Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle device capable of allowing a maintenance robot to reliably and accurately recognize the position thereof. The sliding nozzle device includes: a fixed metal frame; and a sliding metal frame slidably provided to the fixed metal frame. The fixed metal frame is provided with a mark block for allowing a maintenance robot to recognize the position thereof. More specifically, the mark block is provided to protrude from a side surface or bottom surface of the fixed metal frame toward the sliding metal frame, at a position free from interference with the sliding metal frame during sliding.

Abstract: A mounting device capable of smoothly mounting a drive unit being in a hanging state to a sliding nozzle device, using a manipulator. The mounting device is mounted to a distal end of a manipulator to mount a drive unit whose upper end is connected to a suspending device, to a holder of a sliding nozzle device. The mounting device includes: a holding part for holding an upper portion or central portion (to-be-held plate) of the drive unit; and a contact part which is contactable with a lower portion (to-be-contacted part) of the drive unit when mounting the drive unit to the holder.

Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.

Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.

Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.

Abstract: A carrier for developing an electrostatic latent image, which carrier comprises core particles having formed thereon a resin coating layer, in which the resin coating layer comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a second resin having a softening point lower than that of the fluorine-containing resin, and the resin and the second resin each are partially exposed on the surface of said resin coating layer. The carrier may be produced by a process comprising the steps of: dry-blending core particles, a fluorine-containing resin, and a second resin having a softening point lower than that of said fluorine-containing resin; and melting the resin blend to coat said core particles. The carrier is excellent in stability with time and environmental changes, causes no adhesion, and is less consumed.

Abstract: A carrier for developing an electrostatic latent image, which carrier comprises core particles having formed thereon a resin coating layer, in which the resin coating layer comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a second resin having a softening point lower than that of the fluorine-containing resin, and the resin and the second resin each are partially exposed on the surface of said resin coating layer. The carrier may be produced by a process comprising the steps of: dry-blending core particles, a fluorine-containing resin, and a second resin having a softening point lower than that of said fluorine-containing resin; and melting the resin blend to coat said core particles. The carrier is excellent in stability with time and environmental changes, causes no adhesion, and is less consumed.