Abstract: An automatic winding mechanism which includes a rotatable winding shaft, a first guide including a circular first guide portion and a second guide including a substantially U-shaped second guide portion is disclosed. A leader portion of a continuous sheet fed by a pair of feed rollers is introduced along a circumferential surface of the winding shaft by the first and second guide portions which are disposed so as to enclose the winding shaft in cooperation with each other. The continuous sheet is then automatically wound on the winding shaft since the circumferential velocity of the winding shaft is set higher than the feeding speed of the feed rollers. The winding mechanism also includes a first sensor for sensing whether the winding shaft is in place. The winding mechanism is started if the winding shaft is sensed and the winding mechanism is prevented from starting if the winding shaft is not sensed.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus employs a transfer type recording medium which includes a photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording sheet and a developer sheet. The former sheet is exposed to light to form a latent image corresponding to an image of an original. This sheet is exposed to light while being transported at a speed equal to or in the case of making a copy of enlarged or reduced size, at a speed different from a speed at which the original is scanned by light. The photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording sheet on which the latent image is formed is brought into facial contact with the developer sheet and the latent image is developed under pressure to provide a visible image on the developer sheet. This developing operation is performed while moving the superposed two sheets at the same speed as the speed when the latent image is formed on the photosensitive pressure-sensitive recording sheet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for forming a latent image on a photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet and for developing the latent image on a developer sheet. The apparatus includes an exposure unit and a developing unit positioned close to each other. The apparatus also includes an optical system for irradiating light onto an original and directing the light reflected at the original toward the exposure zone. The original has an original image facing downwardly, and the photosensitive sheet has an imaging surface facing downwardly at the exposure zone. The optical system provides a U or J-shaped optical path extending from the original to the exposure zone. The optical system has reflection mirror unit vertically movably secured to a pair of frames of the apparatus. The frames are reinforced with a partition member which also functions as a light shielding member.

Abstract: In a heat/pressure applying unit, a pair of rollers cooperate with each other to define a nip therebetween. A recording medium is caused to pass through the nip at which at least one of heat and pressure is applied to the recording medium by the pair of rollers. First and second strippers are associated with at least one of the pair of rollers. The first stripper is arranged adjacent the nip for stripping the recording medium from the one roller. The second stripper is arranged at a location spaced from the first stripper along a peripheral surface of the one roller, for forcibly stripping the recording medium from the one roller.

Abstract: An exposure device having a light source section which includes a light source and a pair of light reflection means. One of the light reflection means is disposed movable toward and away from remaining reflection means so as to provide an open space for facilitating handling such as replacement of the light source.

Abstract: An exposure device for use in an image recording apparatus for exposing a photosensitive recording medium to light so as to form a latent image thereon.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a developer sheet. The apparatus includes an exposure unit, a pressure developing unit and thermal fixing unit. The developer sheet is fed through a sheet path extending from a developer sheet cassette to the pressure developing unit where the sheet is superposed with a microcapsule sheet carrying a latent image, and these sheets are pressed together. To avoid diagonal feeding of the developer sheet to the pressure developing unit or to avoid image recordation on the developer sheet having improper size, such undue developer sheet can be detected and is fed toward the outside at toward the outside at the upstream side of the pressure developing unit. For this, there is provided a detecting means, a branch path and sheet change over means these being positioned close to the sheet path.

Abstract: An image forming system for forming images by using a pressure-sensitive photosensitive medium having a surface coated with a photosensitive material. The system includes an exposing device for exposing the surface of the photosensitive medium to a radiation and thereby forming a latent image thereon according to an amount of exposure of the medium to the radiation, a developing device having a first and a second member which cooperate with each other to press the exposed medium therebetween and thereby develop the latent image into a visible image, and a rotatably supported endless belt which passes between the second member of the developing device and the photosensitive medium, and thereby inhibit a direct contact of the second member with the surface of the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for forming an image on an image recording medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes optical components for irradiating light to an original and for directing the light reflected from the original toward an exposure unit along which the image recording medium is movably provided. The optical components includes at least one lens and mirror. Positions, postures and orientations of these components are adjustable by the mechanical interconnection with adjusting means provided at external side of the apparatus.

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.