Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a plurality of solution treating units for performing solution treatment of substrates, and a plurality of individual gas supply devices provided to correspond individually to the solution treating units, each for supplying gas at a variable rate only to one of the solution treating units. The solution treating units perform the solution treatment by supplying treating solutions to the substrates. The individual gas supply devices supply gas only to the solution treating units corresponding thereto. The individual gas supply devices supply the gas at adjustable rates to the solution treating units. The rate of gas supply to the solution treating units can therefore be varied for each solution treating unit.

Abstract: There is provided a fixing device, in which an operation delay of a safety element is unlikely to occur even if a heater tilts. The fixing device includes a spacer disposed between the heater and the safety element, wherein an area of the spacer in contact with the safety element is smaller than an area of the spacer in contact with the heater, and the spacer is tiltable relative to the safety element.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member to a greater extent than an end portion of the film.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first unit which contacts a surface of a fixing roller to heat the fixing roller, and a second unit which forms a fixing nip portion together with the fixing roller. A first opposing portion is provided between a shaft of the fixing roller and the first unit, such that a distance between the first opposing portion and the first unit when a pressure during a fixing processing for an image is applied to a contact region between the fixing roller and the first unit is more than 0 mm and 2 mm or less. A second opposing portion is provided between the shaft of the fixing roller and the second unit, such that a distance between the second opposing portion and the second unit when the pressure is applied to the fixing nip portion is more than 0 mm and 2 mm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a first opening/closing member arranged to be openable and closable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus, a second opening/closing member, a unit detachably attachable to the main body, and a crank mechanism configured to convert reciprocating motion caused by an opening and closing operation of the first opening/closing member into rotating motion of the second opening/closing member. A first distance from a moving area of the unit is configured to be greater than a second distance from the moving area to thereby suppress an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a plurality of solution treating units for performing solution treatment of substrates, and a plurality of individual gas supply devices provided to correspond individually to the solution treating units, each for supplying gas at a variable rate only to one of the solution treating units. The solution treating units perform the solution treatment by supplying treating solutions to the substrates. The individual gas supply devices supply gas only to the solution treating units corresponding thereto. The individual gas supply devices supply the gas at adjustable rates to the solution treating units. The rate of gas supply to the solution treating units can therefore be varied for each solution treating unit.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member to a greater extent than an end portion of the film.

Abstract: The fixing apparatus includes a first unit configured to be brought into contact with a surface of a fixing roller so as to heat the fixing roller, a second unit configured to form a fixing nip portion together with the fixing roller, a first regulation part configured to regulate decrease in distance between a shaft of the fixing roller and the first unit, and a second regulation part configured to regulate decrease in distance between the shaft of the fixing roller and the second unit. Thus, a heating nip width and a fixing nip width are maintained stably for a long period of time.

Abstract: In a fixing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a projection portion projected in a direction opposite to a direction biased by the biasing member, from a body part of the biasing member, is provided in a biasing member configured to push a thermosensitive member which receives heat from a heater, toward the heater, so that a crack in the heater at the time of an abnormal temperature rise is prevented.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus including a rotary member in which a generatrix direction thereof is substantially parallel to a generatrix direction of a film, the rotary member being provided between the film and a cover member such that a gap is formed between the film and the rotary member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member to a greater extent than an end portion of the film.

Abstract: The fixing apparatus includes a first unit configured to be brought into contact with a surface of a fixing roller so as to heat the fixing roller, a second unit configured to form a fixing nip portion together with the fixing roller, a first regulation part configured to regulate a decrease in distance between a shaft of the fixing roller and the first unit, and a second regulation part configured to regulate a decrease in distance between the shaft of the fixing roller and the second unit. Thus, a heating nip width and a fixing nip width are maintained stably for a long period of time.

Abstract: In a fixing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a projection portion projected in a direction opposite to a direction biased by the biasing member, from a body part of the biasing member, is provided in a biasing member configured to push a thermosensitive member which receives heat from a heater, toward the heater, so that a crack in the heater at the time of an abnormal temperature rise is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a first opening/closing member arranged to be openable and closable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus, a second opening/closing member, a unit detachably attachable to the main body, and a crank mechanism configured to convert reciprocating motion caused by an opening and closing operation of the first opening/closing member into rotating motion of the second opening/closing member. A first distance from a moving area of the unit is configured to be greater than a second distance from the moving area to thereby suppress an increase in the size of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body of the apparatus, a plurality of cartridges each including a photosensitive member, and a transfer unit detachably mounted on the main body of the apparatus. The transfer unit includes an endless belt opposing the photosensitive member, a plurality of stretching members configured for stretching the belt, and a frame configured to axially support a plurality of rollers. The frame is provided with a plurality of positioning portions configured to allow abutment of the plurality of cartridges and determine the positions of the plurality of cartridges in the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member than an end portion of the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating an aluminum wheel using a coating composition capable of forming a coating film having a superior cosmetic property as well as an anticorrosive property much enough for preventing corrosion even in the use in an area where the coating film is susceptible to salt damage, and an aluminum wheel obtained by the method. A method for coating an aluminum wheel including applying an anticorrosive coating composition onto the aluminum wheel, and thereafter applying a clear coating composition to form a transparent multilayer coating film, wherein the anticorrosive coating composition contains an acrylic resin (1) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 140,000, a glass transition point of 20 to 50° C.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image formed on a sheet includes a cylindrical film; a heater having a first surface contacting an inner surface of the film; an opposed member forming a press-contact portion with the film therebetween; a supporting member for supporting a second surface of the heater opposite the first surface; and a heat conduction member contacting the second surface. In a generatrix direction of the film, an end portion of a contact region between the heat conduction member and the second surface is at or inside an end portion of the press-contact portion. In a region from an end portion of the contact region to an outside of an end portion of the press-contact portion with respect to the direction, the supporting member includes a first region not contacting the second surface and a second region contacting the second surface outside the first region.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical film, a planar heater, a heat conduction member, a supporting member, a limiting member for limiting heater end portions with respect to a generatrix direction of the film so as to prevent the end portions from moving in a heater thickness direction relative to the supporting member, and a pressing member. A fixing device state is switchable between a first state in which a press-contact force in the nip is enough to fix the toner image and a second state in which the press-contact force in the nip is smaller than the press-contact force in the first state. A surface where the supporting member opposes the heat conduction member has a shape such that with respect to the generatrix direction, a central portion of the film is projected toward the pressing member to a greater extent than an end portion of the film.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus to which a plurality of cartridges are detachably mounted, including: main body side positioning portions provided on an apparatus main body; a cartridge supporting member detachably supporting the cartridges having cartridge side electric contacts and cartridge side positioned portions, and movable among a first position for forming images, a second position retracted from the first position, and a third position where the cartridges are pulled out of the main body; a pressing member pressing the positioned portions on the positioning portions; and main body side electric contacts provided on the main body, wherein the electric contacts are directly and electrically connected to the electric contacts when the positioned portions are pressed on the positioning portions by the pressing member.