Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly having a developing position, an opening for receiving and delivering developing devices and developing device transportation passage for communicating the developing position and the opening; a developing device accommodating device for accommodating a plurality of the developing devices and for supplying them to the opening; a detecting device for detecting a malfunction of an image forming operation; and a device for transporting the developing device to either the main assembly or the developing device accommodating device in response to detection by the detecting device.

Abstract: A copying machine includes an optical sensor of the line scanning type for converting an image into electrical signals, a thermal recording head controlled in accordance with the image signals, and a heat-sensitive paper web on which the image is formed by heat generated from the thermal recording head. The platen moves with respect to the read unit and the read unit will read in both forward and reverse directions of the platen, and the magnification value can be varied. The total width of energized heating elements and the movement length and speed of the platen may be controlled in accordance with the size of the original. The total number of heating elements energized at any one time is limited, and the machine includes input and output terminals for sending image information externally and for receiving and recording image information other than directly from the read unit.

Abstract: A heat sensitive recording apparatus using an ink donor sheet in the form of a continuous band includes a device for detecting and correcting the tension applied to the band so as to prevent creases, etc. from being formed therein.

Abstract: A roll sheet supplying mechanism for a recording device is disclosed. The mechanism allows for a roll sheet to be rolled into a recording device in a simple and convenient manner. The mechanism is comprised of a shaft having tapered end. The shaft supports the roll sheet and is positioned such that one end can be inserted within a fixed receiving portion while another end can be received within a movable receiving portion. A roll sheet is positioned on the shaft and the shaft is positioned on a support member such that the ends of the shaft are in alignment with the fixed end portion and the movable end portion. The movable end portion is retracted and may be locked into an open retracted position. The movable end portion is then released and is forced towards a shaft end by a biasing member.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive printer is provided with an apparatus for effecting the stoppage of a travelling ink donor sheet as soon as a recording sheet can be separated therefrom of the printing, in order to economize the consumption of the donor sheet.

Abstract: A compact thermosensitive printing machine includes a paper supply guide extending obliquely into a housing to a printing roller at its lower end, and a discharge tray on top of the supply guide for receiving the copied paper face-up after it has passed around the printing roller.

Abstract: In a transfer type heat sensitive recording device a recording section is provided in which the thermal transfer of data is effected by applying thermal pulses to an ink donor sheet having a recording sheet superimposed thereon. Upon leaving the recording section, the recording sheet is separated from the ink donor sheet and upon completion of the separation, the drive for the ink donor sheet is terminated. A recording sheet discharge device is operatively driven from the ink donor sheet conveying device through a drive force accumulating mechanism so that upon stopping of the ink donor sheet conveying device, the torque accumulated by the drive force accumulating mechanism will be sufficient to continue the operation of the recording sheet discharging device until the recording sheet is fully discharged.

Abstract: A semiconductor injection laser device has a heterostructure wherein either of a p-layer and an n-layer which hold a lasing active layer therebetween is a semiconductor layer which has an energy band gap greater than that of the active layer, and the semiconductor injection laser device includes one of the semiconductor layers that adjoins the active layer being constructed of a semiconductor layer which has a stripe mesa portion and whose base part is 0.8.mu. to 1.5.mu. thick. The semiconductor injection laser device of this construction has a current injection region width limited by the width of the stripe mesa portion. As a result, not only a current flowing into the device can be made small, but also the device can be lased in a single mode of the lowest order with transverse modes of higher orders reduced.