Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for aligning needle-like structures. The apparatus includes a tapered nozzle having an entrance and a discharge opening. The nozzle is tapered in such a manner that its diameter decreases towards the discharge opening. The diameter of the nozzle at the entrance is larger than the length of the needle-like structures, and the diameter of the discharge opening is larger than the diameter of the needle-like structures and smaller than the length of the needle-like structures. By passing through the nozzle, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: An alignment unit and an alignment method for aligning needle-like structures. The alignment unit includes a substrate having a surface and grooves defined in the surface. The grooves are sized and arranged such that when the needle-like structures are received therein, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: An alignment unit and an alignment method for aligning needle-like structures. The alignment unit includes a substrate having a surface and grooves defined in the surface. The grooves are sized and arranged such that when the needle-like structures are received therein, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: A method for forming a wiring according to the present invention includes supplying to a substrate a first liquid containing a first component to form a first pattern and a second liquid containing a second component to form a second pattern to come into contact with each other, the second component causing interfacial aggregation in a contact area with the first component when brought into contact with the first component, and forming a wiring pattern consisting of the first pattern and the second pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus for aligning needle-like structures. The apparatus includes a tapered nozzle having an entrance and a discharge opening. The nozzle is tapered in such a manner that its diameter decreases towards the discharge opening. The diameter of the nozzle at the entrance is larger than the length of the needle-like structures, and the diameter of the discharge opening is larger than the diameter of the needle-like structures and smaller than the length of the needle-like structures. By passing through the nozzle, the needle-like structures are aligned.

Abstract: There is disclosed a digital camera in which a lens cover formed with a plurality of holes is attached to a lens barrel. Different items of the print conditions are assigned to the individual holes. The camera senses these holes formed on the cover, recognizes the print conditions based on the sensed image, and transmits the recognized condition to a printing apparatus as print condition data.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head for effecting recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material and a holder for holding the recording head while it is not used for recording. The holder includes a cap for sealing an ejection outlet of the recording head, and the cap includes ink absorbing material for maintaining wetness of the ejection outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus comprising a main frame, a sheet supporting device provided within the main frame to support a sheet, a sheet supply rotary device for feeding out the sheet supported by the sheet supporting device, a recovery device attached to the main frame to recover a sheet supplying force of the sheet supply rotary device, and a switching device for shifting the recovery device between a recovery position to be abutted against the sheet supply rotary device to effect a recovery operation and a waiting position to be spaced apart from the sheet supply rotary device.

Abstract: A roller comprises a rotary shaft, an outer peripheral wall member for defining an outer peripheral surface to be contacted with a sheet, and a support member for supporting the outer peripheral wall member so that the outer peripheral wall member surrounds the rotary shaft. The support member defines a space between the rotary shaft and the outer peripheral wall member and supports the outer peripheral wall member with maintaining a condition that the outer peripheral wall member is deformed to swell radially outwardly.

Abstract: A sloped surface is provided inside an ink tank of an exchangeable ink jet head cartridge arranged in a scan-type ink jet apparatus. An acceleration of the ink jet head cartridge scanned for recording and an inertia of ink are utilized to allow the ink to climb the slope, whereby the ink can be favorably supplied to a recording head.