Abstract: A sheet moistening device comprises a pair of moistening rollers which respectively have porous layers and form a nip to convey a sheet, and a dampening mechanism which supplies water to at least one of the pair of moistening rollers through a surface thereof. In the sheet moistening device, a roller surface hardness differs between the pair of moistening rollers. In addition, the sheet moistening device can further comprise a regulating device which regulates an amount of water to be supplied from the dampening mechanism to the moistening roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a moisture feeding unit which supplies moisture to a sheet when the sheet passes through a nip portion of a pair of porous rollers, which has a lower roller absorbing water and an upper roller absorbing water in contact with the lower roller, and comprises a water supplying unit which supplies water to the pair of porous rollers, after the sheet onto which a toner image has been formed by and image forming unit passes through a fixing unit. A contact of a contact member in contact with each of a circumference surface of the upper roller and the lower roller is released when a sheet jam occurs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a moisture feeding unit which supplies moisture to a sheet when the sheet passes through a nip portion of a pair of porous rollers, which has a lower roller absorbing water and an upper roller absorbing water in contact with the lower roller, and comprises a water supplying unit which supplies water to the pair of porous rollers, after the sheet onto which a toner image has been formed by and image forming unit passes through a fixing unit. A contact of a contact member in contact with each of a circumference surface of the upper roller and the lower roller is released when a sheet jam occurs.

Abstract: A sheet moistening device comprises a pair of moistening rollers which respectively have porous layers and form a nip to convey a sheet, and a dampening mechanism which supplies water to at least one of the pair of moistening rollers through a surface thereof. In the sheet moistening device, a roller surface hardness differs between the pair of moistening rollers. In addition, the sheet moistening device can further comprise a regulating device which regulates an amount of water to be supplied from the dampening mechanism to the moistening roller.

Abstract: This invention discloses a paper moisturizing apparatus comprising a pair of moisturizing rollers which respectively has a porous layer and form a nip area to deliver paper, a water-supplying device which supplies water to at least one of the moisturizing rollers from the surface of the roller, and, a regulating device which regulates the quantity of water to be supplied to the moisturizing roller from the water-supplying device, and an image forming apparatus using the paper moisturizing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active erythro-3-amino-2-hydroxybutyric ester as an important intermediate of pharmaceutical agents, specifically HIV protease inhibitor, in high purity and in high yield. The method includes producing an optically active erythro-3-amino-2-hydroxybutyric ester by oxidizing the hydroxyl group at the 2-position of an optically active 3-amino-2-hydroxybutyric ester, optically active at the 3-position, as represented by formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group or a cyclohexyl group; R.sup.2 represents a protective group and R.sup.3 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl residue; the steric configuration of *1 represents S configuration or R configuration), and then reducing erythro-selectively the resulting product by using aluminum alkoxide.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a detachable process cartridge in which an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit which develops the electrostatic latent image so that a toner image can be formed, both integrally formed into one unit. There is provided a developer container including a discharge section which can be inserted into a supply opening of the developing unit, and a container in which a predetermined amount of developer is contained, wherein the developer container is provided to the toner supply opening of the developing unit and the developer is supplied into the developing unit housing when a toner stirring screw of the developing unit is rotated.

Abstract: A process for preparing an optically active 2-aminopropanal through oxidative cleavage of the corresponding optically active 3-amino-1,2-butanediol of the following formula (2): ##STR1## wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are each a hydrogen atom, or separately or together represent an N-protecting group; and the configuration at the *1 position is S or R. An optically active 2-aminopropanal of high purity can be obtained in a high yield by the process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge that incorporates a photoreceptor and a plurality of developing devices. The process cartridge is provided with a first driving shaft to drive the photoreceptor and a second driving shaft to independently drive the developing devices. When the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus which includes spaced apart first and second gears, the first and second driving shafts are coupled separately with the spaced apart first and second gears so that driving forces are separately transmitted to the first and second driving shafts. A flywheel is mounted on a third driving shaft that is coupled with the first driving shaft to drive the photoreceptor. Since the developing devices are constructed to receive a large number of different possible loads, the developers are placed in a condition where vibrations are created easily by the driving of the various possible loads.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a lower half body; an upper half body which is mounted on the lower half body and has an axis arranged in parallel to a sheet passage so that the upper half body can be pivoted around the axis; and a platen cover provided on the upper half body so as to open or close in the same direction as that of the upper half body: wherein the sum of pivot angle of the upper half body and the platen cover is smaller than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A color image forming machine includes a plurality of exposure units for irradiating an image carrier movable in a secondary scanning direction of the exposure units by primary scanning beams, at a plurality of irradiation positions to form latent images, a plurality of charging units for charging the image carrier corresponding to the irradiation positions of the exposure units and a plurality of developing units to form toner images corresponding the latent images. The plurality of toner images are superimposed on the image carrier to obtain a multi-color or full-color images trough transferring and fixing. A light-reflective registration mark is provided to a non-image area on one side of the image carrier. Employing at least two exposure units, irradiation by each primary scanning beam is conducted to the light-reflective registration mark moving in the secondary scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a rotatable upper cover, one surface of which serves as a first exit tray on which recording sheets are discharged with image sides face downward, the other surface of which serves as a second exit tray on which recording sheets are discharged with image sides face upward. Guide members which are activated in accordance with the rotation of the rotatable upper cover are provided above delivering rollers, thereby the recording sheets delivered by the delivering rollers are selectively discharged with the image sides either face downward to the first exit tray or face upward to the second exit tray.

