Patent Grant
9568878
Field of the Invention
The present invention(s) relate to at least one image forming apparatus that controls an interval between recording materials on which images are formed, and at least one feeding device related to, and for use with, same.
Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, in image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines and printers, productivity (that is, the number of sheets subjected to image formation per unit time) is increased by reducing an interval between recording materials when the recording materials are continuously conveyed. The phrase “interval between recording materials” refers to the distance between a trailing edge of a first recording material that is fed first, (that is, an end portion of the recording material at an upstream side in a conveying direction of recording materials) and a leading edge of a second recording material that is the next recording material fed after the first recording material (that is, an end portion of the recording material at a downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording materials). Here, when the interval between the recording materials is reduced, the first recording material and the second recording material may be conveyed while they are superposed upon each other when feeding or conveyance variations occur. Therefore, it is necessary to control the interval between the recording materials at a constant interval.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-335759 discusses an image forming apparatus including a sensor that detects a leading edge of a recording material fed from a cassette that accommodates recording materials. In the image forming apparatus, in accordance with a timing in which a leading edge of a first recording material that has been fed first is detected, a timing in which a second recording material is fed is determined. Therefore, for example, if a surface of a pickup roller that feeds the recording materials from the cassette is worn, and slippage occurs when the first recording material is being fed, the timing in which the leading edge of the first recording material is detected by the sensor is delayed. In this case, since the timing in which the second recording material is fed from the cassette is also delayed, it is possible to feed the first recording material and the second recording material with the interval between the recording materials being kept at a constant interval. That is, even if the timing in which the recording materials are fed is changed due to the influence of pickup roller slippage, the interval between the recording materials can be controlled at a constant interval.
However, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-335759, the timing in which the second recording material is fed is determined using the detection result provided by a particular sensor at all times. Therefore, when the length of the recording material in the conveying direction thereof is long, the time that is taken to feed the second recording material after the sensor has detected the leading edge of the first recording material is longer than that when the length of the recording material in the conveying direction thereof is short. As the time is increased, larger conveyance variations may occur.
The present invention(s) provide at least one image forming apparatus that controls an interval between a plurality of recording materials with a small and constant interval therebetween when the plurality of recording materials are continuously fed regardless of the length of the recording materials in a conveying direction thereof.
To this end, according to at least one aspect of the present invention(s), there is provided at least one image forming apparatus including an accommodation unit that accommodates one or more recording materials while regulating a leading edge of each of the one or more recording materials, a feeding unit that, when the one or more recording materials is a plurality of recording materials and when continuously feeding the recording materials accommodated in the accommodation unit, feeds a second recording material of the plurality of recording materials to a conveying path with an interval being provided between a trailing edge of a first recording material of the plurality of recording materials and a leading edge of the second recording material after the first recording material has been fed to the conveying path, a first detecting unit that detects a recording material fed by the feeding unit at a first position in the conveying path, and a second detecting unit that detects a recording material fed by the feeding unit at a second position that is situated downstream from the first position in a conveying direction of the recording material. When the first recording material and the second recording material have a first length in the conveying direction and when a value that is a sum of the first length and the interval is less than a distance at the conveying path from a regulation position to the second position, the feeding unit feeds the second recording material in accordance with a timing in which the first detecting unit detects the first recording material, the regulation position being where the accommodation unit regulates the leading edge of each of the plurality of recording materials. When the first recording material and the second recording material have a second length that is longer than the first length in the conveying direction and when a value that is a sum of the second length and the interval is greater than or equal to the distance at the conveying path from the regulation position to the second position, the feeding unit feeds the second recording material in accordance with a timing in which the second detecting unit detects the first recording material. According to other aspects of the present invention(s), other apparatuses, including other image forming apparatuses and feeding devices, are discussed herein.
Further features of the present invention(s) will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) are hereunder described with reference to the drawings. The exemplary embodiments below do not limit the invention(s) related to the claims. Not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are required as solving means of the invention(s).
Photoconductor drums 5, serving as image carrying members, each include an aluminum cylinder to whose outer periphery an organic photoconductive layer is applied. Each photoconductor drum 5 rotates at a predetermined circumferential speed as a result of transmitting driving force of a motor, serving as a driving unit, to each photoconductor drum 5. When each drum 5 is rotating at the predetermined circumferential speed, each photoconductor drum 5 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity/potential by a charging roller 7, serving as a charging unit. The surface of each charged photoconductor drum 5 is irradiated with a laser beam from an exposure device 10, serving as an exposure unit, and the surface potential of each irradiated portion is changed, so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 5. The formed electrostatic latent images are formed into toner images of the corresponding colors, which are in accordance with the electrostatic latent images, by corresponding developing rollers 8 serving as developing units. The drums 5, the rollers 7, and the rollers 8 are integrated as cartridges 22, and are removable with respect to the device 30. A user can replace the cartridges 22 with new cartridges 22 in accordance with the life of the drums 5, the rollers 7, and the rollers 8. Therefore, the user himself/herself is capable of maintaining the device 30 without depending upon a serviceman. The embodiment is not limited to such a cartridge-type device. The embodiment is also applicable to a structure in which the drums 5, the rollers 7, and the rollers 8 are fixed to the device (that is, a type in which members need not be replaced).
