Patent ID: 8185007

Claim:
A transfer device for use with a sheet, the transfer device comprising: a transfer section for transferring a toner image on an image carrier onto the sheet passing through a nip portion which is formed between the transfer section and the image carrier; an application section for applying a voltage to the transfer section; and a control section for controlling the application section, wherein the control section controls the application section to apply a voltage having polarity opposite to a transfer polarity to the transfer section when a leading edge of the sheet in a conveyance direction advances into the nip portion until a predetermined non image area of the sheet has passed through the nip portion, and apply a voltage having the transfer polarity to the transfer section after the predetermined non image area of the sheet has passed through the nip portion and while a non image area of the sheet passes through the nip portion; wherein the transfer polarity is opposite to a polarity of the toner image.