Abstract: A toner container includes a shutter and a seal. The shutter is pushed by a nozzle of the image forming apparatus in conjunction with a movement of the toner container in an installation direction to the image forming apparatus. The shutter causes the nozzle to insert into the toner container and communicates the nozzle with the toner container via an opening on a circumferential surface of the nozzle. The seal covers a circumferential surface of the shutter in a close state in which the shutter is not pushed by the nozzle and slidingly contacts the circumferential surface of the shutter and the circumferential surface of the nozzle during an opening operation in which the shutter is pushed by the nozzle. A length of the seal in the installation direction is longer than a length of the opening of the nozzle in the installation direction.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a conductive yarn which has conductivity that exhibits durability in terms of deformation and tensile force, while being free from the occurrence of twisting or slacking during sewing. The present invention is capable of providing an article that is provided with a flexible wiring line having a free shape by means of an easy method of sewing. [Solution] A conductive yarn which is characterized by comprising a non-twisted high-strength filament yarn, a first conductive filament yarn that covers the high-strength filament yarn with a Z twist, and a second conductive filament yarn that covers the high-strength filament yarn with an S twist. In addition, an article which has a wiring line that is formed of this conductive yarn.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide: a material which is for three-dimensional molding and on which a conductive pattern that exhibits excellent adhesiveness even after the three-dimensional molding can be formed; and a process for producing a three-dimensional conductive pattern structure, said process using this material for three-dimensional molding and necessitating no special apparatus. [Solution] This three-dimensional conductive pattern structure is produced by: using a material which is for three-dimensional molding and which has, in at least a part thereof, a surface made of a polyimide resin; conducting, in a surface portion (1) made of a polyimide resin, the formation of a modified pattern and then the adsorption and reduction of metal ions to form a material which is provided with a pattern (2) having a plating-catalyzing activity; and subjecting the material which is provided with the pattern (2) to three-dimensional molding and electroless plating successively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thirst-quenching carbonated beverage with a strengthened or sustained carbonation feel peculiar to known carbonated beverages in which, after opening, the carbonation feel rapidly drops depending upon a combination of raw materials employed and upon evaporation of the carbon dioxide gas. The present invention also relates to a method which includes adding to a carbonated beverage an additive comprising spilanthol or a spilanthol-containing plant extract or plant essential oil as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A taste improver which is capable of effectively suppressing unpleasant bitter taste, harsh taste, and astringent taste peculiar to high intensity sweeteners without changing original flavor and taste of food and of reproducing taste intensity and a flavor profile by using the high intensity sweeteners, which are equal to those attained by using sugars such as sucrose.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a carbonated beverage excelling in function as thirst-quenching beverage and taste through strengthening or sustaining of carbonated feel peculiar to carbonated beverage (brisk intense stimulation and sensation at pass through the throat, brought about by carbon dioxide gas, and sensation of coolness (refreshing sensation) produced by a combination of carbon dioxide gas and flavor) which after opening, rapidly drops depending upon a combination of employed raw materials, such as fruit juice, sweetener, color additives and flavoring, and upon evaporation of carbon dioxide gas. The drop of carbonated feel brought about depending upon a combination of raw materials, such as fruit juice and sweetener, can be relieved by adding to a carbonated beverage an additive for carbonated beverage comprising spilanthol or a spilanthol-containing plant extract or plant essential oil as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoelectric material comprises molding a material powder comprising two or more elements selected from the group consisting of bismuth, tellurium, antimony and selenium and having average diameter in the range from 0.05 to 100 .mu.m and sintering the molded material powder with or without hot isostatic pressing. The material powder may be calcinated before the molding. A process for producing a thermoelectric element comprises cutting out pieces of a pillar-like shape from each of a p-type thermoelectric material and a n-type thermoelectric material, connecting the pieces cut out from the p-type thermoelectric material and the pieces cut out from the n-type thermoelectric material alternately with electrodes at the upper faces or the lower faces of the pieces and attaching insulating base plates to the surfaces of the electrodes. The p-type thermoelectric material and the n-type thermoelectric material are respectively produced by the process described above.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material can be obtained by co-pulverizing and mixing a material containing at least bismuth and a material containing at least tellurium, without being alloyed by melting, and then molding and sintering. This thermoelectric material has high performance and can be utilized in a variety of fields such as thermoelectric power generation and thermoelectric cooling, a temperature sensor, space development, marine development, and electric power generation in the remote areas. Since metal elements are used as a starting material, the starting material can be easily prepared. Moreover, in the production steps, the thermoelectric material can be produced in a high yield at a low energy consumption level by a simplified manner, without a complicated operation or special apparatus, and its production cost can be decreased.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material can be obtained by co-pulverizing and mixing a material containing at least bismuth and a material containing at least tellurium, without being alloyed by melting, and then molding and sintering. This thermoelectric material has high performance and can be utilized in a variety of fields such as thermoelectric power generation and thermoelectric cooling, a temperature sensor space development, marine development, and electric power generation in the remote areas. Since metal elements are used as a starting material, the starting material can be easily prepared. Moreover, in the production steps, the thermoelectric material can be produced in a high yield at a low energy consumption level by a simplified manner, without a complicated operation or special apparatus, and its production cost can be decreased.

Abstract: Thermoelectric elements with excellent thermoelectric characteristics such as Seebeck coefficient thermoelectromotive force and thermal conductivity can be produced by molding a powder of metal or metal alloy as the raw material and then sintering; by using as such raw material, ultra fine powders containing Fe and Si as main components and having a mean particle diameter of 50 to 5,000.ANG..

Abstract: Thermoelectric elements with excellent thermoelectric characteristics such as Seebeck coefficient thermoelectromotive force and thermal conductivity can be produced by molding a powder of metal or metal alloy as the raw material and then sintering; by using as such raw material, ultra fine powders containing Fe and Si as main components and having a mean particle diameter of 50 to 5,000 .ANG..