Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using the cleaner-less processing, a developer vent is provided to a developing device so as to discharge paper dust mixing in the developing device together with developer comprising carrier and toner or carrier only through the developer vent, when removing residual toner.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring including a cam rib which is formed on a peripheral surface of the cam ring; and a follower ring which is concentric with the cam ring, the follower ring including a pair of cam followers which hold the cam rib between the pair of cam followers. Upon the cam ring and the follower ring being engaged with each other in an assembly process thereof, an inner cam follower of the pair of cam followers first approaches an end of the cam rib in a lengthwise direction thereof, and an outer cam follower of the pair of cam followers subsequently approaches the same end of the cam rib. A portion of the outer cam follower is extended outwards from a position of a peripheral surface of the inner cam follower in a circumferential direction of the follower ring.

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: 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: 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 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 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: A sealing mechanism relating to the present invention is for a vessel which can be closed by a cap having a plug portion and a seal plug. The plug portion has a top wall, a side wall and a cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall forms a receiving chamber arranged to be closed by the seal plug. The vessel has a protruding portion in its opening portion. An outer circumferential portion of the seal plug projects from an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall and is allowed to pass the protruding portion in direction for insertion to the vessel but not for pulling off. A method relating to the present invention to seal the vessel comprises constructing the vessel, charging a first material in the vessel, and closing the vessel by the cap charged with a second material in its receiving chamber and already sealed with the seal plug.

Abstract: There is provided a simply structured, cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of filming without significant remodeling.

Abstract: There is provided a simply structured, cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of filming without significant remodeling.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which is capable of inhibiting filming on photoreceptor and color toner mixing, while prolonging the life of the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A cap has a plastic plug portion and a plastic seal plug. The plug portion has a side wall having an inner circumferential surface arranged to fit on an outer circumferential surface of the opening portion, and a cylindrical wall forming a receiving chamber having an opening at its lower end face, which wall projects from a top wall on the inside of the side wall. The seal plug has the outer diameter being larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical wall and is welded to the lower end face of the cylindrical wall while the receiving chamber is filled with a filling. In a sealing mechanism relating to the present invention, the seal plug closes the opening by being fixed to the cylindrical wall being loosely fitted into a sleeve. The sleeve is welded to the inner circumferential surface of the opening portion.

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: 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). And, 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, remaining 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, the trench (4) is filled with oxide film (6).

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 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: A data managing system that collectively manages raw data obtained in any of X-ray CT apparatuses with the use of a network. Raw data transmitted from any of the X-ray CT apparatuses is stored in the data managing system, and baked up to various kinds of storage devices. Also, the raw data managed by the data managing system is transmitted, at a request, to an arbitrary X-ray CT apparatus at arbitrary timing to be reconstructed therein.

Abstract: A CMOSFET in which a p-type gate electrode and an n-type gate electrode are formed on a silicon substrate. The p-type gate electrode includes, in order, a p-type polycrystalline silicon layer and a tungsten silicide layer. The n-type gate electrode includes, in order, an n-type polycrystaline silicon layer and a tungsten silicide layer. A carbon-containing polycrystalline silicon layer, which is an impurity thermal diffusion prevention layer to suppress the interdiffusion of impurities, is provided between the p-type polycrystalline silicon layer and the tungsten silicide layer.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring including a cam rib which is formed on a peripheral surface of the cam ring; and a follower ring which is concentric with the cam ring, the follower ring including a pair of cam followers which hold the cam rib between the pair of cam followers. Upon the cam ring and the follower ring being engaged with each other in an assembly process thereof, an inner cam follower of the pair of cam followers first approaches an end of the cam rib in a lengthwise direction thereof, and an outer cam follower of the pair of cam followers subsequently approaches the same end of the cam rib. A portion of the outer cam follower is extended outwards from a position of a peripheral surface of the inner cam follower in a circumferential direction of the follower ring.