Abstract: An ink ribbon feeder wherein a feed roll support section rotatably supports an ink ribbon feed roll and a take-up roll support section rotatably supports a take-up roll support section; a first driving section turns a take-up roll to wind the ink ribbon in an ink ribbon take-up direction, and a second driving section turns the feed roll in the opposite direction of the first driving section, to apply a tension to the ink ribbon. The first driving section and the second driving section are disposed on the same side of both the take-up roll and the feed roll in the ribbon take-up direction. The recording unit, inclusive of the recording head, the ink ribbon feed roll and the take-up roll are mounted in various ways to equalize the tension over the width of the ink roller.

Abstract: Curl removing device utilizable for the facsimile machine (1), in which the cutout portion (31) is formed on the holding part (28) of the curl removing plate (14) and it is formed in the plate holding part (13) the resilient hook member (24) which positions the curl removing plate (14) against the flat plate part (20) by being resiliently hooked to the cutout portion (31), and when the curl removing plate (14) is installed to the plate holding part (13), the curl removing plate (14) is slid on the flat plate part (20) so that the support shafts (22) of the support sections (21) are inserted in the support holes (30) of the support parts (29) in one direction (the direction shown by the arrow C) and the resilient hook member (24) is hooked to the cutout portion (31).

Abstract: In a time division multiple access mobile wireless telecommunication system, a base station has a plurality of frequencies with their priority order previously registered in a memory, selects, upon starting the operation, the frequency having the highest priority from frequencies not used by other wireless telecommunication systems, and initiates communications at the selected frequency. The base station also transmits a pilot signal representative of the priority for using the selected frequency in order to prevent other wireless telecommunication system from interrupting to use the frequency.

Abstract: An elongated toner box extending in a horizontal direction has a cylindrical portion where a toner discharge port is formed. A wrapping member serving as a shutter is rotatably disposed over the cylindrical portion for selectively shutting off the toner discharge port. The wrapping member has a circular shape concentrical with the cylindrical portion. A developing case is provided to which the toner box is detachably installable. The developing case has a wall confronting the toner box, and a toner inlet port is formed at the wall. A toner inlet shutter is slidably movably supported to the partition wall. When the wrapping member opens and closes the toner discharge port, the wrapping member is positioned close to the outer surface of the toner box and does not largely protrude from the toner box. Further, the discharge port shutter and the inlet port shutter are movable in interlocking relation with each other.

Abstract: A toner level detecting device on a toner supply box includes first and second light transmissive toner detecting portions connected by a connecting portion. An aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions is filled with toner when the toner level in the toner supply box is high. Light may be projected onto the first toner detecting portion so that it is aimed through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion. When the toner level in the toner supply box becomes low, toner will no longer fill the aperture, thus allowing light to pass through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion where it can be sensed by a light detector. Light may be attenuated as it passes through the connecting portion by an irregular surface portion on the connecting portion, by a light absorbative coating applied to a surface of the connecting portion, or by forming the connecting portion of a light absorbative material.

Abstract: An elongated toner box extending in a horizontal direction has a cylindrical portion where a toner discharge port is formed. A wrapping member serving as a shutter is rotatably disposed over the cylindrical portion for selectively shutting off the toner discharge port. The wrapping member has a circular shape concentrical with the cylindrical portion. A developing case is provided to which the toner box is detachably installable. The developing case has a wall confronting the toner box, and a toner inlet port is formed at the wall. A toner inlet shutter is slidably movably supported to the partition wall. When the wrapping member opens and closes the toner discharge port, the wrapping member is positioned close to the outer surface of the toner box and does not largely protrude from the toner box. Further, the discharge port shutter and the inlet port shutter are movable in interlocking relation with each other.

Abstract: A toner level detecting device on a toner supply box includes first and second light transmissive toner detecting portions connected by a connecting portion. An aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions is filled with toner when the toner level in the toner supply box is high. Light may be projected onto the first toner detecting portion so that it is aimed through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion. When the toner level in the toner supply box becomes low, toner will no longer fill the aperture, thus allowing light to pass through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion where it can be sensed by a light detector. Light may be attenuated as it passes through the connecting portion by an irregular surface portion on the connecting portion, by a light absorbative coating applied to a surface of the connecting portion, or by forming the connecting portion of a light absorbative material.

