US3684367A

US3684367A - Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3684367A
Application number: US851971A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pavle Vassitch
Original assignee: Cellophane SA France
Current assignee: Cellophane SA France
Priority date: 1968-09-25
Filing date: 1969-08-21
Publication date: 1972-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-15
Also published as: ES371879A1; DK126063B; LU59470A1; DE1948577A1; FR1589479A; SE366404B; NL6914345A; BE739332A; GB1262369A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus including a novel copy sheet feeding arrangement, and a novel structure for effecting the automatic return of the original to permit production of a number of copies without the necessity of handling the original for each copy. The copy sheet feeding arrangement includes a drive roller mounted on lever arms with the shaft of the roller resting on pivoted supports and the supports permit the roller to selectively contact the copy sheet ream. The automatic return structure includes a cam which is rotated to selectively control power to an electromagnetic switching unit that controls the automatic feed of the original back through the copy machine for the desired number of copies.

Description

United States Patent Vassitch ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Pavle Vassitch, Puteaux, France [73] Assignees La Cellophane S.A., Paris, France [22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1969 [21] Appl. No.2 851,971

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 25, 1968 France ..68167497 [52] US. Cl ..355/11, 355/14 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03g 15/00 [58] Field of Search ..355/3, 11, 14

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,137,028 11/1938 Race ..355/57 2,826,412 3/1958 l-laberland ..271/61 2,927,503 3/1960 Zollinger ..355/60 3,416,860 12/1968 Mihojevich ..355/11 X 3,560,716 2/1971 White ..355/41 X 3,330,179 7/1967 Zerfahs et a1 ..355/11 X 3,361,113 l/l968 Hoffman et al ..355/11 X 3,397,627 8/1968 Bruning et a1. ..355/11 X [15] 3,684,367 51 Aug. 15,1972

3,427,106 2/1969 Sloan ..355/11 X 3,441,345 4/1969 Kolibas ..355/10 3,475,093 10/1969 Mazzio et a1. ..355/3 3,484,164 12/1969 Byland ..355/14 X 3,493,299 2/1970 Hazelton, Jr. ..355/1 1 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard M. Sheer Attorney-Sherman & Shalloway 5 7] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is an electrophotographic reproduction apparatus including a novel copy sheet feeding arrangement, and a novel structure for effecting the automatic return of the original to permit production of a number of copies without the necessity of handling the original for each copy. The copy sheet feeding arrangement includes a drive roller mounted on lever arms with the shaft of the roller resting on pivoted supports and the supports permit the roller to selectively contact the copy sheet ream. The automatic return structure includes a cam which is rotated to selectively control power to an electromagnetic switching unit that controls the automatic feed of the original back through the copy machine for the desired number of copies.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PA'TENTEDAus 15 m2 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR PAVLE VAs'swcH ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAUBJI 5 I972 SHEET 2 OF 4 mvsrnon PAVLE VASS n'cH ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAus 15 I972 SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTOR flv/////// 4 v Gt Pq u: VAss ITC rt ATTORNEYS PAIENTEmus 15 I972 SHEET '4 0F 4 INVENTOR PAVLE VRSS (TCWH v l BY 5 ,Mi/Qa ZZ0017 ATTORNEYS ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION APPARATUS The present invention relates to electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and more particularly to apparatus that continuously perform the electrostatic impression and development of the reproductions.

In such apparatus, a uniform electrostatic charge is applied to the sheet of printing paper which has been coated with a photoconductive surface layer. The image of the original document is projected on the printing paper and selectively discharges the unprinted surface of the paper so as to produce a latent, electrostatic image of the original. The printing paper thus given an impression is developed-by the action of a developer made up of pigmented particles carrying electrostatic charges of the sign opposite to those of the printing paper. These particles are applied on the latent image in densities proportional to the charges that define the image, thus reproducing the original.

