Abstract: A manufacturing method for semiconductor devices having MOSFET gate insulation films. The method includes forming a silicon oxide film, forming a silicon nitride film, nitriding the silicon nitride film, and heat treatment.

Abstract: A lens body tube including at least one component to be fixed therein is provided with at least one first recessed portion, each of which is recessed outward along the radial direction of the lens body tube on a part of the inner circumferential surface of the lens body tube, at least one second recessed portion, each of which is recessed inward along the radial direction of the lens body tube on a part of the outer circumferential surface of a corresponding one of the at least one component which is located such that the outer circumferential surface thereof faces the inner circumferential surface of the lens body tube, and at least one insertion member. Each pair of the at least one first recessed portion and the at least one second recessed portion forms an opening recessed along the axial direction of the lens body tube. A corresponding one of the at least one insertion member is inserted into the opening along the axial direction of the lens body tube.

Abstract: A CPU controls a shutter of a developing device so as to enable movement of a developer between a first chamber and a second chamber that store the developer. The CPU rotates a developing roller and mixers of the first and second chambers for a predetermined time T, and stirs and conveys the developer. Thereby, the developer is moved from the first chamber into the second chamber. The amount of movement of the developer is understandable from the rotational speed and shape of each mixer. Hence, the amount of developer, which is moved from the first chamber to the second chamber, is estimated in advance, and about half the developer in the first chamber is replaced.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus of the invention, a developing roller of a developing device includes a magnet roller that is configured such that a developer supply pole, a developer convey pole and a developer release pole are properly arranged and fixed. The developer roller also includes an outer cylindrical roller that is formed of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum. A surface of the cylindrical roller is processed to have irregularities. Using the developing roller, simultaneous development/cleaning is executed. Thus, 100% of toner contributes to image formation, and no waste toner is produced. Post-transfer residual toner on a photoconductor body is efficiently recovered to the developing roller, and occurrence of an image defect such as development memory can be prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a glittering coating film in which after a glittering base coating film is formed on a substrate to be coated by applying thereto a glittering base coating material containing a colloid particle liquid containing noble metal or copper colloid particles, said glittering base coating film is heated or set, and then a clear coating film is formed by executing any one of the following processes (A) to (F). By the method, a glittering coating film is provided which has weathering resistance and high gloss, and develops a metal feeling or a coloring metal feeling giving rise to a less feeling of metal particles than by the plating-tone coating film, and superior in design property.

Abstract: A cleanerless cartridge in which a photoconductor body and a charger are integrated, and a cleaner-equipped cartridge in which a photoconductor body, a charger and a cleaner are integrated are prepared. An image forming apparatus body is configured such that the cartridges are attachable to first- to fourth-stage image forming sections. When the cleanerless cartridge is attached to the first- to fourth-stage image forming sections, an image forming operation is controlled under an image formation condition for a cleanerless process. When the cleaner-equipped cartridge is attached to the first- to fourth-stage image forming sections, an image forming operation is controlled under an image formation condition for a cleaner-equipped process.

Abstract: A bayonet coupling including an annular groove and bayonet lugs on an inner ring-shaped member and an outer ring-shaped member; and insertion openings formed on either the inner ring-shaped member or the outer ring-shaped member which includes the annular groove. The bayonet lugs includes first bayonet lugs associated with the insertion openings to be insertable into the annular groove through the insertion openings, and a second bayonet lug for which no associated insertion opening is formed. The insertion openings, the first bayonet lugs and the second bayonet lug are shaped so that the second bayonet lug is insertable into the annular groove with axes of the outer and inner ring-shaped members being inclined to each other, and so that the first bayonet lugs are insertable into the annular groove through the insertion openings, respectively, after the second bayonet lug is inserted into the annular groove.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image carrier which retains an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an original image, a developing device which sticks a toner to the electrostatic latent image to develop a toner image on the image carrier, an intermediate transferrer to which the toner image on the image carrier is transferred, a secondary transfer roller which transfers the toner image on the intermediate transferrer onto paper, and a cleaning member which cleans the secondary transfer roller. The secondary transfer roller can move to a first position to contact the intermediate transferrer, and to a second position to be separated from the intermediate transferrer, and the secondary transfer roller contacts the cleaning member at the second position.

Abstract: A separator of a proton exchange fuel cell. In a cell stack of a proton exchange fuel cell, the cell stack composed by laminating a plurality of unit cells and a plurality of separators, each of the unit cells composed of an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a solid polymer electrolytic membrane arranged between the anode and cathode electrodes, each of the separators arranged between the unit cells, respectively, the separator of the proton exchange fuel cell includes a separator substrate and a multi-coating layer formed on the separator substrate. The multi-coating layer includes at least two layers of a low electric resistance layer, a corrosion resistance layer and a peeling resistance layer.

