Abstract: A red phosphor represented by general formula: MSiAlN3, wherein M is at least one or more elements selected from Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and is partially replaced with Eu and has, as a host crystal, a crystal structure identical to that of a CaAlSiN3 crystal phase, and the phosphor has a bulk density of 0.70 g/cm3 or more and 2.30 g/cm3 or less. There is also provided a light-emitting element including the red phosphor and a semiconductor light-emitting element capable of exciting the red phosphor.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element body including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, and a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the first principal surface. A vibration member includes a third principal surface opposing the second principal surface. The piezoelectric element is joined to the third principal surface. A wiring member is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. The wiring member includes a region located on the plurality of external electrodes and joined to the plurality of external electrodes. The region of the wiring member monolithically covers the plurality of external electrodes when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first principal surface.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a piezoelectric element, a resin member having electric insulation, a vibrating member made of metal, a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer. The resin member includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other. The vibrating member includes a third principal surface and a fourth principal surface opposing each other. The first adhesive layer joins the piezoelectric element and the first principal surface. The second adhesive layer joins the second principal surface and the third principal surface. An area of the resin member is greater than an area of the piezoelectric element, and an area of the vibrating member is greater than the area of the piezoelectric element. An area where the second adhesive layer adheres to the vibrating member is greater than an area where the first adhesive layer adheres to the resin member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element body including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, and a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the first principal surface. A vibration member includes a third principal surface opposing the second principal surface. The piezoelectric element is joined to the third principal surface. A wiring member is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. The wiring member includes a region located on the plurality of external electrodes and joined to the plurality of external electrodes. The region of the wiring member monolithically covers the plurality of external electrodes when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first principal surface.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a piezoelectric element, a resin member having electric insulation, a vibrating member made of metal, a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer. The resin member includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other. The vibrating member includes a third principal surface and a fourth principal surface opposing each other. The first adhesive layer joins the piezoelectric element and the first principal surface. The second adhesive layer joins the second principal surface and the third principal surface. An area of the resin member is greater than an area of the piezoelectric element, and an area of the vibrating member is greater than the area of the piezoelectric element. An area where the second adhesive layer adheres to the vibrating member is greater than an area where the first adhesive layer adheres to the resin member.

Abstract: A conveyance member includes: a rotating shaft; a plurality of support members that extend from the rotating shaft in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a plurality of arcuate members each having one end supported respectively by one of the support members, and having another end extending in a direction other than the axial direction so as to form an arc, wherein: when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, there are a plurality of overlapping areas in which adjacent arcuate members overlap in the axial direction; and a length of at least one of the plurality of overlapping areas close to one end of the rotating shaft is greater than a length of each of the overlapping areas in the axial direction toward another end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a developer having at least a toner, an aeration ratio (AR) of the developer measured by a powder rheometer being in a range of about 5.0 to about 10.0. It is preferable that the developer further contains an external additive of silica particles having a small diameter. The invention further provides a process cartridge having at least: a photoreceptor; and a developing device that comprises plura developer storage portions and that makes visible a latent image formed on the photoreceptor by using the developer. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus having at least the process cartridge.

