Abstract: A powder container that includes a container body to contain powder for image formation, a discharge outlet formed in the container body to discharge powder therefrom, a shutter movable between an open position to open the discharge outlet and a closed position to close the discharge outlet, and a seal member to be interposed between the container body and the shutter when the shutter is at the open position. In a state in which the shutter is at the open position, a downstream end of the seal member in an opening direction in which the shutter moves to open the discharge outlet is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the shutter in the opening direction.

Abstract: The developer container includes a rotator that is rotated in the container body, a sequence of gears disposed outside the developer container that transmits a torque to the rotator, and a container guiding portion that fits with a main body side guiding portion and guides the developer container in a direction in which the developer container is attached to a mounting portion of an image forming device main body. A first gear included in the sequence of the gears is movable between an operating position where the first gear engages with a second gear and a retracted position where the first gear is retracted. On a surface on which the container guiding portion is disposed, a part of the container guiding portion is disposed within a projected area of the first gear being disposed at the operating position.

Abstract: A brake controlling unit detects a brake actuation object based on images captured by a running environment recognizing unit and sets a target brake pre-pressure actuation distance based on a relative speed between the brake actuation object and a subject vehicle. When an actual distance between the subject vehicle and the brake actuation object reaches the target brake pre-pressure actuation distance, the brake controlling unit outputs to a brake driving unit a driving signal that generates a brake pre-pressure to make the brake clearance of a brake minimal.

Abstract: The developer container includes a rotator that is rotated in the container body, a sequence of gears disposed outside the developer container that transmits a torque to the rotator, and a container guiding portion that fits with a main body side guiding portion and guides the developer container in a direction in which the developer container is attached to a mounting portion of an image forming device main body. A first gear included in the sequence of the gears is movable between an operating position where the first gear engages with a second gear and a retracted position where the first gear is retracted. On a surface on which the container guiding portion is disposed, a part of the container guiding portion is disposed within a projected area of the first gear being disposed at the operating position.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor power converter includes first and second electrical conductors opposed to each other, first and second semiconductor elements joined to a first joint surface of the first electrical conductor, first and second convex electrical conductors joined to the first and second semiconductor elements, a junction joined to the first and second convex electrical conductors and a second joint surface of the second electrical conductor, power terminals, signal terminals, and an envelope sealing the constituent members. The envelope includes a flat bottom surface which extends perpendicular to the semiconductor elements and in which first and second bottom surfaces of the electrical conductors are exposed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an apparatus-side terminal provided to a first inner side wall of the apparatus body, a developer container to contain developer and to be removably installable in the apparatus body, a container-side terminal electrically connectable to the apparatus-side terminal and disposed in a first end portion of the developer container in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an apparatus-side protrusion projecting inward from the first inner side wall of the apparatus body. In removal of the developer container from the apparatus body, a second end portion of the developer container in the longitudinal direction is disengaged from the apparatus body before the first end portion is disengaged from the apparatus body, and the apparatus-side protrusion contacts the first end portion of the developer container immediately after removal of the developer container from the apparatus body is started.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a powder container containing powder used for image forming and including an inlet through which the powder is supplied, a powder supply unit including an outlet that is removably connected to the inlet and supplying the powder to the powder container with the outlet connected to the inlet of the powder container, a powder amount detector detecting whether a present powder level in the powder container is equal to or greater than a threshold, and a controller controlling an amount of powder supply from the powder supply unit and controlling the present powder level in the powder container after replenishment to remain in a range from the threshold and a position corresponding to an upper edge of the inlet. A powder transport unit includes a transport decelerating part to decelerate the speed of powder transport and a detection area in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cooling air introduction apparatus for a vehicle. A space that communicates with air introduction ports that are respectively formed in a bumper face of a front bumper and a front grille is partitioned by a vertical partition member. A space that communicates with the air introduction ports that are formed in the bumper face is partitioned by a horizontal partition member. Thus, streams of introduced cooling air are guided to heat exchangers without interfering with each other. The partition members are provided such that a bumper beam moves backward without any trouble upon a light collision.

