Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a rotatable upper cover, one surface of which serves as a first exit tray on which recording sheets are discharged with image sides face downward, the other surface of which serves as a second exit tray on which recording sheets are discharged with image sides face upward. Guide members which are activated in accordance with the rotation of the rotatable upper cover are provided above delivering rollers, thereby the recording sheets delivered by the delivering rollers are selectively discharged with the image sides either face downward to the first exit tray or face upward to the second exit tray.

Abstract: An developer for developing a latent image with a developing agent such as toner. The developer includes a developing sleeve for holding the developing agent on its surface, in which magnetic poles are provided in the developing sleeve; a equalizer bar for equalizing the amount of the developing agent on the surface of the developing sleeve; a pressing member to press the equalizer bar onto the developing sleeve. In the developer, a radius of curvature of the equalizer bar is between 0.5 mm and 15 mm, and the developing sleeve is processed to have a jagged surface which is defined by a glossiness between 2% Gs and 1400% Gs (20.degree.).

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus for forming a color image. An image retainer is provided for carrying the color image, and a charger charges a surface of the image retainer. A latent image former forms a latent image on the charged surface of the image retainer, and a multicolor developer develops the latent image. A black developer develops the latent image. A transfer sheet conveyer conveys a transfer sheet and transfers the developed latent image onto the transfer sheet. A cleaner cleans a residual developer on the surface of the image retainer. The image retainer, either one of the black developer or the multicolor developer, and the cleaner are formed as a detachable processing cartridge, and the rest of the black developer or the multicolor developer is detachable to the body of the color image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A color image forming machine such as a copier or a printer for producing a toner image, corresponding to an original image, on a recording sheet. The color image forming machine has a photoreceptor for forming the toner image on its surface; a transferrer for transferring the toner image from the photoreceptor to the recording sheet; and a fixer for fixing the toner image on the recording sheet. The fixer includes (1) an endless heat belt which is supported by a heat roller and a separation roller; and (2) an endless conveyance belt which is supported by a pressure roller and another separation roller; in which the endless heat belt and the endless conveyance belt are partially pressed together by the first pair which are inclined relative to one another, and the second pair so that a nip region is created between the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers. The endless heat belt and the endless conveyance belt have a glossy surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge, including an image carrying member and an operation member with respect to image forming, facing the image carrying member, is movably provided. An opening on the process cartridge in accordance with the operation member is covered by a shielding member in the main body of the apparatus when the process cartridge is moved from the apparatus in response to an opening movement of an external cover which provides access to the interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming a color toner image, a photoreceptor is disposed at one side of a sheet passage so that a transfer sheet is conveyed through the sheet passage and is brought in contact with the photoreceptor on a transfer station and an exposure device is disposed at the other side of the sheet passage so that an image light irradiated from the exposure device crosses the sheet passage and proceeds to the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A method for determining toner adhesion amounts of plural color toners on a photoreceptor. The method includes the steps of: (1) forming plural reference latent images, each of which is corresponding to a respective component color image of a reference toner image; (2) developing the reference latent images, each of which is developed with a respective color toner of the plural color toners, so that developed reference latent images are superimposed, each at a time, on the photoreceptor to form the reference toner image; (3) detecting the toner adhesion amounts of the plural color toners by detecting the reference toner image every time when one of the developed reference latent images is superimposed on the same portion of the photoreceptor; and (4) determining whether the toner adhesion amounts of the plural color toners are normal or abnormal according to results of the detecting step.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus for forming a color image comprising; an image retainer for carrying the color image, a charger for charging a surface of the image retainer, a latent image former for forming a latent image on the charged surface of the image retainer, a multicolor developer for developing the latent image, a black developer for developing the latent image, a transfer sheet conveyer for conveying a transfer sheet and transferring the developed latent image onto the transfer sheet, and a cleaner for cleaning a residual developer on the surface of the image retainer, in which the image retainer, either one of the black developer or the multicolor developer, and the cleaning means are formed as a detachable processing cartridge, and the rest of the black developer or the multicolor developer is detachable to the body of the color image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge which contains at least an image carrying body fixed therein. The process cartridge is slidably provided to a main frame of the apparatus and is adapted to occupy two positions of a first position to perform the image forming and a second position suitable for maintenance and pulling out of the process cartridge for the main body. The process cartridge is drived automatically to the second position in each case of jam occurence in copy paper conveyance and maintenance.

Abstract: A color scanner having two lines of CCD. One of the CCD line is used for scanning green image of a document, and another CCD line is used for scanning red and blue images of the document. In the CCD line for red and blue image scanning, red and blue filters are located alternatively on the pixel sensors in a lined shape. In order to obtain a pixel density corresponding to the red image and blue image as same as that to the green image, each of red and blue image signals is processed from two image signals. The color scanner is provided with a memory to store red and blue image signals so that those signals are processed with next-obtained red and blue image signals. The color scanner also includes a shift register to delay green image signals so that all of red, blue, and green image signals are carried out to a processor simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming a color image on a recording material by transferring a toner image formed on an image carrying means to the recording material and by fixing the toner image on the recording material. The method further includes adhering a transparent toner layer onto the recording material, and fixing the transparent toner layer together with the toner image on the recording material.

