Abstract: A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier includes a roller which carries toner particles to the developing position and a porous foam member of a material such as urethane resin which contacts the roller. The porous foam member comes in contact with either a developing roller or a toner supply roller which supplies toner particles to the developing roller. Toner particles supported in the holes of the porous foam member are charged as the particles rub against the developing roller or toner supply roller, causing the particles to be readily transferred to the roller. The porous foam member causes the amount of toner particles supported on the surface of the developing roller or the toner-supply roller to be sufficient to prevent a reduction in the density of the toner image even directly after a larger amount of toner particles are consumed for developing a solid toner region for example.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes a housing in which are arranged an image carrier and an exposure unit both for emitting light to an original placed on the original stand to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier and for emitting light to the image carrier to erase the electrostatic latent image. The exposure unit includes a lamp having light emitting portions and non-light emitting portions which are alternately connected together. A reflector is located around the lamp and directs the light emitted from the lamp toward the original. The reflector has a plurality of openings formed to face the lamp, so that part of the light emitted from the lamp passes through the openings and is directed to the image carrier. The reflector has a plurality of connecting portions facing the non-light-emitting portions and located between adjacent ones of the openings.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus supplies sheets one by one from a paper cassette to a sheet feed portion defined between a photosensitive body and a transfer charger in a housing. The sheet is picked up by rotation of a pair of feed rollers. The picked-up sheet is aligned by register rollers. The feed rollers are then driven in synchronism with the operation of the register rollers.

Abstract: A housing apparatus having first and second housings is provided with an arm section extending from the first housing onto the second housing and having a free end portion. The arm section has a coupling portion rockably supported on the second housing portion, and a free end portion extending from the first housing onto the second housing. The free end portion is coupled to an urging device disposed on the second housing portion. The urging device applies a predetermined urging force to the free end portion when the first housing is rotated around the coupling portion by a predetermined angle from the second housing so that the first housing is maintained in a predetermined position in which a space is formed between the first and second housings, when the first housing is swung around the coupling portion by a predetermined angle from the second housing.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided with a developing roller disposed in a casing and carrying a toner on the surface thereof, and a detecting mechanism adapted to detect the amount of the toner in the casing and to deliver an empty signal when the casing is emptied of the toner. The detecting mechanism includes a lever rockable within a vertical plane in the casing and has an elongate body, and a detecting section which is wider than the elongate body and disposed at the distal end to the elongate body to engage the surface of the toner stored in the casing. The lever is adapted to hang by gravity in accordance with the amount of the toner.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided with a casing in which a toner is received and a stirring roller for stirring the toner is disposed. The stirring roller has its shaft extended parallel to a developing roller and is rotatably supported to the casing at each end. The stirring roller includes a sleeve shaft and a plurality of elliptic stirring blades arranged at regular intervals along the axial direction of the sleeve shaft. Each stirring blade is inclined at 45 degrees to the axis of the stirring roller. Two pairs of adjacent stirring blades located individually on both end portions of the sleeve shaft are each provided with a cut portion. The respective cut portions of each end pair of blades are located diametrically opposite to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus of shell type which is divided into an upper unit and a lower unit, said upper unit being made rockable with respect to the lower unit and slidably provided with a document tale intended to have a document placed thereon. To the document table, there is connected a driving mechanism which is intended to cause the document table to slide with respect to the upper unit. This driving mechanism is provided with a braking mechanism which is intended to cause a braking force to act on the document table at the time when the upper unit is rocked with respect to the lower unit. The braking force of this braking mechanism acts to prevent the document table from being impulsively allowed to fall when the upper unit has been rocked.