Abstract: An forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a waste-toner transport unit that is installed separately from a photoreceptor drum cartridge. The waste-toner transport unit is pivoted so that the photoreceptor drum cartridge is easily removed from a machine main body. This arrangement makes it possible to miniaturize the photoreceptor drum cartridge and to use the waste-toner transport unit repeatedly. In another image forming apparatus of the present invention, a developer-supplying container, a waste-toner container, and a waste-developer container for receiving excessive developer that has been overflown from the developer tank are integrally formed into a container unit. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the volumes of the containers in accordance with the respective supplying quantities of developer.

Abstract: A recording paper separating device for use in a copying machine, the device including a transfer charger for transferring a toner image from a photosensitive member onto a recording paper by discharge effected by a charging wire accommodated in a shield casing, a bias-loaded recording paper discharger, a transfer-power source, and a control for keeping a current supplied from the power source to the charging wire constant except for the current flowing through the recording paper discharger.

Abstract: A portable copying apparatus of the type in which a document table is movably disposed thereon is generally provided with a lock member for locking the document table and a system for controlling movement of the document table. The lock member is disposed on one side of the apparatus perpendicular to the direction of movement of the document table. The control system contains a plurality of timers so that the document table may move in a direction in which the document table is released from the lock member and further move to its start position.

Abstract: A copying machine comprising a handle on one side of the body of the copying machine, said handle being made usable when a paper feed tray is removed from said copying machine body; a paper feed tray sensor which is activated when said paper feed tray is mounted onto said copying machine body; a jam sensor; and a means for detecting the occurrence of a jam only when said jam sensor and said paper feed tray sensor are both activated, thereby preventing malfunctioning of a jam sensor and saving the user unnecessary trouble.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a main body composed of a light source, a photoreceptor, charging device for electrostatically a charging the surface of the photoreceptor, a developing device for supplying toner particles to the surface of the photoreceptor a transferring charger for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor onto a copying sheet, and a high-voltage source for applying a high voltage trigger to both said charging device and the transferring charger simultaneously. The apparatus is designed to execute original scanning as an original glass plate is moved with respect to the main body, characterized in containing a reflecting unit for reflecting the light from the light source to illuminate the surface of the photoreceptor at an area between the charging device and the developing device, the reflecting unit is disposed at a position corresponding to the trailing end of the original glass plate in its forward movement for original scanning.

Abstract: A mechanism for reciprocating an original table of a copying apparatus, comprising a driving means for reciprocating the original table, and two clutch means for transmitting a driving force to said moving means, one of which is used when moving said original table forward and the other of which is used when moving said original table backward. The mechanism further comprises: one solenoid which is movably mounted; a change-over means for changing the position of the solenoid from a first position to a second position and vice versa in response to the movement of the original table; and a transfer means for actuating selected one of the clutch means in response to the operation of the solenoid, the selected one corresponding to the position of the solenoid.

Abstract: A hinge structure by which an upper unit of a housing can open and close with respect to its lower unit around its edge includes two elastic bars twisting around each other. The elastic forces of these bars are set according to the shearing stress applied to them. Contact pieces may be provided to vary their elastic forces when the units are assembled together. Screws may be further provided to vary the twisting angles of the bars to adjust their elastic forces.

Abstract: A waste toner collecting system in an image forming apparatus which forms on the surface of an image carrier an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an original image, develops the latent image with toner and transferrs the toner image onto a copy material. The waste toner collecting system comprises a cleaning unit for removing residual toner from the image carrier after the toner image has been transferred, a container, independent of the cleaning unit, for storing the removed waste toner, and a transport device for conveying the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit to the container, with an outlet formed in the toner transport device so as to discharge the waste toner, a waste toner inlet formed in the container at a position corresponding to the outlet in the toner transport device, and shutter members provided for the outlet and the inlet, respectively, the shutter members being opened or closed according to as the waste toner container is mounted or dismounted.

Abstract: A counter reset arrangement employed in an image forming apparatus such as a photocopier which is provided with a cartridge removably mounted in a main body of the apparatus and internally accommodating at least a photoreceptor and a cleaning unit integrally, and a resettable counter securely mounted in the main body of the apparatus to detect a remaining service life of the cartridge. The counter reset arrangement includes a reset member movably disposed in the cartridge and having a first protruding portion pressed against at a first position when mounting the cartridge, by a cabinet provided in the apparatus and a second protruding portion formed to press against a reset pin disposed on the counter to reset it.

Abstract: A device for applying stable pressure to toner fixation rollers of a picture image generation unit comprising: a locking mechanism that divides the picture image generation unit into upper and lower parts, supports the upper part with a shaft so as to allow for its free movement, coupling the upper and lower parts together and applies pressure to the toner fixation rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophotographic copying machine of a type having a table which moves along a given direction and a source unit of a unitized structure which includes a lamp and a mirror for initially reflecting the reflected light from a document to be copied such that the position of the source unit can be adjusted at the time of its assembly. The copying machine according to the present invention includes a detector for detecting the starting position of the slidably movable table and this detector is attached to a plate of which the position is adjustable along the direction of motion of the table independently of the source unit whereby the problems associated with fluctuations in the start-up distance traveled by the table before acquiring a steady speed can be eliminated.

Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine comprises an image forming device for forming an image corresponding to the image of an original, an image agent supply for supplying an image agent to the image forming device, a developer for developing the image formed by the image forming device, and a recycle device for recycling the imaging agent which has not been used for the image forming process by the image forming device, the image agent supply being further responsive to the recycle device for receiving the recycled image agent gathered by the recycled device.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine comprises a lens base unit, a mirror base unit, and a driving unit. The lens base unit and the mirror base unit are independently moved by driving a single shaft.

Abstract: A lens positioning mechanism for an electrophotographic copying machine capable of reproducing a copy of an original at a plurality of different magnifications one at a time, which comprises an optical apparatus including a lens assembly supported for movement to any one of several operative positions each required for the reproduction of a copy at the respective magnification. The lens assembly is rigidly mounted on a lens mount movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and mounted on a lens carriage movable in a direction close towards and away from a photoreceptor.