Abstract: A color image forming machine such as a copier or a printer for producing a toner image, corresponding to an original image, on a recording sheet. The color image forming machine has a photoreceptor for forming the toner image on its surface; a transferrer for transferring the toner image from the photoreceptor to the recording sheet; and a fixer for fixing the toner image on the recording sheet. The fixer includes (1) an endless heat belt which is supported by a heat roller and a separation roller; and (2) an endless conveyance belt which is supported by a pressure roller and another separation roller; in which the endless heat belt and the endless conveyance belt are partially pressed together by the first pair which are inclined relative to one another, and the second pair so that a nip region is created between the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers. The endless heat belt and the endless conveyance belt have a glossy surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge, including an image carrying member and an operation member with respect to image forming, facing the image carrying member, is movably provided. An opening on the process cartridge in accordance with the operation member is covered by a shielding member in the main body of the apparatus when the process cartridge is moved from the apparatus in response to an opening movement of an external cover which provides access to the interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge which contains at least an image carrying body fixed therein. The process cartridge is slidably provided to a main frame of the apparatus and is adapted to occupy two positions of a first position to perform the image forming and a second position suitable for maintenance and pulling out of the process cartridge for the main body. The process cartridge is drived automatically to the second position in each case of jam occurence in copy paper conveyance and maintenance.

Abstract: Color image forming apparatus includes a belt-shaped image carrier stretched and conveyed around rotating rollers on which image exposure is conducted by a plurality of exposure units; and a plurality of step-formed supporting surfaces below the lower surface disposed of the image carrier. The stepped formation of the exposure unit supporting surfaces avoids interference between optical paths of laser beams for image exposure, and facilitates compactness of the apparatus. The belt-shaped image carrier and the supporting surfaces are provided at a relative angle of 5-30 degrees. The color image forming apparatus is also capable of detecting a specific pattern outputted from the exposure units; calculating the differences of positions of the specific pattern as formed by the different exposure units; and controlling the positioning of the specific pattern as outputted by the exposure units, so as to increase the accuracy of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge including at least a belt-shaped image carrier. A protective cover automatically covers a transfer section of the image carrier installed in the process cartridge, in response to a traveling motion of the process cartridge from a first position in which an image can be formed, to a second position in which the process cartridge can be attached to or detached from the apparatus. The protective cover also automatically exposes the transfer section of the image carrier in response to the input of a power source to the apparatus, or the input of an image forming signal for forming a latent image on the image carrier, or the process of mounting of the process cartridge to the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which transfers a toner image from an image carrying member to a recording sheet at a transfer location, comprises a process cartridge and a path forming member. The process cartridge is detachably provided to the main frame of the image forming apparatus, and carries therein at least an image forming member. The path forming member assumes a closed position to form a conveying path for the recording sheet to a transfer location in response to the attachment of the process cartridge, and assumes an open position to provide direct access by an operator to the transfer location in response to detachment of the process cartridge.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including an image carrying member on which a toner image is formed, a transferring device to transfer the toner image onto a recording sheet, a conveyer to convey the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred, a fixing device to fix the toner image on the sheet and a storage device to store the transfer sheet which has been fixed once by the fixing device. The storage device can feed the stored transfer sheet to the fixing device in order for it to be fixed a second time, and can be detachably mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge contains at least an image carrying member, a developing unit and a developer replenishment unit. The process cartridge can be mounted to or removed from the apparatus for its replacement. The process cartridge can take a first position where images can be formed and a second position where developer can be replenished. The process cartridge can be moved from the first position to the second position when a detector for detecting the depletion of the developer outputs a detection signal.