Abstract: In one embodiment, a toner container comprises a toner container body in which toner is stored, a cover portion configured to cover the toner container body, and a projection. The projection is provided in the vicinity of a rear end portion in a longitudinal direction of the cover portion or a longitudinal direction of the toner container body, and projecting toward a rear side of the toner container.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes defining a plurality of sub-volumes so that each of the sub-volumes includes a plurality of sequential slices of a plurality of slices that make up a volume of a subject, wherein the sub-volumes are divided into a plurality of groups so that any neighboring sub-volumes belong to different groups; applying radio-frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to the subject to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes in each of the groups; performing three-dimensional (3D) encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes so that only some slices of the plurality of slices in each of the excited sub-volumes are encoded in a slice direction; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the encoded sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the plurality of slices in each of the encoded sub-volumes.

Abstract: In a method to adjust print quality of print images in an electrophoretic digital printer with at least one print group, the print group generates charge images of the print images. The charge images are developed with a developer station into toner images using liquid developer having carrier fluid and toner. The toner images are transfer-printed onto a carrier medium in a transfer station. A first control marking is generated on the recording medium with elements of the first control marking being aligned transverse to a printing direction. A shape of the elements of the first control marking is measured to generate a first measurement signal. The first measurement signal is compared with a predetermined nominal value, and given a difference, an adjustment signal is generated via which an amount of the carrier fluid in the liquid developer is modified so that the first measurement signal approaches the predetermined nominal value.

Abstract: A diagnosis system for monitoring a status of a switchboard is provided. The diagnosis system for monitoring a status of a switchboard includes a sensor unit installed in a switchboard, wherein the sensor unit comprise a plurality of sensors sensing two or more of a partial discharge (PD) signal, a temperature signal and an acc signal and outputting each switchboard status sensing signal; a data collecting device receiving each switchboard status sensing signal corresponding to two or more of the PD signal, the temperature signal, and the arc signal from the sensor unit wherein the data collecting device collects a plurality of datums for status monitoring and diagnosis control of the switchboard based on each switchboard status sensing signal received; and a remote monitoring device performing the status monitoring and diagnosis control of the switchboard based on a plurality of measuring datums received from the data collecting device.

Abstract: A liquid development apparatus uses a developer to develop electrostatic latent images included in a plurality of image portion regions formed successively on an image carrier with an inter-image region being interposed. The liquid development apparatus includes a developer carrier and a control unit. Only a single developer carrier is provided so as to establish one-to-one relation with a single image carrier, it transports the developer to a development position opposed to the image carrier, and it develops the electrostatic latent image while it abuts to the image carrier. The control unit carries out prescribed control such that an amount of the developer supplied from the developer carrier to the inter-image region on the image carrier is reduced or set to zero.

Abstract: A printer is provided including a substrate transport apparatus; a pick mechanism; a fuser assembly having a heat transfer member including a belt and a heater, a backup member for engaging the belt so as to define a fusing nip with the belt, and a temperature sensor associated with the backup member for sensing the temperature of the backup member; and a controller coupled to the substrate transport apparatus, the pick mechanism, the heater and the temperature sensor. The controller causes the pick mechanism to remove substrates from the storage tray at a first pick rate when the backup member is at a temperature within a first backup member index temperature range and at different pick rate less than the first pick rate when the backup member is at a temperature greater than the first backup member index temperature range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, a rotatable intermediary transfer member onto which the toner image is to be primary-transferred from the image bearing member, a contact member movable toward and away from the intermediary transfer member, a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage to the contact member, a current detecting circuit for detecting a current passing through the contact member, and a control portion for effecting control so that the contact member is in contact with or separated from the intermediary transfer member.

Abstract: A developer cartridge assembled to a developing device defining therein a developing chamber. The developer cartridge includes a first accommodating portion, and a first agitator. The first accommodating portion accommodates therein a developing agent and is positioned beside the developing device. The first accommodating portion includes a first wall part neighboring the developing device. The first wall part is formed with a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The first through-hole is open diagonally downward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The second through-hole is open diagonally upward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The first through-hole and the second through-hole allow communication between an interior of the first accommodating portion and the developing chamber. The first agitator is rotatably disposed in the first accommodating portion and in sliding contact with the first wall part in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An attachment assist device includes an engagement member provided in one of a main body and a retractable unit, a catch portion provided in the other of the two, to engage the engagement member when the retractable unit is positioned at a drawing start position, and a drawing unit provided in the main body, to draw the retractable unit to a drawing completion position in the main body against multiple resistive forces acting on the retractable unit. On a projection plane on which the retractable unit is projected in an attachment direction, an engagement position where the engagement member engages the catch portion is disposed inside a rectangular area defined by two opposing corners respectively positioned at points of action of two of the multiple resistive forces acting on the retractable unit while the retractable unit moves from the drawing start position to the drawing completion position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a rotational body; a joint member having a first joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged to a rotational body-side engagement part with a predetermined moving range in a rotational direction, and a press member, wherein the joint member has a second joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged with a transfer-side engagement part with central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member being substantially matched, and wherein when the second joint-side engagement part is contacted to the driving force transfer member at a position at which the central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member are not matched, the joint member is rotated within the predetermined range and the second joint-side engagement part is thus moved, so that the second joint-side engagement part is engaged with the transfer-side engagement part in the rotational direction.

