Patents Issued in April 2, 2020
  • Publication number: 20200103767
    Abstract: A patterning device cooling system for thermally conditioning a patterning device of a lithographic apparatus, wherein the patterning device in use, is being irradiated by exposure radiation, wherein the patterning device cooling system comprises: a thermal conditioner configured to thermally condition the patterning device; and a controller configured to control the thermal conditioner to thermally condition the patterning device dependent on an amount of the exposure radiation absorbed by the patterning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Hakki Ergün CEKLI, Günes NAKIBOGLU, Frank Johannes Jacobus VAN BOXTEL, Jean-Philippe Xavier VAN DAMME, Richard Johannes Franciscu VAN HAREN
  • Publication number: 20200103768
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor apparatus and a method for handling contamination from a semiconductor manufacturing process. The semiconductor apparatus can include a chuck configured to hold a substrate, a drain cup configured to surround the chuck and to capture a chemical sprayed from the substrate, and a detection module disposed in a space between the drain cup and the chuck and configured to monitor sidewalls of the drain cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-Chun HSIEH, Chih-Che Lin, Pei-Yi Su
  • Publication number: 20200103769
    Abstract: A mask for cleaning a lithography apparatus includes a mask substrate and a coating provided on a surface of the mask substrate. The coating is configured to trap particulate contaminant matter from the lithography apparatus. A method of cleaning a lithography tool is also provided preparing a cleaning mask including a particle trapping layer formed on a substrate. The method includes transferring the cleaning mask through a mask transferring route of the lithography tool. Subsequently, the method includes analyzing a particle trapped by the particle trapping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ming-Wei CHEN, Hsin-Chang LEE, Ping-Hsun LIN
  • Publication number: 20200103770
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a substrate support having a plurality of projections extending in a first direction each with a terminal surface arranged to be in contact with the substrate, the system including: a treatment tool arranged for relative movement in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions over the terminal surfaces of the projections to remove matter from the substrate support; and a controller to control the treatment tool dependent upon a position in the second and third directions of the treatment tool relative to the substrate support such that the removal amount from each of the plurality of projections is maintained substantially constant from one projection to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Tiannan GUAN, Tjarco LINDEIJER, Bert Dirk SCHOLTEN, André SCHREUDER
  • Publication number: 20200103771
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes: an optical element, which is transmissive or reflective to radiation at a used wavelength and has an optically used region; and a thermally conductive component, which is arranged outside the optically used region of the optical element. The thermally conductive component can include a material having a thermal conductivity of more than 500 W m?1 K?1. Additionally or alternatively, the product of the thickness of the thermally conductive component in millimeters and the thermal conductivity of the material of the thermally conductive component is at least 1 W mm m?1 K?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Julian Kaller, Franz Sorg, Ralf Winter, Karl-Stefan Weissenrieder
  • Publication number: 20200103772
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metrology sensor apparatus and associated method. The metrology sensor apparatus comprises an illumination system operable to illuminate a metrology mark on a substrate with illumination radiation having a first polarization state and an optical collection system configured to collect scattered radiation, following scattering of the illumination radiation by the metrology mark. The metrology mark comprises a main structure and changes, relative to the first polarization state, at least one of a polarization state of a first portion of the scattered radiation predominately resultant from scattering by the main structure and a polarization state of a second portion of radiation predominately resultant from scattering by one or more features other than the main structure, such that the polarization state of the first portion of the scattered radiation is different to the polarization state of the second portion of the scattered radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Sebastianus Adrianus GOORDEN, Simon Reinald HUISMAN, Duygu AKBULUT, Alessandro POLO, Simon Gijsbert Josephus MATHIJSSEN
  • Publication number: 20200103773
    Abstract: In a beam irradiation apparatus in which a movable body holds an object, a mark detection system detects a first mark on the movable body while moving the movable body in a first direction and changing an irradiation position of a measurement beam in the first direction, the mark detection system detects a second mark while moving the movable body in the first direction and changing the irradiation position of the measurement beam in the first direction, a controller controls a position of the movable body in a second direction intersecting the first direction during a time period between the detection of the first mark and the detection of the second mark, and the controller controls the movement of the movable body to adjust a positional relation between the object on the movable body and a processing beam, based on results of the detection of the first and second marks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro UEDA
  • Publication number: 20200103774