There are a great number of machines that meet this definition. The present invention relates more particularly to .a device wherein the original passes before a light source and causes, by means of an optical system, the formation of the image on the copy sheet. The sheet passes at a suitable speed to receive the image after having gone through a station for charging by the corona effect. Depending on the arrangement and na ture of the optical system, and depending on the relative speeds of the passing of the copy sheet and original, it is possible to obtain images with equal, enlarged or reduced dimensions when compared to the original.

In the apparatus to which the invention relates, the printing paper, covered with a latent electrostatic image, continuing its movement, passes by a development station and a fixing or drying station. The development can be performed by a powder developer in certain apparatus, by means of a liquid developer in other cases. In the first case, the copy paper, once developed, goes through a device for fixing by heat; in the second case, a drying device.

In machines of this type, where the advance of the copy sheet is started and regulated by that of the original, it is hard to assure the moving of the copy sheet and original in a strictly simultaneous manner in relation to the exact speed desired.

Another difficulty consists in preventing the copy sheet, at the outlet of the corona charging device, from undergoing losses of electrostatic charge on contact with the conveying means that carry it, in preventing differences in speed between these conveying means which would result in the formation of fuzzy or double images and in preventing any danger of jamming at this point.

Another difficulty, in this type of compact and complex apparatus, lies in obtaining a device which makes it easy to remove the various units for maintenance and inspection.

Another difficulty, is to make the regulation of the focusing of the image on the copy paper both exact and regular, which is an essential condition for obtaining quality images.

The primary object of this invention, which relates to improvements in machines of the type described, is to remedy the above-noted difficulties.

Another object of this invention is to provide a copy machine wherein the original and copy sheets are passed in strict coincidence to the image-producing portion of the device.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a copying machine an arrangement whereby losses of electrostatic charge are minimized as a copy sheet passes from the corona charging device to the area of the machine where the image is projected on the copy sheet.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel feeding arrangement for the copy sheets from a ream of copy paper.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel feeding arrangement of copy sheets in an electrostatic copying machine including a driving roller which contacts the upper sheet of the ream and a slip clutch between the paper contacting roll and paper forwarding rolls whereby separation is assured between successively forwarded copy sheets.

Still a further object of this invention is the provision of a novel switching arrangement for assuring the automatic feeding of the original through the machine when it is desired to produce a plurality of copies of the same original.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an automatic switching mechanism for the original including a dial for selecting the number of copies to be made, a camming mechanism which controls a source of electrical power for switching the original between return position and automatic feed position, and a spurgear arrangement connected with the cam and dial fo controlling the number of copies produced.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel adjustment structure for the projecting mirror of the copying machine whereby the mirror may be adjusted to positions only in parallel planes.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the photocopying art when consideration is given to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which is set forth by way of example, such description being taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section in schematic of the entire photocopying machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section in schematic of the novel feeding arrangement in inoperative position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section in schematic of the novel feeding arrangement in operative position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section in schematic of the lens adjusting structure of this invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section in schematic of the mechanism for controlling the automatic feed of the original; and

sheet, which follows path 4, in broken lines, in contact with switch 52, causes the disengagement of rollers 10, and stopping of sheet 2.

The original, which during this time is driven by rollers 53, follows its path and causes by contact with microswitch 51 the re-engagement of

rollers

271 and 272 and of rollers which again drive copy sheet 2 whose front edge moves past switch 52 at the precise moment when the front edge of the original moves past switch 51. Before the copy sheet escapes roller 10, its front part is grabbed by

rollers

271 and 272 just as the original is driven by rollers 54 before escaping rollers 53. The electrical circuitry for the microswitch controls is not a subject of the present invention and may be designed under standard technology. A particularly ef-v fective arrangement is described in application Ser. No. 816,317 which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

According to the invention, the position of

microswitches

51 and 52 is such that at the respective traveling'speed of the original and copy sheet, the front end of the original reaches point 55, where it enters the field of optical system, at the precise moment when the front edge of the copy sheet reaches point 57. The traveling rate of the original and copy sheet are determined so that the optical ray coming from a given point of the original, while it follows path 55, 56, strikes at the same point the copy sheet which travels

path

57, 58 during this time.

