Abstract: A process cartridge which is detachably mountable to the main body of an image-forming apparatus has a photosensitive member, a toner-holding section and is provided with a toner-carrying member which holds therein a toner and is provided with a toner-carrying member which transports the toner to a developing zone, and a toner-residual detection means capable of detecting a toner residual by a change in electrostatic capacity which is caused between electrodes provided inside the toner-holding section. The toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, having a weight-average particle diameter of from 6.5 &mgr;m to 15.0 &mgr;m, and having a Carr's floodability index of more than 80.

Abstract: In a toner production process having at least a kneading step, a pulverization step using a mechanical grinding machine, and a classification step, the grinding means comprises a mechanical grinding machine having at least a rotor which is a rotator attached to the center rotating shaft and a stator which is provided around the rotor, keeping a constant gap between the stator and the rotor surface, the grinding machine being so constructed that a circular space formed by keeping the gap stands airtight, and the surface of at least one of the rotor and the stator is coated by the plating of a chromium alloy containing at least chromium carbide.

Abstract: A toner is principally constituted by a binder resin, a colorant and a hydrocarbon wax. The hydrocarbon wax has a hydroxyl value (Hv) of 5-150 mgKOH/g and an ester value (Ev) of 1-50 mgKOH/g satisfying Hv>Ev. Further, the toner has a tetrahydrofuran-soluble content providing a gel-permeation chromatogram showing at least one peak in a molecular weight region of 3×103 to 5×104 and at least one peak or shoulder in a molecular weight region of 1×105 to 1×107.

Abstract: A toner having a stable chargeability in various environments, a stable fixability over a wide temperature range and a resistance to sticking on an image-bearing member, is formed of a binder resin, a colorant and an azo iron compound as a charge control agent. The azo iron compound is formed from a monoazo compound having at least one alkyl group and two hydroxyl groups capable of bonding with an iron atom. The toner has a tetrahydrofuran-soluble content providing a gel-permeation chromatogram showing at least one peak in a molecular weight region of 3×103 to 5×104 and at least one peak or shoulder in a molecular weight region of above 5×104 and at most 1×107.

Abstract: A dry magnetic toner is formed of magnetic toner particles comprising a binder resin and magnetic iron oxide particles. The magnetic toner is provided with excellent developing performances and transferability by controlling the presence of isolated iron-containing particles and containing a high percentage of spherical particles, the amount of which is controlled relative to the weight-average particle size of the magnetic toner and a content of particles of 3 &mgr;m or below in the magnetic toner.

Abstract: A toner is principally constituted by a binder resin, a colorant and a hydrocarbon wax. The hydrocarbon wax has a hydroxyl value (Hv) of 5-150 mgKOH/g and an ester value (Ev) of 1-50 mgKOH/g satisfying Hv>Ev. Further, the toner has a tetrahydrofuran-soluble content providing a gel-permeation chromatogram showing at least one peak in a molecular weight region of 3×103 to 5×104 and at least one peak or shoulder in a molecular weight region of 1×105 to 1×107.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image is formed of toner particles; wherein each toner particle includes (i) 100 wt. parts of a binder resin having a glass transition point (Tg) of 50-70° C., (ii) 0.2-20 wt. parts of solid wax, and (iii) colorant particles or magnetic powder, (iv) lubricant particles carrying a liquid lubricant, so that the toner particle retains at its surface the liquid lubricant gradually released from the particles (iv). The toner may be further blended with an organically treated inorganic fine powder to provide a developer. The toner or developer retains good lubricity and releasability so that it is suitable to be used in an image forming method including means contacting a latent image-bearing means, such as a contact charging means, a contact transfer means or a contact cleaning means.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image includes a binder resin, a colorant and a wax. The toner shows heat-absorption characteristics represented by a DSC heat-absorption curve obtained on temperature increase in a temperature range of 30-150.degree. C. by a differential scanning colorimeter (DSC). The DSC heat-absorption curve shows a maximum heat-absorption peak (P1) in a temperature range of 70-90.degree. C. The DSC curve also provides a differential curve showing a first maximum (Max1) on a lowest temperature side at a temperature (T1) of 50-65.degree. C., showing a second maximum (Max2) on a next lowest temperature side at a temperature (T2) of 65-85.degree. C., and showing a minimum (Min1) on a highest temperature side at a temperature (T3) of at least 95.degree. C. Because of the DSC heat-absorption characteristics, the toner exhibits excellent fixability (including anti-offset characteristic) over a wide temperature range and excellent continuous image forming characteristic.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image is formed of toner particles; wherein each toner particle includes (i) 100 wt. parts of a binder resin having a glass transition point (Tg) of 50-70.degree. C., (ii) 0.2-20 wt. parts of solid wax, and (iii) colorant particles or magnetic powder carrying a liquid lubricant, so that the toner particle retains at its surface the liquid lubricant gradually released from the particles (iii). The toner may be further blended with an organically treated inorganic fine powder to provide a developer. The toner or developer retains good lubricity and releasability so that it is suitable to be used in an image forming method including means contacting a latent image-bearing means, such as a contact charging means, a contact transfer means or a contact cleaning means.

