Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus including a tubular film, a heater provided at an inside of the film, a protection element provided at the inside of the film, and at least one conductive member provided at the inside of the film. The protection element includes two terminals and a switch that turns off to shut off power to the heater when the heater abnormally generates heat. A first end of the conductive member is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the protection element. The conductive member is not coated with an insulator, and a second end of the conductive member projects out of the film so that the cost of the fixing apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a main tray, a discharge unit, and an expansion tray. The main tray is pivotable between a closed position and open position relative to a sheet discharge apparatus main body. The discharge unit discharges the sheet onto the main tray in the closed position. The expansion tray expands a main tray stacking area and is movable between a storage position where the expansion tray is stored in the main tray and an expansion position where the expansion tray is slid from the storage position in a sheet discharge direction and expands the stacking area. At the expansion position, the expansion tray is pivotable independently of the main tray. A direction in which the expansion tray is pivoted upward is the same as a direction in which the main tray is pivoted from the closed to the opened position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an apparatus main body; an openable and closable member provided on the apparatus main body; an image reading portion configured to read an image of an original, the image reading portion being supported on the apparatus main body and being movable to a first position and to a second position; and a stopper member configured to move in conjunction with a movement of the image reading portion, wherein when the image reading portion is moved to the first position, the stopper member is moved to a restricting position for restricting the openable and closable member from moving from a closed position to an open position, and wherein when the image reading portion is moved to the second position, the stopper member is moved to an allowing position for allowing the openable and closable member to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A paper output tray includes: a tray main body where sheets discharged from an apparatus main body are stacked; a first extension tray which is to be housed in the tray main body on a lower surface side thereof so as to be pullable forward from a front end of the tray main body; and a second extension tray which is rotatably supported by the first extension tray and is expandable from a closed state, in which the second extension tray is folded on the upper surface of the first extension tray, to an open state in which the second extension tray extends forward of the first extension tray. The first extension tray has a support portion extending downward from the upper surface where the sheets are stacked, and the second extension tray is rotatably supported by the support portion.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a main tray, a discharge unit, and an expansion tray. The main tray is pivotable between a closed position and open position relative to a sheet discharge apparatus main body. The discharge unit discharges the sheet onto the main tray in the closed position. The expansion tray expands a main tray stacking area and is movable between a storage position where the expansion tray is stored in the main tray and an expansion position where the expansion tray is slid from the storage position in a sheet discharge direction and expands the stacking area. At the expansion position, the expansion tray is pivotable independently of the main tray. A direction in which the expansion tray is pivoted upward is the same as a direction in which the main tray is pivoted from the closed to the opened position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a first outer cover, a second outer cover adjacent to the first outer cover, a third outer cover adjacent to both of the first outer cover and the second outer cover, a common positioning portion provided on the first outer cover and configured to position both of the second outer cover and the third outer cover relative to the first outer cover, a first positioned portion provided on the second outer cover and configured to be positioned relative to the common positioning portion, and a second positioned portion provided on the third outer cover and configured to be positioned together with the first positioned portion relative to the common positioning portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus including a tubular film, a heater provided at an inside of the film, a protection element provided at the inside of the film, and at least one conductive member provided at the inside of the film. The protection element includes two terminals and a switch that turns off to shut off power to the heater when the heater abnormally generates heat. A first end of the conductive member is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the protection element. The conductive member is not coated with an insulator, and a second end of the conductive member projects out of the film so that the cost of the fixing apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: A paper output tray includes: a tray main body where sheets discharged from an apparatus main body are stacked; a first extension tray which is to be housed in the tray main body on a lower surface side thereof so as to be pullable forward from a front end of the tray main body; and a second extension tray which is rotatably supported by the first extension tray and is expandable from a closed state, in which the second extension tray is folded on the upper surface of the first extension tray, to an open state in which the second extension tray extends forward of the first extension tray. The first extension tray has a support portion extending downward from the upper surface where the sheets are stacked, and the second extension tray is rotatably supported by the support portion.

Abstract: A transfer device can make more stable contact with a belt, thus yielding preferable transfer performance. In an image-forming apparatus in which the transfer device has a sheet member, the sheet member includes a conductive sheet, and an electrical connection path section (power source connecting section) for supplying voltage to the conductive sheet from the primary transfer power source, and the power source connecting section is arranged outside an image formation enabling region where a toner image can be formed on a photosensitive drum, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to cause a transfer device to make more stable contact with a belt, thus yielding preferable transfer performance. In an image-forming apparatus 100 in which the transfer device has a sheet member 52, the sheet member 52 includes a conductive sheet 52b, and an electrical connection path section (power source connecting section 55) for supplying voltage to the conductive sheet 52b from the primary transfer power source 16, and the power source connecting section 55 is arranged outside an image formation enabling region Lp where a toner image can be formed on a photosensitive drum 1, in a perpendicular direction to the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 7.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell has an insulating substrate divided into a plurality of unit cells by alternately forming patterning lines in layers stacked on two faces of the insulating substrate; a rear face electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent electrode layer stacked in order on one face of the insulating substrate accordingly; and a back face electrode layer deposited on the other face of the insulating substrate. The photovoltaic cell further has a first penetrating hole penetrating the insulating substrate to electrically connect the transparent electrode layer and the back face electrode layer; a second penetrating hole penetrating the insulating substrate to electrically connect the rear face electrode layer and the back face electrode layer; and a transparent electrode layer removal portion in which the transparent electrode layer at least in a region surrounding the second penetrating hole is removed by an ultraviolet pulsed laser.

