Abstract: A binder composition for a non-aqueous secondary battery positive electrode contains a polymer. The polymer includes a nitrile group-containing monomer unit and has a weight-average molecular weight of 300,000 or less and a sulfur content of 500 ppm or more.

Abstract: A first duct connects a tank and a syringe together. A second duct connects the syringe and a dumper together. A third duct connects the dumper and the tank together. When a time (deformation restoration time) until the swollen dumper is returned to its original shape is determined, a controller deforms the dumper. The controller sets the position of a liquid level in the tank less than a specified position (syringe filling processing). The controller opens the third duct so as to measure a liquid level recovery time until the output of a liquid level sensor is changed (time measurement processing). The controller determines a deformation restoration time based on the liquid level recovery time.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first duct connects a tank to a syringe. A second duct connects the syringe to a damper. A third duct connects the damper to the tank. A liquid surface sensor senses whether or not a liquid surface of the ink in the tank is located at or below a reference position. In a measurement mode, a controller performs injection of the ink into the damper after closing the first and third ducts. The controller opens the third duct after the damper is deformed. Then, the controller closes the second and third ducts. The controller opens the first duct and recognizes a suction amount of the ink sucked from the start of the suction until an output of the liquid surface sensor changes. The controller determines a variation amount based on the suction amount recognized.

Abstract: A first duct connects a tank and a syringe together. A second duct connects the syringe and a dumper together. A third duct connects the dumper and the tank together. When a time (deformation restoration time) until the swollen dumper is returned to its original shape is determined, a controller deforms the dumper. The controller sets the position of a liquid level in the tank less than a specified position (syringe filling processing). The controller opens the third duct so as to measure a liquid level recovery time until the output of a liquid level sensor is changed (time measurement processing). The controller determines a deformation restoration time based on the liquid level recovery time.

Abstract: An ink supplying device includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a pump, a detector, a measuring section, and a determining section. The pump moves ink between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The detector is provided on the first reservoir and detects the ink in the first reservoir. The measuring section measures a first period and a second period. The determining section determines whether or not the first period and the second period are equal. The first period is a period starting when the detector does not detect the ink and ending when the pump has moved the ink from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. The second period is a period starting when the pump starts moving the ink from the second reservoir to the first reservoir and ending when the detector detects the ink.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first duct connects a tank to a syringe. A second duct connects the syringe to a damper. A third duct connects the damper to the tank. A liquid surface sensor senses whether or not a liquid surface of the ink in the tank is located at or below a reference position. In a measurement mode, a controller performs injection of the ink into the damper after closing the first and third ducts. The controller opens the third duct after the damper is deformed. Then, the controller closes the second and third ducts. The controller opens the first duct and recognizes a suction amount of the ink sucked from the start of the suction until an output of the liquid surface sensor changes. The controller determines a variation amount based on the suction amount recognized.