Abstract: A positive-chargeable toner is disclosed which has a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent. The binder resin contains a styrene copolymer and has an acid value of from 0.5 to 50.0 mg KOH/g, and the charge control agent has an imidazole derivative represented by the Formula (1). Also, an image forming method and an apparatus unit, making use of the positive-chargeable toner, are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic toner includes magnetic toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a magnetic iron oxide. The magnetic iron oxide contains 0.2 to 4.0% by weight of at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr, Cd, Al, Sn and Mg, and 0.2 to 0.8% by weight of silicon element on the basis of an iron element; the ratio (B.sub.si /A.sub.Si).times.100 of the content B.sub.Si of the silicon element present in the magnetic iron oxide up to an iron element solubility of 20% by weight to the total content A.sub.Si of the silicon element present in the magnetic iron oxide is 45 to 85%; the ratio (C.sub.si /A.sub.Si).times.100 of the content C.sub.Si of the silicon element present in the magnetic iron oxide up to an iron element solubility of 10% by weight to the total content A.sub.Si is 35 to 70%; and the magnetic toner has a weight average particle diameter of 3.5 to 10.0 .mu.

Abstract: An underwater laser processing system has a laser torch; a laser torch driving mechanism for changing a laser emission position of the laser torch; and a chamber with one end opened to an external environment, which contains the laser torch; wherein a partitioning wall for preventing permeation of water is provided between a free end of the chamber and the laser torch. The system is used for detecting a sensitized portion and repairing it at one time using a sensitization detecting arrangement. Moreover, it is used for forming an alloying layer by melting a sprayed coating film, and for forming a new surface layer by emitting a laser beam through a solution containing a metal component.

Abstract: A toner exhibiting good fixing performances even at a high process speed is formed of a binder resin, a wax and a colorant. The toner is especially characterized by visco-elastic properties including: (a) a storage modulus G' (160.degree. C.) of 8.0.times.10.sup.2 -1.2.times.10.sup.4 Pa at 160.degree. C., (b) a loss modulus G" (160.degree. C.) of 4.0.times.10.sup.2 -6.0.times.10.sup.3 Pa at 160.degree. C., (c) a loss tangent tan.delta. (160.degree. C.)=G" (160.degree. C.)/G' (160.degree. C.) of 0.1-1.5 at 160.degree. C., (d) a storage modulus G' (190.degree. C.) of 6.0.times.10.sup.2 -1.6.times.10.sup.4 Pa at 190.degree. C., (e) a loss modulus G" (190.degree. C.) of 2.0.times.10.sup.2 -4.0.times.10.sup.3 Pa at 190.degree. C., (f) a yloss tangent tan.delta. (190.degree. C.)=G" (190.degree. C.)/G' (190.degree. C.) of 0.05-1.2 at 190.degree. C., (g) G' (160.degree. C.)/G' (190.degree. C.)=0.5-2.0, and (h) tan.delta. (160.degree. C.)>tan.delta. (190.degree. C.).

