Abstract: The magnetoresistance effect element includes: a magnetization fixing layer; a barrier layer formed on the magnetization fixing layer; and a free layer formed on the barrier layer. The method of producing the magnetoresistance effect element comprises the steps of: forming the magnetization fixing layer on a substrate; forming a metal film as the barrier layer, wherein one part of the metal film on the magnetization fixing layer side is in an amorphous state or a refined crystal state and the other part thereof on the other side is in a crystal state; natural-oxidizing the metal film in an oxidizing atmosphere; forming the free layer on the oxidized metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrodeposition coating composition which has an excellent film forming property and which is excellent in performances such as a smoothness and an anti-corrosion performances even after storing over a long period of time. The electrodeposition coating composition comprises an ester compound selected from the group consisting of: (a) a diester compound of polyoxyalkylene glycol and aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, (b) a diester compound of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether monoalcohol and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and (c) a polyester compound obtained by reaction of aliphatic glycol having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic monoalcohol.

Abstract: Developing device and method in an image forming apparatus are provided which can make it possible maintaining stabilized image by accurately controlling a toner carry amount. A developing roller is supplied with toner from a toner feed roller to form thereon a toner layer by application of a bias voltage to a toner layer forming member which is in pressing contact with the developing roller. When the operation is started (S1), the current flowing from the toner layer forming blade is detected for a predetermined length of time (S2). Based on the detected result, the current toner carry amount is selected, through the operation of CPU and ROM of a controller, from data D which are previously written in ROM (S3). If the selected toner carry amount is determined as an acceptable level that represents a predetermined amount or more (step 4), printing operation is started as it is.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided for using mono-component nonmagnetic toner, the image forming apparatus being capable of forming images with consistent quality without being influenced by variations in toner carry quantity and chargeability. More specifically, bias voltages are applied to a toner feed roller, developing roller and blade through a toner feed bias supply, development bias supply and blade bias supply, respectively. In this regard, the blade bias voltage is increased by a predetermined magnitude after a release of sleep mode of the fixing device until a predetermined number of image recording media have been imaged. Additionally, the blade bias voltage is decreased for a period of time corresponding to the first turn of the developing roller and increased for a period of time corresponding to the second or more turns thereof. In this manner, the blade bias voltage and the toner feed bias voltage are controllably changeable with a life or an increasing number of image formations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type using mono-component nonmagnetic toner is disclosed, which is capable of forming images with consistent quality without being influenced by variations in toner carry quantity and chargeability with a life.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly, comprises: a relief valve; a valve housing including a valve path along which the relief valve can slide; a relief inflow portion formed on one end of the valve housing; and relief discharge portions formed at an intermediate location of the valve path of the valve housing and provided with small aperture portions axed large aperture portions formed in communication with one another. A side wherein the relief discharge portions are provided with the small aperture portions is the side near the relief inflow portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrodeposition coating composition which has an excellent film forming property and which is excellent in performances such as a smoothness and an anti-corrosion performances even after storing over a long period of time.

Abstract: A transferring device of the present invention includes a transferring belt configured to electrostatically adsorb an image receiving medium and convey the image receiving medium in one direction, a transferring device for transferring a toner image on a photosensitive body onto the image receiving medium adsorbed electrostatically to the transferring belt, a cleaning blade arranged so as to be able to contact/separate with/from the transferring belt and clean toner on the transferring belt when brought in contact with the transferring belt, and a cleaning brush arranged so as ato be able to contact/separate with/from the transferring belt at the downstream side in the conveying direction lower than the cleaning blade and clean the toner on the transferring belt when brought in contact with the transferring belt.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly, comprising: a relief valve; a valve housing including a valve path along which the relief valve can slide; a relief inflow portion formed on one end of the valve housing; and relief discharge portions formed at a substantially intermediate location of the valve path of said valve housing and provided with small aperture portions and large aperture portions formed in communication with one another; wherein a side where the relief discharge portions are provided with said small aperture portions is the side near the relief inflow portion.

Abstract: In a synchronous serial transfer apparatus, the number of lines which are necessary for a serial transfer is reduced, and even when a master/slave operation is to be performed, a serial transfer is possible between any communication apparatuses without using communication apparatuses which have different structures from each other such as a master and slave apparatuses and without using a master apparatus. Communication apparatuses (TR1 to TR3) are connected parallel to each other by one communication line (TRL). A potential fixing apparatus (VC), which fixes a potential on the communication line (TRL) to "High" or "Low" when outputs from all communication apparatuses (TR1 to TR3) are in a "High-Z" state, is connected to the communication line (TRL).

