Image forming method and apparatus having a semiconductive intermediate transfer member

摘要

An image forming apparatus of such a type as is provided with a photosensitive member having a semi-conductive intermediate transfer member disposed opposite the photosensitive member. A charger electrically charges the photosensitive member. An exposure device forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member and developer visualizes the electrostatic latent image using toner identical in polarity to the photosensitive member. A primary transfer device transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer member by applying a bias opposite in polarity to the photosensitive member, and a secondary transfer apparatus transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material. An optical charge-eliminator optically removes the electrical charge from the photosensitive member. A contact charge-eliminator is provided between the optical charge-eliminator and the primary transfer device so as to completely eliminate the electric charge injected into the photosensitive member at the time of the primary transfer.