Abstract: Provided are: a flow path switching valve that reduces the pressure load in a contact surface outer peripheral section of the flow path switching valve and inhibits friction between constituent components; and a liquid chromatographic device using the flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve is provided with a stator having a plurality of through holes and a seal having conduction grooves for causing the through holes to conduct. The seal has a first portion present vertically beneath a region comprising at least a surface of contact with the stator, and a second portion having lower rigidity than the first portion, on the outside of the first portion. Due to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the pressure load when a flow path of a liquid is switched under high-pressure conditions, and inhibit the phenomenon of friction itself.

Abstract: Provided are: a flow path switching valve that reduces the pressure load in a contact surface outer peripheral section of the flow path switching valve and inhibits friction between constituent components; and a liquid chromatographic device using the flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve is provided with a stator having a plurality of through holes and a seal having conduction grooves for causing the through holes to conduct. The seal has a first portion present vertically beneath a region comprising at least a surface of contact with the stator, and a second portion having lower rigidity than the first portion, on the outside of the first portion. Due to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the pressure load when a flow path of a liquid is switched under high-pressure conditions, and inhibit the phenomenon of friction itself.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charging device for charging a photoreceptor drum, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum, a developing bias applying device for applying a developing bias voltage to the developing device, a toner image density sensor for detecting an image density of a toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum, and a control portion for controlling an output value of the developing bias applying device, in which the control portion adjusts the developing bias voltage based on an average print coverage of document in previous printing jobs.

Abstract: A webbing holding device is proposed, which prevents or controls abrupt reduction in take-up speed when taking-up of webbing is completed. In the webbing holding device, when the webbing is released from being fitted over an occupant, the webbing is wound to a retractor by biasing force. Here, immediately before taking-up of the webbing is completed, a guide strap is stretched by movement of a leading end portion of the webbing toward the back side of a vehicle, and thus the guide strap applies biasing force to the leading end portion of the webbing, so that the take-up speed of the webbing is reduced. Therefore, when winding of the webbing is finished, take-up speed of the webbing being abruptly reduced may be prevented or controlled, and therefore extraction of the webbing from the retractor being locked by a lock mechanism of the retractor may be prevented or controlled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided having a mechanism that toner density of a toner image is automatically adjusted based on a toner patch. In an image forming apparatus including a document conveying section, a document reading section, an image forming section, a sheet discharging section, a sheet feeding section, a patch density detecting section, and a toner density adjusting section for adjusting density of a toner image depending on a result detected by the patch density detecting section, there are further provided a patch forming section for forming a toner patch, an operation detecting section for detecting an operating state of the patch density detecting section, and a patch printing section for printing the toner patch in response to such a result detected by the operation detecting section that the patch density detecting section does not properly operate, thereby adjusting the toner density based on the patch image.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charging device for charging a photoreceptor drum, a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum, a developing bias applying device for applying a developing bias voltage to the developing device, a toner image density sensor for detecting an image density of a toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum, and a control portion for controlling an output value of the developing bias applying device, in which the control portion adjusts the developing bias voltage based on an average print coverage of document in previous printing jobs.

Abstract: A developing device capable of adjusting to an appropriate toner density just after replacement of developer regardless of a humidity environment, and an image forming apparatus provided with the same. In a developing device, when developer is replaced, an initial toner density of developer for replacement is set so as to be equal to a toner density in its life or lower, and after replacement of the developer for replacement, a control section determines whether toner replenishment is necessary or not based on a detection value of a humidity sensor prior to a development operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided having a mechanism that toner density of a toner image is automatically adjusted based on a toner patch. In an image forming apparatus including a document conveying section, a document reading section, an image forming section, a sheet discharging section, a sheet feeding section, a patch density detecting section, and a toner density adjusting section for adjusting density of a toner image depending on a result detected by the patch density detecting section, there are further provided a patch forming section for forming a toner patch, an operation detecting section for detecting an operating state of the patch density detecting section, and a patch printing section for printing the toner patch in response to such a result detected by the operation detecting section that the patch density detecting section does not properly operate, thereby adjusting the toner density based on the patch image.

Abstract: A webbing holding device is proposed, which prevents or controls abrupt reduction in take-up speed when taking-up of webbing is completed. In the webbing holding device, when the webbing is released from being fitted over an occupant, the webbing is wound to a retractor by biasing force. Here, immediately before taking-up of the webbing is completed, a guide strap is stretched by movement of a leading end portion of the webbing toward the back side of a vehicle, and thus the guide strap applies biasing force to the leading end portion of the webbing, so that the take-up speed of the webbing is reduced. Therefore, when winding of the webbing is finished, take-up speed of the webbing being abruptly reduced may be prevented or controlled, and therefore extraction of the webbing from the retractor being locked by a lock mechanism of the retractor may be prevented or controlled.

