Image forming apparatus for forming a more uniform image

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• image forming means for forming a developer image on an image carrier;
• conveying means for conveying an image receiving member toward the image carrier;
• transfer means for supplying a transfer charge to the image receiving member conveyed by the conveying means and transferring the developer image formed on the image carrier to the image receiving member;
• a guide member for guiding the image receiving member conveyed by the conveying means toward the transfer means;
• separation means, arranged at the downstream side of the transfer means along the transfer direction of the image receiving member, for separating the image receiving member having the developer image transferred by the transfer means from the image carrier;
• applying means for applying a bias voltage of the same polarity as the transfer charge to the guide member;
• and
• control means for controlling the applying means so as to apply the bias voltage to the guide member at the time the image receiving member reaches the separation means when transferring the developer image onto the image receiving member by the transfer means.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a photosensitive drum including a drum surface, which is adapted to have a developer image formed thereon;
• a conveyor that conveys an image receiving member toward the drum surface;
• a transfer charger that supplies a transfer charge to the image receiving member and transfers the developer image to the image receiving member;
• a guide member provided between the conveyor and the transfer charger that guides the image receiving member from the conveyor to the transfer charger;
• a separation charger downstream from the transfer charger that supplies a separation charge to the image receiving member to separate the image receiving member from the drum surface;
• a guide bias voltage source that applies to the guide member a bias voltage having the same polarity as the transfer charger;
• and
• a controller that controls the guide bias voltage source such that the guide bias voltage source applies a first bias voltage to the guide member when a part of the image receiving member receives only the transfer charge and a remaining part of the image receiving member is on the guide member, and such that the guide bias voltage source applies a second bias voltage, which is larger than the first bias voltage, when a part of the imager receiving member receives both the transfer charge and the separation charge and a remaining part of the image receiving member is on the guide member.