Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet printer wherein a service life of an ink jet recording head can be effectively utilized by exchanging ink cassettes to be mounted on the recording head. The printer comprises a first supporting mechanism for removably supporting the ink jet recording head, a second supporting mechanism for removably supporting the ink cassette accommodating ink to be supplied to the ink jet recording head, and a recording device provided in the printer or in the ink jet recording head mounted on the printer, for recording or storing the number of the ink cassettes applied to the ink jet recording head mounted on the printer. The present invention also provides an ink jet recording head and an ink cassette used with the above-mentioned ink jet printer.

Abstract: A copy board apparatus for copying information on a web-like writing board supported by rollers with an electrophotographic copier disposed adjacent one longitudinal end of the writing board. The apparatus has a first optical system for optically connecting the writing board and a photosensitive member of the copier, a second optical system for optically connecting an original on the copier and the photosensitive member, and change-over circuitry which permits switching between the two optical systems.

Abstract: This specification discloses a molded article, for example an original document cover plate for use in a copier, composed of a flexible hinge portion and a pair of solid portions faced across the hinge portion, and adapted to be folded at the hinge portion. The hinge portion has a structure to avoid stress concentration on the end areas in the width direction of the hinge portion.

Abstract: An image holding member for electrophotography has a metal drum, one side face of which is formed integrally with the peripheral face of the drum. And the image holding member has at the center of said side face a rotatory drum supporting shaft formed integrally with said side face.

Abstract: A process kit containing consumable members is detachably mountable in the main body of an operating device and includes apparatus for indicating when the useful life of the process kit is about to expire and when it has expired.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a rotatable member, a plurality of processing devices for forming an image on the rotatable member and transferring the image to transfer material, a device for fixing the transferred image, circuitry for controlling the operation of the rotating member and processing devices so that when the power switch is turned on at least the fixing device is turned on and when the power switch is turned off the fixing device is turned off while the rotation of the rotatable member is continued. The apparatus also includes a signal generating device associated with one of the processing devices, a first detector for detecting transfer material and a second detector for detecting the position of an original carriage, and circuitry for checking for a paper jam by counting signals from the time of the second detector signal.

Abstract: This specification discloses a process kit removably mountable on the main body of an image formation apparatus and integrally having an image bearing member and a part or the whole of process device acting on the image bearing member, and an image formation apparatus using such kit. The image formation apparatus having an image bearing member, process device acting on the image bearing member, a process kit removably mountable on the main body of the apparatus and integrally having the image bearing member and the process device, and a cover movable to a first position for covering the surface of the image bearing member provided in the process kit and a second position retracted away from the first position.

Abstract: A normal and reverse rotating mechanism of this invention includes a normal and reverse rotating member capable of normal and reverse rotations, a first rotation transmitting member for transmitting normal rotation to the normal and reverse rotating member, a second rotation transmitting member for transmitting reverse rotation to the normal and reverse rotating member, a drive source rotatable in one direction for imparting a rotational drive to the normal and reverse rotating member, first spring clutch means for operatively associating the first rotation transmitting member and the drive source with each other, second spring clutch means for operatively associating the second rotation transmitting member and the drive source with each other, and control lever means for controlling the first and second spring clutch means so that when one of the two spring clutch means is operatively associated with the drive source, the other spring clutch means is not operatively associated with the drive source.

Abstract: In a portable type machine, material supporting members adapted to be stretched for use during the use of the machine are pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the machine for upward rotation and during the transportation of the machine, the supporting members are pivoted onto the top of the machine body so as to form a transportation handle on top of the machine body. By one touch, the machine can be transformed from its shape during use into a compact shape suitable for transportation, thus greatly enhancing the transportation efficiency of the machine.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus, a mode change-over mirror is selectively displaced between its retracted position and its operative position, whereby the copying mode is selectively changed over to a first mode and a second mode. The operative position is set at at least two places. When the mode change-over mirror lies at a first operative position, second mode copying at a first magnification is effected and when the mode change-over mirror lies at a second operative position, second mode copying at a second magnification is effected.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus having an endless photosensitive medium, a number of copy process devices for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive medium, for developing the latent image, for transferring the developed image and for cleaning the photosensitive medium, there is provided circuitry for controlling the operation of at least one of the copy process devices in accordance with the generation of a predetermined number of clock signals. The control circuitry acts to start the initiation of the copy process after counting a predetermined number of signals and to stop the rotation of the medium at a different rotational position from the start position. The apparatus also includes a jam detecting device and reciprocating member for the formation of the latent image, the position of which is detected for utilization in the control circuitry.

Abstract: A copying machine capable of copying originals on the front and back faces of each copy medium comprises a photosensitive medium, a charger for electrostatically charging the photosensitive medium, an optical system for projecting an original image upon the photosensitive medium to form an electrostatic latent image thereof, a developing device for developing the latent image into a transferrable image, a transfer device for transferring the transferrable image onto copy mediums, a first feeder for feeding copy mediums for the front-face copying, a reversing mechanism for reversing the copy mediums fed by the first feeder after the image transfer, and a second feeder for temporally stopping the copy mediums, after reversal, on their way to the transfer device and for feeding the reversed copy mediums to the transfer device for back-face copying.

Abstract: A corona discharger includes a shield and a discharge wire extended between opposed ends of the shield and supported between its ends. The position of the wire is adjustable to control the distance between the wire and a surface of a member to be subjected to the corona discharge and a spring is arranged to maintain tension on the discharge wire regardless of the position of adjustment of the wire.

Abstract: In a feed cassette device which comprises a cassette corresponding in size to copy mediums to be contained therein, and a cassette table suited to receive the cassette thereon, the cassette has a positioning guide member and the cassette table has a cassette positioning portion and a member for urging the cassette toward the positioning portion. The feed cassette device also has means for locking the cassette in a predetermined position when it is loaded on the cassette table.

Abstract: A copying apparatus having an original carriage capable of carrying thereon an original dimensionally corresponding to the combined area of two surfaces of a desired copy size is improved so that originals carried on the two surfaces at a time can be separately copied one by one.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus using developing liquid to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of an electrostatic image bearing member, a developing device comprises a developing liquid storage tank, a developing portion for contacting the electrostatic image bearing member with developing liquid, pumping means for supplying developing liquid from the storage tank to the developing portion, and means for controlling the density of the developing liquid.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a pair of copy material holders which are movable relative to a feed roller for selectively feeding copy material from either of the holders. In one embodiment, one of the holders is movable from a position adjacent the feed roller to a second position in which it receives already copied sheets. In a further embodiment, one of the holders is a pivoted cassette which is normally biased to a position adjacent the feed roller. This first cassette is movable away from the feed roller in response to the positioning of the second holder, also formed as a cassette, adjacent the feed roller. The second holder is slid into position on stationary rails.