Abstract: A tensioner for an endless transmitting member is provided to reliably prevent the loosening of an endless chain, while preventing the occurrence of an incorrect meshing of the endless chain with sprockets. A plunger holder is biased in an advancing direction by the action of a first spring supported in a housing, and a plunger, carried in the plunger holder, is biased in an advancing direction by the action of a second spring having a spring constant larger than that of the first spring. Only the movement of the plunger holder in the advancing direction is permitted by a ratchet mechanism mounted between the plunger holder and the housing. During operation of the engine, the advancing movement of the plunger holder is inhibited by the hydraulic pressure transmitted to a hydraulic pressure chamber, and the plunger is advanced and retracted in accordance with a variation in tension of the endless chain.

Abstract: A developing apparatus of a one-component developer system includes a developing roller and a toner supply roller for supplying a toner to the developing roller. Predetermined bias voltages are applied from bias power supplies to these rollers, respectively. The apparatus is designed such that the bias voltage applied to the toner supply roller is variably controlled in accordance with changes in physical properties of the toner supply roller, which are determined from the number of the printing cycles, a voltage at a surface of the supply roller or a toner density at leading and end portion of a strip-like image pattern formed on the image carrying drum.

Abstract: A printer comprises a removable process unit which includes a photoconductive drum and an image forming section for forming an image on the drum. The process unit is provided with a removing member for removing dust from a transfer medium adhering to an aligning roller and a dust storage section for storing the dust removed by the removing member. The storage capacity of the dust storage section is larger than a capacity equivalent to the volume of the dust removed as the transfer medium corresponding in quantity to the service life of the process unit is processed.

Abstract: A transfer roller is provided near a developing roller which is set, at a relative speed of substantially zero, in contact with a photosensitive drum to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum into a visual image. A toner transfer roller supplies a toner, that is, a one-component developing agent which is stored in a toner storage section to the developing roller and receives that toner which is unspent upon development from the developing roller. The unspent toner transferred to the toner transfer roller is brought into abutting contact with a mesh network of a toner separating member to separate the toner from the toner transfer roller over a predetermined effective length. By so doing it is possible to erase a developing hysteresis from the developing roller and, at the same time, collect the toner back into the toner storage section so that the collected toner is mixed with a fresh toner for use at the next developing cycle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member. The developing device has a developing roller for supplying a developing agent to the image bearing member and a blade for forming a layer of the developing agent on the developing roller. The developing roller has an elastic layer for obtaining a predetermined nip width between the developing roller and the image bearing member. The blade has a plate member, a contact member attached in the longitudinal direction along the loading edge of the plate member for contacting the surface of the developing roller so as to form the layer of the developing agent, a pressing member for pressing the contact member to the developing roller and a control member attached on the plate member and positioned to each end of the contact member for controlling the amount of the contact pressure of the contact member to the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image forming section for forming a latent image on an image bearing drum, a toner supply station for supplying a developing agent, which includes polymeric toner particles having an average particle size falling within a range of about 3-10 .mu.m, an image bearing drum to form a developed image corresponding to the latent image on the image bearing drum and a transfer roller for transferring the developed image onto a recording medium by pressing the recording medium onto the developed image.

Abstract: A transferring device in an image forming apparatus is provided which includes a plate-shaped member for transferring a developed image formed on an image carrier onto an image receiving medium. The plate-shaped member has an elasticity and electrical conductivity to press the image receiving medium to the surface of the image carrier. The plate-shaped member is moved between a first position where the plate-shaped member contacts the surface of the image carrier through the image receiving medium and a second position where the plate-shaped member separates from the image carrier.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing roller having a conductive layer, and a developer layer forming blade for forming a developer layer on the developing roller. The developer layer forming blade is formed of a layered member having a charging layer, and the conductive layer of the developing roller has wear-resistance equal to or higher than that of the charging layer of the developer layer forming blade.

Abstract: A device for developing a latent image on a photosensitive drum in an image forming apparatus, includes a developing roller for supplying a developing agent to the image carrier and a blade for forming a layer of the developing agent on the developing roller. The blade has a curved portion pressing the surface of the developing roller for controlling the thickness of the developing agent layer and for applying a frictional charge to the developing agent on the developing roller. The curved portion includes a first curved surface having a first radius R1 which contacts the surface of the developing roller and a second curved surface having a second radius R2. The relationship between the first and second radius is R1>R2.

Abstract: A packing device for transporting a long conveyor belt, and a conveyor belt wound over and across a pair of components of the packing device. The packing device has a pair of bobbins each comprising a take-up drum with radially extending discs fixed to both the ends thereof, and a long conveyor belt is wound over the respective bobbins with approximately the same turns on each bobbin. An opening for a shaft for rotation is provided in the center of each of the bobbins, and outwardly-directed ring-shaped flanges are provided around the circumference of each opening and in the periphery of each disc, respectively. The top ends of the ring-shaped flanges around the opening and in the periphery are bent towards each other, forming L-shaped portions in section.