Abstract: A sheet stacking tray apparatus for receiving sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or copying machine. The sheets are correctly stacked, that is, without inclination or deviation. The tray apparatus according to the present invention is such that the speed at which the sheet is discharged to the tray apparatus is reduced when the tray apparatus receives the sheet material. And, the sheet is laterally shifted so as to correct the lateral deviation thereof. The tray is lowered in accordance with the amount of the sheets so as to keep a proper height thereof with respect to the discharging outlet from which it receives the sheet. An auxiliary sheet stacking plate is provided operable in association with the lowering of the tray so as to raise the sheet receiving side thereof so as to keep the sheet material on the tray horizontal.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray apparatus for receiving sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or copying machine. The sheets are correctly stacked, that is, without inclination or deviation. The tray apparatus according to the present invention is such that the speed at which the sheet is discharged to the tray apparatus is reduced when the tray apparatus receives the sheet material. And, the sheet is laterally shifted so as to correct the lateral deviation thereof. The tray is lowered in accordance with the amount of the sheets so as to keep a proper height thereof with respect to the discharging outlet from which it receives the sheet. An auxiliary sheet stacking plate is provided operable in association with the lowering of the tray so as to raise the sheet receiving side thereof so as to keep the sheet material on the tray horizontal.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray apparatus for receiving sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a printer or copying machine. The sheets are correctly stacked, that is, without inclination or deviation. The tray apparatus according to the present invention is such that the speed at which the sheet is discharged to the tray apparatus is reduced when the tray apparatus receives the sheet material. And, the sheet is laterally shifted so as to correct the lateral deviation thereof. The tray is lowered in accordance with the amount of the sheets so as to keep a proper height thereof with respect to the discharging outlet from which it receives the sheet. An auxiliary sheet stacking plate is provided operable in association with the lowering of the tray so as to raise the sheet receiving side thereof so as to keep the sheet material on the tray horizontal.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus. It includes a first post-processing device for effecting a processing to the sheet material and a second post-processing device for effecting to the sheet a processing different from the aformationed processing. The apparatus is capable of selectively discharging or processing the sheet material discharged from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A tray apparatus for stacking sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine and other recording machines. The tray apparatus has a sheet aligning member in the form of an endless web which is contactable to the top surface of the sheet which has been discharged onto a tray or bin tray so as to displace the sheet in the opposite direction until the trailing edge of the sheet abuts a stopper member which is disposed adjacent that end of the tray which is near the discharging outlet. By doing so, the sheets discharged are aligned against the stopper member.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus including a plurality of sheet processing units each having a couple of folding rollers, a deflector and a folding position controlling passage. One set of the apparatus is sufficient to effect two-folding, z-folding and reversed z-folding of the sheet. A guiding member is disposed closely adjacent to the nip of the folding roller couple for conveying the sheet out of the folding positions controlling passage and for forming a new fold. When the sheet is three-folded, an undesirable double fold is prevented, which may otherwise be produced by an undesirable fold formed adjacent to the already formed fold when the sheet is folded second time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a rotatable member, a plurality of processing devices for forming an image on the rotatable member and transferring the image to transfer material, a device for fixing the transferred image, circuitry for controlling the operation of the rotating member and processing devices so that when the power switch is turned on at least the fixing device is turned on and when the power switch is turned off the fixing device is turned off while the rotation of the rotatable member is continued. The apparatus also includes a signal generating device associated with one of the processing devices, a first detector for detecting transfer material and a second detector for detecting the position of an original carriage, and circuitry for checking for a paper jam by counting signals from the time of the second detector signal.

Abstract: A surface potentiometer has a conductive shield housing provided in proximity to a body to be measured, a cage-shaped chopper rotatable within the housing, and an electrode disposed further inwardly of the chopper. The chopper is rotated to induce in the electrode a voltage corresponding to the potential of the body to be measured, thereby measuring the surface potential of the body to be measured.

Abstract: A fixing device comprises a pair of rollers for heating and pressing a copy medium carrying a toner image thereon, a control gear, a planet gear meshing with the control gear and revolvable about the control gear, means for revolving the planet gear, and means responsive to the revolutional movement of the planet gear to displace the pair of rollers between a first position in which they are in pressure contact with each other and a second position in which they are not in pressure contact with each other.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus having an endless photosensitive medium, a number of copy process devices for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive medium, for developing the latent image, for transferring the developed image and for cleaning the photosensitive medium, there is provided circuitry for controlling the operation of at least one of the copy process devices in accordance with the generation of a predetermined number of clock signals. The control circuitry acts to start the initiation of the copy process after counting a predetermined number of signals and to stop the rotation of the medium at a different rotational position from the start position. The apparatus also includes a jam detecting device and reciprocating member for the formation of the latent image, the position of which is detected for utilization in the control circuitry.

Abstract: In a feed cassette device which comprises a cassette corresponding in size to copy mediums to be contained therein, and a cassette table suited to receive the cassette thereon, the cassette has a positioning guide member and the cassette table has a cassette positioning portion and a member for urging the cassette toward the positioning portion. The feed cassette device also has means for locking the cassette in a predetermined position when it is loaded on the cassette table.