Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type having a sheet discharging section provided in an upper portion of a body of the apparatus, a stacking section for stacking a sheet driven out via the sheet discharging section, and a casing accommodating a sheet conveying mechanism. An inclined surface is formed on top of the stacking section and inclines obliquely downward toward the sheet discharge section. A guide on the bottom of the casing is used for sliding against the inclined surface when the casing is mounted to the body of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type having a sheet transport path extending substantially vertically upward from a sheet feed section to a sheet discharge section is disclosed. The apparatus allows different kinds of finishers to be mounted thereto without lessening the advantages particular to the substantially vertical path configuration. A relay unit intervenes between the sheet discharge section and the finisher. A sheet jamming the relay unit or the sheet discharge section during usual sheet discharge mode operation can be removed with ease.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for reading a document image, digitizing the resulting image data, and then forming an image on the basis of the digitized image data. The apparatus is selectively operable in an ordinary mode for reading the document image every time an image is formed or in a high-speed mode for writing the digitized image data in a memory so as to form a plurality of images by a single scanning while reducing the interval between consecutive papers. A fixing unit is provided with a higher reload temperature in the high-speed mode than in the ordinary mode. This obviates a cold offset in the event of a start-up when the high-speed mode is selected.

Abstract: A heat roller fixing device has a fixing roller into which a heater is built and a pressing roller which rotatably presses on the fixing roller so that a non-fixed image is fixed on a paper sheet in a nip between the fixing roller and the pressing roller. It also includes a first frame for rotatably supporting the fixing roller, a second frame for rotatably supporting the pressing roller, a harnesses, a temperature detecting device, a safety device and a connector which are provided on the first frame. Positioning members on the first frame position the fixing device relative to the frame. The positioning members are horizontally located on a line passing through the center of the fixing roller.

Abstract: A heat roller fixing device has a fixing roller into which a heater is built and a pressing roller which rotatably presses on the fixing roller so that a non-fixed image is fixed on a paper sheet in a nip between the fixing roller and the pressing roller. It also includes a first frame for rotatably supporting the fixing roller, a second frame for rotatably supporting the pressing roller, a harnesses, a temperature detecting device, a safety device and a connector which are provided on the first frame. Positioning members on the first frame position the fixing device relative to the second frame. The strength against bending, the thickness and the heat resistance of the first frame are higher than that of the second frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an erasing device therein which automatically erases an image formed on a sheet by a recording agent implemented by a decolorizable coloring agent, e.g., toner. The erasing device emits light having a wavelength range of 820 nm or so while generating heat and may be constituted by a halogen lamp. As a result, the sheet is regenerated and can be repetitively used.

Abstract: A heat roll type fixing arrangement for fixing a toner image on a paper includes an inlet guide plate which constitutes a lower guide plate for guiding the paper toward a nipping section of a fixing roll pair. Two ribs are provided in a central portion of a guide surface of the guide plate with respect to the widthwise direction of the guide surface. The front end of the guide plate is notched at opposite sides of the central portion such that it is sequentially inclined toward opposite side edges of the guide plate while sequentially approaching the nipping section. The guide plate is so arranged as to position the highest point of the tip of each rib which is closest to the nipping section in a predetermined spatial range.