device supplies the developing device with the developer based on toner density sensor detecting the toner density and a detection result of the toner density sensor among the developer in the developing device. Based on the detection result of the humidity sensor and a time from the completion of a processing relating to image formation to the start of a processing relating to next image formation, the acquisition section acquires a charge level of the developer in the developing device. Based on a first charge level acquired by the acquisition section at a first time and a second charge level acquired by the acquisition section at a second time after the first time, the controller controls to discharge the toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Satoshi Itaya, Mitsutoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20190094801
    Abstract: A closure having a design comprising holographic and non-holographic portions is described. The closure comprises a top panel and a skirt that extends downwards from the outer periphery of the top panel. The skirt's outer surface and the top panel's upper surface collectively comprising an external surface that may be covered by a design, which has a first design portion with a hologram and a second design portion without a hologram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Wayne Hohl, Thomas P. Hennessey, Andrew Wnuk
  • Publication number: 20190094802
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an optical film with a recording surface, the recording surface including: a computation element section in which a phase component of light from each reconstruction point of a reconstructed image is computed, the computation element section corresponding to each reconstruction point one by one; a phase angle recording area in which a phase angle computed based on the phase component is recorded; and a phase angle non-recording area in which the phase angle is not recorded, the phase angle computed based on the phase component being recorded in an overlapping area where the computation element section and the phase angle recording area overlap each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihito KAGOTANI
  • Publication number: 20190094803
    Abstract: The invention refers to an Illumination device for illuminating a spatial light modulator device. Sub-holograms are used for encoding a hologram into the spatial light modulator device. The Illumination device comprises at least one light source for emitting light for illuminating the spatial light modulator device and a beam shaping unit. The beam shaping unit provides a flat-top plateau-type distribution of an absolute value of a complex degree of mutual coherence of the light in a plane of the spatial light modulator device to be illuminated. The flat-top plateau-type distribution of the absolute value of the complex degree of mutual coherence has a shape that is at least similar to a shape of the largest sub-hologram used for encoding of object points into the spatial light modulator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Gerald FUTTERER
  • Publication number: 20190094804
    Abstract: A timepiece movement includes second, minute, and hour hand wheels with second, minute, and hour hand arbors; a 24-hour hand wheel with a 24-hour hand arbor; and a first to third guides that guide an arbor to which a hand attaches. The minute, hour, and 24-hour hand arbors have tubular configurations and are disposed coaxially to the second hand arbor. The minute hand arbor has a diameter greater than the second hand arbor, the hour hand arbor has a diameter greater than the minute hand arbor, and the 24-hour hand arbor has a diameter greater than the hour hand arbor. The first guide is between the second hand arbor and the minute hand arbor, the second guide is between the minute hand arbor and the hour hand arbor, and the third guide is between the hour hand arbor and the 24-hour hand arbor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Nobuhiro KOIKE