Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having image signal discrimination device for discriminating whether an image density signal belongs to a line image portion or a natural image portion including a halftone image and outputting a discrimination signal, first image density conversion device having a first conversion property for converting the image density signal to a conversion signal and outputting the conversion signal, second image density conversion device having a second conversion property which is different from the first conversion property for converting a range of the image density signal corresponding to a low density portion to a conversion signal indicating a value within a range in which an image is not developed and outputting the conversion signal, selection device for alternately selecting the first and second image density conversion device with a predetermined period, pulse width modulation device for modulating pulse widths of the conversion signals output from the

Abstract: A scorotron charging unit for charging Verde film residing on the inner surface of an imagesetter drum has a charging region that encompasses a 270.degree. sector of the drum. The scorotron is fashioned by attaching a metallic strip coronode having a sawtooth edge around a section of pipe. Each tooth of the sawtooth strip is bent to an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the surface of the pipe. This pipe is slipped inside another pipe that includes a slit for the passage of ions in the direction of the Verde film, thus forming a scorotron. The scorotron while sliding through the drum holding this film, charges the film to sensitize it for imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting sheet misfeed from a tray having at least two sheets whose thickness differs from each other. The thickness of each sheet is detected as it enters into the tray and that value is placed in memory. The thickness of each sheet is detected as it leaves the tray and that value of each sheet is compared to the thickness value in memory for the same sheet when it entered into the tray. If the values match, then only one sheet has been fed from the tray. If the thickness value of the sheet as it leaves the tray is more that the thickness value in memory, then that indicates that more than one sheet has left the tray and a signal is produced which results in the sheet feed system being shut down to enable an operator to correct the situation.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device in which semiconductor layers of an n-type cladding layer, a quantum well active layer 106, a p-type cladding layer, and an intermediate layer are formed on an n-type GaAs substrate in successive order, and a mixed-crystal is formed in a region except the semiconductor layers of the contact layer and the lower part of the contact layer by diffusing Si into the structure from above the intermediate layer, characterized in that the contact layer and the intermediate layer are made of n-type or nonconductive semiconductor material, and a p-type low-resistance region, formed by diffusing Zn into the structure from above the contact layer, is profiled so as not to overlap with the mixed-crystal region formed by Si diffusion.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes an electrostatic brush cleaner that optimizes the brush interference with the imaging surface and the detoning roll for increased detoning efficiency. The brush-to-detoning roll interference is always kept greater than the brush-to-imaging surface interference for increased detoning efficiency.

Abstract: A method of making a low surface energy material such as a fuser member comprising providing a shaped fluoroelastomer, preparing a solvent solution of a polyorganosiloxane having reactive functionality and the formula: ##STR1## where R is an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group having less than 19 carbon atoms or an aryl group substituted with an alkyl or alkenyl group having less than 19 carbon atoms, the functional group A is epoxy, vinyl, acrylic, allylic or methacrylic and n is 2 to 350, contacting the fluoroelastomer with the solution to form at least a thin coating of the polyorganosiloxane on said fluoroelastomer and exposing the coated fluoroelastomer to a level of radiation to form a thin surface layer of the polyorganosiloxane grafted to said fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a temperature sensor as a permanent part thereof. The temperature sensor is mounted on the translatable carriage of the printer. A replaceable printhead cartridge having a printhead bonded to a heat sink is installed on the translatable carriage. Once the printhead cartridge is installed on the translatable carriage, the temperature sensor is placed into intimate contact with printhead'heat sink, so that the temperature sensor moves with the printhead and provides continual temperature measurement.

Abstract: An information classification support apparatus which classifies data units graphically displayed on a display screen. A pointing device designates one or more of the data units on the display screen for each symbol mark to assign the symbol mark and the corresponding classification attribute to the designated data units. The symbol mark is displayed as to surround each of the designated data units. A selecting device selects one symbol mark for classification to move, copy or delete the data units assigned with the symbol mark.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a multi-image or multi-color image utilize an intermediate transfer member that is a single layer of fluorocarbon elastomer. The method produces high quality images that do not suffer from image or color shifting or degradation. The single layer intermediate transfer member can contain different zones of electrical properties within the single layer.

Abstract: A toner comprised of color pigment and an addition polymer resin, and wherein said resin is generated by emulsion polymerization of from 70 to 85 weight percent of styrene, from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of isoprene, from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of acrylate, or from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of methacrylate, and from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of acrylic acid.