Abstract: Provided is a high-molecular weight high-ortho novolak type phenolic resin excellent in handleability, heat resistance characteristics, curability and electric characteristics suitable for various uses and superior in balance of properties. This high-molecular weight high-ortho novolak type phenolic resin is a condensate of a trifunctional phenol compound with an aldehyde compound, is soluble in solvents, has a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 or more calculated by polystyrene standard, has methylene bonds at ortho-ortho position in respect to phenolic hydroxyl group in an amount of 55% or more based on total methylene bonds, and has an extraction water electric conductivity of 10 .mu.S/cm or less.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image developing device for use in developing a latent electrostatic image to a toner image in an image forming machine. The device includes a developing roller within a development housing for holding a developer on its surface in a developer holding zone and conveying the developer, which is held to a developing zone, in order to apply it to a latent electrostatic image. A restricting portion has a blade which includes a rigid part for acting on the surface of the developing roller in a developer restricting zone located between the developer holding zone and the developing zone in order to restrict the amount of the developer held on the surface. The blade is caused to protrude to the upstream side as viewed in the direction of movement of the developing roller, and that border of its protrusion facing the developing roller is provided with a C 0.1 to 0.6 mm chamfer (C being the JIS designation for a 45 degree chamfer).

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image includes a developing agent application device which holds the developing agent on the surface thereof in the developing agent-holding zone, and conveys the thus held developing agent into a developing zone to apply it onto the electrostatic latent image. A limiting device is included for limiting the amount of the developing agent held on the surface of the developing agent application device in a developing agent limiting zone located between the developing agent holding zone and the developing zone. The limiting device includes a blade made of a rigid member that is brought into forced contact with the surface of the developing agent application device, a blade support device for supporting the blade in a manner such that a first surface thereof is forced into contact with the surface of the developing agent application device, and a resilient urging device which is disposed on a side of a second surface of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image which includes a developing agent application assembly and a limiting device for limiting the amount of the developing agent held on the surface of the developing agent application assembly. The limiting device is made of a rigid member such as a sheet glass and its one surface is brought into forced contact with the surface of the developing agent application assembly.

Abstract: A developing process excellent in the reproducibility of images is disclosed.

Abstract: A developing sleeve for a magnetic brush developing unit, which is provided with a plurality of axially parallel grooves formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction on the surface thereof, is disclosed. Each of the grooves and the interfacing portion between each groove and its adjacent circumferential surface curve gradually and gently in section in the circumferential direction of the developing sleeve. The pitch for the formation of the grooves is set to be equal to or larger than the difference in travel length between the surface of the developing sleeve and that of a photosensitive drum during the time required for a point on the photosensitive drum to move along the full length of a developing area.

Abstract: In a process for making a prilled product from a molten substance therefor steam or heated gas is intermittently introduced into the prilling apparatus to clean the apparatus. In one embodiment the molten substance is passed through a filter zone prior to introduction to a nozzle provided with orifices to produce the prilled product and the flow of molten substance through the filter zone is periodically interrupted and steam or heated gas is passed through the filter zone in the direction opposite to the flow of molten substance to clean the filter zone. More than one filter zone can be operated in parallel so that while one filter zone is being cleaned, molten substance is passed through another filter zone to provide for continuous operation of the process.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a prilled product from a molten substance wherein steam or heated gas is passed through the nozzle which produces the prilled product prior to the introduction of the molten substance through the nozzle at the beginning of the process.

Abstract: A nozzle pre-heating device is provided for use in a tower for prilling molten substances. The device comprises a pre-heating chamber which is open only at the upper portion thereof for pre-heating a prilling nozzle and is closed at the bottom to shield the nozzle from the cooling effects of upper flowing gas in the prilling tower. The device is provided with means for moving either the nozzle or the pre-heating device from proximity to one another when the pre-heating device is not in use, thereby permitting free flow of the molten substance from the nozzle during normal operation of the prilling tower.

Abstract: An improved prilling tower is provided for the prilling of molten substances wherein a receiver equipped with an exhaust conduit is positioned below the nozzle during pre-heating of the nozzle prior to normal operation, after the end of a normal operating cycle or when the nozzle is replaced during operation of the prilling tower. Means are provided for moving either the receiver or the nozzle in a horizontal direction so that the nozzle is out of proximity with the receiver during normal operation of the prilling tower. More than one nozzle or more than one receiver can be employed in a prilling tower to provide for continuous operation of the prilling tower during replacement or cleaning of the nozzles.