    Abstract: A magnetic toner comprising a magnetic toner particle including a binder resin, a magnetic body and a crystalline polyester, wherein a storage elastic modulus E?(40) [Pa] at 40° C. and a storage elastic modulus E?(85) [Pa] at 85° C., which are obtained in a powder dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of the magnetic toner, satisfy the following formulas (1) to (3). E?(40)?6.0×109 ??(1) E?(85)?5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Kosuke Fukudome, Tetsuya Kinumatsu, Yusuke Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20200103775
    Abstract: A toner including toner base particles each including a binder resin and a colorant, and external additive, wherein the toner satisfies conditions (a), (b), and (c) below: (a) storage elastic modulus G?(50) of the toner at 50° C. and storage elastic modulus G?(90) of the toner at 90° C. satisfy Formula (1); G?(50)/G?(90)?6.0×102??Formula (1) (b) a BET specific surface area Bt(m2/g) of the toner and a coverage Ct (%) of the toner base particles covered with the external additive satisfy Formula (2); and Bt?0.03×Ct?1.60??Formula (2) (c) the external additive includes at least cohered particles, the cohered particles are non-spherical secondary particles each formed through cohesion of primary particles, and a number average secondary particle diameter of the cohered particles is 130 nm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yohichi Kitagawa, Keiji Makabe, Yuka Mizoguchi, Tsuneyasu Nagatomo, Shinya Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20200103776
    Abstract: A magnetic toner comprising a magnetic toner particle including a binder resin, a magnetic body and a crystalline polyester, wherein the dielectric loss tangent at 100 kHz is 1.0×10?2 or more, a variation coefficient CV3 of an occupied area ratio of the magnetic body when a cross section of the magnetic toner particle is divided by a square grid having a side of 0.8 ?m in cross-sectional observation of the magnetic toner particle using a transmission electron microscope TEM is from 30.0% to 80.0%, and where a storage elastic modulus of the magnetic toner at 40° C. is taken as E?(40) [Pa] and a storage elastic modulus of the magnetic toner at 85° C. is taken as E?(85) [Pa], the following formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied: E?(85)?5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kinumatsu, Kosuke Fukudome, Yusuke Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20200103777
    Abstract: A magnetic carrier comprising a magnetic carrier core and a resin coating layer formed on the surface of the magnetic carrier core, wherein the resin coating layer includes a polymer having a structure represented by the following formula (1), and a content ratio of the structure represented by the formula (1) is from 5% by mass to 95% by mass based on a resin component of the resin coating layer, wherein, R1 is H or CH3, and X is a structure represented by the following formula (2): —(CmH2m)—R2—(CnH2n)—OH ??(2) wherein, R2 is a hydrocarbon group being a cyclic structure having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and m and n are integers of 0 to 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Sugahara, Ryuichiro Matsuo, Hironori Minagawa, Wakashi lida
  • Publication number: 20200103778
    Abstract: A carrier for forming an electrophotographic image is provided. The carrier comprises carrier particles each comprising a core particle and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises a coating resin and inorganic particles comprising chargeable particles A and conductive particles B. The amount of the inorganic particles is from 195 to 350 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the coating resin. The carrier particles consist of small carrier particles (D1?25 ?m), medium carrier particles (25 ?m<D2?38 ?m), and large carrier particles (38 ?m<D3). A constituent element variation, that is a ratio of an amount of a constituent element of the inorganic particles contained in the coating layer of the small carrier particles to an amount of the same constituent element of the inorganic particles contained in the coating layer of the medium carrier, is from ?10.0% to 10.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yuuya TAKABAYASHI, Junjiroh Sogame, Shinya Nakagawa, Katsuhiko Fujii
  • Publication number: 20200103779
    Abstract: An image forming method includes: developing an electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image; and transferring the toner image onto a recording medium and irradiating the toner image with an actinic ray to fix the toner image to the recording medium, wherein in the transferring, a plurality of types of toner particles containing toner particles of a color toner and toner particles of a transparent toner is fixed to the same area included in the recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Seijiro TAKAHASHI, Kouji Sugama, Haruo Horiguchi, Yukiko Kusano, Toyoko Shibata
  • Publication number: 20200103780
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoreceptor; a charging member that charges the photoreceptor; a charging power supply that outputs an AC bias as a charging bias to be applied to the charging member during image formation, and outputs a DC bias as the charging bias during a non-image forming operation, the AC bias being obtained by superimposing an alternating current voltage and a direct current voltage, the image formation forming a latent image, the DC bias being a direct current voltage, the non-image forming operation rotating and driving the photoreceptor; a processor that performs predetermined processing on the photoreceptor; and a controller that controls the charging power supply and the processor such that a value of a potential difference of the photoreceptor before and after being charged by the DC bias is a value equal to or less than a setting value during the non-image forming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Tsugihito Yoshiyama, Masayasu Haga, Sayaka Morita, Kunitomo Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20200103781
