Abstract: A copying apparatus has a photoreceptor drum, a charger for charging the photoreceptor drum, an exposure lamp for exposing images to said photoreceptor drum, an apparatus for setting magnification rate of the images, a selector for selecting a first mode in which the images are exposed to the photoreceptor drum in the set magnification rate or a second mode in which the images are exposed to said photoreceptor drum in a magnification rate smaller than the set magnification rate, an apparatus for partially removing the charges of an unexposed portion adjacent to the latent electrostatic images formed on the photoreceptor drum when the second mode is selected, and a developer for developing the latent electrostatic images and the unexposed portion. When the second mode is selected, an index is formed by the removal of the charges at the unexposed portion adjacent to the latent electrostatic images formed on the photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: Liquid toner imaging apparatus including an image bearing surface, apparatus for developing an image on the image bearing surface using a liquid toner including carrier liquid and pigmented particles, and apparatus for transferring a developed image from the image bearing surface to a substrate. The apparatus for developing includes a developer electrode having a developer surface portions of which sequentially come into propinquity with the image bearing surface and subsequently leave propinquity therewith, each region forming a development region during its propinquity and a stationary nozzle for providing liquid toner of a given color to the development region by supplying liquid toner onto a portion of the developer electrode, wherein the nozzle is spaced more than 8.4 mm from any other nozzle which supplies liquid toner of the given color to the development region.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including an image carrying body, an exposing device for exposing the image carrying body, to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing and cleaning device for supplying a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image, to develop the latent image, and for removing the developing agent remaining on the image carrying body, a transfer device for transferring the developed image to a sheetlike material, and a disordering and charging device for disordering the developing agent remaining on the image carrying body after transfer of the developed image, and for charging the image carrying body.

Abstract: A photoelectronic image forming apparatus reproduces an image on the basis of an electrostatic latent image produced on a photo-sensitive body by using a developer containing a toner and a carrier, and comprises a plurality of toner density measuring units for respectively producing outputs each indicative of a toner density of the developer and a toner density determining unit responsive to the outputs for determining an actual toner density so as to precisely control the tone of the image.

Abstract: A copying machine with plural developing units being capable of performing at least one edition mode and a simultaneous multi-mode in which the developing unit is switched from one to another on the way through one copying action is disclosed. In the simultaneous multi-mode, the position at which the developing unit is to be switched is designated by a position designation device such as keys provided on an operation panel and/or an editor, if connected to the copying machine. In this case, only one coordinate of the designated position in the sub-scan direction is employed to designate the switching position for the developing unit.

Abstract: A developing apparatus having a developing roll including therein a developing sleeve and a magnet roll to be faced to an image retainer for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image retainer with a developer. A partition plate is provided between developer agitating members disposed below the developing roll. A developer removing device for removing the developer on the developing sleeve is provided on an upper portion of the partition plate.

Abstract: A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The recording sheet guide mechanism is constructed to pivot around the shaft so that only a single drive unit is employed to select a tray for sorting. Thus, the printer has a simple and small structure. The printer has a recording sheet discharge outlet with discharge rollers for discharging a recording sheet that has been printed by the electrophotographic process.

Abstract: The transfer and conveying apparatus of the invention transfers a toner image from a photoreceptor onto a recording paper by performing corona discharge at a location opposite to the photoreceptor and adjacent to a portion of a conveying belt which contacts the one of a pair of rollers about which the conveying belt is trained that is closest to the photoreceptor, and conveys the recording paper after transfer of the image by attracting the paper to the belt. This belt is brought into contact with a conductive brush which has AC voltage or DC voltage applied thereto with polarity opposite that applied for transfer of the image to thereby prevent the toner from depositing on the belt. Furthermore, the lower stretched portion of the belt may be wound about the roller through predetermined angular range with the recording paper disposed between the belt and the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a fixing device in an electrophotographic recording system provides for periodically sampling the temperature of the fixing device, detecting whether the sampled temperature of the fixing device is on an upward trend of a downward trend, and controlling the on/off operation of the fixing device on the basis of the detected trend and on a predetermined changeover temperature range.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus has a interchangeable belt-shaped image forming body stretched between horizontally disposed rollers and a plurality of developing means located below the belt-shaped image forming body. A passage for the transfer paper conveyance unit preferably as well as a fixing unit can be opened so that a process unit comprising the above-mentioned belt-shaped image forming body can be attached to and detached from the apparatus in the same direction as the above-mentioned passage for the transfer paper conveyance unit.Furthermore, the feeding operation for a sheet by-pass or loading and unloading operation for the recording paper cassette can be also carried out in the same direction as the above-mentioned passage of the transfer paper conveyance unit.

