Abstract: An elastic blade is used in a developing device for controlling the amount of a developing agent (or a thickness of a developing agent fed onto a developing sleeve). The blade has on its surface an electrifying layer formed out of a specific polyamide elastomer. The polyamide elastomer is comprised preferably of a block copolymer of polyamide and polyester.

Abstract: A fluid switching valve comprises a valve box and a rotary valve element. The valve box is provided with a plurality of fluid inlets and a single fluid outlet connected with each other by a fluid passage, wherein the rotary valve element is formed to block the fluid passage for an arbitrary rotational angle of the valve element, by engaging with an inner wall of the fluid passage. The valve element carries on an outer surface thereof a plurality of grooves in correspondence to the plurality of fluid inlets, wherein each of the grooves has a cross sectional area that changes from a first end to a second end, such that a sum of the cross sectional areas of the plurality of grooves is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: A cleaning member which is a cleaning blade for cleaning the discharging port formation surface of the ink jet recording head for an ink jet recording apparatus includes polyether polyurethane obtainable by the reaction between a hardening agent and the polyether urethane prepolymer which is obtained by the reaction between polyoxyalkyleneglycol and polyisocyanate, and an ink jet recording apparatus which uses the aforesaid cleaning blade enables a desirable image to be obtained for a long time without replacing cleaning blades.

Abstract: A developer amount controlling member which has a support layer for controlling pressure and an elastic layer for controlling triboelectricity provided thereon, wherein both end portions of the developer amount controlling member are curved from the central portion thereof towards the elastic layer side.

Abstract: An elastic blade for press contacting a developing roller to regulate a thickness of a layer of developing agent conveyed by the developing roller to a developing area includes a springlike supporting plate, and a centrifugally molded rubber elastic layer coated on the supporting plate.

Abstract: A fluid switching valve comprises a valve box and a rotary valve element. The valve box is provided with a plurality of fluid inlets and a single fluid outlet connected with each other by a fluid passage, wherein the rotary valve element is formed to block the fluid passage for an arbitrary rotational angle of the valve element, by engaging with an inner wall of the fluid passage. The valve element carries on an outer surface thereof a plurality of grooves in correspondence to the plurality of fluid inlets, wherein each of the grooves has a cross sectional area that changes from a first end to a second end, such that a sum of the cross sectional areas of the plurality of grooves is maintained substantially constant.

Abstract: In an optical element, an optically transparent substance is sandwiched between transparent paired plate-shaped elements by utilizing a connection member capable of deforming, and the angle formed by the paired plate-shaped elements is caused to vary by a force applied thereto from the outside, so that a predetermined optical characteristic for the passing light rays is obtained. The connection member is constructed from a high-molecular material capable of molding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member for regulating the quantity of a developer, that is free from deterioration in the physical properties thereof, even if the same is used for a long time. The member regulates the quantity of a developer being made of a polyurethane rubber composition which contains an amine-type catalyst.

Abstract: A cleaning blade is formed of a polyurethane elastomer obtained by using a hardener composition including at least trimethylolpropane. The polyurethane elastomer has the properties of (1) a trimethylolpropane concentration of at least 0.10 mM/g; (2) a urethane group concentration of at least 2.20 mM/g; and (3) a tan.delta. having a maximum value at a temperature of at most 12.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device including: a process chamber capable of being evacuated; a wafer susceptor disposed in the process chamber, the wafer susceptor having a plane on which a wafer to be processed is placed; a plurality of gas flow paths forming a structure of a plurality of spirals, facing the table, and being disposed along a flat plane generally parallel to the plane of the susceptor; and a plurality of gas ejecting holes formed in a plane of the gas flow paths facing the susceptor, for and along each gas flow path. A plurality of processes can be performed in the same chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning blade for electrophotography has a blade body having a rubbery elasticity and a coating layer covering the surface of the blade body. The coating layer is composed of lubricating particles and a binder resin having a lubricability and a wear resistance. The blade body extends parallel to an axis of the latent image support.

Abstract: An elastic blade which is maintained in contact with the developing sleeve for defining the thickness of one-component developer to be transported by the developing sleeve to a developing area, is composed of an elastic base member, and a surface layer coated thereon and giving friction on the one-component developer, and the surface layer contains a substance chargeable frictionally to a polarity opposite to the triboelectric polarity of the one-component developer and another substance chargeable frictionally to a polarity the same as the triboelectric polarity of the one-component developer, and is charged frictionally, in total, to a polarity opposite to the polarity of the one-component developer.

Abstract: A cleaning blade for electrophotography, including an urethane elastomeric material incorporated with a porous nylon powder in such a manner that particles of the powder are embedded into the urethane elastomeric material.

Abstract: A process of producing a cleaning blade including a silicon rubber base and a resin layer which acts as a lubricant on the surface of the rubber is produced by molding a rubber material having resin powder dispersed therein at a temperature less than the softening or melting point of the resin, cutting an end of the rubber, and vulcanizing the molded rubber at a temperature higher than the softening or melting point of the resin. The resin layer is selected from polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, or polyester.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning blade of a cleaning device for eliminating remaining toner powder from a surface of an image-holding member. The cleaning blade is constituted of silicone rubber. The silicone rubber contains not more than 5% by weight of a low-viscosity organosiloxane component, has rubber hardness within the range of from 40.degree. to 90.degree., and cause permanent compression set of not more than 20% according to JIS A.

Abstract: The cleaning portion of a cleaning blade made of an elastomeric material is coated with graphite fluoride by applying graphite fluoride powder directly to the blade or applying to the blade a dispersion of graphite fluoride powder in a solvent and evaporating the solvent. Alternatively, graphite fluoride powder can be mixed with the elastomeric material from which the cleaning portion of the cleaning blade is formed.

Abstract: A blade comprising a polymeric elastomer containing a low surface energy compound, wherein the low surface energy compound exists in the polymeric elastomer as primary particles with an average particle size of 1 .mu.m or less or the low surface energy compound is in a mutually dissolved state in the polymeric elastomer, and a method for preparation thereof.A blade comprising a molded product obtained by curing a silicone-modified prepolymer formed by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and silicone oil in a solvent, and a method for preparation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of the spinal column is provided with apparatus for obliquely applying at least one light beam to each of the left and right backs of a subject in parallel with an imaginary spinal line, and apparatus for comparing and detecting the positions on the left and right backs to which the light beams have been applied.