Abstract: Provided is a material suitable for an optical element, which can be applied by inkjet, has an ultraviolet curable characteristic, and yields a cured product excellent in transparency and hardness and having a refractive index of more than 1.5. Specifically, an optical element excellent in transparency and hardness and having a refractive index of more than 1.5 is obtained by preparing a resin composition including at least: (A) 5 to 45 mass % of a vinyl group-containing copolymer obtained by copolymerization of a divinyl aromatic compound; (B) 55 to 94 mass % of a liquid photocurable polyfunctional (meth)acrylate having two or more (meth)acryloyl groups; (C) 0.97 to 20 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator; and (D) 0.03 to 1 mass % of a surfactant, and applying the resin composition onto a support substrate by inkjet, followed by photocuring.

Abstract: The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller.

Abstract: The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller.

Abstract: The task is accomplished by an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus including a heating fixing portion and a host computer capable of instructing printing. In an image forming apparatus, a throughput can be changed and discriminated in accordance with a printing number, wherein for printing on a small size sheet, said system is operable in a normal small size sheet mode, and in a high speed small size sheet output mode in which the printing is effected at a throughput which is higher than in the normal small size sheet mode, and after completion of the printing, the image forming apparatus rests for a predetermined rest period, wherein said host computer includes a mode selector for selecting a mode from the high speed small size sheet output mode and the normal small size sheet mode, and a controller for transmitting the mode selected by said mode selector to said image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller.

Abstract: A ceramic heater in contact with an inner surface of an endless belt includes a substrate made of alumina and a heat generation resistor provided on the substrate. The heat generation resistor is disposed at a surface reverse to a surface facing the inner surface of the endless belt on the substrate. The substrate is one of a plurality of substrates which are divided from a large substrate along breaks formed on the large substrate, and a surface of the ceramic heater, which is on a side where the breaks are formed, is brought into contact with the inner surface of the endless belt. The holder for holding the ceramic heater has a projection for guiding the endless belt in such a manner that the endless belt cannot be brought into contact with the break of the substrate.

Abstract: The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing heater and a pressure roller. The fixing heater has a plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers which are different in heat distribution in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of conveying a recording material. The recording material P is heated when passed through a fixing nip portion formed between the fixing heater and the pressure roller. The pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller can be changed. The heat fixing apparatus includes a fixing member which adjusts the lengthwise heat distribution of the fixing heater by changing the applied current proportion of the plurality of resistance-type heat generation layers according to the pressurization conditions between the fixing heater and the pressure roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a high-voltage power supply having a piezoelectric transformer. The power supply includes a positive output voltage generation circuit and a negative output voltage generation circuit. Each of the positive output voltage generation circuit and the negative output voltage generation circuit includes a piezoelectric transformer, a piezoelectric transformer driving circuit, an output voltage detection circuit, and a drive control circuit for outputting a control signal for controlling the piezoelectric transformer driving circuit using a signal from the output voltage detection circuit and an output voltage setting signal for setting an output voltage. The positive output voltage generation circuit and the negative output voltage generation circuit are simultaneously turned on when the output polarity of the high-voltage power supply with a piezoelectric transformer is switched.

Abstract: The roller for an image forming apparatus includes a metal pipe, flanges pressed into both ends of the metal pipe by an interference fit, the flanges including shaft parts, and pins penetrating the metal pipe and the flanges, the pins pressed into both of the metal pipe and the flanges by the interference fit, wherein the pins have a quality of material having a linear expansion coefficient larger than those of the flanges, and the pins have the quality of material having the linear expansion coefficient larger than that of the metal pipe or the same quality of material as that of the metal pipe. Thereby, even if a large load is applied to the roller under a high temperature environment, the roller can secure its strength.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-transformer high-voltage power supply in combination with an image-forming apparatus including a latent-image forming section configured to form an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, a developing section configured to form a toner image on the electrostatic latent image, and a transfer section configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer material includes a piezoelectric transformer; a piezoelectric-transformer drive circuit; an output-voltage setting-signal output circuit configured to output an output-voltage setting-signal; an output-voltage detector circuit, and a drive control circuit configured to output a control signal on the basis of a signal from the output-voltage detector circuit and the output-voltage setting-signal, for controlling the piezoelectric-transformer drive circuit.

