Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical film by a solution casting method, in which a poor peeling region of a metal support can be eliminated by casting a dope on the surface of the metal support after a surface treatment film is formed on the surface of the metal support by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment or excimer UV treatment. Consequently, limitation on the conditions of film production is reduced and productivity is enhanced. Furthermore, since peeling of the film is enhanced, lateral variation in peeling position is reduced and variation in retardation value is reduced sharply, and thereby an optical film having optical characteristics excellent in transparency and flatness can be manufactured. Consequently, a method for manufacturing an optical film, an optical film, a polarizing plate and a display device which meet the demands of a high quality thin and wide protective film for polarizing plate can be provided.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner containing: a fixing resin, a colorant, and wax. The wax at least contains hydrocarbon wax having a number-average molecular weight of not higher than 600, and polyethylene wax having a number-average molecular weight of not higher than 600, a melting viscosity of lower than 15 mPa·s at 140° C. and a crystallinity of lower than 95%. A ratio of the hydrocarbon wax to the polyethylene wax is in a range of from 1:10 to 2:1. A maximum of absorption peaks in a heat-up time absorption calorie curve in a DSC curve of the toner measured by a differential scanning calorimeter is at a temperature not higher than 75° C. An onset temperature in absorption of heat is not higher than 65° C.

Abstract: Electrostatic image developing toner includes fixing resin; and wax. The wax is hydrocarbon-based wax. The wax is containing, as its constitutional components, first wax and second wax. The first wax is higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 75% and not higher than 85% in degree of crystallinity. The second wax is not higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 85% and not higher than 95% in degree of crystallinity.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner containing: a fixing resin, a colorant, and wax. The wax at least contains hydrocarbon wax having a number-average molecular weight of not higher than 600, and polyethylene wax having a number-average molecular weight of not higher than 600, a melting viscosity of lower than 15 mPa·s at 140° C. and a crystallinity of lower than 95%. A ratio of the hydrocarbon wax to the polyethylene wax is in a range of from 1:10 to 2:1. A maximum of absorption peaks in a heat-up time absorption calorie curve in a DSC curve of the toner measured by a differential scanning calorimeter is at a temperature not higher than 75° C. An onset temperature in absorption of heat is not higher than 65° C.

Abstract: Electrostatic image developing toner includes fixing resin; and wax. The wax is hydrocarbon-based wax. The wax is containing, as its constitutional components, first wax and second wax. The first wax is higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 75% and not higher than 85% in degree of crystallinity. The second wax is not higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 85% and not higher than 95% in degree of crystallinity.

Abstract: A fixing system for fixing toner images onto an image printing system such that the image printing medium bearing the toner images on the obverse side and the reverse sides thereof is passed through a nip area between a pair of fixing rollers. In the nip area, a rotation speed of a first fixing roller, which comes into contact with a not-yet fixed toner image, which is formed on the obverse side of the image printing medium, is set to be substantially equal to a rotation speed of a second fixing roller, which comes in contact with a not-yet fixed toner image, formed on the reverse side of the image printing medium. This is accomplished by setting the diameters of the various layers of the first fixing roller to be equal to that of the second fixing roller. When the image printing medium is moved through the nip area by the fixing rollers, a moving speed of the upper side of the image printing medium is equal to that of the lower side thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of crystallizing coupler crystals, the method comprising the steps of dissolving crude crystals of a coupler in a first solvent having a first solubility parameter to obtain a coupler solution; and adding to the solution a second solvent having a second solubility parameter different from the first solubility parameter, when the crystallization rate in the solution is 5 to 30 weight % of crystals having a BET value of 10 m.sup.2 /g or less.

Abstract: In an electrostatic both-side printing system, a first image forming unit is provided upstream of an image printing medium when viewed in the transporting direction of the image printing medium, and a second image forming unit is provided downstream of the image printing medium. A medium transporting path for transporting the image printing medium is formed between the first and the second image forming units. A first transferring unit, located facing the first image forming unit with the medium transporting path intervening therebetween, for applying no charge onto the rear side of the image printing medium, which does not face the first image forming unit. A second transferring unit being located facing the second image forming unit with the image printing medium with the medium transporting path intervening therebetween, in a state that the second transferring unit is apart from a first toner image formed on the image printing medium by the first image forming unit.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes a fixing roller, a pressure roller forming a nipper in cooperation with said fixing roller, the nipper conveying a recording material on which an unfixed image is formed while nipping the recording material, a recording material pressing roller disposed at least one of upstream and downstream of said nipper in a recording material conveyance direction for pressing said recording material toward the fixing roller to form a region where the recording material is wound around the fixing roller, and a tension applying unit for applying tension to the recording material.

Abstract: A grinder has a grinding member. The grinder includes a rotatable spindle having an engagement portion. A first flange engages the engagement portion of the spindle. The first flange and the engagement portion of the spindle define a given play therebetween in a direction of rotation. The grinding member is held between the first flange and a second flange. A lubricant solid material is provided between the first flange and the engagement portion of the spindle.

Abstract: An airport marker lighting system of an inset type that includes a lamp preparation step, a lamp housing preparation step and an assembling step. The first step prepares a plurality of different sorts of lamps of power consumption ratings and classes them into a plurality of groups. Each of the lamps have an identical base in size and the same distance between a position of a filament and a base. The second step prepares a plurality of different lamp housings having different outer diameter dimensions. The housing includes a base member and a cover section. The third step selects at least one of the lamps and one of the housings and mounts the selected lamp or lamps on the selected housing, and an airport marker lighting system manufactured by the method is also included.

Abstract: A straight cylindrical light source formed of, for example, a fluorescent lamp is set in place at a predetermined distance from a desk top surface. A reflector whose cross section is shaped substantially like a parabola is positioned at the back of the light source. A housing having an opening formed at least on the underside is provided to enclose the light source and reflector. Where a vertical angle defined by a straight line l.sub.0 connecting the axis of the light source to the front edge of the desk top surface defines .theta..sub.0, then a vertical angle .theta..sub.1 defined by a straight line l.sub.1 tangentially contacting the upper peripheral surface of the cylindrical light source and extending to the front end of the lower opening of the housing is also prescribed to be substantially .theta..sub.0. A vertical angle .theta..sub.2 defined by a straight line l.sub.

Abstract: A light source consisting of a straight tube fluorescent lamp is mounted almost in parallel with a desk work surface to be illuminated. A housing enclosing this light source is mounted, and this housing is fixed on the surface to be illuminated by means of two support members. The housing has an opening section at its lower position, and a light controller which is formed of two kinds of prism plates is fitted in the opening. The light emitted from the light source is refracted by the prism plates. These beams of light are converted by the above light controller to two types of light components which run almost in parallel with the first and second directions. One of the beams of light falls from the right top in front of the person at desk to the illuminated surface region in proximity to the left hand of the person at desk, and the other beams of light fall from the left top in front of the person at desk to the illuminated surface region in proximity to the right hand of the person at desk.