Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots that provide optimal print performance on various substrates, including corrugated board.

Abstract: A sensor includes a sensor element; a circuit board having an element attachment surface on which the sensor element is mounted; a casing member for housing the circuit board, the casing member having a measurement chamber which faces the sensor element and communicates with the target atmosphere through a gas inlet; an annular elastic seal member which is interposed between the element attachment surface and the casing member in such a manner that the elastic seal member is in contact with the element attachment surface. The elastic seal member is made of foamed rubber and has an end surface flat portion which faces the casing member and another end surface flat portion which faces the element attachment. The elastic seal member is interposed between the element attachment surface and the casing member such that the elastic seal member is compressed between the flat portions of the end surfaces.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device for post-processing of a recording sheet ejected from an image forming device in an ejection direction, the sheet post-processing device including: a first tray on which the recording sheet is placed after ejection; a push-out member that pushes out, in a push-out direction different from the ejection direction, the recording sheet placed on the first tray; and a guide member adjacent to an ejection direction downstream end of the first tray, the guide member supporting a portion of the recording sheet that protrudes from the first tray in the ejection direction. The guide member includes a resistive force reduction unit that reduces a resistive force that occurs due to contact between the guide member and the recording sheet, the resistive force hindering the pushing out of the recording sheet when the push-out member pushes out the recording sheet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a piezoelectric device is positioned adjacent to a debris fence. A resonant frequency detection circuit connects with the piezoelectric device. The resonant frequency of the piezoelectric device is responsive to debris adjacent to the debris fence.

Abstract: An image erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a scanner that reads an image printed on a sheet with decolorable colorant, the image including a first owner information. A decoloring unit decolors the image printed on the sheet. An input device receives a second owner information. A controller identifies the first owner information included in the image read by the scanner, and determines whether the first owner information corresponds to the second owner information. Based on the determination, the controller selectively controls the decoloring unit to decolor the image.

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus of the invention includes a sheet stacking portion, a rotating body, a contact member, a conveyance guide, a driving source, a shutter member and a torque limiter. The torque limiter is disposed between the rotating body and the driving source, transmits a driving force of the driving source to the rotating body in a state that a load in the sheet feeding direction of less than a predetermined torque is applied to the rotating body, and not transmit the driving force of the driving source to the rotating body in a state that the load in the sheet feeding direction of more than the predetermined torque is applied to the rotating body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a paper sheet; a conveying unit configured to convey the paper sheet to the image forming unit at a first conveyance speed and convey the paper sheet in the image forming unit at a second conveyance speed; a trouble detecting unit configured to detect a trouble; and a control unit configured to control the conveyance of the paper sheet in the conveying unit and the image formation on the paper sheet in the image forming unit, wherein, when the trouble detecting unit detects a trouble from the paper sheet being conveyed, and the control unit controls the conveying unit to perform a purging process to discharge a troubled paper sheet to the outside of the apparatus, the control unit controls a conveyance speed to be equal to the second conveyance speed.

Abstract: A sampling assembly configured to be coupled to a sample source and facilitate aseptic sampling at one or more instances in time is provided. Further, the sampling assembly includes a first conduit having first and second ports, where the first port is configured to be coupled to the sample source. The sampling assembly also includes a plurality of sub-conduits having corresponding sub-ports, where each of the plurality of sub-conduits is operatively coupled to the first conduit at respective connector junctions. Also, each of the sub-ports is in fluidic communication with the first conduit. The sampling assembly also includes a plurality of sampling kits and one or more pumping devices. Further, each sampling kit is operatively coupled to a respective sub-port of a corresponding sub-conduit. Moreover, the one or more pumping devices are operatively and aseptically coupled to the second port of the first conduit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first light-emitting unit, a second light-emitting unit, and a remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit is arranged on an outer surface of a recording medium setting unit on which recording media are set, and emits light while the recording media are being conveyed from the recording medium setting unit. The second light-emitting unit is arranged on or near an operating member that is to be operated when a recording medium jammed in a main body of the image forming apparatus is removed. The remaining-recording-medium detector detects presence or absence of a recording medium remaining in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The second light-emitting unit emits light when the operating member needs to be operated, based on a result of detection by the remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light in different manners.

