Abstract: A positioning device to control the position of a print agent applicator comprises a mount to support a print agent applicator at a load point on the mount; an actuator coupled to the mount to apply a driving force at an actuation point on the mount; and a guide mechanism to guide the mount and supported print agent applicator, under the driving force, to translate along a predetermined path towards a printing drum to form an engaging contact between the print agent applicator and the printing drum.

Abstract: A transfer device includes: a transfer drum that has a groove-like recess extending in an axial direction in an outer circumferential portion thereof, rotates about an axis thereof, and comes into contact with a medium being transported at a portion thereof on an upstream side of the recess in a rotation direction; a nip member, the nip member and the transfer drum forming therebetween a nip part where the medium is nipped; an application member that applies a voltage to the nip part where the medium is nipped, so that an image is transferred to the medium; and a contact mechanism that causes the nip member to come into contact only with a portion on the upstream side of the recess in the transfer drum in the rotation direction at a transfer-start time when the transfer of the image to the medium starts.

Abstract: An image recording device, including: a first sheet conveying path; a recording portion to record an image on a sheet; a first roller pair to convey the sheet in a first direction; a second sheet conveying path; a path changing portion; a second roller pair to convey the sheet in a second direction; a third roller pair to convey, to the first path, the sheet that has been conveyed to the second conveying path; and a control portion to control a sheet conveyance rate by the second roller pair to be higher than that by the third roller pair, whereby a part of the sheet between the second and third roller pairs is slacked for separating, from the second roller pair, a trailing end of the sheet before a leading end thereof reaches a position where the leading end is opposed to the recording portion in the first conveying path.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A paper stripping member is removably supported by a supporting member disposed facing a circumferential surface of a photoreceptor drum, and strips a paper sheet off the circumferential surface. The paper stripping member includes an acute-shaped stripping nail, a holding member and a cover member. The holding member is configured removably from the supporting member, and holds the stripping nail in such a manner that the stripping nail extends toward the circumferential surface. The cover member is configured removably from the holding member, and covers at least part of the stripping nail in the extending direction of the stripping nail in a state where the cover member is attached to the holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a transfer member, a leading-end holding member, and a trailing-end holding member. The leading-end holding member is mounted on the transfer member and holds, on an outer peripheral surface of the transfer member, a leading-end portion of a recording medium fed to a sheet feeding position that is further upstream than a transfer position in a rotation direction of the transfer member. The trailing-end holding member rotates along the outer peripheral surface. The trailing-end holding member presses the recording medium against the outer peripheral surface while waiting at a waiting position that is further upstream than the transfer position and downstream than the sheet feeding position, and holds a trailing end portion on the outer peripheral surface while rotating together with the transfer member when the trailing end portion of the recording medium arrives at the waiting position.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus useful for printing includes a first roll, a belt including an inner surface and an outer surface, the first roll and the outer surface of the belt forming a nip, and a stripping member located internal to the belt. The stripping member includes a first needle bearing, wherein the first needle bearing contacts with the inner surface of the belt to facilitate stripping of media fed to the nip from the outer surface of the belt.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer body that transports a recording medium to a transfer position to transfer toner images to the recording medium; a leading-end gripping member that grips a leading-end portion of the recording medium when causing the recording medium to be wrapped around the transfer body and releases the leading-end portion when causing the recording medium that has been wrapped around the transfer body to become separated from the transfer body; and a moving member that moves, after a final toner image starts being transferred to the recording medium but before the leading-end gripping member releases the leading-end portion, the leading-end gripping member while the leading-end gripping member grips the leading-end portion in order to cause a leading-end side of the recording medium to become separated from the transfer body.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a transfer roller having a recessed portion in a circumferential surface; a driving portion for rotatably driving the transfer roller; an image carrier belt for carrying an image; a tension roller around which the image carrier belt is wound for making contact with the transfer roller interposed by the image carrier belt; a biasing portion for biasing the tension roller towards the transfer roller; and a position-regulating portion that, when the transfer roller rotates and the transfer roller and the image carrier belt make contact, causes a position to be maintained at which the image carrier belt wound around the tension roller intersects a virtual circumferential surface that is an extension of the circumferential surface of the transfer roller into the recessed portion.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the following inequalities (1) and (2) are satisfied: (L1?L3)×(V2/V1)<L2??(1) L2<(L1?L3+L4)×(V2/V1)??