Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type utilizing a photoconductor which is rotated in a predetermined direction with an image transfer material in close contact therewith for transferring an electrostatic latent image or a visible image formed on the surface of the photoconductor to the image transfer material, an image transfer material separation and transportation apparatus capable of separating the image transfer material to which the image has been transported from the surface of the photoconductor and transporting the same in the direction of the photoconductor. One leading edge corner of the image transfer material is bent by a corner bending apparatus before the image transfer material is brought into close contact with the surface of the photoconductor.

Abstract: A sheet transportation and separation apparatus separates a sheet, which is moved in close contact with the surface of a member moving in synchronization with the sheet, from the surface of the moving member by deforming the corner of a leading edge of the sheet by a member operated by the edge of the sheet.

Abstract: In an electrostatic copying machine (21) having an automatic document feed system (23), a document (28) is fed onto a platen (26) for scanning in a first direction (36) and a copy sheet (64) is fed into toner image transferring engagement with a photoconductive drum (27) in a second direction (84) which is perpendicular to the first direction (36). The document (28) is aligned with a center of a document feed path (34) regardless of the width of the document (28). The timing at which the copy sheet feed begins is controlled in accordance with the sensed width of the document (28) in such a manner that a leading edge of the copy sheet (64) aligns with a leading edge of a toner image on the drum (27).

Abstract: A book type document is placed on a glass platen face down and scanned by a reciprocating optical system one or more times to produce one or more copies respectively. A retractable conveyor comprising an endless belt is moved onto the platen to automatically feed a sheet document inserted thereinto onto the platen for scanning. Where only one copy of a sheet document is required, the optical system is maintained stationary and the sheet document is fed by the conveyor over the platen at the proper speed, thus enabling rapid copying of a large number of sheet documents. The magnification is variable through adjustment of the positions of the elements of the optical system when held stationary and the speed of movement of the document by the conveyor. The conveyor feeds a sheet document onto the platen at high speed and the optical system is reciprocated to scan the document a plurality of times where a plurality of copies of the document are required.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a photosensitive member comprising a cleaning roller formed of foamed resin which contacts the member and a pressure plate held in compressing abutment against the roller so as to extend in the direction of its forward rotation at the point of contact therebetween. Any residual powder on the photosensitive member is removed by the roller and retained in the pores formed in the roller surface. The powder retained in the pores is expelled by the resilience of the compressed surface of the roller as it is restored upon release from the pressure plate. The cleaning apparatus also comprises a system for recovering powder that is expelled from the roller surface, and a rotating helical coil disposed in a conveyance path for preventing solidification of the powder and for facilitating its conveyance.

Abstract: The apparatus heat fixes a toner image on one surface of a wet-developed, image-carrying copy sheet while maintaining the opposite surface of the sheet in sliding contact with the surface of a heated plate. A portion of the heating surface is formed with a concave surface, or a curved surface having a positive curvature, and there is provided a guide roller for introducing the sheet onto the curved surface. When introduced onto the curved surface, the sheet achieves a good sliding contact with the heating surface by virtue of its resiliency without application of a back pressure thereto, thus accomplishing an efficient heat fixing without any accompanying degradation in the image quality.

Abstract: A squeeze roller retraction assembly for use with electrophotographic copying machines of the type in which a photosensitive drum is removable from the machine, for inspection or other purposes, through an opening formed in a sidewall which opening is normally covered by a coverplate. A squeeze roller which normally engages with the peripheral drum surface has its engagement therewith automatically released once the coverplate has been dismounted from the sidewall, and also is returned to its operative position as the coverplate is remounted, to thereby prevent damage of the drum as well as a wrong usage of the machine which may be caused by forgetting to replace the squeeze roller to the operative position.

Abstract: A construction for preventing a scattering or spillage of a developing solution applied to the peripheral surface of a rotating photosensitive drum beyond the lateral ends thereof in an electrophotographic copying machine of wet developing type. Two end plates which rotate with the drum are each provided with an axially extending cylindrical hub portion on which a stationary flow guide ring is sealingly engaged. A lateral flow of solution on the peripheral drum surface is guided along the guide plate to flow down without scattering the flow and is collected in a reservoir below the drum.

Abstract: Process for producing a water-soluble polymer comprising polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer yielding a water-soluble polymer in an aqueous medium in a polymerization vessel, characterized in that the polymerization system is maintained without stirring at least after the polymerization is initiated, the temperature of the polymerization system is permitted to rise on its own accord, and the non-uniformity of temperature distribution between the center and surroundings of the polymerization system due to the temperature rise is eliminated by heating the polymerization system from the outside.

Abstract: A process for producing a substantially nonionic water-soluble acrylamide polymer produced without the occurence of hydrolysis of the acrylamide polymer by heating when the reaction system undergoes an unavoidable heat aging such as due to heat of polymerization comprising polymerizing a comparatively high concentration aqueous solution of acrylamide in the presence of a specific water-soluble nitrogen compound.

Abstract: Process for purifying an acrylamide including the steps of (1) adding an inorganic base (excluding ammonia) to an aqueous solution containing 15 to 60% by weight of the acrylamide at a temperature of up to 60.degree.C in an amount of 0.1 to 1.5 wt. % based on the acrylamide and (2) blowing a gas, inert to the acrylamide, into the resulting mixture at a hydrogen ion concentration of a pH of 12 to 13.7 and if necessary, (3) subjecting the so treated acrylamide solution to an active carbon adsorption treatment.

Abstract: A device comprising a sheet pick-off member maintained in pressing engagement with one marginal portion of a specific zone of the peripheral surface of a drum with which one marginal portion of each copy sheet is adapted to be brought into engagement, and sheet guide means for guiding the leading end portion of each copy sheet to move away from the drum after being picked off the peripheral surface of the drum by the sheet pick-off member, so that each copy sheet adhering to the peripheral surface of the drum can be stripped. The device also comprises a sheet presser member arranged parallel to the sheet pick-off member and interposed between the sheet pick-off member and the other marginal portion of the peripheral surface of the drum so as to force against the peripheral surface of the drum the marginal portion of the sheet superposed on the sheet pick-off member.