Abstract: The separating part of the separating device receives a reactive force that occurs on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum, at the contact point where the separating part and the photoreceptor drum are in contact. The separating device controller changes the position of the rotational supporting point so as to decrease the rotational moment M of the reactive force at the rotational supporting point of the separating device, in accordance with increase of the reactive force that occurs on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum as the separating part is worn down.

Abstract: A device and method for unloading laminar elements from a roll and transferring stacks of such laminar elements, and to the roll used for the same. The method including unloading sheets from a roll with the aid of a barrier; receiving the sheets on a support, such as to form a growing stack; positioning a separator between two adjacent sheets in which the first sheet completes a finished stack on the support and the second sheet is held by the separator in order to begin a new stack; moving the support to an outlet support and pushing the finished stack with the aid of a push element in order to transfer same from the support to the outlet support; moving the support to the position of the separator and removing the separator in order to transfer the growing stack from the separator to the support. The invention also relates to the device used to implement the method.

Abstract: An image is recorded of the edge of a moving object, in particular a sheet, in a machine processing printing material. The illumination is carried out with an illuminating device, and an image is recorded of at least one part of the edge with an image recording device. The use of the illuminating device and/or the image recording device is substantially synchronous with the movement of the object and substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the object. A preferred illuminating device has a row or array of light sources which in each case are switched on and off synchronously with the movement of the object. The constant shadow or shadow strip produced by the illumination moves with the object and ensures adequate contrast between the brightly illuminated object and the dark background, so that the object can be segmented reliably, at least in the region of the edge, and its position, orientation and movement can be determined.

Abstract: A stripper assembly strips a media sheet from a photoreceptor belt. A support bracket supports a stripping finger base which includes a multiplicity of attached stripping fingers. The support bracket is fixed proximate to the photoreceptor belt in a media stripping position. Each stripping finger has a protruding distal stripping end extending toward the photoreceptor belt to form a gap therewith. The magnitude of the stripping finger-photoreceptor belt gap is controlled by adjusting the position or spacing of the finger base with respect to the support bracket. The support bracket pivots about an inboard pivot axial. The opposite support bracket outboard end is releasable, thus enabling the support bracket to pivot away from the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: There are disposed a star-wheel 21 in the form of a thin wall-thickness having a sharp projecting portion 21a as auxiliary member which strips off a recording paper P from the surface of a photosensitive body 2, and an inversion preventing member 22 formed from a synthetic resin sheet having flexibility. The star-wheel 21 is disposed with a spacing between the surface of the photosensitive body 2 and an extreme end of the projecting portion 21a held by a fixed distance G. The inversion preventing member 22 has its extreme end placed in contact with the projecting portion 21a of the star-wheel 21 so that the star-wheel 21 is not allowed to be rotated in the direction reversed to the direction of rotation where the recording paper P passes through a normal carrying route.

Abstract: A device and a method for depositing products or signatures on a conveying belt utilizes both a fixed stripper and a rotating stripper, in conjunction with a delivery paddle wheel. The cooperation of the fixed and rotating strippers deposits the signatures or folded products onto the delivery belt in an efficient manner while preventing damage to the products or signatures.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a re-supply stacker for reversing a front surface and a rear surface of a sheet and temporarily stacking sheets so that a sheet having one surface on which an image was formed by an image forming unit is re-supplied to the image forming unit, a sheet conveyer for reversing a front surface and a rear surface of a sheet and conveying the sheet to the re-supply stacker, a shifter for shifting the sheet discharged from the sheet conveyer onto the re-supply stacker to abut the sheet against a regulation unit for regulating a position of the sheet, and a controller for controlling so that a shift amount of the shifter is changed.

Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus has a conveying path for directing sheet materials supported on a supporting portion one by one to an image processing position and also directing them to a discharging portion after the completion of image processing, and a reversing path for containing a predetermined number of sheet materials therein, and reversing the sheet materials and directing them to the image processing position. When the interval between the predetermined number of sheet materials to be directed into the reversing path widens to such an extent that the sheet materials cannot be contained in the reversing path, preceding one of the sheet materials is decelerated or stopped in conformity with the widening to enable the predetermined number of sheets to be contained in the reversing path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray, a feed mechanism, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to return it to the feed tray. The recirculation conveying mechanism includes a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are temporally discharged and accumulated and a moving mechanism for moving the sheets accumulated on the discharge tray to the feed tray. The apparatus further comprises a feed sensor detecting whether or not any sheets present on the feed tray. The sheets discharged on the discharge tray are moved to the feed tray by the moving mechanism when all sheets on the feed tray are fed and the feed sensor detects none of the sheet.

Abstract: For temporarily storing sheets, envelopes and the like, the objects are received one by one in a buffer apparatus and delivered one by one from that apparatus. For each object, a code associated with that object is determined, which code is stored in accordance with the order of receipt of the objects. Each object that is discharged is scanned and the scanning result is compared with a code that on the basis of order information is supposed to be associated with that object. If a particular minimum extent of agreement between the compared data is found, a normal operating status is adhered to. If less than the particular extent of agreement between the compared data is found, an error message status is selected. There is also described a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing the objects. Different objects can indiscriminately be processed in an irregular order and checked for separation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hopper loader apparatus for separating and forming an overlapping shingled stream of individual signatures of sheet materials from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures for subsequent handling operations. The hopper-loader has a chassis; a first continuous, downwardly inclined planar conveyor mounted on the chassis which moves a stack of vertically aligned signatures and deposits them onto a second conveyor as a separated, shingled stream of the signatures. The second conveyor is mounted on the chassis and aligned with an end of the first conveyor. It has a plurality of driven belts which travel over each of an upwardly inclined planar ramp segment, an arched transition segment, and a planar exit segment. The arched transition segment comprises either a belt slide or a plurality of serially arranged rollers.

Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus for transferring and separating individual signatures of sheet material from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures. The separated, individual signatures may then be subjected to handling operations such as stapling or stitching. The hopper-loader has a first, downwardly inclined, planar conveyor, a second upwardly inclined, planar ramp conveyor which separates individual signatures from the stack and moves the signatures at a faster speed than the first conveyor. An included angle is formed between the first and second conveyors which ranges from about 125.degree. to about 145.degree. . Signatures are delivered to a pocket having spaced side walls and having a floor comprising a third intermittent indexing conveyor which sequentially moves the individual signatures away from the second conveyor and makes them available to stapling or stitching equipment.

Abstract: The preset invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus equipped with a tray which couples feed port and discharge port to each other by a continuous surface. The tray comprises a first surface adjacent to the feed port for placing thereon sheets to be fed, a second surface adjacent to the discharge port for placing thereon discharged sheets, the second surface being tilted up so that the front end of the discharged sheet is positioned upper than the rear end thereof, and a bent portion at which the end of the first surface at the discharge side and the end of the second surface at the feed side are coupled to each other. A length of the first surface ranging from the bent portion to the feed port in the sheet conveyance direction is larger than one half of the length of a feedable maximum size sheet in the sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: A stripping finger, for use in an electrophotographic apparatus, formed by molding a glass polymer consisting of phosphate glass and resin. The stripping finger does not attack the peripheral surface of a roller of the electrophotographic apparatus. The material of the stripping finger can be molded precisely by injection molding; has a sufficient degree of heat load resistance, heat deformation property, and heat fatigue resistance; and is capable of maintaining the original shape of its tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray on which a plurality of sheets are set, a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are discharged, a feed mechanism for feeding the plurality of sheets set on the feed tray one by one, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to discharge it on the discharge tray and return it to the feed tray, and a plurality of stoppers. The stoppers are disposed at different positions along the sheet conveying direction correspondingly to the sheet size. Each of the plurality of stoppers is moveable between an operation position and a withdrawal position and restricts the front end of the sheet discharged on the discharge tray to align the sheet in the operation position.

Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a pair of document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) for guiding opposite edges of document originals (D) fed back onto a document placing plate (8) for alignment thereof with respect to the width thereof. With this construction, if the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) each had a small length (A) as measured along a document transportation direction, the document originals (D) fed back onto the document placing plate (8) could not properly be aligned by the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) thereby to be randomly stacked on the skew with respect to the document transportation direction.

