Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with an upper unit having a recording head for discharging ink for effecting recording on a recording medium in response to information, and at least a portion of the electric circuit of the apparatus, a lower unit having a platen for maintaining the recording medium in the recording station by the recording head, the lower unit capable of being spaced apart relative to the upper unit, and a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the recording station. The upper unit and the lower unit are capable of being spaced apart and opened in the recording station by the recording head.

Abstract: A method of controlling a conveying device having a gripping hand for gripping an article to be conveyed and a conveying mechanism for conveying the gripping hand, wherein a pressing force applied to the gripping hand through the article being conveyed is detected and the conveying operation of the conveying mechanism is stopped when the pressing force exceeds a predetermined force.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with an upper unit having a recording head for discharging ink for effecting recording on a recording medium in response to information, and at least a portion of the electric circuit of the apparatus, a lower unit having a platen for maintaining the recording medium in the recording station by the recording head, the lower unit capable of being spaced apart relative to the upper unit, and a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the recording station. The upper unit and the lower unit are capable of being spaced apart and opened in the recording station by the recording head. The recording apparatus further having a blower which introduces air and directs an air stream through the apparatus and past a full page width recording head. The air stream directs ink mist generated by the printhead through a recording medium discharge port such that ink mist is removed from the apparatus body by riding the air stream or by adhering to the recording medium.

Abstract: V-shaped linear groove portions are formed at regular intervals and at three positions (with 120.degree. pitches) on a periphery, concentric with a ring-shaped support frame, of an X-ray mask to extend in the radial direction. On the other hand, corresponding mounts, as projecting portions, each having a spherical leading end are disposed at three positions on a mask chuck. The mask is held on the mask chuck at the three positions by engaging the corresponding V-shaped linear groove portions and the projecting portions.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with an upper unit having a recording head for discharging ink for effecting recording on a recording medium in response to information, and at least a portion of the electric circuit of the apparatus, a lower unit having a platen for maintaining the recording medium in the recording station by the recording head, the lower unit capable of being spaced apart relative to the upper unit, and a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the recording station. The upper unit and the lower unit are capable of being spaced apart and opened in the recording station by the recording head.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing three-dimensional parts using sheets of a thermoplastic resin high-performance fiber-reinforced composite material includes the steps of supplying the sheet of the high-performance resin-reinforced composite material which uses as a matrix a thermoplastic resin and in which reinforcing fiber is oriented, clamping an end portion of the sheet by a sheet clamping device, conveying the sheet to a heating/forming zone, heating the sheet to a predetermined temperature, clamping the sheet by upper and lower frames by driving cylinders, forming the three-dimensional part by operating a mold and thereby deep drawing the clamped sheet inwardly according to a stroke of the mold, and repeating the above-described series of steps continuously.

Abstract: An X-ray mask structure includes a mask substrate having a pattern; a supporting frame for carrying and supporting the mask substrate; and an adhesive material for fixing the mask substrate to the supporting frame; wherein a stress releasing groove is formed in at least one of the mask substrate and the supporting frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional parts using sheets of a thermoplastic resin high-performance fiber-reinforced composite material. The apparatus includes a sheet clamping device for clamping an end portion of the sheet and conveying the sheet to a heating/forming zone, a heater for heating the sheet to a predetermined temperature, upper and lower frames driven by cylinders for clamping the sheet and a male mold member for forming the three-dimensional part by deep drawing the clamped sheet inwardly through a stroke of the mold member.

Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus for vertically holding a substrate to be exposed by radiation includes a substrate holding member for attracting a substrate by a magnetic force or vacuum and an engaging device for engaging the substrate on the substrate holding member. The engaging device is retractably supported by or fixed to the substrate holding member, and is engageable with or engages the substrate in such a manner that the engagement between the vertically held substrate and the engaging device is maintained even if the substrate holding member ceases to attract the substrate. Thus, dropping of the substrate by gravitation is prevented even if the substrate ceases to be attracted by the substrate holding member.

Abstract: A vacuum-attraction holding device includes a holding base having an attracting surface, for holding a substrate thereon; a suction passageway formed in the base, for supplying a vacuum to the holding base to attract the substrate to the attracting surface; and a pressure sensor provided in the base and being communicated with the suction passageway.

Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus for vertically holding a substrate to be exposed by radiation includes a substrate stage having a substrate holding surface for attracting a substrate. The substrate holding surface is divided into an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion by a groove formed in the substrate stage. A magnetic member is fitted into the groove of the substrate stage, and at least a magnetic unit is embedded in the magnetic member. The magnetic unit includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet for eliminating a magnetic force of the permanent magnet when energized.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus in which a recorded image is read to provide an image reference signal for comparison with an image recording signal, the resulting comparison being used as a basis for diagnosing an ink ejection state of a recording head nozzle in order to determine and implement an ink ejection recovery process.

Abstract: A mask cassette and mask cassette loading device, suitably usable in an X-ray exposure apparatus for exposing a wafer to a mask with X-rays contained in synchrotron radiation, to print a pattern of the mask on the wafer, are disclosed. The mask cassette includes a base for accommodating a plurality masks and a cover which can be separated from and coupled to the base only in one direction. When the two are coupled by a locking mechanism, the cassette can be completely closed against atmospheric pressure. The mask cassette loading device includes a common mechanism which serves to release the locking mechanism of the cassette and also, to move the cassette base relative to the cover. Thus, with a simple and compact structure, the protection and replacement of X-ray masks are ensured with certainty.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus in which a recorded image is read to provide a image reference signal for comparison with an image recording signal, the resulting comparison being used as a basis for diagnosing an ink injection state of a recording head nozzles in order to determine and implement an ink injection recovery process.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a non-contact print mode in which a medium to be recorded is conveyed to a region in which printing can be performed and is subjected to recording by discharging ink in a non-contact manner from a recording head confronting the medium at a predetermined interval; and a contact cleaning mode in which a cleaning sheet which has been conveyed into the region in which printing can be performed by using at least a part of a conveyance route for the medium is brought into contact with the recording head and then discharged from the region in which printing can be performed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fine particles is provided which comprises a convergent-divergent nozzle in a flow path of the fine particles. The nozzle may be operated under an optimum expansion condition, and the differential coefficient of the streamline at the channel inside the nozzle varies continuously and is equal to zero at a throat portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus is provided which comprises a flow control system provided with a convergent-divergent nozzle. This nozzle is operated under the optimum expansion condition, and the differential coefficient of the streamline of the channel inside the nozzle varies continuously and reaches zero at a throat of the nozzle.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with an upper unit having a recording head for discharging ink for effecting recording on a recording medium in response to information, and at least a portion of the electric circuit of the apparatus, a lower unit having a platen for maintaining the recording medium in the recording station by the recording head, the lower unit capable of being spaced apart relative to the upper unit, and a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the recording station. The upper unit and the lower unit are capable of being spaced apart and opened in the recording station by the recording head.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fine particles including a convergent-devergent nozzle in the flow path of the fine particles, and a controller for controlling the discharge of gas from a downstream chamber to maintain the pressures at the nozzle outlet and in the downstream chamber approximately equal to each other.