Abstract: In a electrophotographic photoconductor having a single layer type photosensitive layer 3 laminated directly or through an undercoat layer 2 on an electroconductive substrate 1, the single layer type photosensitive layer 3 contains at least a resin binder, a charge generating substance, a hole transfer substance and an electron transfer substance, wherein the hole transfer substance is a compound represented by the general formula (HT1) shown below and an electrophotographic apparatus comprise this photoconductor. This electrophotographic photoconductor has good electric property in positive charge and good stability in repeated use.

Abstract: An image reader for facsimile machines etc. includes an image sensor, a platen movable to and from the image sensor and having an end, and a locking mechanism capable of holding the platen in a state pressed against the image sensor. The locking mechanism includes a platen support for rotatably supporting the end of the platen, and a rotatable support supporting the platen support so that the platen is allowed to move to and from the image sensor, the rotatable support disallowing the platen to move to and from the image sensor so that the platen is held in the state pressed against the image sensor, when the platen support is rotatively moved in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A variable gain amplification circuit can increase a dynamic range without increasing an offset voltage. The variable gain amplification circuit amplifies an input signal by a desired gain. An amplification circuit amplifies the input signal by a predetermined gain based on a bias current. A bias current control circuit controls the bias current based on a level of the input signal. The bias current supplied to the amplification circuit can be reduced when there is no input signal, and the bias current increases as the level of the input signal increases. Thus, an offset voltage can be decreased while a sufficient dynamic range is maintained.

Abstract: A sheet-testing apparatus including kneading rolls, a frame feeder, sheet applicator, foreign material detector, a frame with a light transparent window and a cutter for cutting a sheet. A sheet thickness detection apparatus outputs an electric signal to a memory. A kneading apparatus has a pair of heating rolls separated by a gap. The directions and speeds of rotations of the rolls are adjustable. A sensor detects the gap and a bank sensor detects the condition of a bank in the gap. The distance between the rolls, their temperatures, rotations, and speeds are automatically controlled. A pair of blades peel a sheet from the sheet-winding roll. Material dropped through the gap between the heating rolls is returned to a point above the gap. A cutting device has a length of wire sprung onto a rolled sheet to sever the sheet. A heating roll cleaning device brings cleaning rolls into sliding engagement with the heating rolls.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor is provided which principally consists of an electrically conductive substrate, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer which contains an orange dye compound. Preferably, the orange dye compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-o-tolylazo-2-naphthol, 5-(9-anthracenyl methylene) amino-3-methyl-1-tolylpyrazole, 4,5-diiodo-3,6-fluoranediol, and 4,5-dibromo-3,6-fluoranediol.

Abstract: First and second input signals are supplied to the bases of first and second input transistors, respectively, and the first and second input transistors output currents in accordance with the first and second input signals, respectively. A resistor provided between the emitter of the first input transistor and the emitter of the second input. transistor generates the differential voltage of the first input signal and the second input signal. First and second constant-current sources supply currents to the collectors of the first and second input transistors, respectively. The collectors of first and second control transistors are connected to the emitters of the first and second input transistors, respectively, and the base voltages of the first and second control transistors are controlled in accordance with the emitter currents of the first and second input transistors, respectively.

Abstract: A sheet-testing apparatus including kneading rolls, a frame feeder, sheet applicator, foreign material detector, a frame with a light transparent window and a cutter for cutting a sheet. A sheet-testing sample-making apparatus has a cluster of kneading rolls, frame feeder, and sheet applicator. A sheet thickness detection apparatus outputs an electric signal to a memory. A kneading apparatus has a pair of heating rolls separated by a gap. The directions and speeds of rotations of the rolls are adjustable. A sensor detects the gap and a bank sensor detects the condition of a bank in the gap. The distance between the rolls, their temperatures, rotations, and speeds are automatically controlled. A pair of blades peel a sheet from the sheet-winding roll. Material dropped through the gap between the heating rolls is returned to a point above the gap. A cutting device has a length of wire sprung onto a rolled sheet to sever the sheet.