(2) where L1 denotes a peripheral length of an image carrier from an exposure position to a transfer position, L2 denotes a peripheral length of a transfer member from a gripping position to the transfer position, L3 denotes a length of a leading-end margin, L4 denotes a peripheral length of the transfer member, when recording media having a maximum transportable size are wrapped around the transfer member, between a trailing end of an image region of the first recording medium and a leading end of an image region of the second recording medium, V1 denotes a peripheral velocity of the image carrier, and V2 denotes a peripheral velocity of the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that is rotatably arranged and carries an image on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a transfer member that is rotatably arranged to face the image carrier and transfers the image carried on the image carrier onto a sheet held between the transfer member and the image carrier; a leading edge gripping member that is secured to the transfer member and grips a leading edge side of the sheet in a transport direction thereof on an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member; and a trailing edge holding member that is arranged to be rotatable around the transfer member, holds a trailing edge side of the sheet in the transport direction thereof between the trailing edge holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, and bends to release the trailing edge side of the sheet in the transport direction thereof.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes an image carrier belt, a roller, a transfer material transporting member, and a transfer roller. The image carrier belt carries an image. The transfer material transporting member transports a transfer material. The transfer roller transfers the image to the transfer material at a nip. The transfer roller includes a concaved portion formed on a peripheral surface thereof and a transfer material gripping portion that grips the transfer material in the concaved portion. The transfer roller is in contact with the roller via the image carrier belt. A first interaxial distance between a rotation axis of the transfer roller and a rotation axis of the roller as the transfer material is gripped is larger than a second interaxial distance between the rotation axis of the transfer roller and the rotation axis of the roller as the image is being transferred onto the transfer material at the nip.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer body that transports a recording medium to a transfer position to transfer toner images to the recording medium; a leading-end gripping member that grips a leading-end portion of the recording medium when causing the recording medium to be wrapped around the transfer body and releases the leading-end portion when causing the recording medium that has been wrapped around the transfer body to become separated from the transfer body; and a moving member that moves, after a final toner image starts being transferred to the recording medium but before the leading-end gripping member releases the leading-end portion, the leading-end gripping member while the leading-end gripping member grips the leading-end portion in order to cause a leading-end side of the recording medium to become separated from the transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a leading end holding member, a trailing end holding member, a detection unit, and a stopping unit. The trailing end holding member is disposed so as to be rotatable around the transfer member such that a gap is formed between the trailing end holding member and the transfer member. The trailing end holding member holds a trailing end of the recording medium after a leading end of the recording medium held by the leading end holding member has passed through the gap. The detection unit detects whether the leading end of the recording medium passes through the gap after the leading end holding member performed a holding operation on the leading end. The stopping unit stops rotation of the transfer member when the detection unit detects that the leading end does not pass through the gap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a developer image, a recording-medium transporting member that includes a holding portion that holds a leading end of a recording medium wrapped around the recording-medium transporting member, a retaining portion that switches between a state in which the retaining portion retains a trailing end portion of the recording medium and a state in which the retaining portion does not retain the trailing end portion, a position adjusting unit that adjusts the position at which the retaining portion retains the trailing end portion, a transfer unit that transfers the developer image onto the recording medium, a determination unit that determines a thickness of the recording medium, and a control unit that causes the retaining portion to retain the trailing end portion at a position adjusted by the position adjusting unit in accordance with the thickness of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer body; a leading-end gripping member that grips a leading-end portion of the recording medium when the recording medium is transported and that releases the leading-end portion when the recording medium to which a final toner image starts being transferred is separated from the transfer body; and a controller that controls a peripheral velocity of the transfer body and a peripheral velocity of the image carrier to change a ratio between the peripheral velocity of the transfer body and the peripheral velocity of the image carrier from a first ratio for transferring a toner image that precedes the final toner image to the recording medium to a second ratio for transferring the final toner image to the recording medium by making the peripheral velocity of the transfer body higher than the peripheral velocity of the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer body transporting a recording medium to a transfer position multiple times in order to sequentially transfer toner images formed on a surface of the image carrier to the recording medium, a trailing-end restricting member that is movable relative to the transfer body in a circumferential direction of the transfer body, the trailing-end restricting member rotating together with the transfer body when restricting a position of a trailing end portion of the recording medium wrapped around the transfer body, a driving member that rotates the transfer body, and a transmitting device that transmits a rotary force, with which the driving member rotates the transfer body, to the trailing-end restricting member when the trailing-end restricting member is rotated together with the transfer body.

