Abstract: An image forming device having a rotatable medium, a latent image forming device for forming a latent image on the rotatable medium, apparatus for applying liquid developer to the latent image to form a toner image, apparatus to transfer the toner image to transfer material and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the rotatable medium after transfer. The device is operated so that there is an initial application of developer to the cleaning apparatus to loosen any dried toner after which the rotatable medium undergoes a prerotation of at least one half of a complete rotation before image formation is begun. After termination of an image forming operation, the rotatable medium is rotated for a predetermined time to clean its surface and then stopped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing electrophotographic copies, wherein a rotatable photosensitive medium is rotated and pre-cleaned prior to image formation on the cleaned portion and wherein the entire medium is cleaned upon the completion of image formation.

Abstract: This specification discloses improvements in a separating mechanism for forcibly separating transfer medium from an image bearing member after the visible image on the image bearing member has been transferred to the transfer medium. In the separating mechanism having a separation guide disposed between the image bearing member and a side edge of the transfer medium to direct the transfer medium away from the image bearing member, the separation guide has one end as a supported end and the other end as a free end and the free end of the separation guide is supported from the non-image bearing member side by a keep member and from the image bearing member side by a release member. Thus, the separating mechanism of the present invention can readily and positively effect treatment of jammed transfer medium which would be attributable to abnormal transport of the transfer medium, by a simple construction.

Abstract: A buffer device for use in an image forming apparatus wherein a reciprocable member is placed for reciprocating motion through a belt by a rotary member driven by a drive source, the buffer device has at least two displaceable shock-absorbing rotary elements positioned so as not to interfere with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member and provided so as to engage with mutually facing portions of the belt, and a braking element for suppressing by friction the displacement of the shock-absorbing rotary elements, the shock given to the reciprocating member by the forward and reverse rotations of the rotary member being absorbed by displacement of the shock-absorbing rotary elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning an original in a copying machine herein disclosed is of the type in which first and second mirrors are moved in the same direction at the velocity rate of 1:1/2. The apparatus comprises first and second carriages for supporting and carrying the first and second mirrors respectively, a guide rail for supporting the carriages movably in the direction of their movement and a particular arrangement of pulleys to move the mirrors. The arrangement comprises first and second movable pulleys provided on the second carriage and spaced from one another and first and second stationary pulleys. The first stationary pulley is positioned on the side of the second movable pulley relative to the first movable one whereas the second stationary pulley is positioned on the side of the first movable pulley relative to the second one.

Abstract: A copying apparatus comprises an original supporting carriage for supporting thereon a stationary original, original feeder for feeding an original past an exposure station first scanning optical system comprising illumination lamps, mirrors and a lens for projecting onto a photosensitive medium the image of the original resting on the original supporting carriage, and second scanning optical system comprising illumination lamps, mirrors and a lens for projecting the image of the original onto the photosensitive medium. The photosensitive medium has thereon a common image focus position for two modes effected by the first and the second scanning optical systems.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the liquid development and transfer type, a liquid developing device includes a photosensitive drum, an arcuate developing electrode disposed below the photosensitive drum in opposed relationship therewith, and spacers disposed at the opposite ends of the developing electrode to maintain a predetermined clearance between the developing electrode and the photosensitive drum. Developing liquid may be supplied into the clearance to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: This specification discloses an original urging device for enabling an original to be well placed and supported on the original supporting carriage of a copying machine, a printing machine or the like. The supporting member for the original urging plate of the device has one end thereof pivotally supported. A point for taking the resilient force of a resilient member is provided at a point on the supporting member. During replacement of the original, the original urging plate may be made stationary within a predetermined range of angles facilitating the handling of the urging plate, in accordance with the rotated position of the supporting member and by the relationship between the moment produced by the gravity force acting to the supporting member and urging plate and the moment produced by the resilient force of the resilient member.

Abstract: In an electrostatic copying machine which includes a member for bearing a latent image and a developing device. The developing device includes a member for applying developer liquid to the image bearing member, a container for holding developer liquid, a pump in the container, a supply pipe from the container to the applying member, a return pipe from the applying member to the container, and a filter in the return pipe. The filter has an impinging portion angularly disposed with respect to the flow of developer liquid and disposed above the surface of the developer liquid in the container during pumping and a toner accumulating portion which is immersed in the developer liquid in the container at least when the pump is not operating to soften and dispense any coagulated toner particles accumulated thereon.

