Abstract: A sensor unit includes a first housing constituting a first conveying face of a sheet conveying passage, a second housing constituting a second conveying face arranged opposite the first conveying face with a predetermined gap, an edge detection sensor detecting a side edge along the sheet conveying direction, and a gap adjuster supporting the first housing movably in a direction in which the size of the gap increases. When, with the first housing arranged at the first position, a sheet with a thickness greater than a reference value passes through the sheet conveying passage, the first housing moves in the direction in which the size of the gap increases as the sheet enters the sheet conveying passage, to allow the passage of the sheet.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a pressing roller for pressing a web for removing ink adhering to a conveying surface of a resist roller that conveys a sheet on which the ink has been discharged, against the conveying surface. A cleaning liquid supply unit supplies a cleaning liquid to an unused portion of the web. A web drive mechanism supplies the unused portion of the web to the nip region between the pressing roller and the conveying surface. A controller supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has been supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit to the nip region by using the web driving mechanism thereby removing the ink from the conveying surface, and subsequently supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has not been supplied to the nip region by the web driving mechanism thereby removing the cleaning liquid remaining on the conveying surface.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a pressing roller for pressing a web for removing ink adhering to a conveying surface of a resist roller that conveys a sheet on which the ink has been discharged, against the conveying surface. A cleaning liquid supply unit supplies a cleaning liquid to an unused portion of the web. A web drive mechanism supplies the unused portion of the web to the nip region between the pressing roller and the conveying surface. A controller supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has been supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit to the nip region by using the web driving mechanism thereby removing the ink from the conveying surface, and subsequently supplies the unused portion to which the cleaning liquid has not been supplied to the nip region by the web driving mechanism thereby removing the cleaning liquid remaining on the conveying surface.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a first housing constituting a first conveying face of a sheet conveying passage, a second housing constituting a second conveying face arranged opposite the first conveying face with a predetermined gap, an edge detection sensor detecting a side edge along the sheet conveying direction, and a gap adjuster supporting the first housing movably in a direction in which the size of the gap increases. When, with the first housing arranged at the first position, a sheet with a thickness greater than a reference value passes through the sheet conveying passage, the first housing moves in the direction in which the size of the gap increases as the sheet enters the sheet conveying passage, to allow the passage of the sheet.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease which has an action to suppress demyelination of nerve axons. According to the present invention, a therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease which comprises cyclic phosphatidic acids, carba-cyclic phosphatidic acids, thia-cyclic phosphatidic acids, or a salt thereof is provided.

Abstract: A solenoid device has a solenoid and a control portion. The solenoid has a body, a plunger, an attracting coil, a retaining coil, and a biasing member. The plunger is arranged selectively either in an attracted position, pulled into the body, or in a returning position, protruding out of the body. Fed with a voltage, the attracting coil generates an attracting force causing the plunger to move from returning position to attracted position. Fed with a voltage, the retaining coil generates a retaining force, weaker than the attracting force, causing the plunger to move to attracted position. The biasing member biases the plunger toward returning position. The control portion controls operation of the solenoid. When moving the plunger from returning position to attracted position, the control portion first starts applying the voltage to the retaining coil and then starts applying the voltage to the attracting coil.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a printing section, a cooling mechanism, a suction adjustment mechanism, and a controller. The printing section includes a fixing unit for heating a sheet having a toner image put on it, and discharges the sheet after fixing. The cooling mechanism includes a suction port, a blower motor for rotating a fan, and a blowing duct for blowing air onto the sheet. The suction adjustment mechanism moves a suction adjustor between an open position where the suction port is open and a shut position where the suction port is closed. The controller moves the suction adjustor the closer to the shut position the smaller the set thickness of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a printing section, a cooling mechanism, a suction adjustment mechanism, and a controller. The printing section includes a fixing unit for heating a sheet having a toner image put on it, and discharges the sheet after fixing. The cooling mechanism includes a suction port, a blower motor for rotating a fan, and a blowing duct for blowing air onto the sheet. The suction adjustment mechanism moves a suction adjustor between an open position where the suction port is open and a shut position where the suction port is closed. The controller moves the suction adjustor the closer to the shut position the smaller the set thickness of the sheet.

