Abstract: In combination with paper conveying apparatus in an electrostatic copier, including a movable photoconductor adapted to be electrically energized from a source of supply of electrostatic charge for attaching thereto a sheet of paper for movement therewith, there is described structure for detaching the sheet from the moving photoconductor. The structure includes the provision of one or more apertures in the photoconductor and finger means movable at least partially through the apertures, as the photoconductor is moving, for urging a portion of the attached sheet of paper away from the photoconductor. In addition, the structure preferably includes vacuum header means for urging the remainder of the attached sheet of paper away from the moving photoconductor.

Abstract: An automatic machine which utilizes sealing tape to seal the edges of a folded article passing therethrough. The machine is so designed that articles which do not require sealing pass through unimpeded. Other articles are sealed by one or more cylindrically-shaped tape applying heads, to each of which there is fed a supply of sealing tape, in combination with folded apparatus. At the appropriate time each of the taping heads is caused to advance against the article to be sealed, causing a portion of the tape to stick to the article. The taping head revolves slightly under the influence of the moving article and then comes to an abrupt halt, breaking the tape. The folding apparatus holds the non-adhered portion of the detached tape around the edge to be sealed and into engagement with the opposite side of the article.

Abstract: In a copier including a photoconductor having a plurality of photoconductive sections connected in series with one another to form an endless strip-type photoconductor, and including suitable instrumentalities for successively feeding the photoconductive sections from a zig-zag folded stack of such sections through several processing stations and back to the stack, there is provided apparatus for storing the photoconductive sections in the stack. The storing apparatus includes a receptacle having oppositely disposed walls defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The walls relatively converge towards one another from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, for guiding the folds of the photoconductive sections progressively closer to the outlet opening than the mid-portions thereof in transit through the receptacle. A pair of tamping devices, movably mounted on the opposite receptacle walls, cooperate with the receptacle walls for guiding incoming photoconductive sections toward the stack.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying machine of the type which includes apparatus for forming a developed graphic image on, for example, a sheet of paper, and includes a heatable enclosure space within which the image bearing paper is disposable and apparatus for heating the space to bond the image to the paper; is provided with a circuit for controlling operation of the machine in consideration of the temperature of the enclosure space. The circuit includes a switch for energizing the forming and heating apparatus from a suitable source of electrical power, and a switch for actuating the energized forming apparatus. In addition, the circuit includes apparatus for sensing the temperature of the space and disabling operation of the actuating switch, and thus the forming apparatus, until the enclosure space heats up to a predetermined graphic-image-bonding temperature level.

Abstract: In an electrostatic copier of the type which utilizes a liquid developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a copy sheet as a result of which the copy sheet becomes wet, there is provided improved apparatus for drying the wet copy sheet. The drying apparatus includes a movable belt, made of a strip of imperforate heat conductive material, for transporting the wet copy sheet in a predetermined path of travel through the drying station of the copier. The drying apparatus also includes a cover for deflecting air which is normally utilized for drying purposes, away from a portion of the belt so as to form first and second drying regions in the path of travel of the wet copy sheet. The drying apparatus additionally includes means for heating the moving belt at the first drying region, for urging liquid developer carried by the wet copy sheet towards the surface of the same which is disposed out of contact with the moving belt.

Abstract: To rotate sheet engaging means such as a roller disposed in engagement with an outermost sheet of a stack sheets in a receptacle, there is provided sheet feeding apparatus including first and second rotatable members, wherein the first member has inwardly and outwardly facing surface portions which respectively define oppositely facing paths of travel when the first member is rotated, and wherein the second member is disposed in the respective paths of travel. The surface portions of the first member are arranged relative to one another to permit one of them to rotate the first member in one direction and the other of them to rotate the first member in the opposite direction, when the first member is rotated in a given direction. Since the second member may be connected to a sheet engaging roller for rotating the roller in opposite directions, the sheet feeding apparatus is usable in buckle-loop sheet feeding systems.