Abstract: In an image forming apparatus with a sorter, prints which carry original images printed are delivered to bins of the sorter in two sorting steps. In a first sorting step, the prints are delivered to the bins in the grouped state. They are then collected and arranged in proper sequence in a second step using the image forming apparatus. Prior to the second step, the prints are relocated to a sheet tray from the bins. Thereafter, the prints are conveyed by the printing operation of the image forming apparatus, and are delivered to the bins of the sorter. At the end of the second step, the prints on the bins are collected and arranged in proper sequence in accordance with an original document.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets sequentially driven out of the apparatus body has a stack tray including a base, and a pair of side fences mounted on the base and each having an inclined portion. The side fences are moved to positions matching the width of sheets beforehand. When the sheet driven out of the apparatus body falls onto the base, the opposite widthwise edges of the sheet are reshaped in an inverted arch configuration by the inclined portions of the side fences. Hence, sheets sequentially stacked on the base have their opposite edges accurately aligned with each other.

Abstract: A thermosensitive stencil paper includes a thermoplastic resin film, and optionally a porous support for supporting the resin film thereon, and a silicone oil containing layer formed the resin film, which contains at least one modified silicone oil component selected from the group consisting of (a) an ether.cndot.epoxy-modified silicone oil having both an epoxy group and an ether group and (b) an ether-modified silicone oil with HLB of 6 or less. The above thermosensitive stencil paper can be produced by coating a coating liquid which contains at least one of the above-mentioned modified silicone oils in an amount of 2.0 g/m.sup.2 or less before the drying of the coating liquid.

Abstract: In a printer for printing on a recording medium using a transfer medium, a transfer medium capable of being repeatedly used at the same portion thereof (e.g., a multi-pass thermal transfer ribbon) is conveyed in the normal direction in performing the printing process by a recording means such as a thermal head etc. and the conveying amount of the transfer medium which is used for printing is measured at that time. The transfer medium is conveyed in the reverse direction by a given amount based on the result of the measurement and the reverse direction conveying ratio of the transfer medium to the used length of the transfer medium which is arbitrarily set by a transfer medium reverse direction conveying ratio setting means irrespective of the used amount of the transfer medium every time a unit of printing is completed. Thereafter the transfer medium is conveyed in the normal direction for printing.

Abstract: In a thermal printer for feeding a direct thermal paper or a thermal transfer ribbon and a printing paper between a thermal head and a platen roller while such paper is pressed and held by pressing force of a pressure application means, and printing on such paper by heating a heating portion of the thermal head, the positioning of the thermal head relative to the platen roller in the paper feeding direction can be easily performed by a simple mechanism without using an exclusive assembling instrument.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, a drum support structure has a drum unit including a handle. The handle can be raised when released from a drum support member mounted on the printer or can be folded down when coupled with the drum support member. Therefore, the structure miniaturizes the printer with a simple configuration. Further, the structure allows a drum of the drum unit to move stably when the drum unit is moved into and out of the printer, thereby protecting a master wrapped around the drum from damage.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for use with, for example, a stencil printer and storing viscous ink therein is disclosed. The cartridge is free from damage and deformation during storage or transport in various kinds of atmospheres. Particularly, an ink outlet included in the cartridge is prevented from tilting. The cartridge can, therefore, be surely and accurately mounted to an apparatus. The ink outlet is protected from damage even when the cartridge is let fall by accident.

Abstract: A sorter having an intermediate transport device using a belt and for transporting printings to bins, and a transport speed control device for changing the transport speed depending on the size of the printings, and the type of the printings including thickness and quality, such that the transport device transports the printings at an optimal speed. The trailing edge portions of the printings are prevented from being left at the outside of the bins and causing jams and other troubles to occur.

Abstract: In a thermosensitive stencil printer, a sensor responsive to the temperature of a thermal head and at least either of a sensor responsive to the temperature of ink and keys for entering a desired image density are provided. Cutting energy to be applied to the head is controlled on the basis of ink temperature and head temperature, thereby maintaining image density constant without regard to changes in ink temperature. The density of a printing is easily variable to desired density.

Abstract: A control device for a thermosensitive stencil printer which is capable of perforating a stencil in an optimal configuration matching a desired resolution in the subscanning direction and thereby producing desirable images. The device allows perforations to be formed in a stencil in an adequate size in the subscanning direction. Heating portions included in a thermal head are each sized, in the subscanning direction, smaller than a feed pitch corresponding to the highest resolution available with a resolution setting device.

