Abstract: Highlight color imaging apparatus and method for creating highlight color images that allows the inter-image areas to be used for developability or other control functions notwithstanding the necessity of developer switching. The black and highlight color images are separately formed and the order of image formation is one where the black image (B1) for the first copy is formed, followed by the highlight color image (C1) for the first copy; then the highlight color image (C2) for the second copy; then the black image (B2) for the second copy; then the black image (B3) for the third copy and finally the highlight color image (C3) for the third copy. With the foregoing order of image creation, developer switching is not required when two adjacent images are the same color. When developer switching is not required the inter-image area can be used for process control such as developability to form a test pattern thereat.

Abstract: A selected finish is applied to a electrophotographic print of a photographic negative at a fusing station. One of a plurality of finishing rollers is moved into operative engagement with a fusing roller to provide the desired finish. The fusing roller is heated internally. The finishing rollers which are rotatable brought into contact with the fusing roller each have a different and distinct surface characteristic. Three types are surfaces are described these being a glossy surface, a matte surface and a textured surface.

Abstract: An image transfer apparatus for transferring a toner image onto a transfer material includes an image bearing member for carrying a developed toner image; image transfer bias applying roller for contacting to a backside of the transfer material, for urging it to the image bearing member having the toner image and for applying a transfer bias to transfer the toner image to the transfer material; wherein amounts of charge applied to the transfer material by the transfer bias applying roller during its transfer operation satisfyA.gtoreq.B/2where A (Coulomb/cm.sup.2) is an amount of the charge at a portion where a surface potential of the image bearing member is relatively low, and B (Coulomb/cm.sup.2) is an amount of the charge at a portion where the surface potential of the image bearing member is relatively high. Then, disturbance to the image by the image transfer operation can be avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus with a document feeder for sequentially copying plural sheets of documents. When a document longer than a predetermined length is detected by a sensor, a stopper for aligning the document at a predetermined position is withdrawn in order to prevent the document from being damaged. At the same time, an indicator is turned on, warning the operator of jamming.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer in which toner is printed and fused and the paper thereafter folded and stacked. To avoid toner stick a blower blows cooling air between adjacent folded sheets. The blower may be mounted on a horizotnally slidable paper guide. The stacker table may be lowered so that the top of the stack is maintained at the same height or the blower may be moved vertically in response to the output of a sensor detecting the top of the folded stack.

Abstract: A separating device for separating a copy sheet from a photoreceptor of an electrophotographic copying machine after a toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor onto the copy sheet, comprising; a supporting plate, placed parallel to the photoreceptor, for supporting a pivotable claw, for separating the copy sheet from the photoreceptor in which the claw has a weight member opposite side from a tip of the claw so that the tip comes into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor by the weight of the weight member, and a wire, provided through the weight member of the claw, for pivoting the claw by tensioning and loosening the wire an end of the wire being fixed on the supporting plate.

Abstract: An apparatus which controls the parameters in a processing station of an electrophotographic printing machine having a photoconductive member. A test patch having a half tone image is recorded on the photoconductive member. The test patch is developed with developer material to form a developed half tone image on the photoconductive member. In response to the average density of the developed half tone image on the photoconductive member, the parameters of the processing station are regulated.

Abstract: A toner concentration monitor includes a polarized dielectric member which, when dipped into a development mixture of carrier and toner particles, provides an accurate indication of the toner concentration of the mixture by the amount of toner particles which adhere to the member. The polarized dielectric member is preferably an electret.

Abstract: A color image recording apparatus capable of detachably accommodating an interchangeable process cartridge incorporating plural kinds of developing devices. A plurality of kinds of interchangeable process cartridges are provided differing in the kind of developing devices incorporated therein, and each of such process cartridges has a predetermined operation mode corresponding to the kind of developing devices incorporated therein. Each of the plural kinds of process cartridges is adapted to be associated with a card-shaped memory storing data representing the predetermined operation mode. In the apparatus is provided an electric connection for forming an electrical circuit between the card-shaped memory associated with the accommodated process cartridge and the control device. The control device receives data from the card-shaped memory through the electric connection, and based thereon performs the predetermined operation mode of the accommodated process cartridge.

Abstract: A document scanning system is disclosed which utilizes a scan carriage mounted on guide rails which are connected between novel support members. The support members are mounted at one location only to a fixed base support. The guide rails do not require mounting to a side frame structure; the support structure providing the stability usually provided by the sides of a frame. The guide rails are inherently stable and provide the support for the scan load components. The second embodiment of the invention uses a single guide rail to support the optical system rather than plural guide rails.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus provided with a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image bearing member. The developing device comprises a plurality of developing units and supporting members for supporting the developing units thereon, and an arrangement is such that any developing units can be installed detachably on any supporting members each other. Then, the developing units have a developer supplying mechanism for feeding a developer each, and a supplemental developer container can be connected to each developer supplying mechanism. Then, the supplemental developer container is connected to one developing unit, and the developing unit provided with the supplemental developer is installed on a predetermined supporting member. The remaining developing units free from the supplemental developer container are then installed on the remaining supporting members.

Abstract: A sensor array is positioned in the optical scanning system of a copier so as to be able to periodically provide a measurement of the degree of image degradation present in the system due to contamination of the optical system components. The sensor array is adapted to measure the modulation transfer frequency of a bar chart which is exposed in the optical system. The measured value of MTF is compared to a predetermined value of MTF representing a uncontaminated measurement at the bar chart. When the comparison indicates that the measured MTF is below a minimum acceptable threshold value, a display is activated to alert an operator that an optic system cleaning operation is required.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a developing unit for developing a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element or similar image carrier by a developer, or toner, to produce a toner image, and a cartridge removably mounted on the apparatus for supplying a toner thereto. An operator is directed through the steps of toner re-supply from the removal of the used toner cartridge to the insertion of a new toner cartridge while watching instructions which sequentially appear on a display. The present invention allows for the display of instructions which will lead the operator applyin toner through a step-by-step process to ensure that the toner is added correctly, quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: A mounting for a discharge device which removes the voltage potential from a photoconductive drum. The discharge device is preferably a lengthy lamp block installed in parallel with the photoconductive drum in the direction of the drum's axis. The lamp block is mounted in a fashion which allows it to be inserted in place or removed from the mounting. Further, it is mounted to be elastically expandable in a radial and a longitudinal direction responding to the effects of thermal expansion. The lamp block is held in place between an elastic member and a tab or positioning portion.

Abstract: A multi-color developing device for an image forming apparatus having: a first developing unit retractable with respect to a photosensitive drum; a second developing unit adjacent to the first developing unit and retractable with respect to the photosensitive drum; a cam mechanism for bringing either one of the first or second developing units to a position remote from the photosensitive drum when the other one, either the first or second developing units is positioned adjacent to the photosensitive drum; a pair of driving gears provided between the first and second developing units for receiving power to drive the respective developing units; a first joint gear which engages one of the driving gears to transmit power to the first developing unit; a second joint gear which engages the other one of the driving gears to transmit power to the second developing unit; a first joint member which rotatably supports the first joint gear and which moves the first joint gear to the position to engage with or disengage

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a developer unit adapted to develop an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A support system is mounted pivotably on a frame and slidably supports the developer unit. The support system pivots from an operative position wherein the developer unit is positioned adjacent the photoconductive member to a non-operative position wherein the developer unit is inclined away from the photoconductive member. In the non-operative position, the developer unit may be slidably removed from the printing machine.