Abstract: To provide a manufacturing method of thin film transistors (TFT) using poly-silicone and having an LDD structure. In particular, the LDD sections of the TFTs are formed in an improved method so as to achieve a high throughput and stable performance of the TFTs. To be specific, the LD region is doped at a low concentration in the ion implantation method which includes mass spectrometry because high controllability over a dose is required. On the other hand, the source and drain regions are doped at a higher concentration than the LD region in the ion showering method which does not include mass spectrometry. Using the ion showering method, poly-crystal silicon can be doped such that less doping damage is caused thereto. This makes it possible to apply a lower temperature for annealing, such as RTA, to activate doped impurities so as to prevent the substrate from being curved.

Abstract: An optical guide device in an optical reading system incorporated in a facsimile device, copying machine, image scanner and the like includes an array of LEDs and a light guide plate. When the light guide plate is cut along the longitudinal axis to give a cross-section in which the thickness appears, the cross-section is in a tapered shape and the thickness of the light guide plate at the side confronting the light array increases toward the opposite side facing the document. The light emerging from the light guide plate is high and uniform in light intensity level, so that a CCD unit picks up the light reflected from the document with high accuracy.

Abstract: In an overdischarge detection device which is connected between positive and negative load current lines for connecting a chargeable electric cell with a load and which comprises an overdischarge detection circuit including a voltage comparing section for detecting that a cell voltage of the electric cell falls below a threshold voltage to prohibit discharging operation, an adjusting circuit connected to the overdischarge detection circuit detects a particular voltage of a specified part that corresponds to a load current varying in response to relative weight of the load to adjust the threshold voltage on the basis of the particular voltage. Preferably, the adjusting circuit may be constructed so as to clamp the threshold voltage when the particular voltage is higher than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A protection circuit for an electric cell comprises an overcharge detection circuit (43-1, 43-2) and an overdischarge detection circuit (44-1, 44-2) both of which are connected to a chargeable electric cell (41, 42) to detect an overcharged condition and an overdischarged condition of the electric cell (41, 42), respectively. A switch (S11, S12) is inserted in a power supply line of the chargeable electric cell (41, 42) and is turned off, when the overcharge detection circuit (43-1, 43-2) or the overdischarge detection circuit (44-1, 44-2) detects the overcharged or the overdischarged condition, thereby inhibiting a charging or a discharging operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically inspecting powdery products is disclosed having a plurality of automatic inspection devices each device processing, in parallel, a subdivision of a supplied sample of a powdery product. Each device is controlled by a corresponding terminal computer. To one terminal computer there are connected a device for reading sample information attached to the supplied powdery sample and a device for recording, on the sample subdivisions, information concerning conditions for inspection established by the terminal computer on the basis of the sample information read by the first reading device. To each of the other terminal computers there is connected a corresponding device for reading the information concerning conditions for inspection recorded on the subdivision of the sample. Each terminal computer controls the operation of the automatic inspection devices on the basis of the information concerning conditions for inspection read by each corresponding reading device.

