Abstract: An information recording member comprising a substrate, and a thin film formed on the substrate with or without an intermediate layer therebetween and irradiated with a recording beam to make an aperture or recess in the thin film, is disclosed in which the thin film is a crystalline film and has a composition expressed by a general formula Se.sub.x Te.sub.y M.sub.z, where x, y and z are given by formulae 0.02.ltoreq.x.ltoreq. 0.35, 0.50.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.98 and 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.45, respectively, and M indicates at least one element selected from the group consisting of As, Sb, Bi, S, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Zn, Cd, Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, Pd, Rh, Cr, Mo, W and Ta, and in which the thin film does not deteriorate to such an extent as seen in conventional recording films when a time has elasped, since the thin film is crystalline.

Abstract: A recording medium in which a substrate, an inorganic material layer adapted to absorb light and generate heat, a first organic material layer made of an organic matter containing metal, and a second organic material layer adapted to be deformed or removed by heat are successively stacked. A metal salt of an organic acid, or organic metal compound etc. are employed for the first organic material layer. Owing to the presence of this layer, the recording medium exhibits a stability against changes in the ambient temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording member which comprises a substrate and a recording layer containing at least selenium and at least one element selected from the group consisting of tellurium and bismuth, wherein the selenium content is higher in the vicinity of the surface of the recording layer and/or in the vicinity of the interface between the recording layer and the substrate than the average selenium content in other portions. By virtue of the presence of this high selenium content portion, the oxidation resistance and water resistance are improved, and a recording member having stable characteristics can be obtained.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a photoelectrostatic copying apparatus has a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller adapted to be brought into pressing engagement with a photosensitive member to effect cleaning thereof after transfer printing. The cleaning blade is brought out of contact with the photosensitive member and the cleaning roller is either brought out of contact with the photosensitive member or has its contact pressure reduced when the apparatus is inoperative, whereby damage to the photosensitive member due to the pressing engagement of the photosensitive member with the blade and the roller can be avoided or minimized.

Abstract: A multi-mode copying machine capable of effecting copying in accordance with a sheet mode copying system and a book mode copying system is provided with an original feed apparatus having means for guiding conveyor belts to deflect away from an original irradiation position in their travel, the conveyor belts being adapted to transport an original in sheet form. Further, the original feed apparatus has means for transporting an original in sheet form exactly at a predetermined rate in the sheet mode copying system and for transporting the original without deformation or breakage while being fed at a high rate in the book mode copying system.

Abstract: An auto-bias developing process for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member which includes the step of storing a detected potential in order to apply a fixed bias potential to a developing electrode plate wherein the surface potential of a photosensitive member is detected through a developing solution by a sensor electrode, and is stored in a memory circuit for subsequent conversion to a fixed bias potential which corresponds to the detected potential and is applied to the developing electrode. The process also includes the step of removing any toner which attaches to the developing electrode plate, by the application of a reverse bias potential thereto when the developing process is not taking place and the step of rendering the developing electrode plate electrically floating for removing toner from the plate and preventing deposition of toner onto the surface of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an endless photosensitive surface includes a photoreceptor rotatable around a horizontal axis in an electrophotographic copying machine. A cleaning roller and an edge of a blade are maintained in frictional engagement with the upper run of the rotating surface and into the space between the roller and the blade, a cleaning liquid is continuously supplied onto the surface between the blade edge and the cleaning roller, thereby achieving an effective cleaning function. The liquid within the space tending to flow over the other edge of the blade remote from the photosensitive surface and to then drip on the cleaned surface, is effectively prevented in accordance with the invention.

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: The electrophotographic copying machines are 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. Plural cleaning devices which are normally maintained in pressing engagement with the peripheral drum surface, are automatically released from such engagement once the coverplate has been dismounted from the sidewall and also returned to the original position as the coverplate is remounted, thereby preventing damage of the drum as well as a wrong usage of the machine which may be caused by inadvertently failing to reset each cleaning device.