Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of images which includes two process-cartridges, one of which is a photosensitive cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a charger, a cleaning device, and the like, and the other of which is a developing cartridge including a developing device, a toner storage container, and a used toner collecting container; the developing cartridge being separated into a first cartridge including the developing device alone and a second cartridge including the toner storage container and the used toner collecting container, where the lifetime of the photosensitive cartridge is a first integer times the lifetime of the first cartridge, and the lifetime of the first cartridge is a second integer times the lifetime of the second cartridge, where each of the first and second integers is greater than one.

Abstract: A fixing device for electrophotography has a heating roller and a compression roller compressed against each other. Copy paper with toner image on its surface is passed inbetween to have the image fixed. The heating roller is hollow and contains a heater inside. To control the heat output of the heater, a temperature detector is positioned on the surface of the heating roller near the edge of the paper passing between the rollers where no toner image is formed. The wall thickness of the heating roller is reduced to about 0.8-1.5 mm for improved heat distribution characteristics.

Abstract: A paper feeder system inclusive of a paper feed table for placing paper thereon, a transport roller, a first shaft for supporting the transport roller thereon, feed rollers, a first arm pivotably supported by the first shaft and extending toward the feed table, a delivery roller mounted on the first arm for delivering the paper from the feed table to the transport roller. A second arm pivotably supported between the delivery roller and the transport roller, and a shutter is attached to the second arm for preventing delivery of the paper to the transport roller. A first cam and a first cam shift therefor are provided for pivotally moving the first arm to thereby shift the delivery roller to an operative position, and a second cam and a second cam shaft therefor for pivotally moving the second arm to thereby shift the shutter to an operative position when the first arm is not pivotally moved, the first cam shaft and the second cam shaft being combined together in the form of a single rotary shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paper conveying roller configuration for an image forming apparatus composed of a lower unit and an upper unit, the latter which is rotatably pivoted on the lower unit, having a paper conveying passage formed at the boundary surface or junction of these upper and lower units, with one of a pair of paper conveying roller configuration being disposed on the upper unit and the other one on the lower unit, wherein one of the paper conveying roller configuration is supported by a series of springs.

Abstract: A pressure device for applying pressure between an upper fixing roller and a lower fixing roller, the pressure applying device being disposed at each end of the lower fixing roller and including a bearing member for supporting a rotary shaft mounted in the lower fixing roller and a biasing spring for biasing the bearing member upwards. The upper and lower fixing rollers are held in pressure contact with each other through depression of the upper fixing roller towards the lower fixing roller, under the influence of the pressure device.

Abstract: In a variable magnification copy machine in which a scanning velocity of a scanning device can be varied according to a designated magnification, and either a two revolution process or a three revolution process is utilized, there is provided a device for selecting the two revolution process when the equal magnification mode is selected and for switching from the two revolution process to the three revolution process when the enlargement mode is chosen. Even further, there are respective driving clutches corresponding to each of reduction, equal magnification and enlargement modes in which the copying speed is not slowed down in the enlargement mode by switching clutches upon returning the platen to a home position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine comprises a copy-image forming member for enabling the machine to conduct a copy operation to provide a toner image onto a copy paper, a heat-fixing element responsive to the copy-forming member for heat-fixing the toner image to the copied paper, a heater for heating the heat-fixing element up to a toner-fixing temperature of fixing the toner image on the copied paper, a detection member for detecting that the heat-fixing element is prior to the toner temperature, and an initializing member responsive to the detection member for starting to initialize a photoreceptor, so that the copy-image forming member and the heat-fixing member follow the operation of the initializing member to thereby start the copy operation.