Patent ID: 7228088

Claim:
A color image forming apparatus for forming color images including a first color toner image and a second color toner image which is differing from the first color, comprising: first image forming means provided with developing means for performing developing and simultaneous cleaning for an electrostatic latent image formed on a first image carrier to form the first color toner image; second image forming means provided with developing means for performing developing and simultaneous cleaning for an electrostatic latent image formed on a second image carrier to form the second color toner image; first transfer means for transferring the first color toner image formed on the first image carrier by the first image forming means onto a recording medium, the first transfer means including a first conveying means for conveying the recording medium to the first image forming means; second transfer means for transferring the second color toner image formed on the second image carrier by the second image forming means onto the recording medium, the second transfer means including a second conveying means for conveying the second color toner image formed by the second image forming means to the first conveying means; and single cleaning means for recovering toner adhered to the first transfer means and the second transfer means, wherein the cleaning means is the developing means provided to the first image forming means, and wherein second color toner adhered on the second conveying means is transferred to the first conveying means and the second color toner is recovered by the developing means in the first image forming means.