Abstract: A multistage paper feeding/conveying apparatus has a plurality of recording paper storing devices vertically arranged at multiple stages; a paper feeder for feeding a sheet of recording paper one by one from arbitrary one of the recording paper storing devices; and a vertical conveyer vertically extending and opposed to a paper feeding side of each of the recording paper storing devices. The vertical conveyer conveys the sheet of recording paper fed from the paper feeder to a paper receiving section of an image forming apparatus. The paper feeder has a single paper feeding unit which can selectively come in contact with a front end portion of an uppermost sheet of recording paper on an upper face thereof with respect to sheets of recording paper stored within the plural recording paper storing devices. The paper feeding unit and the vertical conveyer have a single endless conveying belt and a device for forming an electric charge pattern for adsorbing the sheet of recording paper to the endless belt.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and separating device incorporated in image forming equipment for feeding sheets one by one from a sheet stack while preventing two or more sheets from being fed together as far as possible and, when a plurality of sheets are accidentally fed together, surely separating one of them from the others. A pick-up member is implemented as an endless dielectric belt. An AC power source forms a charge pattern on the belt via an electrode. As a result, the belt retains a sheet by attraction and transports it due to the Maxwell stress generated in the sheet. When a plurality of sheets are fed together, an arresting member which faces the belt separates one of them from the others. Alternatively, a charge pattern may be formed on the surface of the arresting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing containers for developing an electrostatic latent image of a latent image carrier by toners having colors different from each other except for black; a black developing container for color for storing black toner for color and operated when the developed image on the latent image carrier every color is overlapped and transferred onto a transfer material to provide a color image; a black developing container for a monochromatic image for storing black toner for a monochromatic image and operated when the monochromatic image is obtained; and a device for arranging the respective developing containers such that the developing containers are opposite to the latent image carrier. The other image forming apparatuses are also shown.

Abstract: A device for use in electrostatographic image recording equipment for retaining and transporting a paper sheet, document or similar sheet member. A transporting member is implemented as an endless belt. An AC voltage is applied to the belt to form a charge density pattern on the surface of the belt, while the charge density pattern sets up a non-uniform electric field in close proximity to the surface of the belt. The non-uniform electric field urges the sheet member against the belt and thereby allows it to be surely transported by the belt to a predetermined position without being dislocated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by deflecting a light beam signal modulated by an image signal onto a photoconductive element by a polygonal mirror to electrostatically form a latent image and developing the latent image. A main scanning synchronization detector is located in the vicinity of the photoconductive element for setting up synchronization in the main scanning direction. A displacement detector detects a distance over which the photoconductive element has been displaced over a period of time associated with a subscanning pitch. Correcting control is driven in response to the output signals of the main scanning synchronization detector and displacement detector. The light beam signal is so deflected in the subscanning direction as to correct an error in the subscanning pitch.

Abstract: A color image recording apparatus for producing a composite color image on a paper sheet by developing electrostatic latent images formed on a photoconductive element, which is implemented as a belt, in different colors. The belt is supported and driven in a rotary motion by at least two rollers, i.e., a drive roller and a tension roller. The drive roller is fixed in place at a transfer station, while the tension roller is situated downstream of an exposure station with respect to the intended direction of rotation of the belt, i.e., at a developing station side. More specifically, the tension roller is so positioned as not to be effected by a change in the configuration of the belt ascribable to the selective content of developing rollers of individual developing units with the belt. The length of the belt as measured from the exposure station to the transfer station is maintained constant. The belt moves at the same speed at both of the exposure station and transfer station.

Abstract: A color recording apparatus has an electric charge carrier which is circulatingly movable, an electrostatic latent image forming unit for forming a latent image which corresponds to an original image on the carrier, a development unit for developing the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring the developed image formed on the carrier to a record paper in a transfer process, a conveyor for conveying the record paper forward and backward with respect to the transfer unit, and a control unit which repeats control operations for controlling the latent image forming unit to form a latent image on the carrier, for controlling the development unit to develop the latent image, for controlling the conveyor to convey the record paper forward, for controlling the transfer unit to transfer the developed image to the record paper, and for controlling the conveyor to convey the record paper backward at least for one time.