Abstract: An electrostatic separation method includes: applying voltage between a lower electrode at a bottom portion of or in the raw material layer and an upper electrode above the raw material layer, generating an electric field between electrodes; fluidizing the raw material layer and bringing conductive particles and the lower electrode into contact in the raw material layer charging only the conductive particles wherein their polarity becomes the same as the lower electrode; generating polarity, the same as the upper electrode, by dielectric polarization on a conveyor belt downward-facing conveyance surface passing through a capture region above the raw material layer and under the upper electrode, the conveyance surface including a nonconductor; separates charged conductive particles from the raw material layer surface by electrostatic force and adhering conductive particles to the conveyor belt conveyance surface; and separating and collecting the particles from the conveyance surface that moved outside the ele

Abstract: A light detector includes a semiconductor layer and a light-receiving element. The semiconductor layer is of a first conductivity type. The light-receiving element includes a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region, and a fourth semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region is of a second conductivity type. The second semiconductor region is located between the first semiconductor region and the semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor region is of the first conductivity type and contacts the first semiconductor region. The third semiconductor region is located between the second semiconductor region and the semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor region is of the second conductivity type. The fourth semiconductor region is located between the third semiconductor region and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The respective spaces for forming gas passages on the suction side formed on the front and rear side cylinder blocks are assembled together to configure a gas passage on the suction side, and the respective spaces for providing gas passages on the discharge side are connected with each other to configure a gas passage on the discharge side. A gas port leading to the suction side space is provided on one of both cylinder blocks, and a gas port leading to the discharge side space is arranged on the other. A circumferential width of the space for forming a gas passage communicating with the gas port is made larger than a circumferential width of a space for forming a gas passage not communicating with the gas port in the respective cylinder block. Partition walls are contacted with each other in the axial direction when both cylinder blocks are assembled.

Abstract: The respective spaces for forming gas passages on the suction side 21, 31 formed on the front and rear side cylinder blocks 2, 3 are assembled together to configure a gas passage on the suction side 51, and the respective spaces for providing gas passages on the discharge side 22, 32 are connected with each other to configure a gas passage on the discharge side 52. A gas port 53 leading to the suction side space is provided on one of both cylinder blocks, and a gas port 54 leading to the discharge side space is arranged on the other. A circumferential width of the space for forming a gas passage communicating with the gas port is made larger than a circumferential width of a space for forming a gas passage not communicating with the gas port in the respective cylinder block. Partition walls 23, 33 are contacted with each other in the axial direction when both cylinder blocks are assembled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium using a recording head that discharges the ink, includes a carriage that is mounted with the recording head and scans in a main scanning direction, a linear scale that is provided with graduations for detecting a position of the recording head mounted on the carriage and extends along the main scanning direction, a linear sensor that is fixed to the carriage and reads out the graduations on the linear scale by scanning in the main scanning direction on the linear scale together with the carriage, and an air guide that is arranged in a vicinity of the linear sensor in the main scanning direction and guides air moving toward the linear sensor as the carriage scans such that the air is directed away from the linear sensor. In the image recording apparatus, adhesion of ink mist to the linear sensor can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium using a recording head that discharges the ink, including a carriage that is mounted with the recording head and scans in a main scanning direction, a linear scale that is provided with graduations for detecting a position of the recording head mounted to the carriage and extends along the main scanning direction, a linear sensor that is fixed to the carriage and reads out the graduations on the linear scale by scanning in the main scanning direction on the linear scale together with the carriage, and an air guide that is arranged in a vicinity of the linear sensor in the main scanning direction and guides air moving toward the linear sensor as the carriage scans such that the air is directed away from the linear sensor. In the image recording apparatus, adhesion of ink mist to the linear sensor can be reduced.

Abstract: Between adjacent pinch rollers 22, an auxiliary roller 44 is provided coaxially with the pinch rollers 22. A large diameter portion 44a of the auxiliary roller 44 presses down a recording medium on a platen 12. Between the auxiliary roller 44 and an image formation zone 41, there is provided a downstream sheet-pressing member 46. The large diameter portion 46a of the downstream sheet-pressing member 46 also presses down the recording medium against the platen 12.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a print member for forming an image on a recording sheet while reciprocating in a predetermined direction includes a pair of conveyance rollers and a separating member for separating the of conveyance rollers from one another. A control lever for controlling the separating member is provided as is a changeover element for permitting the control lever to rotate when said print member moves in a predetermined direction and is not located at an interference area in which the print member would collide with the conveyance rollers if they were separated, and for prohibiting the control lever from rotating when the print member is located at the interference area.

Abstract: When a carriage 16 is positioned in an end portion in the direction indicated by arrow B in a scanning area thereof, an attachment 46 is in contact with a main frame side wall 1a of a plotter 1, and turns in the direction indicated by arrow D against the enabling force in the direction indicated by arrow C of a helical torsion coil spring 50, so that an image position detector 40 is stored in a storage unit 16c of the carriage 16.

Abstract: The relative positions of cutter blade 42, platen 28, pressing member 44, and bending guide 46 are adjusted to obtain the acute angle &THgr; between side face 42a of cutter blade 42 facing to the delivery direction and recording medium 29 in the range from 25° to 65°.

Abstract: A cam 37 is rotated in an arrow F direction. This causes sheet conveyance rollers 10a, 10b and guide elements 33, 34 to rotate on a lower conveyance shaft 27 and an upper conveyance shaft 30, respectively, so that they are separated from a drive roller 12. Thus, a spur plate 21 faces the upward stream end with respect to the recording sheet conveyance direction and opens in synchronism with the sheet conveyance rollers 10a and 10b, etc. Accordingly, it is possible to readily remove a recording sheet subjected to the jam.

Abstract: A cam 37 is rotated in an arrow F direction. This causes sheet conveyance rollers 10a, 10b and guide elements 33, 34 to rotate on a lower conveyance shaft 27 and an upper conveyance shaft 30, respectively, so that they are separated from a drive roller 12. Thus, a spur plate 21 faces the upward stream end with respect to the recording sheet conveyance direction and opens in synchronism with the sheet conveyance rollers 10a and 10b, etc. Accordingly, it is possible to readily remove a recording sheet subjected to the jam.

Abstract: An extension guide unit 30 is provided on a side portion of a recording medium conveying passage. An extension guide 36 is held in a wound state in an extension guide holder 31 of the extension guide unit 30. In order to convey a recording medium, the extension guide 36 is drawn out, by which the recording medium is guided. This enables the recording medium to be smoothly conveyed.

Abstract: A first position control member, which presses a recording sheet between a sheet conveyance roller 28c and an image forming area, is disposed and a second position control member, which presses the recording sheet between the image forming area and a spur 42, is disposed. Thus, of the recording sheet in the course of conveyance, a portion located at the image forming area is pressed and stretched by the first position control member 34 and the second position control member 38, and an interval between this portion and an ink ejection surface is maintained at a predetermined distance. Accordingly, even if ink ejected from the ink ejection outlets is absorbed into the recording sheet, so that a fiber of the recording sheet expands, no unevenness is formed on the recording sheet. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the cocking.