Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, with which it is possible to form a desired coloring pattern upon an absorbent article and to reliably manage the quality of said coloring pattern. Provided is a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, in which: microcapsules, which are provided upon a substrate and in which coloring agents are enclosed, are destroyed in a prescribed pattern, and the coloring agents discharged upon the substrate; and the substrate is coated with a developer, causing the coloring to be expressed in the prescribed pattern via a reaction between the coloring agents and the developer.

Abstract: A valve body includes an arm inserted portion that accommodates a part of a valve arm. A relation of hx<h1 is satisfied, provided that: a surface of the valve body that is in contact with a valve seat when an opening/closing valve closes a passing hole is a sealing surface; the valve arm and the opening/closing valve are in contact with each other on a contact surface when the opening/closing valve closes the passing hole; a surface of the contact surface that is the closest to the sealing surface is a valve-closed contact surface; hx is a size of thickness from the sealing surface to the valve-closed contact surface; and h1 is a size of thickness of the valve body.

Abstract: In an absorbent article, a base sheet and an absorption core have therein a recessed part extending in the thickness direction. The recessed part has a bottom part and a wall part raised from the bottom part toward the base sheet. The base sheet has, in the recessed part, a colored region which can be visually recognized from the skin side. A coloration gray scale value (display is performed with black being set to 0 and white being set to an arbitrarily determined positive value) of a linear region, which includes a borderline between the bottom part and the wall part and has a predetermined width, is smaller than coloration gray scale values of both regions, which are situated on both sides of the linear region so as to be adjacent thereto and each of which has a width equal to the width of the linear region.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a colored region between a top sheet and an absorbent core, with a color different from that of the top sheet and being visible through the top sheet. A liquid-permeable substrate sheet between the top sheet and the absorbent core includes a fiber material. A microparticle adhesion region is where non-absorbent and water-insoluble microparticles of a color different from the color of the colored region have been adhered to the fiber material of the substrate sheet, with the average particle size of the microparticles being less than the average width of the fiber material of the substrate sheet. In the thickness direction, the microparticle adhesion region includes a region overlapping with both the colored region and a surrounding region that surrounds the colored region.

Abstract: At least one first circumferential direction groove is formed on a tread portion, the first circumferential direction groove including a plurality of bent portions so as to be extended in a zigzag manner in a tire circumferential direction. At least one lateral groove communicated with the first circumferential direction groove and extended in a tire width direction is formed. The bent portion is bent at an angle between 12 degrees and 41 degrees against a tire circumferential direction. A groove width of the first circumferential direction groove is set in a range between 13 mm and 19 mm. The first lateral groove includes an arc-shaped curve portion. A groove depth of the first lateral groove is smaller than a groove depth of the first circumferential direction groove. A groove width of the first lateral groove is smaller than a groove width of the first circumferential direction groove.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing provided with a conveyance path, a conveyance unit which conveys a sheet along the conveyance path, a discharge port from which the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path is discharged, a discharge tray on which the sheet discharged from the discharge port is stacked, and an attitude change unit which changes an attitude of the discharge tray. The discharge tray includes a first sheet receiving surface which is a portion facing the discharge port in a discharge direction of the sheet and on which a leading edge of the sheet lands, and a second sheet receiving surface which is formed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the first sheet receiving surface. The attitude change unit changes the attitude of the discharge tray so that the first sheet receiving surface of the discharge tray is inclined toward the discharge port.

Abstract: Provided is a process for recovering pulp fiber from used sanitary goods which contain both pulp fiber and a superabsorbent polymer and producing a recycled pulp which contains little ash and which is reusable for sanitary goods. This process comprises: a calcium treatment step for treating used sanitary goods with a water-soluble calcium compound and thereby conducting the dehydration of a superabsorbent polymer contained in the used sanitary goods; a disintegration step for applying a physical force to the used sanitary goods to disintegrate the used sanitary goods into pulp fiber and other materials; a separation step for separating the pulp fiber from a pulp fiber/other materials mixture which has been formed in the disintegration step; a disinfecting step using a disinfectant; and a citric acid treatment step for subjecting the separated pulp fiber to treatment with an aqueous citric acid solution at an acidic pH.