Abstract: A secondary battery protection unit comprises a discharge switch (41) and a charge switch (42) inserted in an electric path between a positive terminal (B1) and a negative terminal (B2) together with secondary cells (1 and 2) connected in cascade to the discharge and the charge switches (41 and 42), overcharge detection circuits (45 and 46), and an activation control circuit (17) including a current mirror circuit. The activation control circuit (17) detects a voltage difference between both ends of a combination or one of the discharge and the charge switches (41 and 42) to judge whether or not the secondary cells perform a charging operation or a discharging operation. Only during the charging operation, the activation control circuit (17) makes the current mirror circuit supply a bias voltage to the overcharge detection circuits (45 and 46) to allow activation thereof. During the discharging operation, supply of the bias voltage is inhibited to save excessive power consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically determining the rate of plasticizer absorption of a powdery resin sample such as a vinyl chloride resin sample. The apparatus for automatically determining the rate of plasticizer absorption of a powdery resin sample is one in which the rate of plasticizer absorption is determined by treating, in a centrifugal separator 10, a powdery resin contained in an inspection container 2 together with an excess of a plasticizer, to remove from the powdery resin sample the excess plasticizer, and determining the amount of the plasticizer absorbed by and remaining in the powdery resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and continuously inspecting a powdery product for the presence of foreign substances as contaminants, which permits highly precise inspection of powdery products, comprises static charge eliminator 10 for eliminating electrostatic charges generated on a powdery sample supplied to the apparatus; hopper 41 for receiving and storing the powdery sample whose electrostatic charges have been eliminated and dropped onto the hopper through static charge eliminator 10; conveyor 42 for conveying the powdery sample, as a subject to be photographed, discharged from hopper 41 and spread over conveyor 42 in the form of a layer having a uniform thickness; and video camera 43 for photographing, over a predetermined visual field, the powdery sample on the subject-conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a solution of a powdery product as a specimen of viscosity measurement. The apparatus includes electronic discharge-weighing device (4) for determining the amount of the powdery sample in sample container (2), introduced into hopper (6) and discharged therefrom by vibration-generating drive (5); dissolution container (12) for receiving and dissolving the powdery sample from hopper (6); electronic balance (13)for weighing the powdery sample in container (12); supply source (14) for solvent into container (12); device (36) for heating and stirring the powdery sample and the solvent in container (12), and a control circuit for controlling the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits continuous automatic determination of the bulk specific gravity of a powdery sample and highly precise measurement thereof. The apparatus comprises a robot 3 transporting a container 2 filled with a powdery sample; a funnel 4 provided with a damper, which receives the powdery sample discharged from the container 2; a damper-driving unit 5a for pulling out and pushing the damper 5; a sample sensor 7 for detecting the powdery sample dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a constant volume receiver 6 for receiving dropped through the funnel 4 provided with a damper; a scraping bar 8 for sliding the upper face of the constant volume receiver 6; a scraping bar-driving unit 8a for reciprocating the scraping bar 8; a constant volume receiver-conveying robot 21 transporting the constant volume receiver 6; an electronic balance 22 which determines the weight the powdery sample in the constant volume receiver 6; and a cleaner 23 for aspirating the weighed powdery sample.

Abstract: An efficient and reliable method and a system are proposed for detecting colored foreign particles in a white or light-colored powdery product such as a polyvinyl chloride resin with an object of product inspection and quality control. The method comprises the steps of eliminating static electricity from the powder, e.g., by spraying ethyl alcohol, continuously feeding the powder at a controlled rate on to a belt conveyor to form a uniform powder layer having a flat and even surface thereon, bringing the powder layer below a reflection-type laser-beam scanning detector projecting a laser beam with scanning and receiving the reflected beam and monitoring the output signals coming out of the detector.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image forming apparatus includes a dielectric drum (10) a surface of which is uniformly charged in a predetermined polarity by a charging corotron (16). A recording head (18) includes a transparent base plate (30), a transparent electrode (32) and a photoconductive layer (34) composed of an amorphous silicon are formed on the transparent base plate in this order. A plurality of discharging electrodes (36) are formed on the photoconductive layer. A bias voltage (46) having a reverse polarity of the charged polarity being charging by the charging corotron is applied. When a light signal in accordance with an image to be formed is entered on the back surface of the transparent base plate, carriers, that is, holes and electrons are generated in the photoconductive layer, the carrier having the same polarity as the bias voltage is discharged onto the dielectric drum through the discharging electrodes.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive sensor comprises a blocking layer, a photoconductive layer and a surface layer made mainly of microcrystalline or amorphous silicon and/or germanium and formed on a conductive substrate. At least one of the layers including the blocking layer, the photoconductive layer or the surface layer includes a multilayer which includes a plurality of constituent thin layers having different optical energy band gaps.