Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises: a plurality of catalyst units which contain anchor particles that support noble metal particles; and an enclosure material that internally contains the plurality of catalyst units and separates the catalyst units from each other. Both the anchor particles and the enclosure material contain an alkali element and/or an alkaline earth element. Due to this configuration, this exhaust gas purifying catalyst is capable of maintaining the exhaust gas purification performance by suppressing agglomeration of the noble metal particles even in cases where the ambient temperature is high.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises: a plurality of catalyst units which contain anchor particles that support noble metal particles; and an enclosure material that internally contains the plurality of catalyst units and separates the catalyst units from each other. Both the anchor particles and the enclosure material contain an alkali element and/or an alkaline earth element. Due to this configuration, this exhaust gas purifying catalyst is capable of maintaining the exhaust gas purification performance by suppressing agglomeration of the noble metal particles even in cases where the ambient temperature is high.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst is constituted by: noble metal particles (1); first compounds (2) which support the noble metal particles (1); second compounds (3) different in type from the first compounds (2); and oxides (4) which surround the noble metal particles (1), the first compounds (2) and the second compounds (3). A median diameter of the first compounds (2) and a median diameter of the second compounds (3) satisfy a relationship of a following inequality: median diameter of first compounds<median diameter of second compounds.

Abstract: In the present invention, slurry is formed by mixing noble metal-supported powder particles (3) and a binder (4) with each other in a liquid (Step S1), and the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed by applying vibrations to the slurry (Step S2), and thereafter, the slurry is spray dried while keeping a state where the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed (Step S3), whereby noble metal-supported powder (1) is produced. In the noble metal-supported powder (1) produced by such a method, pores through which exhaust gas flows are formed appropriately, and accordingly, exhaust gas purification performance can be enhanced.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) includes: a three-dimensional structural substrate (10) having a plurality of cells (11) partitioned by cell walls (12) having pores (13); and catalyst layers (20) formed in the three-dimensional structural substrate (10). The catalyst layers (20) have pore-cover portions (22) formed on surfaces (13a) of the pores (13) of the cell walls (12). In addition, the catalyst layers (20) of the pore-cover portions (22) have activated pores (22a) with a pore diameter of 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers. In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1), the obstruction of the vent holes (pores (13)) in the catalyst layers (20) can be controlled, and the pressure loss can be reduced.

Abstract: In the present invention, slurry is formed by mixing noble metal-supported powder particles (3) and a binder (4) with each other in a liquid (Step S1), and the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed by applying vibrations to the slurry (Step S2), and thereafter, the slurry is spray dried while keeping a state where the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed (Step S3), whereby noble metal-supported powder (1) is produced. In the noble metal-supported powder (1) produced by such a method, pores through which exhaust gas flows are formed appropriately, and accordingly, exhaust gas purification performance can be enhanced.

Abstract: In the present invention, slurry is formed by mixing noble metal-supported powder particles (3) and a binder (4) with each other in a liquid (Step S1), and the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed by applying vibrations to the slurry (Step S2), and thereafter, the slurry is spray dried while keeping a state where the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed (Step S3), whereby noble metal-supported powder (1) is produced. In the noble metal-supported powder (1) produced by such a method, pores through which exhaust gas flows are formed appropriately, and accordingly, exhaust gas purification performance can be enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for image formation comprises a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating member, a sensor, and a controller. The heating member heats at least one of the fixing and pressing members during a heating operation. The sensor senses the surface temperature of at least one of the fixing and pressing members. If the surface temperature sensed by the sensor exceeds a threshold temperature, the controller stops the heating operation of the heating member. If the sensed temperature drops below the threshold temperature, the controller starts the heating operation of the heating member. The controller includes a period measuring unit for measuring the switching period at which the controller switches the starting and stopping of the heating operation of the heating member. The controller restrains the heating of the fixing and pressing members if the switching period exceeds a reference time.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst is constituted by: noble metal particles (1); first compounds (2) which support the noble metal particles (1); second compounds (3) different in type from the first compounds (2); and oxides (4) which surround the noble metal particles (1), the first compounds (2) and the second compounds (3). A median diameter of the first compounds (2) and a median diameter of the second compounds (3) satisfy a relationship of a following inequality: median diameter of first compounds<median diameter of second compounds.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) includes: a three-dimensional structural substrate (10) having a plurality of cells (11) partitioned by cell walls (12) having pores (13); and catalyst layers (20) formed in the three-dimensional structural substrate (10). The catalyst layers (20) have pore-cover portions (22) formed on surfaces (13a) of the pores (13) of the cell walls (12). In addition, the catalyst layers (20) of the pore-cover portions (22) have activated pores (22a) with a pore diameter of 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers. In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1), the obstruction of the vent holes (pores (13)) in the catalyst layers (20) can be controlled, and the pressure loss can be reduced.

