Abstract: An image forming section forms images, which are transferred onto a primary medium. A medium cassette holds a stack of print medium. A remaining-medium detector detects the number of pages of remaining print medium held in the medium cassette. The image on the primary medium are transferred onto a print medium fed from the medium cassette. A controller changes a timing at which the image forming section forms the images, the timing being changed in accordance with the number of pages of remaining print medium. The timing is changed in such a way that the images are formed at greater distance intervals on the primary medium when the number of pages of the medium cassette in the medium cassette is equal to or less than a reference value than when the number of pages of the medium cassette in the medium cassette is more than the reference value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an operation method for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in an optimum operating condition by regulating the cell by a function represented by a gas flow rate and the difference between a saturated steam pressure and an actual steam pressure, by regulating an in-plane temperature distribution obtained by a cooling water flow direction and by the regulations of a cooling water inlet temperature and a cooling water flow amount; a gas supply amount; a supplied moisture amount; and a current density.

Abstract: Target valuations for company stocks are produced based on the strength and quality of their technology. The valuations are derived from a combination of indicators that measure the quality of companies' patented technology, and their commitment to research and development. Indicators may include citation indicators that measure the impact of companies' patents on later technological developments, the strength of the link between companies' patents and scientific research, the speed at which companies innovate, and the proportion of companies' sales spent on research and development. The technology-based valuation may be used to identify investment opportunities in the stock market.

Abstract: A combination input and output tray assembly for supplying and receiving elongated sheets of media for use with a printing device includes a first tray generally aligned with an input port of the printing device, the first tray receiving and supporting at least one elongated sheet of media to be processed by the printing device. A second tray overlies and is connected to the first tray, the second tray being generally aligned with an output port of the printing device, so that an elongated sheet of media discharged from the output port is received on and supported by the second tray.

Abstract: In order to increase the transient response speed of a DC-to-DC converter capable of voltage step-up and voltage step-down, to which a DC voltage is input from a battery or the like and from which a controlled DC voltage is supplied to a load, a first voltage E1 lower than an output setting voltage Eset by a predetermined voltage is defined and is compared with a DC output voltage Eo by a first comparator, and the result of the comparison is output. @a A second voltage E2 lower than a DC input voltage Ei by a predetermined voltage is defined and is compared with the DC output voltage Eo by a second comparator 133, and the result of the comparison is also output. When the results of the comparisons are represented by Eo<E1 and Eo<E2, a switch connected between the input and the output is turned ON. This configuration greatly increases the response speed at the time when the DC output voltage Eo reaches the output setting voltage Eset.

Abstract: To retain the virginity of cylindrical articles packed in a cylindrical article package, the present invention provides a package of a novel structure and a fabrication method for the same. More specifically, the present specification discloses a package wherein a film has a slit at least either one of an upper end face and a lower end face of the package in a portion thereof corresponding to a boundary between the adjacent cylindrical articles, and more specifically, a package wherein the film has a slit along the boundary between the adjacent cylindrical articles, and is curved in such a manner as to conform to the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical articles located adjacent to the boundary.

Abstract: An automatic device for cutting paper and other graphic and photographic substrates in reels or single sheets through optical reflection recognition of complex marks includes at least a pair of rollers (2) for feeding the substrate, a motor (3) for driving said pair of rollers (2), a pair of optical sensors (4, 4′) suitable to detect said marks and their angle with respect to the cutting line defined by a cutting assembly (7), a motor (5) for the relative alignment so as to cancel said angle, a motor (9) for driving the mobile blade of said cutting assembly (7), and a microprocessor suitable to process the signals from said optical sensors for controlling said motors (3, 5, 9).

Abstract: A holder is provided for holding an article in a machine for decorating articles, the holder including a base member, a format plate arranged releasably above the base member with an opening in the format plate for receiving the article, and an intermediate plate between the base member and the format plate. On its side facing the format plate the intermediate plate has a layer of soft material, such as a plastic film, to support the article. The intermediate plate and the format plate are easily releasably mounted on the base member. To replace the film, the intermediate plate with film can be removed from the holder and replaced by another intermediate plate carrying a fresh film.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal fuse and a fuse element of the low-melting fusible alloy type in which the fuse element has an alloy composition of 37 to 43% In, 10 to 18% Sn, and the balance Bi. As a result, the operating temperature is in the range of 65 to 75° C., requests for environment conservation can be satisfied, the diameter of the fuse element can be made very thin or reduced to about 300 &mgr;m&phgr;, self-heating can be suppressed, and the thermal stability can be satisfactorily guaranteed.