The toner image formed on each photoconductor drum 5 is first-transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 12, serving as an intermediate transfer member, as a result of applying a voltage to a first transfer roller 4, serving as a first transfer unit. The belt 12 is disposed so as to contact the photoconductor drums 5 at positions opposing the drums 5. The belt 12 is rotationally driven at substantially the same circumferential speed as the drums 5. When the toner image formed on each drum 5 passes a contact portion between the belt 12 and each drum 5, the toner images are successively first-transferred to the belt 12 starting with the yellow toner image, so that the toner images of the plurality of colors are superimposed upon each other. This causes a color image to be formed on the belt 12. The toner images that have been transferred to the belt 12 are transferred to recording materials 70 to 73 at a second transfer section including the belt 12 and a second transfer roller 9 serving as a second transfer unit. The recording materials 70 to 73 to which the toner images have been transferred at the second transfer section are discharged onto a discharge tray 14 after subjecting the toner images to thermal fixing using heat and pressure at a fixing device 13, serving as a fixing unit. After the second transfer, any residual toner on the surface of the belt 12 is cleaned off by a cleaning blade 2, serving as a cleaning unit. The cleaned off toner is accumulated in a waste toner container 1. The blade 2 contacts the belt 12, and scrapes and cleans off any residual toner on the belt 12. By the above-described operations, a full-color image is formed.
The recording materials 70 are fed along a conveying path 100 by a feeding roller 50, serving as a feeding unit, from an accommodation cassette 60, serving as an accommodation unit that accommodates the recording materials. The accommodation cassette 60 includes an inner wall that regulates leading edges of the recording materials 70, and accommodates the recording materials 70 while their leading edges are regulated by the inner wall. After being fed by the roller 50, the recording materials 70 are conveyed towards the second transfer section by a registration roller pair 40 and a conveying roller 54a, serving as conveying units. A separating roller 54b, serving as a separating unit, opposes the roller 54a, and rotates in accordance with the rotation of the roller 54a and in a direction in which the recording materials 70 are conveyed downstream. A torque limiter is connected to the roller 54b. When a load that is greater than or equal to a certain load is applied, the roller 54b stops rotating. Therefore, when the recording materials 70 are fed while being superimposed upon each other due to the influence of, for example, friction, it is possible to separate the recording materials 70 one at a time at a nip formed by the roller 54a and the roller 54b. A registration sensor 6, serving as a detecting unit that detects leading edges and trailing edges of the recording materials 70, is provided beyond the roller pair 40. Here, the phrase “a leading edge of a recording material 70” refers to an end portion of the recording material 70 at a downstream side in a conveying direction thereof, whereas the phrase “a trailing edge of a recording material 70” refers to an end portion at an upstream side of the recording material 70 in the conveying direction thereof. The roller 50, the roller 54a, and the roller pair 40 feed and convey the recording materials 70 when they are rotated by driving force of a motor 20, serving as a driving unit, transmitted thereto. In the embodiment, the rotation speed of the motor 20 is controlled so that the recording materials 70 are fed and conveyed at a constant speed.
The feeding devices 31 to 33 are optional devices that are removable from the device 30. As shown in
The feeding devices according to the embodiment are formed so that, when the roller pair 43 is rotated by driving the motor 23, the roller pairs 41 and 42 that are positioned downstream from the roller pair 43 in the conveying direction of recording materials rotate. Therefore, it is not necessary to drive the motors 21 and 22 for conveying the recording materials 73 to the roller pair 40. Consequently, it is no longer necessary to supply electric power to the motors 21 and 22, so that the overall power consumption can be reduced. Further, since it is possible to reduce the amount of driving of the motors, which become sources of vibration, that is, the cause of noise, it is possible to reduce noise. Similarly, when the recording materials 72 are to be conveyed to the roller pair 40, since the roller pair 41 is rotated by driving the motor 22, it is not necessary to drive the motor 21. In the embodiment, the operation for moving recording materials from the accommodation cassettes to the conveying path 100 is defined as “feed”, whereas the operation for moving downstream the recording materials in the conveying path 100 is defined as “convey”.