Abstract: A relay apparatus (10) is provided with: an image output unit (11); switches (SWa, SWb); a control unit (16) for controlling switches; and an obtaining unit (16) for obtaining a first CEC address associated with the relay apparatus if the relay apparatus is connected to an output apparatus (30). The control unit controls switches to select a signal channel connecting a first signal transmitting device (14) and a storage apparatus (20) if the first CEC address and a reproduction command are received. After connecting the relay apparatus and a unit (40), the control unit controls switches to select the signal channel connecting the first signal transmitting device and a second signal transmitting device (15) if the unit is in a video output state, and controls switches to select the signal channel connecting the first signal transmitting device and the image output unit if the unit is in a standby state.

Abstract: A developer amount detector for detecting an amount of developer contained in a unit removably installable in an image forming apparatus, including optical elements having a light-emitting element to emit light and a light-receiving element to receive the light; two light-guiding members, provided in the unit, to guide the light from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element; a holder, held in the image forming apparatus, to hold the optical elements, movable in a direction orthogonal to optical axes of the optical elements as the unit is being installed in the image forming apparatus; and a positioning mechanism to position the unit within the image forming apparatus by restricting movement of the holder in the direction orthogonal to the optical axes relative to the unit in a state in which the unit is installed in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A packaged absorbent article having a body surface and a garment surface; and a wrapper sheet for wrapping the absorbent article so that at least a portion of the garment surface of the absorbent article can be seen through the wrapper sheet.

Abstract: A packaged absorbent article having a body surface and a garment surface; and a wrapper sheet for wrapping the absorbent article so that at least a portion of the garment surface of the absorbent article can be seen through the wrapper sheet.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes an internal shutter and an external shutter. The internal shutter including a contact member is movable between a first position at which the internal shutter closes the outlet, a third position at which the internal shutter opens the outlet, and a second position between the first position and the third position. The internal shutter at the second position is movable to the third position while closing the outlet. The external shutter is movable between a closed position at which the external shutter closes the outlet and an open position at which the external shutter opens the outlet, and includes an interlocking member to contact the contact member to move the internal shutter. As the external shutter is moved from the closed position to the open position, the internal shutter is moved from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the external shutter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, first and second semiconductors between the first and second electrical conductors, a first power terminal, a second power terminal, a signal terminal, and an insulator which covers the components. The insulator includes a flat bottom surface in which the first and second electrical conductors are exposed, a ceiling surface, a first end surface, and a second end surface. The power terminals and the signal terminal extend outwardly from the first and second end surfaces, and the ceiling surface, respectively. The first end surface, the ceiling surface, and the second end surface are formed with a parting line.

Abstract: A development device includes a development housing, a first developer conveyance member, a developer bearer, and a developer amount detector to detect an amount of developer in the development housing. The developer amount detector includes a light-emitting element, a right-receiving element, a first light guide including a first end from which light enters and a second end disposed inside the development housing, and a second light guide including a first end positioned inside the development housing across a predetermined distance from the second end of the first light guide and a second end from which the light exits. The second end of the first light guide and the first end of the second light guide are arranged in an axial direction of the first developer conveyance member with a light transmission path therebetween partly inside a locus of rotation of the first developer conveyance member.

Abstract: The developer container includes a rotator that is rotated in the container body, a sequence of gears disposed outside the developer container that transmits a torque to the rotator, and a container guiding portion that fits with a main body side guiding portion and guides the developer container in a direction in which the developer container is attached to a mounting portion of an image forming device main body. A first gear included in the sequence of the gears is movable between an operating position where the first gear engages with a second gear and a retracted position where the first gear is retracted. On a surface on which the container guiding portion is disposed, a part of the container guiding portion is disposed within a projected area of the first gear being disposed at the operating position.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a diffractive surface. Raised portions and recessed portions are alternately arranged on the diffractive surface. A shape of the valley bottoms of the recessed portions varies according to regions of the diffractive surface.