Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying device for paper; an image forming device for forming an image on the paper; and a paper discharge tray where the image-formed paper is discharged and loaded at a predetermined discharge angle by the conveying device. A speed of the paper discharge by the conveying device is controlled in accordance with at least one of the discharge angle and a type of paper to be used.

Abstract: This paper feeder brings the uppermost paper sheet of a plurality of stacked paper sheets into contact with paper feed rollers and feeds out the paper sheet in a paper feeding direction by the drive thereof. Side fences for guiding both side edges of the paper sheet on a paper feeding table are provided with a pair of blowing units for blowing air to both side edges of the paper sheet, whose air quantity can be controlled independently of each other. When skewing occurs, the blowing units are controlled to blow a larger quantity of air to the paper side edge having larger friction against a lower paper sheet as compared with the quantity of air to the other paper side edge. In paper feeding, problems such as skewing, multi-feeding and idle feeding can be addressed.

Abstract: A highly viscous fluid discharging apparatus includes: a nozzle including a discharge opening having a predetermined inner volume, and a widened portion formed at a position immediately before the discharge opening and expanding from the discharge opening; a plunger capable of opening and closing the discharge opening by causing the leading-end portion of the plunger to move away from and to move towards the widened portion; and a driver configured to move the plunger in a direction of closing the discharge opening against a biasing force that biases the plunger in a direction of opening the discharge opening. During a stand-by period, the discharge opening is kept closed by an action of the plunger that is caused by the driver to press the leading-end portion onto the widened portion.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck, which includes a plurality of ejector pins, means of moving up and down the ejector pins and means of grounding the ejector pins, is provided with an ejector buffer mechanism disposed between the ejector pins and the ejector pin moving means for exerting a buffer action for the tip positions of individual ejector pins. The electrostatic chuck facilitates the positioning control of the ejector pins and enables the ejector pins to come in tight contact with the wafer rear surface, and consequently the wafer can be clamped and released quickly and reliably. At the plasma processing of wafer, the ejector pins are brought to tight contact with the wafer rear surface, or a clearance within a prescribed range is created for the ejector pins from the wafer rear surface, thereby suppressing the occurrence of discharge in the gap between an ejector pin and the wafer rear surface, and consequently problems associated with the discharge can be dissolved.

Abstract: A wire dot printer using fluid ink in which printing is carried out with the ink adhering to the end faces of the wires. A front wire guide guides the end portions of the wires adjacent to the printing end faces of the wires. A rear wire guide is positioned behind the front wire guide. An ink path fed by capillary action is provided between the front and rear wire guides which crosses the wires at positions adjacent the end faces of the wires. Also disclosed is a pump for conveying the ink within the printer and preferred compositions of the ink itself.