Abstract: A protective layer of a thermal head is treated with a surface-treating agent containing a chlorosilyl group-containing compound and a fluoroalkyl group-containing silane compound to form a water-repellent oil-repellent dry film thereon. Both compounds are dissolved or suspended into an organic solvent such is an alcohol solvent. The solvent can contain 0 to 10 wt % of water based on the total weight of the solvent. The surface-treating agent may have a pH of 0 to 3, and both compounds are contained in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in total based on the total amount of the treating agent. The treatment lowers the surface tension of the protective layer and thus prevents deposition of melt on the thermal head for a long period of time while maintaining thermal conduction and surface smoothness of the thermal head.

Abstract: A protective layer of a thermal head is treated with a surface-treating agent containing a chlorosilyl group-containing compound and a fluoroalkyl group-containing silane compound to form a water-repellent oil-repellent dry film thereon. Both compounds are dissolved or suspended into an organic solvent such as an alcohol solvent. The solvent can contain 0 to 10 wt % of water based on the total weight of the solvent. The surface-treating agent may have a pH of 0 to 3, and both compounds are contained in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in total based on the total amount of the treating agent. The treatment lowers the surface tension of the protective layer and thus prevents deposition of melt on the thermal head for a long period of time while maintaining thermal conduction and surface smoothness of the thermal head.

Abstract: A thermal head is provided which comprises an insulation substrate, a heat-generating resistor on the insulation substrate, a conductive layer for supplying electric power thereto, and a protective layer provided thereon. In the thermal head, the protective layer is surface-treated with a water- and oil-repellent and heat-resistant organosilicon-containing compound to provide a contact angle with respect to water of 95 degrees or more. The organosilicon-containing compound is preferably a fluoroalkyl silane with a fluorinated carbon chain length of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, having a hydrolyzable reactive group at a terminal thereof. The compound is strongly bonded to the protective layer via a silanol group by heat-treatment at 50° C. or more. The protective layer surface may be properly pretreated with an organosilicon compound having an isocyanate group bonded to a silicon atom.

Abstract: A stencil discharging apparatus for a stencil printing machine in which a stencil is used, the stencil discharging apparatus includes: a conveyer for conveying the stencil to be discharged; a used-stencil accommodating section having an opening and a stencil accommodating space in which the stencil conveyed by the conveyer is accommodated; and a compressing board pivotally provided, wherein the compressing board presses the stencil accommodated in the stencil accommodating space toward the opposite of the opening of the used-stencil accommodating section in accordance with moving the compressing board in the stencil accommodating space.

Abstract: A stencil discharging unit of a rotary stencil printing machine has a feeding unit and a stencil discharging container. The feeding unit has a first feeding means and a second feeding means. The first feeding means that is on the upper side includes groups of pulleys and groups of belts. The second feeding means that is on the lower side includes groups of pulleys and groups of belts. The pulleys in each group are pitched at a predetermined interval in an axial direction. The respective pulleys are supported by support members that are independent of one another. Each support member is mounted on a plate member that has bending resiliency. Springs urge the plate member upward. With the plate member bent, the respective pulleys are displaced independently of one another.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting sheets successively supplied thereto, comprising: a fixed frame; a movable frame movable vertically with respect to the fixed frame; a plurality of bins arranged one over another at a predetermined distance and each having an upper surface sloping upwardly in a sheet supply direction for receiving thereon one or more of the sheets, the bins being supported on the movable frame; a non-sort bin situated upwardly of the bins and supported pivotally on an upper portion of the movable frame for receiving the non-sorted sheets, the non-sort bin being biased normally so as to slant upwardly in the sheet supply direction; and a holder mounted on the fixed frame, at a position to which the sheets are to be supplied, for holding the non-sort bin horizontally against the bias.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting sheets successively supplied thereto, comprising: a fixed frame; a movable frame movable vertically with respect to the fixed frame; a plurality of bins arranged one over another at a predetermined distance and each having an upper surface sloping upwardly in a sheet supply direction for receiving thereon one or more of the sheets, the bins being supported on the movable frame; a non-sort bin situated upwardly of the bins and supported pivotally on an upper portion of the movable frame for receiving the non-sorted sheets, the non-sort bin being biased normally so as to slant upwardly in the sheet supply direction; and a holder mounted on the fixed frame, at a position to which the sheets are to be supplied, for holding the non-sorer bin horizontally against the bias.