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body housing; a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge, which is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge and includes a memory having an electrical contact surface; a connector, which is configured to be in contact with the electrical contact surface, and a controller is configured to execute: connection determination processing of determining whether electrical connection with the memory is made, electrical conduction determination processing of determining whether the applying circuit is electrically conducted with the charger, and notification processing of notifying information indicating whether the drum cartridge is mounted to the main body housing and information indicating whether the toner cartridge is mounted to the main body housing, in accordance with results of the connection determination processing and the electrical conduction determination processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki TANAKA, Masahito HAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20200103782
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging member, an exposure unit which performs first exposure to form a non-image portion potential on the electrically charged surface of the image bearing member, and second exposure to form an image portion potential thereon, a developing member, a charging voltage application unit, a current detection unit which detects a current flowing from the image bearing member to the charging member, and a control unit which controls the exposure unit and the charging voltage application unit, wherein, in a case where a current value detected in a predetermined charging voltage application state is a second current value larger than a first current value, the control unit controls the exposure unit to perform image formation with a first exposure amount smaller than that in a case where the detected current value is the first current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okubo, Takahiro Kawamoto, Masanori Tanaka, Takashi Mukai
  • Publication number: 20200103783
    Abstract: A light emission control device includes an acquisition unit and a processor. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire image data. The processor is configured to (i) select a respective light emission region from a plurality of light emission regions to be shifted in a direction of a light-emitting element array within a maximum light emission region corresponding to the light-emitting element array of a print head in accordance with printing of images in a unit of a predetermined number of prints based on the image data, and (ii) control light emission of the respective light emission region based on the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji TANIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200103784
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members; a scanner unit including light sources, a rotatable polygonal mirror, and reflecting members; and a fixing portion. Parts of the laser beams emitted from the light sources are reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward the fixing device side, and rest parts of the laser beams are reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward a side opposite from the fixing device side. Of the parts of the laser beams reflected by the rotatable polygonal mirror toward the fixing device side, the laser beam reflected toward the reflecting member provided at a position remotest from the rotatable polygonal mirror travels downward relative to a horizontal direction. A rotational axis of the rotatable polygonal mirror is inclined relative to a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Jun Nagatoshi
  • Publication number: 20200103785
    Abstract: A mode controller outputs a characteristic value according to a DC component of a developing current measured by an ammeter at a predetermined measurement timing. The measurement timing is defined as a timing at which a non-image forming region of a surface of a photosensitive drum is located opposite to a developing roller in the entirety of an axial direction and an electric field in a direction in which a toner moves from the photosensitive drum toward the developing roller by a potential difference between a surface potential of the photosensitive drum and the DC component of a developing bias is formed in a developing nip part. A determining section determines an execution timing for a charge amount acquisition operation according to the characteristic value output by the mode controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu SHIMIZU, Yasushi IMANISHI, Satoshi SUNAYAMA, Kazuhiro NAKACHI, Ai TAKAGAMI, Kanako KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20200103786
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki OOKA, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Shota IRIYAMA, Keigo NAKAJIMA, Kengo YADA
  • Publication number: 20200103787
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing having a groove recessed inward; a developing roller having an outer circumferential surface; a blade; and a blade holder having a first plate and a second plate. The developing roller is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in a first direction. The blade regulates a thickness of toner layer on the outer circumferential surface. The blade has one end portion and another end portion in a second direction. The another end portion of the blade is positioned farther from the outer circumferential surface than the one end portion of the blade is from the outer circumferential surface. The first plate extends in the second direction and supports the another end portion of the blade. The second plate extends from the first plate in a third direction crossing the second direction to have a distal end portion positioned within the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200103788