From what has been said, it can be seen that it is essential to obtain a strict positioning of the image on the copy sheet to avoid any fuzzy zone and doubling of the image. The disengagement will not occur if the copy sheet, when it reaches 52, is in contact or almost in contact with the sheet that precedes it. To avoid this drawback, care is taken to give driving rollers 27] and 272 a peripheral speed greater than that of rollers 10 which are driven through a slip clutch device to prevent them from breaking the copy sheet during the period when it is driven by

rollers

271, 272 without having yet escaped rollers 10.

The apparatus, to which the invention relates, includes an optical system which projects on the copy sheets an image of the original, the original and copy sheet passing one another at respective speeds which correspond to the reproduction scale proper to the apparatus.

Such an optical system is made up in a known way of a light source, a lens which constitutes the optical system proper and a mirror which reflects the image on the copy sheet. The sharpness and quality of the images depend in great part on the correct position of the mirror in relation to the lens and in relation to the station for forming the image.

In the apparatus according to the invention, this position is regulated in an extremely simple way by the action of a single adjustment screw which moves the mirror rigorously parallel to itself, with a precision that can be of the order of a fraction of a millimeter. Such a regulation is not necessary for each use of the apparatus but only when it is set, the adjustment screw being preferably provided with a blocking system that prevents it from getting out of adjustment.

According to the invention, the mirror is mounted on a non-deformable support which slides in a way rigorously parallel to itself on two non-deformable slides that are solid with the lens support. The position of the mirror support on these slides is determined by the action of a screw which is opposed by the action of a spring that constantly presses the mirror support against the regulating screw.

FIG. 4, which represents in section a schematic of such a system, illustrates a possible embodiment, among others, of the invention.

Lens 11- is rigidly connected with support 16, which itself is rigidly connected with the frame of the apparatus that carries two parallel rods 17 on which slide in a way rigorously parallel to themselves two rings or sleeves 18 rigidly connected with each other and rigidly connected with mirror 19, which sleeves are pressed by two springs 20. Support 16 includes opposite the part which carries the lens a bent part directed upward provided with a threaded orifice and a screw 21 which acts on the positioning of sleeves 18 more or less compressing springs 20. A lock nut 22 assures the permanence of the adjustment of screw 21 and of the positioning of sleeves 18.

Of course, variations, particularly of the supports and slides, are possible without going outside the scope of the invention.

The apparatus which is the object of the present invention is remarkable also in that it includes a device which automatically assures the reproduction of a given number of copies, this device being provided with a blocking shutter that prevents its adjustment from being changed while the original is engaged in a bifurcated path, this blocking shutter preventing the original from being damaged by an untimely maneuver.

The travel of the original in the repeat reproduction position is determined by the swinging of Y-shaped shutter 49. This shutter is represented in FIG. 1 in broken lines in the repeat reproduction position and in solid lines in the position for return of the original.

Control of this shutter is performed by means of an indicator which is moved by rotation of a dial indicating the number of reproductions desired; the control button of the indicator operates a cam which closes the current in a solenoid, causing the swinging of shutter 49 to bring it into the repeat reproduction position. When all the reproductions have been made, the cam resumes its initial position which breaks the current in the solenoid, and under the action of a spring, shutter 49 comes back into the position of returning the original.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a possible embodiment for operation of a device according to the invention of automatic reproduction of a given number of copies, FIG. 5 representing the device in repeat reproduction position and FIG. 6 in the position of return of the original.

An indicator, not shown, makes it possible tocaus'e to turn around its axis a cam that is preferably integral with a toothed wheel 71 carrying as many teeth as is required for successive repeat reproductions. Rotation of the indicator in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 5 brings into the corresponding notch of the toothed wheel pin 721. Pin 721 is carried by part 73 that is rigid with a small lever 72 rotatably mounted about shaft 77. Cam 70 acts, for its part, on pin 74 which, when not housed in hollow 75 of the cam, is shoved backward and closes the current in microswitch 78, which current actuates a switching mechanism and makes shutter 49 swing and brings it into the repeat reproduction position.

