Abstract: A multi-beam scanner has two light emitting points ch1, ch2 and an optical system. The light emitting points ch1, ch2 are separated by a distance &Dgr;along a depth-of-focus direction. The longitudinal magnification &agr;, or the image-side numerical aperture NA, of the optical system is set so that the surface to be scanned of a photosensitive drum is positioned within a range where the depths of focus de of the light beams from the two light emitting points ch1, ch2 overlap. The multi-beam scanner can focus the light beams onto the surface of the photosensitive drum at all the scanning positions even when the optical system has curvature of field.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having an exposure unit, a pressure developing unit and a thermal fixing unit. The apparatus employs a separate type image recording mediums including a microcapsule sheet and a separate developer sheet. The thermal fixing unit applies heat to the developer sheet carrying an output image thereon. A heat application means of the thermal fixing unit is positioned spaced away from the imaging surface of the developer sheet for avoding direct contact therewith.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming an image sheet with adhesive tape, a roll type photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet, a developer sheet and a adhesive tape are stored. A latent image is formed on a surface of the photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet based on image information from outside, and a visible image is formed on the developer sheet by superposing the photosensitive pressure sensitive sheet and the developer sheet, and applying pressure. The visible image formed on the developer sheet is fixed, and adhesive tape is affixed onto the developer sheet for output. The image sheet outputted therefrom can be used for a seal or the like.

Abstract: In a pressure developing device employed in an imaging device like a duplicating machine, an optical printer etc., pressure force for evenly pressurizing a recording medium is capable of being varied in accordance with the width of the recording medium to be pressurized.

Abstract: A photocopying system without using an intermediate film is disclosed. In this system, the photo-pressure sensitive sheet and an original are tightly overlapped on a photocopying stage. Scratching scars generated by friction therebetween can be avoided by drive means for changing a distance therebetween. Images on the reverse side of the original can be protected from being duplicated by changing a direction of a light beam. Figure/character images, as well as image trimming, can be arbitrarily photocopied by exposing to a light through display on liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus using an elongated photosensitive recording medium stored in a sheet cartridge in a rolled fashion. The apparatus provides an exposure stand and a reversal sheet feeding arrangement for reversely feeding completely unexposed microcapsule sheet to a position upstream of the exposure stand for the purpose of a subsequent exposure operation. A control means is further provided for automatically starting the subsequent copying operation. In one embodiment, the control means stores therein a copy start signal and automatically starts the next copying operation upon completion of the reversal sheet feeding operation. The copy start signal is generated by the manipulation of the copy start key manipulated at the reversal sheet feeding phase. In another embodiment of this invention, the control means forcibly stops the reversal sheet feeding operation in response to the copy start signal so as to automatically start the copying operation.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having a sheet cartridge in which a rolled photosensitive recording medium is accommodated. The sheet cartridge has a sheet retaining device for preventing the recording medium from being retracted into a cartridge casing. The retaining device also provides a light shielding member. The image recording apparatus also includes structure for preventing the cartridge from being removed in a case where a residual recording medium is still rolled in the cartridge casing. The image recording apparatus is provided with a wiper member for removing dusts deposited on a surface of a feed roller. Further, a sensor element is provided for detecting non-rotation of a takeup shaft or a slack of the recording medium.

Abstract: A thermal fixing unit provided with gas purification means for use in an image recording medium. The gas purification means traps gaseous component released from a developer sheet upon heating thereof. The purification means includes a duct body disposed to surround a main frame of the thermal fixing unit, a support body having one end connected to the duct body, a fluid passage being defined between the main frame and the duct body, and the fluid passage being connected between the one end of the support body and sheet inlet and sheet outlet of the thermal fixing unit, the gas venting fan rotatably provided at the support body for sucking fluid in the main frame through the sheet inlet, the sheet outlet and the fluid passage, and a filter member disposed in the support body for trapping the gaseous component released from the developer sheet.

Abstract: A thermal fixing device for an image forming apparatus is disclosed which comprises a heater for heating a piece of developer sheet to thermally fix and accelerate coloring of the image on the developer sheet, a sheet delivery path along which the developer sheet is delivered, a cover casing for substantially covering the heater, and a suction/discharge unit for sucking/discharging a gas generated from the developer sheet by the heater. The suction/discharge unit is connected to the cover casing.

Abstract: A color copying machine has a sheet heating device for heating a color developer sheet while the sheet is being fed. The sheet heating device includes a sheet feed path along which the sheet is fed, a heater unit spaced from the sheet feed path, and a sheet protective member of an insulating material disposed between the sheet feed path and the heater unit. The sheet protective member has a plurality of holes defined therein for passing radiant heat from the heater unit toward the sheet feed path. The sheet protective member may comprise a mesh screen of intersecting filaments or a punched iron sheet.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereon. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the visible image is developed. The exposing is carried out by repeating a predetermined-period exposure at a predetermined interval against the same portion of the recording sheet.

