Abstract: The invention provides a fixing device in which a temperature fuse melts quickly when a heat roller becomes overheated. The heat roller, to which pressure is applied by a pressure roller placed in a fixing unit case, is axially supported by bearings which are made of synthetic resin and soften upon overheating of the heat roller. An electrical insulating cover, placed adjacent the heat roller opposite to the position of the pressure roller is fixed to an inner surface of a lower case. The electrical insulating cover has a heat collecting surface which is arcuate in cross section and placed opposed to a circumferential surface of the heat roller. The temperature fuse is fixed to the reverse side of the cover and is connected in series with an electric circuit from a power source to a halogen lamp in the heat roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning particles from a surface using a floating backer and cleaning or spots blade mounted to allow freedom to follow the location of the imaging surface. The cleaning or spots blade controls tolerances when the blade and the floating backer are mounted to a frame pivoted from a fixed photoreceptor backer. This freedom allows a minimization of the tolerances in blade load against the surface or photoreceptor, the blade angle to the photoreceptor and in the location of the blade relative to the backer. This floating backer and blade mount also minimizes the wrap required on the photoreceptor backers adjacent to the blade.

Abstract: An object, typically photoconductor drum is electrically charged by placing a contact charger member in abutment with the object to be charged and applying voltage between the contact charger member and the object. Charging is effected by properly controlling the capacitance of the contact charger member, the capacitance of the object, and the applied voltage. A sufficient charged potential is achieved through the application of a relatively low voltage, while preventing ozone generation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming images on recording media is adaptable to receiving a process cartridge detachably mounted thereto. The process cartridge has a frame, an image bearing member and a process unit which acts on the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit on which the process cartridge is mounted, and an elastic pressing member for elastically pressing against the frame of the process cartridge mounted on the mounting unit. The elastic pressing member may be mounted on the process cartridge.

Abstract: In a cleaning device and a developing device installed in an electrophotographic device, a cleaner and toner magazine (CTM) has a cleaning unit including a cleaning blade for removing a toner left on a photoconductive element after image transfer and a waste toner tank for collecting it, and a developing unit accommodating a fresh toner tank storing a fresh toner. The waste toner tank and fresh toner tank are constructed integrally with each other and connected together such that the fresh toner tank is movable to the developing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus by which a first image corresponding to first image information and a second image corresponding to second image information are superimposed one on the top of the other, the apparatus comprising a scanning device for scanning a document line by line to output the first image information; a composing device for composing the first and second image information so that the first and second images are superimposed one on the top of the other; a detecting device for detecting changes of the scanning speed in a direction perpendicular to the lines; and a controlling device for so controlling the composing device that the relative position of the second and first images in the direction are adjusted line by line in accordance with the results detected.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a conductive fixing film, a pair of electrodes contacting the conductive fixing film, a supporting element supporting the electrodes, a pressing roller located on a side of the conductive fixing film opposite to the supporting element and having an outer elastic layer. The conductive fixing film is moved at a constant speed so that a transfer material having an unfixed toner image is nipped between the conductive fixing film and is moved. The transfer material is thus subjected to a heating and fixing operation. A thermometer detects a temperature of the electrode or one part of the supporting element. A memory stores a data-table having a relation between a power supply to the electrodes and a temperature of the thermometer. A control circuit both determines a suitable supply power from the data-table and the temperature detected by the thermometer, and controls the supply power supplied to the electrodes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a rotation shaft which supports an image bearing body and positions the image bearing body and image forming device when they are detachably mounted on the main body. The image forming device includes a frame that have bearings for supporting the shaft of the image bearing body. The image bearing body and a rotating body of the image forming device are separately rotated and do not come into contact with each other via spacer rollers. Accordingly, the mechanical vibration of the rotating body is not transmitted to the image bearing body, and an image can be obtained without defects caused by the mechanical vibration.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus is provided with an original separation mechanism which is disposed on a lower side of the inlet port of a feeding path. The original separation mechanism is pressed to an original pick-up roller, and is provided for separating one original, which contacts the original pick-up roller, from at least one following original. The original separation mechanism includes a unit body, and a friction member attached to the upper surface of a unit body, extending toward a downstream side of the feeding direction of the original so as to intersect the feed path at a predetermined angle, and having an upper surface with a prescribed friction coefficient. The original separation mechanism further includes a pair of supporting members attached to both sides of the unit body with respect to the friction member, and each formed of a spring material having an upper surface which extends so as to intersect the upper surface of the lower original guide member at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printer includes an imaging station for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of a drum, a toner development station for developing the latent image to form a toner image, and a toner transfer station for transferring the toner image onto a moving web. An image-fixing station for fixing the toner image on the web includes two pairs of radiant heat sources, the peak energy output wavelength of which lies in the non-visible part of the spectrum. The radiant sources may be located in hingedly mounted pairs of housings in such a manner that the housings may be moved into a closed position to shield the radiant sources from the web when the speed of movement of the web falls below a predetermined value. Thus, damage to the web when movement of the web stops is avoided.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying member for carrying developer, an elastic blade press-contacted to the developer carrying member to regulate a layer of developer formed on the developer carrying member, where the elastic blade comprises an electrically conductive layer, and a high resistance layer located at the developer carrying member side of the conductive layer, and an electric field generating device for forming an oscillating electric field between the developer carrying member and the conductive layer, wherein a maximum intensity of the electric field is not less than 10.sup.6 V/m.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic image, a developer carrying member, opposed to the image bearing member to form a developing zone therebetween, for carrying a developer to the developing zone to develop an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, and oscillating bias means for applying an oscillating bias to the developer carrying member, wherein the oscillating bias includes a constant-current-controlled AC component and a constant-voltage-controlled DC component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recycling automatic original document feeder for automatically feeding a plurality of originals mounted on an original mount to an image reading position and for discharging the originals so as to be returned onto the original mount after the images of the originals have been read. The apparatus further includes an original image reading device, an image recording device for recording the image on a recording medium, a mode inputting device for inputting an image forming mode, a copy-number setting device for setting a required number of image copies, a recording-medium conveying device including a recording-medium detection device, and an intermediate tray for storing the recording medium after image formation. The apparatus further includes a device for selecting switching between the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode, and an original-number counting device.

