Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element according to one embodiment includes a substrate, a plurality of structures aligned at a prescribed pitch in each of a plurality of first areas, and a liquid crystal layer arranged across the plurality of first areas and a second area surrounding each of the plurality of first areas. The liquid crystal layer includes first liquid crystal molecules arranged in the first areas between the adjacent structures and aligned along the structures, and second liquid crystal molecules having the long axes aligned in the same direction in the second area.

Abstract: A mill blank may have a multilayer structure and desirable aesthetics. Such dental mill blanks may include a mill blank portion having a layered structure of two or more layers, and in which the layered structure includes an enamel layer and a core layer, the core layer comprising a first portion that is substantially a frustum, the frustum having a side face forming a part of an interface between the enamel layer and the core layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a detachable replenishment container includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developing bearing member to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image by using toner accommodated in the developer container, and a replenishment port through which the developer container can be replenished with toner from the replenishment container. A restriction member transitions between an allowance state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port communicate with each and a restriction state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port are not made to communicate with one another.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a detachable replenishment container includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developing bearing member to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image by using toner accommodated in the developer container, and a replenishment port through which the developer container can be replenished with toner from the replenishment container. A restriction member transitions between an allowance state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port communicate with each and a restriction state in which the replenishment container and the replenishment port are not made to communicate with one another.

Abstract: A pressure device includes a bag-shaped compression bag, a cover member installed at a first surface portion of the compression bag, an accommodating space defined by the cover member and the compression bag, a piezoelectric pump that flows air into the compression bag, and a casing that accommodates the piezoelectric pump. The compression bag has a bag opening formed at a second surface portion different from the first surface portion and connecting an internal space of the compression bag and an outside to each other. The casing has a casing opening. The casing (31) is fixed to the second surface portion of the compression bag while being in contact with the second surface portion to directly connect the bag opening and the casing opening to each other in an overlapping manner.

Abstract: A pump unit (100) includes a plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1), a flow path-defining member (50), and a heat-dissipating part (60). The plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1) each include a first flow path for sucking and discharging of fluid. The flow path-defining member (50) includes a second flow path for connection to the first flow paths in the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1). Heat generated in the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1) is dissipated through the heat-dissipating part (60). The heat-dissipating part (60) is disposed between the flow path-defining member (50) and each of the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1). The heat-dissipating part (60) has through-holes through which the first flow paths are connected to the second flow path.

Abstract: A sensor cover includes a cover film having an upper cover film and a lower cover film that are joined to each other at least at respective one sides thereof, and the cover film is shaped like a bag and configured to accommodate a temperature sensor when in use. The sensor cover also includes a self-adhesive member that has adhesiveness and is disposed on an outside surface of the lower cover film. The sensor cover further includes a sensor mounting member that is disposed on an inside surface of the lower cover film and configured to attach the temperature sensor closely to the lower cover film. The sensor cover further includes a sealing member that closes and seals an edge portion of an opening of the cover film.

Abstract: A fluid control device includes piezoelectric pumps and a substrate. The substrate includes dielectric base members. Each of the dielectric base members has a recess and a through-hole. Each of the dielectric base members is laminated such that the recesses of the dielectric base members partially overlap and communicate with each other. A portion of the recesses not overlapping with the dielectric base member serve as a first opening and a second opening, respectively, to the outside. The first opening and the second opening open in opposite directions in the lamination direction. The first opening and the second opening have shapes that may be fit to each other. The piezoelectric pump is on the dielectric base member to communicate with the through-hole, and the piezoelectric pump is on the dielectric base member to communicate with the through-hole.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus to and from which a replenishment container accommodating toner is attachable and detachable and which is configured to form a toner image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a developer container, a developing bearing member, a replenishment port through which the developer container can be replenished with toner, a restriction member capable of transitioning to an allowance state in which a rotation of the replenishment container is allowed and to a restriction state in which the rotation of the replenishment container is restricted, a notification portion configured to notify a replenishment procedure for replenishing the developer container with toner from the replenishment container, and a controller configured to cause the notification portion to notify at least one step of the replenishment procedure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack portion on which a sheet is to be stacked, a regulating portion, a first detection device which includes a rotary variable resistor, a second detection, and a control unit. The regulating portion regulates a position of an edge of the stacked sheet. The first detection device outputs a detection signal based on the rotary variable resistor. The rotary variable resistor rotates in accordance with the sheet edge position regulated by the regulating portion. The second detection device detects presence or absence of the stacked sheet. The control unit calculates a calculated sheet width of the stacked sheet based on the output detection signal. The control unit sets the calculated sheet width after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the second detection device detects that the sheet is stacked on the stack portion as a detected sheet width of the stacked sheet.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer paper which allows smooth removal of a printed transfer paper from a design-printed fabric before steaming; and is unlikely to cause problems such as partial missing, color unevenness, color-development deterioration, etc. of the design on the fabric. Provided is a transfer paper having a substrate and one or more coating layers, the substrate having a base paper and one or more nonaqueous resin layers on one side of the base paper, the one or more coating layers being located on the one or more nonaqueous resin layers, the coating layer located outermost from the substrate, that is, the outermost coating layer, at least comprising a water-soluble polyester resin, a carboxylic acid-modified polyvinyl alcohol resin, an acrylic resin, a starch, and a white pigment, the acrylic resin having a glass transition point (Tg) of 0° C. to 45° C. and a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 0° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: A sheet detecting apparatus includes a sheet supporting surface, a first sensor flag including a first flag portion, a first contact portion, and a third contact portion, a second sensor flag including a second flag portion, and a second contact portion, a first detection sensor configured to transit to a first state of outputting a first detection signal and to a second state of outputting a second detection signal, the first detection sensor transiting to one of the first state and the second state in response to a position of the first flag portion, and a second detection sensor configured to transit to a third state of outputting a third detection signal and to a fourth state of outputting a fourth detection signal, the second detection sensor transiting to one of the third state and the fourth state in response to a position of the second flag portion.