Abstract: A submerged laser beam irradiation equipment provides a high quality submerged laser beam processing of a submerged workpiece using only a small amount of a gas. The submerged laser beam irradiation equipment has: a focus lens for focusing a laser beam; a mirror tube which houses the lens; a first nozzle operating to cover the front end of the mirror tube in an irradiating direction of the laser beam; a skirt portion provided at the front end of the first nozzle for preventing water intrusion thereinto; and a shutter mechanism operable to open and close and provided between said skirt portion and said mirror tube for preventing water intrusion into said mirror tube.

Abstract: An ultra high head pumpturbine power generating plant with a turbine having a runner rotating with water flow supplied through a high head conducting tube. A rotary electric machine rotates with rotation of the runner. The head is in the range of 400-600 m, and the runner is at least 5 meters in diameter. The said runner has characteristics of toughness at room temperature: at least 500 N/mm.sup.2, or tensile strength at room temperature: at least 650 N/mm.sup.2, elongation at least 16%, reduction of area at least 45%, 2 mm U-notch impact value at 0.degree. C. at least 100 J, and fracture toughness at least 6000 N/mm.sup.3/2.

Abstract: A neutron-irradiated structural material having a defect in a nuclear reactor internals is repaired by covering the structural material to be repaired with a plate to cover over a portion thereof having the defect, and then welding the plate and the structural material by locally applying pressure on the surface of the plate and adding energy to the portion to which the pressure is applied thereby to generate thermal energy in the contact surfaces between the plate and the structural material.

Abstract: Method of welding a carbon steel and a austenitic stainless steel involves using high density energy beam like a laser beam or electron beam. Welding using high density energy beam is effective to obtain a high precision welding. For the purpose of obtaining both high precision and no cracks, and no deformation, the method of the invention controls the structure of a weld portion to be a mixed structure of an austenitic structure and not greater than 20 wt % of a ferritic structure.

Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic images is prepared from a binder resin, a colorant or magnetic material, and a wax component. The toner is provided with improved low-temperature fixability anti-electrostatic offset characteristic, anti-blocking characteristic and anti-offset characteristic by controlling the thermal characteristic of the wax component so as to provide a DSC (differential scanning colorimeter) curve on temperature increase, showing a minimum onset temperature of heat absorption of at least 50.degree. C. and at least two heat absorption peaks including a largest and a second largest peaks, different from each other in peak temperature by at least 15.degree. C., wherein low-temperature heat absorption peak P.sub.1 of the two peaks shows a half-value width of at most 20.degree. C. and a higher-temperature heat absorption peak P.sub.2 shows a half-value width of at most 20.degree. C., and wherein the peak P.sub.1 shows a higher half-width temperature and the peak P.sub.

Abstract: High toughness stainless steel type 13Cr5Ni containing C: 0.008-0.03% (by weight, all of the following elements), Si: max. 1%, Mn: max. 2%, Cr: 10.0-14.0%, Ni: 4.0-7.0%, and Mo: 0.2-2.0%, in which (Cr/Ni) ratio is in a range of 2.0-3.0 or (C/Mo) ratio is in a range of 0.015-0.1, as a structural material for fluid machinery, austenitic stainless steel containing C: 0.10-0.30% (by weight, all of the following elements), Si: max. 1%, Mn: max. 2%, Cr: 16.00-23.00%, Ni: 1.00-8.00%, and Co: 2.00-9.00%, and Ni+Co: 6.00-12.00% as a weld padding layer forming material, and fluid machinery using the same.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image is constituted by a binder resin and a hydrocarbon wax having a weight-average molecular weight of 800 to 3600. The toner is provided with good fixation characteristics including low-temperature fixability and anti-high temperature offsetting if the toner shows a storage modulus of at least 1.times.10.sup.3 dyn/cm.sup.2, a loss modulus in the range of 5.times.10.sup.2 -5.times.10.sup.4 dyn/cm.sup.2 and a ratio of loss modulus/storage modulus (loss tangent) of below 0.9 as measured under conditions of a frequency of 0.1 Hz and a temperature of 200.degree. C.; and the toner provides a DSC curve, as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter, showing an onset temperature of heat absorption of at most 105.degree. C. and a heat-absorption peak temperature in the range of 90.degree.-120.degree. C. on temperature increase, and a heat evolution peak temperature in the range of 62.degree.-75.degree. C. and a heat evolution peak intensity ratio of at least 2.times.10.