When the original, introduced into the apparatus, has traveled its circuit, it operates microswitch 48 which causes the current to pass into solenoid 76 and pull lever 73 which disengages pin 721.

The toothed wheel and cam which is rigidly connected with it are constantly pulled in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 6 by a spring, not shown. Pin 721 being disengaged, the toothed wheel turns in the direction indicated but its rotation is limited to the width of a notch, because the part 72 carries a pin 722 which, in turn, goes into a notch of the toothed zone and blocks it in this position.

When the original, continuing its travel and again starting a new reproduction circuit, escapes microswitch 48 and ceases acting on it, the current ceases passing into solenoid 76 and under the action of the spring, not shown, pin 721 solid with part 73, lodges in the following notch of the toothed wheel which frees, at the other end of part 72, pin 722 as it is drawn backward.

When the original makes its circuit for the last reproduction provided, pin 721' no longer encounters a notch but a full part of the toothed wheel. This latter, under the action of the spring which pulls it, turns until notch 75 of cam 70 comes opposite pin 74 which, pulled by a spring in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 6, lodges in the notch thus cutting off the current in the through switch 78 which would cause a swinging of shutter 49. This latter, under the influence of a spring which pulls it, then resumes the position of return of the original shown in solid lines in FIG. 1.

It can be seen that during all this time when toothed wheel 71 is held in position by pin 722, i.e., during which the original could be damaged by the untimely maneuver of shutter 49, such a maneuver is impossible.

The apparatus further includes an arrangement for circulation of the original. The original, which is introduced at 1 into the apparatus, follows the path shown by the phantom lines. It first comes in contact with microswitch 50 which puts into movement all the driving organs of the apparatus. Following its. path under the action of rollers 53, it comes in contact with microswitch 51 which causes the movement of a copy sheet 2. Following its path under the action of roller 54, the front edge of the original comes to 55 in the field of the optical system at the moment when the front edge of the copy sheet reaches 57 at the image formation station. The original leaves the field of the optical system at 56 and continues its travel under the action of rollers 45, then rollers 47.

On passing, it comes in contact with microswitch 48 which, when Y-shaped shutter 49 is in the repeat reproduction position, represented by broken lines in FIG. 1, causes, as has been described above, the escape from the indicator notch, not shown, which marks the number of reproductions to be made. In this case, the original is directed by rollers 47 to rollers 53 and starts a new circuit.

If shutter 49 is in the position shown by solid lines, whether only a single reproduction is being made or the desired number of reproductions having been made, shutter 49 returns to the initial position, the original following the path shown by phantom lines is received on a receiving tray 3.

The unit that has just been described of the circulation of the original constitutes an independent unit that can be made to operate on the outside of the apparatus for control purposes.

Between points 55 and 56 of its path, the original goes through field or image area 46 of the optical system in which a reflector 6 concentrates on it the rays of a light source 5.

The image of area 46 of the original, at a given instant, is formed at the imaging formation station of the image between 57 and 58 on the corresponding area. of the copy sheet, the image being formed by optical system 11 and mirror 19. The original and copy sheet move simultaneously so that the image of one given point of the original always forms at the same point of the copy sheet.

Ream 66 of copy sheets is arranged in a magazine 68. When the apparatus is in operating position, rollers 10 are in contact with the upper sheet of the ream on the edge of which rest paper control pins 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Contact of the original with microswitch 50 starts the driving organs of the apparatus, making rollers 10 turn which take oi? the top sheet of the ream, and, thanks to the paper control pins, only this top sheet, to bring it to on deflector 691 and introduce it between

rollers

271 and 272, at whose outlet it comes in contact with microswitch 52 which causes disengagement of its drive and stops it in this position.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the image of the original is made on the copy sheet in a known way, 'by formation on the latter of the image transmitted by the optical system when the original and copy sheet are both in movement; the area of the original being for a given instant in the field of the optical system is reproduced on the corresponding zone of the copy sheet, the two movements being performed in a speed ratio which corresponds to the determined scale of the optical system.