Abstract: A steering device includes a rolling-element bearing that rotationally supports a rotating member in a housing. The rolling-element bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, first rolling elements, and second rolling elements. The first rolling elements and second rolling elements are disposed in parallel in the axial direction between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring includes a first split race having a first inner peripheral track surface and a second split race having a second inner peripheral track surface. The steering device further includes a fixing structure configured to fix the rolling-element bearing to the outer periphery of the rotating member in a state where a load is applied to the first split race, the first rolling element, the outer ring, the second rolling element, and the second split race.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing provided with a conveyance path, a conveyance unit which conveys a sheet along the conveyance path, a discharge port from which the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path is discharged, a discharge tray on which the sheet discharged from the discharge port is stacked, and an attitude change unit which changes an attitude of the discharge tray. The discharge tray includes a first sheet receiving surface which is a portion facing the discharge port in a discharge direction of the sheet and on which a leading edge of the sheet lands, and a second sheet receiving surface which is formed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the first sheet receiving surface. The attitude change unit changes the attitude of the discharge tray so that the first sheet receiving surface of the discharge tray is inclined toward the discharge port.

Abstract: Provided is a process for recovering pulp fiber from used sanitary goods which contain both pulp fiber and a superabsorbent polymer and producing a recycled pulp which contains little ash and which is reusable for sanitary goods. This process comprises: a calcium treatment step for treating used sanitary goods with a water-soluble calcium compound and thereby conducting the dehydration of a superabsorbent polymer contained in the used sanitary goods; a disintegration step for applying a physical force to the used sanitary goods to disintegrate the used sanitary goods into pulp fiber and other materials; a separation step for separating the pulp fiber from a pulp fiber/other materials mixture which has been formed in the disintegration step; a disinfecting step using a disinfectant; and a citric acid treatment step for subjecting the separated pulp fiber to treatment with an aqueous citric acid solution at an acidic pH.

Abstract: In a ball screw device, an inner peripheral rolling groove of a nut includes, between openings of mounting holes, a constant pitch circle diameter region where a pitch circle diameter is constant and gradually-changing pitch circle diameter regions where the pitch circle diameter gradually increases, in the ranges from opposite ends of the constant pitch circle diameter region to the respective openings. At least the constant pitch circle diameter region has a surface hardness greater than or equal to a predetermined value, among the constant pitch circle diameter region and the gradually-changing pitch circle diameter regions excluding edges at the boundaries between the respective openings and the inner peripheral rolling groove, and the edges at the boundaries between the respective openings and the inner peripheral rolling groove have a surface hardness less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction, and is provided at least with an absorbent body including water-absorbent fibers. The absorbent body includes deformation-guiding portions which extend in a predetermined direction, and base portions provided on both sides of each deformation-guiding portion. The deformation-guiding portions are provided with compressed regions which extend in said predetermined direction and in which the absorbent body has been compacted in the thickness direction, and protruding portions which extend in the predetermined direction on both sides of each compressed region and which protrude from the base portion toward the skin surface. The configuration is such that the fiber density of the protruding portions is less than the fiber density of the base portion.