Abstract: A recording-medium transporting body includes a cylindrical portion, a contact unit, and a holding portion. The cylindrical portion has a cut portion in an outer peripheral surface thereof and allows a recording medium to be wrapped around the outer peripheral surface. The contact unit is provided in the cut portion and includes first and second contact portions having first and second coefficients of friction with respect to the recording medium, the second coefficient of friction being higher than the first coefficient of friction. A leading end of the recording medium comes into contact with the first contact portion before coming into contact with the second contact portion. The holding portion holds the recording medium between the contact unit and the holding portion.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the following inequalities (1) and (2) are satisfied: (L1?L3)×(V2/V1)<L2??(1) L2<(L1?L3+L4)×(V2/V1)??(2) where L1 denotes a peripheral length of an image carrier from an exposure position to a transfer position, L2 denotes a peripheral length of a transfer member from a gripping position to the transfer position, L3 denotes a length of a leading-end margin, L4 denotes a peripheral length of the transfer member, when recording media having a maximum transportable size are wrapped around the transfer member, between a trailing end of an image region of the first recording medium and a leading end of an image region of the second recording medium, V1 denotes a peripheral velocity of the image carrier, and V2 denotes a peripheral velocity of the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer body, an elastic layer, a gripper, and a pressing member. The gripper is located in a cutout region in which a cutout is formed. The gripper grips a leading end portion of the recording medium wrapped around the transfer body and releases the leading end portion that is to be separated from the transfer body. At least part of the pressing member is located closer to a trailing-end side of the recording medium than the gripper. The pressing member presses a leading end side of the recording medium, whose leading end portion is gripped by the leading-end gripper, against the elastic layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a transfer body; a leading-end holding member that holds a leading-end portion of the recording medium so that the recording medium is wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of the transfer body; a trailing-end holding member that is movable in a circumferential direction of the transfer body, the trailing-end holding member holding a trailing-end portion of the recording medium wrapped around the transfer body such that the trailing-end portion lies along the outer circumferential surface of the transfer body by bringing a holding surface of the trailing-end holding member into contact with the trailing-end portion; and a cleaning portion that contacts the holding surface of the trailing-end holding member, which moves relative to the transfer body, in order to clean the holding surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a leading end holding member, a trailing end holding member, and a movement mechanism. The trailing end holding member is disposed at a standby position such that there is a space between the trailing end holding member and the transfer member. The trailing end holding member is rotatable around the transfer member along a rotation path on which the standby position is located. In a multiple transfer operation, the trailing end holding member holds a trailing end of the recording medium after a leading end of the recording medium held by the leading end holding member has passed through the space. In a single transfer operation, the movement mechanism moves the trailing end holding member from the standby position to a position that is not on a transport path of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier on which a latent image is formed, a developer carrier being in contact with the latent image carrier and configured to develop the latent image by using a liquid developer that contains toner and a carrier liquid, an image carrier belt being in contact with the latent image carrier, where the latent image carrier is configured to transfer the latent image onto an area of the image carrier belt, a transfer roller including a concave section on a circumferential surface thereof and a sheet member being configured on a part of the circumferential surface other than where the concave section is wherein the transfer roller is configured to transfer the latent image onto a transfer material, and a control unit being configured to control the area of the image carrier belt being in contact with the sheet member via the transfer material.