Abstract: In a document feeding and imaging system with a document input tray for sequentially feeding a set of plural document sheets to a document imaging station to be respectively imaged with variable image processing conditions dependent on the size of the document sheet, including a document sheet size measurement system for measuring at least one dimension of the document sheets, wherein the input tray has associated document size measurement sensors, wherein the set of documents loaded into the input tray may be a mixed size set of different sheet sizes or a set of the same sheet sizes; there is provided an operator selectable input for a mixed size set providing a mixed size set control signal which actuates a special prescan document size sensing operational mode for sensing the sheet size as the document is fed past the document imaging station without its being imaged, and then automatically re-feeding that document to the imaging station to be imaged under image processing conditions controlled by the docu

Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a cover (251) covering a document discharge portion (30). The cover (251) is openably supported by a pivot shaft (256) between a pair of frames (255). A feed-back path (32) for guiding a document original onto a document placing plate is defined by a pair of guide members (257, 258) provided in an opposed relation. The upper guide member (258) is attached to the interior face of the cover (251). A switch claw (253) for switching the document traveling direction is attached to the pivot shaft (256) which supports the cover (251). Thus, there is no need for additionally providing a shaft for supporting the switch claw (253), thereby simplifying the construction of the document discharge portion (30).

Abstract: The sheets in each tray of a multi tray sheet feeder are of the same thickness, but the sheets in one tray may be of a different thickness than the sheets in another tray. The sheets are fed from each sheet feeder tray to an intermediate stacker and then to a printer. A first sensor is provided just prior to entry of a sheet into the intermediate stacker and a second sensor is provided to sense a sheet as it is fed from the intermediate stacker. If the paper weight of sheets of paper on a tray fall within a first range of paper weight values, each sensor is designed to have a first given voltage response condition when sensing those sheets and if the paper weight of the sheets falls within a second range of paper weight values each sensor is designed to have a second given voltage response condition sensing the latter sheets.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming a received image onto a sheet, a judging unit for judging an attribute of the received image, a plurality of bins each for stacking the sheet on which the image was formed by the image forming unit, a selecting unit for selecting the bin in which the sheet formed with the input image should be stacked, a plurality of sheet detecting units provided for the plurality of bins, and a display unit for displaying first information indicative of the bin, second information indicative of the attribute, and third information indicative of a detection result of the sheet detecting unit.

Abstract: Method for transporting/handling sheets along at least one transport/handling segment in a machine includes supplying sheets to and removing sheets from the machine, the transport/handling segment having a period length for successive sheets which is dependent upon the format length of the respective sheets.

Abstract: A sheet feed sensor is designed to have a first given voltage response condition for sensing sheets within a first range of paper weight values and a second given voltage response condition for sensing sheets within a second range of paper weight values. A current value supplied to the emitter of the sensor can be controlled to provide the desired voltage response or a resistance in a phototransistor collector circuit can be varied to provide the desired voltage response condition. If the first range of paper weight values is lighter than the second range of paper weight values, the sensor, when in the first given voltage response condition, will have a voltage response, when sensing a sheet of a given paper weight, which is higher than the voltage response when the same sensor senses a sheet of the same paper weight, when the sensor is in the second given voltage response condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a document feeder for feeding a document to an image scanning portion for scanning an image of the document, a document jam detector for detecting a jam of the document in the document feeder, and a controller for, when the document jam detector detects the jam of the document, stopping an entire image forming operation after completing a specified operation. Since the specified operation is completed upon detection of the document jam, the document to be copied when the image forming operation is resumed after removal of the jammed document can be clearly distinguished from the other. The image forming apparatus can be more rapidly resumed.

Abstract: An original transporting device for transporting an original to an exposure unit of a copying machine which includes a loading tray for loading the originals, a first separation unit, a first transporting unit, a second separation unit, a second transporting unit, a third transporting unit for transporting the original transported by the first transporting unit in a first direction, stopping it at the exposure unit, then transporting it in a second direction and transporting the original transported by the second transporting unit in the second direction to pass through the exposure unit.

