Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer has a laser mechanism, an optical system for forming a latent image on a photosensitive drum, a separation charge eliminator for separating a transfer material with a toner image transferred thereonto from the drum, and a printer controller for controlling the print operation. A high voltage is applied to the charge eliminator for a non-image zone of the original, and a low voltage is applied for an image zone of the original. The application voltage for the charge eliminator is obtained by superposing a DC voltage on an AC voltage. A system including a reader, a CCU, and a printer is also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for collecting sequentially transported bank notes includes two endless belts (21, 22) and a collecting chamber (1) having a plurality of movable flaps (3, 4) spaced sequentially in the direction of transport and briefly swung out simultaneously to displace each bank note to one side of the chamber. The flaps swing when 4/5ths of an incoming bank note are located in the chamber, and may also be arranged to swing out a second time after a predetermined interval. The lower flaps (3) are smaller than but similar in configuration to the upper flaps (4).

Abstract: An electrostatic copying apparatus which can form an image on both surfaces of a copying paper as required. The apparatus includes a copying paper conveying passage, a copying paper feeding means for feeding a copying paper sheet to the paper conveying passage, a conveyance controlling means disposed adjacent to the downstream end of the paper conveying passage, a copying paper discharging passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper reversing passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the downstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper returning passage extending from its upstream end adjacent to the upstream end of the conveyance controlling means, a copying paper re-feeding passage, and a copying paper re-sending means for re-sending a copying paper returned through the paper returning passage to the paper conveying passage through the paper re-feeding passage.

Abstract: A thermal label printer is provided with a label feeding mechanism which is adapted to operate either in a first mode in which the printer supplies peeled labels or in a second mode in which the printed labels are delivered while still adhered to their backing sheet. The labels are delivered out of the printer on a conveyor belt which extends to a label peeling member in the printer. The conveyor belt is tiltable in a manner which is effective to create a larger clearance between the conveyor belt and the peeling member to facilitate loading of the backing sheet prior to beginning printing operations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed. The toner image is transferred onto a transfer material by contacting the transfer material to the image bearing member and applying corona discharge to the back side of the transfer material. The present invention is characterized by the charge removing needles to which a particular voltage is applied. The voltage is such that the discharge occurs between the charge removing electrode needles and the back side of the transfer material when it is present, or the surface of the image bearing member when it is absent only when the transfer corona discharger is operated, and therefore, the air surrounding the needles is ionized. Thus, the discharge does not occur when the transfer charger is not operated, but occurs automatically when the transfer charger is operated.

Abstract: In a method of or a device for preventing disturbance of an unfixed image in an image formation process wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed by a developer, whereafter the developed visible image is transferred to a transfer medium and then the transfer medium is separated from the electrostatic image bearing member and conveyed for utilization, charge remover is provided along the conveyance path of the transfer medium to remove the charge on the surface of the transfer medium as it passes through the conveyance path, thereby preventing the visible image on the transfer medium from being disturbed.

Abstract: Apparatus for registering a copy sheet prior to feeding the sheet to the image-transfer station of an electrophotographic copier. Opposing pairs of relatively rigid feed rollers are arranged on shafts in alternating relationship with opposing pairs of relatively compliant feed rollers, which are of somewhat larger diameter than the rigid rollers so as to form nips of appreciably greater extent in the direction of feed. Registration gates mounted for rotation on one of the roller shafts through slipping couplings are selectively restrained against rotation with the roller shaft either in a non-blocking position out of the feed path or in a blocking position within the nip area of the compliant rollers but upstream of the nip area of the rigid rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrostatically transferring a transferable image of electroscopic marking particles from an image-carrying member to a receiver member. The apparatus comprises an electrically conductive member, such as a roller, selectively coupled to a source of electrical image-transferring potential. Such conductive member is adapted to have a receiver member attached to its surface, and includes a mechanism for registering an image-carrying member relative to an attached receiver member. A compliant member, such as a back-up roller having a resilient deformable peripheral surface, engages the conductive member to define an extended nip. An image-carrying member is guided into engagement with the registration mechanism of the conductive member and then through the nip, where a transferable image on such image-carrying member is transferred to such attached receiver member when image-transferring potential is coupled to the conductive member.

Abstract: Electrostatographic apparatus comprising an imaging surface with an electrostatic transfer evice to transfer toner particles to a receiving sheet and an apparatus to detack the sheet from the drum comprising a plurality of conductive fibers extending cross the rear side of the receiving sheet which are spaced from the sheet and have applied thereto a low voltage direct current potential of a polarity opposite the polarity on the receiving sheet and sufficient to cause air breakdown between the receiving sheet and the end of the fibers to provie a controlled neutralization of charge on the receiving sheet to a potential level above zero and thereby separate the receiving sheet from the drum by virtue of its own weight and beam strength.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes an image bearing or forming drum which is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction at constant speed. As the drum rotates, an image is formed on its peripheral surface electrostatically or electrophotographically. The image, developed or undeveloped, on the drum is then transferred to a transfer medium with the stiffness of the transfer medium being adjusted prior to the transfer. The drum has a diameter which is small enough for the transfer medium to be separated away from the drum by its own stiffness after image transfer, thereby allowing to dispose of an extra separating device and to make the whole apparatus compact in size and simple in structure.

Abstract: An electrophotographic copying machine comprises a cleaning device for cleaning at least the tip of a separation claw used for separating a copy paper from a photoreceptor. The separation claw is pivotably moved between a first position of separating the copy paper and a second position cleaning by the cleaning device. The cleaning device may also be operated to clean a transport device for transporting the copy paper toward a subsequent portion of the apparatus, such as a fixing device.