Abstract: An image forming device for forming an image on a sheet. A pair of transport rollers are provided for transporting the sheet by their rotation so that the sheet exits from between the pair of rollers while substantially aligned with a tangent plane of both of the pair of rollers. An elongated chute is provided for guiding the sheet after the sheet exits from between the pair of transport rollers. The chute is supported so as to intersect the tangent plane to cross from one side of the tangent plane to another in the direction followed by the sheet. A toner control electrode is supported adjacent to the chute at its end opposite the transport rollers. A back electrode with an electrode tip is supported so that the electrode tip confronts the toner control electrode as separated by a space. The sheet is transported through the space as guided by the chute.

Abstract: A thermal fixing device mounted in an image recording apparatus, includes a presser-roller automatically moved away from a heat roller when a predetermined period of time or more elapses after completion of the thermal fixing of a recording medium, on or before a subsequent recording medium is fed, thus avoiding the continuity of a state in which a thermal fixing belt for feeding the recording medium is interposed and pressed between the heat roller and the presser-roller over a long period of time. Accordingly, this thermal fixing device enables the prevention of deformation in the thermal fixing belt by heat and pressure and achieves stable use of the thermal fixing belt.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus include a photosensitive recording medium having a latent image formed thereon and a developer sheet introduced to a pressure development unit for transfer of the latent image to the developer sheet. The developer sheet is then carried to an ejecting unit via a heat fixing unit where the developer sheet is subjected to heat fixing. First and second carriers carry the developer sheet from a feeding unit to the development unit and from the heat fixing unit to the ejecting unit, respectively. The first and second carriers have independent drive sources such that their speed of movement can be independently controlled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure lamp which is detachably stored in a lamp house. A cover to open and close an opening of the lamp house is prohibited from being opened by an original supporting stand while it is in an operating region for exposure of an original to light. A release member allows the original supporting stand to move beyond the operating region so that the cover can be opened to exchange the exposure lamp. When the original support member is moved beyond the operating region, an electric power source is cut off by the release member. A moving member connected with the cover also cuts off the electric power source when the cover is opened. A reflecting mirror provided around the exposure lamp is moved away from the exposure lamp automatically by a link member when the cover is opened.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus using a microcapsule sheet on which a latent image is formed. The microcapsule sheet is accommodated within a sheet roll cartridge detachably provided to a main frame, and a take up means for winding light-exposed microcapsule sheet thereover. The cartridge and the take-up means are geometrically positioned at an upper portion of the main frame, so that these are easily assembleable and disassembleable. Preferrably, a link mechanism is provided which connects a cover member to the cartridge. The link mechanism provides disengagement of the cartridge from the main frame upon opening of the cover member, and provides an engagement therebetween upon closing thereof. Further, additional link mechanism is provided between the cover member and a separation roller unit. The separation roller unit is moved to a first direction where the roller is separated from the microcapsule sheet when the cover member is opened.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image corresponding to an original on a recording medium which is in the form of continuous elongate medium having a leading edge. The apparatus includes a main frame defining an internal space, a magazine detachably disposed within the internal space, a cartridge detachably mounted in the magazine for accommodating therein the recording medium, a take up roll disposed within the internal space for taking up the recording medium, a pair of feed rollers for feeding the recording medium along the sheet path, and a holding member having a first position for holding the leading edge and having a second position for releasing the leading edge. One of the feed rollers are movable to provide a first position for allowing the leading edge to pass through the rollers, and a second position for nipping the leading edge relative to the othr feed roller for feeding the recording medium along the sheet path.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for forming a latent image on a photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet and for developing the latent image on a developer sheet. The apparatus includes an exposure unit and a developing unit positioned close to each other. The apparatus also includes an optical system for irradiating light onto an original and directing the light reflected at the original toward the exposure zone. The original has an original image facing downwardly, and the photosensitive sheet has an imaging surface facing downwardly at the exposure zone. The optical system provides a U or J-shaped optical path extending from the original to the exposure zone. The optical system has reflection mirror unit vertically movably secured to a pair of frames of the apparatus. The frames are reinforced with a partition member which also functions as a light shielding member.

Abstract: In a color picture recording apparatus, a picture image of an original document is formed on a photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording medium which may be either a self-coloring type or a transfer type made up of a microcapsule sheet and a developer sheet. According to one aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus of the type in which the transfer type recording medium is used, the copy sheets are discharged face-up so as to facilitate an operator's confirmation of the copied picture image. According to another aspect of the invention, the cut developer sheets are stacked in a sheet cassette so that the surface on which the developer material is coated is face-down so that a feeding roller for feeding out the developer sheet does not come into contact therewith.