Abstract: A drive device for a rotary developing unit of the type in which a plural number of developing subunits are mounted on a rotary body, and a drive means is provided outside the rotary body, and in operation the developing subunits are successively moved to their developing positions when the rotary body is turned, and the developing subunit is driven by the drive means at its developing position, is improved in that the drive means drives the developing subunit for a specific period of time from a time point just before the developing subunit is moved to a predetermined developing position and stops thereat to another time point immediately after the developing subunit leaves the developing position.

Abstract: A heating device, which can be used in the fixing unit of an image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic copying or printing machine, for fixing a toner image on a final substrate. The heating device which is in the form of a heated fuser roller is provided with bands or coatings of material which impede the transfer of heat from the fuser roller to bearing structure associated therewith. The bands or coatings are applied by plasma spraying a ceramic material on either the surface of a fuser roll core or on journals of end caps, depending upon the specific construction of the fuser roller.

Abstract: A developing machine and a developer carrier therefor, for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrier by adhesion of a developer which is carried while adhering on the surface of the developer carrier and given electric charge by triboelectricity. The developer carrier has a resin surface layer containing a charge-imparting agent selected from the group consisting of an iron complex, a basic amino acid, a polyamide fine powder, and a stearic acid salt.

Abstract: A circuit board consisting of an insulating substrate, a die bonding pad for fixedly bonding a semiconductor element onto the insulating substrate, and a wiring layer, in such a manner that the die bonding pad and wire layer are formed on the insulating substrate. A first heat conducting/radiating layer formed on the portion of the surface of the insulating substrate where the wiring layer and the die bonding pad are not formed, in such a manner that the first heat conducting/radiating layer is thermally connected to the die bonding pad. A second heat conducting/radiating layer is formed on the rear surface of the insulating substrate, and a heat bridge through which the die bonding pad or the first heat conducting/radiating layer is connected to the second heat conducting/radiating layer. The circuit board is light and small, and high in heat radiating characteristic, and low in manufacturing cost.

Abstract: In a reproduction machine, a user clearable convenience stapler assembly. The convenience stapler assembly includes a stapling apparatus having a stapler head for stapling together a set of copy sheets, and a mounting assembly for mounting and supporting the stapling apparatus to a portion of a frame of the reproduction machine. The stapling apparatus is mounted and supported such that staple jams within the stapler head are clearable by an ordinary user of the reproduction machine. The mounting assembly includes a pivot plate sub-assembly for mounting to the stapling apparatus, and a support sub-assembly for supporting the pivot plate sub-assembly and the stapling apparatus in a stapling position and in a jam clearing position. The pivot plate sub-assembly has integrally formed therein hinge tabs for forming part of a pivot assembly for the stapling apparatus and pivot plate sub-assembly, and a latching aperture for receiving a latching stop member from the support sub-assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed an intermediate toner transfer member for use in an electrostatographic printing apparatus employing a liquid developer comprising: (a) a substrate; and (b) an outer layer comprised of a fluoroelastomer polymerized from a plurality of monomers, at least one monomer being an olefin having only carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, and at least one monomer being fluorinated.

Abstract: An apparatus for replenishing toner in a developer unit has a plurality of toner discharge units. A selected discharge unit is energized to dispense toner into the developer unit with the other discharge units being de-energized. After the energized discharge unit is substantially depleted of toner, another toner discharge unit is energized. The depleted toner discharge unit is removed and replaced with a new toner discharge unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for maintaining the levelness of a crucible having a first end and a second end during thermal expansion of the crucible comprising: providing a continuous pulling force on the first end in a direction parallel to the length of the crucible during heating of the crucible.

Abstract: A convenience staple removing station in a portion of a frame of a reproduction machine for effectively and safely removing staples from a stapled set of document sheets. The staple removing station includes a recess and a tray for automatically receiving staples removed from stapled sets of document sheets. Importantly, the staple removing station includes an active movable staple removing apparatus including an actuatable movable staple extraction member having staple engaging tips for engaging, and applying a normal force to, a clinched staple in a stationarily positioned set of sheets, thereby pulling and removing the staple from the stationarily positioned set of sheets. The active staple removing apparatus further includes staple stripping members for automatically stripping and removing removed staples from the staple extraction member.

Abstract: A process for coating flexible belt seams including providing a flexible belt having an outwardly facing surface and a welded seam, forming a smooth liquid coating on the welded seam, the liquid coating comprising a film forming polymer and a fugitive liquid carrier in which the belt surface is substantially insoluble, and removing the fugitive liquid carrier to form a smooth solid coating on the seam.