Abstract: An ink supplying device includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a pump, a detector, a measuring section, and a determining section. The pump moves ink between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The detector is provided on the first reservoir and detects the ink in the first reservoir. The measuring section measures a first period and a second period. The determining section determines whether or not the first period and the second period are equal. The first period is a period starting when the detector does not detect the ink and ending when the pump has moved the ink from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. The second period is a period starting when the pump starts moving the ink from the second reservoir to the first reservoir and ending when the detector detects the ink.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a staple unit, a print unit, a power supply, and a control unit. When the time that elapses after completion of a print job equals a standby time, the control unit stops supply of electric power to the staple unit. When it is predicted that the printout of a print job does not require stapling, the control unit sets the standby time to a first time. When it is predicted that stapling is required, the control unit sets the standby time to a second time that is longer than the first time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a staple unit, a print unit, a power supply, and a control unit. When the time that elapses after completion of a print job equals a standby time, the control unit stops supply of electric power to the staple unit. When it is predicted that the printout of a print job does not require stapling, the control unit sets the standby time to a first time. When it is predicted that stapling is required, the control unit sets the standby time to a second time that is longer than the first time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a patch forming unit, a reversing unit, a patch detecting unit, and a fixing condition correcting unit. The patch forming unit forms a patch for fixability test on conveyed paper by a fixing roller having a fixing condition set corresponding to the execution of a print job. The reversing unit reverses the paper on which the patch for fixability test is formed from the front surface to the back surface through a reversing and conveying path. The patch forming unit detects a characteristic value of the patch for fixability test of the reversed paper using a medium sensor which detects the characteristic value of the back surface of the paper. The fixing condition correcting unit corrects the fixing condition based on the detected characteristic value of the patch for fixability test.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a patch forming unit, a reversing unit, a patch detecting unit, and a fixing condition correcting unit. The patch forming unit forms a patch for fixability test on conveyed paper by a fixing roller having a fixing condition set corresponding to the execution of a print job. The reversing unit reverses the paper on which the patch for fixability test is formed from the front surface to the back surface through a reversing and conveying path. The patch forming unit detects a characteristic value of the patch for fixability test of the reversed paper using a medium sensor which detects the characteristic value of the back surface of the paper. The fixing condition correcting unit corrects the fixing condition based on the detected characteristic value of the patch for fixability test.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus includes a lifting/lowering plate, a drive portion, a determination portion, and a remaining amount detecting portion. The lifting/lowering plate has a sheet mounting surface on which one or more sheets are placed, and is attached to the sheet feed apparatus in such a manner that the sheet mounting surface can be lifted and lowered. The lifting/lowering plate is made of a flexible material. The drive portion drives and lifts and lowers the lifting/lowering plate. The determination portion determines whether or not the lifting/lowering plate has a warpage. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a remaining amount detection value which indicates a remaining amount of sheets placed on the sheet mounting surface. The remaining amount correcting portion corrects the remaining amount detection value detected by the remaining amount detecting portion, based on a determination result of the determination portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a power supply switch, a timer unit, a backup memory, and a controller. The backup memory is configured to nonvolatilely store an accumulated time, the accumulated time being a total period of time during which a heater is energized for detection of disconnection of a temperature-detecting unit after the power supply switch is turned on. The controller is configured to: recognize temperature of a heated member based on an output from the temperature-detecting unit, control the energization of the heater, and start the energization of the heater when the power supply switch is turned on. The controller is configured to determine that a disconnection of the temperature-detecting unit has occurred if the temperature recognized based on the output from the temperature-detecting unit remains in a predetermined low-temperature zone when the accumulated time has become a predetermined detecting-execution time period.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus includes a lifting/lowering plate, a drive portion, a determination portion, and a remaining amount detecting portion. The lifting/lowering plate has a sheet mounting surface on which one or more sheets are placed, and is attached to the sheet feed apparatus in such a manner that the sheet mounting surface can be lifted and lowered. The lifting/lowering plate is made of a flexible material. The drive portion drives and lifts and lowers the lifting/lowering plate. The determination portion determines whether or not the lifting/lowering plate has a warpage. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a remaining amount detection value which indicates a remaining amount of sheets placed on the sheet mounting surface. The remaining amount correcting portion corrects the remaining amount detection value detected by the remaining amount detecting portion, based on a determination result of the determination portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a power supply switch, a timer unit, a backup memory, and a controller. The backup memory is configured to nonvolatilely store an accumulated time, the accumulated time being a total period of time during which a heater is energized for detection of disconnection of a temperature-detecting unit after the power supply switch is turned on. The controller is configured to: recognize temperature of a heated member based on an output from the temperature-detecting unit, control the energization of the heater, and start the energization of the heater when the power supply switch is turned on. The controller is configured to determine that a disconnection of the temperature-detecting unit has occurred if the temperature recognized based on the output from the temperature-detecting unit remains in a predetermined low-temperature zone when the accumulated time has become a predetermined detecting-execution time period.