Abstract: A method for providing design data and a system for providing design data that enable a lens processor to manufacture a desired inner-surface progressive addition lens corresponding to prescription data. A design data providing system is a system such that a design data creator provides design data of an inner-surface progressive addition lens to a lens processor in the case where the lens processor has agreed upon a contract to the effect that the lens processor receives provision of the design data of the inner-surface progressive addition lens from the design data creator on the condition that the lens processor pays a consideration. The design data providing system has a server device as a host computer device, a terminal computer device, and a network for connecting the server device to the terminal computer device.

Abstract: A method for providing design data and a system for providing design data that enable a lens processor to manufacture a desired inner-surface progressive addition lens corresponding to prescription data. A design data providing system is a system such that a design data creator provides design data of an inner-surface progressive addition lens to a lens processor in the case where the lens processor has agreed upon a contract to the effect that the lens processor receives provision of the design data of the inner-surface progressive addition lens from the design data creator on the condition that the lens processor pays a consideration. The design data providing system has a server device as a host computer device, a terminal computer device, and a network for connecting the server device to the terminal computer device.

Abstract: Harmful effects of histamine are counteracted by the administration of an antihistaminic substance comprising a water extract of a plant tissue of Stevia. Standing of the extract naturally cause fermentation to form one or more organic acids, such as lactic acid and acetic acid, thereby enhancing the antihistaminic action. The addition of at least one organic acid to the extract immediately after extraction can also enhance the antihistaminic action.

Abstract: An antihistaminic substance comprising an extract from a plant tissue of Stevia, which is primarily contained in its stems and leaves, and in a cold water, hot water or lower alcohol extract thereof. Standing of the extract naturally causes fermentation to separate one or more organic acids such as lactic acid and acetic acid, thereby more enhancing the antihistaminic action. The addition of at least one organic acid to the extract immediately after extraction can also enhance the antihistiminic action. When rainbow trout or broilers are fed diets containing histamine, this extract significantly relieves the action of histamine. The extract also represses symptoms such as flare, itch and pain caused by excessive release of activated histamine or a histaminic substance, thus providing an antihistaminic substance of natural origin having no side effects.

Abstract: A system for identifying jewels comprises an automatic microscope 2, an automatic image-analyzing apparatus 3, an electric-resistance measuring apparatus 4, a weighing apparatus 5, a spectroscopic-analysis apparatus 6, and an electronic information processing apparatus 7. The microscope 2 forms an enlarged image of an identification number 11d marked on a jewel to be identified. The image-analyzing apparatus 3 receives the image of the identification number 11d from the microscope 2, and analyzes it. The measuring apparatus 4 measures the electric resistance between spots 11a and 11b marked on the jewel. The weighing apparatus 5 determines the specific gravity of the jewel to the nearest 0.001 gram. The spectroscopic-analysis apparatus 6 directs a beam of light of particular band on a spot 11c marked on the jewel, and determines the spectrum of the light reflected from the spot 11c.

Abstract: A photochargeable air battery is disclosed possessing a negative electrode 22 which discharges by oxidation of metal material 22a, a positive electrode 21 comprising a oxygen catalyst, electrolyte 23 filling the inside of battery case 27 between negative electrode 22 and positive electrode 21, and battery case 27 housing positive electrode 21, negative electrode 22 and electrolyte 23 in addition to possessing light receptor 22a which injects light into negative electrode 22. As a result, discharging is performed by oxidation of metal material 22a comprising negative electrode 22, while charging is performed by reducing the oxidized metal material by means of irradiating light from light receptor 27a onto the metal material 22 which is oxidized by this discharging.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing such as Portland cement from pulverant raw material having a preheater, an auxiliary furnace 22, a rotary kiln 2, a cooler, and a single blower connected to the top of the preheater to draw air and combustion gases through the kiln, auxiliary furnace and preheater. Preheater receives waste gas from the rotary kiln for flow through first, second, third and fourth level cyclones, with the first level cyclone(s) C.sub.1 being at an elevation higher than the kiln and the second, third and fourth level cyclones (C.sub.2, C.sub.3 and C.sub.4) each being at successively higher elevations. The auxiliary furnace 22 is preferably at the approximate level of the second level cyclone C.sub.2. The auxiliary furnace 22 is fed pulverant material from third level cyclone C.sub.3 and discharges pulverant material to a flue leading from the kiln to first level cyclones C.sub.