One of the improvements which is the object of the present invention, lies in an improved arrangement of the means which assure the simulteneous advance of the original and copy sheet to provide a high fidelity copy.

According to the invention, the copy sheet is brought beforehand to a determined point and put in motion at the precise moment that the original is at such a point that its front edge enters the field of the optical system. The front edge of the copy sheet, moving at a speed that is suitable to it, thereby reaches the point where it will receive the optical rays emitted by the front edge of the original and the copy sheet and original move in coincidence.

This result is attained by the combination, which constitutes one of the primary features of the present invention, of means that assure by their cooperation, the alignment of the front edge of the ream of copy sheets, feeding of the copy sheets one by one, stopping of the copy sheet in the starting position during use, putting it back in movement at the suitable moment to assure its passing simultaneously with that of the original, correct introduction of the copy sheet in the organ for charging by corona effect with elimination of static electricity with which it is charged on the back and finally travel toward its starting position of a new sheet of copy paper, while avoiding any overlapping with the preceding sheet.

The combination of the means used will be described with the aid of accompanying FIGS. 2 and 3 which illustrate a possible embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 representing such a device in the charging position, FIG. 3 representing the same device in operating position as a result of the lowering of the control rod 64 which is operated, for example, by hand, by closing of the cover of the apparatus or by any other means.

Ream 66 of sheets of paper is placed in a magazine made up of a bottom 68 and side edges 69. This magazine is made up of two parallel half elements which can be brought together or moved apart to adjust the width to that of the copy sizes used. The bottom is extended by a deflector 691 which directs the copy sheets toward driving

rollers

271 and 272 which bring the copy sheets, one by one, toward the corona charging device located immediately ahead. Deflector 691 includes two parallel notches, in the direction of the movement of the paper, shown by the arrow of FIG. 2. In these notches fit parallel pins 29 which in the charging position shown in FIG. 2 are in the high position and act as a stop so as to assure the perfect alignment of the front edge of the copy sheets perpendicularly to their direction of movement. On the upper end of these pins, in the high position rest two levers 67 pivotally connected at 60 on each of the side edges of magazine 69. These levers both carry paper control pins or fingers 38 which in the operating position rest on the side of the ream of copy sheets to keep the sheets in position and prevent more than one copy sheet from being distributed at a time.

In the charging position, levers 67 rest the ends of shaft 65 of rollers 10 which drives the copy sheets, this shaft being attached on supports 274 pivoted about the shaft of drive roller 27]. Finally, on these supports is arranged shaft 61 around which freely turns a metal brush 62 of light conductive material connected to the mass of the apparatus whose function is to eliminate the static electricity from the copy paper and to guide it between

rollers

271 and 272.

When, as a result of closing the cover or by any other starting means, control rod 64 is pulled downward, part 63, which is rigidly connected to pins 29, turn around its axis. The pins 29 turn and cause the lowering of levers 67 which rest on the end of these pins. The levers 67 lower until they are stopped in their travel by paper control pins or fingers 38 coming into position on the front ends of the ream at the side of copy paper. Lowering of these levers also engages rollers 10, whose shaft rests on these levers, and rollers 10 are driven to pass the copy sheet forward. Movement of rollers 10 downward stops when it rests on the ream of copy paper. Shaft 61 solid with sides 274 goes down at the same time as the rollers, the end of brush 62 resting in contact with deflector 691. It can be seen that the downward movement of rod 64 at the same time achieves the withdrawal of position pins 29, putting the drive rollers, paper control pins, and brush 62 in place.

Shaft 65, on which are attached drive rollers 10, is driven by a positive transmission from the shaft of roller 271, with the linear peripheral speed of rollers 10 being less than that of

drive rollers

271, 272. A slip clutch is placed in the transmission line to prevent braking of the sheets when they are held by both rollers 10 and

rollers

271, 272.