Abstract: A conveyance member includes: a rotating shaft; a plurality of support members that extend from the rotating shaft in a direction crossing an axial direction of the rotating shaft; and a plurality of arcuate members each having one end supported respectively by one of the support members, and having another end extending in a direction other than the axial direction so as to form an arc, wherein: when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, there are a plurality of overlapping areas in which adjacent arcuate members overlap in the axial direction; and a length of at least one of the plurality of overlapping areas close to one end of the rotating shaft is greater than a length of each of the overlapping areas in the axial direction toward another end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a developer having at least a toner, an aeration ratio (AR) of the developer measured by a powder rheometer being in a range of about 5.0 to about 10.0. It is preferable that the developer further contains an external additive of silica particles having a small diameter. The invention further provides a process cartridge having at least: a photoreceptor; and a developing device that comprises plura developer storage portions and that makes visible a latent image formed on the photoreceptor by using the developer. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus having at least the process cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-component magnetic developer having a total energy amount, measured with a powder rheometer at a rotor tip end speed of 100 mm/sec at a rotor helix angle of ?5° at a ventilation rate of 20 ml/min, of 10 to 100 mJ; and a developing method, including agitating a developer in a developer container with an agitating member, forming a developer layer on a developer-carrying member, and applying an electric field to a development zone so as to develop a latent image on an electrostatic latent image-holding member with the developer layer, wherein the ratio Va/Vs of the rotational frequency Va of the agitating member to that Vs of the developer-carrying member is 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge that is freely attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus and that includes a latent image bearing body and a developing device having a developer storage space for storing a developer, the image forming apparatus and an image forming method. The invention also provides another image forming method using a one-component magnetic toner that is employable in a wide region of from a low process speed to a high process speed while achieving a high fixing ability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge that is freely attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus and that includes a latent image bearing body and a developing device having a developer storage space for storing a developer, the image forming apparatus and an image forming method. The invention also provides another image forming method using a one-component magnetic toner that is employable in a wide region of from a low process speed to a high process speed while achieving a high fixing ability.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming method includes a charging step, an exposure step, a developing step and a transfer step in the rotation of an electrostatic latent image bearing member, in which a process speed of the electrostatic latent image bearing member is 200 to 500 mm/sec, an outer diameter of the electrostatic latent image bearing member is 15 to 35 mm, an outer diameter of a developer bearing member is 10 to 25 mm, and a magnetic single component developer of which the residual magnetization in a measured magnetic field of 796 kA/m is 0.5 to 5.0 Am2/kg is used as the developer. The electrophotographic image forming method can provide a good image quality without causing scattering of toner in downsizing, weight reduction of an electrophotographic apparatus and speed-up of an electrophotographic process.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming method includes a charging step, an exposure step, a developing step and a transfer step in the rotation of an electrostatic latent image bearing member, in which a process speed of the electrostatic latent image bearing member is 200 to 500 mm/sec, an outer diameter of the electrostatic latent image bearing member is 15 to 35 mm, an outer diameter of a developer bearing member is 10 to 25 mm, and a magnetic single component developer of which the residual magnetization in a measured magnetic field of 796 kA/m is 0.5 to 5.0 Am2/kg is used as the developer. The electrophotographic image forming method can provide a good image quality without causing scattering of toner in downsizing, weight reduction of an electrophotographic apparatus and speed-up of an electrophotographic process.

Abstract: The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image comprises a colorant, a binding resin and a resin copolymer of aliphatic hydrocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon having 9 or more of carbon atoms. Preferably, the toner further comprises a wax. The endothermic peak of the wax at DSC is preferably from 70 to 100.degree. C. The petroleum resin copolymer preferably has a ring and ball softening point of from 80 to 170.degree. C., and the binding resin is preferably a polyester resin. The weight ratio of the aromatic hydrocarbon monomer and the aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer of the petroleum resin copolymer is preferably from 99:1 to 50:50.

Abstract: This invention provides alginate oligosaccharides comprising calcium alginate oligosaccharide, which is obtained by treating potassium alginate and/or sodium alginate with a polysaccharide-decomposing enzyme (alginate lyase) produced by a microorganism and substituting potassium ion or sodium ion in the potassium alginate oligosaccharide or sodium alginate oligosaccharide thus obtained with calcium ion, and potassium-enriched potassium alginate oligosaccharide, which is obtained by substituting sodium ion in said oligosaccharide with potassium ion, and a method for producing the same. The present invention further provides a food which contains the above-mentioned alginate oligosaccharide and exhibits an antihypertensive action.

Abstract: This invention provides alginate oligosaccharides comprising calcium alginate oligosaccharide, which is obtained by treating potassium alginate and/or sodium alginate with a polysaccharide-decomposing enzyme (alginate lyase) produced by a microorganism and substituting potassium ion or sodium ion in the potassium alginate oligosaccharide or sodium alginate oligosaccharide thus obtained with calcium ion, and potassium-enriched potassium alginate oligosaccharide, which is obtained by substituting sodium ion in said oligosaccharide with potassium ion, and a method for producing the same. The present invention further provides a food which contains the above-mentioned alginate oligosaccharide and exhibits an antihypertensive action.