Abstract: An image forming method includes transferring images carried by an image carrier to a transfer material by a transfer roller coming in contact with the image carrier via the transfer material, the transfer roller having a concaved portion in its circumferential surface and contacting with or being separated from the image carrier due to its rotation, separating the transfer roller from the image carrier by the rotation of the transfer roller after transferring the images to the transfer material, stopping the transfer roller in a state where the transfer roller is separated from the image carrier, and moving the image carrier and cleaning the image carrier using a cleaning member while the transfer roller is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that is rotatable; a transfer member that is rotatably disposed so as to face the image carrier, the transfer member transferring an image carried by the image carrier to a sheet; a leading end gripping member that is attached to the transfer member, the leading end gripping member gripping a leading end of the sheet in the transport direction on an outer peripheral surface of the transfer member; a trailing end holding member that holds a trailing end of the sheet in the transport direction between the trailing end holding member and the outer peripheral surface of the transfer member; and a controller that changes a distance between the leading end gripping member and the trailing end holding member when holding the sheet on the basis of a length of the sheet in the transport direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a belt-shaped image carrier configured to carry an image; a first imaging unit configured to transfer a first image to the image carrier; a second imaging unit configured to transfer a second image to the image carrier on which the first image is transferred by the first imaging unit; a drive roller configured to circulate the image carrier by winding the image carrier thereon; a roller on which the image carrier is wound; a transfer roller having a concaved portion on part of a circumferential surface thereof which comes into abutment with the image carrier wound around the roller via a recording material; a drive unit configured to drive the transfer roller; and a gripping portion disposed in the concaved portion and configured to grip the recording material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member that bears an image; and a transfer roller, having a concave portion in its circumferential surface and rotating central to a rotational axis, whose circumferential surface aside from the concave portion makes contact with the image bearing member and transfers the image onto a recording material. The circumferential surface of the transfer roller aside from the concave portion makes contact the image bearing member due to rotation of the transfer roller while the rotational axis of the transfer roller moves away from the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member, a gripper that grips a leading end portion of a recording medium, and a restraining portion that is disposed so as to face an outer peripheral surface of the transfer member and that is movable relative to the transfer member. The restraining member restrains a trailing end portion of the recording medium that is gripped by the gripper from rising. The restraining portion has widths in a rotational axis direction of the transfer member and in a transport direction of the recording medium and is capable of facing the recording medium in a faceable region, and a part of the faceable region over which the restraining portion faces the trailing end portion of the recording medium is larger than a part of the faceable region over which the restraining member does not face the trailing end portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer roller, a transfer roller position detector and a controller. The transfer roller includes a concaved portion formed on a circumferential surface thereof with the concaved portion having a width in the circumferential direction larger than a width of a transfer nip formation area formed between the image carrier and the transfer roller in the circumferential direction. The transfer roller includes an elastic member disposed on the circumferential surface thereof. The transfer roller position detector is configured and arranged to detect a rotational position of the transfer roller. The controller is configured to stop rotation of the transfer roller in a state in which the concaved portion is located at the transfer nip formation area on the basis of the rotational position of the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a transfer member, a leading-end holding member, and a trailing-end holding member. The leading-end holding member is mounted on the transfer member and holds, on an outer peripheral surface of the transfer member, a leading-end portion of a recording medium fed to a sheet feeding position that is further upstream than a transfer position in a rotation direction of the transfer member. The trailing-end holding member rotates along the outer peripheral surface. The trailing-end holding member presses the recording medium against the outer peripheral surface while waiting at a waiting position that is further upstream than the transfer position and downstream than the sheet feeding position, and holds a trailing end portion on the outer peripheral surface while rotating together with the transfer member when the trailing end portion of the recording medium arrives at the waiting position.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt to which an image is transferred; a belt tension roller having a shaft, around which the transfer belt is looped; a transfer roller that includes a shaft and a recessed portion in an axial direction and faces the belt tension roller by pinching the transfer belt; a first abutting member arranged in the shaft of the transfer roller; and a second abutting member that is arranged on the shaft of the belt tension roller and abuts on the first abutting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier which carries an image and a transfer roller including a roller base material which faces the image carrier and rotates. A concave portion is positioned on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. A grip unit on the concave portion grips a recording medium. An elastic layer is disposed on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. The transfer roller passes the recording medium through a nip between the image carrier and the elastic layer which comes into contact with the image carrier via the image carrier and the recording medium to transfer the image carried on the image carrier onto the recording medium. A roller driving unit rotates the roller base material. A control unit controls the roller driving unit and causes the concave portion to face the image carrier to stop the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer member that transfers an image onto a recording medium; a leading-end holding member that holds a leading-end side of the recording medium, which is fed to the transfer member, between the leading-end holding member and an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to restrict displacement of the recording medium and to restrict movement of the recording medium in a direction away from the transfer member; and a rear-end holding member that holds a rear-end side of the recording medium, in the transporting direction thereof, between the rear-end holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to allow displacement of the recording medium in the transporting direction and to restrict movement of the recording medium in the direction away from the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming method includes: feeding a transfer material to a transfer portion by gate rollers; contacting the transfer material with a transfer material grip member that is disposed on a transfer roller; holding the transfer material on an elastic holding portion which holds the transfer material disposed on the circumference surface of the transfer roller; transferring the transfer material held by the holding portion; and transferring an image at the transfer portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer roller that has a gripping member that grips a transfer medium; and a transfer medium transport section that has a transfer medium transport surface that sucks the transfer medium upward in a vertical direction and a contact member that contact with the transfer medium, wherein a first position where the transfer medium starts to be sucked, a second position where the transfer medium is released from the gripping member, and a third position where the transfer medium is separated from the image carrier are disposed at positions having the relationship of L<L1+L2, wherein L is the distance between the third position and the first position, L1 is the distance between the third position and the second position, and L2 is the distance between the second position and the first position.