Abstract: A press force control apparatus for use in a apparatus for stacking sheets of paper that have been cut from a continuous roll of paper by inserting each successive sheet of paper beneath a previously stacked sheet of paper. The press force control apparatus includes a paper press for pressing a top surface of the sheets of paper, after the sheets of paper have been placed in a stacked position, wherein the paper press is translatable up and down with respect to a stack height of the sheets of paper.

Abstract: A small-size-sheet stacking unit is attached on a printed sheet tray of a printing machine so as to receive printed sheets of small size, and is detached from the printing machine after such sheets are printed. The sheet stacking unit comprises a guide plate, a plurality of carriers for supporting side edges of a printed sheet and moving the printed sheet upward, a position sensor for detecting whether or not the printed sheet is at a position where the sheet is ready to be carried by the carriers, a driver for actuating the carriers, and a sheet receptacle for receiving the printed sheets.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, a drum has the outer periphery thereof formed by a porous sheet having passages for ink therein. The passages are each configured such that the ink entered an inlet pore is diverted from a single perpendicular to the drum at least once, and then flows out via at least one of outlet pores. The pores of the sheet are sized smaller than perforations to be formed in a stencil.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making a master by perforating a stencil with a thermal head or similar heating device in accordance with image data, a stencil unit accommodating a stencil in the form of a roll is removably set. The stencil unit has a holder portion holding the roll, and a guide portion retaining the leading edge portion of the stencil paid out from the roll for thereby guiding it.

Abstract: In a cutting device having a moving (disc) cutter and a fixed cutter which extends in a cutting direction, wherein the moving cutter moves along the fixed cutter, thereby cutting a medium which is interposed therebetween, a presser member which is movable together with a medium pressing interlocking plate is lowered to press on the medium to fix the same at a portion close to a cutting position since a bearing attached to the moving cutter engages with the medium pressing interlocking plate to press down the same as the moving cutter moves. Since the moving cutter cuts the medium at this state, the cut edge of the medium can be excellent in linearity even if it has low rigidity in the outward-surface direction at right angles to the surface thereof. While the moving cutter does not cut the medium, the presser member is retracted to a standby position.

Abstract: A printer using a thermal ribbon to print on paper with a thermal head facing a platen with a ribbon supply core and take-up core with the head between the cores wherein a tension member contacts and biases the ribbon in a direction to give tension and is rotated in a retracted direction by a ribbon feed force against a biasing force by the tension member when the ribbon is fed and a plate spring supported on the tension member gives a rotational load to the supply core and a release member separate from the head contacts the ribbon on the platen side of a tangent line of the platen at the printing position whereby a push-up force of the paper in contact with and supported by the release member prevents lowering of print quality as the push-up force is not applied to the thermal head.

Abstract: A polygon scanner has a lighter rotating shaft on which a polygon mirror is mounted, to prevent a positional deviation of the polygon mirror from the rotating shaft in high speed rotation, in which the rotating shaft is supported through a dynamic pressure air bearing on a fixed shaft, in which the polygon mirror and motor constituent members are mounted on the rotating shaft, and in which the rotating shaft and the polygon mirror are made of respective light weight materials matched with each other in coefficient of thermal expansion, for example of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Further, an anodic oxide film is formed at least on a portion where the rotating shaft could contact with the fixed shaft, and floating means is provided for constantly floating the rotating shaft relative to the fixed shaft upward in an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operable with a plurality of on-line sorters each having a plurality of bins, and a control device therefor are disclosed. A first sorter and a second sorter, for example, are linked to a stencil printer in an online configuration. A sorter to be used can be freely selected or can be automatically selected by the control device. A sorter link mode key is pressed in a particular manner to select one of a first sorfer priority mode, second sorter priority mode, first sorter only mode, and second sorter only mode. One of the first and second sorters is selected on the basis of the mode selected on the sorter link mode key.

Abstract: A polygon scanner has a lighter rotating shaft on which a polygon mirror is mounted, to prevent a positional deviation of the polygon mirror from the rotating shaft in high speed rotation, in which the rotating shaft is supported through a dynamic pressure air bearing on a fixed shaft, in which the polygon mirror and motor constituent members are mounted on the rotating shaft, and in which the rotating shaft and the polygon mirror are made of respective light weight materials matched with each other in coefficient of thermal expansion, for example of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Further, an anodic oxide film is formed at least on a portion where the rotating shaft could contact with the fixed shaft, and floating means is provided for constantly floating the rotating shaft relative to the fixed shaft upward in an axial direction thereof.