Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: an electrophotographic member which enhances image quality, prevents the lowering of a grade of an image even when images have been repeatedly output, and can remarkably enhance the stability of the grade of the image; an intermediate transfer member; and an image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic member includes a base layer and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer has a binder resin, perfluoropolymer fine particles, a fluorocarbon resin dispersing agent and a particular fluorine compound, wherein the perfluoropolymer fine particle has a fluorine compound carried on its surface.

Abstract: A member for electrophotography having a multilayer structure or a single-layer structure, including an outermost layer which satisfies the following A, B and C: A: the outermost layer has perfluoropolyether and a binder resin, and in the outermost layer, the ratio of the number of fluorine atoms to the number of carbon atoms is 0.10 or more and 0.40 or less; B: in a 19F-NMR spectrum of the outermost layer, the relaxation time T2 of a peak derived from CF2 moieties of perfluoropolyether is 13 milliseconds or more at 22° C.; and C: the total sum of the contents of CF3 moieties, CF2 moieties, and CF moieties in the binder resin is 5% by mass or less.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member for electrophotography comprising a substrate and a surface layer provided on the substrate. The surface layer comprises a binder resin and a perfluoropolyether. An extraction amount of the perfluoropolyether per 10 mm3 of the surface layer, is 0.10 mg or more and 5.00 mg or less, the extraction amount of the perfluoropolyether obtained by immersing the intermediate transfer member into a solvent that can dissolve the perfluoropolyether at 25 degrees in Celsius for 24 hours. A surface of the intermediate transfer member that is not subjected to first and second treatments, has a n-hexadecane contact angle of 55 degrees or more. A surface of the intermediate transfer member that has been subjected to the first treatment, has a n-hexadecane contact angle of 40 degrees or less. A surface of the intermediate transfer member that has been subjected to the second treatment, has a n-hexadecane contact angle of 50 degrees or more.

Abstract: A structure for fastening to a trim board a clip that has projection for fastening to a clip fitting seat of the trim board and a second projection for fastening to a vehicle body-side member. The first projection has an engagement portion and the clip fitting seat has multiple latch lugs used to position the clip. A distance between the latch lugs is enlargeable as the engagement portion is engaged therewith. The first projection has at least two types of engagement portions that differ in diameter at locations that are separated in a fastening direction. Thus, the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat in at least two stages, including one state in which the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat at low fastening load, and a fastened state that is achieved by fastening the clip to the clip fitting seat at high fastening load.

Abstract: A cushion material fastening structure includes: an interior trim part, made of synthetic resin, that is provided with an opening and an elastic deformation portion at least part of which projects inward in the opening; and a cushion material, having a sheet shape, that is caught by the elastic deformation portion by being plunged into the opening while elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion, whereby the cushion material is fastened to the interior trim part.

Abstract: A structure for fastening to a trim board a clip that has projection for fastening to a clip fitting seat of the trim board and a second projection for fastening to a vehicle body-side member. The first projection has an engagement portion and the clip fitting seat has multiple latch lugs used to position the clip. A distance between the latch lugs is enlargeable as the engagement portion is engaged therewith. The first projection has at least two types of engagement portions that differ in diameter at locations that are separated in a fastening direction. Thus, the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat in at least two stages, including one state in which the clip is fastened to the clip fitting seat at low fastening load, and a fastened state that is achieved by fastening the clip to the clip fitting seat at high fastening load.

Abstract: A cushion material fastening structure includes: an interior trim part, made of synthetic resin, that is provided with an opening and an elastic deformation portion at least part of which projects inward in the opening; and a cushion material, having a sheet shape, that is caught by the elastic deformation portion by being plunged into the opening while elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion, whereby the cushion material is fastened to the interior trim part.