When the first sheet passes from under the drive rollers 10, they drive the next lower sheet from the ream but at a slower speed than the preceding one, an interval suitable for preventing the overlapping of two sheets being made between them.

According to the invention, the drive shaft of

rollers

271, 272, which by means of a positive transmission also causes the driving of rollers 10, is operated by means of a gear device, for example, an electromagnetic gearing, whose disengagement is caused by contact of the copy sheet with microswitch 52, its meshing by contact of the original with microswitch 51 (FIG. 1).

Coming of the original in contact with microswitch 51 re-engages rollers 27], 272 and makes the copy sheet go into corona charging organ 22, then to image

formation station

57, 58, so that the front edge of the copy sheet reaches 57 at the moment when the front edge of the original reaches point 55 and so that it reaches point 58 when the front edge of the original reaches point 56.

The corona charging organ and image formation station are put together in a single organ which prevents any electrostatic loss in the interval and improves the quality of the reproductions. The combination of these two organs further prevents any danger of intermediate jamming and differences in speed which could cause the formation of fuzzy or double images.

The positioning of optical system 11 and mirror 16 is so adjusted by design that it causes the formation of the image on the desired scale, smaller than, equal to, or larger than the original; the relative speed of the copy sheet in relation to the speed of the original is also adjusted by design in keeping with this scale. In a reproduction apparatus on a scale of l to 1, these two speeds will be equal and the distance from point 55 to point 56 will be equal to that from point 57 to point 58.

Regulation of the sharpness of the image is performed by the action of a single micrometric screw which assures the movement of the mirror, parallel to itself, in relation to the lens, the mirror and the lens being mounted for this purpose on a common support 16.

At the exit of the image formation station, the copy sheet following path 4, is carried by rollers 59, then by rollers 30. It goes through the development station 23 and fixing station 24 before reaching receiving box 25. In some apparatus, the development is assured by a powder developer according to any known device which lies outside the scope of the present invention. The copy sheet then goes into a known organ for fixing by heat. In other apparatus, the development is per formed by means of a liquid developer according to any known device. The copy sheet then goes into a standard type drying organ.

Iclaim:

l. Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus comprising means forming a first feed path for an original document to be copied including an image area; means forming a separate second feed path for an image receiving copy sheet including an imaging station; an optical system for projecting an image from said original document at said image area to said copy sheet at said imaging station; original document driving means for moving said original document along said first path and through said image area; supply means for supporting a supply of said copy sheets; supply roller means movable to engage said supply of copy sheets and move one of said copy sheets along said second path; copy sheet-driving rollers disposed in said second feed path upstream of said imaging station and spaced from said supply roller means to engage a single copy sheet simultaneously therewith; first switch means disposed in said first path adjacent and upstream of said image area; second switch means disposed in said second path adjacent said imaging station and between said copy sheet driving rollers and said imaging station; and means responsive to said first and second switch means for controlling said copy sheet driving rollers, said second switch means being actuated by the leading edge of said copy sheet to stop said copy sheet driving rollers and said first switch means being actuated by the leading edge of said original document to start said copy sheet driving rollers whereby the leading edge of said original document enters said image area simultaneously with the leading edge of said copy sheet entering said imaging station, said supply means including a tray to receive a ream of copy sheets and pivotally mounted pins operating to assure alignment of said copy sheets in said tray, pivoted lever means engaging said pins, paper control fingers mounted on said lever means engaging said copy sheets and maintaining alignment of said copy sheets when said pivotally mounted pins are pivoted out of engagement with said copy sheets in said tray, said paper control fingers preventing the feeding of several copy sheets simultaneously from the ream in said tray, and said supply roller means including supply rollers mounted on said levers and arranged upon downward pivotal movement of said levers to engage an upper sheet of the ream of copy sheets in said tray, said supply rollers being driven from said copy sheet driving rollers through a slip clutch.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said supply means includes a control rod for pivoting said pins away from said copy sheets and pivoting said lever means such that said paper control fingers and said supply rollers engage the ream of copy sheets in said tray.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said copy sheet driving rollers drive saidcopy sheet at a faster speed than said supply rollers.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim'3 wherein said supply means includes a metal brush of light, electrically conductive material disposed between said supply rollers and said copy sheet driving rollers and movable to engage said copy sheets to eliminate static electricity therefrom 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means defining said first path further defines a recycling portion and a return portion therein and includes shutter means for controlling the travel of said original document having a first position for directing said original document to said recycling portion of said first path to recycle said original document through said apparatus when it is desired to produce a plurality of copies and a second position for directing said original document to said return portion of said first path when the final of any desired number of copies is completed.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said shutter means is biased towards said second position and includes a switch, a cam operating said switch and electromagnetic means for overcoming said bias and positioning said shutter in said first position in response to the closing of an electrical circuit through said switch operated by said cam.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 and further comprising recycling control structure including a rotatably mounted spur gear rigidly connected with said cam and having gaps therein, a pivotally mounted L-shaped control memberhaving a pair of legs alternatively engaging the gaps of said spur gear, and means urging said spur gear in rotation with said legs by engagement with said gaps limiting the rotational movement of said spur gear to the distance of one gap.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said control structure includes a solenoid controlling the pivotal movement of said L-shaped member, said solenoid being controlled by a switch in said first path for said original document whereby said shutter means is fixed when said original document passes through a portion of said first path adjacent said shutter means.

