Abstract: In a method of operating electrostatic reproducing apparatus, developer made of a predetermined ratio of toner and carrier is continuously fed from a reservoir directly to a rotating developing sleeve for transfer to a photosensitive drum to continuously develop electrostatic latent images on the drum. Since some toner in the developer is consumed during image development, fresh toner from a source of supply is continuously dispensed by a movable roller (or endless belt) having toner-carrying recesses on the surface thereof to the reservoir so as to maintain the predetermined ratio of toner and carrier. Used developer containing unconsumed toner is continuously removed from the developing sleeve and a first portion of it is returned directly to the reservoir for re-use, whereas another portion of it is directed past the movable member so as to electrostatically dislodge toner from the roller or belt recesses and facilitate its entry into the reservoir.

Abstract: A copying machine in which a toner image is transferred from an image retaining member to a recording paper and, after the transfer of said toner image, said recording paper is separated from said image retaining member and ejected to the outside of said machine. When said recording paper is attached to said image retaining member due to a separation failure, a detector of the separation failure produces a detection signal for displacing a recording paper conveying device to open the passage of said recording paper and to separate said recording paper onto said conveying device. Said detector comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element and is disposed in the vicinity of a passage provided specifically for the forcibly separated recording paper, so as to detect only said forcibly separated recording paper.

Abstract: In the absence of normal sheet separation by a main separating device, a second back-up type sheet separating device is provided downstream from the main separating device for removing copy sheets from the photoconductive drum surface of an electrostatic copier. The secondary sheet separating device consists of a separating blade which is maintained in a predetermined spaced relation to the photoconductive drum surface by virtue of its mounting on a pivotally supported roller.