Abstract: A solenoid device has a solenoid and a control portion. The solenoid has a body, a plunger, an attracting coil, a retaining coil, and a biasing member. The plunger is arranged selectively either in an attracted position, pulled into the body, or in a returning position, protruding out of the body. Fed with a voltage, the attracting coil generates an attracting force causing the plunger to move from returning position to attracted position. Fed with a voltage, the retaining coil generates a retaining force, weaker than the attracting force, causing the plunger to move to attracted position. The biasing member biases the plunger toward returning position. The control portion controls operation of the solenoid. When moving the plunger from returning position to attracted position, the control portion first starts applying the voltage to the retaining coil and then starts applying the voltage to the attracting coil.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an outside cover and an inside cover. The outside cover opens and closes a side of a housing. The inside cover is disposed more inside of the housing than the outside cover. Each of the covers is rotatably supported with a lower end thereof as a fulcrum by the housing. A first locking piece is provided in the upper end of the outside cover, and a second locking piece is disposed below the first locking piece. A coupled portion configured to be selectively coupled with the first locking piece or the second locking piece is provided in the inside cover. During the process where the outside cover is rotationally moved in the opening direction, the coupled portion is once released from the coupling with the first locking piece, and then is coupled with the second locking piece.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease which has an action to suppress demyelination of nerve axons. According to the present invention, a therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease which comprises cyclic phosphatidic acids, carba-cyclic phosphatidic acids, thia-cyclic phosphatidic acids, or a salt thereof is provided.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an inside cover and a lock mechanism for locking the inside cover to a housing. The lock mechanism includes a locking member and a locked member. When the inside cover is operated in a closing direction toward a closing position, the locking member abuts the locked member. At this time, a driven roller is in no contact with a conveying roller until a projection of the locking member climbs over an apex of the locked member. After the inside cover is further operated toward the closing position and the projection climbs over the apex, the driven roller contacts the conveying roller.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an outside cover and an inside cover. The outside cover opens and closes a side of a housing. The inside cover is disposed more inside of the housing than the outside cover. Each of the covers is rotatably supported with a lower end thereof as a fulcrum by the housing. A first locking piece is provided in the upper end of the outside cover, and a second locking piece is disposed below the first locking piece. A coupled portion configured to be selectively coupled with the first locking piece or the second locking piece is provided in the inside cover. During the process where the outside cover is rotationally moved in the opening direction, the coupled portion is once released from the coupling with the first locking piece, and then is coupled with the second locking piece.

Abstract: A sheet feed device of an image forming apparatus includes an inside cover and a lock mechanism for locking the inside cover to a housing. The lock mechanism includes a locking member and a locked member. When the inside cover is operated in a closing direction toward a closing position, the locking member abuts the locked member. At this time, a driven roller is in no contact with a conveying roller until a projection of the locking member climbs over an apex of the locked member. After the inside cover is further operated toward the closing position and the projection climbs over the apex, the driven roller contacts the conveying roller.

Abstract: A toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles and includes a lateral transport device and a longitudinal transport device. The lateral transport device includes a lateral tube extending in a lateral direction and a lateral transport member provided inside the lateral tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles. The longitudinal transport device includes a longitudinal tube coupled to an end of the lateral tube and extending in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal transport member provided inside the longitudinal tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles downward, and thereby transports the toner particles transported from the lateral transport device downward. An end portion of the lateral transport member on a downstream side in a toner transport direction extends to an inside of the longitudinal tube.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an apparatus main body including a developing device, and a toner container detachably mountable into the apparatus main body and adapted to replenish the developing device with toner particles. The toner container has grippable recesses, into which fingers are insertable, formed at the opposite side portions of a surface thereof facing in a withdrawing direction from the apparatus main body. A projection sloped downward along the withdrawing direction is preferably provided on a surface of each grippable recess to be gripped by the finger.

Abstract: A toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles and includes a lateral transport device and a longitudinal transport device. The lateral transport device includes a lateral tube extending in a lateral direction and a lateral transport member provided inside the lateral tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles. The longitudinal transport device includes a longitudinal tube coupled to an end of the lateral tube and extending in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal transport member provided inside the longitudinal tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles downward, and thereby transports the toner particles transported from the lateral transport device downward. An end portion of the lateral transport member on a downstream side in a toner transport direction extends to an inside of the longitudinal tube.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an apparatus main body including a developing device, and a toner container detachably mountable into the apparatus main body and adapted to replenish the developing device with toner particles. The toner container has grippable recesses, into which fingers are insertable, formed at the opposite side portions of a surface thereof facing in a withdrawing direction from the apparatus main body. A projection sloped downward along the withdrawing direction is preferably provided on a surface of each grippable recess to be gripped by the finger.