Abstract: An example paper feed device includes a tray to feed printing paper, a magnetic force generation element to generate a magnetic flux, a 3D magnetic sensor to detect changes in the a density of the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic force generation element in each of three axes, and a controller. The tray has a movable element that is movable in relation to the printing paper. Either the magnetic force generation element or the 3D magnetic sensor is attached to the movable element. The controller determines the position of the movable element based on a detection signal received from the 3D magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a tray to store a stack of sheets, and a sheet elevation mechanism provided at the bottom of the tray to lift the stack of sheets until a top sheet of the stack of sheets reaches a predetermined height position. A paper feed roller is disposed above the tray to come in contact with the top sheet having reached the predetermined height position and rotated by a motor to deliver the top sheet from the tray. Additionally, the sheet feed device includes a controller to control the sheet elevation mechanism based on a drive torque of the motor to adjust the height position of the stack of sheets, after delivery of the first sheet from the tray by the paper feed roller and upon delivery of a second sheet by the paper feed roller. The frictional force to be produced between the second sheet and the paper feed roller is substantially equal to the frictional force produced between the first sheet and the paper feed roller during delivery of the first sheet.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors based on image information. The first detecting unit detects whether or not the first given number of the first housing units are installed to the apparatus. The second detecting unit detects whether or not the second given number of the second housing unit and the third given number of the first housing unit are installed to the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes: an image forming apparatus main body; a replaceable unit which is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a detachable manner; a storage unit provided in the replaceable unit, the storage unit storing information with respect to the replaceable unit; a first detecting unit that detects a first-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit and other operation at a first stage of replacing the replaceable unit; a second detecting unit that detects a second-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit at a second stage of replacing the replaceable unit; and a control unit that controls access to the storage unit in accordance with whether the second detecting unit detects the second-stage operation, when the first detecting unit detects the first-stage operation.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, a control unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by using coloring materials of a plurality of colors based on image information. The first detecting unit detects whether or not the first given number of the first housing units are installed to the apparatus. The second detecting unit detects whether or not the second given number of the second housing unit and the third given number of the first housing unit are installed to the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes: an image forming apparatus main body; a replaceable unit which is attached to the image forming apparatus main body in a detachable manner; a storage unit provided in the replaceable unit, the storage unit storing information with respect to the replaceable unit; a first detecting unit that detects a first-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit and other operation at a first stage of replacing the replaceable unit; a second detecting unit that detects a second-stage operation for replacing the replaceable unit at a second stage of replacing the replaceable unit; and a control unit that controls access to the storage unit in accordance with whether the second detecting unit detects the second-stage operation, when the first detecting unit detects the first-stage operation.

Abstract: A partially crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer composition having an excellent heat-bondability is obtained by dynamically heat-treating a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof in the presence of an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer having excellent elasticity even with a small rubber content and being excellent in strength, coatability and thermal adhesion to different materials such as various resins, metals or the like, which comprises melting and kneading a material mixture containing (A) particles of a polymer composed of a crystalline olefin polymer portion and a noncrystalline olefin polymer portion, (B) a graft-modifier and (C) a radical initiator to form a graft-modified and crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer having a cyclohexane-insoluble content of at least 40% by weight; and a thermoplastic elastomer obtained by the above method.

Abstract: In the case where a polyamide is blended with a specific partially crosslinked graft-modified polyolefin elastomer obtained by dynamically heat-treating a blend of a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber and an olefinic plastic with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, an unsaturated epoxy monomer or an unsaturated hydroxy monomer in the presence of an organic peroxide, if the graft-modified polyolefin plastomer occupies a major portion, a composition excellent in the oil resistance, the mechanical strength and the resistance against heat aging is obtained and if the polyamide occupies a major portion, a composition excellent in the impact resistance, the rigidity and the tensile strength is obtained.

Abstract: A modified thermoplastic resin or elastomer composition having excellent paint adhesion is obtained by dynamically heat-treating a peroxide-crosslinkable olefin type copolymer and/or an olefin type plastic and a monomer containing at least one amino group and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof in the presence of an organic peroxide. This thermoplastic resin or elastoemr composition is valuable as a material for an interior automotive trim. If a layer of this thermoplastic elastomer composition is laminated with a polyurethane layer, a laminate having excellent tensile strength and heat resistance, which is especially valuable as an interior trim of a vehicle such as an automobile, is obtained.