Abstract: A color printer that forms a developed toner image on a photoreceptor. The color printer includes a photoreceptor having a belt-like shape, a driver roller of the photoreceptor belt, a follower roller to which the photoreceptor belt is suspended to keep a rotation position of the belt, a cleaner to clean off the residual toner on the photoreceptor after the developed toner image is transferred to a recording sheet, and a device to maintain a mechanical relation between the follower roller and the cleaner so that the cleaner cleans the photoreceptor belt in a constant condition. Above all devices of the driver roller, the follower roller, the cleaner, and the maintaining device are unitized in a cartridge to be detached from the main body of the color printer.

Abstract: Color image forming apparatus includes a belt-shaped image carrier stretched and conveyed around rotating rollers on which image exposure is conducted by a plurality of exposure units; and a plurality of step-formed supporting surfaces below the lower surface disposed of the image carrier. The stepped formation of the exposure unit supporting surfaces avoids interference between optical paths of laser beams for image exposure, and facilitates compactness of the apparatus. The belt-shaped image carrier and the supporting surfaces are provided at a relative angle of 5-30 degrees. The color image forming apparatus is also capable of detecting a specific pattern outputted from the exposure units; calculating the differences of positions of the specific pattern as formed by the different exposure units; and controlling the positioning of the specific pattern as outputted by the exposure units, so as to increase the accuracy of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In an image-forming system where a photosensitive belt is exposed to and scanned with a laser beam to form an image on the surface of the photosensitive belt, a standard pattern having laser beam-transmitting portions and non-transmitting portions arranged alternately in the direction of main scanning of the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive belt, and light-detecting means is disposed to detect the intensity of the laser beam transmitted through the transmitting portions. Dislocation of the focal point of the laser beam is detected based on the difference of the detected beam intensity between the transmitting portions and the non-transmitting portions, and based on the result of this detection, a collimator lens is moved in the direction of the optical axis to correct the dislocation of the focal point.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming an image in which there is provided a photoreceptor includes an imaging surface for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon in response to an exposure light The photoreceptor has a light decay characteristic so that the potential of the imaging surface is not decayed in an initial period of exposure and the potential of the imaging surface is sharply decayed in a middle period of exposure. A laser beam generator is used for scanning and exposing the imaging surface with a laser beam to write the latent image on the imaging surface. A generator drive circuit includes a signal generator for generating a reference wave signal and is adapted to receive an image density signal, to modulate the image density signal on the basis of the reference wave signal and to drive the laser beam generator in accordance with the modulated image density signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a recording sheet storage unit disposed within a main body and a feeder for feeding recording sheets from the recording sheet storage unit. Further included is a detector which emits a signal beginning an automatic loading of the recording sheet storage unit into the main body after manual placement of the storage unit at a predetermined position, and the unloading of the recording sheet storage device when such is desired. Further included is a second detector which detects the fully loaded position of the recording sheet storage device, as well as a conveyor for conveying the storage device to the fully loaded position when loaded, and removing the storage device therefrom during unloading.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge including at least a belt-shaped image carrier. A protective cover automatically covers a transfer section of the image carrier installed in the process cartridge, in response to a traveling motion of the process cartridge from a first position in which an image can be formed, to a second position in which the process cartridge can be attached to or detached from the apparatus. The protective cover also automatically exposes the transfer section of the image carrier in response to the input of a power source to the apparatus, or the input of an image forming signal for forming a latent image on the image carrier, or the process of mounting of the process cartridge to the apparatus.

Abstract: In a toner image fixing device, there are provided an endless belt being looped up around a heating roller and a conveyance roller, a pressure roller for pressing a sheet having a toner image onto the heating roller with the endless belt intervening between the pressure roller and the heating roller. A sensor is disposed inside the loop of the belt so as to come in contact with the heating roller, for detecting the temperature of the heating roller. The fixing temperature for the toner image is controlled on the basis of the temperature of the heating roller detected by the sensor. A first nip region is formed on a pressing portion located between the heating roller and the fixing roller. A second nip region is formed between the belt and the fixing roller, continuing from the first nip region but without contacting the heating roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which transfers a toner image from an image carrying member to a recording sheet at a transfer location, comprises a process cartridge and a path forming member. The process cartridge is detachably provided to the main frame of the image forming apparatus, and carries therein at least an image forming member. The path forming member assumes a closed position to form a conveying path for the recording sheet to a transfer location in response to the attachment of the process cartridge, and assumes an open position to provide direct access by an operator to the transfer location in response to detachment of the process cartridge.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including an image carrying member on which a toner image is formed, a transferring device to transfer the toner image onto a recording sheet, a conveyer to convey the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred, a fixing device to fix the toner image on the sheet and a storage device to store the transfer sheet which has been fixed once by the fixing device. The storage device can feed the stored transfer sheet to the fixing device in order for it to be fixed a second time, and can be detachably mounted to the apparatus.