Description of Block Diagram Related to Controlling Operations
The block diagram in
Although, up to now, the controlling operations performed on the image forming unit 630 are described on the basis of the operations of the CPU 600, part or all of the controlling operations performed by the CPU 600 may be performed using ASIC, which is an integrated circuit. Method for Selecting Sensor that Becomes Reference of Feeding Timing
Next, a timing in which recording materials are fed is described. In the embodiment, from among the plurality of sensors 6 and 91 to 93, one sensor is selected to feed recording materials from each of the cassettes in accordance with the detection result provided by the selected sensor. The method for selecting a sensor is described with reference to the flowchart in
First, in order to select a sensor, which becomes a reference of a timing in which recording materials are fed, the CPU 600 determines whether or not the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 60 (Step S101). If the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 60, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 6 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S102). If the cassette where the feeding is started is not the cassette 60, the CPU 600 determines whether or not a length L [mm] in the conveying direction of a recording material that is fed is greater than or equal to a distance Creg [mm] to the sensor 6 (Step S103). Here, the length L is set by a user using the operation panel 670. The distance Creg to the sensor 6 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the cassette where the feeding is started to the sensor 6. More specifically, the distance Creg refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the position of leading edges of the recording materials that are accommodated in the cassette where the feeding is started to the position where the recording materials are detected by the sensor 6. In the embodiment, the phrase “the position of the leading edges of the recording materials accommodated in the cassettes” refers to an ideal position where the accommodated recording materials are not taken out due to the influence of, for example, friction of a recording material that is fed first. This position corresponds to where the inner wall of the cassette regulates the leading edges of the accommodated recording materials. If the length L is greater than or equal to the distance Creg, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 6 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S102). That is, the timing in which a subsequent second recording material is fed from the cassette is after the detection of the leading edge of a first recording material that is fed first.
If the length L is less than the distance Creg, the CPU 600 determines whether or not the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 61 (Step S104). If the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 61, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 91 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S105). If the cassette where the feeding is started is not the cassette 61, the CPU 600 determines whether the length L [mm] in the conveying direction of recording materials that are fed is greater than or equal to a distance Copt1 [mm] to the sensor 91 (Step S106). Here, the distance Copt1 to the sensor 91 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the cassette where the feeding is started to the sensor 91. More specifically, the distance Copt1 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the position of leading edges of the recording materials that are accommodated in the cassette where the feeding is started to the position where the recording materials are detected by the sensor 91. If the length L is greater than or equal to the distance Copt1, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 91 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S105).
If the length L is less than the distance Copt1, the CPU 600 determines whether or not the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 62 (Step S107). If the cassette where the feeding is started is the cassette 62, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 92 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S108). If the cassette where the feeding is started is not the cassette 62, the CPU 600 determines whether the length L [mm] in the conveying direction of recording materials that are fed is greater than or equal to a distance Copt2 [mm] to the sensor 92 (Step S109). Here, the distance Copt2 to the sensor 92 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the cassette where the feeding is started to the sensor 92. More specifically, the distance Copt2 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the position of leading edges of the recording materials that are accommodated in the cassette where the feeding is started to the position where the recording materials are detected by the sensor 92. If the length L is greater than or equal to the distance Copt2, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 92 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S108). If the length L is less than the distance Copt2, the CPU 600 selects a sensor 93 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S110). In the embodiment, a length Lmin [mm] in the conveying direction of smallest recording materials that are supported by the cassette is greater than or equal to a distance Copt3 [mm] to the sensor 93. Here, the distance Copt3 [mm] to the sensor 93 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the cassette where the feeding is started to the sensor 93. More specifically, the distance Copt3 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the position of leading edges of the recording materials that are accommodated in the cassette where the feeding is started to the position where the recording materials are detected by the sensor 93.
On the basis of the above-described flowchart, a sensor that becomes a reference of a timing in which a subsequent second recording material is fed is selected from among the plurality of sensors. That is, a sensor that is positioned at a lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected from among the sensors whose distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction thereof.
Method for Determining Feeding Timing
Next, a method for determining a timing in which recording materials are fed according to the embodiment is described with reference to
timing in which second recording material P2 is fed=timing in which leading edge of first recording material P1 is detected by sensor 93+{(feeding interval A−distance Copt3 to sensor 93)/conveying speed} (1)
where the conveying speed [mm/sec] is the speed of the recording materials that are conveyed in the conveying path. Therefore, the second recording material P2 is fed after the passage of a predetermined time from when the leading edge of the first recording material P1 has been detected by the sensor 93.
timing in which second recording material P2 is fed=timing in which leading edge of first recording material P1 is detected by sensor 91+{(feeding interval A−distance Copt1 to sensor 91)/conveying speed} (2)
Therefore, the second recording material P2 is fed after the passage of a predetermined time from when the leading edge of the first recording material P1 has been detected by the sensor 91.