Abstract: For temporarily storing sheets, envelopes and the like, the objects are received one by one in a buffer apparatus and delivered one by one from that apparatus. For each object, a code associated with that object is determined, which code is stored in accordance with the order of receipt of the objects. Each object that is discharged is scanned and the scanning result is compared with a code that on the basis of order information is supposed to be associated with that object. If a particular minimum extent of agreement between the compared data is found, a normal operating status is adhered to. If less than the particular extent of agreement between the compared data is found, an error message status is selected. There is also described a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing the objects. Different objects can indiscriminately be processed in an irregular order and checked for separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for handling sheets (3) which are provided with information in a laser printer (4) and fed to a sorting device (5) for being sorted. In this method, in the laser printer (4), sheets (3) provided with information are continuously fed into a magazine (12) at the top thereof while at the same time sheets (3) are continuously removed from said magazine (12) at the bottom thereof for transport to the sorting device (5), whereby sheets (3) provided with information are piled on top of each other in the magazine (12) for providing a sheet buffer supply (11) therein if the speed of the rate of the laser printer (4) to provide sheets (3) with information is higher than the speed of the rate of the sorting device (5) to sort sheets (3) received from the magazine (12), whereby the magazine (12) permits piling of a substantial number of sheets (3), e.g.

Abstract: Stripping fingers for use in a copying machine, molded of a liquid crystal polyester resin composition made up of a liquid crystal polyester having a flow temperature of 340.degree. C. or higher and titanium oxide whiskers. The stripping fingers have excellent heat deflection resistance, heat aging resistance, thermal shock resistance, heat load resistance, low attack on the counter roller, good shape retainability of the finger edges, and good non-stick property against toner. Coating with PFA at 330.degree. C. or higher on the stripping finger increases non-tackiness.

Abstract: In a method for the automated processing of bulk mail, envelopes are transferred to a receiving apparatus in bulk fashion (from incoming mail trays or the like) for the extraction of documents contained by the envelopes, and the extracted documents are delivered to a remittance processing device, preferably both automatically and without the need for human intervention. Subsequent processing of the extracted documents within the remittance processing device then proceeds in usual fashion, completing the acquisition of information which is necessary to ready such documents for deposit into the banking system. Also disclosed are various presorting functions so that only envelopes containing documents of a specified type will be fully processed, other sorting functions such as the identification of specific types of documents (invoices or checks) for separate processing, and the use of a single extraction device to deliver extracted documents to either one, or a series of remittance processing devices.

Abstract: The thickness of a first sheet fed from each tray of the multi-tray sheet feeder is detected by a first sensor and a thickness value is placed in memory for that tray. Each sheet subsequently fed from the same tray is detected by the same sensor and the thickness value sensed is placed in memory and compared with the thickness value in memory for that tray. When a tray is reloaded, the thickness value in memory for the sheets previously loaded in the tray is erased and the first sheet fed from the reloaded tray is sensed and a thickness value for that sheet is placed in memory for the reloaded tray. After the thickness value of a sheet is sensed by the first sensor, the sheets enter into the intermediate tray. The thickness value of a sheet is detected by an outlet sensor as it leaves the intermediate sheet tray and that value is compared to the thickness value in memory which was detected for the same sheet by the first sensor.

Abstract: A paper sheet storing apparatus includes a stacking section for storing paper sheets in a stack in a predetermined direction. In the stacking section are provided a movable shutter for receiving and supporting paper sheets which are taken in the stacking section through an inlet port, and a movable press plate for pressing paper sheets toward an outlet port. The shutter is moved towards the outlet port as paper sheets are stacked on the shutter, and the press plate is moved towards the inlet port as paper sheets are stacked under the press plate. When the shutter and the press plate approach each other by a predetermined distance as they move, the approach state is detected by a sensor. The detection signal from the sensor is input a controller, where it is determined that the stacking section is full of paper sheets.

Abstract: A paper conveying device for overrunning paper from a stop position and then, switching the paper back to stop the paper in a stop position. The driving of a paper conveying section for conveying paper is stopped at the time point where the rear end of the paper reaches the stop position. Thereafter, the amount of overrun of the paper is detected, so that the paper is switched back by the amount. Consequently, the amount of overrun and the amount of switchback of the paper are suppressed to the minimum amounts required. In addition, the stress applied to the paper is reduced, and the paper is set in a short time.

