Abstract: A shape-correcting device, an electrophotographic device (incorporating the shape-correcting device), and a method therefor that correct shaping of a sheet, include a sheet guide member positioned in a sheet transport path upstream from an image forming module formed with an arcuate section that is convex relative to the surface of the sheet and a rotatable roller opposed to the arcuate section and slidable along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis thereof. The roller rotates and presses the sheet against the arcuate section at a predetermined timing synchronized with a timing and position of the leading end of the sheet.

Abstract: A paper ejection unit included in a print apparatus for stacking printed paper to provide a print apparatus for making it possible to provide compatibility between large-capacity stacking of short-size paper frequently used and easiness of handling printed paper of large size. Attention is focused on the fact that the weight of paper that can be handled safely is determined by the paper stack height for each paper size, and it is made possible to change the paper stackable amount for each paper size by a paper stack table moved down gradually with an increase in the stack amount of printed paper and a paper stack table height detector for detecting the position of the paper stack table.

Abstract: A paper treating unit includes: a paper loading table for loading paper; a first paper aligning member that regulates position of the paper by sliding back and forth in the paper proceeding direction; a second paper aligning member disposed upstream of the first paper aligning member in the paper proceeding direction to regulate the position of the paper in the paper proceeding direction; a third paper aligning member disposed along the paper proceeding direction to regulate the position of the paper in a width direction perpendicular to the paper proceeding direction by sliding back and forth in the direction perpendicular to the paper proceeding direction; and a position detecting unit that detects the position of the first to third paper aligning members. The first and third paper aligning members are disposed independently of the paper loading table.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an upstream-side sheet transport pathway, a plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways, and a pathway switching mechanism. The plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways diverge from the upstream-side sheet transport pathway at a divergence point. At the divergence point, the pathway switching mechanism selectively guides sheets that were transported following the upstream-side sheet transport pathway to one of the plurality of downstream-side sheet transport pathways. The pathway switching mechanism includes a pair of upstream-side gate members and a gate member pivoting unit. The pair of upstream-side gate members include a pair of pivot shafts and a pair of gates. The pair of pivot shafts are disposed with the sheet transport pathway interposed therebetween. Each of the pair of gates is pivotable around a corresponding one the pair of pivot shafts and extends substantially toward the downstream-side sheet transport pathways.

Abstract: A paper ejection apparatus equipped on the latter stage of an image formation apparatus in a print apparatus. The paper ejection apparatus includes a paper stack table to stack papers transported in a paper transport direction from the image formation apparatus, a table drive for moving up and down the paper stack table, a controller for controlling the table drive, top face detection means for detecting the top face position of the stacked papers, and abutment members for sliding to align the papers ejected onto the paper stack table in the paper transport direction and in a perpendicular direction to the paper transport direction. The projecting part is provided on the paper stack table.

Abstract: A shape-correcting device, an electrophotographic device (incorporating the shape-correcting device), and a method therefor that correct shaping of a sheet, include a sheet guide member positioned in a sheet transport path upstream from an image forming module formed with an arcuate section that is convex relative to the surface of the sheet and a rotatable roller opposed to the arcuate section and slidable along a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis thereof. The roller rotates and presses the sheet against the arcuate section at a predetermined timing synchronized with a timing and position of the leading end of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet skew correcting apparatus, incorporated in a printer or the like to correct a phenomenon of obliquely feeding a sheet called skewing. The apparatus includes a transporting path in which the sheet is transported, a pair of registration rollers, a pair of timing rollers disposed upstream from the registration rollers, and a paper guide having a first and a second curved portion and constituting the transporting path. When a sheet fed into the transporting path abuts against a contact point of a registration roller pair, the sheet is further transported by an arbitrary distance in the sheet transporting direction. First and second curves are then formed in the sheet in the first and second curved portions. Then the registration roller pair is rotated in the direction opposite to the sheet transporting direction, the front end of the sheet uniformly abuts against the contact point of the registration roller pair to correct skew.