Abstract: An end position detection device includes a light emission unit including plural light sources for plural colors, respectively, each of the light sources being configured to emit line-like light of one of the colors which is long in a width direction to a conveyance object, the width direction being orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the conveyance object; a light reception unit including plural light reception elements, each configured to receive reflected light from the conveyance object and output a signal corresponding to a received amount of light, arranged in an array in the width direction; and a detection unit configured to detect an end position in the width direction of the conveyance object based on the signals output from the light reception elements in a case where the light sources for the respective colors simultaneously emit light to the conveyance object.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an opening and closing unit attached to an image forming apparatus body. The opening and closing unit includes: an exterior member pivotably attached to the image forming apparatus body via a first shaft; a base member provided inside the exterior member and pivotably attached to the image forming apparatus body via a second shaft so as to be able to move with the exterior member; and an extension member attached to the base member in a manner capable of being pulled out and retracted.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an opening/closing door movably supported by the apparatus main body so as to be capable of opening a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed, a sensor lever configured to rotate when pushed by the sheet in the conveyance path, a holder rotatably holding the sensor lever and movably supported by the opening/closing door, a positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body and configured to perform positioning of the holder by coming into contact with the holder, and a sheet detection sensor provided in the apparatus main body and configured to generate a signal corresponding to the position of the sensor lever.

Abstract: A multi-modal olfactometer including a carrier assembly slidably coupled with a track and movable between a loading and testing position, a distribution block coupled with the carrier assembly and including a plurality of independent flow channels, a plurality of bottles configured for containing a gas stimuli and for being coupled with the distribution block, a plurality of tubes in flow communication with corresponding channels defined in the distribution block, an outlet piece including a plurality of independent flow channels that are each in flow communication with one of the respective tubes, and at least one actuator positioned adjacent to the bottles when the carrier assembly is in the testing position. The actuator operates to impact each of the bottles to cause the respective gas stimulus to flow through the respective channel in the distribution block, tube, and channel in the outlet piece for inhalation by a test subject.

Abstract: A system comprises a mechanical resonator; an analog circuit operably coupled to the mechanical resonator; the analog circuit arranged to receive a mechanical resonator measurement signal and to output a mechanical resonator actuation signal to the mechanical resonator; and a digital actuator operably coupled to the analog circuit and configured to provide a frequency sweep of signals to the analog circuit that induces movement of the mechanical resonator.

Abstract: A circuit carrier for a sensor unit comprises a first interface via which at least one electrical output signal is tapped at least at one connection point of a measuring cell, a second interface via which the at least one electrical output signal of the measuring cell is applied via at least one first contact element to a circuit board with an electronic circuit, and a hollow, cylindrical main body. The main body includes an inner joining geometry defined on an inner contour which defines at least in part the first interface, an outer joining geometry which defines at least in part the second interface, and configured to electrically connect to a connection point of the measuring cell in a force-free manner. The outer joining geometry is configured as a receiving pocket with a protruding collar, and includes the at least one first contact element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular platform unit comprising a plurality of sensors for the combined sensing of pressure, temperature and humidity. In particular, the sensors are composed of a layer of metallic-capped nanoparticles (MCNP) casted on a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate. Integration of the platform unit for artificial or electronic skin applications is disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a compact size includes a printing medium supplying unit to hold printing media and to supply a printing medium, an image forming unit disposed above the printing medium supplying unit to form images on a printing medium, and a printing medium feeding part substantially formed in a letter “C” shape, having a part which extends to the image forming unit and which is inclined in a downward direction along a printing medium moving direction to feed the printing medium from the printing medium supplying unit to the image forming unit.

Abstract: A paper sheet conveying apparatus includes: a first storage unit; a second storage unit; a first conveyance path to the first storage unit; a second conveyance path to the second storage unit; a conveyance unit configured to convey a paper sheet; a switching unit configured to switch a conveyance path of a paper sheet; a cutting unit configured to cut a paper sheet at a cutting position; a detecting unit configured to detect a jam; and a control unit, when a jam is detected on the first conveyance path, configured to cut a part of the paper sheet, the part is positioned on a side upstream from the cutting position, to a predetermined length, switch a conveyance path of the paper sheet from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path, and store the cut paper sheet in the second storage unit through the second conveyance path.

Abstract: A medium ejection apparatus is provided which may be part of an image forming apparatus. The medium ejection apparatus may include an ejection roller configured to eject a recording medium and a pinch roller disposed opposite to the ejection roller. The pinch roller is configured to move toward and away from the ejection roller and to press a recording medium toward the ejection roller. Also, the medium ejection apparatus may include an elastic member configured to press the pinch roller toward the ejection roller and a lever disposed downstream of the pinch roller in a recording medium transport direction. The lever is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. When the lever is in the second position, the lever contacts the pinch roller, which causes a force to be applied against the elastic member, and the pinch roller is spaced away from the ejection roller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a piezoelectric device is positioned adjacent to a debris fence. A resonant frequency detection circuit connects with the piezoelectric device. The resonant frequency of the piezoelectric device is responsive to debris adjacent to the debris fence.