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a first casing, a second casing, an auger screw, and a shutter. The first casing has a first internal space. The second casing has: a second internal space smaller than the first internal space; a first opening allowing toner in the second internal space to be discharged; and a second opening allowing air in the second internal space to be sent to an outside. The auger screw is rotatable about a first rotation axis and configured to convey toner in the first internal space to the second internal space. The shutter is rotatable relative to the second casing about a second rotation axis between a first position in which the shutter closes the first opening and a second position in which the shutter opens the first opening. In a state where the shutter is at the second position, the shutter does not close the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki FURUKAWA, Kazuma HINOUE, Ryosuke HAYASHI, Naoya KAMIMURA
  • Publication number: 20200103789
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a conveyor. The apparatus also includes a first developer unit. The first developer unit is to concentrate first printing liquid. The first developer unit also is to deliver the first printing liquid to the conveyor. The apparatus also includes a second developer unit. The second developer unit is to concentrate second printing liquid. The second developer also is to deliver the second printing liquid to the conveyor to form a thick layer of printing liquid comprising the first and second printing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Giries Kadis, Marc Klein, Mark Sandler, Peter Nedelin, Marko Richter
  • Publication number: 20200103790
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a frame, a main body connector, a first toner cartridge connector, a drum-cartridge circuit board, a harness, and a first harness. The harness is electrically connected between the main body connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The harness extends in the first direction. The first harness is electrically connected between the first toner cartridge connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The first harness extends in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao KISHI
  • Publication number: 20200103791
    Abstract: A drum cartridge that is mountable to and demountable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, the drum cartridge including: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; and a first conveying roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the first conveying roller being in contact with a second conveying roller of the image forming apparatus and being configured to convey a sheet, which is sandwiched between the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller, toward the photosensitive drum in a state where the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body, in which the drum cartridge has a guide groove into which an end portion of the second conveying roller in the first direction is inserted in the state where the drum cartridge is mounted on the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei HATANO, Koyo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200103792
    Abstract: A bias circuit includes one or more first Zener diodes electrically coupled to a member provided in a replacement unit, the one or more first Zener diodes being coupled in series. When the replacement unit is removably attached to a main unit including a power supply that has one or more second Zener diodes coupled in series, the first Zener diodes are electrically coupled to the second Zener diodes in parallel to change a bias voltage to be applied to the member, the bias voltage being supplied by the power supply. A total absolute value of breakdown voltages across the first Zener diodes is lower than a total absolute value of breakdown voltages across the second Zener diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi OKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20200103793
    Abstract: A replacement endless belt for an image heating device for heating an image on a recording material includes an endless base layer; a parting layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base layer; and a lubricant applied on at least a circumferentially partial area of the inner surface, except for predetermined regions from opposite ends of the endless belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Koji Takematsu, Makoto Tanaka, Satoshi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20200103794
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heater, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and processing circuitry. The heater is configured to heat a medium on which an image is formed. The first temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the heater. The second temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of a region heated by the heater. The processing circuitry is configured to control the temperature of the heater. The processing circuitry is configured to control the heater based on a comparison between a measured temperature of the first temperature sensor and a first threshold value, and a comparison between a measured temperature of the second temperature sensor and a second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Kizaki, Junji Nakai, Masafumi Yamada, Shizuho Katahira
  • Publication number: 20200103795