Abstract: A pump unit (100) includes a plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1), a flow path-defining member (50), and a heat-dissipating part (60). The plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1) each include a first flow path for sucking and discharging of fluid. The flow path-defining member (50) includes a second flow path for connection to the first flow paths in the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1). Heat generated in the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1) is dissipated through the heat-dissipating part (60). The heat-dissipating part (60) is disposed between the flow path-defining member (50) and each of the plurality of piezoelectric pumps (1). The heat-dissipating part (60) has through-holes through which the first flow paths are connected to the second flow path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack portion, a regulation portion, a detection unit, and a control unit. The regulation portion regulates a position of an edge of recording material stacked on the stack portion. The detection unit detects the position of the edge of the stacked and regulated recording material, and outputs a detection signal per the recording material edge detected position. Where the position of the recording material edge is detected, the control unit obtains a first width of the recording material stacked on the stack portion, calculates a second width of the recording material based on the detection signal output from the detection unit, and obtains a third width of the recording material by correcting a width of the recording material based on difference information between the second width of the recording material and the first width of the recording material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack portion on which a sheet is to be stacked, a regulating portion, a first detection device which includes a rotary variable resistor, a second detection, and a control unit. The regulating portion regulates a position of an edge of the stacked sheet. The first detection device outputs a detection signal based on the rotary variable resistor. The rotary variable resistor rotates in accordance with the sheet edge position regulated by the regulating portion. The second detection device detects presence or absence of the stacked sheet. The control unit calculates a calculated sheet width of the stacked sheet based on the output detection signal. The control unit sets the calculated sheet width after a first predetermined time has elapsed since the second detection device detects that the sheet is stacked on the stack portion as a detected sheet width of the stacked sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stack portion, a regulation portion, a detection unit, and a control unit. The regulation portion regulates a position of an edge of recording material stacked on the stack portion. The detection unit detects the position of the edge of the stacked and regulated recording material, and outputs a detection signal per the recording material edge detected position. Where the position of the recording material edge is detected, the control unit obtains a first width of the recording material stacked on the stack portion, calculates a second width of the recording material based on the detection signal output from the detection unit, and obtains a third width of the recording material by correcting a width of the recording material based on difference information between the second width of the recording material and the first width of the recording material.

Abstract: A sheet detecting apparatus includes a sheet supporting surface, a first sensor flag including a first flag portion, a first contact portion, and a third contact portion, a second sensor flag including a second flag portion, and a second contact portion, a first detection sensor configured to transit to a first state of outputting a first detection signal and to a second state of outputting a second detection signal, the first detection sensor transiting to one of the first state and the second state in response to a position of the first flag portion, and a second detection sensor configured to transit to a third state of outputting a third detection signal and to a fourth state of outputting a fourth detection signal, the second detection sensor transiting to one of the third state and the fourth state in response to a position of the second flag portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer paper which allows smooth removal of a printed transfer paper from a design-printed fabric before steaming; and is unlikely to cause problems such as partial missing, color unevenness, color-development deterioration, etc. of the design on the fabric. Provided is a transfer paper having a substrate and one or more coating layers, the substrate having a base paper and one or more nonaqueous resin layers on one side of the base paper, the one or more coating layers being located on the one or more nonaqueous resin layers, the coating layer located outermost from the substrate, that is, the outermost coating layer, at least comprising a water-soluble polyester resin, a carboxylic acid-modified polyvinyl alcohol resin, an acrylic resin, a starch, and a white pigment, the acrylic resin having a glass transition point (Tg) of 0° C. to 45° C. and a minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of 0° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: Provided is a textile printing paper for use in a paper printing method, which textile printing paper has an ability to produce a high-resolution image and enables favorable color development on a printing substrate and is excellent in adhesiveness of a printed paper to a printing substrate. The textile printing paper has a base sheet and a glue layer on a surface of the base sheet, the base sheet having a compression layer on at least a glue layer side, the compression layer at least comprising a pigment and a binder, wherein the base sheet has a compression ratio of 1.5 or more as calculated by the formula given below from the smoothness measured using a soft backing at clamp air supply pressures of 300 kPa and 2000 kPa according to JIS P 8151:2004.

Abstract: An open-close discriminating apparatus includes an output portion configured to output a DC voltage having been converted from an AC voltage; a switch portion having an end connected with the output portion, the switch portion being configured to supply the DC voltage outputted to the output portion to a load when the switch portion is in a closed state, and to shut off the supply when the switch portion is in an open state; a capacitor connected with the other end of the switch portion; and a discriminating portion configured to discriminate whether the switch portion is in the open state or the closed state on the basis of a change amount of a voltage of the other end of the switch portion in a predetermined time period.