Abstract: A device for automatically loading an image recording apparatus with a web of a photosensitive recording medium includes a first belt for conveying a mask original into an exposure unit, and a mechanism facing the belt and movably supported on a frame so as to be movable toward and away from the first belt. The mechanism and the belt define therebetween a path along which the web travels. The mechanism includes at least a pair of spaced rollers, and a second belt entrained by the rollers. Cams are provided for moving the mechanism to bring the second belt into intimate contact with the first belt, so that the leading end of the web may be held between the two belts. The first belt is moved to enable the web to travel along its path. The web is further conveyed to a predetermined position where the leading end of the web is in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of a take-up roller. Since the take-up roller carries an adhesive layer on the periphery thereof, the web is wound around the take-up roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a photosensitive recording medium by exposing light by way of one of plural mask members which are selectively and consecutively placed on an exposure position. The apparatus includes a plurality of holding or retention positions linearly connected to the exposure position to which the mask members are selectively displaced. A transport device transports the mask members from the exposure position to the holding positions and vice versa.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism has an array of suction cups into and out of contact with an uppermost one of stacked sheets in a sheet cassette. After the suction cups are held against the uppermost sheet, a vacuum is developed in the suction cups to enable the suction cups to attract the uppermost sheet. Then, the suction cups are lifted with the uppermost sheet attracted thereto, and a leading end of the attracted and lifted uppermost sheet is nipped, and the sheet is delivered into a sheet feed path. When the suction cups are lifted, they are angularly moved about an axis to cause the leading end of the attracted uppermost sheet to be obliquely separated from other stacked sheets.

Abstract: In forming a color picture image on a photosensitive recording medium by exposing through a masking master plate, the plate is conveyed by a conveyor belt into an exposure device where the plate must be registered in a specified position to avoid a color shift in the image formed on the photosensitive recording medium. A positional error or deviation of the plate is detected by reading out a location mark on the plate by a plurality of sensors. According to the outputs from the sensors, the conveyor belt is moved in a longitudinal path by one or two motors to correct a longitudinal deviation, and two longitudinally spaced portions of a belt support unit are moved, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal path, independently and respectively by other two motors to correct a transverse deviation and/or a skew.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including a pattern forming device for forming a light-shielding pattern on one of opposite surfaces of a photosensitive recording medium. The light-shielding pattern is formed of a light-shielding material which is capable of shielding a radiation. The apparatus further includes an exposing device for irradiating the above-indicated one surface of the recording medium, and thereby forming an optical latent image which corresponds to the light-shielding pattern. The light-shielding pattern is removed by a cleaner from the recording medium after the optical latent image is formed. The optical latent image formed on the medium is developed into a visible image.

Abstract: A color image recording apparatus capable of simultaneously perform pressure developing operation with respect to one light exposed section of the image recording medium and exposure operation with respect to a following section of the identical image recording medium. A buffer means is disposed between the exposure unit and the pressure developing unit for absorbing a sheet slack which will be generated by reversal feed of the image recording medium. Already light exposed section of the image recording medium initially merely passes through the pressure developing unit without undergoing pressure developing operation. Then, for the pressure developing operation, the light exposed section is reversally travelled toward the exposure unit, to provide the slack. Meanwhile the following section of the recording medium can undergo exposure at the exposure unit.

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.

Abstract: A photosensitive recording medium is exposed to light through mask members produced from color image information thereby to form a color image. A color image recording apparatus includes an inlet for receiving a monochromatic image recording sheet from a monochromatic image recording apparatus capable of producing the mask members, a discharge path for discharging the monochromatic image recording sheet which has been received through the inlet, a supply path for receiving and supplying the monochromatic image recording sheet to an image generator in the color image recording apparatus, and a path selector for selecting one, at a time, of the discharge path and the supply path.

Abstract: An image information is recorded first on the photosensitive drum in the form of opaque image which is the collected form of toner substances magnetically attracted to electrified photosensitive drum. This opaque image is then transferred on an intermediate film which is turned and exposed by an exposing means. At the same time, toner substances for forming an opaque image on the intermediate film are also recycled. This opaque image can be formed inside the inner periphery of a transparent image carrying member while it is being turned around and exposed by using a first exposing means. This opaque image is exposed again by a second exposing means to form a latent image on the photosensitive recording sheet tightly fit onto the transparent image carrying member, thus enabling the image to be formed clearly without diffusion.