Abstract: A heat fixing member according to the invention has a surface layer formed on the surface of the substrate with a three-layer structure of a primer layer, an middle layer, and a topcoat layer. The binder-resin content decreases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The fluorocarbon-resin content increases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The topcoat layer is made of a fluorocarbon resin having high ability of release and a fluorocarbon resin having high abrasion resistance. Thus, the surface layer can be prevented from peeling without losing ability of release and can be decreased in abrasion.

Abstract: A hair processing composition contains an alkoxysilane (1); an organic acid; and water and has a pH in a range of from 2 to 5. A method for processing hair includes mixing while stirring the above-described hair processing composition and allowing a silanol compound (2) produced through hydrolysis of the alkoxysilane (1) represented by general formula (1) to penetrate into the hair. A method for processing hair further includes applying to hair an acidic aqueous solution or an alkaline aqueous solution after the silanol compound (2) has penetrated into the hair to accelerate the polymerization of the silanol compound. R1pSi(OR2)4?p ??(1) R1pSi(OH)n(OR2)4?p?n ??(2) wherein R1 and R2 represent a C1-C6 alkyl group or a C2-C6 alkenyl group, p represents an integer of from 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of not less than 1 and not more than (4?p).

Abstract: A heat fixing member according to the invention has a surface layer formed on the surface of the substrate with a three-layer structure of a primer layer, an middle layer, and a topcoat layer. The binder-resin content decreases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The fluorocarbon-resin content increases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The topcoat layer is made of a fluorocarbon resin having high ability of release and a fluorocarbon resin having high abrasion resistance. Thus, the surface layer can be prevented from peeling without losing ability of release and can be decreased in abrasion.

Abstract: A heat fixing member according to the invention has a surface layer formed on the surface of the substrate with a three-layer structure of a primer layer, an middle layer, and a topcoat layer. The binder-resin content decreases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The fluorocarbon-resin content increases in order from the primer layer to the topcoat layer. The topcoat layer is made of a fluorocarbon resin having high ability of release and a fluorocarbon resin having high abrasion resistance. Thus, the surface layer can be prevented from peeling without losing ability of release and can be decreased in abrasion.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a cassette for containing a plurality of stacked sheets, a holding member for holding sheets from above, a pickup roller which contacts the uppermost sheet from above during one rotation, thereby feeding and transporting the uppermost sheet, a rotatable subsidiary holding member which is rotated in synchronization with a rotation of the pickup roller and in the same rotating direction as the pickup roller, and contacts and holds the sheets from above during each rotation before the pickup roller contacts the uppermost sheet. The distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the rotatable subsidiary holding member which contacts the uppermost sheet is equal to, or greater than the distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the pickup roller which contacts the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a cassette for containing a plurality of stacked sheets, a holding member for holding sheets from above, a pickup roller which contacts the uppermost sheet from above during one rotation, thereby feeding and transporting the uppermost sheet, a rotatable subsidiary holding member which is rotated in synchronization with a rotation of the pickup roller and in the same rotating direction as the pickup roller, and contacts and holds the sheets from above during each rotation before the pickup roller contacts the uppermost sheet. The distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the rotatable subsidiary holding member which contacts the uppermost sheet is equal to, or greater than the distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the pickup roller which contacts the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a cassette for containing a plurality of stacked sheets, a holding member for holding sheets from above, a pickup roller which contacts the uppermost sheet from above during one rotation, thereby feeding and transporting the uppermost sheet, a rotatable subsidiary holding member which is rotated in synchronization with a rotation of the pickup roller and in the same rotating direction as the pickup roller, and contacts and holds the sheets from above during each rotation before the pickup roller contacts the uppermost sheet. The distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the rotatable subsidiary holding member which contacts the uppermost sheet is equal to, or greater than the distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the pickup roller which contacts the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a cassette for containing a plurality of stacked sheets, a holding member for holding sheets from above, a pickup roller which contacts the uppermost sheet from above during one rotation, thereby feeding and transporting the uppermost sheet, a rotatable subsidiary holding member which is rotated in synchronization with a rotation of the pickup roller and in the same rotating direction as the pickup roller, and contacts and holds the sheets from above during each rotation before the pickup roller contacts the uppermost sheet. The distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the rotatable subsidiary holding member which contacts the uppermost sheet is equal to, or greater than the distance between a rotation axis and that surface of the pickup roller which contacts the sheet.

Abstract: In forming a desired print gap between a sheet of paper fed on a platen and a print head by driving a moving mechanism for changing a space between the platen and the print head, a condition where the space between the platen and the print head becomes smaller than a predetermined value is detected, and in this case the space between the platen and the print head is increased by a driving portion for driving the moving mechanism. Accordingly, when a thin paper is used as the sheet of paper, cutting, wrinkling, etc. of the thin paper can be prevented.