In existing image forming apparatuses, regardless of the length of the recording materials 73 in the conveying direction, as shown in
If, regardless of the length of the recording materials 73 in the conveying direction, as shown in
Although, in
By performing the above, in the embodiment, a sensor that is positioned at the lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected from among the sensors where the distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction. Then, the timing in which the second recording material P2 is fed is determined in accordance with the detection result provided by the sensor. This makes it possible to reduce the time taken to feed the second recording material P2 from when the first recording material P1 has been detected by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variations in feeding and conveyance, caused by, for example, slippage, up to this sensor; to reduce the interval between the recording materials; and to control the interval between the recording materials to a constant interval.
In the embodiment, there is described the structure where the main body device 30 includes, for example, the CPU 600, and where the timing in which recording materials are fed is determined. However, a structure where the feeding devices 31 to 33 include controlling units thereof, and where the timing in which recording materials are fed is determined may be used.
Although, in the embodiment, the length Lmin in the conveying direction of the smallest recording materials that are supported by the cassette is greater than or equal to the distance to the closest sensor, this relationship need not be established at all times. Even if the distance Lmin is less than the distance to the closest sensor, the interval between the recording materials no longer becomes wider than is necessary as a result of selecting this sensor and feeding the second recording material.
As a controlling method differing from that according to the embodiment, the timing in which the second recording material P2 is fed may be determined with reference to a timing in which a particular sensor that is positioned at an uppermost stream side in the conveying direction detects the trailing edge of the first recording material P1. Here, the phrase “a particular sensor that is positioned at an uppermost stream side” refers to, for example, the sensor 93 when the recording materials 73 are fed from the cassette 63. When the controlling method is a method for determining the timing in which the second recording material 73 is fed with reference to the timing in which the sensor 93 detects the trailing edge of the first recording material 73, it is possible to reduce conveyance variations than in existing methods. Here, the expression “existing methods” refers to methods for determining the timing in which the second recording material 73 is fed with reference to the timing in which the leading edge of the first recording material 73 is detected by the sensor 93. However, as the interval between the trailing edge of the first recording material 73 and the leading edge of the second recording material 73 is reduced, it becomes necessary to dispose the sensor 93 that is positioned at the uppermost stream side close to the cassette 63. However, since the roller 57a and the roller 57b are disposed close to the cassette 63, the sensor 93 cannot be disposed very close to the cassette 63. However, according to the present invention, regardless of such mechanical limitations, it is possible to reduce the influence of feeding and conveyance variations caused by, for example, slippage; to reduce the interval between the recording materials; and to control the interval between the recording materials to a constant interval.
In the first embodiment, the structure of the image forming apparatus 35 on which optional devices are mounted is described. In the second embodiment, the structure of an image forming apparatus 34 on which optional devices are not mounted is described. The descriptions of the main portions are the same as those according to the first embodiment. Here, only portions differing from those according to the first embodiment are described.
Description of Image Forming Apparatus
Method for Selecting Sensor that Becomes Reference for Feeding Timing
Next, a timing in which recording materials are fed is described. In the embodiment, one sensor is selected from sensors 6 and 80, and recording materials are fed from a cassette 60 in accordance with the detection result provided by the selected sensor. A method for selecting a sensor is described with reference to the flowchart of
First, the CPU 600 determines whether or not a length L [mm] in a conveying direction of the recording materials that are fed is greater than or equal to a distance Creg [mm] to the sensor 6 (Step S310). Here, the length L is set by a user using an operation panel 670. The distance Creg to the sensor 6 refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the cassette 60 to the sensor 6. More specifically, the distance Creg refers to the distance at the conveying path 100 from the position of leading edges of the recording materials 70 that are accommodated in the cassette 60 to the position where the recording materials 70 are detected by the sensor 6. If the length L is greater than or equal to the distance Creg, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 6 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S302). That is, a timing in which a subsequent second recording material is fed from the cassette 60 is after the detection of the leading edge of a first recording material that is fed first. If the length L is less than the distance Creg, the CPU 600 selects the sensor 80 as the sensor that becomes the reference (Step S303).