Abstract: A recording medium comprising on a base material an ink-receiving layer containing an alumina hydrate, said ink-receiving layer being formed by applying a coating liquid containing said alumina hydrate to said base material followed by drying to form a layer to be said ink-receiving layer, swelling said layer to be said ink-receiving layer again, and pressing the swollen layer to a heated mirror-finish drum for drying, the glossiness of the surface of the recording medium on the side of the ink-receiving layer as measured at 20° being 20% or more.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording medium comprising a base material and an ink-receiving layer provided thereon. The ink-receiving layer comprises an upper layer containing an aluminum-based pigment and a lower layer containing an aluminum-based pigment having a BET specific surface area larger than that of the aluminum-based pigment contained in the upper layer.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording medium comprising a base material and an ink-receiving layer provided thereon. The ink-receiving layer comprises an upper layer containing an aluminum-based pigment and a lower layer containing an aluminum-based pigment having a BET specific surface area larger than that of the aluminum-based pigment contained in the upper layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is formed by a pair of substrates each having thereon electrodes, and a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to be movable along surfaces of the substrates. The liquid crystal is disposed over regions extending between the surfaces of the substrates including an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region and a second peripheral region formed along a part or an entirety of outer periphery of the first peripheral region. The liquid crystal is disposed to have a higher liquid crystal molecular pretilt angle in the first peripheral region than in the effective optical modulation region. The liquid crystal is disposed in a random alignment state free from uniaxial alignment characteristic or in a layer structure in the second peripheral region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is formed of a pair of substrates oppositely disposed with adhesive particles dispersed between the substrates, a sealing member disposed along a periphery of the substrates while leaving a liquid crystal injection port to be later sealed, and a liquid crystal disposed in a region surrounded by the sealing member and the liquid crystal injection port later sealed. In the device, the region surrounded by the sealing member for disposing the liquid crystal is divided into a rectangular first region for effective optical modulation and a second region surrounding the first region not contributing to substantial optical modulation, and the adhesive particles are disposed in a dispersed state in the first region and selectively at a portion of the second region in proximity to the injection port so as to minimize a cell gap distribution and provide a broader drive margin temperature characteristic.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The alignment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the alignment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relevant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The alignment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the alignment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relevant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for spraying a spacer material having a sprayer for spraying the spacer material; a charger for applying an electrical charge to the spacer material; and a device for imparting a potential to an electrode disposed in the rear of a plate for constituting a liquid crystal cell wherein the potential causes an electrical attraction to take place between the charged spacer material and the electrode.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The aligment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the aligment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relevant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.

Abstract: A rubbing apparatus is provided with an even number of, e.g., two, rubbing rollers. The two rollers are provided with rubbing clothes wound thereabout and each planted with pile yarn so that the standing directions with inclination of the pile yarn of the two rubbing rollers are parallel to the rotating direction of the rollers and mutually opposite to each other. A plurality of substrates each having an alignment control film thereon are successively rubbed by the rubbing rollers while the rotating direction of the rollers is changed for each substrate. As a result, the substrates are provided with a uniform alignment power free from irregularity. At the same time, the inclination of the pile yarn during the rubbing treatment is prevented, whereby the rubbing cloth can be used for an extended period.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal panel is prepared by injecting a ferroelectric liquid crystal into a liquid crystal panel through a process including at least four steps, i.e., a first step of reducing a pressure and evacuating gas within the liquid crystal panel, a second step of applying the ferroelectric liquid crystal to an injection port of the liquid crystal panel, a third step of causing the liquid crystal to enter into the liquid crystal panel under an increasing pressure, and a fourth step of completing injection of the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal panel under an elevated pressure. In the process, the liquid crystal panel is held at a higher temperature in the first step than in the second step. As a result, it is possible to obtain a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel which contains a ferroelectric liquid crystal at a sufficiently high packing density, free from occurrence of voids even after standing at a low temperature and has a uniform alignment state over the entire panel area.

Abstract: A rubbing apparatus is provided with an even number of, e.g., two, rubbing rollers. The two rollers are provided with rubbing clothes wound thereabout and each planted with pile yarn so that the standing directions with inclination of the pile yarn of the two rubbing rollers are parallel to the rotating direction of the rollers and mutually opposite to each other. A plurality of substrates each having an alignment control film thereon are successively rubbed by the rubbing rollers while the rotating direction of the rollers is changed for each substrate. As a result, the substrates are provided with a uniform alignment power free from irregularity. At the same time, the inclination of the pile yarn during the rubbing treatment is prevented, whereby the rubbing cloth can be used for an extended period.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The alignment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the alignment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relavant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.