Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is operable in response to information from a storage medium detachably provided at a main body of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a connector to which an IC card storing management data indicative of an improvement history of the apparatus is connected, a reader for reading management data from the connected IC card, a first display for displaying the improvement history of the apparatus based on the read management data, an input device for inputting state data indicative of the stage in the improvement history of the apparatus, a memory storing the input state data and a second display displaying the stage in the improvement history of the apparatus based on the state data in the memory.

Abstract: A copying apparatus which includes an original document platform, an original document transport device, an engaging/guiding member having an engaging face at its portion confronting one side edge face of an original document platform, a holding device for holding the engaging/guiding member so that the engaging face is movable upward and downward, and backward and forward, a first driving section for displacing the engaging/guiding member backward and forward, a second driving section for displacing the engaging/guiding member upward and downward, and a control device for controlling the first and second driving sections in such steps as to cause the engaging/guiding member to retreat backward, to move upward or downward, and to advance forward.

Abstract: A toner image fixing device for fixing a toner image carried on a support material onto the support material through heat fusing includes a fixing roller provided with a heating element and a pressure roller arranged to contact, under pressure, the fixing roller for passing the support material between the fixing roller and the pressure roller. The toner image fixing device further includes a contact and spacing mechanism for causing the pressure roller selectively to contact or to be spaced from the fixing roller through utilization of expansion and contraction of an object or substance following turning-on and turning-off of the power supply.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for use in a copying machine and the like which includes upper and lower fixing rollers suitably heated and contacting each other for simultaneous rotation to define a path between them through which copy paper sheets to be fixed pass, applicator member for applying offset prevention solution to one of the fixing rollers, and a smoothing roller with oil absorbing property arranged to contact under pressure the surface of the one of the fixing rollers applied with the offset prevention solution for simultaneous rotation. The smoothing roller is arranged to function to absorb excessive offset prevention solution applied onto the surface of the one of the fixing rollers and also to uniformly distribute the offset prevention solution adhering to the surface of the one of the fixing rollers.

Abstract: An electrophotographic fixing device having a heat roller covered with a layer of silicone rubber, and an oil applying assembly for coating the surface of the heat roller with an offset preventing agent, such assembly comprising a felt impregnated with the offset preventing agent, and a metallic roller in surface rubbing contact with the felt to prevent offset of a toner image formed on a sheet passing over the heat roller surface, the present fixing device having a surface of its metallic roller roughened and in contact with a doctor blade of a material having a lower hardness than the material of the metallic roller. The doctor blade is in pressing contact with the roughened surface at a location to the rear of the position of rubbing contact between the felt and the metallic roller relative to the direction of rotation of the metallic roller.

Abstract: A fixing device for an electrophotographic copying machine which includes a pair of rollers forming a nip therebetween through which the copy paper passes and an applicator which is capable of feeding a sufficient quantity of offset-preventing liquid only to the portion of the rollers where the leading end of the copy paper, will contact with the supply of offset-printing liquid to the remaining portion of the rollers being minimized to a quantity necessary for the preventing of offset. The consumption of offset-preventing liquid is reduced and the swelling of the silicone rubber coatings on the rollers, when used, is inhibited.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus has a device for nipping a leading end of a strip of paper as paid off from a roll and for feeding the paper during the copying operation. A driving motor is provided for operating the apparatus, and the device includes a pair of feed rollers movable out of contact with one another, and a mechanism is provided for effecting such movement. A mechanism is also provided for actuating the moving mechanism, and the feed rollers, the driving motor and the actuating mechanism are so controlled as to maintain the rollers in contact with one another during the copying operation. The actuating mechanism is arranged for effecting movement of the rollers out of contact with one another during inoperation of the driving motor.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying apparatus equipped with an improved copy paper cutting arrangement in which a distance between an exposure position and a transfer position along a photosensitive drum is made larger than a distance between a copy paper cutting position and the transfer position so as to actuate a cutter device after termintion of the exposure through a cutter operating mechanism.