Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a movable film movable together and in contact with a recording material supporting a visualized image, the film having a base layer of insulating material and a surface low resistance layer contactable to the visualized image, the surface layer containing low resistance material; a heater extending in a direction crossing with a movement direction of the film, the film being in contact with the base layer of the film, the heater including a base plate, an electric resistance layer producing heat by electric power supply and extending along a longitudinal direction of the film adjacent the film and a protection layer for protecting the electric resistance layer; and an insulating material between the film and the protection layer only at lateral end portions of the film.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater; a film movable together with a recording material having a visualized image which is heated by the heater through the film; a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of the heater; control system for controlling power supply to the heater so as to provide a constant output of the temperature detecting element during fixing operation; wherein the control system controls the power supply to the heater in accordance with an output of the temperature detecting element from start of power supply to the heater to the temperature of the heater reaching a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater having a heating surface; a base member for supporting said heater, said base member having an edge; a holder for supporting said base member; a film movable with a recording material in sliding contact with the heating surface; wherein said holder has a rounded projection for preventing contact of said film with the edge.

Abstract: A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt includes a lateral shifting driver for applying to the endless belt a lateral shifting force in lateral directions; a switching device for switching direction of the lateral shifting force; a detector for detecting a lateral end position of the endless belt; and a controller responsive to an output of the detector to control the switching device. The lateral end portion detected by the detector is provided with an inclined portion.

Abstract: A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt includes a driver for applying to the endless belt a lateral shifting force in both lateral directons; a switching device for switching the direction of the lateral shifting force by the lateral shifting driver; and memory for storing the immediately previous lateral shifting direction by the driver.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater; a film movable together with a recording material in contact with the heater, wherein a visualized image on the recording material is heat-fixed by heat from the heater through the film; a driver for driving the film; wherein the driver stops the film after power supply to the heater is stopped.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element fixedly supported during a fixing procedure, a film, apparatus enabling the film to slide against the heating element, and a pressurizing roller for pressing a recording material on which a toner image is supported against the film. The heating element has a substrate, a heat generating layer provided on the substrate, and a heat-melting portion provided on the substrate. The heat-melting portion melts at a temperature higher than the fixing temperature and lower than the withstanding temperature of the substrate and thereby disconnects the heat generating layer from its power source.

Abstract: A robot control system including a robot, a robot controller for controlling operation of the robot, and a teaching box for teaching the robot through the robot controller. The teaching box includes an input unit separate from the robot controller for entering a command signal to teach the robot its operation to be effected and a control unit for controlling the input unit and processing and for applying the command signal to the robot controller.

Abstract: An articulated robot such as an arc welding robot includes a plurality of articulations and an end effector having a tool center point. To teach the robot, a coordinate transformation matrix for transforming coordinates between the articulations is determined from condition data of the articulations. A present position of the tool center point is calculated based on the coordinate transformation matrix and a moving vector is determined from the present position of the tool center point to a next position thereof. Thereafter, a new coordinate transformation matrix for transforming coordinates between the articulations is determined so that the posture of the end effector at the next position of the tool center point, which is calculated based on the first-mentioned coordinate transformation matrix and the moving vector, will coincide with the posture of the end effector at the present position of the tool center point.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater which is fixed during an image fixing operation, a film for sliding movement of the heater, wherein a toner image on a recording material is heated by heat from the heater through the film, detecting means for detecting non-movement of the film, and power supply stopping means for stopping energization of the heater in response to an output of the detecting means.

Abstract: Rubber compositions for tire treads of an all-weather type are disclosed which are so designed as to exhibit high dynamic Young's modulus, sufficient resistance to snow and ice skidding, to abrasion, to cracking and to crack growth and adequate durability. A selected base rubber is combined with a selected carbon black and a selected m-cresol resin. The base rubber is a blend of two different rubbers, one being natural rubber alone or a combination with a diene rubber and the other being butadiene rubber. The carbon black has specified absorptivity of iodine and dibutyl phthalate. The m-cresol resin is a novolak condensate.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a heater; an endless film through which a toner image on a recording material is heated by heat produced by the heater; and a controller for controlling a position of the endless film in a direction perpendicular to a rotating directon of the endless film.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image fixing device for fixing a toner image supported on an image supporting material, the fixing device including a heating source for heating the toner image; detecting device for detecting passage of the supporting material; and a control device for controlling power supply to the heating source on the basis of an output of the detecting device.

Abstract: Tread rubber compositions or use in automobile tires are disclosed which essentially comprise matrix rubbers and specified amounts of a selected class of low-hardness vulcanized rubbers having specified particle sizes. The matrix and vulcanized rubbers include carbon black, respectively, in amounts defined by the equation 0<X.ltoreq.Y/3 where X is the amount of carbon black present in the vulcanized rubber, and Y is the amount of carbon black in the matrix rubber, each such amount being based on the total weight of the matrix rubber. The resulting tire is rendered highly resistant to snowy and icy conditions and also to abrasive wear.

Abstract: A digital switching system for smooth transfer between active and standby mode of duplicated transmission controllers at a host office (host digital trunk interface controllers) and duplicated transmission controllers at a remote office (remote local controllers).