Patent ID: 7209692

Claim:
A color image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of primary transferring devices to transfer a plurality of color toner images respectively formed on a plurality of image bearing members onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transferring device to transfer said color toner image formed on said intermediate transfer member, onto a transfer material; a discharging device before secondary transfer, disposed at a position between a primary transferring device and said secondary transferring device, wherein said primary transferring device is one of said plurality of primary transferring devices located at a position nearest to said secondary transferring device, and wherein said discharging device before secondary transfer includes: an electric discharge electrode disposed at a position opposing to a toner image bearing surface of said intermediate transfer member; and an opposing electrode made of a conductive material and disposed at a position opposing to said electric discharge electrode while putting said intermediate transfer member between them in such a manner that said opposing electrode face-contacts said intermediate transfer member; and a separating device to make said opposing electrode movable between an operating position at which said opposing electrode contacts said intermediate transfer member and a separating position being apart from said intermediate transfer member.