Abstract: A document feeder which can be coupled to a motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner window of the scanner, including a housing with a support surface and an opposite offset platform surface which together form a slit through which the document is fed and including openings in the support surface for a drive and a drive set of spring-loaded rollers which are coupled together by a belt, and which extend partially below the platform surface and are adapted to cooperate with drive roller(s) of the motorized, portable optical scanner to feed documents across the scanner.

Abstract: An automatic sheet feeding device includes a mounting unit for mounting a stack of sheets, a feeder for feeding each sheet of the stack of sheets, and a pressing unit for pressing the stack of sheets against the feeder by operating on the stack of sheets whenever necessary after feeding a sheet, a recording unit for recording the number of operations of the pressing unit, and a controller for causing the pressing unit to operate when a sheet feeding operation of the feeder starts after the number of operations of the pressing unit has reached a predetermined number.

Abstract: A document conveying apparatus of the circulation type has a first document discharge port disposed above the surface of the document-placing plate on the upstream side thereof and a second document discharge port disposed above the surface of the document-placing plate but below the first document discharge port on the downstream side of the first document discharge port. A first document transfer mechanism and a second document transfer mechanism are disposed in relation to the first document discharge port and the second document discharge port, respectively. On a downstream region of the second document discharge port is disposed a turn plate which is selectively pivoted between an ascended position and a descended position.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for printing an image on a conveyed recording medium, includes a sensor, arranged on a convey path of the recording medium, for detecting presence/absence of the recording medium, a setting unit for setting a debouncing time of the recording medium, and a switching unit for switching the debouncing time.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting documents to a remittance processing device includes an arm for receiving a plurality of the documents for presentation to the remittance processing device and a conveyor for drawing the received documents along the arm and to a delivery point adjacent to the remittance processing device, for serial presentation at the remittance processing device for remittance processing of the received documents. The apparatus can also operate to stack received documents, to separate paired documents, and to justify documents to a reference surface, for eventual presentation to the arm and its conveyor.

Abstract: An accumulating device having ten accumulating units connected at the input to a conveyor belt system and designed to house a number of mail items. Each accumulating unit comprises a conveyor system composed of two belts contacting each other along a substantially straight portion and having a sensor for generating an enabling signal upon a mail item being fed into the accumulating unit. As a consequence of the enabling signal, the belts are shifted one discrete step so that the mail items fed into the accumulating unit are inserted between the two belts and overlap one another.

Abstract: A symmetrically flexible separator device is placed immediately after and removed, by a pair of pads, from the nip between the fuser roller and the pressure roller in order to intercept the leading edge of an image-bearing receiver and thus reduce the risk that the latter would remain stuck to the surface of either the fuser roller or the pressure roller.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a developing agent image on a recording medium includes a heat roller and a compression roller for pressing the recording medium against the circumferential surface of the heat roller. A discharge guide for guiding the recording paper passing between the rollers, away from the heat roller is arranged near the heat roller. The discharge guide has an end portion located adjacent to the heat roller, and is positioned by a positioning mechanism so that a predetermined distance is defined between the end portion of the discharge guide and the heat roller. The end portion of the guide is spaced away from the heat roller by spacers made of a relatively soft material. A cleaning element is positioned between the spacers. The spacers and cleaning element are biased against the heat roller by a spring force.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a platen roller for feeding recording sheets, a recording head for recording image on the recording sheets fed by the platen roller and arranged in confronting relation to the platen roller and a guide member for guiding the recording sheet fed by the platen roller. The guide member is arranged at downstream side of a sheet feeding direction with respect to the platen roller and is positioned by abutting it against a portion of the platen roller. With this arrangement, the guide member can easily and precisely positioned with respect to the platen roller without any specific adjustment during assembling the recording apparatus.

