COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Abstract

There is described a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image onto a transfer material by superimposing a plurality of unicolor toner images. The apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member onto which the plurality of unicolor toner images are successively transferred in such a manner that the plurality of unicolor toner images superimpose with each other, so as to form a full color toner image on the intermediate transfer member and a discharge section, in which a potential of the side plate is set at a polarity opposite to that of the grid electrode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of an overall configuration of a color image forming apparatus embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a main part of an color image forming apparatus embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a discharge section, embodied in the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a main part of a modified full color copier.

Claims

1. A color image forming apparatus for forming a color image onto a transfer material by superimposing a plurality of unicolor toner images, comprising: a plurality of image bearing members to form the plurality of unicolor toner images on the plurality of image bearing members, respectively;a plurality of primary transferring sections that correspond to the plurality of image bearing members to transfer the plurality of unicolor toner images formed on the plurality of image bearing members onto an intermediate transfer member so as to superimpose the plurality of unicolor toner images and form a full color toner image on the intermediate transfer member;a secondary transferring section to transfer the full color toner image, formed on the intermediate transfer member, onto the transfer material; anda discharge section provided between the plurality of primary transferring sections and the secondary transferring section to apply a bias voltage onto the full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer member;the discharge section being constituted by a scorotron discharger having a discharging electrode, a grid electrode and a side plate,wherein a first voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the full color toner image is applied to the discharging electrode, a second voltage having a polarity same as that of the full color toner image is applied to the grid electrode, and a third voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the full color toner image is applied to the side plate.

2. The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an opposing electrode that is disposed opposite to the scorotron discharger so as to the intermediate transfer member is provided between the opposing electrode and the scorotron discharger.

3. The color image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opposing electrode is mounted in such a manner that the opposing electrode face-contacts the intermediate transfer member.

4. The color image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge section is disposed at a position at which the intermediate transfer member is supported in a state of a flat plane.

5. The color image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the intermediate transfer member is shaped in an endless belt.

6. The color image forming apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of supporting rollers;wherein the intermediate transfer member is supported in a state of the flat plane at a section between the plurality of supporting rollers.