Abstract: A method for degrading a polymer by bringing same into contact with a solid phase composed of a carrier, a microorganism and an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution contains nutrients required for the growth of the microorganism and water. The carrier has a maximum water retention of at least 40 wt. % but at most 4,000 wt. %, the aqueous solution is retained in the carrier in an amount of at least 10% but at most 100% of the maximum water retention of the carrier, and the solid phase has a percentage of interstices of 25% or greater but smaller than 100%.

Abstract: A steel pipe having a circular sectional form is retained by a retainer. A rotatable first roller is pressed against an intermediate portion of the steel pipe. In this state, a pusher causes the steel pipe to move axially of the steel pipe. This causes the steel pipe to be plastically deformed while maintaining the first roller in rolling contact with the steel pipe whereby a flat portion is formed at the intermediate portion of the steel pipe. Subsequently, a second roller for forming rack teeth which is formed with teeth at its outer periphery is pressed against the flat portion of the steel pipe while the steel pipe is relatively moved in the axial direction thereof. This causes the flat portion of the steel pipe to be plastically deformed for formation of rack teeth at the flat portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus having a sheet stacking device for stacking and supporting sheets, a sheet supply roller having different radial dimensions along a periphery thereof to feed out the sheets from the sheet stacking device, and a separation unit having a feed rotary member rotated in a sheet feeding direction and a reverse rotary member rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction to separate the sheets fed out by the sheet supply roller one by one.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus with a supply roller for supplying a sheet, a supply path for directing the sheet to an image forming section, a sheet ejecting path for the sheet on which an image is formed at the image forming section toward an ejecting section, a space integrally formed in a lower part of a body of the image forming apparatus, a branch path branched from the sheet ejecting path and adapted to direct the sheet toward the space, an introduction path for directing the sheet from the space to the supply path, and a sheet re-feeing unit removable with respect to the body of the image forming apparatus and including a sheet re-feeding path having an entrance facing the branch path and an exit facing the introduction path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a first image forming unit incorporating an image formation processing device therein, a sheet supply station for feeding a sheet to the first image forming unit, and a sheet ejecting station for ejecting the sheet on which an image is formed by the first image forming unit out of the image forming apparatus. Wherein a second image forming unit having the same function and size as those of the first image forming unit is mounted within the image forming apparatus and a sheet inlet of the second image forming unit is directly connected to the sheet ejecting station.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a convey path comprising lateral movement apparatus for controlling a widthwise position of a sheet member to be conveyed, wherein the lateral movement apparatus is curved in a convey direction.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for power steering the steerable wheels of a vehicle is disclosed which includes a steering column having one end connected with a steering wheel and the other end operatively connected with the steerable wheels; a cylindrical housing surrounding the steering column and providing a space therebetween; a torque sensor disposed in the housing for detecting a steering torque exerted on the steering wheel by a driver; a conductor or lead line wound around the steering column and accommodated in the housing, the lead line having one end electrically connected to the torque sensor and the other end to terminals which are disposed outside the steering column; and a motor installed on the housing and operatively connected with the steering column for power assisting the steering effort exerted on the steering wheel by the driver, the motor being driven to run in accordance with the steering torque detected by the torque sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a process cartridge. The main assembly contains and retains an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and therefore, the photosensitive member is not contained in the process cartridge. The process cartridge contains an electric charger, a developing device and/or cleaning device. The process cartridge is detachably mountable into the main assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning a process cartridge in the main assembly. The process cartridge is detachably mountable into the main assembly. The main assembly includes a bottom frame and a top frame which is capable of taking a closing position and an opening position. The process cartridge is loaded into the top frame or bottom frame. Prior to the start of image formation, the process cartridge is correctly positioned with respect to the bottom frame. The bottom frame contains the major part of the optical system, whereby the accurate relative position can be accomplished with an optical system of the cartridge.

Abstract: A pin plug connector is comprised of a pin, a body which will be connected with the pin by insertion, a cover which will attach over circumferential side of the body, a covered shield line which comprises a core line, a shield line and a cover portion, a terminal which will connect the shield line to the cover, a cap which will fit over asembled components noted above, and wherein improvement is introduced in that the terminal is provided with a press fitter to press-fit the shield line and a clamping end to clamp the cover portion of the line, and an engaging end to engage with the cover, thereby external forces which attempt to pull the shield line will be resonably divided to the connections mounted on the terminal and then a break of connection will be avoided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a corona discharging device having a cleaner for cleaning a corona discharging wire and is removably mountable in an operative position. Further, an image forming apparatus in which a cartridge containing therein at least a corona discharging device functioning as image formation processor is provided with a cleaner for cleaning a corona discharging wire removably mountable therein. When the corona discharging device or the cartridge is to be mounted in the image forming apparatus, and when the cleaner is not positioned at a predetermined position in the corona discharging device or at a predetermined position in the cartridge, a stopper provided on the image forming apparatus side is brought into engagement with the cleaner to thereby relatively move the cleaner to the predetermined position in the corona discharging device or the cartridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet loading device for causing sheets put out one after another from a sheet output apparatus such as a laser beam printer or a copying apparatus onto a sheet receiving member to be loaded in orderly, mutually superposed relationship without being deviated from one another.