Abstract: This invention discloses a developing apparatus wherein a brush of a developing agent is formed on a developing sleeve by a magnetic field of a permanent magnet disposed inside the developing sleeve, and at least the developing sleeve is rotated while the brush is kept in contact with a photosensitive body, thereby developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body. In this apparatus, an agitating member having magnetic ring portions which abut against the developing sleeve and an agitating portion for agitating the developing agent is pivotally disposed in a developing vessel to be parallel to the developing sleeve, and a rotation detecting unit for outputting a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the agitating member and a residual amount detecting unit for detecting a residual amount of the developing agent in the developing vessel in accordance with an output from the rotation detecting unit are provided.

Abstract: A paper feeding device used for feeding stacked paper to an electrophotographic copying machine is provided with a lift for a stack of papers, which move the top sheet against a swingably supported feeding roller as the size of the stack decreases under use. Forwardly of the feeding roller in the direction of travel of the paper is a plate in frictional contact with the roller, the paper being thus fed forwardly to the copying machine through the nip between the roller and plate. This arrangement avoids the problem of a multifeed of the sheets. The feeding-out operation may be further improved by the provision of separating claws engaging the leading corners of the paper as it passes from the feeding roller. Raising of the lift is controlled by a detecting device actuated by position of the swingable support for the feeding roller.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning the scanning surface of an electrostatic recording apparatus, the steps of: rendering inoperative a portion of an attachment device, which is used to treat the picture image forming member, when a cleaning operation is necessary; and electrostatically attaching a flexible cleaning sheet to the picture image forming member so that the cleaning sheet is carried past the reproducer scanning surface thereby to clean the scanning surface. The cleaning sheet is supplied from a recording paper supply magazine or from a magazine which is disposed above a recording paper supply magazine and discharged into a tray.

Abstract: A copy sheet retaining cassette having a cutout or gate substantially centrally defined in each side wall of the cassette is further provided with a reinforcing plate pivotally mounted at a forward portion of each side wall. As the cassette is inserted into the interior of a copying machine, each reinforcing plate is moved to a substantially horizontal position at which it bridges the gate defined in the respective side wall so as to reinforce the cassette structure. A cassette holding piece carried on each reinforcing member operatively engages a cooperating machine member to stabilize the loaded cassette within the machine interior, and further carries an elastic member for engagement with the topmost ones of the copy sheets stacked in the cassette to prevent skewed feeding of the topmost sheet therefrom.

Abstract: A fixing device for use in an electrophotographic copying machine comprising a fixing plate having a width substantially equal to the maximum width of recording sheets in use and a heater disposed transversely of a fixing plate. The heater is divided into heater sections in the direction of widths of the recording sheets corresponding to the widths thereof. A temperature sensing element is associated with each of the divided heater sections and supplied power to the heater sections is controlled in response to the output of the temperature sensing element.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device comprising a support frame and a pinch roll, the pinch roll having a length approximately equal to the width of the sheet. The pinch roll is rotatable to advance the sheet between the pinch roll and support frame. The pinch roll rotation can be reversed to discharge the sheet.