| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which carries out both reduction in material cost and productivity while preventing occurrence of needless toner consumption when paper runs out. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoreceptor drums 2; a rotational transfer belt 9; a paper transfer unit 8 which is arranged more on the downstream side than a photoreceptor drum 2d on the most downstream side; a storing means 14 for the paper; and a toner image transporting path K3 extending from a toner image transferring position of the most downstream side photoreceptor drum 2d to the paper transfer unit 8, which is longer than paper supplying paths K1 and K2 extending from a leading tip of the paper which is stored in the top most position in the storing means 14 to the paper transfer unit 8. In addition, a transferring action for a toner image precedes a transporting action of paper in the image forming apparatus. The storing means 14 includes a main hopper 13 and an auxiliary hopper 12 arranged so that a paper supplying path is shorter than in the main hopper 13 by a prescribed length or more. Furthermore, a detection means for detecting the existence of the paper in the main hopper 13 and a hopper switching means for carrying out paper supply from the auxiliary hopper 12 when paper runs out are provided. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
