Abstract:
In an electrostatographic copying machine in which a developed image on the surface of a reproducing member is transferred to a transfer sheet in contact with said image, a device is provided for detecting the undesired continued presence of the transfer sheet on the reproducing surface after the image has been transferred, said device including a power source for providing a current flow between an electrode and the reproducing surface at a point beyond the image transfer area and a switching circuit coupled to the electrode and power source for indicating a change in the current flow caused by the presence of the transfer sheet between the electrode and the surface, thereby indicating continued contact of the transfer sheet with the reproducing surface. The switching detector includes a light sealed photodetector light source unit which electrically isolates the current flow portion from the detector portion. The switching circuit can be used to discontinue the operation of the machine.