Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.
Image forming apparatus with mechanism capable of moving transfer device with respect to toner image carrier and image forming method for moving transfer device with respect to toner image carrier
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer device separator that moves a transfer device between a contact position and a first isolation position within a shortened time. At the contact position, the transfer device contacts a toner image carrier. At the first isolation position, the transfer device is isolated from the toner image carrier with a first interval therebetween. A controller controls the transfer device separator to move the transfer device to the contact position as first to third toner images and a blank section between the first toner image and the second toner image carried by the toner image carrier pass through a transfer region and to the first isolation position as a toner patch section between the first toner image and the second toner image carried by the toner image carrier passes through the transfer region.
Ricoh Company, Ltd
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inventional inventional additional additional additional inventional
Ken
Yoshida