Abstract: An air humidifier having a humidifier element provided with an air passage constructed by a water-absorbable material. The air is humidified as it flows through the air passage in the humidifier element.

Abstract: Spark ignition plugs are used in place of the glow plugs in a Diesel engine. As long as engine preheating contacts remain closed, pulses of a fixed frequency are applied to two transistors arranged in a push-pull configuration and connected to the primary coil of a transformer so that an engine plug connected to the secondary coil of the transformer repeatedly discharges continuously.

Abstract: A developer powder supply means is disposed within a developer reservoir for supplying developer powder to a magnet brush developing roller which is placed adjacently to a drum surface carrying an electrostatic latent image formed thereon. The developer powder supply means comprises a stationary sleeve and a rotatable cylindrical magnet enclosed by the stationary sleeve. The rotatable cylindrical magnet includes a magnet shunt means or has an odd number of magnetic poles to produce distorted distribution of the magnetic field. The stationary sleeve has an extended portion which is placed above the rotatable cylindrical magnet, where the magnetic field established by the rotatable cylindrical magnet does not effect the developer powder.

Abstract: An opening is formed in a bottom wall of a developer reservoir, where a U-shaped diaphragm is secured. The diaphragm is bent downward when developer powder is present in the developer reservoir more than a predetermined amount. When the quantity of developer powder decreases below the predetermined amount during a development operation, the diaphragm returns to its initial configuration, that is, the diaphragm is bent upward. The bent conditon of the U-shaped diaphragm is detected through the use of a suitable detection device such as a microswitch, whereby an alarm lamp is activated when the developer powder decreases to below the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An endless photosensitive belt assembly unit or "module" in a reproducing apparatus is supported near all four corners on slide rails for displacement to a position outside the apparatus. To give ready access to the photosensitive belt when the unit is in its outer position, the unit is pivotally mounted on the slide rails.

Abstract: An endless photosensitive member in a photocopy machine is fixedly mounted at each outer edge upon the border of a respective one of a pair of perforated endless belts, the material of the belts having an elasticity which is the same as that of the material of the photosensitive member. The perforated belts are supported upon rollers, at least one of which is driven and has circumferential rows of pins located so as to engage the belt perforations.

Abstract: An endless photosensitive belt assembly unit or "module" in a reproducing apparatus is supported near all four corners on slide rails for displacement to a position outside the apparatus. To give ready access to the photosensitive belt when the unit is in its outer position, the unit is pivotally mounted on the slide rails.

Abstract: An illumination means for use in association with a SELFOC image transmitter in a photocopying machine. The illumination means comprises at least one light generator in the form of a tubular fluorescent lamp or similar means emitting light through a slit disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and an associated light-guide which is made of glass, plastic, or other material having a high refractive index, is generally equal in length to the light-generator, has a generally trapezoidal cross-section, and directs light emitted by the light-generator into an illumination slot or shutter means provided in or below a document rest for illumination of successive portions of a document to be copied, the light-guide broad base and narrow base being proximate to, in line with, and generally equal in width to the light-generator slit and the document rest slot, respectively.

Abstract: An optical illumination device for use in a copying machine, which illuminates the original to be copied, with a ribbon of light. The optical illumination device comprises a pair of reflectors respectively having concave, reflective surfaces which comprise individual portions of hollow right elliptical cylinders of different ellipticity. Each of these first and second elliptical cylinders has a pair of line foci and the first and second reflectors are arranged such that one of the line foci of the first elliptical cylinder is substantially in alignment with one of the line foci of the second elliptical cylinder. A line light source is disposed in alignment with the other focus of the first elliptical cylinder while the other focus of the second elliptical cylinder is situated in the vicinity or at a position where the original to be copied is placed.