Abstract: An image forming apparatus effectively prevents scattering of a toner image transferred to an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus has an image carrier 1 on which a toner image T formed according to image data is held; an intermediate transfer belt 3 disposed facing the image carrier 1 and supported on so as to move circularly about plural rollers 2 with tension applied; a first bias transfer unit 4 for sequentially transferring a toner image T on image carrier 1 to intermediate transfer belt 3; and a second bias transfer unit 6 for batch transferring the toner image T on intermediate transfer belt 3 to a recording medium 5; and a potential holding unit 8 for holding the surface potential of the first contact member 7 at or above the charge potential of the back of intermediate transfer belt 3, and disposed to the contact member 7 first contacting the intermediate transfer belt 3 after it passes the first bias transfer unit 4.

Abstract: In a recording sheet conveying device comprising: a dielectric sheet which moves at a predetermined speed while electrostatically retaining a recording sheet on the outer surface thereof; a charger positioned on the side of the inner surface of the dielectric sheet, to induce electrostatic attraction forces between the dielectric sheet and the recording sheet; and a deflector roll having an electrically conductive layer as an outer surface thereof, the deflector roll being confronted with the charger and adapted to push the recording sheet against the dielectric sheet, the number of electric charges provided by the charger is so adjusted that electrostatic attraction forces acting on the rear end portion of the recording sheet are weaker than those acting on the front end portion of the recording sheet, whereby the recording sheet is prevented from being wrinkled when electrostatically retained on the dielectric sheet.