Claims

1. Electrophotographic reproduction apparatus comprising means forming a first feed path for an original document to be copied including an image area; means forming a separate second feed path for an image receiving copy sheet including an imaging station; an optical system for projecting an image from said original documeNt at said image area to said copy sheet at said imaging station; original document driving means for moving said original document along said first path and through said image area; supply means for supporting a supply of said copy sheets; supply roller means movable to engage said supply of copy sheets and move one of said copy sheets along said second path; copy sheet driving rollers disposed in said second feed path upstream of said imaging station and spaced from said supply roller means to engage a single copy sheet simultaneously therewith; first switch means disposed in said first path adjacent and upstream of said image area; second switch means disposed in said second path adjacent said imaging station and between said copy sheet driving rollers and said imaging station; and means responsive to said first and second switch means for controlling said copy sheet driving rollers, said second switch means being actuated by the leading edge of said copy sheet to stop said copy sheet driving rollers and said first switch means being actuated by the leading edge of said original document to start said copy sheet driving rollers whereby the leading edge of said original document enters said image area simultaneously with the leading edge of said copy sheet entering said imaging station, said supply means including a tray to receive a ream of copy sheets and pivotally mounted pins operating to assure alignment of said copy sheets in said tray, pivoted lever means engaging said pins, paper control fingers mounted on said lever means engaging said copy sheets and maintaining alignment of said copy sheets when said pivotally mounted pins are pivoted out of engagement with said copy sheets in said tray, said paper control fingers preventing the feeding of several copy sheets simultaneously from the ream in said tray, and said supply roller means including supply rollers mounted on said levers and arranged upon downward pivotal movement of said levers to engage an upper sheet of the ream of copy sheets in said tray, said supply rollers being driven from said copy sheet driving rollers through a slip clutch.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said copy sheet driving rollers drive said copy sheet at a faster speed than said supply rollers.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said supply means includes a metal brush of light, electrically conductive material disposed between said supply rollers and said copy sheet driving rollers and movable to engage said copy sheets to eliminate static electricity therefrom.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means defining said first path further defines a recycling portion and a return portion therein and includes shutter means for controlling the travel of said original document having a first position for directing said original document to said recycling portion of said first path to recycle said original document through said apparatus when it is desired to produce a plurality of copies and a second position for directing said original document to said return portion of said first path when the final of any desired number of copies is completed.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 and further comprising recycling control structure including a rotatably mounted spur gear rigidly connected with said cam and having gaps therein, a pivotally mounted L-shaped control member hAving a pair of legs alternatively engaging the gaps of said spur gear, and means urging said spur gear in rotation with said legs by engagement with said gaps limiting the rotational movement of said spur gear to the distance of one gap.