Abstract: Two stop or impact members which are situated opposite one another with respect to grippers of a conveyor device are used for detaching or removing the printed products out of their product formation. In their effective position these stop members project into the conveying path of the printed products. The printed products released by the grippers impact against the stop members and under the action of their own weight drop downwards. Viewed in the conveying direction the printed products are folded or bent into a substantially saddle-like configuration forwardly of the stop members, resulting in stiffening of the thus folded printed products, and after they impact against the stop members they can fall downwardly along a straight path.

Abstract: A copying machine in which a toner image is transferred from an image retaining member to a recording paper and, after the transfer of said toner image, said recording paper is separated from said image retaining member and ejected to the outside of said machine. When said recording paper is attached to said image retaining member due to a separation failure, a detector of the separation failure produces a detection signal for displacing a recording paper conveying device to open the passage of said recording paper and to separate said recording paper onto said conveying device. Said detector comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element and is disposed in the vicinity of a passage provided specifically for the forcibly separated recording paper, so as to detect only said forcibly separated recording paper.

Abstract: Printed goods (8,8") are aligned and positioned in predetermined staggered or shingled or imbricated arrangement on a transport conveyor (7,15) by placing, between distribution wheels (1,1') located axially spaced on a shaft (2,2'), a group of abutment wheels (4,4') which rotate with the distribution wheels but at a slower speed, for example by having an internal gearing matching a gear wheel (5) located on the shaft (2), the abutment wheels (4,4') being eccentrically positioned with respect to the shaft (2) by being guided in their movement by a disc (3,3') eccentrically positioned with respect to the shaft (2), and held in position by a suitable bracket or the like. These discs (3,3') form cams.

Abstract: In a paper delivery apparatus of the type wherein printed paper is cut into sections having a predetermined length and cut papers are delivered in the horizontal direction to be horizontally laminated on a pedestal, there are provided delivered paper guide belts with their lower runs running in a direction of paper delivery and a rotating brush roller provided at one end of the delivered paper guide belts. The rotating brush roller is implanted with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart bristle bundles and rotated in a direction to press down the delivered paper onto the pedestal. According to this invention, it is not only possible to cause the papers to fall down while maintaining them at an horizontal attitude but also to eliminate curls formed at the ends of the delivered papers, thus neatly aligning the ends of the laminated papers.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type utilizing a photoconductor which is rotated in a predetermined direction with an image transfer material in close contact therewith for transferring an electrostatic latent image or a visible image formed on the surface of the photoconductor to the image transfer material, an image transfer material separation and transportation apparatus capable of separating the image transfer material to which the image has been transported from the surface of the photoconductor and transporting the same in the direction of the photoconductor. One leading edge corner of the image transfer material is bent by a corner bending apparatus before the image transfer material is brought into close contact with the surface of the photoconductor.

Abstract: A sheet transportation and separation apparatus separates a sheet, which is moved in close contact with the surface of a member moving in synchronization with the sheet, from the surface of the moving member by deforming the corner of a leading edge of the sheet by a member operated by the edge of the sheet.

Abstract: In a copy paper separating device for use in a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine which includes a conductive carrier member, preferably in the form a conductive endless belt extended between a pair of pulleys. The conductive carrier member is disposed in the periphery of the photosensitive member to which a copy paper is brought into contact for the transfer of a toner image formed on the photosensitive member. The potential of the conductive carrier member is maintained nearly at zero level during the first step of the separating operation; whereas, the potential of the carrier member is increased to a predetermined value of the polarity opposite to that of the toner image during the second step.

Abstract: A copy paper separating method for use in an electrophotographic copying apparatus which forms a latent electrostatic image on a recording member is provided. The method includes the step of depositing fine particles having insulating properties and charged to a polarity opposite of that of the toner image on the surface of the recording member before the copy paper is placed over the recording member, to cause the particles to reduce the electrostatic attraction between the copy paper and the recording member, thereby facilitating separation of the copy paper from said recording member.

Abstract: An improved stripping and transfer roller assembly which is related to the device disclosed and claimed in prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,996 assigned the same assignee as the present invention. The present stripping and transfer roller assembly provides a hollow protective reinforcing sleeve element which surrounds and protects the compressible transfer elements and also permits compression and expansion of said elements during the transfer of a film sheet.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system employing a spirally slotted wheel and a stripping plate to remote sheets from the wheel and form them into a stack, the sheets are conveyed to the stacking wheel by a vacuum drum having a slot around its circumference into which extends the extremity of the stacking wheel. The sheet continues to be held on the drum surface by the vacuum until it encounters the stacking wheel extremity which, by virtue of the lower peripheral speed of the stacking wheel, acts against the vacuum to strip the sheet from the drum. The stacking wheel axis may be mounted for pivotal movement about the vacuum drum axis to accommodate different output stack sizes, permitting the formation of a sheet store buffer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic document copier machine of the transfer type where a detector is positioned subsequent to a detach station to sense whether copy receiving material has been successfully detached from the photoreceptive surface. The detector is comprised of a light source 40 to discharge the photoreceptive material 19 to a repeatable low level and an electrostatic probe 41 to sense that low level. When an unsuccessful detach operation occurs, the probe 41 senses the much higher voltage level present on the back side of copy receiving material which has passed under a transfer corona charge generator prior to reaching the detach station and light source 40.