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a electroconductive cylindrical member; an opposing member thereto; a nip forming member cooperating with said opposing member to form a nip configured to nip and feed a recording material; a magnetic field generating device including an excitation coil in an inside space of said rotatable member so that a helicity axis of said excitation coil is in parallel with an axial direction of said rotatable member to produce an induced current in a circumferential direction of said rotatable member; a converter applying a high frequency voltage to said coil; temperature detector for said rotatable member; and a converter controller. The controller controls the temperature of said rotatable member by controlling at least one of a pulse period, a pulse-on time, a burst period, and a burst-on time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Aoji Isono, Minoru Hayasaki
  • Publication number: 20200103796
    Abstract: A heater for being attached to a heating device includes a base layer, a heat generator mounted on the base layer, an electrode mounted on the base layer, and a feeder mounted on the base layer. The feeder is interposed between the electrode and the heat generator. The feeder is configured to electrically connect the electrode to the heat generator. A positioner is configured to engage a counterpart of the heating device. The positioner is configured to position the heater in a longitudinal direction of the heater when the heater is attached to the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yuusuke FURUICHI, Tomoya ADACHI, Yukimichi SOMEYA
  • Publication number: 20200103797
    Abstract: A belt heating device includes an endless belt and a heater that heats the endless belt and includes a heat generator. A driving roller contacts the endless belt. A driving force transmitter is disposed at a lateral end of the driving roller in an axial direction thereof. The driving force transmitter transmits a driving force that drives and rotates the driving roller. The driving force transmitter is disposed in a driving side defined by a center of the heat generator in a longitudinal direction of the heater. A counterpart is disposed opposite the heater. A positioner positions the heater with respect to the counterpart in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The positioner is disposed in a positioning side defined by the center of the heat generator in the longitudinal direction of the heater. The positioning side is opposite the driving side in the longitudinal direction of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Yuusuke FURUICHI
  • Publication number: 20200103798
    Abstract: A fuser has a heater, a heat roller, an endless belt, a pressure pad, and a slidable sheet. The pressure pad forms a nipping portion to nip the endless belt between the pressure pad and the heat roller. The slidable sheet is interposed between an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and the pressure pad in the nipping portion. The slidable sheet includes a plurality of dents and a plurality of projections on a surface contacting the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt. The plurality of dents are arranged in a first part of the surface of the slidable sheet. The first part is located in a range corresponding to the nipping portion. The plurality of projections are arranged in a second part of the surface of the slidable sheet. The second part is located in a range corresponding to a portion different from the nipping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Tokifumi Tanaka, Hideki Kanada
  • Publication number: 20200103799
    Abstract: A heating device includes a heater and an interrupting portion. The heater extends in a width direction of a rotary belt and configured to contact and heat the belt. The interrupting portion is configured to interrupt power supply at a longitudinal end portion of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Tomoya ADACHI, Yuusuke FURUICHI, Yukimichi SOMEYA
  • Publication number: 20200103800
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a sleeve including divided heat generating layers, an exciting coil provided in an inside space of the sleeve, a magnetic core provided inside the exciting coil, and a temperature detecting element opposing one of the divided heat generating layers. An induced current is generated in the divided heat generating layers by passing an alternating current through the exciting coil, and the divided heat generating layers generate heat. An image on the recording material is heated by the divided heat generating layers. The image heating apparatus further comprises a current monitoring sensor configured to monitor a current flowing through the above-described one of the divided heating generating layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Takaaki Tsuruya
  • Publication number: 20200103801
    Abstract: A heater includes an insulating substrate, a heat generating section formed in the insulating substrate and including a plurality of divided regions in a longitudinal direction, temperature sensors detecting temperature of the heat generating section and a wiring pattern for power feed to the temperature sensors, each formed in a layer different from a layer in which the heat generating section is formed in the insulating substrate. The heat generating section, the temperature sensors, and the wiring pattern are layer stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Osamu TAKAGI
  • Publication number: 20200103802
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes determination means for determining a size of an image forming area of a medium, heating means for including an endless rotating body, plural heat-generating members which are formed in a perpendicular direction to a transport direction and divided by a predetermined length, and are disposed so as to come into contact with an inner side of the rotating body, and a switching unit which switches individual conduction of these heat-generating members, and heats the medium, pressing means for forming a nip by performing pressing and contact at a position of the plural heat-generating members, and nipping and carrying the medium in the transport direction along with the heating means, and heating control means for controlling the switching unit to select and conduct heat-generating members and controlling the heating means to heat the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Osamu Takagi
