Patent ID: 7346302

Claim:
A color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of image forming sections to form toner images of respective colors; a primary transfer section to transfer and superimpose the toner images of multiple colors onto a rotating intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer section to transfer the toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer member collectively on a transfer material; and a pre-secondary transfer electric charge eliminating device arranged between the primary transfer section and the secondary transfer section including, a discharge electrode arranged on the side opposite to the toner carrier surface of the intermediate transfer member and a counter electrode formed by a conductive elastic member arranged at a position opposite to the discharge electrode beyond the intermediate transfer member so as to press the intermediate transfer member, wherein the pressing force of the counter electrode against the rear surface of the intermediate transfer member is distributed in such a way that the pressure for the center of the intermediate transfer member is smaller than that for both ends thereof, in the transversal direction to the direction in which the intermediate transfer member rotates.