Abstract: In the case where a polyamide is blended with a specific partially crosslinked graft-modified polyolefin elastomer obtained by dynamically heat-treating a blend of a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber and an olefinic plastic with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, an unsaturated epoxy monomer or an unsaturated hydroxy monomer in the presence of an organic peroxide, if the graft-modified polyolefin plastomer occupies a major portion, a composition excellent in the oil resistance, the mechanical strength and the resistance against heat aging is obtained and if the polyamide occupies a major portion, a composition excellent in the impact resistance, the rigidity and the tensile strength is obtained.

Abstract: Chlorinated ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber of the present invention is characterized in that the content of chlorine bonded to primary carbon atom is 0.6% by weight or more and the content of chlorine bonded to tertiary carbon atom is 1.6% by weight or less. This chlorinated ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber has a high vulcanization speed and excels in heat resistance. Additionally, this thermoplastic elastomer composition consisting of this vulcanizate and crystalline polyolefin resin particularly excels in moldability and processibility.

Abstract: Chlorinated ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber of the present invention is characterized in that the content of chlorine bonded to primary carbon atom is 0.6 % by weight or more and the content of chlorine bonded to tertiary carbon atom is 1.6 % by weight or less. This chlorinated ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer rubber has a high vulcanization speed and excels in heat resistance. Additionally, this thermoplastic elastomer composition consisting of this vulcanizate and crystalline polyolefin resin particularly excels in moldability and processibility.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided laminated molded articles excellent in properties such as heat resistance, low-temperature resistance and the like and also excellent in soft touch and hand feel, said laminated molded articles comprising(a) a core layer composed of a synthetic resin,(b) an interlayer (I) composed of a polyolefin foam, polyurethane foam or thermoplastic elastomer foam, formed on said core layer,(c) an interlayer (II) composed of a modified polyolefin elastomer graft modified with at least one graft monomer selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, derivatives thereof, unsaturated epoxy monomers and unsaturated hydroxy monomers, formed on said interlayer (I), and(d) a surface skin composed of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyurethane and polyesters, formed on said interlayer (II), said surface skin being decorated, if necessary, by gigging the surface thereof.

Abstract: A partially crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer composition excellent in the heat bondability is obtained by dynamically heat-treating a blend of a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer and an olefinic plastic with an unsaturated epoxy monomer or an unsaturated hydroxy monomer in the presence of an organic peroxide.

Abstract: A laminate comprising (a) a layer of a partially crosslinked graft-modified polyolefin elastomer formed by dynamically heat-treating a mixture of a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber and an olefinic plastic with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, an unsaturated epoxy monomer or an unsaturated hydroxy monomer in the presence of an organic peroxide and (b) a layer of a polyamide, polyurethane or polyester is excellent in weatherability, heat resistance and dimension stability, and this laminate is effectively molded into an interior part or sealing material of an automobile, especially a glass run channel. The glass run channel molded from this laminate is excellent in the durability, the tightness of contact with glass at the time of closing and the sliding smoothness at the opening-closing operation.

Abstract: A laminate comprising (a) a layer of a partially crosslinked graft-modified polyolefin elastomer formed by dynamically heat-treating a mixture of a peroxide-crosslinking olefin copolymer rubber and an olefinic plastic with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, an unsaturated epoxy monomer or an unsaturated hydroxy monomer in the presence of an organic peroxide and (b) a layer of a polyamide, polyurethane or polyester is excellent in weatherability, heat resistance and dimension stability, and this laminate is effectively molded into an interior part or sealing material of an automobile, especially a glass run channel. The glass run channel molded from this laminate is excellent in the durability, the tightness of contact with glass at the time of closing and the sliding smoothness at the opening-closing operation.

Abstract: A chlorinated rubber having a chlorine content of 10 to 45% by weight based on the weight of the chlorinated rubber and a Mooney viscosity, ML.sub.1+4 (121.degree. C.), of 10 to 190 is obtained by chlorinating an ethylene/alpha-olefin/non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber containing 5-vinyl-2-norbornene as the non-conjugated diene. The chlorinated rubber has excellent processability in roll milling, extrusion, etc.

Abstract: A fine particulate crosslinked amorphous copolymer comprising an amorphous copolymer having a constituent unit originating at least from ethylene and .alpha.-olefin, and having an average particle diameter of 0.2 to 50 .mu.m and a hot toluene insolubles content of 15% by weight or more.

Abstract: A chlorinated rubber having a chlorine content of 10 to 45% by weight based on the weight of the chlorinated rubber and a Mooney Viscosity, ML.sub.1+4 (121.degree. C.), of 10 to 190 is obtained by chlorinating an ethylene/alpha-olefin/non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber containing 5-vinyl-2-norbornene as the non-conjugated diene. The chlorinated rubber has excellent processability in roll milling, extrusion, etc.