Abstract: A tape cutting and dispensing machine including upper and lower plastic blocks held between spaced frame members, a recess in one block containing a drive roll and a recess in the other block containing a nip roll, mechanism effectively mounted relative to the frame members for selectively moving the nip roll toward and away from the drive roll, flexible lips adjacent the drive roll and nip roll for guiding a tape beyond the rolls, a guillotine blade arrangement mounted on the blocks, mechanism for selectively manually retracting a movable guillotine blade from its normal overlying relationship relative to a fixed blade, a drive motor for selectively driving the drive roll, a solenoid for selectively actuating the guillotine blade, and a table having a depression therein mounted at the output side of the machine for permitting the central portion of a severed end of the tape to be pressed into it by a bundle being taped and having a surface adjacent the depression against which the tape ends can be pressed to

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for the sequential handling of a series of flexible products which enables operation of the orbital packing fingers at lower speeds to reduce inertial loading and yet maintain a high output rate. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the packing fingers are operated at a rate of 1/X times the rate that flexible products are provided. Where X is the number of delivery points per lane of flexible products provided. The orbital packing fingers themselves are constructed to extend across substantially the entire width of the bags as they are stripped from a transfer drum and to decelerate the bags as they are stacked against a backstop.

Abstract: A separation unit includes separation pawls for separating paper from a photosensitive drum, and a second shaft for supporting the separation pawls. Each separation pawl has a mounting hole extending therethrough and a slit opening the mounting hole. The second shaft has a mounting portion which cannot pass through the slit and a chamfered portion which is formed continuous with the mounting portion. The portion of shaft where the chamfered portion is formed can pass through the slit. An annular bush is loosely fitted on the second shaft so as to be pivotal and movable from the mounting portion to the chamfered portion. The bush is detachably fitted in the hole of the separation pawl and supports the separation pawl. A holder is attached to the second shaft so as to regulate the movement of the bush toward the chamfered portion of the second shaft when the pawl is used, and to allow the movement of the bush toward the chamfered portion of the second shaft when the pawl is attached/detached.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic copier or printer, a skive with a base and a stripping edge is provided for removing copy sheets from the surface of a fuser roller that is coated with a resilient material such as rubber. The stripping edge of the skive is made from a hard material and the base of the skive which contacts and rides on the surface of the fuser roller is made from a soft material. Relative to the fuser roller coating, the hard material has a higher modulus of rigidity and the soft material has an equal or lower modulus of rigidity.

Abstract: Continuous sheet item delaminating apparatus for electrographic drum printing/copying devices including a relatively flat horizontal coupler member having an upstanding vertical attachment portion and a u-shaped portion normal thereto. A plurality of curved, knife edged item picker fingers are mounted between the parallel legs of the u-shaped portion. The vertical attachment portion is pivotally secured to a rotatable crank rotated by a pulley driven from an associated synchronizer. A rocker-idler arm is fixedly pivoted at one end and is coupled at the opposite end to the coupler member such that rotation of the crank causes the picker fingers to follow a four bar coupler curve toward and away from the sheet item effective to lift the forward edge of the item off the drum and permit the item to fall by gravity onto a safe area for further handling.

Abstract: An image transfer material separation apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine, in which a leading edge of an image transfer material is curled in such a direction as to be separated from the surface of a photoconductor on which a latent electrostatic image or a visible image is formed, before the image transfer material is brought into close contact with the latent-electrostatic-image- or visible-image-bearing photoconductor, and after image transfer, an image transfer material separation member, disposed away from the surface of the photoconductor, is pushed by the curled leading edge portion of the image transfer material, whereby the image transfer material is guided in the direction different from the movement direction of the photoconductor and is separated from the surface of the photoconductor and is then transported, for instance, towards an image fixing station.

Abstract: In a copy paper separating device for use in a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine which includes a conductive carrier member, preferably in the form a conductive endless belt extended between a pair of pulleys. The conductive carrier member is disposed in the periphery of the photosensitive member to which a copy paper is brought into contact for the transfer of a toner image formed on the photosensitive member. The potential of the conductive carrier member is maintained nearly at zero level during the first step of the separating operation; whereas, the potential of the carrier member is increased to a predetermined value of the polarity opposite to that of the toner image during the second step.

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.