Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An image forming apparatus of the type transferring a toner image from a photoconductive element to a recording medium by way of an intermediate transfer belt is disclosed. Toner images of different colors are sequentially transferred from the photoconductive element to the intermediate transfer belt one above the other, forming a full-color image. When the full-color image is to be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to a paper or similar recording medium, a secondary transfer belt is brought into contact with the portion of the intermediate transfer belt contacting a secondary transfer roller. As a result, the secondary transfer belt deforms complementarily to the shape of the secondary transfer roller, forming a nip between it and the intermediate transfer belt. In this condition, the secondary transfer belt contacts the intermediate transfer belt evenly and prevents an excessive pressure from acting locally on the toner image existing on the intermediate transfer belt.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim