Patent ID: 8081920

Claim:
A transfer material separating device comprising: a transfer material moving member; a transfer material separation/suction section that sucks a transfer material held in contact with the transfer material moving member at a first surface of the transfer material and moves with the transfer material moving member at a second surface of the transfer material opposite to the first surface and separates the transfer material from the transfer material moving member, the transfer material separation/suction section including: a suction wheel provided with a suction wheel outer ring having a cylindrical shaft with a suction port for sucking air and through holes; and a suction wheel removably contacting section that brings the suction wheel into contact with and separate from the transfer material moving member, the suction wheel outer ring being provided so as to cover the cylindrical shaft and to be rotated independently of the cylindrical shaft, the suction port being disposed opposite to the transfer material when the suction wheel outer ring is brought into contact with the transfer material moving member, and the suction wheel outer ring and cylindrical shaft being rotated in the same direction when air is sucked from the suction wheel.