Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer member that rotates to transfer an image held on an image carrier to a medium; an opposing member opposing the transfer member and forming, between the opposing member and the transfer member, a transfer area for an image to be transferred; a recovery member disposed in contact with the transfer member to electrically attract and recover an adherent adhering to the transfer member; and a bias-voltage applicating device that applies a transfer bias voltage to the transfer area via the recovery member, the transfer member, and the opposing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming part that forms an image on one surface of a recording material; and a second image forming part provided at an upper side of the first image forming part in a gravitational direction, the second image forming part that transports the recording material received from the first image forming part such that the one surface faces downward in the gravitational direction and that forms an image on the one surface from a lower side in the gravitational direction.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes pre-transfer sheet-transport rollers that transport a sheet to a transfer position at which an unfixed image is transferred, the pre-transfer sheet-transport rollers including a first roller in which three or more separate rollers attached to a first shaft rotate, and a second roller in which three or more separate rollers attached to a second shaft are in contact with the separate rollers of the first roller and rotate. The hardness of an inner separate roller of the first roller is lower than the hardness of end separate rollers of the first roller. The outside diameter of an inner separate roller of the second roller is greater than the outside diameter of end separate rollers of the second roller.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes pre-transfer sheet-transport rollers that transport a sheet to a transfer position at which an unfixed image is transferred, the pre-transfer sheet-transport rollers including a first roller in which three or more separate rollers attached to a first shaft rotate, and a second roller in which three or more separate rollers attached to a second shaft are in contact with the separate rollers of the first roller and rotate. The hardness of an inner separate roller of the first roller is lower than the hardness of end separate rollers of the first roller. The outside diameter of an inner separate roller of the second roller is greater than the outside diameter of end separate rollers of the second roller.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a first transport device, a second transport device, a first guide member, and a second guide member. The first transport device transports a sheet. The second transport device is disposed downstream of the first transport device in a transport direction and transports the sheet. The first guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the second transport device is closer to the first guide member than the first transport device and guides the sheet to the second transport device. The second guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the first transport device is closer to the second guide member than the second transport device and guides the sheet to the first guide member while curving the sheet.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heating rotary member, a pressure rotary member, and a guide member. The heating rotary member is rotated while being heated by the heater. The pressure rotary member is in pressure contact with part of an outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member so as to be rotated and so as to form a pressure contact portion which allows a recording medium to pass therethrough. The guide member has a guide portion which guides a leading end of the recording medium toward part of the outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member. The guide portion has a guide ending portion having a central portion and left and right end portions in a direction parallel to a rotational axis direction of the heating rotary member. The central portion is recessed relative to the left and right end portions.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heating roller, a pressure rotary member, and guide member. The heating roller has an outer circumferential surface, has a center and one and another ends in a rotational axis direction thereof, and is rotated while being heated. The pressure rotary member is in pressure contact with part of the outer circumferential surface of the heating roller extending in an axial direction of the heating roller so as to be rotated while forming a pressure contact portion which allows a recording medium bearing an unfixed image to be introduced thereinto and pass therethrough. The guide member guides a leading end of the recording medium toward part of the outer circumferential surface of the heating roller approaching the pressure contact portion. An outer diameter of the heating roller gradually reduces from the center toward the one and the other ends.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heating rotary member, a pressure rotary member, and a guide member. The heating rotary member is rotated while being heated by the heater. The pressure rotary member is in pressure contact with part of an outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member so as to be rotated and so as to form a pressure contact portion which allows a recording medium to pass therethrough. The guide member has a guide portion which guides a leading end of the recording medium toward part of the outer circumferential surface of the heating rotary member. The guide portion has a guide ending portion having a central portion and left and right end portions in a direction parallel to a rotational axis direction of the heating rotary member. The central portion is recessed relative to the left and right end portions.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a first transport device, a second transport device, a first guide member, and a second guide member. The first transport device transports a sheet. The second transport device is disposed downstream of the first transport device in a transport direction and transports the sheet. The first guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the second transport device is closer to the first guide member than the first transport device and guides the sheet to the second transport device. The second guide member is disposed between the first and second transport device such that the first transport device is closer to the second guide member than the second transport device and guides the sheet to the first guide member while curving the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device, a fixing device, an introduction guide member that introduces the leading edge of a recording medium to the fixing device, and a contact guide member that causes the leading edge of the recording medium to contact the introduction guide member. The contact guide member has a first guide part and a second guide part. The first guide part causes the leading edge of a first recording medium, which includes a recording medium of a double-sheet structure, to contact the introduction guide member at a first contact angle. The second guide part causes the leading edge of a second recording medium, which has a feed width greater than the passage width of the first guide part, to contact the introduction guide member at a second contact angle. The first contact angle is greater than the second contact angle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device, a fixing device, an introduction guide member that introduces the leading edge of a recording medium to the fixing device, and a contact guide member that causes the leading edge of the recording medium to contact the introduction guide member. The contact guide member has a first guide part and a second guide part. The first guide part causes the leading edge of a first recording medium, which includes a recording medium of a double-sheet structure, to contact the introduction guide member at a first contact angle. The second guide part causes the leading edge of a second recording medium, which has a feed width greater than the passage width of the first guide part, to contact the introduction guide member at a second contact angle. The first contact angle is greater than the second contact angle.