Abstract: An image-forming device comprising: an image-carrier belt that carries an image; a belt-driving roller that causes the image-carrier belt to move, the image-carrier belt being engaged around the belt-driving roller; a tension roller that applies a tension to the image-carrier belt, the image-carrier belt being engaged around the tension roller; a transfer roller having a concaved portion and a gripper, the transfer roller coming into contact with the tension roller interposed by the image-carrier belt, and transferring the image that is carried by the image-carrier belt onto the transfer material; a contacting/diverging part that causes the tension roller to move and that causes the transfer roller and the image-carrier belt to come into contact with or diverge from one another; a delivery part that delivers the transfer material that is gripped by the gripper; and a support member that pivotally supports the transfer roller and supports the delivery part.

Abstract: A transfer device includes an image carrier that carries an image and a transfer roller having a recessed section, a transfer medium gripping member that is disposed in the recessed section and grips a transfer medium, and an elastic member that forms a transfer nip by abutting upon the image carrier, the transfer roller transferring the image carried by the image carrier to the transfer medium by abutting upon the image carrier. The transfer medium gripping member grips the transfer medium when the recessed section moves to a position of the transfer nip and the image carrier and the transfer roller do not contact to each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that is rotatably arranged and carries an image on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a transfer member that is rotatably arranged to face the image carrier and transfers the image carried on the image carrier onto a sheet held between the transfer member and the image carrier; a leading edge gripping member that is secured to the transfer member and grips a leading edge side of the sheet in a transport direction thereof on an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member; and a trailing edge holding member that is arranged to be rotatable around the transfer member, holds a trailing edge side of the sheet in the transport direction thereof between the trailing edge holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, and bends to release the trailing edge side of the sheet in the transport direction thereof.

Abstract: A transfer device including a transfer roller including a roller base member which opposes an image carrier carrying an image, the transfer device rotates about an axis of rotation, and has a concaved portion on an outer circumference thereof and is configured to transfer the image carried by the image carrier to a recording medium when the concaved portion is not opposed to the image carrier, the device also including a pressing portion configured to press the transfer roller to the image carrier, and a contact portion provided at either end of the transfer roller, wherein the contact portion includes an outer circumference which comes into contact with a supporting portion disposed on a drive transmitting portion configured to transmit a drive to the image carrier while the concaved portion opposes the image carrier, and an elastic member is provided on the outer circumference of the contact portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes: an image carrier that carries an image; a transfer roller that includes a gripping member, and transfers the image to the transfer medium; a suction guide portion that includes a suction unit, and suctions and guides the transfer medium transferred the image, vertically upward with a plane transferred the image of the transfer medium being directed vertically downward; and a transfer medium transporting section that includes a suction member and transports the transfer medium while suctioning the transfer medium by the suction member, the transfer medium transporting section being configured such that a position of starting to suction the transfer medium is arranged at a position having a predetermined relationship with respect to a position of releasing the transfer medium from the gripping member and a position at which the image carrier is separated from the transfer medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier that carries an image; a transfer roller having a transfer material-gripping member that grips a transfer material, the transfer roller transferring the image carried by the image carrier to the transfer material; a transfer material-transporting belt that transports the transfer material onto which the image has been transferred while subjecting the transfer material to suction; a fixing section that fixes the transferred image on the transported transfer material; and a transfer material-guiding section having a guiding surface that guides the transported transfer material to the fixing section, the guiding surface being disposed in a direction in which the transfer material is sucked onto the transfer material-transporting belt relative to a transfer material-transporting surface of the transfer material-transporting belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt to which an image is transferred; a belt tension roller around which the transfer belt is looped; a transfer roller that includes