  • Publication number: 20200103803
    Abstract: A heater for being attached to a heating device includes a base layer and a heat generator, an electrode, and a feeder that are mounted on the base layer. The feeder is interposed between the electrode and the heat generator. The feeder is configured to electrically connect the electrode to the heat generator. The base layer includes a heat generating portion mounting the heat generator and an electrode portion mounting the electrode. A decreased cross section portion is interposed between the heat generating portion and the electrode portion. The decreased cross section portion has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the heat generating portion. The decreased cross section portion includes a positioner configured to engage a counterpart of the heating device and position the heater in a longitudinal direction of the heater when the heater is attached to the heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Yuusuke FURUICHI
  • Publication number: 20200103804
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a belt; a heating element that heats the belt; and a pressure member that faces the belt and forms a nip portion between the pressure member and the belt. A dielectric relaxation rate of the belt 10 seconds after applying a corona discharge at 7000 V to the belt is greater than or equal to 9.5% and less than or equal to 28.9%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki FURUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20200103805
    Abstract: An electrical equipment including: an exterior having an opening portion; a circuit board provided to an inside of the exterior and configured to be connected to a commercial power source; a varistor mounted on the circuit board; and a line filter mounted on the circuit board, wherein the opening portion is formed in a predetermined direction orthogonal to electrodes of the varistor, and wherein the line filter is arranged between the varistor and the opening portion in the predetermined direction so as to prevent a range of a conical shape having a vertex at a center of the varistor, a height in the predetermined direction, and a predetermined solid angle ? from intersecting with the opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Teruhiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20200103806
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming section, an image density difference detector, and control circuitry. The image forming section is configured to form a gradation image pattern on a surface of the image bearer. The gradation image pattern includes gradation images having different image densities stepwise in a sub-scanning direction. The image density difference detector is configured to detect image density differences in a main scanning direction of the gradation images. The control circuitry is configured to execute an image density difference correction mode that corrects the image density differences in the main scanning direction based on detection results detected by the image density difference detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Akatsu
  • Publication number: 20200103807
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit, a transfer unit, a power source unit configured to supply a developing bias voltage to the developing unit and a transfer bias voltage to the transfer unit, and an input device to receive an image density evaluation. A processor performs adjusts the developing bias voltage when an evaluation input indicating a defect in the image density is received. If, after the first adjustment, another evaluation input indicating a defect in image density is received, the processor adjusts one of the developing bias voltage, the transfer bias voltage, or the toner density in the developing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Sunao TAKENAKA
  • Publication number: 20200103808
    Abstract: A print medium feeding device includes a guide unit; a first conveyance unit that applies first conveyance force F1 to the print medium, a first part of the first conveyance force applying section moving at a first linear velocity V1; a second conveyance unit including a second conveyance force applying section that makes contact with the print medium and applies second conveyance force F2 to the print medium, a second part of the second conveyance force applying section moving at a second linear velocity V2; and a third conveyance unit including a third conveyance force applying section that makes contact with the print medium and applies third conveyance force F3 to the print medium, a third part of the third conveyance force applying section moving at a third linear velocity V3, wherein V2>V3>V1 and F3>F1>F2 are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Naoki KANZAWA
  • Publication number: 20200103809
    Abstract: A medium cutting device includes first and second conveying sections and a cutting section. The first conveying section conveys a continuous medium having a perforation that extends in a first direction. The first conveying section conveys the continuous medium in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second conveying section is spaced from the first conveying section in the second direction, and conveys the continuous medium in the second direction. The cutting section includes a pressing member and a supporting member. The pressing member is movable in the first direction in a gap between the first and second conveying sections. The supporting member movably supports the pressing member in the second direction. The cutting section causes the pressing member to press the continuous medium while causing the pressing member to move in the first direction, thereby cutting the continuous medium at the perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Daichi SATO