Abstract: A fusing apparatus 14 for fusing toner onto paper includes a heater roller 2 and a separating unit 15 with a separation claw 16. The separation claw 16 is provided with a paper guide member 17 having a curvature in a direction opposite to the curvature from a point a to a point c on the heater roller 2. After fusing, the front end 10a of the separated paper 10 is guided by the paper guide member 17. The paper guide member 17 reforms a curl imparted by the heating roller 2 curl into the original state, even if the paper 10 sticks to the heater roller 2 until the point c.

Abstract: In order to edit print information, the print information from a memory may be printed on a sheet by a printing arrangement and the sheet transported to a window at which the sheet is supported so that it is aligned with an editing unit and an editing display. Editing data are then input via the editing unit and are displayed by the editing display so that the editing data appear in the window at the same position as the part of the print information to be edited. At the same time the information in the memory may be changed in accordance with the editing. In this way, the print information can be displayed clearly, and the editing data input quickly. The sheet may be paper but may also be a composite film having low molecular weight liquid crystal material dispersed in high molecular weight material such as high molecular weight liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism utilizing a continuous form sheet, with a plurality of equally spaced sprocket holes formed on both side edges thereof in the direction along a straight sheet feed path, is fed between a photoconductive member and transfer member. Each side of the sheet feed mechanism includes an endless tractor belt looped between two feed rollers disposed upstream and downstream of the transfer member, respectively. In one aspect, engaging pins are provided on the circumferential surface of the feed rollers and engaging holes on the tractor belt spaced at the same interval as the holes of the continuous form sheet, to feed the sheet by engagement of the engaging pins and the sprocket holes through the engaging holes. In another aspect, the endless belt is provided with the engaging pins and a regulation member for moving the tractor belt such that a portion of its upper part is separated from the photoconductive member.

Abstract: A method of positioning a mask using a variable mask mechanism capable of displacing the mask for partially blocking a light beam for exposing a photosensitive material and of changing the amount of opening of an aperture through which the light beam passes, is provided which comprises the steps of measuring the density of each of images on a negative film in a state in which the mask is in alignment with a range in which the density of each image can be measured and thereafter shifting the mask to a range in which the images on the negative film can be exposed, thereby exposing the photosensitive material. Therefore, a position permissible range of the mask at the time of photometry and exposure is expanded. It is thus unnecessary to position the mask with accuracy higher than required. Further, the manufacturing cost of the variable mask mechanism can be reduced.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus for forming an image, especially a halftone image, by using a photosensitive member, having a charging member for charging the photosensitive member, a mechanism for relatively moving the charging member and the photosensitive member, a voltage source for applying an oscillatory voltage to the charging member such that a Vp/f ratio is about from 0.08 to 0.42, wherein the Vp represents a relative moving speed between the charging member and the photosensitive member and the f represents a frequency of the oscillatory voltage, an exposing member for exposing the charged photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power transmission mechanism included in the optical system of an image forming apparatus. A power transmission mechanism according to a first mode composes a link mechanism for interlocking the moving member for adjusting the optical path length, in response to the displacement of a lens unit, when changing the magnification factor of the original image. This link mechanism comprises an output unit integrally composed on the lens unit, and a cam member for converting the moving extent of the lens unit by a lever ratio of two cams and transmitting to the moving member. On the other hand, a power transmission mechanism according to a second mode of the invention includes torque transmission mechanism for transmitting a torque alternatively to a scanning mechanism and a magnification varying mechanism. The torque transmission mechanism includes elastic linings to be pressed alternatively to the input members of the scanning mechanism and magnification varying mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus with an image bearing member capable of rotating while bearing a toner image thereon, a transfer device for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member to a recording material at a transfer position, recording material bearing member capable of rotating while bearing the recording material thereon and adapted to convey the recording material to the transfer position, a pair of rotary members arranged at an upstream side of the recording material bearing member in a recording material conveying direction and adapted to pinch and convey the recording material, and a separation device for separating the recording material from the recording material bearing member at a separation position.