Abstract: This sensor unit includes a base having a substantially-rectangular planar shape including a first side and a second side that are substantially orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of first sensors provided on the base and arranged on a first axis. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first side and passes through a center position of the base.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.

Abstract: A spout mounting method and a spout that enable smooth and high-speed mounting of the spout onto a pouch. The method includes an insertion step of inserting the spout (S) into the pouch (P) so that a mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) is held between not-yet-sealed opening edges, a temporary fixation step of temporarily fixing the spout (S), inserted in the pouch (P), to the pouch (P), and a sealing step of fixing the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S), temporarily fixed to the pouch (P), to the opening edges of the pouch (P) by heat-sealing. In the temporary fixation step, the opening edges of the pouch (P) are fixed together by spot-sealing near edges on both sides of the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) so that the spout (S) is held by the opening edges of the pouch (P).

Abstract: A rotary type pouch reception/delivery unit is configured to receive a pouch supplied by a pouch supply unit at a pouch reception/delivery position ?, conveys it to a pouch reception/delivery position ?, and delivers it to a spout installation unit at a pouch reception/delivery position ?. The pouch reception/delivery unit is provided with a plurality of take-up members rotating at a constant rotation speed so as to pass the pouch reception/delivery position ? and a pouch reception/delivery position ?. The pouch reception/delivery unit receives the pouch supplied in a standing state at the pouch reception/delivery position ? by sucking and holding it by a take-up member and tilts the pouch during conveyance. At the pouch reception/delivery position ?, the pouch receipt/delivery unit delivers the pouch to the spout installation device with a spout installation edge portion horizontally tilted.

Abstract: A spout mounting method and a spout that enable smooth and high-speed mounting of the spout onto a pouch. The method includes an insertion step of inserting the spout (S) into the pouch (P) so that a mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) is held between not-yet-sealed opening edges, a temporary fixation step of temporarily fixing the spout (S), inserted in the pouch (P), to the pouch (P), and a sealing step of fixing the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S), temporarily fixed to the pouch (P), to the opening edges of the pouch (P) by heat-sealing. In the temporary fixation step, the opening edges of the pouch (P) are fixed together by spot-sealing near edges on both sides of the mounting portion (IP) of the spout (S) so that the spout (S) is held by the opening edges of the pouch (P).

Abstract: A rotary type pouch reception/delivery unit is configured to receive a pouch supplied by a pouch supply unit at a pouch reception/delivery position ?, conveys it to a pouch reception/delivery position ?, and delivers it to a spout installation unit at a pouch reception/delivery position ?. The pouch reception/delivery unit is provided with a plurality of take-up members rotating at a constant rotation speed so as to pass the pouch reception/delivery position ? and a pouch reception/delivery position ?. The pouch reception/delivery unit receives the pouch supplied in a standing state at the pouch reception/delivery position ? by sucking and holding it by a take-up member and tilts the pouch during conveyance. At the pouch reception/delivery position ?, the pouch receipt/delivery unit delivers the pouch to the spout installation device with a spout installation edge portion horizontally tilted.

Abstract: A case according to the present invention is used in a sintering process to produce a rare-earth magnet. The case includes: a body with an opening; a door for opening or closing the opening of the body; and supporting rods for horizontally sliding a sintering plate, on which green compacts of rare-earth magnetic alloy powder are placed. The supporting rods are secured inside the body. At least the body and the door are made of molybdenum.

Abstract: The method for producing a rare-earth sintered magnet of the present invention includes the steps of: compacting alloy powder for the rare-earth sintered magnet to form a green compact; loading the green compact into a case having a structure restricting a path through which gas flows between the outside and inside of the case, and placing a gas absorbent at least near the path; and sintering the green compact by heating the case including the green compact inside in a decompressed atmosphere.

Abstract: A suspension application apparatus for applying a suspension containing powder particles of an oxide dispersed in a liquid to a plate for magnet sintering, the oxide having a specific gravity greater than the liquid. The apparatus includes: a container for storing the suspension; a stirrer for stirring the suspension stored in the container; a transport path through which the suspension is transported from the container to the plate; and a homogenizer for homogenizing the suspension by applying a mechanical force to at least part of the suspension flowing through the transport path.

Abstract: A case according to the present invention is used in a sintering process to produce a rare-earth magnet. The case includes: a body with an opening; a door for opening or closing the opening of the body; and supporting rods for horizontally sliding a sintering plate, on which green compacts of rare-earth magnetic alloy powder are placed. The supporting rods are secured inside the body. At least the body and the door are made of molybdenum.

Abstract: A case according to the present invention is used in a sintering process to produce a rare-earth magnet. The case includes: a body with an opening; a door for opening or closing the opening of the body; and supporting rods for horizontally sliding a sintering plate, on which green compacts of rare-earth magnetic alloy powder are placed. The supporting rods are secured inside the body. At least the body and the door are made of molybdenum.

Abstract: A suspension application apparatus for applying a suspension containing powder particles of an oxide dispersed in a liquid to a plate for magnet sintering, the oxide having a specific gravity greater than the liquid. The apparatus includes: a container for storing the suspension; a stirrer for stirring the suspension stored in the container; a transport path through which the suspension is transported from the container to the plate; and a homogenizer for homogenizing the suspension by applying a mechanical force to at least part of the suspension flowing through the transport path.

Abstract: The method for producing a rare-earth sintered magnet of the present invention includes the steps of: compacting alloy powder for the rare-earth sintered magnet to form a green compact; loading the green compact into a case having a structure restricting a path through which gas flows between the outside and inside of the case, and placing a gas absorbent at least near the path; and sintering the green compact by heating the case including the green compact inside in a decompressed atmosphere.

Abstract: A plurality of switch elements are disposed within a casing made of synthetic resin. Each of the switch elements is changeable between a normally-open state and a closed state. A plurality of movable stems are made of synthetic resin. At least parts of the stems extend in the casing and engage the respective switch element. The switch elements are changed between the open and closed states in accordance with movements of the stems respectively. The switch elements can be locked in the closed states. Any one of the switch elements can be unlocked and moved from the closed state when another switch element is changed from the open state to the closed state. At least two of the switch elements are prevented from being simultaneously locked in the closed positions. A mechanism allowing the locking process and unlocking process includes a plate made of synthetic resin and extending within the casing.