Electrophotographic copying apparatus for the production of multiple copies from a single latent electrostatic image

In an electrophotographic copying apparatus of the type having at least

• latent electrostatic image formation means for forming a latent electrostatic image by charging a photoconductor and exposing said photoconductor to an image of an original;
• development means for developing the latent electrostatic image with a developer;
• image transfer means for transferring a developed image to a recording medium;
• and
• cleaning means for cleaning said photoconductor;
• wherein a plurality of copies can be made from the same latent electrostatic image formed by said latent electrostatic image formation means, the improvement comprising:
• first means for setting selectively a maximum number of copies N.sub.M to be obtained from the same latent image within a number of copies practically obtainable from the same latent image, and producing a signal in accordance therewith;
• second means for setting selectively the total number of copies N.sub.p to be obtained from the same original and producing a signal in accordance therewith;
• first regulating means for making both said cleaning means and said latent electrostatic image formation means inoperative during the period of time from the formation of the first copy to the formation of the final copy from the same latent image in response to said signals produced by said first and second means and for generating an operational signal at the formation of the final copy from the same latent image;
• and
• second regulating means for actuating at least said cleaning means and said latent electrostatic image formation means, in response to each of said operational signals from said first regulating means, until the number of copies set by said second means are obtained from the original.