Abstract: A polarity inverting charger is provided at the location between developing position of a photoconductor and transfer position to invert the polarity of a toner image formed on the photoconductor after a first image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt from the photoconductor. A transfer charger is actuated with opposite polarity to that of the polarity when the first toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt to transfer the first toner image on the intermediate transfer belt onto a second surface of a transfer sheet simultaneously when a polarity inverted second image on the photoconductor is transferred onto a first surface of the transfer sheet.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a developing agent image on a recording medium includes a heat roller and a compression roller for pressing the recording medium against the circumferential surface of the heat roller. A discharge guide for guiding the recording paper passing between the rollers, away from the heat roller is arranged near the heat roller. The discharge guide has an end portion located adjacent to the heat roller, and is positioned by a positioning mechanism so that a predetermined distance is defined between the end portion of the discharge guide and the heat roller. The end portion of the guide is spaced away from the heat roller by spacers made of a relatively soft material. A cleaning element is positioned between the spacers. The spacers and cleaning element are biased against the heat roller by a spring force.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the handling of cleaned toner. The cleaning apparatus has a blade which removes residual toner from a photosensitive drum, a storage area partitioned into an upper and a lower section by a plate. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary device with paddles attached feeds toner to the rear of the lower section away from the cleaning blade and into the upper section. This insures the full use of the storage area. Plural rotary devices may be provided.

Abstract: A movable support member which supports a plurality of developing units is moved in reciprocating motion within a range of ordinary movement, and is arranged to be movable until one of the developing units arranged on either end of the plurality of developing units in the direction of reciprocating motion is out of the range of ordinary movement. In such position, it is possible to remove and replace all the developing units because they are all positioned away from a photoconductor and a pressing means which acts to push the units toward the photoconductor. Even in such a position, a lock mechanism is actuated to lock the movable support member.

Abstract: Liquid toner conditioning apparatus for use in an electrophotographic color printer and including a stabilizing roller positioned adjacent to the surface of a photoconductive drum and operative for transforming discrete color toner particles on the surface of the drum into a stabilized unitary polymeric film structure which may be directly transferred onto an adjacent print medium. Advantageously, the stabilizing roller will include an inner core member which may be heated as well as connected to a source of either AC bias or DC bias or both. This stabilizing and toner conditioning roller further includes a soft elastomeric roller cover positioned around the periphery of the inner core member and has a smooth outer surface which makes direct contact with the developed toner layers on the surface of the adjacent photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A device for flattening curled or crumpled documents for copying on a photocopier is disclosed. The device includes a flat surface with lifting tabs and magnets attached thereto. The device is placed on top of the document which has been positioned face down on the transparent surface of the copier. The device straightens curled documents. For crumpled or wrinkled documents, when the hinged cover is closed, the device presses down on the document straightening out the curled or crumpled document so that it may be copied easily and cleanly. When the device is not in use, the magnets attached to the device enable the device to be stored by attaching it to the sides of the copier, or a file cabinet or stand.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an elastic blade contacted to a developing roller to regulate a thickness of a layer of a developer to be formed on the developing roller. To the longitudinal end portions of the developing roller, seals are press-contacted to prevent leakage of the developer. Each of the seals has a projection toward the longitudinally central portion of the developing roller. The projection is overlaid on the blade at a position where the blade and the developing roller are contacted.

Abstract: A method for forming a duplex print, in which a recording sheet has images formed on both sides thereof, includes steps of: setting an interleave number depending on a size of the recording sheet; forming the duplex prints under a condition where the number of the recording sheets located in a transport path is equal to or less than the interleave number; determining whether or not a size of the recording sheet supplied from a paper supplying unit is changed; changing the interleave number to a minimum interleave number when the size of the recording sheet is changed; forming the duplex prints with respect to the new sized recording sheet under a condition where the number of the recording sheet located in the transport path is equal to or less than the minimum interleave number. The present invention also provides an apparatus for forming a duplex print, which operates in accordance with the method for forming a duplex print.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a primary image member upon which first and second toner images are formed and an intermediate image member to which one of said toner images is transferred. Duplex imaging is accomplished by transferring one image from the primary image member to one side of a receiving sheet and a second image from the intermediate image member to the other side. The intermediate image member extends toward a fuser to transport the receiving sheet to the fuser while the first image is being transferred. Both images are transferred to the receiving sheet while not being backed by the other image member. In a full-color portion four different color toner images are formed and transferred in registration to form a multicolor image which is transferred to the intermediate image member permitting the apparatus to function in either a high-volume simplex or duplex imaging mode or in a low-volume, full-color imaging mode.

Abstract: Information regarding a toner development characteristic associated with a development station is used to automatically adjust process control parameters associated with the other development stations to achieve quality color productions. A color electrostatographic image production device having a plurality of toner development stations, includes a toner development characteristic sensor at at least one of the development stations. A set of process control parameter control signals are produced for color separations produced by at least one other development station in response to the sensed development characteristic. Preferably, the toner development characteristic is the development rate of the development station or is a characteristic which influences the development rate of the development station.