Abstract: Device to produce ice-cream wherein there is an outer container (11), a cover (26), an inner container (14), a mixing blade (20), and an evaporator coil (21) located in cooperation with the bottom (17) of the inner container (14), through at least a contact surface (27). The inner container (14) is axially mobile to assume at least an axial working position correlated to the position of the cover (26) when it is installed on the outer container (11), and is pressed elastically against the evaporator coil (21) by spring means (22) located under the evaporator coil (21).

Abstract: A device is provided for forming a knot in a fishing line or the like in order to attach a fish hook or other item of fishing tackle thereto or to join the line to another line. The device 131 has support means 132 with three fingers or other suitable nodes 133, 134 and 135 extending therefrom in spaced relationship. The middle or second finger or node 134 is offset from a line joining the first and third fingers or nodes 133,135, each finger or node having means associated therewith which cooperate to allow the tying of a hangman's knot or uni-knot. The first finger or node 133 has means 139 to retain and rotate the free end of the line after it has passed around the other two fingers or nodes so as to be able to twist the free end 164 of the line about both a first primary portion 137 of the line and a second return portion of the line 163 to form the knot.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a tool located at the distal instrument end, a stationary first grip part at the proximal instrument end, a second grip part adjustable in an axially guided manner in the form of a reel, and an actuation element for the tool. The actuation element in connection with the second grip part is axially adjustable on adjustment of the second grip part. For improving the handling of the instrument, it is envisaged that, by way of a lever system linked onto the second grip part and a stationary part of the instrument, the adjustment path of the second grip part is geared down and the force exerted onto the second grip part is transmittable, geared up, to the actuation element.

Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises an ion conduction layer between two conducting substrates, at least one of which is transparent. The ion conduction layer contains an organic compounds, which has both a structure exhibiting a cathodic electrochromic characteristic and a structure exhibiting an anodic electrochromic characteristic.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotating photoconductive drum, charging roller, exposing unit, developing unit, transfer roller, cleaning blade, and controller. The charging member charges the surface of the photoconductive drum. The exposing unit illuminates the surface charged by the charging roller to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The transfer roller transfers the toner image onto a recording medium. The cleaning blade removes residual toner that failed to be transferred onto the recording medium. Prior to the discharge of deteriorated toner in the developing unit, the charging member charges the photoconductive drum which in turn charges the transfer roller. The toner discharged from the developing unit remains on the photoconductive drum when an area on the photoconductive drum passes by the transfer roller as the photoconductive drum rotates.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a body having a container which collects dirt and dust. A surface cleaning head defining a primary dirt and dust collection inlet is configured to contact a surface over which the surface cleaning head is moved. A passageway connects the primary inlet to the container. A secondary dirt and dust collection inlet is remote from the primary inlet and spaced from the surface. The cleaner suctions dirt and dust through the primary and secondary inlets into the container. The primary inlet is adapted to draw surface-borne dirt and dust efficiently into the container and the secondary inlet is adapted to draw airborne dirt and dust efficiently into the container. Dampening means are provided to at least one of the primary inlet and the secondary inlet and is controlled by an actuator activated directly or indirectly by an operator of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A fixture device for installing a display apparatus includes a block for installation, to be fixed to a rail provided in a ceiling portion of a vehicle. The block has an installation window in a side portion and a latch hole in the installation window. A fixture block is installed on said display apparatus body. The fixture block includes an arm having a projection section to be inserted into said installation window. A base plate is fixed to said display apparatus and rotatably connected to said arm. A release lever has a cut-and-raised portion serving as a latch that enters said latch hole in the installation window and prevents said projection section from separating from the installation window when said projection section is inserted into the installation window.

Abstract: A sampler for melts, in particular for slag, includes a body having an inlet and a sample chamber with an inlet opening. The inlet opening is located in a chamber wall delimited by a first metal plate with an opening. Removal of a sample from the sample chamber is simplified by arranging a second metal plate flat against the first metal plate, with the second metal plate having an opening that, together with the opening of the first metal plate, forms the inlet opening.