Abstract: In the present invention, slurry is formed by mixing noble metal-supported powder particles (3) and a binder (4) with each other in a liquid (Step S1), and the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed by applying vibrations to the slurry (Step S2), and thereafter, the slurry is spray dried while keeping a state where the noble metal-supported powder particles (3) are dispersed (Step S3), whereby noble metal-supported powder (1) is produced. In the noble metal-supported powder (1) produced by such a method, pores through which exhaust gas flows are formed appropriately, and accordingly, exhaust gas purification performance can be enhanced.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. A plurality of hybrid paper supply modules are stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided is or are maintained in stored state(s) as a result of electromagnetic attraction produced by electromagnet(s). In correspondence to image forming condition(s), electromagnetic attraction at one electromagnet is terminated, causing manual-feed tray(s) to assume deployed state(s). Furthermore, primary path(s) passing vertically through module interior(s) is or are formed so as to permit transport of recording paper toward printing unit(s) of hybrid device(s) regardless of from which hybrid paper supply module(s) it is that recording paper is taken up.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a paper conveying portion for conveying a paper; an image forming portion for forming a visible toner image on the paper being conveyed, with a toner in accordance with input image information; and a fixing unit for fusing and fixing an unfixed toner image formed on the paper to the paper by using a heat roller and a pressing roller, and is constructed such that the pressing roller is composed of a metal core that forms a core shaft of the pressing roller and an elastic part that covers an outer periphery of the metal core, and a heat capacity at a center portion of the pressing roller with respect to a direction perpendicular to a paper's direction of conveyance is smaller than heat capacities at both ends of the pressing roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for image formation comprises a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating member, a sensor, and a controller. The heating member heats at least one of the fixing and pressing members during a heating operation. The sensor senses the surface temperature of at least one of the fixing and pressing members. If the surface temperature sensed by the sensor exceeds a threshold temperature, the controller stops the heating operation of the heating member. If the sensed temperature drops below the threshold temperature, the controller starts the heating operation of the heating member. The controller includes a period measuring unit for measuring the switching period at which the controller switches the starting and stopping of the heating operation of the heating member. The controller restrains the heating of the fixing and pressing members if the switching period exceeds a reference time.

Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting a hybrid paper supply module. In such constitution, paper transport path(s) may be formed between or among first guide member(s) provided at automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) and second guide member(s) provided at manual-feed mechanism unit(s), and manual-feed mechanism unit(s) may be pulled outward and to side(s) of apparatus(es) so as to cause paper transport path(s) to be opened up to the exterior, facilitating removal of jammed paper. Furthermore, given such constitution, a plurality of hybrid paper supply modules may be stacked together to constitute a paper supply mechanism. Manual-feed tray(s) with which manual-feed mechanism unit(s) of respective hybrid paper supply module(s) is or are provided may be collapsible so as to permit extension and/or retraction.

Abstract: Mechanism unit(s) 6 functioning as automatic-feed cassette(s) and mechanism unit(s) 7 functioning as manual-feed tray(s) together form a single integral module, constituting hybrid paper supply module 5. Manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is or are arranged below transport paths 36, 37, which extend toward printing unit(s) 3. Furthermore, path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit(s) 6 is transported and path(s) along which recording paper P taken up from manual-feed mechanism unit(s) 7 is transported are made to intersect within the module, decreasing length(s) of respective path(s).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a paper conveying portion for conveying a paper; an image forming portion for forming a visible toner image on the paper P being conveyed, with a toner in accordance with input image information; and a fixing unit for fusing and fixing the unfixed toner image formed on the paper to the paper by means of a heat roller and a pressing roller, and is constructed such that the pressing roller is composed of a metal core that forms the core shaft of the pressing roller and an elastic part that covers the outer periphery of the metal core, and the heat capacity at the center portion of the pressing roller with respect to the direction perpendicular to the paper's direction of conveyance is smaller than the heat capacities at both ends of the pressing roller.

Abstract: A roller turning force generator is connected to a driving gear which is mounted on a shaft. The shaft is connected to offset roller assemblies disposed in an offset mechanism via connecting gears. The offset roller assemblies rotatably supported inside the offset mechanism are turned by a driving force transmitted from the roller turning force generator to discharge individual sheets of a printing medium in a sheet transport direction. The offset mechanism is linked to an offsetting force generator so that the offset mechanism can be shifted along a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which has sophisticated functions of feeding recording paper of various sizes selectively and of sorting printed paper, is reduced in size. The feed bin sorters, the output bin sorters, and the output tray are arranged in tiers. Pre-printed paper is supplied from any of the feed bin sorters, and printed paper is delivered to any of the output bin sorters or the output tray.