Patent ID: 8543029

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: multiple image bearing members configured to bear respective electrostatic latent images, provided in tandem; multiple chargers configured to charge respective surfaces of the respective multiple image bearing members; an irradiator configured to radiate light onto the charged surfaces of the multiple image bearing members to form respective electrostatic latent images thereon; multiple developing devices configured to develop the respective electrostatic latent images with toner to form respective toner images; an intermediate transfer member onto which the multiple toner images are transferred; multiple primary transfer members configured to transfer the respective toner images from the respective image bearing members onto the intermediate transfer member to form a composite toner image; a secondary transfer member configured to transfer the composite toner images from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording material; a cleaner configured to remove residual toner particles remaining on the intermediate transfer member after transferring the composite toner image therefrom; multiple first lubricant applicators configured to apply a first lubricant to the respective image bearing members; and a second lubricant applicator that applies a second lubricant to the intermediate transfer member, provided downstream from the cleaner and upstream from an extreme upstream image bearing member, wherein an amount of the first lubricant applied from an extreme upstream first lubricant applicator to the extreme upstream image bearing member is based on at least one of an amount of the second lubricant applied from the second lubricant applicator to the intermediate transfer member and an amount of the first lubricant applied from each of the other lubricant applicators to the respective image bearing members.