Abstract: There is provided a simply structured, cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of filming without significant remodeling. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d for forming toner images of corresponding colors on photoconductor drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d according to a cleanerless system. These image forming units respectively have adhered toner film cleaners 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d each of which touches a surface of the photoconductor and mechanically cleans the surface at every cleaning timing for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor. The adhered toner film cleaner does nothing during image formation, but cleans the photoconductor surface only at cleaning timing when the image formation is complete for the specified number of sheets. Accordingly, it is possible to decrease filming without affecting the photoconductor's life.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which is capable of inhibiting filing on photoreceptor and color toner mixing, while prolonging the life of the photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor having a photosensitive surface carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image, a developing device for forming a toner image on the photosensitive surface and electrically recovering toner remaining on the photosensitive surface after image forming operation at the photosensitive surface, a transfer belt 101 having a belt surface which is in contact engagement with the photosensitive surface, and a cleaner S for removing toner attached on the belt surface, wherein the contact angle of the photosensitive surface for water is greater than that of the belt surface for water.

Abstract: In a transfer unit of an image forming apparatus, an auxiliary transfer roller and a main transfer roller are provided relative to a photosensitive drum, with a transfer belt interposed. A low voltage for avoiding occurrence of a high electric field is applied to the auxiliary transfer roller, while a high transfer voltage for realizing sufficient transfer is applied to the main transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an image carrier which retains an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an original image, a developing device which sticks a toner to the electrostatic latent image to develop a toner image on the image carrier, an intermediate transferrer to which the toner image on the image carrier is transferred, a secondary transfer roller which transfers the toner image on the intermediate transferrer onto paper, and a cleaning member which cleans the secondary transfer roller. The secondary transfer roller can move to a first position to contact the intermediate transferrer, and to a second position to be separated from the intermediate transferrer, and the secondary transfer roller contacts the cleaning member at the second position.

Abstract: A semiconductor element has an upper wiring layer and a lower wiring layer. The upper and lower wiring layers communicate with each other via a via-hole. The via-hole is filled with W. Before W is filled in the via-hole by a CVD process to connect the lower wiring layer to the upper wiring layer, a cleaning gas is supplied into the via-hole to remove particular substances, which would otherwise result in high resistance. Subsequent to the cleaning step, the W portion is formed in the via-hole. Since the high resistance substances are removed from the via-hole before the formation of the W portion, the semiconductor element (or the via-hole) has a low resistance and high reliability.

Abstract: On a substrate (1), a silicon oxide film (2) is formed. Thereon, a silicon nitride film (3) is formed. And, an opening for a trench is formed by patterning these films. Then, an oxide film including fluorine (8) is formed on the substrate (1). A fluorine diffusing layer (9) is formed by diffusing fluorine from the oxide film including fluorine (8) with its width wider than the opening for a trench. Then a trench (4) is formed, leaving fluorine diffusing layer portions (9a). After this, a thermal oxide film is formed on the inner wall of trench (4). Then the thermal oxide film includes fluorine near the corner of trench (4). This is diffused from the fluorine diffusing layer portions (9a). After all this, the trench (4) is filled with oxide film (6).

Abstract: A cap has a plug portion, a seal plug and a sleeve. At the plug portion a side and a cylindrical wall project from a top board. An inner circumferential surface of the side wall fits on an outer circumferential surface of an opening portion of a vessel and covers the opening portion with the top board. The cylindrical wall forms a receiving chamber having an opening mouth at its under end face. The seal plug seals the opening mouth. The sleeve is loosely fitted on the cylindrical wall and opens the opening mouth by separating the seal plug from the cylindrical wall at relative movement of the cap. A sepal portion on the outer circumference of the sleeve is larger than inner diameter of the opening portion at its outer diameter and has flexibility to pass the inner diameter bending so as to avoid backward moving.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices, the timing for discharging toner in a developing device, in which toner of a previously formed toner image has mixed, is determined by comparing an integrated area of a toner image developed by an upstream-side developing device and an integrated area of a toner image developed by this developing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which is capable of inhibiting filing on photoreceptor and color toner mixing, while prolonging the life of the photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor having a photosensitive surface carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image, a developing device for forming a toner image on the photosensitive surface and electrically recovering toner remaining on the photosensitive surface after image forming operation at the photosensitive surface, a transfer belt 101 having a belt surface which is in contact engagement with the photosensitive surface, and a cleaner S for removing toner attached on the belt surface, wherein the contact angle of the photosensitive surface for water is greater than that of the belt surface for water.

Abstract: A hot crimping structure for fixing at least one lens element to a lens frame made of synthetic resin, the lens element being accommodated in a lens holder opening of the lens frame, a portion of the lens frame being crimped by heat to serve as a crimped edge which lies on a surface of the lens element adjacent to a rim of the lens element. The lens frame includes an outward expansion surface which extends outwards from a close vicinity of the rim of the lens element. A hot crimping tool is brought into contact with the outward expansion surface to form a recess on the outward expansion surface by heat, to thereby produce the crimped edge by movement of melting synthetic resin which is melted due to the formation of the recess.

Abstract: A motor has a stator core having a plurality of salient poles and stator coils wound on the salient poles, respectively, each of the stator coils having a common side coil end part and a coil winding part. The common side coil end part of each of the stator coils extends radially outward from corresponding one of the coil winding parts into a region radially outside of the corresponding coil winding part of the corresponding stator coil. Then, the common side coil end part is bent to extend in the circumferential direction towards adjacent one of the salient poles in the circumferential direction, and connects electrically to a common side coil end part of adjacent one of the stator coils, wherein the common side coil end parts are joined to surround in a circular ring-shaped manner an entire outer circumference of the stator core.