  • Publication number: 20200103810
    Abstract: A medium transport device includes a medium guide member, a driving source, a first movement member, a movement restricting member, and a second moving member. The medium guide member is movable between a first guide position, in which the medium guide member guides a medium toward a receiving member on which the medium is loaded, and a second guide position, in which the medium guide member guides the medium from the receiving member into the device. The driving source moves the medium guide member. The first movement member moves the medium guide member in accordance with an operation of the driving source. The movement restricting member is movable together with the medium guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Riwako MIYAUCHI, Masato MINAGAWA, Hiroshi KAWAMOTO, Satoshi WATANABE, Tomohiro UENO, Kiminobu TSUTADA
  • Publication number: 20200103811
    Abstract: A drive control device is configured to control a plurality of drive sources configured to drive a single output shaft. The drive control device includes a control unit configured to generate a single drive control signal and transmit the drive control signal to the plurality of drive sources. The drive control device has, as operation modes, a first mode for driving the plurality of drive sources and a second mode for driving a part of the plurality of drive sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke SUGIYAMA, Hidehiko FUJIWARA, Jun YAMADA, Takashi SAITO, Ikuhisa OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20200103812
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to calculate an estimated value of a color misregistration amount based on a first estimation expression when a temperature of an exposure device is under a temperature increasing state. The image forming apparatus is configured to calculate the estimated value of the color misregistration amount based on the first estimation expression when the temperature of the exposure device is under the temperature decreasing state and the exposure device is not in a thermally-deformed state. The image forming apparatus is configured to calculate the estimated value of the color misregistration amount based on a second estimation expression when the temperature of the exposure device is in the temperature decreasing state and the exposure device is in the thermally-deformed state. The image forming apparatus is configured to correct color misregistration based on the calculated estimated value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Koichi Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20200103813
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a frame, a first toner cartridge connector, a first harness, and a protection wall. The first photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first drum axis extending in a first direction. The first harness is electrically connected to the first toner cartridge connector. The first harness extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The protection wall extends in the second direction and positioned between the inner surface of the first side plate and the second side plate. The first harness is received between the protection wall and the inner surface of the first side plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isao KISHI, Yuwen WANG
  • Publication number: 20200103814
    Abstract: A heating device includes a heater, a holder, a connector, and a guide pair. The heater includes an electrode through which power is conducted. The holder is configured to hold the heater. The connector includes a conduction terminal and an engagement portion. The conduction terminal is configured to contact the electrode. The engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the holder. The connector is attachable to the holder to engage the engagement portion with the holder and contact the conduction terminal with the electrode. The guide pair includes a convex portion and a recess. The convex portion is disposed in one of the holder and the connector. The recess is disposed in another one of the holder and the connector. The guide pair is configured to guide the connector in an attaching direction of the connector to attach the connector to the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yukimichi SOMEYA, Tomoya Adachi, Yuusuke Furuichi
  • Publication number: 20200103815
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a cleaner, and a controller. The image carrier holds an image on a surface thereof. The cleaner cleans the surface of the image carrier. The controller forms, at timing at which a developer is fed to the cleaner, a feeder image that feeds the developer to the cleaner. The feeder image includes toner whose amount is smaller on a downstream side than on an upstream side in a travel direction of the image carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiya MASHIMO
  • Publication number: 20200103816
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a photosensitive drum, a drawer and a driving portion. The developing cartridge includes: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a casing; a first cam positioned at one end of the casing in the first direction; and a pressing surface pivotable in accordance with pivotal movement of the first cam. The drawer includes: a drawer frame to which the developing cartridge is detachably attachable; and a depressed surface with which the pressing surface is contactable. The driving portion is configured to pivotally move the first cam about an axis extending in the first direction. The pressing surface is configured to contact the depressed surface to move the developing roller from a contacting position in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in separation from the photosensitive drum by the pivotal movement of the first cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuwen WANG