Abstract: Provided is a biodegradable water absorbent having high gel strength and exhibiting an excellent absorption factor and excellent liquid passage rate through a gel. A water absorbent comprising a cross-linked naturally derived polymer and a clay mineral, the water absorbent being characterized in that the cross-linked naturally derived polymer and the clay mineral form particles, the clay mineral is present in the interior of the particles, and the clay mineral content constitutes 10-100 parts by mass (when dry) relative to 100 parts by mass (when dry) of the cross-linked naturally derived polymer. It is possible to produce this water absorbent by preparing a starting material fluid in which the naturally derived polymer is dissolved and the clay mineral is dispersed, adding a cross-linking agent to the starting material fluid, and cross-linking the naturally derived polymer.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, with which it is possible to form a desired coloring pattern upon an absorbent article and to reliably manage the quality of said coloring pattern. Provided is a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, in which: microcapsules, which are provided upon a substrate and in which coloring agents are enclosed, are destroyed in a prescribed pattern, and the coloring agents discharged upon the substrate; and the substrate is coated with a developer, causing the coloring to be expressed in the prescribed pattern via a reaction between the coloring agents and the developer.

Abstract: Provided is a biodegradable water absorbent having high gel strength and exhibiting an excellent absorption factor and excellent liquid passage rate through a gel. A water absorbent comprising a cross-linked naturally derived polymer and a clay mineral, the water absorbent being characterized in that the cross-linked naturally derived polymer and the clay mineral form particles, the clay mineral is present in the interior of the particles, and the clay mineral content constitutes 10-100 parts by mass (when dry) relative to 100 parts by mass (when dry) of the cross-linked naturally derived polymer. It is possible to produce this water absorbent by preparing a starting material fluid in which the naturally derived polymer is dissolved and the clay mineral is dispersed, adding a cross-linking agent to the starting material fluid, and cross-linking the naturally derived polymer.

Abstract: To enhance the heat radiation of the circumferential groove and to increase the cooling effect of the tread portion, a first circumferential groove is located on the outermost side in the tire width direction and a second is adjacent to the inside in the tire width direction of the first. A first land part is arranged outside the first circumferential groove in the tire width direction, and a second is arranged inside the second circumferential groove in the tire width direction. A plurality of width direction grooves each of which extends with an inclination and has a first end opened to the first circumferential groove and a second end opened to the second circumferential groove. The first end of each of the width direction grooves is located in a further upstream side of the second end of each of the width direction grooves in the air flow direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing provided with a conveyance path, a conveyance unit which conveys a sheet along the conveyance path, a discharge port from which the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path is discharged, a discharge tray on which the sheet discharged from the discharge port is stacked, and an attitude change unit which changes an attitude of the discharge tray. The discharge tray includes a first sheet receiving surface which is a portion facing the discharge port in a discharge direction of the sheet and on which a leading edge of the sheet lands, and a second sheet receiving surface which is formed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the first sheet receiving surface. The attitude change unit changes the attitude of the discharge tray so that the first sheet receiving surface of the discharge tray is inclined toward the discharge port.

Abstract: Provided is a steering system in which an elastic support portion is prevented from falling off a subassembly. A steering system includes a ball nut, a driven pulley provided on the ball nut so as to be rotatable together with the ball nut, a housing that houses the ball nut and the driven pulley and has a first locking surface and a second locking surface, a bearing including an outer ring provided so as to be movable between the first locking surface and the second locking surface, a first elastic support portion provided between the first locking surface and one end face of the outer ring, a second elastic support portion provided between the second locking surface and the other end face of the outer ring, a retaining member configured to lock the first elastic support portion, and a guide portion configured to lock the second elastic support portion.

Abstract: A rack-parallel steering system that prevents entry of abrasion powder into a rolling bearing is provided. A steering system includes a steered shaft, a rolling element screw portion, a rolling element nut, and a ball screw device. The steering system includes: a motor including an output shaft offset from the steered shaft; a drive force transfer mechanism including a toothed drive pulley, a toothed driven pulley, and a toothed belt; and a rolling bearing supporting a ball screw nut to be rotatable relative to a housing. A first seal member that contacts an outer ring and an inner ring is provided on a side surface of the rolling bearing on the driven pulley side. A second seal member that does not contact the inner ring is provided on a side surface of the ball bearing on the side opposite to the side surface on the driven pulley side.