| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can reduce image variations by reducing tendency of an endless belt such as an intermediate transfer belt even when the apparatus is not used for a long period of time, and can be made compact while enabling the cost thereof to be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; the endless belt laid across a plurality of support members in a tensioned condition; a transfer means for transferring an image on the image carrier to the endless belt or a recording medium held on the endless belt; and a contact separation means for bringing one of the endless belt or image carrier into contact with the other or separating it therefrom, wherein the endless belt (15) and the image carrier (1) are separated from each other when image formation is not carried out, and when image formation is carried out from such a separated state, the contact separation means 40 performs a contact operation for the endless belt and image carrier at least more than once before the transfer means (5) starts transfer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