Abstract: A counting device including a click wheel operative integrally with a dial for setting the number of repetitive operations, the click wheel having teeth therearound, the number of which corresponds to the number of the repetitive operations; a ratchet wheel having a projection, the ratchet wheel being rotated to a starting position thereof by rotation of the click wheel; a feeding pawl for feeding the ratchet wheel in response to an external signal for every operation; a preventing structure for preventing the ratchet wheel from returning by pressure contact or engagement; and a start button integrally formed with a center shaft and a rotation preventing member of the center shaft, the start button being locked by the preventing structure for said ratchet wheel, and the rotation preventing member being engageable with the preventing structure; the engagement between the rotation preventing member and the preventing structure changing to open a switch as soon as the projection of the ratchet wheel releases the

Abstract: In a copying apparatus, an optical system for projecting an image of an original, carried on a carriage, on a photosensitive medium. The image is developed and then transferred to a transfer medium. A feed control system is provided for permitting, in accordance with a signal from a first signal source, a driving force to be transmitted through a first clutch for a predetermined time to feed the transfer medium. A register control system is provided for starting the feed of the transfer medium in synchronism with the image on the photosensitive medium, in accordance with a signal from a second signal source. The register control system is stopped after a subsequent first signal.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrophotographic device by which the surface potential of the photosensitive member is made substantially uniform at the time of termination of the photocopying process by rotating the photosensitive member through one revolution after the completion of the copying process while subjecting the photosensitive member to A.C. corona discharge or light exposure. Further, the reflecting mirror and the in-mirror lens are integrally rotated so as to adjust the light path length to obtain the most effective exposure. Moreover, the ratio of width of the central portion and both end portions of the slit for exposure can be varied to obtain the uniform and effective exposure.

Abstract: A transfer material separating device. An endless separation belt is interposed between a transfer material and a surface to which the transfer material is brought into contact. A rotatable member is provided for guiding the transfer material between the separator belt and the rotatable member to separate the transfer material. A deflecting member provides a separation path along which the transfer material is deflected by the rotatable member to separate the transfer material and, in addition, provides a return path which is out of contact with the surface to which the transfer material is brought into contact. The deflecting member serves to reduce the twist of the separation path as well as the return path.

Abstract: A copying apparatus for selectively copying sheet originals and thicker originals such as books and the like comprises various process means as used in an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type which employs the liquid development and drum type image transfer system. The copying apparatus of the invention includes improvements in such means as original carriage, original transport means, guide for original carriage, original keep cover, means for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus, means for detecting the amount of toner in developing liquid, copy paper feed means, means for controlling the paper feed means, means for separating copy paper from a photosensitive drum, means for conveying copy paper from the feed means to a discharge port, means for repeating copying operation, means for drying and fixing the image on the copy paper, means for supporting the photosensitive medium, etc.

Abstract: An optical system for an electrophotographic machine utilizing a photosensitive member, wherein a reflecting mirror and an in-mirror lens are integrally pivotable for adjusting a light path between an original to be copied and the photosensitive member, for the purpose of establishing the most effective exposure of the photosensitive member with an image of the original.

Abstract: In a copying machine, an original keep device comprises a mechanism which includes at least one expansible member and two or more support members, the mechanism having rotatable coupling points and at least one movable coupling portion, and an original keep member for holding down an original. The keep member is held by one of said support members of the mechanism. The original keep member may be held in open position above the original by the force of the expansible member.

Abstract: A copying apparatus capable of copying sheet originals and thick originals comprises sheet original transport means for transporting a sheet original, thick original carrier means for carrying thereon a thick original, optical means for projecting the image of an original upon a photosensitive member, copy process means for processing copies, and drive means for operating the copy process means. At least a part of the optical means is movable to selectively form an exposure surface at the position of the sheet original exposure surface of the sheet original transport means or the thick original exposure surface of the thick original carrier means.

Abstract: In a copying machine, a jam detecting device comprises jam detecting means operable in synchronism with movement of the photosensitive drum of the copying machine, and copy sheet discharge detecting means provided at an outlet for copy sheet. The two detecting means are positioned relative to each other so that T1 .ltoreq. T2, where T1 is the time interval required for a copy sheet fed from its supply station to reach an outlet and T2 is the time interval measured from the time the copy sheet leaves the supply station till the jam detecting means is operated for a second time. When T1 is greater than T2, jamming of the copy sheet is detected.