a shaft and a recessed portion which is formed in an axial direction of the transfer roller and has a first edge formed in an opening edge in one side of a rotation direction of the transfer roller and a second edge formed in an opening edge in the other side opposite to the one side; and a support member that is arranged in the shaft of the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer member transfers the image carried on the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier onto a recording medium; a holding member that holds, on an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, the recording medium fed to the transfer member; and a control unit that performs control so that in first image formation operation in which images of plural colors carried by the image carrier are sequentially transferred onto a single recording medium one color at a time, the holding member holds the recording medium on the transfer member, and in second image formation operation in which an image of a single color carried by the image carrier is transferred onto a single recording medium, the holding member does not hold, the recording medium on the transfer member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a transfer roller having a recessed portion in a circumferential surface; a driving portion for rotatably driving the transfer roller; an image carrier belt for carrying an image; a tension roller around which the image carrier belt is wound for making contact with the transfer roller interposed by the image carrier belt; a biasing portion for biasing the tension roller towards the transfer roller; and a position-regulating portion that, when the transfer roller rotates and the transfer roller and the image carrier belt make contact, causes a position to be maintained at which the image carrier belt wound around the tension roller intersects a virtual circumferential surface that is an extension of the circumferential surface of the transfer roller into the recessed portion.

Abstract: An image-forming device comprising: an image-carrier belt that carries an image; a belt-driving roller that causes the image-carrier belt to move, the image-carrier belt being engaged around the belt-driving roller; a tension roller that applies a tension to the image-carrier belt, the image-carrier belt being engaged around the tension roller; a transfer roller having a concaved portion and a gripper, the transfer roller coming into contact with the tension roller interposed by the image-carrier belt, and transferring the image that is carried by the image-carrier belt onto the transfer material; a contacting/diverging part that causes the tension roller to move and that causes the transfer roller and the image-carrier belt to come into contact with or diverge from one another; a delivery part that delivers the transfer material that is gripped by the gripper; and a support member that pivotally supports the transfer roller and supports the delivery part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that is rotatable; a transfer member that is rotatably disposed so as to face the image carrier, the transfer member transferring an image carried by the image carrier to a sheet; a leading end gripping member that is attached to the transfer member, the leading end gripping member gripping a leading end of the sheet in the transport direction on an outer peripheral surface of the transfer member; a trailing end holding member that holds a trailing end of the sheet in the transport direction between the trailing end holding member and the outer peripheral surface of the transfer member; and a controller that changes a distance between the leading end gripping member and the trailing end holding member when holding the sheet on the basis of a length of the sheet in the transport direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer member that transfers an image onto a recording medium; a leading-end holding member that holds a leading-end side of the recording medium, which is fed to the transfer member, between the leading-end holding member and an outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to restrict displacement of the recording medium and to restrict movement of the recording medium in a direction away from the transfer member; and a rear-end holding member that holds a rear-end side of the recording medium, in the transporting direction thereof, between the rear-end holding member and the outer circumferential surface of the transfer member, in such a way to allow displacement of the recording medium in the transporting direction and to restrict movement of the recording medium in the direction away from the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image carrier for carrying an image; a transfer roller including a holder member that holds a transfer material, a groove portion in which the holder member is disposed, and an elastic member disposed over the transfer roller except a portion where the groove portion is disposed, the elastic member of the transfer roller is pressed onto the image carrier to transfer an image from the image carrier onto the transfer material; and a gate roller for transporting the transfer material to the holder member, wherein a circumferential velocity v1 (mm/sec) of the elastic member of the transfer roller is lower than a moving speed v2 (mm/sec) of the transfer material transported by the gate roller.