Abstract: In a cassette for accomodating therein a continuous photo-sensitive recording medium a light-shield member is arranged in a feed passage communicating an accomodating chamber for the recording medium and a drawing opening through which the recording medium is drawn out of the cassette. The light-shield member is movable between its operative and inoperative positions. In it operative position, the light-shield member closes the feed passage to prevent the penetration of the ambient light. In its inoperative position, the light-shield member does not obstract drawing out of the recording medium.

Abstract: A copying machine includes a sheet heating device for heating a sheet to fix a developed image thereon. The sheet heating device includes a heater unit extending transversely to and substantially fully across the sheet feed path, and an air blower for supplying air to the heater unit substantially fully across the sheet feed path and along a surface of the sheet in a direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is fed along the sheet feed path. The sheet heating device also includes a cover covering the heater unit and the air blower and having an inlet slot and an outlet slot, and a guide plate disposed underneath the cover. The sheet heating device further includes a plurality of fixed or angularly movable air flow guide vanes for guiding an air flow from the cross-flow fan toward the heater unit. The air flow guide vanes are disposed between the heater unit and the cross-flow fan and spaced at intervals along the heater unit.

Abstract: In a sheet heating device for heat-fixing an image on a sheet comprising a sheet guide plate for guiding a sheet therethrough, a pair of sheet feed rollers provided at the upstream of the sheet guide plate for supplying the sheet to the sheet guide plate, a pair of sheet discharge rollers provided at the downstream of the sheet guide plate for discharging the sheet to an outside, and a cover case including a heater for heating air and heating the sheet with the heated air and a blower fan for circulating the heated air through the inner portion of the cover case and the sheet guide plate, plural capillary projections having a lower thermal conductivity than the sheet guide plate are provided at least on the front surface of the sheet guide plate to thereby prevent the sheet from directly contacting the sheet guide plate, or an arcuate member is provided in the cover case to homogeneously guide the heated air over the sheet guide plate to thereby homogeneously heat-fix an image on the sheet.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including an irradiating device for emitting an image radiation representative of an original image, a projecting device having a viewing screen which is irradiated by the image radiation from the irradiating device and which provides a view of a visible image represented by the image radiation, and an exposing device for exposing a photosensitive recording medium to the image radiation from the irradiating device to produce a visible image represented by said image radiation. The apparatus further includes an optical guide device for directing the image radiation from the irradiating device to the projecting device and the exposing device.

Abstract: A sheet heating device having heat insulators for preventing at least one of sheet feeding roller and sheet discharge roller from being overheated. The sheet heating device includes a delivery unit for delivering a piece of sheet, a heating unit for heating the sheet on a delivery path of the sheet, a cover member for covering the heating unit and opening on a feed side and a discharge side of the sheet, respectively, and two pairs of rollers adapted to close respective openings of the cover member. The pair of rollers serve as heat insulators for avoiding overheating to the sheet feeding and discharging rollers. Shutter members are also available for heat insulation. The shutter members also serve to confine hot air within an interior of the heating device.

Abstract: A copying apparatus operable with an original having an image-bearing surface on which images to be reproduced are supported. A radiation reflected by the image bearing surface is focused on a photosensitive paper, by a self-focusing lens array, so that latent images corresponding to the images on the image-bearing surface are formed on the photosensitive paper. The latent images are developed into visible images by a developing device such as a device adapted to apply a pressure to the photosensitive paper. The photosensitive paper may be a self-activated type having a photosensitive material and a developer material which chemically react with each other in the developing process. Alternatively, a separate developer paper having a developer material is superposed on a photosensitive paper having only a photosensitive material.

Abstract: In a cassette for accommodating therein a photo-sensitive recording medium, a pair of cassette halves formed of synthetic resin are united together to form a cassette body having defined therein an accommodating chamber for the recording medium. A drawing opening is formed in an outer surface of the cassette body. The recording medium is drawn out of the accommodating chamber through the drawing opening. An optically inert feed passage is defined by cooperation of a wall section of one of the pair of cassette halves with a wall section of the other cassette half when the one and other cassette halves are united together. The feed passage has one end thereof communicating with the accommodating chamber and the other end communicating with the drawing opening such that the recording medium passes through the feed passage when the recording medium is drawn out of the accommodating chamber through the drawing opening.

Abstract: In a pressure developing device employed in an imaging device like a duplicating machine, an optical printer etc, pressure force for pressurizing a recording medium is capable of being varied in accordance with the width of the recording medium to be pressurized.A sensor for detecting the width of the recording medium is provided, and the pressure force is varied based upon the detected value.

Abstract: A sheet heating device for heating a developer sheet to fix an output image formed thereon. The sheet heating device includes a guide plate and a cover member to define an internal space therebetween. Within the space, a heater and a fan is provided. The fan generate circulating hot air stream which is directed in a traveling direction of the developer sheet. The hot air has a transversal width substantially the same as a transverse length of the developer sheet.