Abstract: An update value for updating a count value is changed in accordance with the time interval of activations of a fixing unit. Every time the fixing unit is activated, the count value is updated in accordance with the update value. The target temperature of the heater of the first rotary body is set in accordance with the updated count value to control the temperature of the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a high-voltage power supply having a piezoelectric transformer. The power supply includes a positive output voltage generation circuit and a negative output voltage generation circuit. Each of the positive output voltage generation circuit and the negative output voltage generation circuit includes a piezoelectric transformer, a piezoelectric transformer driving circuit, an output voltage detection circuit, and a drive control circuit for outputting a control signal for controlling the piezoelectric transformer driving circuit using a signal from the output voltage detection circuit and an output voltage setting signal for setting an output voltage. The positive output voltage generation circuit and the negative output voltage generation circuit are simultaneously turned on when the output polarity of the high-voltage power supply with a piezoelectric transformer is switched.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-transformer high-voltage power supply in combination with an image-forming apparatus including a latent-image forming section configured to form an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier, a developing section configured to form a toner image on the electrostatic latent image, and a transfer section configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer material includes a piezoelectric transformer; a piezoelectric-transformer drive circuit; an output-voltage setting-signal output circuit configured to output an output-voltage setting-signal; an output-voltage detector circuit, and a drive control circuit configured to output a control signal on the basis of a signal from the output-voltage detector circuit and the output-voltage setting-signal, for controlling the piezoelectric-transformer drive circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal foil tube with a thickness of 10 to 100 ?m and a method and apparatus of production of the metal foil tube enabling even an extremely thin metal foil to be reliably finished into a tube, that is, a metal foil tube comprised of a metal foil sheet W with a thickness t of 10 to 100 ?m joined by welding, the method of production of the metal foil tube shaping the metal foil sheet W to form an overlap part G, then welding the facing sides and finishing the weld zone part flat.

Abstract: An update value for updating a count value is changed in accordance with the time interval of activations of a fixing unit. Every time the fixing unit is activated, the count value is updated in accordance with the update value. The target temperature of the heater of the first rotary body is set in accordance with the updated count value to control the temperature of the fixing unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an organic aluminum complex manifesting excellent performance when used in an organic EL device and to a process for preparing said complex. The organic EL material of this invention comprises an organoaluminum complex which generates heat of 2 J/g or less In the range of 350-400° C. and absorbs heat of 70-120 j/g, in the range of 400-450° C., with the maximum of an endothermic peak being located near 420° C. on analysis by differential scanning calorimetry. The organic EL material can be obtained by refining the raw material (8-quinolinolato)aluminum by sublimation under reduced pressure of 20 Torr or less while maintaining the temperature in the sublimation zone above 300° C. and below 420° C. and the temperature in the product recovery zone above 100° C. and below 250° C.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus has a heat generating element with an electroconductive portion; a magnetic flux generating unit for generating a magnetic flux, wherein the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generating unit produces eddy current in the heat generating element to heat the heat generating element; a back-up member cooperating with the heat generating element to form a nip therebetween, wherein the nip feeds a recording material carrying an image; a pressing member for applying pressure to the nip; a holding member of metal for holding a pressure by the pressing member; and a shield member provided between the magnetic flux generating unit and the holding member, for shielding magnetic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistance welding method suitable for use in spot welding between a steel-base metal sheet, which has been plated for rust prevention purposes, and an aluminum-base metal sheet and aims to permit a current to flow at a high density across the plated steel sheet and the aluminum-clad steel sheet, thereby realizing high-quality welding.An aluminum-clad steel sheet comprised of a steel layer having projections and an aluminum layer is interposed between the plated steel sheet and the aluminum-base metal sheet to be welded to each other. An electrode is energized by a predetermined weld current from an alternating power supply. The current path is limited to the area of the projections, and metallic melt formed by melting of the plating is accommodated between the projections, preventing the current-carrying area from being increased.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a thick and hard deposit having excellent thermal shock resistance on an engine valve made of a titanium material, particularly on its face and stem end, without allowing the formation of any brittle compound layer between the deposit and the valve material. An engine valve hardfaced on its face and stem end is also provided. A powder comprising a titanium material and 1 to 90% by weight of cobalt, or at least 25% by weight of a titanium material, 1 to 50% by weight of cobalt and 1 to 50% weight of a cobalt-based alloy is fused and deposited on an engine valve mad of a titanium material (e.g., on its face), and the deposited material is aged. The powder is prepared by mixing at least two powders, or from a molten alloy containing all of its constituents, to form a thick and hard deposit having excellent thermal shock and wear resistance on, e.g., the face of the engine valve and is, therefore, of high industrial utility.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier having a honeycomb structure made of metal sheets and used for a catalytic convertor for treating an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The catalyst carrier is made of layers, each having a plain sheet, and at least one corrugated sheet applied on the plain sheet and having a width smaller than that of the plain sheet so that, laterally of the corrugated sheet, a portion of the plain sheet is not occupied by the corrugated sheet. The portion without the corrugated sheet is in face to face contact with a portion having a corrugated sheet on an adjacent layer, and as a result, a lateral engagement is obtained between the corrugated sheets of the facing layers, thereby preventing the layers from being laterally displaced along at least one direction.