Abstract: An end separating device for a sheet having a backing paper, which can easily separate a film of the sheet from the backing paper without requiring half cutting of the sheet. A fixing and separating member is fixed to a movable blade of a cutter for cutting a tape, and another fixing and separating member is fixed to a fixed blade of the cutter. These fixing and separating members and cooperate to bend and fix a cut end portion of the tape. Accordingly, the cut end portion of the tape is bent. After the tape is released from the fixing and separating members, a film tape is elastically returned to an original condition owing to its relatively large stiffness, but a backing paper is plastically deformed at the bent portion. As a result, the film tape can be separated from the backing paper. In other embodiments of an end separating device, a separating member is passed along end surfaces of free end portions of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of forming a transparent conductive thin film by sputtering includes the step of placing a target consisting of a conductive oxide material and a substrate on which the thin film is to be formed in a pressure vessel, the step of supplying argon gas and oxygen gas after the pressure vessel is substantially evacuated, the step of supplying a sputtering current to the target to maintain a discharge state, the step of detecting the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas mixture in the pressure chamber, and the step of controlling the flow rate of oxygen gas. The flow rate of the oxygen gas is controlled by a control unit such that the value of the partial pressure of oxygen which is detected in the partial pressure detection step is always kept constant.

Abstract: In a printer, a printing clutch and a hammer impact changeover mechanism are controlled through a control member by one electromagnet, in such a manner that in response to a printing signal the clutch is engaged through the control member by the electromagnet to start one printing cycle and, in the second half of the printing cycle, the electromagnet is operated to enable a hammer impact change-over mechanism with the aid of the control member. The energizing forces of two weak spring members are applied to a cam follower member operatively coupled to the printing hammer so that when a printing type element having a large printing surface is selected, the energizing forces of the two spring members are utilized to allow the printing hammer to strike the type element strongly, and when a type element having a small printing surface is selected, the energizing force of only one of the two spring member is utilized to allow the printing hammer to strike the type element less strongly.

Abstract: A ribbon driving mechanism for a typewriter, having a cam member provided on one side thereof with a first cam section for effecting control of a printing ribbon, and a second cam section extending continuously from the first cam section for effecting control of a correction tape, and a stopping member for controlling the movement of a cam follower along the cam sections. Either the printing ribbon or the correction tape is moved selectively to the printing position and only the rotation of a motor for driving the cam member in one particular direction, is transmitted to a printing ribbon winding mechanism, to wind the printing ribbon.