Image forming method and apparatus which controls the discharging of toner images before transfer

U.S. Patent Number: 5729808

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner images are sequentially formed on an image carrier by toner of a plurality of colors. The toner images of different colors are sequentially transferred to a single transfer member one above the other to complete a color image. According to the number of colors that are to be transferred to the transfer member one above the other, the toner images on the image carrier are controllably discharged before the images are transferred to the transfer member. In addition, the toner images on the image carrier are controllably discharged according to whether the image originates from a computer or scanner.

Inventors: Bisaiji; Takashi (Yokohama, JP)

Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)

Application Number: 08/533,749

Issued: 1998-03-17

Expired: 2006-03-17

Classes: 399/296

Field of search: 355/272,273,275,326R,327 399/296,45,127,128

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