Abstract: Fluid containing organic substances, which has not processed yet, is fed to a plurality of cylinders, using a slurry pump. A free piston is included in each cylinder, the fluid which has not yet been processed is introduced into one of two chambers in the cylinder partitioned by the piston, and processed high-pressure fluid which has been processed is introduced into the other one of the two chamber in the cylinder. The piston pressurizes the fluid with which the cylinder has been filled up. A pressure holding valve is provided in a processed high-pressure fluid system to pressurize an organic substance processing system, and this pressure holding valve suppresses changes in the pressure in the processed high-pressure fluid system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an original placement portion and a reference original portion outside of the original placement portion, a scanning device capable of selectively scanning either the original placement portion or the reference original portion, an image forming device for forming an image in accordance with the scanning device, a selection device for selecting the scanning of the original placement portion or the scanning of the reference original portion, and a reading device for reading an image of the reference original portion formed by the image forming device to evaluate a performance of the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charger for charging a photosensitive drum, the charger having a charging wire extending in a lengthwise direction of the photosensitive drum, an optical system for illuminating a document and introducing a reflected light to the photosensitive drum to produce a latent image of the document, a detector for detecting a target portion of the charging wire causing a white line based on a copied image on copy paper, a cleaning member movable along the charging wire and adapted for cleaning the charging wire, a driver for moving the cleaning member along the charging wire, and a controller responsive to the detector for controlling the driver to move the cleaning member to the target portion of the charging wire and clean the target portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, a charge wire disposed along the photosensitive body at a specified spacing from the photosensitive body and adapted for charging the photosensitive body, the charge wire being tiltable on a plane passing an entirety of the charge wire and perpendicularly intersecting a surface of the photosensitive body. This apparatus is provided with a detector for detecting an image density distribution in a main scanning direction of copy paper, tilt angle calculator for calculating, based on a detected image density distribution, a correcting tilt angle of the charge wire to obtain a desired image density distribution in the main scanning direction, and a tilt angle controller for controlling the tilt angle in accordance with a calculated correcting tilt angle.

Abstract: The exposure apparatus is provided with a first mirror frame movement hampering means for hampering the movement of the first mirror frame in the exposing direction. The first mirror frame movement hampering means has a closure mounted on an operating opening on the main body and a movement hampering member mounted on the closure and positioned near a linking portion of the driving device of the first mirror frame and at a position at which the movement in the exposing direction is interfered. The movement hampering member is mounted on the closure to adjust its position freely within a predetermined range in the reciprocatingly moving direction of the first mirror frame.

Abstract: A scanning system driving device capable of quickly and gently starting a scanning system. This driving device includes an electromagnetic clutch for forward rotation, for transmitting a driving force from a driving source to a moving body for an optical system, and a control circuit for controlling the application of a voltage to the electromagnetic clutch. The control circuit applies a rated voltage in the form of pulses to the electromagnetic clutch at intervals of such OFF time that the moving speed of the moving body is reduced once when the illumination and the scanning of a document by the moving body are started.

Abstract: A device for driving optical units for scanning manuscript and provides that movement of the optical units during scanning is achieved by a first pulse motor exhibiting low-noise and high-torque characteristics within a motor speed range suitable for achieving a desired scanning travel speed. Return movement of the optical units is achieved by a second pulse motor exhibiting low-noise and high-torque characteristics within revolving a motor speed range suitable for achieving a higher desired return travel speed. Not only are the optical units moved in both directions, but also noise generated during such movement is reduced as much as possible.

Abstract: In a feed roller for mixing a developer and feeding it to a developing roller, a first mixing wing parallel to a rotating shaft is provided, a second spiral-shape mixing wing is diagonally provided in a manner to cross the first wing, and a spiral-shape groove for feeding a powder is formed on the one side located on the forward section with respect to rotating direction and being the powder scraping-up side of the both sides of said second mixing wing, along said second mixing wing, so as to enhance the feed performance, lateral-mixing performance and lateral-feed performance of the feed roller.

Abstract: An optical system driving device has a motor which rotates constantly in one direction for providing rotary driving power. A regular rotation electromagnetic clutch is connected to the rotating motor for transmitting driving power to the optical system for reciprocal movement of the optical system in one direction. A reverse electromagnetic clutch connected to the rotor motor transmits driving power to the optical system for reciprocal movement thereof in the opposite direction. A control circuit is provided which receives a pulse signal for controlling either the regular rotation or the reverse electromagnetic clutch at the start of the regular rotation electromagnetic clutch to gradually increase the effective driving power provided to the optical system to move the optical system at the start of movement.

Abstract: An image reading device including a contact glass on which an original sheet is set, an exposure lamp for irradiating a face of the original sheet on the contact glass to scan it, a photosensitive element provided below the contact glass, a first mirror for reflecting the light reflected by the original sheet in parallel with an original scanning direction, a second mirror for reflecting the light from the first mirror, a third mirror for reflecting the light from the second mirror, a lens for imaging the light from the third mirror on the photosensitive element, a first moving frame mounting the exposure lamp and first mirror and movable in the original scanning direction, a second moving frame mounting the second and third mirrors and movable following the first moving frame, first and second motors for shifting the first and second moving frames, respectively, and a controller for controlling a driving velocity of the second motor to keep the optical length from the face of the original sheet to be exposed

Abstract: A motor with a decelerating apparatus includes a motor, a gear box connected to the motor, a pinion gear attached to an end of an output shaft of the motor, two or more decelerating gears engaging with the pinion gear, a rotation shaft connected to each of the decelerating gears as a unity, a bearing for supporting the rotation shaft of each of the decelerating gears provided in the gear box, and a mounting unit for fixing the gear box to a load, an output terminal of the rotation shaft of each of the decelerating gears being connected to a rotating load, the gear box comprising a bearing for supporting a rotation shaft of a first decelerating gear which engages with the pinion gear and a bearing for supporting a rotation shaft of a second decelerating gear which engages with the pinion gear and is different from the first decelerating gear in the number of teeth, the mounting unit connecting the output terminal of the rotation shaft of either of the first and second decelerating gears to the rotating load, a

Abstract: A system according to the invention has a plurality of sensors, a system control circuit and a plurality of actuators. State data, supplied from the sensors, is compared with characteristic data in the system control circuit. From this comparison, it is judged whether a fault has occurred depending upon whether the state data is relatively lower or higher. If a fault has occurred, fault inference fault is made on the basis of a comparison between qualitative data and fault diagnosis knowledge which are stored in the system control circuit. Then a judgement is made as to which of the elements in an image forming apparatus is abnormal. An actuator operating signal thereafter is generated as a result of this judgement.

Abstract: A replaceable unit determination mechanism includes a detection mechanism which has a lever member which is arranged so that the lever member comes into contact with a claw-shaped member when a rotatable member is rotating. The detection mechanism generates a detection signal when the replaceable unit is placed at a predetermined position and stops generating the detection signal when the lever member comes into contact with the claw-shaped member after the replaceable unit is placed in the predetermined position. The determination mechanism also includes a determination part which determines that the replaceable unit is correctly placed in the predetermined position when the detection signal is supplied from the detection mechanism and which determines that the replaceable unit is a new replaceable unit when the detection mechanism stops generating the detection signal. The claw-shaped member is broken when the claw-shaped member comes into contact with the lever member of the detection mechanism.

Abstract: A device for use in electrophotographic equipment for collecting toner particles which are removed from a photoconductive element, or image carrier, after imagewise transfer. A collecting roller is located in a portion of a toner tank remote from the bottom of the tank, while a partition formed with a plurality of holes is situated below and in close proximity to the collecting roller. The partition and the bottom of the toner tank define therebetween a space for accommodating the toner being collected. The toner removed from the photoconductive element drops onto the partition. In a first stage, the toner drops through the holdes of the partition to accumulate in the space between the partition and the bottom of the toner tank.

Abstract: A cleaning device for use in a laser printer, electrophotographic copier, facsimile apparatus or similar image recorder and having a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a photoconductive drum of the image recorder. Stubs individually extend outward from lower portions of opposite ends of a toner collecting tank. The tank is rotatably supported through the stubs by a frame on which the drum is rotatably mounted. Retaining members are securely mounted on the frame so as to retain the tank in position when the latter is rotated toward the drum. A pair of holder support members are provided in upper portions of opposite ends of the tank to support pins engageable with the retaining members of the frame and a blade holder which holds the cleaning blade.

Abstract: A drum unit exchange time indicating device for image forming apparatus comprises, an integrated signal output means to give output of integrated signal added up according to the time of use of the drum unit, a life signal output means to give output of drum unit life signal when said integrated signal exceeds predetermined value and a paper-feed mode changing means to change the mode of paper-feeding into an extraordinary mode when said drum unit life signal is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of images, including: paper-ejection rollers that eject recording paper on which an image has been formed with the surface facing upward, a first tray in which the recording paper ejected from the paper-ejection rollers is received with the surface facing upward, a route for turning over the recording paper, which is ejected with its face upward by the paper-ejection rollers, wherein said paper passes through the inside of the route after it is ejected by said paper-ejection rollers, a second tray in which the recording paper is received with the surface facing downward, guides that make possible the selection of either said first tray or said route for turning over the paper as the direction in which the paper ejected by said paper-ejection rollers is sent, and a switching means for switching said guides, by which the direction in which the recording paper is sent is switched between supplying of the recording paper to said first tray and to said route for turning paper over.

Abstract: A copying paper feed device for an electrostatic copier. A copying paper cassette receiving section is adapted to receive a copying paper cassette having a box-like case with a bottom plate the front end of which is biased upwardly by a spring. Within the cassette receiving section, a feed roller is mounted on a rotatable shaft that is adapted to be connected to a drive source. When the copying paper cassette is properly loaded into the cassette receiving section, the front end of the uppermost sheet of copying paper contacts the feed roller. A clutch in its operating condition links the feed roller with the drive source and in its non-operating condition permits the feed roller to freely rotate.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image on the surface of a sheet material within an electrostatic copying machine. A movable supporting member rotatably mounts a follower fixing roller for free movement between a press-contacting position, at which the follower fixing roller is maintained in press-contact with a rotatably mounted driven fixer roller, and an isolated position at which at least the greater portion of the follower fixing roller in its longitudinal direction is isolated from, or maintained out of press contact with, the driven fixer roller. A control mechanism moves the supporting members to the press-contacting position in response to energization of a dirve source to which the driven fixer roller is connected and to the isolated position upon deenergization of the drive source.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus equipped with a first and second supporting frames connected to each other for relative pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. The rotatable drum and the developing device are mounted on a first unit frame, while the drum cleaning device and the charging corona discharge device are mounted on a second unit frame. The first unit frame and the second unit frame are each mounted on the upper supporting frame with the cleaning device, the charging corona discharge device and the developing device mounted around the drum in sequence in the drum rotating direction. The first unit frame and the second unit frame are detachably mounted on the upper supporting frame and thus can be readily accessed for maintenance.