Abstract: A paper ejection unit included in a print apparatus for stacking printed paper to provide a print apparatus for making it possible to provide compatibility between large-capacity stacking of short-size paper frequently used and easiness of handling printed paper of large size. Attention is focused on the fact that the weight of paper that can be handled safely is determined by the paper stack height for each paper size, and it is made possible to change the paper stackable amount for each paper size by a paper stack table moved down gradually with an increase in the stack amount of printed paper and a paper stack table height detector for detecting the position of the paper stack table.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a length of a transporting passage between an induction roller pair and a reversal roller pair and a length of a transporting passage between the reversal roller pair and a feed roller pair are respectively set smaller than the smallest length in the transporting direction of a sheet used in an image forming apparatus. A time till the rotation of the reversal roller pair is switched to the forward rotation after a rear end of the sheet having a length in the transporting passage of 8.5 inch after reversal has passed through the reversal roller pair can be set shorter than a time when a leading end of a succeeding sheet inducted into a pull-in passage reaches the reversal roller pair.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a length of a transporting passage between an induction roller pair and a reversal roller pair and a length of a transporting passage between the reversal roller pair and a feed roller pair are respectively set smaller than the smallest length in the transporting direction of a sheet used in an image forming apparatus. A time till the rotation of the reversal roller pair is switched to the forward rotation after a rear end of the sheet having a length in the transporting passage of 8.5 inch after reversal has passed through the reversal roller pair can be set shorter than a time when a leading end of a succeeding sheet inducted into a pull-in passage reaches the reversal roller pair.

Abstract: A sheet carrying apparatus (2) includes: a sheet receiving means (6, 16) for receiving a sheet ejected from a sheet output device (1); a first carrying path (7) for guiding the sheet; a second carrying path (8) branched out of the first carrying path; a carrying path switching means (9) provided in a branching portion between the first and second carrying paths; a first receiving device attachment portion (11) for detachably holding a first receiving device (3) for receiving the sheet ejected from the first carrying path; and a second receiving device attachment portion (12) for detachably holding a second receiving device (4) for receiving the sheet ejected from the second carrying path.

Abstract: An electrophotographic charger of the type in which a plurality of corona wires extend in the axial direction adjacent to and separated from the surface of a photosensitive drum in order to charge the surface. A plate-like etching grid is interposed between the corona wires and the drum to ensure the charge is uniformly placed on the drum. The grid is divided into a number of individual removable grids so that the distance between each grid and the adjacent corona wire, and the distance between each grid and the drum surface is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A restriction flange formed integrally on one end of each cylindrical holder in a sliding universal joint abuts the bottom surface of the respective transmitting groove to prevent inclination of the holder relative to a center axis of the outer member of the joint.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printing mechanism in which a photosensitive drum mechanism having a photosensitive drum and a drum cap is turned to electrostatically form an image on the photosensitive material wound on the drum, the drum cap is provided with a switch which is operated by a switch control unit, so that when the mechanism is stopped for urgent work, the operator is protected from being struck by electricity touching the drum cap.

Abstract: A restriction flange is independently formed and then fitted on one end of each cylindrical holder in a sliding universal joint and abuts a rail portion surface of the transmitting groove to prevent inclination of the holder. The rail portion can also be formed independently of the outer member and then fixed thereto by bolting, welding or caulking.

Abstract: A restriction flange is provided on the inner end of each cylindrical holder in a sliding universal joint to keep the pair of cutouts which are provided for installation of the inner roller aligned with the longitudinal direction of the transmitting groove. The flange can be rectangular having appropriate side lengths to restrict any rotational motion of the cylindrical about it's center axis.

Abstract: A feeder for a electrophotographic printer to feed photo-sensitive paper onto the drum of the printer. Sheets of photo-sensitive paper are adhered to release paper. The sheets are separated from the release paper by rolling the sheets adhered to the release paper over a positioning roll, where separation occurs, and rolling the photo-sensitive sheets onto the drum and the release paper onto a take-up roll. The sheets are clamped at their front end to the drum the drum is rotated and the sheets are clamped at their rear end to the drum. The take-up roll is rotated by the driving force of a stepping motor and the frequency of the driving force is controlled to coincide with the rotational speed of the drum.

Abstract: A stopper is slidably mounted on a bearing surface on the end wall of the inner member accommodating chamber of the outer member of a sliding-type universal joint. The bearing surface can be provided on a raised portion of the end wall larger in diameter than the diameter of a flange provided on the base of the stopper. The bearing surface is perpendicular to the axis of the outer member. A retainer in the form of a cylindrical member can be fitted to the outer periphery of the raised portion and can have an engagement portion to engage the flange of the stopper while allowing radial play of the stopper.