Patent ID: 7227562

Claim:
A electrophotographic apparatus comprising a plurality of image forming means each including a photosensitive drum having, on its outer surface, a photosensitive layer, a charging means for charging the photosensitive layer to a predetermined potential, an exposure means for exposing the photosensitive layer in accordance with image data so as to form a latent image, and a developing means for causing toner to stick to the latent image on the outer photosensitive drum so as to form a toner image, the plurality of the image forming means being stacked one upon another along a straight part of an endless intermediate transfer belt which is stretched for rotation between a plurality of rollers including a drive roller and at least one idle roller, so as to make the photosensitive drums into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt in order to transfer toner images formed on the plurality of photosensitive drum onto a medium directly or by way of the intermediate transfer belt for forming a color image, characterized in that: the photosensitive drums are arranged in one row in a vertical direction, the intermediate transfer belt is located on one side of the row of the photosensitive drums, the developing means are located on the other side of the row of the photosensitive drums, a recording medium supply means is located below the row of the photosensitive drums, a transfer means for transferring a toner image from the intermediate transfer belt onto the recording medium is located above the row of the photosensitive drums, a recording medium supply path composed of a vertical conveying path for conveying a recording medium fed from the recording medium supply means, substantially in parallel with the straight part outside of the developing means, a curved part and a horizontal conveying path for conveying the recording medium up to the transfer means in a substantially horizontal direction is provided, and a second recording medium supply means is incorporated on the upstream side of the horizontal conveying path, substantially above the curved part, and an auxiliary sheet discharge port is located on the downstream side thereof.