Abstract: A recording material cooling device includes: a transporting section that transports a recording material; a heat radiation section that radiates heat of the recording material through the transporting section, the heat radiation section coming into contact with the transporting section; an air current generating section that generates an air current which flows through the heat radiation section; and a pair of passages that are respectively located before and after a zone where the transporting section and the heat radiation section are brought into contact with each other, each of the pair of passages being formed on an outer side of the heat radiation section to flow a portion of the air current.

Abstract: The invention reduces loss produced when a power supply device supplies power to a fixing unit of a copier, thereby contributing to a reduction in size, a saving in terms of energy and lower cost. To achieve this, it is arranged so that it is possible to vary the capacitance of a resonant capacitor C200 that constructs a resonant circuit together with a coil 71 through which a high-frequency current flows in order to produce an induced electromotive force in an electrically conductive heating element. In an interval in which a tail current flows after closure of an IGBT 401 that switches the coil current, the capacitance of the resonant capacitor C200 of a switching element SW402 is increased, thereby suppressing a rise in voltage Vce of the IGBT 40 over a fixed interval of time. As a result, loss ascribable to the tail current is reduced.

Abstract: A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained.

Abstract: A fixing device including a fixing member; a heat source to heat the fixing member; a power supply to supply power to the heat source; a thermostat provided in the middle of a circuit connecting the heat source and the power supply to block power supply from the power supply to the heat source upon detection of a temperature of the fixing member equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature; a support member to contact terminals fixed to the thermostat to support the thermostat; and electrode plates provided opposite the support member with a gap therebetween to form a part of the circuit by connecting to surfaces of the terminals of the thermostat opposite surfaces thereof contacting the support member while the terminals are positioned within the gap. The electrode plates include a first guide part to guide the terminals into the gap.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning blade configured to clean a surface of a cleaning target that is moving. A leading edge which is formed between lower and leading surfaces of the cleaning blade is obtuse-angled with respect to the lower surface and is in contact with the surface of the cleaning target during use. The leading surface of the cleaning blade is curved outward when the cleaning blade is not in contact with the cleaning target.

Abstract: An electronic photograph printer is provided for elastically biasing the developer apparatus having the photosensitive drum by the pressing mechanism and for pressing the developer roll onto the photosensitive drum. In this configuration, quality in the developed image can be ensured by the trackable movement of the developer roll relative to the photosensitive drum in the electronic photograph printer. In addition, adjustable range for positioning the developer roll and operability and maintainability within the developer apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of an organic semiconductor device comprising a step of transferring an organic semiconductor layer to a gate insulation layer by a thermal transfer at a liquid crystal phase transition temperature of a liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material, and the step uses: an organic semiconductor layer-transferring substrate comprising a parting substrate having parting properties, and the organic semiconductor layer formed on the parting substrate and containing the liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material; and a substrate for forming an organic semiconductor device comprising a substrate, a gate electrode formed on the substrate, and the gate insulation layer formed to cover the gate electrode and having alignment properties which are capable of aligning the liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material on a surface of the gate insulation layer.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, conductive features are formed on a first dielectric etch stop layer, and a second dielectric material is deposited over and between the conductive features. A via etch to the conductive features which is selective between the first and second dielectrics will stop on the dielectric etch stop layer, limiting overetch. In a second embodiment, a plurality of conductive features is formed in a subtractive pattern and etch process, filled with a dielectric fill, and then a surface formed coexposing the conductive features and dielectric fill. A dielectric etch stop layer is deposited on the surface, then a third dielectric covers the dielectric etch stop layer. When a contact is etched through the third dielectric, this selective etch stops on the dielectric etch stop layer. A second etch makes contact to the conductive features.

Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device including a thinned substrate with high yield. After forming a protective layer in a predetermined portion (at least a portion covering a side surface of a substrate) of the substrate, grinding and polishing of the substrate are performed. In other words, an element layer including a plurality of integrated circuits is formed over one surface of the substrate, the protective layer is formed in contact with at least the side surface of the substrate, and the substrate is thinned (for example, the other surface of the substrate is ground and polished), the protective layer is removed, and the polished substrate and the element layer is divided so as to form stack bodies including a layer provided with at least one of the plurality of integrated circuits.

Abstract: A sample that is processed to remove a top layer, e.g., using chemical mechanical polishing or etching, is accurately measured using multiple models of the sample. The multiple models may be constrained based on a pre-processing measurement of the sample. By way of example, the multiple models of the sample may be linked in pairs, where one pair includes a model simulating the pre-processed sample and another model simulating the post-processed sample with a portion of the top layer remaining, i.e., under-processing. Another pair of linked models includes a model simulating the pre-processed sample and a model simulating the post-processing sample with the top layer removed, i.e., the correct amount of processing or over-processing. The underlying layers in the linked model pairs are constrained to have the same parameters. The modeling process may use a non-linear regression or libraries.