On the basis of the above-described flowchart, a sensor that becomes a reference of a timing in which a subsequent second recording material is fed is selected from among the plurality of sensors. That is, a sensor that is positioned at a lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected from among the sensors whose distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette 60 are less than or equal to the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction thereof.
The operations that are performed after the selection of a sensor are the same as those according to the first embodiment. In accordance with the timing in which the leading edge of the first recording material P1 is detected by the sensor serving as the reference, the timing in which the second recording material P2 is fed is determined.
By performing the above, in the embodiment, a sensor that is positioned at the lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected from among the sensors where the distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction. Then, the timing in which the second recording material P2 is fed is determined in accordance with the detection result provided by the sensor. This makes it possible to reduce the time taken to feed the second recording material P2 from when the first recording material P1 has been detected by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variations in feeding and conveyance, caused by, for example, slippage, up to this sensor; to reduce the interval between the recording materials; and to control the interval between the recording materials to a constant interval.
Modifications
In the above-described embodiments, a sensor that is positioned at the lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected as a sensor that becomes a reference from among the sensors whose distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the length of recording materials in the conveying direction thereof. However, the sensor that becomes the reference may be selected from among the sensors whose distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the feeding interval including the interval between recording materials. A method for selecting a sensor that becomes a reference is illustrated in the flowchart in
In the above-described embodiments, control for feeding recording materials with an interval being provided between a trailing edge of a first recording material and a leading edge of a second recording material is described. However, the recording materials may be fed without providing such an interval. The timing in which the second recording material is fed in this case may be calculated by replacing the feeding interval A in Formulas (1) and (2) with the length L of the recording materials in the conveying direction (that is, an interval B=0). This makes it possible to feed the recording materials using a selected sensor without providing an interval between the trailing edge of the first recording material and the leading edge of the second recording material.
In the above-described embodiments, as the position of leading edges of recording materials accommodated in a cassette, the position of leading edges of the recording materials that are not taken out due to the influence of, for example, friction is set as a reference. However, the position of the leading edges of the recording materials may be defined considering the influence of the taking out of the recording materials. For example, when the recording materials 70 are fed from the cassette 60, the recording materials 70 may be taken out at most to the position of the nip formed by the roller 54a and the roller 54b due to the influence of, for example, friction. Therefore, the position of the leading edges of the recording materials may be defined as the position of the nip considering the influence of the taking out of the recording materials. Consequently, if the length by which the recording materials are taken out is longer than the predetermined interval between the recording materials, the first recording material and the second recording material are no longer fed and conveyed when they are superimposed upon each other.
Although, in the above-described embodiments, a sensor that is positioned at the lowermost stream side in the conveying direction is selected from among the sensors whose distances in the conveying path 100 from the cassette are less than or equal to the length of recording materials in the conveying direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when, in the first embodiment, the recording materials are large as shown in
In the above-described embodiments, control for feeding and conveying recording materials at a constant speed is assumed. The main cause of feeding and conveyance variations is slippage caused by, for example, wear at the surface of each roller. However, when the structure is one that allows acceleration and deceleration of recording materials by controlling a motor, feeding and conveying variations occur even when, for example, variations in load occur when the driving of the rollers 50 to 53, the rollers 54a to 57a, and the roller pairs 40 to 43 is temporarily stopped or started, or the rollers 50 to 53, the rollers 54a to 57a, and the roller pairs 40 to 43 are accelerated or decelerated.
In the above-described embodiments, the length in the conveying direction of recording materials accommodated in a cassette is set by a user using the panel 670. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction may be detected by causing the CPU 600 to detect the position of a regulating plate that is provided at the cassette and that serves as a regulating unit that regulates trailing edges of the accommodated recording materials. Alternatively, when an image is formed on a first recording material after recording materials have been accommodated in a cassette, on the basis of a timing in which a particular sensor detects leading edges and trailing edges of the recording materials and the conveying speed of the recording materials, the CPU 600 may detect the length of the recording materials in the conveying direction.
Although, in the above-described embodiments, a laser printer is exemplified, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited thereto. The image forming apparatus may be another type of printer, such as an inkjet printer, or a copying machine.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-267129 | Dec 2013 | JP | national |
| 2014-226483 | Nov 2014 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/581,479, presently pending and filed on Dec. 23, 2014, and claims the benefit of, and priority to, Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-267129, filed Dec. 25, 2013, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-226483, filed Nov. 6, 2014, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5489970 | Nishida | Feb 1996 | A |
| 7068969 | Ueda | Jun 2006 | B2 |
| 7731183 | Ohno | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 8054475 | Takahashi | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8757617 | Fukusada | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 20100244353 | Kaida | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160282789 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14581479 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | 15173406 | US |
